GHWGA BY-LAWS

By-Laws approved revisions September 18, 2018

ARTICLE I: NAME

This Association shall be known as the Grand Haven Women's Golf Association (GHWGA)

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the GHWGA are to provide a functional and social organization dedicated to the growth and development of the GHWGA; to stimulate and promote interest, participation, and improvement in the game of golf, and to provide an environment for friendly competition and familiarize members with the rules, etiquette, and good sportsmanship of the game of golf as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA).

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the GHWGA shall be open to women golfers 18 years of age and over who have full or associate golf member status and who have the privilege of playing golf under the rules and regulations set forth by the Grand Haven Golf Club. Membership eligibility in the GHWGA would also apply to any new/modified membership plans offered by the Grand Haven Golf Club that affords members the same privileges as Full or Associate golf members.

Section 2. Privileges: All members of the GHWGA shall have the privilege of participation in any tournament or event held by the GHWGA and serve on any committee when requested.

Section 3. Conditions:

(a) Applicants for membership shall attain such status by voluntarily accepting the by-laws of the GHWGA; subscribing to the objectives of the GHWGA; paying dues in the amount and manner prescribed by the Executive Board of the GHWGA; and accepting and enforcing all decisions of the Executive Board, made within its jurisdiction.

(b)New members wishing to join the GHWGA must have an established index of 37.8 or lower which has been maintained over a three-month period. If no current index is available, prospective members who wish to play in the 18-hole tournaments shall submit to the Grand Haven pro shop 10 unadjusted 18-hole scores, including the rating and slope of the course(s) played. These scores shall be submitted within a six-week period following application for membership into the GHWGA. After an index has been established, prospective members can then participate in the GHWGA day of play.

(c)To retain membership in the GHWGA all members must maintain an index of 37.8 or less at all times, however, a member plays to a handicap of 36 for all GHWGA events. If a member's index should exceed 37.8 that member has three months to bring her index back down to 37.8. During these three months, she may continue to play with the GHWGA. If she cannot achieve an index of 37.8 or lower she will not be able to continue to participate in the GHWGA until such time an index 0f 37.8 or lower has been re-established and maintained for a minimum of three months.

(d)The active playing season shall be on a seasonal September to May basis, with prize money being generated from the GHWGA treasury or participants.

Section 4. Members who play away must post all away scores. This is especially pertinent for those who leave for the summer months. Any member must play a minimum of eight times on a regular scheduled Women's Day of the GHWGA's current year to be eligible to participate in any GHWGA Championship and in any GHWGA year-end awards. Any member must play a minimum of eight times on a regularly scheduled Women’s Day of the GHWGA’s current year to be eligible to participate in any GHWGA year-end awards.

ARTICLE IV: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND DUTIES

Section 1. The officers of the GHWGA shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and collectively shall be known as the Executive Committee.

President: The President shall be Chairman of the Executive Committee and the GHWGA Executive Board. She shall appoint Committee Chairmen and be Ex-Officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. She shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee, the Executive Board, and general meetings of the membership. She shall be authorized to sign checks for the GHWGA in addition to the Treasurer.

Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President in the execution of her office. She shall assume the duties of the President in the event of her absence or inability to act.

Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the records of all meetings of the GHWGA Executive Committee and/or Executive Board, send out all notices, and have charge of all correspondence of the GHWGA.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all funds received by her, deposit such funds in the name of Grand Haven Women's Golf Association, and make all disbursements by check. She shall present a written report of the finances of the GHWGA at each Executive Committee and/or Executive Board meeting. She shall issue gift certificates. She shall be responsible to ensure that the paid dues agree with the Membership Chair’s record of paid members.

Section 2. The term of office shall be for one year, commencing as of the annual election meeting. Officers shall not hold the same office more than 2 consecutive terms. This term limit can be waived by a vote of the general membership. In order to run for president, said member must have served on the Executive Board in some capacity for at least one term and be a local resident during the GHWGA season.

ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board shall consist of the Executive Committee, the past President as Ex- Officio, and the Chairmen of the Standing Committees.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall fill any vacancy in the office of Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer occurring between the time of the annual elections.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall meet prior to general membership meetings or whenever deemed necessary.

WGA By-Laws Revised May 14, 2017

ARTICLE VI: STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The function of each Standing Committee of the GHWGA shall be to formulate and execute plans for the current year with the approval of the Executive Board and to assist the President in carrying out her duties.

