United States Bowling Congress (USBC)
Local Association Bylaws
BA /WBA/Youth

Introduction

The association must abide by state corporate laws and may adopt additional provisions provided they do not conflict with the mandatory bylaws or state laws. The appropriate provision of state law takes precedence over the bylaws.

Notes and footnotes appear only to provide clarification and examples. Parenthetical statements are for information only.

Article I
Name

The association is chartered by the United States Bowling Congress. The name of the organization is the:

Butler County Bowling Association USBC

Article II
Nonprofit Corporation and Charter

Section A. Nonprofit Corporation

The association is organized as a nonprofit corporation and operates consistent with the requirements of an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC).

Section B. Charter

The association shall be chartered by USBC and subject to its authority. To maintain its charter, the association must:

1. Provide services for USBC BA (men and women only)
2. Adopt bylaws approved by USBC.
3. Not enact any bylaws or rules inconsistent with USBC’s bylaws.
4. Adhere to stated requirements as set forth in the USBC Bylaws and USBC Association Policy Manual.
   
   (See the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter for suspension, revocation and appeal procedures.)

Section C. Association Dissolution

Upon dissolution of this organization all of its assets remaining after payment of its lawful obligations shall be distributed in accordance with the requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated there under.

Article III
Purpose

The purposes of the association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation, include, but are not limited to:

1. Providing equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability, or national origin.
2. Promoting the game of American Tenpins.
3. Conducting and supporting bowling competition.
4. Engaging in any other activities permitted by an organization classified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.

Article IV
Membership and Dues

Membership is composed of individuals who pay dues to the association and is in effect from August 1 through July 31.

An individual joining a summer league after March 15 shall pay the dues that are known to be, or become, effective for the next current season. On payment of the dues, the individual shall become a member for the balance of the current season and the next season.

Each individual shall pay national, state (where applicable) and local dues, except as provided in Rule 100c, Traveling League and 100j, Mail-o-Graphic League.

Associations will use one of the following dues structures as applicable to its membership:
The BA members, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt local adult dues.
The annual adult membership dues are as follows:

Local $ 6 . (Cannot exceed $10)
State $___. (Cannot exceed $1)
USBC $10 (Cannot exceed $10)

The board may waive all or part of local dues for:

1. Members of other USBC associations having a reciprocal agreement with the association.
2. Other groups, such as, seniors, etc., as determined by the Board.

The association cannot charge additional non-dues assessments.

Article V
Board of Directors - Management

Section A. Board Composition, Authority and Duties

The management and governance of the association is vested in the board of directors. The number of directors is determined by the members.

The maximum number of directors is 16. From this number, a president and 3 vice presidents shall be elected. See Article VI.

The board shall not engage in any acts constituting a conflict of interest. The board’s duties include but are not limited to:

1. Enforcing the bylaws.
2. Complying with the USBC Association Policy Manual.
3. Conducting championship level competition for its membership constituency (men and women) and complying with state and local laws in their area.
4. Implementing USBC programs as requested.
5. Selecting/appointing the Association Manager.
6. Approving use of membership records.
7. Re-rating the league average of an association member when there is evidence the bowler's average does not represent the bowler's true ability.
8. Conducting suspension and reinstatement hearings if requested by USBC Headquarters.
   
   (See the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter for re-rate, suspension, reinstatement and appeal procedures.)

