Club Constitution
NORTH COAST YACHT CLUB
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I…Name
SECTION 1. Name.
This organization shall be North Coast Yacht Club (NCYC) hereafterknown as the Club.
ARTICLE II...Purpose
SECTION 1. Purpose. The purpose of the North Coast Yacht Club shall be: (1) To promotesailing and boating activities among members, (2) to foster a community of boating enthusiasts,(3) to provide facilities and services for the enjoyment of sailing and boating, (4) to promotesafety, education, and environmental stewardship in boating and (5) to encourage sociability andfriendship among members.
ARTICLE III...Membership
SECTION 1. Active Membership. Active membership shall include the applicant and domesticpartner. Hospitality of the Club shall be extended to children of Active members, up to andincluding the age of twenty (20).
SECTION 2. Honorary Membership. Individuals granted membership due to exceptional serviceto the Club, without voting rights.
SECTION 3. Eligibility. Persons who support the purpose of this Club shall be eligible for membership. Active membership in the Club shall be open to all eligible persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, or national origin.
SECTION 4. Election to Membership. All persons proposed for membership shall be recommended in writing by at least two (2) active members of the Club. All applications for membership must be accompanied by the current fees and dues as established by the Board hereafter referred to as the Board. After the application has been submitted to the Board for consideration and upon the Trustees' approving of said application, the applicant(s) shall be admitted to the Club. If an applicant is denied membership all fees and dues shall be returned.
SECTION 5. Discipline. If the conduct of any member shall be in violation of Club regulations or is such that it may throw discredit upon the Club, such member may, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board, be suspended or expelled. Before taking such action, a written copy of the charges must be served upon the member and an opportunity given the member to be heard before the Board in defense. After such a hearing and in the event the Board votes to suspend or expel such member, such member may request and have the suspension or expulsion reviewed by the members of the Club at a Regular or Special meeting. Members may then have the action returned to the Board for further consideration.
ARTICLE IV...Meeting
SECTION 1. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the members of the Club shall be held at the hour and place published in a notice of meeting. Notice of meeting location, date and time must be announced at the meeting preceding and published in a manner whereby the Membership has ready access.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be held at any time upon the call of the Commodore, a majority of the Board or a request by ten (10) Active Members.
SECTION 3. Quorum. Twenty five percent (25%) of Active members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any Regular or Special meeting of Club members. A quorum for meetings of the Board shall be no less than fifty percent (50%) of members eligible to vote.
SECTION 4. Order of Business. The following order of business shall be observed at Regular meetings, Special Meeting and Board meetings:
A.) Call to Order
B.) Roll Call
C.) Reading of the Minutes
D.) Financial Report
E.) Report of Committees and Officers
F.) Unfinished Business
G.) Election of Officers (Annual Meeting)
H.) New Business
I.) Announcements
J.) Adjournment
Roberts Rules of Order shall be the final authority in all matters of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE V…Dues
SECTION 1. Dues. The fiscal year of the Club shall be the calendar year. The amount of the dues, fees, assessments, and other charges for Club services shall be determined by the Board and fixed by majority vote of the members. Dues shall be paid annually.
SECTION 2. Notification. The Board shall promptly notify all members of any changes in fees and charges to members. The effective date of any changes in fees to members shall be no earlier than forty-five (45) days from the date of the Board notification.
SECTION 3. Non-payment. Any member failing to pay dues by March 31 shall be notified of non-payment and shall be dropped from membership and so notified by the Secretary. SECTION 4. Reinstatement. A member who has been dropped from membership because of non-payment of dues may apply to the Board, and with the payment of the current years dues plus such penalties and other restrictions currently in place, with the approval of the Board, be reinstated with full privileges.
ARTICLE VI…Board of Trustees
SECTION 1. The Board: Shall consist of four Trustees elected from the membership (Membership Trustees), three Bridge Officers, (the Commodore, the Vice-Commodore, the Rear-Commodore), and the Immediate Past Commodore.
SECTION 2. Secretary. The Secretary, although considered an office of the Club, shall have no voting power on the Board. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Board, shall hold office for one year.
SECTION 3. Treasurer. The Treasurer, although considered an office of the Club, shall have no voting power on the Board. The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board, shall hold office for one year.
