You can download the bylaws in PDF format here: Association Bylaws

United States Bowling Congress (USBC)

Greater Grand Rapids Local Association Bylaws

 

Article I

Name

 

The name of the organization is the Greater Grand Rapids USBC Association, chartered by the United States Bowling Congress.

 

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 men, women and youth.
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.
5. Not use any part of the net earnings of the organization for the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.
6. Not have a substantial part of the activities of the organization for carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
7. Not carry on any other purposes not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

 

 

Section C. Association Dissolution

Upon termination of its charter, the USBC association shall transfer all of its assets remaining after payment of its lawful obligations to the USBC association that is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization(s) serving the bowling centers previously under their jurisdiction.

If the named recipients are unwilling to accept the assets, are no longer qualified as 501(c)(3) organizations, or are no longer in existence, then the assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning section 501(c)(3) code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.

If the organization fails to transfer its assets within 30 days of their termination, USBC shall be entitled to take whatever action it deems appropriate to ensure such transfer.

These requirements are applicable to all association whose charter has been revoked as well as current and future associations.

 

Article III

Purpose

 

The purposes of the association shall be to operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including fostering national or international amateur sports competition within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, and to:

1. Provide equal opportunity for all in the sport of bowling without regard to race, religion, age, gender, disability or national origin.
2. Promote the game of American Tenpins.
3. Conduct and support bowling competition.
4. Engage 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 in effect from August 1 through July 31 and is composed of:

1. Adults who have paid the appropriate USBC, state (if applicable) and local association dues; and
2. Youth who have paid the USBC Standard Youth dues and bowl in USBC Leagues in the association’s jurisdiction.

 

Adults shall pay applicable membership dues, except as provided in Rule 100e, Traveling League and 100l, Mail-O-Graphic League.

 

The Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt adult dues, if any.

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¹ The association has members representing adult members and youth representatives representing USBC Youth members bowling in USBC leagues within the association’s jurisdiction. A quorum of both adults and youth representatives must be present in order to conduct business. A member may have only one vote, regardless of representing adults, youth or both.

__________

 

The adult members, and all Officers and Directors, by two-thirds vote, determine and adopt local adult dues, if any. The annual adult standard membership dues are as follows:

• Local                                                              $  7.00
• State                                                              $  1.00  (Cannot exceed $5)
• USBC adult standard membership               $ 13.00
• Total                                                              $ 21.00

 

The annual USBC Youth Standard membership dues are $4, state/local association dues are not allowed.

• Membership processing fees                        $  3.00
• Awards & Services                                        $  3.00
• USBC Youth Standard membership             $  4.00
• Total                                                              $ 10.00

 

 

The Board may waive all or part of local adult dues for:

1. Adult 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.

 

Membership is not transferable.

 

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 that includes the Officer and Director positions. The members, Youth Representatives and Board determine the number of positions on the Board, terms and term limits, if any. The total number of board members is 20 , with 18 total number of directors. At least 20% of the total number of Board members (Youth Directors) will be elected by:

1. Youth Representatives who consist of:
2. USBC Youth members, at least 14 years of age, bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.
3. One adult representative, who is a USBC member, from each certified youth       (A league is not eligible for representation if it has not submitted a league application.)
4. One center representative, who is a USBC member, from each center having at least one certified youth league.
5. Youth Directors.

The number of Youth Directors is  4 .

 

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:
4. Adult. Its member’s constituency (men and women) and complying with state and local laws in the area.
5. Youth. All USBC Youth members within the Association’s jurisdiction.
6. Implementing USBC programs as requested.
7. Selecting/appointing the Association Manager.
8. Approving use of membership records.
9. 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.
10. 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 (elected or appointed) must be:

1. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.

Youth. USBC Youth member bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.

2. 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.
3. Any member of the board authorized to sign contracts or acting as a signatory on association accounts must be a minimum age of 18.
4. At least 20% of the Board must be Youth Directors.
5. 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.
6. Candidates to be eligible for nomination as an officer shall have served at least three years as a member of the GGRUSBC Board of Directors within the last six years.

 

Additional eligibility requirements, if any, will be developed by the Nominating Committee to be approved by the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹.

 

Section C. Election of Directors

All Directors are:

1. Elected by the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives^1.
2. Elected by plurality vote*.
3. A slate.
4. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating                           Committee at least one week prior to the opening of the annual meeting. Qualifications

must be submitted on the approved candidate nomination form.

 

At least 20% of the total number of Board members must be Youth Directors. Voting will be by those individuals present and voting and by ballot if there is more than one nominee for each position.

 

*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 D. Term

The term for Directors is   3   years. The members and Youth Representatives¹ determine the number of years in a term and the number of terms allowed. For three-year terms, the members and Youth Representatives shall establish a stagger system so that all Officers and Directors are not elected at the same time. The stagger system adopted by the association is as follows:

1. President, Directors #1 – #5 and Youth Director #1 and thereafter every three years.
2. Vice President, Directors #6 – #10 and Youth Director #2 and thereafter every three years.
3. Directors #11 – #14 and Youth Directors #3 – #4 and thereafter every three years.

 

Each group to be elected as their term expires.

 

Section E. Resignation, Removal and Vacancies

1. 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 in the USBC Association Policy Manual. An appeal may be filed with USBC Headquarters 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. The Board fills vacancies in the President’s position. All other vacancies are filled by the President, subject to approval by the Board.

 

Note: When filling Youth Director vacancies please consult with the Youth Committee for their recommendations.

 

Article VI

Officers

 

Section A. President and Vice President

The Officers of this association shall include a President and Vice President.

