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Constitution and ByLaws

Thu, 02/15/2007 - 18:52 — admin

This document is the Constitution and ByLaws of the Catalina 36 International Association, a non-profit organization serving owners of Catalina 36 yachts.

Constitution

 

Article I

A. Mission
The Catalina 36 International Association represents the interests of Catalina 36 owners and their devotion to the Catalina 36 lifestyle.
B. Objectives
The objectives of the Catalina 36 International Association are

  • To enhance the enjoyment of ownership of the Catalina 36 both for cruising and racing
  • To serve as a central information source for owners
  • To support fleets and fleet expansion
  • To assist members in a variety of areas, to provide information of pertinence to Catalina Yachts
  • To build a record of Catalina 36 owners around the world
  • To help owners of the Catalina 36 compete equally in class racing

    • Article II

    A. Fleets
    The International Association may charter fleets based upon the number of local members of the International Association in a given area. Local fleets shall petition the International Association stating the number of members in the geographical area covered, and agreeing to abide by the rules of the International Association. A minimum of four yachts, all current members of the International Association, shall qualify as a sanctioned fleet.

    Article III

    A. Members
    Membership is open to any bona fide owner or prior owner of a Catalina 36. It may also include his/her spouse and/or partner(s). Each member must be current with his/her Catalina 36 International Association dues.

    Article IV

    A. Officers
    The International Association officers shall consist of: (1) Commodore, (2) Vice Commodore, (3) Past Commodore, (4) Secretary/Mainsheet Editor, (5) Treasurer, (6 & 7) Technical Editors (two), (8) Webmaster and (9) Assistant Webmaster, (10) Rules Chairperson, (11) Factory Liaison, (12) Fleet Relations, and (13) Membership. These positions compose the Governing Board. All Governing Board members must be current Association members.

    Article V

    A. Officers' Duties
    The International Association officers are to govern the association as desired by the members. The duties of officers shall be as follows:

    1. Commodore

    The Commodore shall preside over the annual meeting, all special meetings, and the annual Class Championship awards dinner. He/she shall act as spokesperson for the International Association, prepare notifications and publicity releases, create temporary special committees of individual appointments and call any special meetings as the needs of the International Association dictate. The Commodore shall also be the Class Representative (C36) to the All-Catalina Alliance. The Commodore shall serve a two-year term of office, and may be re-elected to not more than one additional term.

    2. Vice Commodore

    The Vice Commodore shall preside over affairs in the absence of the Commodore and assist all other officers as required. He/she shall also succeed the outgoing Commodore. The Vice Commodore shall serve a two-year term of office, or until the next change in Commodore.

    3. Past Commodore

    The Past Commodore becomes a member of the Governing Board until the next change in Commodore.

    4. Secretary/Mainsheet Editor

    The Secretary/Mainsheet Editor shall keep record of and distribute minutes of each meeting, all International Association publicity and all Class Championship notifications, as well as required correspondence. He/she shall be responsible for maintaining an active Catalina 36 section in Mainsheet Magazine. He/she shall collect articles from each of the fleets describing fleet activities, from the various officers, and from any member presenting stories of interest to all readers of Mainsheet Magazine. The Mainsheet Editor shall be responsible for maintaining the Constitution and By Laws. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available.

    5. Treasurer

    The Treasurer shall collect the annual dues, secure and dispense all International Association funds, and keep accurate financial records of said funds. He/she shall arrange for an audit at the biannual change of administration. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years, or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available. Candidates for this position must be a citizen of, and domiciled in, the United States until such time as the Association’s international membership equals or exceeds the United States membership and would, therefore, warrant considering changing this requirement.

    6 & 7 Technical Editors

    The Technical Editor(s) shall be responsible for maintaining an active Technical Notes column in Mainsheet Magazine and the association website. They shall respond to all incoming correspondence from the membership of the International Association pertaining to technical issues of the Catalina 36. They shall advocate for owners in disputes when so requested by members and when deemed valid and appropriate by a majority of association officers. One Technical Editor shall respond to issues regarding pre Mk II hulls, while the other Technical Editor shall respond to Mk II issues. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available.