SECTION 4. Powers of the Board. The Board shall be the governing body of this Club, and it shall be their duty to consider all applications for membership, to set up such Standing Committees as may be necessary. The Board shall oversee the management and operation of the Club, develop policies and procedures for Club activities and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Board shall disclose all matters of large or special interest and importance to the Club at a Regular Club meeting. The Board promulgate and enforce rules governing the use of the property and privileges of the Club by its members, their children and guests, and fill vacancies in its own membership. The Board shall approve the payment by the Treasurer of all expenditures, beyond an established limit and prior to payment of such expenditures, at any Regular or Special meetings of the Board at which a quorum is present.
SECTION 5. Meetings. The Board shall hold regular meetings during the calendar year at such hour and place as the Commodore may determine. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Commodore and must be called by the Commodore upon written request of any three (3) Trustees. Roberts Rules of Order shall be followed at all meetings of the Board.
SECTION 6. Advisory Board. The Past Commodores of the Club shall constitute an Advisory Board to confer with and to advise the Board. They are eligible to attend all meetings of the Board in advisory capacity and, although they may take part in all discussions, they shall not vote on any matter at such meetings.
SECTION 7. Vacancies. In the case of a vacancy occurring in the office of Commodore, the Vice-Commodore shall succeed to the office of Commodore. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Vice-Commodore, the Rear-Commodore shall succeed to the office of ViceCommodore. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Rear-Commodore, the position shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees to serve out the duration of the vacated position. The Commodore shall fill by appointment any other vacancies on the Board until a meeting can be called to elect a replacement.
ARTICLE VII…Duties of Officers
SECTION 1. Commodore. The Commodore shall enforce all rules and regulations of the Club, preside at all meetings of the Club and at all meetings of the Board. The Commodore shall appoint all Committee Chairs, sign all certificates of membership, shall perform all duties incident of the office. The Commodore shall, with the approval of the Board, appoint and be an ex-officio member of all committees.
SECTION 2. Vice-Commodore. The Vice-Commodore shall act as Commodore when the Commodore is absent and shall assist the Commodore in the duties of the office. The ViceCommodore shall be solely responsible for upkeep and maintenance and inventory of the Club property.
SECTION 3. Rear-Commodore. The Rear-Commodore shall take the place of the Commodore or Vice Commodore- when they are absent and shall assist them in their duties. The Rear Commodore- shall be responsible for the cruising, social, and educational programs of the Club, and shall serve as an ex-officio member of all such committees.
SECTION 4. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all transactions, proceedings, and correspondence of the Members and the Board, shall compile and distribute meeting agendas and announce Board and Membership meetings. The Secretary shall keep the roll of members and attest to all certificates of membership. The Secretary shall notify Board of Trustee members of their election, keep record of any member appointed to any committee and keep a current record of the Club Constitution. At the expiration of the Secretary's term of office, the Secretary shall deliver all books, records, papers, and property of the Club to the Commodore or to the succeeding Secretary
SECTION 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall receive and safely keep all monies belonging to the Club and the same shall be disbursed under the direction of and to the satisfaction of the Board. It shall be the Treasurer's duty to keep an accurate account of the finances of the Club in the books of the Club, prepared and furnished for that purpose, and all books shall be open for inspection and examination by the Board, or any committee appointed for that purpose. The Treasurer shall provide an account of the standing of the Club at its Regular meetings and at such other times as the Board may require. The Treasurer shall file or provide for the filing of all necessary financial documents with local, State and Federal agencies. At the expiration of the Treasurer's term of office, the Treasurer shall deliver all books, records, papers, and property of the Club to the Commodore or to the succeeding Treasurer.
SECTION 6. Immediate Past Commodore. The Immediate Past Commodore shall be an exofficio member of the Board. They shall not be entitled to vote at meetings of the Board but shall be encouraged to participate in discussion.
ARTICLE VIII...Nominations and Elections
SECTION 1. Composition. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a minimum of three former commodores and shall be chaired by the Immediate Past Commodore.
SECTION 2. Terms. Election of Trustees from the Membership. Two of the four Trustees from Membership shall be elected every two years at the regular August meeting to serve a term of two years. The term of office of each elected Officer and Trustee shall begin with the start of the fiscal year (January 1) and continue through 31 December.
