Constitution and By-laws Of the Ocean Ridge Men s Golf Association January 1, 2015 ARTICLE I - NAME This organization shall be known as the Ocean Ridge Men s Golf Association, hereafter referred to as ORMGA. ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES The purpose of the ORMGA is to encourage enjoyment of the game of golf and to familiarize players with the rules, good sportsmanship and etiquette of the game. The ORMGA and its members will adhere to the USGA Rules of Golf except as modified by ORMGA s local rules. ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP All male initiated, dues paying members of Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf (ORPG) in good standing may become members of the Ocean Ridge Men s Golf Association (ORMGA) upon payment of annual ORMGA fees. Additionally, any male property owner of Ocean Ridge Plantation who is not an initiated member of ORPG may become a member of ORMGA upon payment of the annual ORMGA fees. Annual fee paying members of ORMGA constitute the only voting members of ORMGA. All initiated members of ORPG in good standing who are members of ORMGA are entitled to sign up and play in ORMGA League events as outlined in the Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf Club Policies and Procedures Manual. Only members of the ORMGA may participate in the weekly League competitions and ORMGA special tournaments. All members who sign up for tee times are entered for play on a first come, first served basis. Those members of ORMGA who are not initiated members of ORPG may sign up for League play on the Alternate list. These players will be incorporated in the weekly play on a space available basis. Section 1. Anyone applying for membership in the ORMGA who has an established USGA handicap index must present that record to the Treasurer. If a handicap has not been previously established, an applying member may submit a handicap index based upon either 5 scores recorded in the Ocean Ridge Plantation computer handicap program or 5 scores for recently played rounds. Thereafter, handicaps will be based upon scores posted in the Ocean Ridge Plantation computer handicap program. 1
Section 2. All members of the ORMGA are required to maintain an established golf handicap in the Ocean Ridge Plantation computer handicap program. This program requires that all scores be posted, including rounds played outside of Ocean Ridge Plantation. Scores must be posted using equitable stroke control. Section 3. All members and prospective members are encouraged to participate in the regular weekly and monthly away-day events. Guests of ORMGA members are invited to play on a space available basis. Section 4. To be eligible for ORMGA tournaments and special events, current membership and an established USGA handicap shall be required. In addition to the above, established members of one year or more must have played a minimum of 10 rounds of the regular competitive events within the past 365 days. If this minimum of 10 rounds of regular play cannot be achieved within one year, established members of one year or more may appeal to the ORMGA Executive Board for a waiver of this requirement. For new members of less than one year, the 10 round minimum may be waived with the approval of the Executive Board. ORMGA members requiring a waiver of the 10 round minimum will be on a space available basis only. Participation in ORMGA tournaments does not count toward the 10 play minimum. They may, however, register as an alternate while their waiver is being considered. Section 5. For ORMGA tournaments and special events, financial oversight will be provided at the direction of the Treasurer and the Tournament Director. This oversight will include an accounting of the amount received in fees and an itemized list of expenditures for prizes, food, etc. A report on the results will be given to the President and will be made available to the membership on request. Section 6. All golf rounds shall be played in accordance with current USGA rules and applicable local rules, and all disputed points shall be settled by the Tournament Director. Section 7. On-line sign-up sheets will be provided in advance of each regular and special event. ARTICLE IV MEETINGS Section 1. Meetings will be held on a quarterly basis. Additional membership meetings may be held at such times and places as called for by the President. Attendance at meetings is reserved for active or prospective members; however, only ORMGA members may vote. Section 2. The order of business for the meetings shall be as follows: 2
A. Call to order B. Read and approve the minutes of the previous meeting C. Treasurer s report D. Committee reports E. Unfinished business F. New business G. Adjourn ARTICLE V OFFICERS The officers of the ORMGA shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers, along with the immediate past President, shall constitute the Executive Board. Terms of office shall be for two years beginning in January of year one and ending in December of year two. The President shall: 1. Preside over and be responsible for all meetings of the ORMGA. 2. Be responsible for the functional operation of the ORMGA. 3. Be, along with the Treasurer, one of the two officers authorized to sign checks of ORMGA. 4. Serve as ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee. 5. Along with new officers-elect, appoint all Activity Directors as required (See ARTICLE VII). 6. Serve as liaison to Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf, Inc. 7. Monitor financial planning and financial reports. 8. Exercise a lead role in fundraising activities (non-profit only). 9. Guide Executive Board actions regarding organizational priorities and governance concerns. 3
