Constitution & ByLaws
Catalina 320 International Association
Constitution & Bylaws
Constitution
Article I------- Name
Article II------ Objectives
Article III----- Jurisdiction
Article IV----- Organization
Article V------ Fleet Charters
Article VI----- Membership
Article II------ Objectives
Article III----- Jurisdiction
Article IV----- Organization
Article V------ Fleet Charters
Article VI----- Membership
Article VII----Governing Board
Article VIII--- Association Meetings & Regattas
Article IX----- Voting
Article X------ Amendments
Article XI----- Suspension
Article XII---- Safety
Article XIII--- Governing Rules
Article XIII--- Governing Rules
Bylaws
Article I-------- Fleet Elections
Article II------- Renewal of Fleet Charters
Article III------ Finances
Article IV------ Fleet Newsletter
Article II------- Renewal of Fleet Charters
Article III------ Finances
Article IV------ Fleet Newsletter
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - NAME
The Association shall be known as the Catalina 320 International Association, hereinafter called Association.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES
The Association is a non-profit association organized to coordinate nationwide Catalina 320 interfleet cruising activities, one-design racing and to serve as a central media for distribution of information and publicity pertinent to Catalina 320 yachts.
The Association is dedicated:
1. To promote and maintain the one-design characteristics of the Catalina 320 yacht.
2. To promote the education of safe boating and the care and maintenance of Catalina 320s.
3. To cooperate with other yachting organizations.
4. To coordinate cruising and social activities.
5. To provide a subscription to the Catalina Owner’s magazine Mainsheet.
ARTICLE III - JURISDICTION
A. The Association has jurisdiction over all Catalina 320 class activities. Its Constitution, Bylaws and Catalina 320 One Design Racing Rules and Specifications are binding upon all members and Fleets.
B. Prior to the eliminating or deviating from any of the requirements set forth in this document, written permission must be obtained from the Association.
C. All disputes concerning the interpretation of the contents of this document shall be resolved by the governing body of the Association, and all such decisions shall be considered final.
D. The Association reserves the right to declare ineligible any member who does not conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of this document.
E. The Association shall not be liable for any debt contracted by its Officers, Fleet Officers, or members other than the expenditures authorized by budget, or upon the written order of the Commodore and approval of the Governing Board.
ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION
A. A Catalina 320 owner may join the Association through a Fleet or by contacting the Association directly
B. A Fleet is the territorial unit, as designed by the Association, open to all eligible persons within its area. It elects its own officers which must include a Fleet Captain, Assistant Fleet Captain, and Fleet Secretary/Treasurer. A Fleet is self-governing in all local matters not conflicting with the Association's Constitution, Bylaws, or Catalina 320 One Design Racing Rules and Specifications and has the authority to accept or reject application for fleet memberships.
C. Owners of Catalina 320s in areas where no fleet exists may make application to the Treasurer of the Association to become a member of the Association. Members unattached to a fleet are encouraged to make application to the Commodore of the Association to form a Fleet.
ARTICLE V - FLEET CHARTERS
A. The purpose of a Fleet is to foster and promote the Catalina 320 class activities at the local level and to encourage participation by the individual members of a Fleet.
B. A new Fleet, consisting of three or more Catalina 320 owners may be chartered upon application to the Commodore of the Association.
C. Fleet Charters may be granted, suspended or revoked by the Association Governing Board. It shall take a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Governing Board to suspend or revoke a charter. Charters can be suspended or revoked for:
1. Failure to maintain, in good standing, a membership of three Catalina 320s owners.
2. Failure to file an annual report of Fleet members and dues.
3. Failure to comply with the Association Constitution and Bylaws.
D. Suspended Fleet members and ineligible Catalina 320 yachts shall be barred from participation in any of the Catalina 320 races and activities. They cannot be reinstated until they fulfill all the Association requirements.
E. The Association members in good standing of a suspended Fleet which failed to maintain the minimum membership shall be reclassified as unattached members until such time that their Fleet is reinstated.
F. Fleet members of Fleets which are suspended or revoked for reasons other than minimum membership shall have their Association membership suspended until such time that their Fleet in reinstated.
ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP
A. Regular Member - A Regular Member is an owner or part owner of a Catalina 320. He/she has the following privileges: holding office, voting, racing and membership in a Catalina 320 Fleet, if one exists in his/her area.
B. Supporting Member - A Supporting Member is a person who does not currently own a Catalina 320. This person does not have voting privileges, cannot hold office, but can command a Catalina 320 in sanctioned races. Supporting membership may include a Mainsheet subscription, at the member’s request.
C. Charter Member - In its organizational phase, a member will be classified as a Charter Member by becoming a paid member in good standing on or before September 30, 1995.
D. Honorary Member - An Honorary member is a person selected by the Association who has an active interest in the welfare of the class. Honorary members will not hold office, vote, or pay dues.
ARTICLE VII - GOVERNING BOARD
A. Nominations & Elections - The Commodore shall solicit new officers and report to the membership at or before the annual meeting.. Additional nominations may be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting. Balloting will take place at the annual meeting. The results of the election shall be included in the Mainsheet.
B. Term of Office - Officers shall assume their duties November 1 (or immediately after the annual meeting) and shall serve for 12 months. Mid-term vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the Governing Board.