Section 2. It shall be the duty of the President to appoint chairmen of the following committees: Weekly Tournaments, Special Events, Handicap, Social/Hostess, Rules, Ringer/Birdie, Publicity and /scrapbook, Grounds and Greens and Team Caption(s). Duties of said Chairmen are as follows:

Membership Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Membership Chairman to receive applications for GHWGA membership and verify eligibility of the applicant. She shall coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure records agree. She shall welcome the new member and provide said new member with information about the GHWGA.

Weekly Tournament Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Weekly Tournament Chairman to suggest play formats to the pro shop representative who has charge of GHWGA play and to assist as necessary in the planning.

Charity Events Chairperson: She shall coordinate the GHWGA’s charitable efforts and the annual charity tournament.

Handicap Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Handicap Chairman to keep an updated list, assisting new members with establishing the same, and representing the GHWGA on the Grand Haven Golf Club Handicap Committee. She shall also ensure that members continue to meet the maximum 37.8 index requirement.

Social/Hostess: It shall be the duty of the Social/Hostess Chairman to plan all social functions including food and decorations.

Rules Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Rules Chairman to understand USGA Rules of Golf, post local rules, settle any dispute pertaining to rules of golf, and promote knowledge of and adherence to the Rules of Golf among the membership.

Ringer/Birdie Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Ringer/Birdie Chairman to keep a record of birdies and ringers during the year and award prizes to the winners at the end of the season.

Historian: It shall be the duty of the Historian to take photographs at GHWGA events and post said photographs on the GHWGA website.

Sunshine Chairman: She shall send cards and/or gifts to members on behalf of the GHWGA to members who may be ill, having surgery, or have lost a loved one to support them in times of need.

WGA By-Laws Revised May 14, 2017

Team Captain(s): It shall be the duty of the Team Captain(s) to organize the teams for inter-club play according to the guidelines set forth by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE VII: NOMINATIONS

Section 1. The President shall appoint a Chairman of the Nominating Committee no later than two months prior to the Annual Election Meeting.

Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed two months prior to the Annual Meeting by the members of the GHWGA. It shall consist of four members including a Chairman.

Section 3. The Nominating Committee shall nominate a slate of at least one candidate each for the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The report of the committee shall be posted at least two weeks prior to the Annual Election Meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the person or persons so nominated.

ARTICLE VIII: ELECTIONS

Section 1. The annual election of officers shall be held no earlier than April and no later than June 1st of each year. Terms of office shall be from June 1st through May 31st of each year. Section 2. All balloting shall be according to Robert's Rules of Order Revised.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS AND QUORUM

Section 1. General memberships or special meetings shall be conducted at the call of the President and/or the Executive Board. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be one-quarter of the membership.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet as designated by the President, Vice President, or Secretary. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Executive Board.

Section 3. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the procedure of all meetings.

Section 4. Only the membership may vote to dispense with a general meeting. All changes of scheduled events must be approved by the board at a called meeting.

Section 5. Polling of members will not preclude a vote of the general membership on any given question.

ARTICLE X: FINANCE

Section 1. Membership dues shall be paid in the amount and manner prescribed by the Executive Committee. For new members joining after January 1, the dues will be prorated based on the remaining months of the season.

WGA By-Laws Revised May 14, 2017

Section 2. Expenditures over $100, that are not covered by the approved budget, must be approved by the President. All monies shall be used for prizes, awards, and other approved expenses with the exception of working capital (minimum of $50) for the newly elected Executive Board of the GHWGA.

Section 3. All monies of the GHWGA shall be deposited in its name and shall be strictly accounted for and controlled by the Treasurer. The GHWGA shall not be held liable for any claims of any nature incurred by a member or group of members unless specifically authorized in advance by the Executive Committee. Claims not so authorized shall be the sole responsibility of the members so involved.

Section 4. An auditor shall be appointed by the President and shall audit the Treasurer's books and report her findings to the President.

ARTICLE XI: PARLIAMENTARIAN

Section 1. The President, at her option, may appoint a parliamentarian for the conduct of business. She shall resolve the propriety of the procedure of motions.

Section 2. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the procedure of all meetings.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at a meeting (general or special) provided the necessary quorum be present and that written notice of the proposed amendment has been posted on the bulletin board for a period of not less than two weeks in advance of said meeting.