Article I. Name and Purpose

The name of the club is Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association (JSSKA).

The purpose of the club is:

• To increase the opportunities for enjoyable and recreational group paddling through organized outings and trips.
• To promote safe sea kayaking through education, instruction, and leadership.
• To encourage safe exploration and recreational use of the waters in and around New Jersey
• To promote public goodwill and understanding of sea kayaking and foster its development in New Jersey and surrounding states.
• To encourage, aid, and give direction to conservation of water resources and adjacent lands for recreational purposes.

Article II. Membership

The club shall have one class of voting members, and each member shall have one vote. Membership shall be open to all persons who are interested in sea kayaking, subscribe to these Bylaws, pay the dues established by the Directors, and are named on the membership application form.

Article III. Board Of Directors

Section 1. Powers. The business and affairs of the club shall be managed by the Board of Directors, which shall exercise or direct the exercise of all club powers and shall appoint club members to standing positions or committees within the club, except to the extent otherwise required by law or specified in these Bylaws. The Directors shall set the amount of the annual dues.

Section 2. Number. The Board shall consist of the five club officers. They must be club members at all times. Candidates for the office of President must have been members of the club for at least two years prior to beginning their term of office if elected.

Section 3. Elections and Terms of Office. Club officers shall be elected by the full club membership through mailed or emailed ballots. The term of office shall be one year.

All terms of office shall begin on April 1 following their election.

Nominations and elections will be conducted on the following schedule:

• The date for the annual meeting will set by the Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors shall designate an election coordinator who is neither on the board nor planning to run for any position.
• Nominations will be opened eight weeks before the annual meeting, by means of an announcement mailed or emailed to all club members.
• Nominations shall be made by contacting the election coordinator with intent to run and a statement of club vision and qualifications for the position.
• Nominations will be closed five weeks before the annual meeting.
• Four weeks before the annual meeting the election coordinator will mail or email all club members with a ballot, copies of the candidates’ statements, and address to which completed ballots should be sent. When a candidate is running unopposed his or her name shall be placed on the ballot with the word “unopposed” next to it, and that candidate shall automatically be accepted for the office. If all candidates are running unopposed there shall be no election, and they shall automatically be accepted for office.
• Completed ballots must be received by the election coordinator one week prior to the annual meeting.
• The election coordinator and those officers not running for office will tally the ballots.
• In the event of a vacancy, the Board of Directors shall appoint a club member to fill the remaining term of the office.

Section 4. Meetings. The annual meeting shall be held the second Sunday in March unless decided otherwise by the Board of Directors. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given to the membership within one week of it being set by the Board of Directors.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held twice a year at a time and place decided by the directors. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, on the request of two officers, or upon written request of at least ten club members. Board meetings will be open to all club members. Notification of all meetings will be mailed or emailed to all club members at least one week in advance.

Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A minority of officers in the absence of a quorum may meet from time to time but may not transact any business. The action of a majority of the officers present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws (see Article V, regarding dues).

Article IV. Responsibilities of Officers

The President and other officers shall oversee the operation of the club. These operations include but are not limited to membership, securing the private management of the data base, data base and domain host password management and the maintenance and development of the web site. The Officers and their principle duties are:

President: The President is the chief executive officer of the club. The President shall call and preside at meetings, prepare the agenda, arrange schedules of club activities, request on behalf of the club that members perform services or tasks, appoint temporary ad hoc committees, represent the club, and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Directors. The President shall serve as the Chapter Representative to the ACA or shall appoint someone else to that position.

Vice President: The Vice President shall perform any and all duties of the President in the president's absence. The Vice President also shall lend the President any assistance necessary to assist in the operation of the club.

Activities Director: The Activities Director shall have primary responsibility for organizing special club events such as the annual picnic and club representation at paddle festivals and other public events. S/he will prepare the calendar of events that is available on the website.

Secretary: The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining a record of club decisions, minutes of meetings, and answering written inquiries. If the President or Vice President is unavailable to conduct any meeting, the Secretary will preside in lieu of the President. The secretary will be responsible for the entering and maintaining of the club membership and renewal roster. The secretary will also keep the documentation of all club activities including funds and memberships. The secretary shall verify that all persons voting at the annual meeting are members of the club.

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and disburse club funds, collect membership dues and forward the member information to the club secretary for entering into the secure data base and present a monthly financial report to the Board of Directors and when requested by at least five members at any meeting.

With agreement of the Board of Directors, specific officer duties may be delegated to other club officers.

Article V. Checks and Funds

All checks, drafts, or orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the club shall be signed by the President or Treasurer. Payments of amounts greater than $200 must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Board of Directors. The President shall quarterly receive copies of all bank statements. Annual dues shall be set by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

Article VI. Records

The club shall maintain adequate and correct books and records and accounts. All such records shall be kept at the place fixed by the officers and shall be open to inspection at any reasonable time by any officer.

Article VII. Web Site and Electronic Communications

The officers shall have the final responsibility for the content of the club web site, message board and other association web pages. They may delegate upkeep and maintenance as needed.

The officers shall approve all materials broadcast to the membership through email.

Article VIII. Dissolution

Upon the winding up and dissolution of the club, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the club, the remaining assets shall be given to an appropriate charity selected by the Board of Directors.

Article IX. Discrimination

The club shall conduct no practice and shall make no distinction, discrimination or restriction on account of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability.

Article X. Amendment to Bylaws

Amendments to these bylaws may be referred to a vote by the full membership of the club either by a majority of the Board of Directors or by petition signed by 10% of the club membership. Amendments shall be adopted upon approval by two thirds of those club members voting in a referendum of the full club membership. Proposed amendments shall be mailed or emailed to all club members, who must return them to the club secretary within three weeks with their votes. The ballots will be counted by the officers.

Version 1.2 - Adopted September 19, 2006