We are the premier force for promoting women's golf.
The EWGA Chapter ("CHAPTER") exists to provide opportunities for women to learn, play and enjoy the game of golf for business and for life. THE CHAPTER'S vision, mission, goals and purpose are accomplished by working with its parent organization, the Executive Women's Golf Association, Inc. ("ASSOCIATION").
The ASSOCIATION believes in and conducts itself according to the values embodied by the game of golf:Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Honor, Sportsmanship, Fun and Friendship.In addition, we believe in and support:
Inclusiveness and diversity; golf is for all
Golf as an important asset for women in business
Volunteer service
Mentoring and support for new golfers
Advancement of golf skills for all golfers
Making a difference for women's golf
Professionalism in our operations and relationships
Section 4. Goals
1.To provide premier programs for EWGA members in golf education, player skill development, organized play, and in learning how to use golf in business.
2.To provide timely and valued benefits and services to EWGA members and volunteer leaders.
3.To promote the growth of women's golf.
4.To be an advocate for positive change on issues of importance to women golfers.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERS
Section 1. Classes of Membership
Membership in the ASSOCIATION shall be on an individual basis and there shall be the following three (3) classes.The ASSOCIATION'S Board of Directors shall set annually the dues structure for each membership.All classes of individual membership outlined below may have multiple types of members with varying dues structures, as determined and set annually by the ASSOCIATION Board of Directors.
a. Regular Member
Those individuals who join the ASSOCIATION and who wish to participate in and further the activities of the ASSOCIATION are considered as regular members. Regular members are eligible to vote and may choose to affiliate with one or more CHAPTERS of the ASSOCIATION.
Regular members who affiliate with a CHAPTER in the first year of operation of that CHAPTER will also be designated as a Charter Member of that CHAPTER as long as they maintain their affiliation with that CHAPTER.
Each Regular membership level allows the member to affiliate with one CHAPTER of their choice. Regular members may also choose to affiliate with additional CHAPTERS for an additional fee.
b. Supporting Member
Those individuals who support the mission of the ASSOCIATION but who do not intend to fully participate in the activities of the ASSOCIATION.Members in this category are not eligible to vote and may not affiliate with a CHAPTER as a voting member unless they upgrade their membership to a Regular member.
c. Honorary Member
Those individuals, who through their knowledge and activities have made a significant contribution to the ASSOCIATION and/or the field of women's golf and who shall be selected by the Board of Directors of the ASSOCIATION.Upon selection, they shall have the benefits as a Regular Member, but shall not be required to pay dues and are not eligible to vote. They may choose to affiliate with a CHAPTER of the ASSOCIATION.
Section 2. Admission
The membership of the ASSOCIATION shall be open to all persons whose application is completed, who are approved by the ASSOCIATION Headquarters office, and for whom dues have been received. The membership of the CHAPTER shall be open to classes of members of the ASSOCIATION eligible to affiliate with a CHAPTER as defined in Article II, Section 1, and who are members in good standing of the ASSOCIATION.
ASSOCIATION members, in ASSOCIATION membership classes eligible to do so, may affiliate with a CHAPTER in the appropriate corresponding membership category.The prospective member shall inform ASSOCIATION of her desire to also belong to CHAPTER, and ASSOCIATION will then notify CHAPTER of all such memberships.
Section 3. Dues
The ASSOCIATION is responsible for setting all dues. CHAPTER may not assess individual dues. The ASSOCIATION will provide CHAPTER with an allocable portion of dues collected, as solely determined by the ASSOCIATION.Thus, all membership dues for both new and renewing members, including, but not limited to, CHAPTER dues, ASSOCIATION dues, and initiation fees or reinstatement fees as applicable, are to be submitted to ASSOCIATION Headquarters.
If membership dues and applications are received at the CHAPTER level, they shall be submitted to the ASSOCIATION for deposit on a timely basis, but in no event shall they be held for more than 30 days before submitting. Upon receipt of said dues, it is the responsibility of ASSOCIATION to remitthe CHAPTER-designated portion of an individual's membership dues to the appropriate CHAPTER on a timely basis, but in no event shall the dues be held for more than 30 days before remitting.
Section 4. Voting Rights
Each Regular member in good standing, e.g., that is current on dues payments and is otherwise not subject to any adverse action by the ASSOCIATION, that is eligible to vote, as defined in Article II, shall onlybe entitled to one (1) vote. Other than expressly set forth in these bylaws, nomember of the CHAPTER shall have any right to vote on any matter before the CHAPTER.
Section 5. Transfer of Membership
Membership is not transferable from one individual to another.However, CHAPTER members may transfer their membership from one CHAPTER to another provided appropriate fees are paid for the CHAPTER to which the member is transferring.ASSOCIATION membership will remain in full force and effect. The CHAPTER is not required to refund the CHAPTER dues to any transferring member. Section 6. Resignation
Any member may resign their affiliation with the CHAPTER or with the ASSOCIATION by filing a written resignation with the ASSOCIATION offices, but such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of theobligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges accrued and unpaid. Neither the ASSOCIATION nor the CHAPTER is required to refund dues to any resigning member.
