Bylaws of NAMSA (Approved February 18, 2004)

1. The name of the organization:

a. North American Multihull Sailing Assn., Inc (NAMSA)

2. Objective:

a. To provide a medium of exchange of information among all multihull sailors and to enhance the enjoyment of multihull sailboats.
b. To maintain and exchange information and liaisons, when and where appropriate, with other sailing associations, organizations, clubs, fleets, etc.
c. To promote and develop all multihull racing and sailing under uniform rules, regulations, directives and suggestions. To provide advocacy and sanctioning in issues affecting multihull sailing and racing.
d. To belong, as an organization, to other organizations that aid in the promotion of sailing in general.

3. Membership and Voting:

a. There shall be two different membership types:

i. Chapter Membership: Association, Club, Fleet or Organizational Membership (herein referred to as Chapter Membership).

(1) Any Chapter Membership whose NAMSA dues are paid for the current years is entitled to:

(a) Ten votes on NAMSA issues, (See 5. Voting).
(b) Hosting a NAMSA sanctioned event.

(2) Membership is for one (1) fiscal year (Jan 1-Dec. 31). Dues for the next year shall be set each year by a vote of the Individual and Chapter Membership.
(3) Chapter Membership dues will be $50 per year, subject to change as noted elsewhere.

ii. Individual Membership: Individual Memberships are available with full membership rights.

(1) Any individual whose NAMSA dues are paid for the current year is entitled to:

(a) One vote on NAMSA issues, (See 5. Voting).
(b) Competition in NAMSA-sanctioned major events.
(c) Eligibility to hold NAMSA office, including Committees.

(2) Membership is for one year . Dues for the next year shall be set each year by a vote of the Individual and Chapter Membership.
(3) Individual Membership dues will include a subscription for Catamaran Sailor Magazine (which will include the Official NAMSA Newsletter).
(4) Dues for U.S.A. members will be set at $20 per year, subject to change as noted above.
(5) Dues for Canadian members will set at $30 per year, subject to change as noted above.
(6) Dues for Mexican members will be set at $35 per year, subject to change as noted above.

a. At least one Annual Meeting shall be held on one night of the Championship. In the absence of a Championship, a Special Meeting to include the Chapter and Individual Membership will be held at the discretion of the NAMSA President.
b. Special Meetings to include the Chapter and Individual Membership may be held from time to time and can be done electronically (web site posting) with 15 days notice.
c. Board Meetings may take place from time to time for the purpose of discussing NAMSA business and establishing NAMSA policy.
d. Order of Business: The order of business at the NAMSA meeting shall be as follows:

i. Sign in
ii. Minutes
iii. Officer reports
iv. Committee reports
v. Old business
vi. New Business.
vii. New motions.
viii. Adjournment.

5. Voting:

a. Ballots will be sent to both Chapter and Individual Members on the first day of any month and must be returned by the last of day of that month.

6. Elections:

a. The Officers and Rules and Chapter Chairman shall be elected by simple majority vote. (See 5. Voting). Terms of Office are effective upon introduction of "New Business" during the Annual Meeting.

7. Officers: The Officers of NAMSA, and their responsibilities, shall consist of:

a. President

i. Presides at all general meetings.
ii. Oversees the activities of the Officers and Committees.
iii. Should a position become vacant, may appoint a substitute until the next scheduled election for
hat position
iv. Creates and makes appointments to Committees.
v. Holds NAMSA elections and votes (except rules committee activities).
vi. Decides on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote) with input from Committee members and Membership.

b. Vice President

i. Shall promote NAMSA
ii. Substitutes for the President if unavailable.
iii. Interfaces with the Chapter Members and Individual Members.
iv. Decides on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote) with input from Committee members and Membership.

c. Secretary

i. Be responsible for minutes of NAMSA Meetings
ii. Maintains records and transfers them to the Treasurer.
iii. Determines NAMSA official mailing address.
iv. Is in charge of any NAMSA mailings, web site postings and membership notifications.
v. Assigns fleet numbers to any Association by request.
vi. Collects and counts Individual and Chapter Membership votes.

