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BY-LAWS

DISTRICT 17 ACBL ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 1 - Name=20

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be = "District=20 17 ACBL Association," hereinafter referred to as "the District."=20

Section 2: The name "American Contract Bridge League" (ACBL) = hereinafter shall be referred to in these By-Laws as "the=20 League."

ARTICLE II - Area=20 of District's Jurisdiction and Operation=20
Section 1: The jurisdictional area of the District = shall be=20 that area defined by the League as District 17.
ARTICLE III - Object=20
Section 1: The object and purpose of the District = shall be:=20
  1. To cooperate with and assist the League in the promotion and = conduct of=20 duplicate bridge tournaments, and to perform such other functions as = may be=20 delegated by the League.=20
  2. To promote the highest standards of conduct and ethics for = participation=20 in tournaments.=20
  3. To seek concerted action on all matters affecting the District = by=20 consultation with and recommendations to the District Representative = and the=20 National Board of Directors of the League.=20
  4. To conduct the Regional tournaments allocated to the District, = deciding=20 where and when they shall be held.=20
  5. To assist the Units of the League within the area of the = District in=20 scheduling and promotion of Sectional = tournaments.
ARTICLE IV - Membership=20
Section 1: Additional Units shall be accorded = membership or=20 existing Units removed from membership when, as and if the boundaries = of the=20 District are redefined by the League.=20

Section 2: Units may be merged into neighboring member Units = when,=20 in the opinion of the District Board of Directors, and with the = approval of=20 the League, such Units fail to perform their required functions or = when such=20 mergers would benefit or promote League = activities.

ARTICLE V - Board of Directors=20
Section 1: The business, affairs, and property of the = District shall be conducted and controlled in all respects by the = District=20 Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as "the Board."=20

Section 2: The Board shall consist of fourteen = representatives or=20 members chosen by the member Units in a manner hereinafter described, = plus the=20 District Representative to the National Board of Directors of the = League, but=20 in no case shall any Board member be an owner or operator of a bridge = club, or=20 receive remuneration on a regular basis from the League.=20

Section 3: The Board, at its first meeting in each calendar = year,=20 subsequent to the seating of members newly elected to the Board, shall = elect=20 from among its members officers for the ensuing year. Nominations for = officers=20 shall be made from the floor; voting shall be by ballot and majority = vote=20 shall elect.=20

Section 4: The Board may create such standing or special = committees=20 as are deemed necessary to promote the objectives of this = organization, and=20 delegate to them any of the powers and authority of the Board. = Standing=20 committees shall include: (1a) Judiciary Committee - Original = Jurisdiction;=20 (1b) Judiciary Committee - Appellate; (2) Unit Affiliations Committee; = (3)=20 Executive Committee; (4) Tournament Coordinating Committee; and (5) = SCORECARD=20 Committee. The Judiciary Committees shall not have any members in = common.=20 Actions of the Judiciary Committees shall become effective at the time = fixed=20 by each Committee or its chairperson, and shall be reported to the = Board of=20 Directors for the Board's information. Actions of the Unit = Affiliations=20 Committee must be approved by the Board before they become effective.=20

Section 5: The Executive Committee shall consist of a = minimum of=20 four Board members plus the President, whose duties shall be to = conduct=20 Regional tournaments allocated to the District according to guidelines = of the=20 Board, to make such decisions as the President judges must be made = between=20 regularly scheduled Board meetings, to recommend to the Directors = sites for=20 future Regionals to be held during a particular year, and to perform = such=20 other duties as may be directed by the Board.

ARTICLE VI - Election of Board = Members=20
Section 1: The procedure for Board elections shall be = as=20 hereinafter described.=20

Section 2: The Election Secretary shall:=20

  1. During August of each year request in writing that each eligible = member=20 Unit submit the name of a qualified League member residing within = the=20 District area in which the Unit is located, as a nominee for = election to the=20 Board for the ensuing two years. The Election Secretary shall notify = each=20 such Unit whether it's incumbent Board Representative is seeking = reelection.=20 Nominations are to be submitted no later than 30 September. = Nominations=20 postmarked after that date will be invalid. If the name of only one = nominee=20 is submitted for an area, mailing of ballots shall be dispensed with = and=20 such nominee shall be declared elected.=20
  2. Upon receipt of the nominations, prepare a ballot for submission = during=20 October to each eligible member Unit, listing the nominees for = election from=20 its area, and requesting that the Unit vote be recorded exactly as = cast by=20 its Board of Directors. Ballots are to be returned no later than 30=20 November; ballots postmarked after that date shall be invalid.=20
    1. Each nominee shall be promptly notified of the other nominees = from=20 his/her area.=20
    2. Election shall be by a majority vote. When a candidate does = not=20 receive better than 50% of the vote, a runoff will be held between = the=20 first and second place contenders.=20
    3. Runoffs shall be held prior to 25 December.=20
    4. In the event a runoff results in a tie, the tie will be broken = by the=20 Election Secretary via the flip of a coin done in the presence of = an=20 officer of the Election Secretary's home Unit, who will affix his = or her=20 signature to documentation confirming the result.
  3. During August of each year, cause to be published in the = District 17=20 Scorecard notice of the upcoming Board elections and a = summary of the=20 relevant election procedures.

