THE BUZZARD CLUB OF AMERICA
FT. SMITH “HANGING JUDGE” CHAPTER
CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

  1. The name of this organization shall be the Buzzard Club of America, Ft. Smith Chapter. The Ft. Smith Chapter shall also be known as the “Hanging Judge” Chapter. The officers and directors shall approve the logo for the chapter with ratification by the members at any meeting by simple majority.
  2. The fiscal year shall be September 1st through August 31st.
  3. The purpose is to bind together all sanctioned bowlers who have had at least three (3) splits of any variety, in a row, in one game while participating in certified competition. It is to encourage high score bowling with members of high moral character and promote the fun and fellowship of the game of bowling. The Rules of USBC, not covered in these by-laws, shall govern this club.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY

  1. This membership of this chapter shall consist of men and women who are members of the USBC.
  2. The men shall be known as Fellow Buzzards and the women as Lady Buzzards.
  3. Any Fellow or Lady Buzzard submitting an application of a new member shall verify all facts stated on application, including average, and shall submit application with money and telescore, if available, to the treasurer before the general meeting starts.
  4. Any Buzzard Club member in good standing from a Buzzard Club other than the Ft. Smith Buzzard Club will be allowed to attend and bowl with the Ft. Smith Chapter. The following conditions shall apply to all visiting members, exceptions being tournaments or challenges between or with other Buzzard Clubs.
    1. At the time of the second bowing attendance within any six (6) months, a visiting Buzzard shall become an associate member before bowling in additional Ft. Smith club functions.
    2. Associate membership dues shall be ($5.00) per year, payable on club due dates.
    3. An associate member may not hold local office and shall have no voting privileges.
    4. A member transferring from another Club to the Ft. Smith Club will pay current dues to the Ft. Smith Chapter.
  5. Membership in this chapter shall be by invitation only. To become eligible, a bowler must have had three (3) splits in a row in one (1) game while bowling in a sanctioned league or tournament. Anyone qualifying to become a Buzzard must join within thirty (30) days of qualifying. The membership initiation fee is five dollars ($5.00) and must be paid before a proposed member may be added to our chapter roster. This covers the cost of membership supplies, including one (1) Buzzard patch, and monthly dues to the next semiannual due date. New members accepted within sixty (60) days of semiannual due date shall be exempt for the first semiannual period. Monthly dues are one dollar ($1.00) per month payable semiannually, to be paid in advance.
    1. Any member who reaches his/her sixty-fifth (65) birthday will be eligible for a lifetime membership in the chapter provided they have attended at least twelve monthly meetings (these do not have to be consecutive). The member must notify the Treasure upon reaching his/her sixty-fifth (65) birthday and having attended twelve (12) meetings. Upon reaching lifetime membership, monthly dues will no longer be assessed. The member will be responsible for all.
    2. The President or Treasurer will notify a member who becomes delinquent in dues in the first month of the delinquency. Dues must be paid to a current status prior to bowling in any Buzzard Club event at any time after said due date. Dues not paid during the delinquent six (6) month period will be dropped from the membership roster by the chapter. After such a time a former member must requalify.
    3. The Treasurer shall make a listing of delinquent members to all officers and directors at the time of the third month of delinquency. Special attention to reinstate such members shall be directed by the President.
    4. The Board of Directors may revoke membership for any act that is detrimental to the chapter. No money will be refunded.
  6. If a visitor wishes to attempt to qualify as a Buzzard, he/she may do so at the discretion of the Board of Directors under the following conditions:
    1. He/she must be sanctioned which the Secretary must verify.
    2. He/she may not participate in prize fund while attempting to qualify.
    3. Fee will be a lane fee only.
    4. He/she must be eighteen (18) years of age.

