(Revised October 2005)
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this club shall be Fagowees International, also known as the Cleveland Fagowees.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
A.) To promote organized ski trips, social functions and other
group activities on a non-profit basis, consistent with the desires of the
active membership. B.) To form and operate a non-profit incorporated association
of individuals for the purpose of engaging in: inter- and intra-ski club activities
and inter- and intra-ski council activities, social programs and trips, to
advance organized skiing; to promote ski safety, skill, and education; to
encourage ski patrolling; to support other non-profit ski organizations, including
Cleveland Metro Ski Council (CMSC); to assist and support charitable organizations,
including handicapped skiers.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section I - Eligibility Requirements
To be considered, an individual must
submit a completed membership application, and membership fee to
the Membership Committee. Individuals must be at least 21 years of age although
individuals who are 18, 19, or 20 years old may be considered for limited memberships
as defined in sections II and III.
The Trustees have the right to review, accept, or
decline any membership application.
Section II - Name and Duration of Applicant Status
Applicants that are 21 years old or older shall be known as a member upon the fulfillment
of the Membership Committee's requirements, and be accepted as a member from
the date of application.
Applicants that are 18, 19, or 20 years old shall be known as a "limited member" upon the fulfillment
of the Membership Committee's requirements, and be accepted as a limited member from
the date of application.
Section III - Member Rights
A member shall be eligible for Fagowee International sponsored
events at member costs and may compete for the Club in all areas of inter-
and intra-club activities. The member in good standing may also vote in all
Club elections, hold an appointed or elected office, attend meetings at member
costs, and receive The Happening and member name tags. The member shall
also receive copies of this Constitution and its By-Laws. A member's rights
may be limited by Section VI and the Responsibility Code under the By-Laws.
Limited members may compete for the Club in all areas of inter-
and intra-club activities sponsored by Cleveland Metropolitan Ski Council, Inc.
(CMSC) and any of its affiliated members and receive The Happening. Limited members shall also
receive copies of this Constitution and its By-Laws. A limited member
cannot vote in any Club election or hold an appointed or elected
office or be issued a member name tag. Limited members may
not attend Fagowee International sponsored events or meetings.
The executive board may allow limited members to attend a
specific Fagowee International sponsored event or meeting, and in
that case, the limited member will be eligible for the event at
member costs. A limited member's rights may be limited by
Section VI and the Responsibility Code under the By-Laws.
A limited member will automatically become a member on his/her 21st
birthday and shall be issued a member name tag.
Section IV - Non-Cleveland Fagowees
A member of another Fagowee International Branch may, upon the
submission of a membership application and renewal dues to the Membership
Committee, become a member immediately.
Section V - Spouse of a Member
The spouse of a member may obtain member status upon submission
of a membership application and membership fees to the Membership Committee.
Section VI - Removal and Probation Period
Any member whose personal behavior brings disgrace upon
the Club or shows disregard for this Constitution, its By-Laws, or the Code
of Conduct will be subject to probation or removal from the Club by action
of the Trustees. The disciplined member shall have the right to appeal their
punishment to the Executive Board. The final decision and judgement will be
made by the Executive Board by secret ballot.
Section VII -
Dues
The new member fee shall be, at least, equal to the single
or couple member renewal dues. Failure of a member to pay renewal dues between
October 1st and October 31st shall require re-application for membership.
ARTICLE IV - GOVERNMENT
Section I - Executive Board
The government of this Club shall be vested in the Executive
Board of five (5) Trustees, eight (8) elected officers, and eight (8) appointed
Chairmen. A quorum shall consist of sixty percent or more the Executive Board.
The Executive Board shall meet monthly or more often as necessary. The President
shall call all meetings of the Executive Board and members of the Executive
Board shall be notified by the Club's Secretary. Members of the Executive
Board, excluding Trustees, shall take turns working the door at meetings.
The By-Laws are established by a quorum vote of the Executive Board and are
subject to change by any such quorum vote.
Section II - Finances
The President-elect, Out-going President and Treasurer-elect
shall prepare and have approved by the Out-going Trustees at the Executive Board Meeing in May of each year, an annual
club budget which shall be published in The Happening's July
issue.
Section III - Removal from Office
A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office
for the remainder of his term of office by an Executive Board vote of sixty
percent or more of those attending an Executive Board meeting. Notification
of the intended action must be given to each member of the Executive Committee
thirty days prior to any vote.
Section IV - Officers Absence
A member of the Executive Board may be removed from office,
in accordance with Article IV, Section III, if he or she misses more than
three (3) Executive Board Meetings in one (1) year of office (June 1 to May
31).
ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
Section I - General
The term of elected officers shall be from June 1 through
May 31 of the following year unless otherwise noted. Assistant Chairmen, where
authorized, shall be approved by the Trustees and will be a member of the
Executive Board, but shall vote only in the absence of the elected Chairman
that they assist. The term of office of an Assistant Chairman shall be concurrent
with that of the Chairman who appoints him.
Section II - President
The President has authority concerning the administration
of the Club. The President shall preside over all meetings of the Club and
be Chairman of the Executive Board. He shall appoint chairmen annually or
as required in certain positions. The President will co-sign all club checks.