Section 3:=20

  1. Each member Unit shall be entitled to one vote for each 100 = members or=20 major fraction thereof of the Unit membership, but in no case less = than one=20 vote. The actual vote for each candidate will be apportioned by the = formula=20 ratio:
    Number of votes = for a=20 candidate divided by the number of Board members voting times votes=20
    entitled a Unit equals = the actual=20 vote.=20
  2. Where a Board member is elected by a single Unit (Albuquerque, = Denver,=20 El Paso, Las Vegas, Mesa, Phoenix and Tucson), election shall be by = a=20 majority vote of the Unit Board of Directors.
Section = 4:=20
  1. The Election Secretary shall bring any election irregularities = to the=20 attention of the President and the Executive Committee. If the = Executive=20 Committee determines that a newly elected member was not elected=20 substantially in accordance with the procedures set forth in this = Article,=20 the President shall notify the newly elected member and the Unit(s) = involved=20 of the irregularity and advise them that the Board of Directors may=20 determine not to certify the election.=20
  2. At the next meeting of the Board, the Election Secretary shall = present=20 the election report for Board certification. The President = previously shall=20 have notified the newly elected members that they may attend the = meeting.=20
  3. If the Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote, determines not = to=20 certify a newly elected member because he/she was not elected = substantially=20 in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article, or for = other=20 good cause, the Election Secretary shall notify the Units involved = and an=20 election to fill the unexpired term shall be held as set forth in = this=20 Article, with the deadlines for nominee/ballot returns to be = determined by=20 the Election Secretary.
Section 5: For the purposes = of=20 representation on the Board, the District shall consist of six = separate areas=20 defined as follows:=20

Area 1:The state of Arizona
Area=20 2:The state of = Colorado
Area 3:That=20 part of Southern Nevada covered by Unit #373
Area 4:The state = of New=20 Mexico
Area 5:That part of Western Texas covered by Unit #159
Area 6:That=20 part of Wyoming covered by Units #421 and #422=20

Section 6: Representation from each area shall be as = follows:=20

Area 1: Shall elect five members to the Board; one member to be = from and=20 elected by Mesa Unit #351, two members
to be from and elected by Phoenix Unit #354, one member to = be from=20 and elected by Tucson Unit #356, and one member
to be from and elected by the remaining Units in area 1, = excluding=20 Units #351, #354 and #356.=20

Area 2: Shall elect four members to the Board; two members to be = from and=20 elected by Denver Unit #361, and the other
members, not from the same Unit, to be from and elected by = the=20 remaining Units in area 2, excluding Unit #361.=20

Area 3: Shall elect one member to the Board.=20

Area 4: Shall elect two members to the Board; one member to be = from and=20 elected by Albuquerque Unit #374, and the other member
to be from and elected by the = remaining Units in=20 area 4, excluding Unit #374.=20

Area 5: Shall elect one member to the Board.=20

Area 6: Shall elect one member to the Board.=20

Section 7: Election to the Board shall be for a term of two = years;=20 such term to commence at the first Board meeting of the calendar year=20 following the election. Areas that are entitled to more than one = member on the=20 Board shall elect one-half of the total each year to maintain = continuity.=20

Section 8: If at any time the Board of Directors determines = that a=20 member of the Board cannot serve the balance of his/her term due to = illness,=20 change of residence from his/her area, resignation or other cause, the = Election Secretary shall notify the eligible Unit(s) involved and an = election=20 to fill the unexpired term shall be held as set forth in Sections 2 = and 3=20 preceding, with the deadline for nominee/ballot returns determined by = the=20 Election Secretary. If a Board member moves from his/her area, it is = deemed a=20 vacancy has been created.=20

Section 9: At least every fifth year, the Board shall review = the=20 League's membership totals in the six areas of the District for the = purpose of=20 determining if a change should be made in the distribution of members = of the=20 Board among the different areas to maintain fair numerical=20 representation.