ARTICLE III: MEETINGS AND RULES

  1. This chapter shall meet on the third (3rd) Sunday of each month. Beginning in 2007-2008 fiscal year, there will be two (2) meetings held on Saturday:
    1. The second (2nd) Saturday in July at Midland Bowl
    2. The second (2nd) Saturday in December at Bowling World.
      3. Any meeting on a holiday weekend or other contingency shall be approved by a simple majority of the members in advance.
  2. At each club meeting, new Buzzard members and any quests will be introduced. All pertinent questions, treasury, and club information will be voted on or ratified.
  3. The highlights of each meeting will be the Mixed Singles Tournament and the Mixed Doubles Tournament crossovers, all based on a handicap of eighty percent (80%) of two hundred and ten (210).
  4. The club will be certified by USBC as a Tournament League.
  5. Bowling fees for members will be voted on at the August meeting to discuss known bowling center rate changes. Bowling fees are broken down as follows: 
               $7.05 Lineage fee
           $2.50 Prize fund
           $0.25 Secretary
           $0.25 Treasurer
           $0.95 Tournament fund
          $11.00 Total fees per person
  6. Crossovers (doubles competition) will be mixed competition only. Doubles will be paid on a one to six (1-6) ratio. Singles competition will be divided into separate prize funds for men and women and will be paid on a one to eight (1-8) ratio. Prize money will be paid at the next meeting. 100% of the prize fund will be paid out. If winners are not present within a 4-month period, monies will be placed into the general fund. Winners must be present to collect prize monies won and dues shall be current at the time of distribution.
  7. New and reinstated members bowl with the highest current Arkansas book average for the first six (6) games at which time they use their six (6) games Buzzard Club average. In September, all Buzzard Club members will use their average determined in the following order.
    1. Previous Ft. Smith Buzzard Club season’s average of twenty-one (21) or more games.
    2. Highest Ft. Smith book average.
    3. A member who does not have either of the above averages will bowl as an “open” bowler for their first three (3) game series and not be eligible for prize monies or crossovers. They would be eligible for prize monies and crossovers only after bowling a second (2nd) series because only then would a six (6) game average be attained. All members who use an average determined in (A) or (B) above will use their entering average for six (6) games.
  8. When a member re-qualifies as a Buzzard, three (3) splits in a row in one game, during our club meeting and//or and sanctioned event, he/she must pay fifty cents (50) into a separate kitty and fifty cents (50) for each consecutive split thereafter. This money should be turned into the Secretary with you name at the next club meeting. All members who have re-qualified during the year will bowl for this kitty during the August meeting each year. The highest number of splits in the three (3) game series will determine the winner. In the event of a tie, the first game will determine the winner, meaning that the person with the most number of splits in the first (1st) or second (2nd) or third (3rd) if still a tie in the first (1st) game will determine the winner. If there is still a tie after the three (3) games, the prize monies will be equally divided between the winners. The prize fund will be divided equally between men and women.
  9. King and Queen Buzzard will be determined by the number of splits acquired throughout the year during the regular monthly bowling. To be eligible, a member must have bowled at least eighteen (18) games or one-half (1/2) of the season. A prize will be presented to the King and Queen at the installation party.
  10. At the monthly singles tournament, ten cents ($.10) will be paid for each split by members. The man and woman having the highest number of splits will receive this money at the next months meeting. In case of a tie, the first (1st) game will determine the winner as described in Article 3 Paragraph 8.
  11. The Board of Directors will meet thirty (30) minutes before the general meeting and the general meeting will be held one (1) hour prior to bowling at which time the Robert’s Rule of Order will be in effect. Prize monies will be given out during the general meeting. Every attempt will be made to maintain the above schedule.
  12. Members will be notified of special meetings in the monthly newsletter. A vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present will be necessary to enact any new legislation of this chapter. Such meeting concurrent with the monthly meeting.
  13. Members are herby notified of the annual meeting in August of each year. Only at this time may legislation be approved by a majority of members in attendance.
ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  1. The Ft. Smith Chapter Board of Directors shall consist of six (6) members.
  2. Such directors may not include the President or Secretary. Each will be an ex-officio member. The President will have the responsibility to cast a tie-breading vote in the event of a director’s deadlock. Such directors may not consist of more than two (2) officers appointed by the President.
  3. The Board of Directors shall decide on any dispute or protest and it is within its power to discipline any member for violation of any provision of this constitution and by-laws or for any conduct derogatory to the best interest of this club. It shall have authority to expel any member for good and sufficient reason. They shall act on all recommendations of the President during a fiscal year. Such actions shall be in effect until such time as voted on by the members (refer to Article 3 section 11). Meetings must be held on a monthly basis immediately following the officers meeting.
  4. If a member of the Board of Directors or an Officer is absent for two (2) consecutive months (without sufficient reason) the office will be declared vacant. The President shall appoint a replacement immediately. An officer must let anther officer know that he/she will not be present at that months meeting.

ARTICLE V: ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS

  1. Election of officers and appointment of directors will be held at the monthly meeting in August of each year. If there are more than two nominees for one of the officers’ position on the first ballot and no nominee gets over fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast on the first ballot, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getting nominees. Ballots will be cast for one office at a time, beginning with the office of President, followed by the office of First Vice-president, and so forth. A member may be nominated for more than one office. An officer may not be an elected director (see Article IV, paragraph 2). The new officers will be installed at the installation banquet to be held prior to the September meeting. There will be no bowling at the installation banquet New officers will assume their office at the September meeting.
  2. Nominees will only be members with membership in our club in good standing.
  3. If an officer of the Buzzard Club resigns during their term, he/she will not be eligible for re-election to any office for a period of less than two (2) years from the date of resignation. Resignation may be given to the President written or verbally. The President will then immediately appoint a replacement.

