Article I - Name
This Association shall be known as the Niantic Bay Yacht Club, Incorporated, of Niantic, Connecticut.
Article II — Purpose
The purpose of this Club shall be the education of youth and others in general navigation and seamanship, and to that end provide for the teaching and practice of a knowledge thereof; to purchase, mortgage, lease and sell real estate and personal property to maintain a building on Niantic Bay and an anchorage therein; to own and operate boats; to conduct sailing races; to promote yachting and a knowledge thereof in Niantic Bay and adjacent waters and such other things necessary or incidental, all for the said purpose of general navigation and seamanship.
Article III — Membership
Section 1. There shall be nine (10) classes of membership in the Club, to wit:
a) Full members
b) Probationary members
c) Guest members
d) Honorary members
e) Senior members
f) Limited members
g) Senior Emeritus members
h) Student members
i) Racing members
j) Youth Membership
Section 2.
a) Each class of membership may be either single or family except Student and Racing members which shall be single members only regardless of the family situation of the member.
b) A member and the member’s family shall be entitled to the privileges of their class of membership at all times but shall be required to pay any dues and assessment based on their family status as of April 30th of that year.
c) Youth Membership shall consist of one individual and may include his or her spouse and children; be age 12 or older and be less than age 27 as of January 1st of the year of membership.
Section 3.
a) Single membership shall consist of one (1) unmarried individual member having no children in his or her care or custody.
b) Family membership shall consist of an individual, and his or her spouse if married, and any children who have not attained their twenty-first (21st) birthday as of January 1st of the year such membership is continued and in effect.
c) Limited membership shall consist of one (1) individual originating from a family membership in good standing, and may include his or her spouse and children, and be less than twenty-seven (27) years of age as of January 1st of the year such membership is continued and in effect.
Article IV — Officers
The officers of this Club shall be a Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and shall with the last past Commodore, the Chairperson of the Planning and Development Committee, the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, the Chairperson of the Waterfront Committee, the Chairperson of the House Committee and one (1) member chosen at- large constitute the Board of Governors.
Article V — Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at any annual meeting of the Club, provided the Board of Governors or ten (10) full members in good standing submit a written proposal of such action to the Corresponding Secretary, no fewer than forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting. The proposed amendment(s) shall be included on the agenda in accordance with Chapter III, Section 1 of the Bylaws.
Chapter I — Membership in the Club and Application therefore:
Section 1. — Classes of Membership
a) Full membership, single and family, shall be the regular and permanent roster of the Club entitled to all the privileges and benefits thereof during their tenure in good standing.
b) Probationary membership, single and family, shall be for three (3) years during which time the probationary member shall have the opportunity to observe and evaluate the Club, its facilities, programs and members and during which time other members shall have the opportunity to know and judge the probationary member.
c) Guest memberships, single and family, shall be permitted by unanimous vote of all of the members of the Board of Governors in exceptional circumstances for a -one (1) year period only to help promote the best interest and the purpose of the Club as set forth in Article II of the Constitution.
d) Honorary Members. The Board of Governors may elect persons because of age, length of service, or other extenuating circumstances to Honorary Membership. Such members shall have their dues and assessments waived and be excluded from the membership limitation.
e) Senior Members. Full members who are age 65 as of December 31st of a past year and having more than ten (10) years of membership in good standing may upon written request be thereafter classified as a Senior member, provided that such request is received prior to March 1st of the year he or she wishes to be so classified.
f) Limited Members. A child of a Full Family member shall be eligible for Limited Membership upon written request, shall not have a vote, and are excluded from the membership count, and have no re-instatement privileges, except as permitted under Chapter 1, Section 3(b).
g) Senior Emeritus: Any Full or Senior member seventy (70) years of age as of December 31st of a past year and having been a contributing member for at least ten (10) years may be eligible for Senior Emeritus membership upon written request to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee on or before March 1st of the year they wish to be so classified. Senior Emeritus members shall be exempt from any assessment fees, shall not be permitted to store or maintain a boat or vessel at the Club facilities, or serve on the Board of Governors. Said member shall be excluded from voting privileges and the membership count of the Club. A Senior Emeritus member in good standing shall, upon written request to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee on or before March 1st of the year he or she wishes to be reinstated, be reinstated as a full Senior Member.