The President shall, with approval of the Trustees, appoint a member to fill
a vacancy of any unexpired term of any elected officer, excluding the President
and the Trustees. A vacancy in the office of President or any of the Trustees
shall be filled by a special election. The President must be a member in good
standing and have served on the Executive Board.
Section III - Vice President
The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President
in his absence and shall assume such duties as may be delegated to him by
the President. The Vice President will be the alternate CMSC delegate. The
Vice President shall be responsible for all activities pertaining to the meetings
including the acquisition of entertainment, equipment, refreshments, supplies
for the Club and for the safety of the meeting hall and the members attending
all meetings.
Section IV - Secretary
The Secretary shall take minutes of all Executive Board
meetings and business meetings of the Club. The Secretary shall be responsible
for all business correspondence and maintain a current membership directory
and minutes of all past Executive Board meetings.
Section V - Treasurer
The treasurer shall have the responsibility of all club
funds. The Treasurer shall co-sign club checks. The Treasurer shall maintain
accurate records of all disbursements from and credits to the club checking
account and maintain control over all such activity. The Treasurer shall present
a current statement of income and disbursement at each Executive Board Meeting.
The Treasurer must be a member in good standing for at least nine months and
have bookkeeping type experience, or have the approval of the Election Chairman.
The Treasurer may appoint an Assistant. The Assistant Treasurer, where authorized,
shall be approved by the Trustees.
Section VI - Auditor
The Auditor shall have access to the checkbook records
of the Treasurer and shall submit a statement of income and disbursements,
assets and liabilities quarterly to the members of the Club. In the absence
of the Treasurer, the Auditor shall perform all duties normally associated
with the treasury, including the co-signing of club checks. The Auditor shall
keep a record of tangible equipment, to be updated quarterly. The Auditor
shall prepare and file the club's yearly tax return.
Section VII - Seasonal Social Chairmen
There shall be two seasonal chairmen who will be responsible
for the planning of the Fagowee social functions that pertain to their respective
seasons. The Winter Social Chairman shall be responsible for planning the
period from November 1 to April 30. He shall appoint trip leaders with the
approval of the Trustees. The Winter Social Chairman shall prepare trip proposals
for presentation to the Executive Board for approval at board meetings. The
Winter Social Chairman will assist the Merchandise Chairman as needed and
help in his absence with the sale of all items being sold by the club during
his off season. The Winter Social Chairman will be responsible for placing
trips with trips leaders into the Happening. The Winter Social Chairman will
also be responsible for reviewing trip reports with the trip leaders before
they are handed in to the Treasurer. The Winter Social Chairman will also
keep a file on all trips for future use. The Summer Social Chairman shall
serve from November 1 through October 31 and shall be responsible for planning
the period from May 1 through October 31. The duties of the Summer Social
Chairman shall parallel those of the Winter Social Chairman. Each seasonal
Social Chairman may appoint an Assistant Chairman.
Section VIII - Membership Chairman
The Membership Chairman shall be responsible for all adminstrative
matters pertaining to Fagowee members. The Membership Chairman shall be responsible
for all activities concerning renewal of members. The Membership Chairman
shall be responsible for keeping events and news current in The Happening.
The Membership Chairman may appoint an assistant.
ARTICLE VI - TRUSTEES
The five (5) Trustees shall serve staggered two-year terms.
The Head Trustee shall be elected by the current Trustees from among the second-year
Trustees. If there are no second-year trustees among the current trustees, the current Head
Trustee shall appoint the future Head Trustee, from the first-year Trustees, to succeed
the current Head Trustee.
Their responsibility shall be the general welfare of the Club. The
Trustees shall be the guardians of this Constitution and shall be responsible
to the Executive Board to ensure that all articles and sections of this governing
document are followed. The Trustees shall approve the annual Club Budget.
The Trustees shall approve all Non-elected Board Positions. The Trustees shall
approve all Trip Leaders and Assistant Trip Leaders. The Trustees shall be
responsible for serving refreshments and cleaning up at Club meetings. A trustee
must be a member in good standing for at least 18 months prior to being elected.
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF APPOINTED CHAIRMEN
Section I - General
The following chairmen shall be appointed by the President
and approved by the Trustees, and shall serve from June 1 through May 31 of
the following year unless otherwise noted. Assistant Chairmen, where authorized,
shall be approved by the Trustees and will be members of the Executive Board,
but shall vote only in the absence of the appointed Chairmen that they assist.
The term of the office of an Assistant Chairman shall be concurrent with that
of the Chairman who appoints him.
Section II - Publications Chairman
The Publications Chairman shall serve as editor of the
Club newsletter, known as The Happening, and shall be responsible for
mailing The Happening. The Publications Chairman may appoint an assistant.
Section III - Race Chairman
The Race Chairman shall attend all CMSC race committee
meetings and report to the Executive Board and membership items of interest.
The Race Chairman shall be responsible for registration of members for all
CMSC Races, keeping of race records, helping to organize race clinics and
for interested members, and safeguarding all Fagowee skiing equipment. He
shall be responsible for keeping events and news current in the Happening.