    8. Webmaster

    The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining the web site. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years, or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available.

    9. Assistant Webmaster

    The Assistant Webmaster shall assist with the website as instructed by the Webmaster. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years, or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available.

    10. Rules Chairperson

    The Rules Chairperson shall rule on all questions and challenges relating to the Class Racing Rules and their interpretation and is responsible for verification of conformity to the Class Racing Rules of all yachts participating in Class Championship events. He/she shall propose amendments or changes to the Class Racing Rules for the Governing Board's consideration. He/she shall prepare a summation of rulings for publication in an International Association newsletter and/or in Mainsheet Magazine. The position will be filled by appointment of the Commodore, when needed, with approval of the Governing Board.

    11. Factory Liaison

    The Factory Liaison shall maintain regular communications with Catalina Yachts regarding production, design and warranty issues, as well as concerns from the Association or its members relating to the Catalina 36. After five years this position shall be made available for change, with installation of a new officer to occur after not more than seven years or as soon thereafter as a suitable candidate is made available.

    12. Fleet Relations

    The Fleet Relations Officer shall maintain regular communications with Fleet Captains, assist interested individuals in forming/re-forming new fleets, and membership growth.

    13. Membership

    The Membership Officer shall keep accurate and current records related to membership.

    Article VI

    A. Election of Officers
    The offices of Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary/Mainsheet Editor and Treasurer shall be selected and confirmed bi-annually by the association membership on even years. The offices of Technical Editors, Web Master, and Assistant Webmaster, Factory Liaison, Rules Chairperson, Fleet Relations, and Membership are filled by appointment by the Commodore, with the approval by a majority of the Governing Board. Positions may be created and/or deleted by a vote of 2/3 of the Governing Board.
    B. Removal of Officers
    An officer may be removed by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Governing Board.
    C. Nominations and Balloting
    The Commodore shall ask for nominations from membership by February 1st. Ballots will be sent to association members August 1st, permitting the results to be published in the November issue of Mainsheet Magazine. New officers will assume their responsibilities on January 1st of odd number years. Each member yacht shall have one vote.
    C. Amending the Constitution
    Approval of amendments to the International Association Constitution shall be by a majority vote of International Association members responding. Ballots must be returned within thirty days of sending said ballot. Each member yacht shall have one vote. Proxy will not be permitted.

    Article VII

    A. Dues
    The amount of the annual dues for membership in the International Association shall be established by the Governing Board. Dues are payable to the Treasurer by the anniversary date of association membership/renewal.

    Article VIII

    A. Class Championship
    1. Scheduling

    Each year the International Association may authorize a series of races called the Class Championship for the purpose of determining the year's Class Champion. The site and date of the Class Championship shall be selected by the Governing Board. It is recommended that the class championship alternate locations between the West Coast and the East Coast annually with the East Coast hosting it on even numbered years and the West Coast on odd numbered years.

    2. The Races

    The Class Championship shall consist of at least three races on a closed course of suitable distance. Only an International Association member or his/her immediate family member can handle the helm while racing. Any Catalina 36 International Association member can charter another's yacht for the Class Championship if his/her own yacht is not available for the series.

    3. Recognition

    The winner of the Class Championship is entitled to have his/her sail insignia in gold and to have the year of his/her championship sewn on the sail in the vicinity of the class insignia. The gold insignia and the year of championship follow the owner and not the yacht. If the yacht is sold to another, the gold insignia and the year of championship should be removed from the sail. A Catalina 36 Class Champion who might buy another Catalina 36 may transfer his/her championship insignia to the new yacht.

    By Laws

    I. Annual Meeting of Officers
    Officers of the Governing Board shall meet once each year to conduct Association business, should funds permit. This meeting location may rotate annually among the various sailboat shows in which Catalina Yachts has a major display, or another location approved by a majority of the Governing Board.
    II. Board Representation at Sail Boat Shows
    Should funds permit, at least one officer will represent the Association at each of the major shows in which Catalina Yachts has a major display.