ARTICLE VI: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

  1. President
    1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and the Board of Directors. He/she shall arrange to have the Treasurer open an account in a recognized bank in the name of the club, with the signature of at least two (2) officers required for all withdrawals. He/she shall audit and verify the bank balance monthly. He/she shall appoint a club historian who will also work with the First Vice-president. When a vacancy occurs in office, the President shall appoint a replacement until the next election. If the office of the presidency becomes vacant the Vice-president shall fill the vacancy. He/she shall appoint all necessary committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. He/she shall be the chief executive of the club, and as such, enforce all the provisions, object and purposes thereof. He/she shall perform such other duties as pertain to him/her office and should make a report in writing with his/her recommendations at the annual meeting in August. He/she shall represent this chapter at any other functions. He/she is responsible for the publication of the newsletter each month.
  2. First Vice-president:
    1. He/she will, in the absence of the President, perform all duties of that office and shall discharge such other duties as may be required of him. He/she must also keep the Buzzard scrapbook and be responsible for the club publicity. He/she will be responsible for the crossover competition each month.
  3. Second Vice-president
    1. He/she will, in the absence of the President and the First Vice-president, perform the duties of that office and shall discharge such other duties as may be required of him/her. He/she will act as Chairman of the Banquet Committee.
  4. Secretary
    1. The Secretary is the recording officer of the club and custodian of its records. He/she shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the club, Board of Directors, and committee meetings. Copies of the minutes will be provided upon request. He/she shall keep a current membership roll each month, adding new members and deleting delinquent members as notified by the Treasurer. He/she shall have charge of and conduct the correspondence of the club except as otherwise provided. He/she shall keep an accurate record of all bowling scores and averages and prepare a standing sheet showing all pertinent data. He/she shall perform all other duties as required by USBC of a league Secretary. The Secretary shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He/she shall handle the re-qualification kitty, which is bowled for in August.
  5. Treasurer:
    1. The Treasurer shall establish an account in a recognized bank in the name of the Buzzard Club of America, Ft. Smith Chapter, arranging that the monthly bank statements be sent to the President and further that the signatures of two (2) officers be required for all withdrawals. He/she must deposit all funds within one (1) week after each meeting (except the re-qualification kitty fund). He/she shall keep an accurate account of all moneys paid to the club and the disbursements thereof and an account of all monthly dues and contributions paid by members. He/she shall present a current financial statement at each meeting of the General Funds and shall make a written detailed annual report at the end of the fiscal year. He/she shall collect all entry fees from members participating in the singles and pay the bowling fees to the lanes. He/she shall notify a member who becomes delinquent in dues in the first (1st) month of delinquency and submit a list of those delinquencies to the President and Secretary. He/she shall verify money is correct for each new application, initial application, and give the information to the Secretary who in turn will hand over application to the President.
  6. Sergeant-At-Arms:
    1. The Sergeant-At-Arms must maintain order during the meetings. He/she must count the votes whenever a show of hands vote is taken. He/she shall perform such duties as may be requested of him/her by the president or the Board of Directors. Robert’s Rule of Order shall be the governing body of the club.
ARTICLE VII: NOMINATING COMMITTEE
  1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three (3) members in the club in good standing (volunteers) appointed by the President, by the end of the May meeting. The committee will present the name of the nominees at the July meeting for election in August. The new officers will be installed prior to the September meeting.
ARTICLE VIII: RULES COMMITTEE
  1. The Rules Committee shall consist of three (3) members in the club in good standing (volunteers). The committee shall formulate any future rules and regulations deemed necessary to the function of this chapter, to be brought before the club and voted on. The committee will be appointed by the May meeting by the President. Any proposed changes will be presented to the club in the July meeting to be voted on in the August meeting. All new rules will be effective September 1st. of each year.
ARTICLE IX: AUDIT COMMITTEE
  1. The Audit Committee shall consist of three (3) members (volunteers) with membership in good standing and appointed by the President by the May meeting. The committee shall audit the books at the end of each fiscal year and provide a written report to club members.
ARTICLE X: NEWSLETTER
  1. The President shall send a Buzzard newsletter to each member in good standing ever month. Members are required to notify the President of any change in their address. The newsletter shall consist of pertinent information, new members of the previous month and names of those who have re-qualified in the previous month.
ARTICLE XI: OFFICIAL BUZZARD CLUB DRESS
  1. Tournament dress:
    1. Black or Red Buzzard shirt/blouse, black pants, shorts or skirt.
  2. Monthly dress:
    1. Buzzard shirt/blouse, slacks, jeans, skirt or shorts. The official Buzzard Club shirt/blouse will be black with red lettering or red with black lettering. Buzzard members are required to purchase an official Buzzard Club shirt/blouse within their first sixty (60) days. After receiving a Buzzard Club shirt/blouse it must be worn at all club bowling activities or pay a one-dollar ($1.00) fine. Men or women who attend the general meeting only, and do not bowl, are not required to follow the Buzzard Club dress code. A member may be asked by any other member to remove or cover his/her Buzzard Club shirt/blouse if the member’s actions are deemed detrimental to the reputation of the club.
  3. Regardless of above, the dress code shall conform to local, state, USBC directives during tournaments.
ARTICLE XII: NATIONAL BUZZARD CLUB TOURNAMENT
  1. A member must have bowled nine (9) games in order be eligible to bowl in the National tournament, unless the member has recently joined within a 3-month period before the tournament date entry deadline.
ARTICLE XII: BINDING TIME OF BY-LAWS
  1. The approved Constitution and by-laws of this chapter shall be binding for not less than a period of one (1) year.
The above by-laws approve and effective September 1, 2006

President___________________________________________________
First Vice-president__________________________________________
Second Vice-president________________________________________
Secretary___________________________________________________
Treasurer___________________________________________________
Sergeant-At-Arms____________________________________________
The above by-laws amended effective September 1, 2006.

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