h) Student membership shall be available to anyone age 18 or under as of January 1st of a given year who is properly enrolled in a sailing class offered by the NBYC. Such member’s privileges shall be limited to use of the club facilities during times when such lessons are being conducted or during a lesson related activity such as regatta, clinic or awards ceremony. They shall not be entitled to a vote at any club meetings and shall not be entitled to bring guests to the club except parents or guardians during those activities. Student members shall be elected to membership for a period of one year only and such membership and its privileges shall cease at the end of that calendar year but may be renewed.
i) Racing membership shall be available to anyone actively involved in a sailboat racing program offered by the NBYC. Such member’s privileges shall be limited to use of the club facilities during times when such races are being conducted, shall not be entitled to a vote at any club meetings and shall not be entitled to bring guests to the club except for racing crew. Racing members shall be elected to membership for a period of one year only and such membership and its privileges shall cease at the end of that calendar year but may be renewed.
j) Youth Members. Youth members shall apply for membership directly to the Membership Committee without a sponsor or seconders. The Membership Committee shall gather whatever information they deem needed to approve such application with a strong emphasis on the applicant’s interest in sailing. The Membership Committee shall approve (or deny) it directly, bypassing the procedure in Section 4. Youth Members shall have all the privileges and benefits afforded other club members except they shall have no vote; shall be excluded from the membership count and their term of membership shall be one season. The Membership Committee shall automatically consider them for membership for an additional season without application until they reach the age limit. They are not subject to an Initiation Fee and no Assessment shall be charged. Upon reaching the Youth Membership age limit they shall be entitled to apply for Single or Family Membership following the procedure in Section 4 and, if admitted, be subject to any Initiation Fee at that time and the Probationary process. They shall be admitted without consideration of the member count limit as shown in Section 4 e).
Section 2. — Charter Members.
All members who participated in the organization of the Club and who were members in good
standing on July 20, 1940 shall be Charter Members and so designated on all Club records.
Section 3. — Qualifications for Membership.
The characteristics and qualities of a yachtsman are essential for election to membership and, although boat ownership is not absolutely necessary, preferences and priority in election to membership may be given to boat owners.
a) Any person of good moral character with a bona fide interest in participating in yachting and yacht racing, upon attaining the age of twelve (12) years shall be eligible for election and admission to the Club as a member and shall be entitled to all of the privileges of membership, except as limited hereinafter.
b) A child of a family membership shall, on January 1st, next following their twenty- first (21) birthday, no longer be a part of such family membership and shall be so notified. Such person shall however, be eligible for full membership, either family or single, upon payment of dues and without the payment of an initiation fee. If the individual does not wish to become a member at age twenty-one (21) he/she shall be permitted to become a full member, family or single, without the necessity of probationary membership, providing, however, that he/she shall be required to pay an initiation fee in addition to dues unless he/she shall have become a member on or before their thirtieth (30th) birthday.
c) A child of a family membership who marries before the age of twenty-one (21) shall constitute a new family membership and shall follow the procedure in Chapter 1, Section 3(b).
d) No person shall be eligible for full membership unless he/she shall have been a probationary member for three (3) years and shall have been elected to full membership by an affirmation vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Governors. Such affirmation shall be at a meeting of such Board whose notice thereof shall have included warning of the admission of a new member not less than ten (10) days after all full members shall have been notified in writing that such probationary member has requested full membership.
Section 4. — Application for Membership.
a) Any person applying for membership shall be proposed and seconded in writing by two (2) Club members in good standing to whom the applicant is personally known. No member of the Board of Governors shall propose or second any application, nor shall more than one (1) member of a family membership be entitled to do so. All applications shall be made in such a manner and shall contain such information as the Board of Governors shall from time to time prescribe. All proposal and seconding letters shall contain enough information to fully acquaint the Board of Governors with the applicant.
b) All applications for membership shall be delivered to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee. Such committee shall forthwith make a thorough investigation of each applicant. The Corresponding Secretary, upon notification from the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, shall notify all full members in writing with regard to each application for membership. Members shall be entitled to comment upon such application by delivering such comment in writing to the Chairperson of the Membership Committee within twenty (20) days after the date of the mailing of such notice. The Chairperson of the Membership Committee shall thereafter present the recommendation of the Committee upon each such application to the Board of Governors which recommendation shall propose acceptance or rejection of the application and reasons therefore.