SECTION 3. Slate. The Nominating Committee shall select a slate consisting of at least one candidate for each of the Bridge Officers (Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Rear-Commodore) and open Membership Trustee positions. The slate shall be announced to the Club at the Regular July meeting. If the membership of the Club desires to propose additional candidates for any open office, they may nominate from the floor at the Regular July meeting.
SECTION 4. Vote. The election of Officers and Trustees shall be held at the Regular August meeting. All positions shall be elected by a majority of votes cast in person or in abstentia.
ARTICLE IX... Committees
SECTION 1. Committees. As soon as practicable after taking office, the Commodore shall appoint the members of the following standing committees:
1.a. Cruising Committee. This committee shall plan and coordinate cruises initiated by the Club, appoint committee members as necessary, be responsible for keeping an accurate record of member vessels. The Cruising Committee shall act under the direction of the Rear-Commodore
1.b. Social Committee. This committee shall plan and coordinate all Club social functions, appoint committee members as necessary and shall act under the direction of the RearCommodore,
1.c. Clubhouse Committee. This Committee shall be responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and inventory of Club property. The Committee shall act under the direction of the ViceCommodore.
1.d. Membership Committee. This committee shall ascertain the needs and interests of new members, coordinate activities that generate membership, produce and post annual membership applications and cards and keep an accurate record of membership information. This committee works in partnership with the Secretary.
1.e. Website/Communications Committee. This Committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Club website and compilation of any membership publications,
1.f. Ships Store. This committee shall be responsible for designing, ordering, shipping, and
maintaining inventory.
SECTION 2. Term of Office. The term of office for all Standing Committee Chairpersons and members shall be the calendar year. Additional committees deemed necessary by the can be formed or dissolved at will with a majority vote by the Board.
ARTICLE X
SECTION 1. Any fleet wishing to be sanctioned by the Club must make application to the Club’s Board and receive their approval prior to acquiring such status.
ARTICLE XI...Compliance with the House Rules
SECTION 1. The affairs of the Club shall always be conducted and operated in strict conformity with all the laws of the United States, of the State of Ohio, and with the ordinances of the City of Sandusky.
SECTION 2. The Board, or a majority of members present at any Regular or Special meeting, may establish House Rules.
SECTION 3. These rules shall be conspicuously posted. Any violation of these rules, or any conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, will subject a member to suspension or expulsion.
ARTICLE XII...Flags and Insignia
SECTION 1. The Officers of the Club shall be entitled to wear cap devices, uniforms, and other insignia of their rank, of the style and type prescribed by the Inter-Lake Yachting Association for the use of member clubs. Where there is no specific rule laid down, the custom and usage among the majority of the Lake Erie yachting clubs shall prevail as to such device or insignia.
ARTICLE XIII...Amendments
SECTION 1. This Constitution may be amended by the following procedure:
1.a. A proposed amendment shall be presented to the Board. If such amendment is approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Board, it shall be presented to the membership at any Regular or Special meetings by an active member. After reading and discussion, said proposal may be accepted for further consideration by the Club with a simple majority vote of the Active members present. If the proposal fails to gain a simple majority vote, it is to be considered closed.
1.b. At the meeting immediately following the publication of the proposed amendment, the proposal shall be discussed. If no further changes are approved by a simple majority vote of members present, the adoption of the amendment shall be subject to vote. An affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present shall be required for its adoption. If further changes are approved, the proposal reverts to the sequence of publication, discussion, and possible changing after which its adoption is again eligible for a vote.
ARTICLE XIV…Club Operations
SECTION 1. The Club shall establish and maintain an Operations Manual to insure uniformity and continuity of operations year to year. It shall be the duty of all Bridge Officers and Committee Chairpersons to document their activities and transmit a report to the Secretary at the close of the calendar year.
ARTICLE XV…Indemnification
SECTION 1. Each Trustee, Officer, Agent, Employee or Volunteer of this Club shall be indemnified by this Club under the standards fully set by and allowable under Section 1702.12(E) of the Ohio Revised Code as the same shall be amended from time to time. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition to any rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be or become entitled by law, vote of the membership, or vote of the disinterested Trustees of this Club.
ARTICLE XVI…Dissolution
SECTION 1. Dissolution. In the event of the dissolution of the North Coast Yacht Club, any remaining assets shall be distributed to a charitable organization dedicated to maritime education or conservation, as determined by the Board.
Approved by Membership 8/09/2025