5 Organizational Communications:
7 Relationship with Grand Banks Yachts, Ltd.
9 Dissolution of the Organization:
The North East Grand Banks Owners Association (NEGBOA) is a non-profit corporation having the following goals:
To create opportunities for social interaction among owners, potential owners and other individuals having an appreciation for boats bearing the Grand Banks brand name.
To foster enjoyable, safe and knowledgeable boating.
To promote environmentally responsible boating.
To provide means of communication between members for discussion related to recreational boating.
To promote pride of ownership in the Grand Banks brand.
These goals will be realized through events, forums and publications such as; rendezvous, newsletters, mail and email communications, social and fund raising activities, web sites and other activities endorsed by the members.
Two classes of membership will be established and maintained. They are:
Eligibility requirements for membership at this level:
ü Ownership of a Grand Banks at the time of becoming a Member. (The Grand Banks name includes; trawlers, Eastbays and Aleutians)
ü Payment of initiation fees or dues as established by the membership.
ü Two persons having an interest in a single boat may share a single membership.
ü Once membership has been established, if the boat is sold, membership may continue through the following year if dues are paid in accordance with established policy.
Each Member (or shared membership) will be entitled to one vote in any election or other matters that may require balloting.
Eligibility requirements for associate membership:
ü An interest in the Grand Banks brand and a desire to support NEGBOA.
ü Payment of initiation fees or dues as established by the membership. Initiation fees and dues for Associate Members will be the same as for Members.
ü Two persons may share a single associate membership.
Associate Members will have no voting rights and will not be eligible for an office on the Board. If an Associate Member becomes a Grand Banks owner, they will immediately be eligible to become a Member, upon providing any relevant information related to boat ownership. No additional initiation fee or dues will be accessed.
Members and Associate Members will be entitled to receive all information, mailings, participation in events, and access to any NEGBOA website that should be established.
Commercial organizations, that wish to support NEGBOA and receive entitlements outlined in the paragraph above, may join as Associate Members.
The structure of the organization shall consist of Members and Associate Members, Officers as defined below, and standing and ad hoc Committees established by the officers.
Officers of NEGBOA will be elected annually by the Members and will serve for one year. Officers must be Members in good standing and will be responsible for all aspects of administration of the organization. The four permanent officers (the Board) and their responsibilities are defined as follows:
ü Responsible for directing the activities of the organization in line with the provisions in this charter.
ü Supervises and oversees the work of the other officers, ensuring that they function together as an effective team.
ü Provides the overall vision and sense of direction for the organization.
ü Spokesperson and external liaison for the organization.
ü Schedules and runs officer and organization meetings.
ü Selects committee chairs, delegates appropriate responsibilities to committee chairs, and keeps up-to-date on work of committees with committee chairs
ü Chairs occasional special committees, task forces or projects
ü Assumes President's responsibilities during his/her absence.
ü Establish and oversee the annual budget for organization.
ü Maintain current, complete and accurate financial records.
ü Report regularly (at least annually) on the financial status of the organization.
ü Establish and maintain checking/bank account.
ü Manage day-to-day financial transactions.
ü Record and pay bills/reimbursements.
ü Record and distribute all pertinent information to members, including meeting minutes and events.
ü Handle all organizational correspondence.
ü Maintain membership list with contact and boat specific information.
ü Maintain organizational files and records.
The four elected Officers will act as the Board of Directors of NEGBOA.
The Officers, as required to conduct the business of the organization, may establish committees. Committee members must be Members or Associate Members.
Standing committees will be established for long-term purposes such as developing and operating a website, publishing a newsletter, and similar activities.
Ad hoc committees will be established for short-term purposes such as planning and conducting rendezvous, social events, fund raising and similar activities.
The Officers will be nominated and elected by the; Members. The President and Secretary will be elected bi-annually for a two-year term beginning in 2005. The Vice President and Treasurer will initially be elected for a one-year term in 2005 and subsequently will be elected bi-annually for a two-year term beginning 2006.
The Board will set the schedule for nominating and electing Officers. Any Member may be nominated for any of the four administrative offices. Nominations may be made by any Member including the nominee himself or herself.
All nominees agreeing to serve in the office for which they have been nominated, must provide a brief summary of their background and interests, in order to allow the voting Members to make an informed decision. The Secretary will distribute this information with the ballots.
Balloting may be done either electronically or by U.S. mail with the Board certifying the validity of the ballots cast.
The election of officers with expiring terms should be conducted in February, with the newly elected Officers taking office on March 1st in order to have sufficient time to plan and conduct activities for the New England boating season.
Because of geographic considerations (i.e. a membership throughout New England) there will be few economically feasible opportunities to hold all-inclusive meetings of the membership, committees, and elected officers. Therefore, to the extent feasible, communications will be accomplished principally by electronic means.
Where possible email will be used to: inform the membership of upcoming activities, solicit nominations, conduct polls, distribute newsletters and communicate other normal business of NEGBOA.
Annual balloting for the election of officers and for other issues, that may require a formal vote of the membership, shall be conducted using the U.S. Mail and will be coordinated with the collection of annual dues.
The U.S. Mail will be used to communicate with Members and Associate Members lacking access to email and the Internet.
The NEGBOA membership list, postal address list or email list will not be given to or sold to outside organizations for promotional or commercial use. The lists may be used for NEGBOA purposes of announcing events, fundraising activities and sale of items whose profits benefit NEGBOA.
To remain a Member or Associate Member in good standing, payment of annual dues will be required. The amount of the dues will be set annually by the Board, near the end of their term in office, and will be effective for the upcoming year. Members must submit payment of their dues coincident with, or prior to, submission of the annual ballot for the election of Officers, for the ballot to be counted.
Associate Members must submit payment of dues prior to March 1st.
Payment of dues that are less than 90 days in arrears will be accepted. After 90 days reapplication for membership will be required.
Use of the Grand Banks brand name in the title of the NEGBOA will require the permission of Grand Banks Yachts, Ltd. Furthermore NEGBOA will seek official recognition and support from Grand Banks Yachts, Ltd. In acknowledgment of this the following will apply:
The above recognition and concessions are in no way intended to restrict or limit the independence of NEGBOA to conduct affairs and business.
These Bylaws may only be amended or superceded by a formal vote of the Members. Approval of any such revisions will require approval of two-thirds of the Members.
In the event that it becomes necessary to terminate the existence of the organization for whatever reason, the presiding Officers will:
ü Notify all members and associate members of the necessity for termination.
ü File any necessary termination paperwork with governmental agencies.
ü Pay all debts and provide a full accounting of all remaining assets, if any, to the membership. Those assets will then be donated to another non-profit marine related organization.