c) The Board of Governors shall act upon each application and the recommendation thereon submitted to it by the Membership Committee at the next regular meeting of such Board after receipt of such recommendation and may approve such recommendation by majority vote of the members of such Board present and voting, which vote, at the discretion of a majority of such Board, may be taken by written ballot. A person whose application for membership is approved by the Board shall become a probationary member or shall be placed on the waiting list for probationary membership, as the case may be.
d) The Board of Governors, over the signature of the Commodore and Chairperson of the Membership Committee, shall notify each applicant of the action of the Board on such application within five (5) days of such action.
e) The total number of full, probationary, and senior memberships, single and family, permitted under these Bylaws shall be two hundred fifty (250), provided however that branch-off memberships under Section 3 (b) and the reinstatement of a member in good standing and Senior Emeritus members who request Senior status shall be exempt from such limitation.
f) In the event no vacancy shall exist in the membership rolls at the time, persons whose application for membership shall have been approved shall be placed on the waiting list in the order that their applications were received by the Chairperson of the Membership Committee and shall become probationary members at such time as a vacancy on the membership rolls shall occur, provided, however, that dues and the initiation fee shall have been received by the Assistant Treasurer within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing of notification of the vacancy to such person.
g) A current list of members and the class of their membership shall be maintained by the Assistant Treasurer.
h) No application for membership for the current calendar year shall be accepted after July 15th of such year.
i) Student member applications shall be exempt from the requirements above and shall be proposed by any one of the Flag Officers of the club and must be approved by a two thirds majority of the Board of Governors.
i) Racing member applications shall be exempt from the requirements above and shall be proposed by any one of the Flag Officers of the club and must be approved by a two thirds majority of the Board of Governors.
Chapter II — Initiation Fees and Dues; Assessments; Indebtedness of Members
Section 1. — Initiation Fees
The initiation fee shall be $900, payable in three (3) equal installments over a three (3) year period with the payment of dues, commencing with the first payment of dues. The new fee will apply to all applications completed after October 1, 1991 and may not be waived except by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Governors at the time of the reinstatement of a member who resigned in good standing.
Section 2. — Dues
The annual dues for each class of membership for the year commencing on January 1st next following shall be determined at the Annual Meeting. Members elected between September 1st and December 31st in any year shall not be required to pay dues until January 1st next following.
Section 3. — Changes in Fees and Dues
The notice of the Annual Meeting shall include any proposed changes in fees and dues
payable with respect to the year commencing January 1st next following such meeting.
Section 4. — Assessments
No assessments or other special levy in addition to dues shall be assessed against any class of members or any members individually, except upon the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at any meeting, Annual or Special, duly called and warned for that purpose in the manner prescribed in Chapter III. Such assessments shall be made only after the Board of Governors shall determine additional funds are required to defray, in whole or in part, extra-ordinary expenditures for maintenance and repair to the Club property which cannot reasonably be met out of normal Club revenues within the twelve (12) month period next following. Such assessments shall be due and payable in the same manner as dues.
Section 5. — Payment Terms and Penalties
The Board of Governors shall establish payment terms for dues, assessments and other fees. These payment terms shall be sent to all members in January along with notice of their dues. Payment terms shall be the same for all classes of membership. Penalties for late payment shall be established by the Board of Governors and sent to all members in January along with notice of their dues. In no case will any indebtedness be due in less than 30 days after it has been sent to a member and in no case shall any individual penalty or surcharge exceed 15% per year.
Section 6. — Indebtedness of Members.
The membership of any member who is more than ten days overdue in payment of any indebtedness, after written notice from the Treasurer may, at the discretion of the Board of Governors, be declared forfeited. The parents or guardian of any member under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age shall be liable for any indebtedness of such member.
Section 7. — Reinstatement of Delinquent Members.
Any member whose membership shall have been forfeited pursuant to Sections 5 or 6 of this Chapter, may within sixty (60) days thereafter, appear before the Board of Governors to request reinstatement and upon payment of any and all delinquencies then existing may, at the sole discretion of said Board, be so reinstated as a member in good standing.