Section B. Eligibility

A candidate for the board must be:

1. A USBC member in good standing at the time of election and throughout their term. (Youth)
2. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term. (BA and WBA)
3. Elected or appointed without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin, or age, other than the minimum age of 14, unless state laws mandate a specific age, and be reasonably representative of the membership. “Gender” does not apply to WBA.

a. Any member of the board authorized to sign contracts or acting as a signatory on association accounts must be a minimum age of 18 to meet bonding requirements.

b. A maximum of three bowling center proprietors may serve on the board at one time. A proprietor is an individual who is the owner, partner, or corporate officer of a bowling center or group of bowling centers. Excluded from the definition of proprietor is an individual who owns 25% or less of the equity shares, or who is inactive in the management of the bowling center and remains so during a term as an officer or director. (BA or WBA only.)

c. The candidate must bowl in a league under the jurisdiction of the Butler County Bowling Association USBC.

d. To be nominated from the floor, the candidate must be in attendance at the Membership meeting. (NOTE: Since all nominations must come from the Nominating Committee, candidates other than from the floor will already have accepted the nomination in order to be put onto the slate)

Section C. Election of Directors

Directors are elected by a majority vote* of: The membership present and voting, from:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.
   Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

*If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote.

Section D. Term

The term for directors is 2 years. The number of years in a term, the number of terms allowed and a stagger system are determined by the membership.

Approximately one-half of the Board shall be elected each year.

Section E. Resignation, Removal, and Vacancies

1. Resignation. A board member may resign from the board of directors by providing written notice of resignation to the president or, in the case of the president, to the board.
2. Removal for Ineligibility. A board member who is no longer eligible to serve on the board may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the board when a quorum is present.
3. Removal for Cause. When a board member is accused in writing of failure to properly perform the duties of their office or otherwise engaging in improper or unfair activities or conduct, the board may conduct a hearing following the Removal Procedures in the Suspension and Reinstatement Chapter. An appeal may be filed with USBC within 15 days of the removal. Two-thirds written consent of the full board is required to seek re-election and/or reappointment to the board.
4. Vacancies. Vacancies in positions on the board are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows:
   
   a) The president, with board approval shall fill vacancies in director positions.
   b) The board fills vacancies in officer positions.

Article VI
Officers

Section A. President and Vice President

The officers of this association shall include a president and 3 vice presidents. (The association determines if more than one vice president or a sergeant-at-arms is necessary and defines their duties and responsibilities to be placed in the USBC Association Policy Manual.)

Section B. Election

Officers are elected by a majority vote* of: the membership present and voting, from:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.
   

Voting will be by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

*If a majority vote is not reached on the first ballot, the candidate receiving the lowest vote total is dropped and balloting continues until a candidate receives a majority vote.

Section C. Term

The term for elected officers is 1 year, not to exceed three years.
The number of years in a term, the number of terms allowed and a stagger system are determined by the membership.
(See the USBC Association Policy Manual for suggested term limits and stagger system.)

Section D. Authority and Duties

1. President
   a. Presides at all meetings.
   b. Acts as spokesperson for the association.
   c. Appoints committees, except nominating, with board approval.
   Note: All committees should be composed of both board members and non-board members.
   
   
2. Vice President
   a. Presides at all meetings when the president is absent.
   b. Performs other duties as prescribed by the board or requested by the president.
   
   
3. Association Manager
   The Association Manager is:
   a. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the board.
   b. Responsible for implementation of USBC’s Performance Standards.
   c. Acting as the ex officio non-voting secretary/treasurer of the board or such other officer designation as required by law and determined by the board.
   d. Responsible for other duties as prescribed by the board and in the USBC Association Policy Manual.
   

Article VII
Meetings

Section A. Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of the membership shall be held at a time and place approved by the board of directors. (See Article IX, Section D for the time frame for election of delegates and alternates to the USBC meeting.)

1. Member/Youth Representative
   Attendance is open to all members. Voting members, officers, directors and Youth Representatives must be at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age.
   
   
2. Voice and Vote
   BA membership, voting officers and directors of this association, at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age, have voice and vote.
   
   Members not meeting the above stated criteria may attend with voice only.
   Absentee and proxy voting are not allowed.
   
   
3. Responsibilities
   BA members shall:
   1) Adopt bylaws, including local adult dues amount, up to the established maximum.
   2) Elect officers and directors to the board.
   3) Elect delegates and alternates for the USBC and state annual meetings.
   
