Proposed Constitution of NAMSA

Proposed Constitution of NAMSA

1. The name of the organization:
a. North American Multihull Class Assn., Inc (NAMSA) (A Florida, non profit corporation)

2. Objective:
a. To provide a medium of exchange of information among all ~~multihull~~Multihull sailors and to enhance the enjoyment of these all ~~multihull~~Multihull sailboats and all Associations in North America.
b. To promote and develop all ~~multihull~~Multihull racing under uniform rules.

c. To work with USsailing to promote the growth of Multihull sailing via youth sailing programs, static displays, educational programs or other ventures agreed to by the board of directors with the affirmation of the membership.

3. Membership and Voting:
a. There will be two different membership:
i. Association, Club, Fleet or Organizational (herein referred to as Association Membership)
(1) All members of an Association will have an individual vote
ii. Individual (If you are an Organization's member, you may not be an individual member,– only one vote will be allowed per person)
b. Any individual person whose NAMSA dues are paid for the current year is a member and is entitled to:
i. Entitled to one vote either in person, by absentee vote, or by proxy.
(1) Must inform the secretary in advance, via e-mail or in writing, of any vote if they intend to cast by absentee or proxy.
ii. Only NAMSA members shall be entitled to compete in class-sanctioned events (or individuals associated with aligned associations which are current with their membership criteria and at the discretion of the event staff)
iii. Only NAMSA members (either individual or through an association) shall be entitled to vote on NAMSA issues, or hold office
c. Membership is for one (1) fiscal year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) , and dues shall be set for the next year at the previous annual meeting by a simple vote. If there is no quorum to vote, dues shall remain the same as the prior year's level. Only NAMSA member may hold office or be on the rules committee
i. Individual dues will be set at $30 per year
ii. Association dues will be based on number of member is the Association and will be assessed at $10 per member
4. Meetings:
a. At least one annual meeting shall be held on the first night of the North American Championships. In the absence of a North American Championship, the meeting will be held at the discretion of the class president
i. Special meetings may be held from time to time and can be done electronically with 15 days notice (web site posting)
ii. Officer meetings may take place from time to time for the purpose of discussing class business and establishing class policy.
b. Quorum: Shall consist of at least 50 percent of paid membership including any absentee ballots or proxy votes
i. If no quorum is present, a meeting for the purpose of informing the present membership may take place, with no "Official" business being conducted.
ii. Absentee ballots must be in the possession of the secretary by the beginning of the meeting
c. Order of Business: The order of business at the class meeting shall be as follows
i. Sign in
ii. Minutes
iii. Officer reports
iv. Committee reports
v. Old business
vi. Elections
vii. New Business.
(1) New motions.
(2) Vote on rule or bylaw changes
viii. Adjournment.
d. The officers and rules committee members shall be elected by majority vote at the annual meeting, including absentee ballots and proxy votes. The new positions shall take effect with the introduction of " New Business" during the annual meeting
i. If no quorum, the existing president may make appointments.

NOTE: Should be a clause regarding officer eligibility. Something along the lines ---- Officers shall not have a financial interest in excess of 15% equity ownership of any organization that would directly benefit from the normal or extraneous business transactions of the association. Such interests would include but not be limited to: manufacturer, designer, or distributor of products relating to a sailing vessel. Officers of said other corporations are not eligible for officers position in NAMSA. Officers of NAMSA shall not profit personally or by affiliation due to the actions of the corporation. Committee eligibility is not limited by this bylaw.