Section 8. — Resignation in Good Standing.
Any member who resigns his/her membership in good standing will not be eligible to request
reinstatement for a minimum period of two (2) summer seasons.
Chapter III — Meetings of Members
Section 1. — Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the members of the Club shall be held during the month of October for the election of officers, fixing of fees and dues and such other business as may properly come before such meeting. The Board of Governors shall fix the place, day and hour of such meeting. Notice of such meetings stating the day, hour, place and agenda shall be mailed first class by the Corresponding Secretary to each member’s last known post office address at least twenty (20) days before such meeting. In the event a meeting cannot be held at the prescribed time, it shall be rescheduled by posting a notice of the change at the first opportunity at the Club House.
All meetings of members shall be held within the State of Connecticut and fifty (50) voting members of the Club present in person shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. — Special Meetings
Special Meetings of the members may be called at any time by the Commodore. It shall also be the duty of the Commodore to call such meeting upon the written request of ten (10) or more members of the Club. Written notice of every Special Meeting, stating the purpose thereof, the day, hour, and place of holding the same shall be given in the same manner as herein provided for notices of Annual Meetings. No matters other than those specified in such notice shall be considered at a Special Meeting.
Section 3. — Voting
At all meetings of the members, all questions, except those the manner of deciding of which is especially otherwise regulated by law or these Bylaws, shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present in person.
a) No guest or probationary member shall be entitled to vote at a Club meeting, to be elected to the Board of Governors or to sponsor or second new members.
b) A full, including Senior or Honorary, Family membership shall be entitled to two (2) votes at all meetings of the Club membership except as provided in Sections 3 (a) and 3 (d).
c) A full, including Senior or Honorary, single membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote at all meetings of the Club membership except as provided in Section 3 (a).
d) A Family membership, including Senior or Honorary, not having a spouse shall be entitled to one (1) vote at all meetings of the Club membership except as provided in Section 3 (a).
Chapter IV — Board of Governors
Section 1. The property and affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Board of Governors which shall consist of the following: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, one Member-At-Large, the last Past Commodore, and the Chairpersons of the Planning and Development Committee, Membership Committee, Waterfront Committee and the House Committee, all of whom shall be elected by a majority vote of all members present and voting at the Annual meeting. Each member of said Board of Governors shall serve until his successor shall be elected and qualify in his/her stead. Vacancies in the Board as a result of death, resignation or disqualification of any of said officers or otherwise, shall be filled for the un-expired term by the majority of the remaining members of the Board by the election of a successor officer who shall automatically become a member of the Board.
Section 2. The Board of Governors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the affairs of the Club as they may deem proper, not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Connecticut or these Bylaws. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
Section 3. The Board of Governors may, by vote of a majority of the whole Board, appoint an Executive Committee or other committees, composed of members of the Board. Such committees shall have such powers as are specified in these Bylaws or as the Board may designate. It may also appoint such other committees as it shall deem advisable whose members need not be members of the Board.
Section 4. Meetings of the Board of Governors may be held at such times and at such places, within or without the State of Connecticut, as may be fixed by the Board. All meetings shall be held upon the call of the Commodore or upon written request of any four (4) members of the Board filed with the Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary or other officer performing his/her duties for the time being shall cause reasonable notice of each meeting to be given to the members of the Board. A record shall be kept of the action taken at all meetings of the Board and any committee thereof.
ChapterV — Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Club shall consist of a Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. Such officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall hold office for one (1) year or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify in their stead. No member may hold more than one (1) office.
Section 2. The Commodore The Commodore shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Club, shall command the fleet, enforce the Club regulations, and shall preside at all meetings of the members and the Board of Governors. The Commodore shall be an ex-officio member of all committees herein provided for or appointed by the Board of Governors except as otherwise specifically provided.
Section 3. The Vice Commodore The Vice Commodore shall perform all the duties of the Commodore during his/her absence and shall, in addition, perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Commodore, the Board of Governors, or the Executive Committee.
Section 4. The Rear Commodore The Rear Commodore shall assist the Commodore and the Vice Commodore and in their absence shall perform the duties of the Commodore and shall in addition, perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Commodore, the Board of Governors, or the Executive Committee.