The Vice President shall: 1. Assist the President in all ORMGA activities. 2. In the absence of the President, perform the duties of that office. 3. Organise social events, dinners, etc. 4. Participate closely with the outgoing and in-coming Presidents to develop and implement ORMGA officer transitions. The Secretary shall: 1. Maintain accurate records of ORMGA Executive Board meetings. 2. Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the ORMGA and ensure minutes are distributed to members shortly after each meeting. 3. Be familiar with Robert s Rules of Order and the ORMGA by-laws in order to note applicability during meetings. 4. Have a copy of the ORMGA By-Laws on hand at each meeting. 5. Ensure that all new members receive a copy of the ORMGA By-Laws. 6. Handle all ORMGA correspondence. The Treasurer shall: 1. Manage and administer to all ORMGA financial matters. 2. Prepare and present an annual budget to the Executive Board for review by the 3rd quarter meeting and approval by the 4th quarter meting. 3. Make disbursements and give a full and accurate report at each meeting. 4. Develop financial policies and procedures for Executive Board review. 5. Be, along with the President, one of the two officers authorized to sign checks of the ORMGA. 6. Clear any emergency expenditure through the Executive Board. 4
7. Take charge of and keep full account of all funds received. 8. Account for all funds received and disbursed and give a full and accurate report at each meeting. 9. Maintain a register of ORMGA members in good standing. 10. Collect initial handicap index from those applying for membership. 11. Manage ORMGA hole-in-one insurance program. The Executive Board shall: 1. Oversee the development of the annual plan of events. 2. Review, approve, and oversee the ORMGA annual budget. 3. Consider issues of major interest to the ORMGA and recommend actions, to include additional membership meetings. 4. Rule on waivers and other appeals regarding these by-laws. 5. Be responsible for developing, presenting to the membership, and publishing written organizational policies. 6. Advise the President as needed. 7. Review and vote on suspensions for violations of ORMGA policies and rules. ARTICLE VI NOMINATIONS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS There shall be a nominating committee. The President shall appoint the Chairman, who in turn shall select two additional members at large to serve on his committee. Any member of ORMGA may place his own name in nomination for any of the offices upon submission to the Nominating Committee of a petition to run that has been signed by not less than ten members of ORMGA. Members of the committee shall not nominate themselves. The committee shall present a slate of officers for the ensuing year prior to the fourth quarter meeting. This slate shall include the committee s nominations plus any nominations that were submitted by petition. The election of officers for the coming year will be held prior to the scheduled fourth 5
quarter meeting. No member shall be nominated who has not given his consent to serve. Elected officers shall serve the term of two years beginning in January. Elected officers are normally offset with the President and Treasurer being nominated one year and the Vice President and Secretary being nominated the next No officer shall be eligible for the same office for more than two consecutive terms. In the event an officer other than the president is unable to serve an entire term, the Executive Board will appoint a replacement to serve for the remainder of the current term. ARTICLE VII ACTIVITY DIRECTORS Prior to taking office, the officers-elect, along with the current President, may appoint members to the following positions: A. Tournament Director Organize and supervise ORMGA special events and tournaments played at Ocean Ridge as directed by the Executive Board. B. Weekly Play Directors Organize and run Monday and Wednesday play. C. Away-Day Director Organize and supervise away-day events. D. Handicap Director Execute an audit process of scores posted to ensure ORMGA members are abiding by USGA handicap rules. E. Rules Director Develop local rules and educational programs for members. F. Membership Director Promote the ORMGA to homeowners and property owners. G. Publicity Director Report golf results to local newspapers. H. Historian Maintain all historical files on OR Men s Golf; manage hole-in-one program. I. Communications Director Develop and maintain a system to support the ORMGA golf program. The appointed Activity Directors will normally begin their respective duties in January. Activity Directors will be responsible for the day to day management of their respective areas. Acceptance by the appointee shall constitute acceptance by the membership. Activity Directors will serve at the discretion of the Executive Board. ARTICLE VIII VOTING PROCEDURES Voting for the election of ORMGA officers and amendments to the By-Laws may be done either electronically, absentee, or in person at the appropriate meeting. At scheduled meetings, 6
voting procedures, other than election of officers and amendments to the By-Laws, requires a quorum to be present. If a quorum is present, motions proposed will be voted on by the attending ORMGA members with a simple majority vote of those in attendance required for the motion to carry. One third of ORMGA members shall constitute the quorum necessary to vote at scheduled meetings on all issues except changes to the by-laws. This article is intended to be the framework for ORMGA voting. The ORMGA Executive Board shall develop written voting rules and procedures. ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS The By-Laws of the ORMGA may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the full voting membership provided such amendments have been presented in writing to the membership no less than 14 days prior to that vote. ARTICLE X PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Parliamentary authority for the ORMGA shall be "Robert s Rules of Order". APPROVED BY THE ORMGA MEMBERSHIP ON August 7, 2011. Appendix A Definitions Initiated Member An Ocean Ridge property owner whose property purchase included Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf or who has paid an initiation fee to ORPG. Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf, Inc. (ORPG) The Corporation that owns and operates the golf courses in Ocean Ridge Plantation. Property owners who have paid an Initiation Fee to ORPG are considered members of the Ocean Ridge Plantation Golf Club. A separate Initiation Fee is required for membership in either Leopard s Chase Golf Club or Jaguar s Lair Golf Club. 7