Section 7. Suspension and Termination of Membership
The rules governing suspension or expulsion of a member are covered in Article III, Section 3 of the Bylaws of the ASSOCIATION. Membership in an affiliated CHAPTER shall automatically terminate if a member is no longer a member in good standing of the ASSOCIATION.
Section 8. Reinstatement The rules governing reinstatement of a member are covered in Article III, Section 6 of the Bylaws of the ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERS
Section 1. Annual Meeting
An Annual Business Meeting of the members shall be held in the fall of each year for the purpose of introducing new officers and new Standing Committee Chairs and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the members.
Section 2. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the members shall be held only when directed by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office or by a petition of forty (40)percent of the membership in good standing submitted to the President of theCHAPTER.A meeting so requested shall be called for a date not less than ten (10) or more than sixty (60) days after the request is made, unless theBoard of Directors shall designate a later date. The call for the meeting shallbe issued by the Secretary, unless the Board of Directors of the CHAPTER shall designate another person to do so.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings
Written, printed or electronic notice stating the place, date and hour of theAnnual Business Meeting shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days before the meeting and in the case of a Special Meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not less than ten(10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting either personallyor by U.S. mail, facsimile, or electronically, by or at the direction of thePresident, Secretary, or the Officer or persons calling the meeting, to eachmember, if any, of the CHAPTER entitled to vote at such meeting.
If faxedor electronically transmitted, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when faxed or electronically transmitted to each member at his/her address as it appears on the membership records of the ASSOCIATION.If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited into the U.S. mail addressed to each member at his/her address as it appears on the membership records of the ASSOCIATION with postage thereon prepaid. No notice need be sent to any member not entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 4. Quorum
At the Annual Business Meeting of members of the CHAPTER, a quorum shall consist of not less than 20% of the voting members, including representation by proxy.
At any special meeting of members of the CHAPTER, a quorum shall consist of not less than 40% of the voting members, including representationby proxy.
Section 5. Programs
The time, schedule, agenda and program of each annual or special meeting shall be established or approved by the Board of Directors. The only matters for which members are entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting shall be such matters as a majority of the Board of Directorsshall determine in advance of the meeting.Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Special meetings, the Board isobligated to place on the agenda, and votes will occur as necessary, forissues raised pursuant to the petition requirement set forth in Article III, Section 2.
Section 6. Proxy Voting
Proxy representation and voting of the membership shall be allowed.A proxy cannot increase the assigning individuals voting rights. Every proxy shall be in writing and shall be signed by the member entitled to vote or his/her otherwise duly appointed attorney-in-fact.No proxy shall be validafter the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof, unless otherwise provided in said proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the member executing it, except as otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers
The affairs of the CHAPTER shall be managed by the CHAPTER Board of Directors and CHAPTER shall operate consistent with the ASSOCIATION and pursuant to the Chapter Affiliation Agreement executed by CHAPTER and ASSOCIATION.
Section 2. Number and Qualifications
The CHAPTER Board of Directors shall consist of the CHAPTER Officers and the respective Chairperson of each Standing Committee, all of whom must be active ASSOCIATION and CHAPTER members in good standing.
Section 3. Voting Rights
Each Board Member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a board vote.
Section 4. Regular Meetings
The Board must provide by resolution, the time and place for the holding ofa minimum of four regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other prior notice than such resolution.A regular annual meeting of the Board ofDirectors may be held without other notice than this bylaw, immediately before and at the same place as the Annual Business Meeting of members. Section
5. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the requestof the President or any three board members thereof.The person or personsauthorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. Section
6. Notice
Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least three days previously thereto by written notice.
Section 7. Waiver of Notice
Any Director may waive notice of any meeting.Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to any Director if the Director signs awaiver of notice either before, at, or after the meeting.Attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting anda waiver of any and all objection to the place of the meeting, the time of the meeting, or the manner in which it has been called or convened. An exception occurs when a Director states, at the beginning of the meeting (orwhen s/he arrives, if later), any objection to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 8. Quorum
A majority of the voting members of the Board of Directors shall constitutea quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.If less than a majority of the members are present at said meeting,a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.
Section 9. Presumption of Assent
A Director of this CHAPTER who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action of any corporate matter is taken shall be presumedto have assented to the action taken unless s/he votes against such action orabstains from voting in respect thereto because of an asserted conflict of interest.
Section 10. Manner of Acting
The act of a majority of the Board members present at a meeting where a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except where otherwise provided by law or by these bylaws.
Section 11. Election and Term of Office
The voting members in good standing of the CHAPTER shall elect officers from candidates presented by the Nominating Committee and approved by the CHAPTER Board of Directors.The election process shall be completed by October 1 of each year.
The President, Vice President and Immediate Past President shall each serve one-year terms.
The Secretary and Treasurer shall each serve two-year terms,with the Secretary being elected in years ending in an even number and the Treasurer being elected in years ending in an odd number. No individual may hold more than one Officer position at the same time. Candidates for the office of President shall have served at least one year as a voting memberof the CHAPTER Board of Directors. The outgoing President shall automatically serve as Immediate Past President.