Section 5. The Secretary The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Governors and members. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Commodore, the Board of Governors, or the Executive Committee.
Section 6. The Corresponding Secretary The Corresponding Secretary shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his/her duties and, in his/her absence, shall perform all of said Secretary’s duties.
Section 7. The Treasurer The Treasurer shall receive and keep the cash, funds, notes of evidence of the property, deeds and other instruments of title belonging to the Club, collect all monies due the Club, bill members for all indebtedness, and enter regularly in books kept for that purpose all monies received and disbursed on account of the club except such monies deposited to any special account of the Club for a particular purpose, in which case the Board of Governors may, at its discretion, designate such other officer or officers in addition to the Treasurer who may withdraw monies so deposited, subject always to the Treasurer’s general supervision. All funds deposited in any bank shall be subject to withdrawal or disbursement upon the written signature of the Treasurer and, at the discretion of the Board of Governors, such other officer or officers as it may designate. The Treasurer may receive and receipt any and all funds and claims due the Club and may endorse all checks, drafts, notes, bills, and other evidence of indebtedness due the Club in its name and on its behalf. The Treasurer shall pay all debts contracted, provided however, that payment of any indebtedness in excess of $500 must be authorized by the Board of Governors. The Treasurer shall submit to the Annual Meeting of the members a full and detailed report of the financial condition of the Club as of the date of such meeting covering that portion of the Club’s present fiscal year ending as of that date, and in addition hereto shall present a report of the financial condition of the Club as of the end of the preceding fiscal year as reviewed by the Auditing Committee. A copy of such report shall be made available at the Club house for the inspection of the members. The Treasurer shall, with the approval of the Board, hire an accountant, bookkeeper, payroll service, or other such outside service as is deemed necessary for the proper operation of the finances of the club. The Treasurer submits such financial reports to the Board of Governors at each of its meetings as it shall from time to time request.
Section 8. The Assistant Treasurer The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer in the performance of his/her duties and maintain a permanent record of the Club members, including all members who resigned in good standing and shall perform such additional duties as the Treasurer and the Board of Governors may assign.
Section 9. Vacancies In the case of death, resignation or removal of any officer of the Club, the Board of Governors shall have the power to declare the office vacant and to elect or appoint a successor, who shall hold office until the successor is elected or appointed.
Chapter VI — Committees and Appointments
Section 1. Executive Committee The Board of Governors may elect four (4) of it’s own members, who, together with the Commodore, shall constitute the Executive Committee, any three (3) of whom shall constitute a quorum. The members of said Committee shall elect from their own number a Chairperson of the Executive Committee who shall serve for one (1) year. In the interval between meetings of the Board of Governors, said Committee shall have and shall exercise any and all of the Board of Governor’s powers with respect to the property and affairs of the Club, except that said Committee shall not have the power to vote upon any application for membership. The Committee shall meet at such times and as often as necessary or desirable. The Committee shall keep a record of all of its acts and shall make a full report thereof at each meeting of the Board of Governors.
Section 2. Standing Committees The Standing Committees of the Club shall be a Membership Committee, House Committee, Race Committee, Maintenance Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Social Activities Committee, Sailing Committee, Swimming Committee, Publicity Committee, Waterfront Facilities Committee, and Nominating Committee. All of the members thereof shall be appointed by the Board of Governors except the Chairpersons of Membership, Planning and Development, and Nominating Committees who shall be elected as provided herein.
Section 3. The Membership Committee The Membership Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) nor more than seven (7) members. It shall be their duty to interest desirable, prospective members in the advantages of joining the Club and to formulate a policy which will insure that each applicant is thoroughly investigated either through personal contact or through detailed information furnished by each of the sponsors.
Section 4. The House Committee The House Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) nor more than seven (7) members, one of whom shall be the Chairperson. The Committee shall have control and direction of all matters pertaining to the Clubhouse grounds, and shall act as a Hospitality Committee for the benefit of all guests and new members. They shall receive and redress all complaints in writing pertaining to the management of the Club properties; they shall have the full power to employ or discharge any and all employees of the Club excepting therefrom any and all instructors. They shall have the power to prescribe such rules and regulations as they deem necessary for the proper government of the Club premises, subject to revision by the Board of Governors, which rules shall be suitably brought to the attention of all Club members.