The Race Chairman shall promote all aspects of skiing, especially for novice
and competitive skiers. The Race Chairman may appoint an assistant.
Section IV - CMSC Delegate
The CMSC Delegate shall attend CMSC meetings. He shall
be responsible for keeping events and news current in The Happening
and CMSC publications.
Section V - International Representative
The International Representative will be appointed to
serve a two-year term commencing during the second year of the Fagowees International
President's term. His duties shall include corresponding with the International
Board and other branches, informing the Cleveland Board of such communication,
acting as the club Historian, and keeping and updating the scrap books. The
International Representative shall attend the annual International Board meeting.
The International Representative will be responsible for keeping all club
trophies.
Section VI - Election Chairman
The Election Chairman shall serve from December 1 through
November 30 of the following year. The Election Chairman shall be responsible
for taking all nominations and shall screen and rule on each candidate's eligibility.
He shall tabulate the results of any regular or special election and shall
release the winners names as soon as possible. The Election Chairman shall
not be eligible to run for any elected office. The Election Chairman shall
see that Article V and VI are published in The Happening one month
prior to any election.
Section VII - Publicity Chairman
The Publicity Chairman shall be responsible to keep the
Fagowees phone message updated and shall cause Club activities to be publicized
in the local media whenever possible.
Section VIII - Merchandise Chairman
The Merchandise Chairman will be responsible for maintaining
and selling of items, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, boot bags, etc., which
bear the Fagowee logo as well as having "Fagowees" imprinted thereon. These
items will be displayed in the Fagowee General Store and sold at all general
meetings. The Merchandise Chairman will be responsible for contacting vendors,
getting bids and prices for items, and act as liaison between the club and
the vendors. All proposed items and pricing must be presented to the Executive
Board for approval prior to ordering.
Section IX - Website Chairman
The Website Chairman shall serve as editor and caretaker of the
Club's website and registered domain, currently known as
www.fagowees.org. The website chairman shall be responsible
for maintaining the website and keeping all information posted on
the web site up-to-date and relevant. The Website Chairman shall
be responsible for maintaining the registration of our domain
name (www.fagowees.org), and securing adequate and reasonable
web hosting services for the web site.
ARTICLE VIII - ELECTIONS
Section I - Eligibility
Any member in good standing can accept nomination for
elected office. A member may only run for one elected office in any election.
Section II - Dates and Times of Elections
Elections will be held at the first meeting of April and
the last meeting of October. Election polls will close at 10:00 p.m. and
ballots will immediately be counted.
Section III - Nominations
Only a member in good standing can nominate a Club member
for an elected office. Nominations shall occur two meetings prior to any election.
Section IV - Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots may be obtained from the Election Chairman
upon written request; one ballot per member. These ballots will be numbered
and those numbers will be checked upon their return by the Election Chairman.
These ballots are to be received by the Election Chairman twenty-four (24)
hours before the close of the polls.
ARTICLE IX -INDEMNIFICATION
No office, appointed chairman, trustee, trip leader, or
member will be personally responsible or otherwise liable for their duly authorized
acts or omissions when acting on the behalf of Fagowees International, also
known as Cleveland Fagowees.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
An amendment to this Constitution may be adopted at a
regularly scheduled election (see Article VIII - Section II) by a two-thirds affirmative vote of all members
voting. The proposed amendment and notification of the amendment vote must
appear in the Happening mailed one month prior to the meeting in which
the Elections will take place.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB
In the event that Club membership drops below fifty members,
a vote of dissolution shall take place. All current members shall be eligible
to vote and the Club shall be dissolved if two-thirds of all members voting
so choose. When dissolution occurs, all Club assets shall be liquidated with
the proceeds to be divided equally among all current paid members up the cost of their membership fee
or twenty dollars, whichever is less. Any surplus shall be donated to the March of Dimes,
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and the American Red Cross.
ARTICLE XII - TRIP DEPOSIT FUND
A trip deposit/advance fund shall be created. A trip is
defined as a Fagowee sponsored and funded event. This fund is to be segregated
from the General Fund. It may not be used for any general expenses or to cover
deficiencies or losses in the general treasury. The fund is to be reimbursed
at the earliest available point that monies become available from the trip
that has used this fund for an advance to secure needed prepayments or deposits.
A vote of the Executive Committee is required to remove monies from this fund.
The fund will be used only when the general fund cannot support the amount
that is required. In case of a loss on a trip the loss is to be suffered by
the general treasury. The amount of the deposit fund may be added to by a
vote of the Executive Committee. Any other use of this fund except for prepayments
and deposits must meet the following four (4) requirements:
1. The general treasury must be depleted where bill paying
powers are impaired and;
2. At a regularly scheduled meeting of the general membership
a two thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those present and voting is required
to remove monies from this fund;
3. The amount to be used and the reasons for its use must
appear in The Happening one month previous to the meeting in which
voting will take place.
4. A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the surplus of Fagowee
trips will be used to reimburse the fund until it has reached the value previous
to the vote.
