BYLAWS
Of
BAY AREA BOTTOM TIMERS
A California Social and Recreational Organization
ARTICLE 1
Offices
SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE
For the transaction of its business, the principal office of the BAY AREA BOTTOM TIMERS (hereinafter referred to as “BABT”) is located in Alameda County, California.
SECTION 2. TAX EXEMPTION
BABT shall be known as a Social and Recreational Organization under Section 2370g of the California Revenue and Taxation codes.
ARTICLE 2
Purposes
SECTION 1. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
The primary, non-exclusive objectives and purpose of BABT shall be:
(A) To promote safe diving and snorkeling,
(B) To educate membership and non-members alike in ecologically sensitive marine environment issues and
(C) To promote fun and enjoyment for the individual diver as well as the diving family.
ARTICLE 3
Membership
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY
No person or persons shall be discriminated against due to race, color, creed, national origin or sex.
SECTION 2. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP—ANNUAL DUES
(A) Individual Membership is $20.00 annual.
(B) Family membership is $25.00. A family membership is defined as those individuals residing at the same address.
(C) Dues will be prorated on a quarterly basis.
(D) Dues are collected annually in July.
SECTION 3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary membership may be conferred upon any individual by a majority vote of the Regular Membership. Dues will be suspended.
ARTICLE 4
Directors
SECTION 1. DEFINITION
The Bard of Directors shall consist of duly elected officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor. It shall also consist of the Chair and Co-Chair of Standing Committees as well as the Chair and Co-Chair of Ad Hoc committees. Directors are to be chosen by a majority vote of the BABT regular membership.
SECTION 2. TERM
Each Director shall serve for a one-year term, beginning with the January meeting. No Director may serve more than two consecutive terms.
SECTION 3. VACANCIES
The Board of Directors may appoint any eligible BABT member to fulfill a vacant Director position for the remainder of that term.
ARTICLE 5
Duties of Officers
SECTION 1. PRESIDENT
The President shall be the chief spokesperson of BABT. He/She shall be the presiding officer at all meetings of the Board of Directors and BABT club meetings. He/She shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
SECTION 2. VICE-PRESIDENT/MEMBERSHIP COMM. CHAIR
The vice-President shall be responsible for keeping records and data of the membership in cooperation with the Treasurer. He/She shall be chairperson of the Membership Committee. In the absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President.
SECTION 3. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be responsible for recording minutes of all meetings of BABT, including meetings of the Board of Director, and notes/activity reports from standing committees.
SECTION 4. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining all financial statements and other records pertaining to the financial affairs of BABT. The Treasurer will keep all banking accounts for BABT and in conjunction with the Vice-President, maintain a list of current BABT membership.
ARTICLE 6
Committees
SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES
a) Activities Committee
The Committee shall consist of a Chair and Co-Chair and eligible BABT Members as necessary.
Its responsibility is to select and plan BABT activities.
b) Membership Committee
The Committee shall consist of the Vice-President and eligible BABT Members as desired. Its responsibility is (1) to identify active Members and (2) To develop membership drives.
SECTION 2. AD HOC COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has the responsibility to define and appoint Ad Hoc Committees on an as needed basis. This includes the appointment of Ad Hoc Committee Chair and its membership.
ARTICLE 7
Nominations and Elections
SECTION 1. CALENDAR
Names for Directors and committee Chairs and Co-Chairs shall be submitted to the BABT Regular membership at the November BABT meeting. Election will take place at the December BABT meeting with newly elected official taking office the following January.
SECTION 2. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The President shall chair an AD Hoc Committee to select candidates for Director positions.
SECTION 3. GENERAL NOMINATIONS
Any regular Member may nominate individuals for Board positions to be considered for General Membership elections.
ARTICLE 8
Meetings
SECTION 1. LOCATION
Buy announcement in the BABT Newsletter, “THE RAT SHEET”, times and locations of all Chapter and Board meetings will be announced one month in advance.
SECTION 2. TIME
The regular BABT Chapter meeting will take place on the second
Wednesday of the month beginning at 7:30 PM. The regular Board of Director’s meeting will take place 7:00 PM the same day.
SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS
Special meetings of the Board of Directors of BABT members may be called for any purpose at any time upon seventy-t1o (72) hour advance notice to the membership by either the President of any regular member of BABT with the written consent of ten percent (10%) of the regular membership.
SECTION 4. ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the BABT Regular Membership will be held in January on the regular scheduled date.
SECTION 5. QUORUM
A quorum for all meetings shall be a majority of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6. RULES OF ORDER
Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the parliamentary authority at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 9
Special Provisions
SECTION 1. FISCAL YEAR
The Fiscal year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
SECTION 2. AUTHORITY
Unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, no officer or member shall have any power or authority to bind the Boards of Directors or BABT by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose.
SECTION 3. COMPENSATION
No compensation or salary shall be paid to any member of the chapter.
SECTION 4. DISBURSEMENTS
All disbursements shall be approved by the majority of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting at which a quorum is present.
SECTION 5. DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution and all financial obligations have been met, the balance of BABT’s assets shall be donated to a non-profit organization to be determined by the regular membership.
SECTION 6. LIABILITY
Since activities on and below bodies of water by necessity involve some degree of danger, we require all participants in activities of the BABT Dive Club to assume all risk by signing a general release at the time of membership. To wit:
GENERAL RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE
The undersigned, for himself/herself and for personal representatives, assigns heirs and next of kin:
1. Hereby Releases, Waivers, discharges and Covenants not to sue the BABT, Its Officers, Agents or Employees of all purposes, from all liability to the Undersigned, his/her personal representatives, assigns, heirs and next of kin for any loss or damage and any claim or demands therefrom, on account of injury to the person or property or resulting in death of the Undersigned, whether caused by the negligence of releases or otherwise while the Undersigned is engaged in any BABT activity, project, venture or undertaking of any nature whatsoever.
2. The Undersigned warrants by his/her signature below that the following statements are true and correct and understands that BABT has relied on them in entering into the foregoing release and is giving the undersigned permission to engage in any and all BABT activities:
a. No oral representations, statements or inducements apart form the foregoing written agreement have been made.
b. The Undersigned is fully aware of the risks and hazards inherent in engaging in activities near, on or under bodies of water and hereby elects voluntarily to engage in BABT activities., knowing that weather conditions and conditions above and below bodies of water may be unpredictable, and voluntarily assumes all risks of loss, damage, injury of death that may be sustained by him/her while engaged in BABT activities.
c. HE/SHE HAS READ AND VOLUNTARILY SIGNS THIS RELEASE AND WAVIER OF ALL LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT.
3. It is specifically agreed that if the person wishing to engage in BABT activities is under the age of majority for contract purposes, 18 years of age in California, his/her parent or legal guardian signs below on behalf of such participant.
GENERAL
RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE
______________________________________________________
Please Print Full Name of Participant
_____________ _________________________________
Dated Signature of releasing Participant or
His/Her Parent or Legal Guardian