Section 5. The Race Committee The Race Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) members, one of whom shall be the Chairperson. All races and yachts sailing therein shall be under the direction of the Race Committee. All matters shall be under their control and all questions which arise respective to such races shall be subject to their decision. The decisions of the Race Committee shall be based upon the Rules of the US Sailing Association insofar as they apply but no rules can be devised capable of meeting every incident and accident of sailing, the Race Committee shall keep in view the ordinary customs of the sea and discourage all attempts to win a race by other means than fair sailing and superior speed and skill.
Section 6. The Maintenance Committee The Maintenance Committee shall consist of the House Committee members and the Waterfront Committee members. The Maintenance Committee shall be co-chaired by the House Committee Chairperson and the Waterfront Committee Chairperson. The Vice Commodore shall be the ex-officio member of said committee. Said Committee shall make recommendations to the Board of Governors with respect to the maintenance and repair of the Club properties.
Section 7. The Planning and Development Committee The Planning and Development Committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Board of Governors. Each member to serve a term of three (3) years, except the original appointment shall be two (2) members to serve one (1) year; two (2) members to serve two (2) years; and one (1) member to serve three (3) years. This Committee shall plan, build and supervise the expansion and development of the Niantic Bay Yacht Club.
Section 8. The Social Activities Committee The Social Activities Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) nor more than seven (7) members, and shall be directly responsible to the Chairperson of the House Committee, and shall have full charge, subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the House Committee, of planning, organizing, and carrying out of all social functions.
Section 9. The Sailing Committee The Sailing Committee shall consist of five (5) members, the Chairperson of which shall be the Fleet Captain and the duties of which shall be to develop and supervise the sailing instruction program. They shall promote yacht racing and interclub competition particularly for midgets and juniors.
Section 10. The Swimming Committee The Swimming Committee shall consist of five (5) members, the Chairperson of which shall be appointed by the Board of Governors and the duties of which shall be to develop and supervise the swimming program.
Section 11. The Publicity Committee The Publicity Committee shall consist of two (2) members and shall have the responsibility for all publicity for the Club.
Section 12. The Waterfront Facilities Committee The Waterfront Facilities Committee shall consist of five (5) members, the Chairperson being known as the Waterfront Director. The duties of this Committee are the maintenance of the Dock System, Breakwater, Club launches, and piers. They shall also assist the Swimming Committee with the maintenance of the swimming floats, and the Race Committee with the maintenance of the Racing Marks and the Race Committee Boat. They shall work with the Planning and Development Committee in any expansion or development of waterfront facilities. The Waterfront Director shall have the additional duties of assigning the Dock Slips, Trailer Spaces, and Boat Racks to members, and assisting the Treasurer in billing for the Dock Slips and Launching Pier.
Section 13. The Auditing Committee shall consist of three members each of whom shall serve for three years. Their terms shall be staggered so that one member’s term expires each year. The members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the membership. They shall elect their own Chairperson from their membership. If any member resigns or is otherwise unable to serve prior to the end of their term the Board of Governors shall elect his/her replacement. Prior to the Annual Meeting, the Auditing Committee shall review the Treasurer’s and Assistant Treasurer’s books, the tax filings and any other financial records they deem appropriate and verify that the financial report(s) presented at the Annual Meeting accurately represents the financial condition of the club and that the club has met its financial obligations in a timely manner. They shall bring a report to that effect to the Annual Meeting.
Section 14. The Nominating Committee The Nominating Committee shall consist of five (5) members of whom the Chairperson shall be elected at the previous Annual Meeting by the Membership. Said Committee shall include the Board of Governors Member-At-Large and shall present a slate of officers and other members of the Board of Governors to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at such meeting. The report of the Nominating Committee, proposing a slate of officers, Board of Governors’ members and elective Committee Chairpersons, shall be included on the agenda of the Annual Meeting in accordance with Chapter Ill, Section 1 of these Bylaws.
Section 15. The Fleet Captain The Fleet Captain shall be appointed by the Commodore and shall be his/her executive officer. The Fleet Captain shall hold office at the pleasure of the Commodore.