 

Section B. Election

The Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ determine the election process.

1. Officers are elected by a majority vote** of the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives present and voting from:
2. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
3. Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee at least one week prior to the opening of the annual meeting. Qualifications must be submitted on the approved candidate nomination form.

 

Voting will be held 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   3   years, not to exceed three years in a term. The Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ determine the number of years in a term and the number of terms allowed and a stagger system.

 

Section D. Authority and Duties

1. President
   1. Presides at all meetings.
   2. Acts as spokesperson for the association.
   3. Appoints committees, with Board approval.

Note: Committees should be composed of both Board members and non-Board members

2. Vice President
   1. Presides at all meetings when the President is absent.
   2. Performs other duties as prescribed by the Board or requested by the President.
3. Association Manager
   1. Selected/appointed by and accountable to the Board.
   2. Acts 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.
   3. 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 Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ 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 Annual Meeting.)

1. Attendance

Attendance is open to all adult members, Youth Representatives and USBC Youth members bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.

2. Voice and Vote

Voting Officers, Directors, adult members and Youth Representatives, at least 14 years of age, unless state laws mandate a specific age, have voice and vote. Members not meeting the above criteria may attend with voice only. Absentee and proxy voting are not permitted.

3. Responsibilities

The Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ shall:

• Adopt bylaws, with the exception of the youth dues.
• Adopt local adult dues.
• Elect:

1. a) Delegates and Alternates for the USBC Annual Meeting.
2. b) Delegates and Alternates representing adult members for the State Annual Meeting(s).
3. c) Youth Delegates and Alternates for the State Annual Meeting.
4. d) The Board, including 20% Youth Directors.
5. Meeting Notice

Written notice of the meeting shall be forwarded to the Board, Youth Leagues and Center Representatives and League Secretaries, which should be at least 15 days prior to the annual meeting.

5. Special Meetings

Special membership meetings may be called by the President or upon written request of at least three Board members or at least twenty-five members of the association.

6. Quorum

30 members and Youth Representatives constitute a quorum. The Board, adult members

and Youth Representatives determine the number.

7. Action

A majority vote of those adult members, Youth Representatives and Board 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 requires a majority vote. Election of Directors requires a plurality vote. Election of Delegates, Youth Delegates and Alternates requires a plurality vote. Absentee and proxy voting and other types of voting agreements are not permitted.

 

Section B. Board Meeting

The board shall meet at least quarterly. Special meetings may be held upon 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 meeting.
2. Quorum. 11   Board members constitute a quorum. The Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ determine the number.
3. Action. A majority vote of those 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.
4. Action(s) Without a Meeting. Actions that are deemed necessary to conduct business/operations of the association may be taken outside a Board meeting by use of mail, e-mail or teleconferencing. This type of action must be permissible by state law and approved by the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives. The procedures found in the USBC Association Policy Manual, Chapter Eight, Section D, Item 4 must be followed.

The association does  allow the Board to vote via mail, e-mail, or teleconference.

 

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 the following Standard Committees:  Finance and Youth.

1. Finance Committee. The committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring association financial matters.
2. Youth Committee. The Youth Committee is responsible for monitoring, promoting, reviewing and recommending youth programs conducted by the association.

 

Section B. Other Committees

The President may establish other committees, with Board approval.

 

Article IX

Delegates, Youth Delegates and Alternates

 

Section A. USBC Annual Meeting

Delegates and Alternates are elected by plurality vote of the Board, adult members and Youth Representative, present and voting. (See Article VI, Section A of the National Bylaws for representation.)

 

Section B. State Annual Meeting

The association has Delegates representing adult members and Youth Delegates representing USBC Youth members bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.

Adult and Youth Delegates and Alternates are elected by plurality vote of the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives, present and voting.

  

Section C. Eligibility

1. USBC Annual Meeting. Delegates and Alternates must be:
   1. Elected by the adult members, Youth Representatives and Board.
   2. At least 18 years of age.
   3. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.
   4. Youth. USBC Youth member bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.

2. State Annual Meeting. Nominees must be:
3. Elected by adult members or Youth Representatives and Board.

1. At least 14 years of age.
2. USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.
3. Youth. USBC Youth member bowling in USBC Leagues within the association’s jurisdiction.

 

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.

 

An association is not eligible to send Delegates, Youth Delegates 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 Delegates and Alternates serve for one year, beginning August 1, and are elected by:

1. Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹.
2. A slate provided by the Nominating Committee.
3.          Nominations from the floor. Qualifications must be submitted to the Nominating Committee one week prior to the opening of the annual meeting. Qualifications must be submitted on the approved candidate nomination form.
4. 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
5. Alternates shall serve in the order of their election.

 

The election is to be held in compliance with the USBC or State Annual Meeting requirements.

 

Section E. Vacancies

Vacancies are filled for the un-expired portion of each term 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.

 

Note: When filling Youth Delegate vacancies please consult with the Youth Committee for their recommendations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article X

Amendments

 

Section A. Procedure

Any member of the association or USBC Youth member who bowls in USBC Leagues in the association’s jurisdiction may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The bylaws may be amended at any membership meeting by a two-thirds vote of the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹ present and voting. The amendment must be:

1. Submitted in writing to the Association Manager or President.
2. Submitted at least 120   days prior to the membership meeting when the association is considering the proposal. The date or number of days to be set by the Board, adult members and Youth Representatives¹. (See Section B, Change in Dues.)

 

Section B. Change in Adult Dues

Forward a notice to each League Secretary and Board at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is considered. 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 adult 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 the 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.

 

Revised July 2017.