d. Treasurer

i. Is custodian of NAMSA funds and is accountable to the Officers and general membership.
ii. Receive NAMSA membership receipts
iii. Maintains membership information.
iv. Submits a complete annual financial statement to NAMSA no later then January 31 of the
following year.
v. Provides periodic financial updates to the Board.
vi. Is responsible for timely filing of all required financial paperwork and timely payment of debts accrued by NAMSA.
vii. Prepares an annual budget

e. Rules Chairman

i. Acts as a single voice of the Rules Committee to the Board and Membership, except where noted.
ii. Presides over the Rules Committee meeting.
iii. Monitors rules and recommends changes to the Board and Membership
iv. Decides, along with Rules Committee, locations of NAMSA national and international events.
v. Authorizes the Notice of Regattas (NOR's) and approves Sailing Instructions (SI's) for NAMSA events
vi. Votes, in conjunction with the Rules Committee, on whether to submit a rule change to NAMSA.
vii. Keeps current on all Associate's events that are NAMSA sanctioned.
viii. Decides on NAMSA event locations and dates (3 member committee vote) with input from Committee members and Membership.

f. Chapter Chairman

i. Acts as a single voice of the Chapter Committee to the Board and Membership, except where noted
ii. Presides over the Chapter Committee meeting

8.Committees

a. Chapter Membership Committee - Shall consist of one representative of each member Chapter. The Chapter Committee is responsible for:

i. Interface with other Chapter Members
ii. Resolve issues between Chapters
iii. Make suggestions for event locations and dates
iv. Make suggestions for rules changes
v. Advise NAMSA toward improvements in its overall purpose.
vi. Solicit national and international event locations.

b. Rules Committee - Shall consist of a Rules Chairman and an Event Coordinator.

i. The purpose of this committee:

(1) Monitoring rules as they apply to NAMSA racing/sailing and to multihulls in general
(2) Propose rule changes to the Membership, as necessary.
(3) Solicit national and international event locations.
(4) Make temporary rule changes as the situation arises.

ii. Job Descriptions:

(1)Rules Chairman (is an elected Officer, duties and term of office outlined above)

(a)Term - See Above

(2) The Event Coordinator is responsible for:

(a) Solicitation and receipt of petitions for events.
(b) Timely presentation to the Rules Committee lists of locations under consideration for NAMSA events.
(c)Term - four (4) years

c. Nominating committee

i. Maximum 3 (three) members, appointed by the NAMSA President at the previous election. Its responsibility shall be to solicit and receive nominations for Officers and Committee Chair and Member positions, and to create vote ballots.

d. Any other committee that may be necessary. All newly created Committees must have:

i. A specific purpose
ii. Report its finding to the Board by the annual meeting
iii. Must have an end date upon creation

9. Terms of Office of Officers

a. The term of office shall be two (2) year terms and officers shall be eligible for reelection. Elections shall be held preceding even numbered years, with those elected to be installed on even numbered years.
b. Any officer, serving on either board or committee, may be removed from office by a simple majority vote of the officers and Rules Committee membership for willful and unjustified gross acts detrimental to NAMSA or its general membership, or for lack of performing the duties of the position.
c. Vacancy of any Board Officer or Committee member shall be filled by NAMSA Presidential appointment, by the president, for the balance of that position's term.

10. Amendments:

a. Changes to the bylaws

i. May be made by sending Ballots to both Chapter and Individual Members, (See 5. Voting).
ii. Changes in the bylaws require a two-thirds vote.
iii. Proposed changes must be presented to the NAMSA (via web site posting and in writing) at least 30 days prior to the vote and must be seconded by at least ten (10) current members.
iv. 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 i(1) or i(3) above, Ballots will be sent to both Chapter and Individual Members, (See 5. Voting).
iii. Changes in the Rules requires a majority vote.
iv. Changes take effect on March 1st of the following year, unless otherwise designated.

11. Dissolution - Should, for whatever reason, NAMSA needs to be dissolved:

a. A Special Meeting shall be held expressly to consider dissolution.
b. Provided a quorum of 50% of the Chapter and Individual Membership is present, consenting vote of two-thirds is necessary for NAMSA dissolution, (See 5. Voting).
c. After payment of all NAMSA debts any remaining NAMSA funds shall be contributed to (in order):

i. Any newly formed association most closely resembling or replacing NAMSA
ii. Any charitable sailing-promotional organization for the benefit of promoting sailing as selected by the outgoing Board and Committee Members.