Section 16. The Fleet Chaplain and Fleet Surgeon A Fleet Chaplain and a Fleet Surgeon may be appointed by the Commodore and shall perform duties pertaining to their callings as may be required by the Commodore.
ChapterVII — Discipline
Section 1. Any member who shall violate the Bylaws of the Club, Waterfront Regulations, or the rules of the House Committee or act in a manner adverse to the best interest of the Club and its members may be disciplined by suspension of their Club privileges or the individual’s membership may be terminated by the Board of Governors if, in its judgment, the proven offense warrants.
Section 2. Any member or members having a complaint against any other member or members for any infraction of the laws of the Club, other than racing regulations, or for conduct adverse to the best interest of the Club or it’s members shall report the same in writing to the Board of Governors. After receiving such complaint, which set forth the facts of the case together with witnesses’ names if any, the Board of Governor’s shall investigate the same. The member or members complained of and any member or members making the complaint shall receive at least ten (10) days written notice of a meeting of the Board of Governors called for the purpose of investigating such complaint and shall be entitled to a full hearing. The evidence presented to the Board of Governors shall be reduced to writing and filed with the Secretary and shall not be disclosed. The Board of Governors shall have the power to suspend or forfeit the membership of such member or members or to impose such other penalty as the facts shall warrant. Its decision shall be filed with the Secretary who shall forward, by certified mail, a copy thereof to the member or members against whom such action shall have been taken and to the member or members submitting such complaint.
ChapterVIII — FiscalYear
The fiscal year of the Club shall commence on January 1st in each year and shall end on December 31st of the same year.
Chapter IX — Order of Business
The order of business at the Annual Meeting and at Special Meetings of the Club shall be:
1. Roll Call
2. Reading of the Minutes
3. Report of the Board of Governors
4. Report of the Flag Officers — according to rank
5. Report of the Secretary
6. Report of the Treasurer
7. Communications to the Secretary
8. Report of the Standing Committees
9. Report of the Special Committee
10. Unfinished business
11. New business
12. Elections
Chapter X — Club Privileges and Customs
Section 1. The officers may extend the privileges of the Club to distinguished visitors for
such periods as they may determine.
Section 2. The Board of Governors may extend the privileges of the Club to regularly organized yacht clubs for the season each year.
Section 3. The pennant of the Club shall not be flown by any boat chartered out of the Club.
CHAPTER XI — Indemnity
Section 1. Indemnification The Club shall indemnify under Sections 33-116 to 33-1124, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, any current or former member of the Board of Governors, officer or employee, and his/her heirs, executors or administrators, against all liabilities, expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such individual in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding to which such individual was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such individual’s current or former position with the Club or by reason of the fact that such individual is or was serving, at the request of the Club, as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, joint venture, employee benefit plan or other entity. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Club shall not be required to indemnify an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by the Club against the indemnitee or commenced by the indemnitee against the Club.
Section 2. Advancement of Expenses To the fullest extent that is permitted by law, the Club shall advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a current or former member of the Board of Governors, officer or employee, or his/her heirs executors or administrators, who is or was a party to a proceeding arising out of said position with the Club.
Section 3. Insurance The Club shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any current or former member of the Board of Governors, officer or employee, or anyone who is or was serving at the request of the Club as a member of the Board of Governors, officer or employee of another organization in which it has an interest, against any liability incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Club would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability.
CHAPTER XII — Amendments
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended or repealed or additional Bylaws adopted by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at any Annual Meeting of the Club, provided the Board of Governors or ten (10) full members in good standing submit a written proposal of such action to the Corresponding Secretary no fewer than forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting. The proposed amendment(s) shall be included on the agenda in accordance with Chapter III, Section 1 of these Bylaws.
Section 2. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Niantic Bay Yacht Club shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Governors.
Revised and Approved 26 October 2019 Revised and Approved 15 October 2016 Revised and Approved 29 August 2014 Revised and Approved 2 September 2011 Revised and Approved 6 September 2010 Revised and Approved 29 August 2008 Revised and Approved 31 August 2007 Revised and Approved 1 September 2001 Revised and Approved 2 September 2000 Revised and Approved 31 August 1996 Revised and Approved 2 September 1995 Revised and Approved 31 August 1991 Revised and Approved 3 September 1988 Revised and Approved 5 September 1987