ARTICLE VII=20 - Meetings of the Board=20
Section 1: A regular meeting of the Board may be held = at=20 every District Regional tournament or North American Bridge = Championship held=20 in the District; when, in the opinion of the President, it is = desirable to do=20 so but, in any event, there shall be at least three meetings within = each year.=20 Notice of each meeting shall be made in writing by the President to = each=20 member of the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to each meeting.=20

Section 2: The President, or any six members of the Board, = may call=20 a special meeting of the Board by giving not less than ten (10) nor = more than=20 thirty (30) days' notice in writing to each member of the Board, = stating the=20 time and place of such special meeting, together with an agenda of the = business to be considered.=20

Section 3: A quorum for the transaction of business at any = Board=20 meeting shall be eight members. A majority vote of those members = present and=20 voting shall be necessary to enact a resolution.=20

Section 4: All meetings of the Board shall be held within = the area=20 of the District.=20

Section 5: Board members may not appoint alternates or = proxies.=20

Section 6: Issues or problems arising between Board meetings = that=20 the President feels require immediate action and are not within the=20 jurisdiction of the Executive Committee shall be handled as follows:=20

The President shall formulate a proposed solution and poll = each=20 Board member by telephone or mail, or conduct the necessary interim = business=20 of the District which the President feels does not require action of = the=20 entire Board.
Section 7: Except when the District = Board=20 votes to meet in executive session, Board meetings are open and = visitors are=20 welcome. Unless requested by the President, non-Board members are not = allowed=20 to speak or involve themselves in Board discussions.=20

Section 8: Any Board member absent from three or more = meetings=20 during a two year term may be subject to removal by the District Board = of=20 Directors.

ARTICLE VIII -=20 Officers=20
Section 1: The elected officers of this organization = shall=20 be a President, a Vice President, a Recording Secretary, an Election = Secretary=20 and a Treasurer. Officers shall hold office for one year, or until = their=20 successors are elected. The terms of the officers shall commence upon = their=20 election.=20

Section 2: Duties of officers:=20

  1. The President shall preside at all Board meetings. Upon election = each=20 year, the President shall appoint the standing committees prescribed = in=20 Article V, Section 4 of these By-Laws, and any other existing = committees;=20 which appointments shall serve in a temporary capacity until = approved by the=20 Board at the next Board meeting. The President shall be a member = ex-officio=20 of all committees.=20
  2. The Vice President shall preside in the absense or inability of = the=20 President to serve, and shall perform such other duties as shall be = assigned=20 by the President.=20
  3. The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate account of the=20 proceedings of all meetings of the Board, maintain a record of the = By-Laws=20 with all amendments and revisions, and conduct such correspondence = as shall=20 be assigned by the President.=20
  4. The Election Secretary shall conduct annual elections to the = Board.=20
  5. The Treasurer shall receive all monies due the District, and = shall=20 deposit same in such bank or banks as shall be approved by the = Board. He/she=20 shall keep proper books of account, prepare periodic financial = statements of=20 condition at least once a year, and shall disburse District funds as = required.=20
    1. The Treasurer shall disburse incidental expenses incurred by = Board=20 members and/or committee members performing their duties in = accordance=20 with these By-Laws.
Section 3: Any = vacancy occurring=20 in an office shall be filled by election at the next regular or = special=20 meeting of the Board.
ARTICLE=20 IX - Parliamentary Authority=20
Section 1: The rules contained in "Robert's Rules of = Order,=20 Revised" shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are = applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws = or the=20 special rules of order in this organization.
ARTICLE X - Impeachment=20
Section 1: The Board of Directors may, at any time,=20 consider charges against one of its members. Upon an affirmative vote = of=20 three-fourths of all Directors for the purpose of such consideration, = the=20 President shall appoint a committee to investigate such charges. Such=20 committee shall report to the Board at its next regular or special = meeting and=20 the Board, after consideration thereof, may, by three-fourths vote, = censure,=20 publicly reprimand, expel or otherwise discipline such member. In the = event of=20 expulsion, the procedure set forth in Article 11-H of the ACBL By-Laws = shall=20 apply.
ARTICLE XI = -=20 Amendments=20
Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended at any = meeting of=20 the Board by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided = the=20 amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular Board = meeting,=20 or has been made a part of the agenda of the meeting and has been = submitted in=20 writing to each member of the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to = such=20 meeting.
ARTICLE = XII - National=20 Board Vacancy=20
Section 1: Consistent with ACBL rules and = regulations, when=20 a vacancy occurs in the office of District Representative to the = National=20 Board of the ACBL, and neither the first nor second alternate director = is=20 available to fill the vacancy, the District Board of Directors shall = elect a=20 District Representative by majority vote, to serve until the next = scheduled=20 election.
Revised 31 July, 1985
Amended 16 August, 1986
Amended 10 January, 1987
Amended 14 May, 1988
Amended=20 12 August, 1989
Revised 03 = February,=20 1990
Amended 11 August, = 1990
Amended 19 January, 1991
Amended 27 July, 1991
Amended 28 May, 1994
Revised=20 21 January, 1995
Amended 27 = May,=20 1995
Amended 11 October, = 1997
Amended 22 August, 1998
Amended 23 January, 1999
Amended 22 January, 2000
Amended 24 June, 2000