Western Arkansas Bridge Association

A.C.B.L. – Unit 247

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Western Arkansas Bridge Association, ACBL Unit 247 of the American Contract Bridge League

Section 2. The short title of the Western Arkansas Bridge Association, as used in this Constitution, and its accompanying By-Laws, is the UNIT, and this short title of the American Contract Bridge League is the League.

Section 3. The UNIT:

  1. 1. Is a subsidiary of the League
  2. 2. Recognizes the League as the parent organization, having authority and control over Tournament Bridge in the United States.
  3. 3. Exists under the sanction of the League, and functions within the Constitution, By-Laws and Regulation of the League.
  4. 4. The geographical limits for the Unit are set by the League’s National Board of Directors and are subject to change by them.
  5. 5. The area assigned as of January 1, 1981 is the Arkansas counties: Benton, Carroll, Boone,

Washington, Madison, Newton, Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Sebastian, Logan, Yell, Scott, Polk, Montgomery Marion, and Searcy. Baxter and Stone Counties were added in August, 2000.

ARTICLE II Objectives of the Unit

Section 1. The objectives of the Unit shall be:

  1. To promote and stimulate interest in Duplicate Bridge among its members and prospective members; and especially to provide for them a continuous and attractive program of bridge events.
  2. To expand and increase its membership by active efforts to interest new players and to enroll new members.
  3. To establish and maintain contract with neighboring Units, insuring cooperation on matters of joint interest, and mutual support of each other’s activities. To support bridge on a state wide basis by joining and supporting the Arkansas Bridge Conference.
  4. To prescribe rules of eligibility for participation in tournaments under its own auspices.
  5. To promote the development and organization of affiliated clubs within the Unit
  6. To consider and pass upon reports of dishonest, unethical or improper conduct of participants in tournaments, and to expel, suspend or otherwise discipline members guilty of such conduct.
  7. To adopt By-Laws consistent with those of the national organization, and approved by the national office.
  8. To elect or appoint representatives to the District Board.
  9. To cooperate with the League in elections to the National Boards
  10. To cooperate with, and assist the League and District in the promotion of bridge tournaments.
  11. To elect all or part of a Board of Directors one each year, by popular vote of the A.C.B.L. members of the Unit.
  12. To conduct such activities as may be in keeping with its principal objectives.

ARTICLE III Membership

Section 1.  Membership in the Unit is open to any person of good moral character upon the payment of the required dues, which is in good standing with the League and the Unit, and any chapter of which he is a member.

Section 2.  Membership in the Unit automatically carries with it membership in the League. Section 3.  A member of the Unit may be, but is not required to be, a member of an affiliated chapter of the Unit.

Section 4.  Membership in Unit, and the privilege of competing in tournaments under the auspices of the Unit, may be suspended or revoked for any cause deemed sufficient and proper by the Board of Directors of the Unit. Suspension or revocation of membership shall not however become effective until the member has been apprised of the contemplated action and the reason thereof, and has had reasonable opportunity to defend himself, or protect his rights.

ARTICLE IV Administration of Organization Affairs

Section 1. The affairs of the Unit shall be administered by the Board of Directors

Section 2. The Board of Directors may delegate the duties of administration of organization affairs to an employee or appointee. The duties that may be delegated are those of a Secretary and Treasurer, such person will be known ad the Executive Secretary and does not have to be a member of the Board or Unit.

Section 3. The Board of Directors shall be made up of nine (9) members, the President, the Vice- President and the retiring president, and shall be duly elected in accordance with the provisions and restrictions contained in the By-Laws. The retiring president shall be a voting member of the Board. Any six (6) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article V Amendments

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be initiated at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, providing not less than ten (10) days notice in writing of such meeting and the proposed amendment has been given to members of the Board of Directors announcing the intentions to revise the Constitution or By-Laws at the said meeting. Two-thirds of the Board of Directors present and voting are required to initiate an amendment. The amendment must be ratified by the general membership.

Section 2. The concurrence or two-thirds of all members present and voting shall be required to ratify any amendment by the general membership at any regular or special meeting.