5. Officers:
a. ~~The~~the officers of this club shall consist of:
i. President
(1) Preside at all general meetings.
(2) Oversee the activities of the other officers and committees.
(3) In the case a position becomes vacant, may appoint a substitute until the next scheduled election for that position
(4) Create and make appointments to committees. All newly created committees must have
(a) A specific purpose
(b) Report its finding to the officers by the annual meeting.
(c) Must have an end date upon creation.
(5) Holds club elections and votes (except rules committee activities).
(6) Decide on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote)
ii. Vice President
(1) Shall promote NAMSA
(2) .Shall substitute for the President if unavailable.
(3) Interface with the Association Members and Individual Members .
(4) Decide on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote)
iii. Secretary
(1) Be responsible for the class minutes
(2) Maintain membership information.
(3) Maintain records.
(4) Receive class membership receipts and transfer them to the Treasurer.
(5) Determine NAMSA mailing address.
(6) Is in charge of any class mailings and web site postings and membership notifications.
(7) Assigns fleet numbers to any group who request it.
(8) Be informed all absentee ballets or proxy votes prior to the vote by the issuing member.
iv. Treasurer
(1) Have custody of all NAMSA funds and make payments as necessary, on behalf of NAMSA.
(2) Submit a complete annual financial statement to NAMSA no later then January 31 of the following year.
(3) Provide periodic financial updates to the officers.
(4) File all required financial paperwork on a timely basis.
(5) Be responsible for the legal issues.
(6) Prepare an annual budget
v. Rules Chairman
(1) Be responsible for keeping rules current and organize any proposed rule changes.
(2) Act as a single voice of the rules committee to the officers and membership, except where noted.
(3) To call and preside over the rules committee meeting. (Must have two of the three members in attendance with the third having been notified)
(4) Monitor rules and recommend changes to the committee (see 6.b.1.)
(5) Decide location of national and international events (rules committee vote)
(6) Authorize the Notice of Regattas (NORs) and approve the Sailing Instructions (SIs) for the NAMSA events
(7) Vote on whether to submit a rule change to the class (rules committee vote).
(8) Decide on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote).
b. The term of office shall be two (2) year terms and officers shall be eligible for reelection. Elections shall be held on even numbered years.
c. Any officer may be removed from office by a majority vote of the balance of officers and rules committee membership for willful and unjustified gross act detrimental to NAMSA or its membership.
d. Vacancy of any officer or committee member shall be filled, by appointment, by the president, for the balance of that position's term.
e. Committees & Councils
i. Association Committee - Shall consist of one representative of each Association Member. Receive class membership receipts and transfer them to the Treasurer. The purpose of this committee is:
(1) Gain input from each and every Association
(2) Resolve issues between organizations
(3) Make suggestions for the event locations
(4) Make suggestions for rules changes
ii. Rules committee - Shall consist of a Rules chairman and an Event Coordinator. The purpose of this committee:
(1) Is to monitor the rules.
(2) Propose rule changes to the membership, as they feel necessary.
(3) Solicit national and international event locations.
(4) Make temporary rule changes as the situation arises.
(a) Job Descriptions:
(i) Rules Chairman (see above)
(ii) The Event Coordinator is responsible for:
1) Receive or solicit petitions for all events.
2) Present to the rules committee, on a timely basis, all locations under consideration for any NAMSA event.
3) Vote on whether to submit a rule change to NAMSA
(b) Term:
(i) Rules Chairman - See above
(ii) Event Coordinator, a. 4 year term
(c) Any rules committee member may be removed from office by a majority vote of the officers and balance of rules committee membership for willful and unjustified gross act detrimental to the NAMSA or its membership
iii. Nominating committee
(1) The Purpose of this committee shall be to receive or solicit nominations for officer and committee member positions.
(2) Is appointed by the president at the previous election.
(a) May consist of up to three (3) people
(3) Shall create the ballot for vote.
iv. Association's Council
(1) Shall be formed by one member from each association and selected by that association
(2) The Purpose of the Council is to advise NAMSA toward improvements in the overall purpose of this organization.
v. Any other committee that may be necessary. (see above)

6. Amendments:
a. Changes to the bylaws
i. May be made at any regular or special meeting, providing there is a quorum, by a two-thirds vote of the membership present including absentee ballots or proxy votes.
ii. Proposed changes must have been presented to the organization (via web site posting) at least 30 days prior to the vote and must be seconded by at least ten (10) current members.
iii. Become effective during the "New Business" section of the current meeting, unless specified in the motion.
b. Changes to the rules:
i. Proposed permanent rule changes shall be submitted, by any member to the Rules Chairperson, for consideration at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. Upon consideration of the change, the rules committee may either:
(1) Recommend the change.
(2) Reject the proposed change.
(3) Modify the proposed change.
ii. Upon b.i.1 or b.i.3 above
(1) Web site posting shall occur stating the proposed change, at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
(2) "YES" vote by a two-thirds votes of the membership present, providing there is a quorum, including absentee ballots and proxy votes at the annual meeting shall be sufficient to change the class rule.
(3) To take effect on March 1st of the following year.

7. Dissolution - Should, for whatever reason, the organization need to be dissolved:
a. A special meeting shall be held expressly for that reason.
b. Consent of at least two-thirds including absent ballots and proxy voting to dissolve.
c. After payments of all club debts shall donate all its assets to (in order):
i. Newly formed association such most closely represents this body.
ii. Charitable organization for the benefit of promoting sailing as selected by the outgoing officers.