   
4. Meeting Notice
   a. BA or WBA -written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the board and league secretaries, which should be at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting.
   
   b. Youth associations -written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the board and Youth Representatives, which should be at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting. Special meetings may be called by the president or upon written request of at least three board members.
   
   
5. Quorum
   Members present (BA or WBA) constitute a quorum. (See the USBC Association Policy Manual for
   suggested quorums).
   
   
6. Action
   A majority vote of those members, officers and directors present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws. Election of officers/directors and delegates/ Youth Representatives/ alternates requires a majority vote.
   Absentee and proxy voting are not allowed.

Section B. Board Meeting

The board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be held upon the request of any board member if a majority of the board approves.

1. Notice. Written notice for all regular and special meetings shall be forwarded to the board, which should be at least 15 days prior to the start of a meeting.
2. Quorum. a majority of board members constitute a quorum. The members determine the number.
   
3. Action. A majority vote of the officers and directors, present and voting, at a properly noticed meeting, when a quorum has been established, is required to take action, unless otherwise provided by law or these bylaws.
   Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.

Section C. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, governs all meetings.

Article VIII
Committees

Section A. Standing Committees

The association shall have a Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the association’s financial matters.

Section B. Other Committees

The president may establish other committees, with board approval.

Article IX
Delegates, Alternates, (BA or WBA)
Youth Representatives, Alternates (Youth Association)

Section A. USBC Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the USBC annual meeting are elected by plurality vote* by those members present and voting. (See Article VI, Section A of the national bylaws for representation.)

*A plurality vote is the largest number of votes cast for a given candidate. The candidate(s) receiving the most votes is(are) elected.

Section B. State Annual Meeting

Delegates and alternates to the state annual meeting are elected by plurality vote* by those members, officers and directors present and voting.

Section C. Eligibility

1. USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:
   a. Elected by the BA members.
   b. At least 18 years of age.
   c. A member in good standing at the time of election and throughout their term. (Youth)
   d. A member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term. (BA and WBA)
   
   
2. State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:
   a. Elected by the: members, officers and directors.
   b. At least 14 years of age.
   c. A USBC member in good standing at the time of election and throughout their term. (Youth)
   d. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term. (BA and WBA)

If a member is elected to represent more than one association to attend the same meeting, the first election shall stand and any succeeding election shall be declared null and void.

A local association is not eligible to send delegates/Youth Representatives if it is declared delinquent or USBC has revoked its charter.

Note: An association that has not processed dues for the current season shall be considered delinquent.

Section D. Election

Delegates, Youth Representatives and alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:

1. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
2. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee.
   
3. Plurality vote*. The election shall be by ballot, except that a voice vote may be taken when the number of candidates does not exceed the number of positions to be filled.
4. Alternates shall serve in order of their election.
   The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or State Annual Meeting requirements at which the delegates/Youth Representatives will represent the association.
   

Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term as follows: If elected by the members (BA or WBA), vacancies are filled by the alternates in the order in which they were elected. If a vacancy still exists the president fills the vacant position by appointment. The appointee must also meet the same eligibility requirements as elected positions.

Article X
Amendments

Section A. Procedure

Any member of the association may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The local association bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting, by a two-thirds vote of the officers and directors and the: membership present and voting. The amendment must be:

1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or president.
2. Submitted at least 60 days (date or number of days to be set by the: members, officers and directors). prior to the meeting when the association is considering the proposal. (See Section B for Change in Dues.)

Section B. Change in Dues

Forward a notice at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is considered to: League Secretaries.

The notice must:

1. Be in writing.
2. Specify the amount of the change.
3. Specify the reason for the change.

Notification of any adopted change in dues, and the reason for the change, will be forwarded, in writing to each: league secretary.

Section C. Effective Date

All amendments are effective August 1, following adoption, unless otherwise specified when adopted.

Article XI
Fiscal year

The fiscal year of this association is August 1 through July 31.

Article XII
Indemnification

Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law.