Officers may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms with the exception of the Immediate Past President who may only serve one term.If a President serves two consecutive terms, the position of Immediate Past President will remain vacant in the President's second term. Officers shall be elected by the majority vote of the members eligible to voteat the Annual Business meeting, or if by mail, electronic, or other form ofballot, by the majority of the members voting, if so directed by the Board of Directors.
The Nominating Committee as defined in Article VII shallconduct the election process. The Chair of each Standing Committee shall be appointed by the Officers then in office and shall serve a two-year, staggered term as follows:
Membership Chair, Golf Education and Player Development Chair, Leadership Chair, Social Events Chair, and League Chair appointed in years ending in an even number.
Communications Chair, Sponsorship Chair, Handicap Chair, and Golf Events Chair appointed in years ending in an odd number.
Each Board member's term shall begin and end at the CHAPTER'S Annual Business Meeting in the fall of each year or on November 1st whichever is earlier. Individuals are limited to service on the CHAPTER Board, either asan officer or Standing Committee Chair or combination thereof, to eight (8)consecutive years. After that time period, an individual must sit off the board, in any capacity, for a minimum of one (1) year.
Section 12. Compensation
Directors of this CHAPTER shall serve without salary or compensation.By resolution, however, the Board of Directors may allow expenses for attendance by a Director at any regular or special meeting of Directors or other activity, event, or function of the CHAPTER or of the ASSOCIATION.
Section 13. Removal and Vacancy
A Director that is absent for three (3) Board meetings in a Board year shallbe subject to removal from the Board.The Board may remove a Director elected by the membership or appointed by the Board with cause whenever, in the judgment of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board or greater, the best interestof the CHAPTER will be served.
The replacement of the vacancy created by the removal of an Officer is covered in Article V, Section 6. The Officers shall appoint a replacement forthe vacancy of any Standing Committee Chair to fulfill the remainder of theterm. If a majority of the CHAPTER Board resigns, then the ASSOCIATION'S Board of Directors shall be responsible for the election of the needed replacements.
Section 14. Transition Election & Term of Office
A CHAPTER transitioning to a two-year, staggered term of office shall elect/appoint its officers/committee chairs in the following manner to satisfythe two-year, staggered term qualifications of Section 11:
Election held in year ending in an even number:
Treasurer is elected for one-year term
Communications Chair, Sponsorship Chair, Handicap Chair and Golf Events Chair are appointed for one-year terms
Election held in year ending in an odd number:
Secretary is elected for one-year term
Membership Chair, Golf Education and Player Development Chair, Leadership Chair, Social Events Chair, and League Chair appointed for one- year terms.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND DUTIES
The Officers of the CHAPTER shall consist of the President, Vice President,Secretary, Treasurer and Immediate Past President.All Officers shall serveas voting members of the Board.
Section 1. President
The President shall:
Serve as presiding officer of the Board of Directors
Set the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors
Appoint any special committees as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors
Ensure CHAPTER is in compliance with all requirements of the ASSOCIATION Chapter Affiliation Agreement
Serve as the liaison between the CHAPTER and ASSOCIATION Headquarters and to the appropriate Sectional Director
Section 2. Vice President
The Vice President shall:
Take the place of the President in the event of the unavailability, incapacity, or death of the President
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President with the intention that the Vice President is preparing to serve as a future President of the CHAPTER
Assist the President and Committees in implementing the CHAPTER business plan
Work closely with the Leadership Chair to ensure a strong volunteer base and that a leadership succession plan is in place
Section 3. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
Review and recommend financial policy
Oversee the preparation of the annual CHAPTER budget
Maintain financial records of the CHAPTER
Prepare and distribute to the Board at least quarterly and annual financial statements
Approve and act as signatory for one or more banks or other federally insured institutions for the purpose of timely deposits and safeguarding CHAPTER funds
File tax return(s), if applicable
Be responsible for preparing and submitting annual financial reporting to the ASSOCIATION Headquarters
In the event of dissolution of the CHAPTER, be responsible for turning over all assets remaining, after the financial debts and obligations of the CHAPTER have been fully satisfied, to ASSOCIATION Headquarters
Section 4. Secretary
The Secretary shall:
Have custody of, and maintain, all of the corporate records and the CHAPTER governance documents except the financial records
Record and distribute the minutes of all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors
Send all notices of all meetings
Be responsible for annual corporation filings with the state, as required
Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President.
Section 5. Immediate Past President
The Immediate Past President shall:
Serve on the Nominating Committee
Serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President.
Section 6. Vacancy in Office
The Board of Directors shall elect a replacement for the vacancy of any Office other than that of President or Immediate Past President. A two- thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors shall elect. In the event that the office of President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall automatically assume the duties of the President for the remainder of the term of office. In the event that the Vice President is unable to assume the duties of the President, a new President shall be elected by the Board of Directors within 30 days to fulfill the remainder of the term. In the event that the office of Immediate Past President becomes vacant, the office will be left vacant for the remainder of the term.
Section 1. Authority
In addition to "standing committees", created by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors in office, may designate and appoint one or more committees of its members, each of which shall consist of two or more persons, appointed by the committee Chair with approval of the majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Standing Committees