C. Governing Board - shall be regular members in good standing and shall perform the following duties:
1. Commodore - shall preside at meetings, serve as Chairman of the Governing Board and appoint special committees as required. The Commodore shall be responsible for formation and maintenance of Fleets. The Commodore is responsible to notify the membership of Association events. The Commodore shall provide leadership to promote membership growth and interest in Catalina 320 boat ownership.
2. Vice Commodore - shall be responsible for arranging the Annual Regatta and the Annual Meeting. He/she shall delegate, as necessary, any responsibility for these events to the selected Host Fleet Race Chairman or Committee.The Vice Commodore shall perform the duties of the Commodore in his absence, and shall serve as Commodore for the unexpired term, should the office of Commodore be vacated for any reason. The Vice Commodore shall maintain the association constitution and bylaws and initiate all changes, amendments, revisions and balloting concerning the associations’ corporate documentation.
3. Secretary/Treasurer - The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for correspondence, recording the minutes of all meetings, notification to the membership of all special events and maintaining the history of the Association. The Secretary/Treasurer (or designee) shall maintain the current records of members, fleets, Fleet Officers and Mainsheet mailing list. He/she shall maintain the financial records of the Association; deposit funds; and disburse funds based upon the budget or approval of the Governing Board. The Secretary/Treasurer shall account for the income and expenses of the Association and shall submit an annual financial statement at the annual meeting. Copies of the annual financial statement may also be obtained from the Association Secretary/Treasurer by request. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be a resident of the US.
4. Webmaster – shall be responsible for the maintaining and improving the association website, including renewing domain name registrations and ISP contracts.
5. Chief Measurer - shall be responsible for coordinating all matters pertaining to measurement standards for the Catalina 320 and shall be Chairperson of the Rules Committee. He/she shall grant or reject all measurement certificates, issue duplicates, and answer all questions from Fleet Measurer regarding measurement rules. He/she shall interpret rules and regulations concerning sail plan, rigging and equipment and shall make rulings on matters not specifically covered in the Catalina 320 One Design Racing Rules and Specifications. Such rulings shall be subject to the approval of the Governing Board. The Chief Measurer shall not approve changes in specifications, sail plans or rigging.
6. Mainsheet Editor - shall write and edit articles for the Mainsheet and provide information about modification and upkeep. Shall be liaison to the factory on technical issues.
D. Quorum - shall consist of a majority of the 6 positions constituting the Governing Board.
E. Enforcement - The Governing Board shall have the authority to enforce its decisions by suspensions of entire Fleets or individual members. Each officer is entitled to one vote.
ARTICLE VIII – ASSOCIATION MEETINGS& REGATTAS
A. Annual Meeting – highly desirable to be held at the Annual Regatta. In the event that a regatta is not held, the annual meeting will be at some event such as a Catalina Rendezvous or sailboat show where a significant number of members may already be attending. The annual meeting shall be held by November 1.
B. Regatta - Each year the Association will attempt to schedule at least one event at some location for the purpose of getting members together for racing, social activities and conducting Association business. The sites and dates of the regattas shall be selected by the Governing Board. The various Fleets will be given the opportunity to host and sail in the event. Should a prize and/or trophy be awarded, the recipient boat owner shall be an association member.
C. Quorum – 20 members in good standing shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX - VOTING
A. Each Catalina 320 member yacht shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote.
B. No proxies shall be allowed.
ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS
A proposed amendment to the Constitution, Bylaws, or Catalina One Design Racing Rules and Specifications must be approved by a majority of the Governing Board or be presented in writing by five members. To be adopted, amendments must be approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by Catalina 320 member yachts either in person, by mail, or by the use of any appropriate technology. A period of at least 30 days shall be provided for balloting.
ARTICLE XI - SUSPENSION
Any officer or member may be suspended or expelled by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at the annual meeting for conduct or action deemed prejudicial or injurious to the Association.
ARTICLE XII - SAFETY
A. Safety - Members and guests attending Association and Fleet activities shall agree to operate their yachts in a safe manner at all times. The decision of whether or not to participate in an event and the decision whether or not to start or continue in an activity is the sole responsibility of the member and not that of any person sponsoring or undertaking such activity. Members shall inform all crew members and guests of their responsibility to sail safely, including the prudent use of alcoholic beverages during Association and Fleet functions
B. Annual Inspection - All members are encouraged to inspect their yachts annually to insure that they meet or exceed the United States Coast Guard safety standards. Boats participating in Fleet activities and/or the Association Regatta shall meet or exceed the United States Coast Guard safety standards.
ARTICLE XIII - GOVERNING RULES
This Constitution, Bylaws and Catalina 320 One Design Racing Rules and Specifications of the Catalina 320 Association shall be governing rules of this Association.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - FLEET ELECTIONS
A. Annual Election - The annual election of Fleet Officers shall be held by September 20. Results of the election shall be filed by the Fleet Secretary with the Association Secretary/Treasurer not later than September 30.
B. Minimum Number of Officers - Each Fleet shall have as a minimum a Fleet Captain, Assistant Fleet Captain, and a Fleet Secretary/Treasurer.
ARTICLE II - RENEWAL OF FLEET CHARTERS
A. Fleet Treasurer - shall file with the Association Treasurer a corrected fleet roster of members showing name, address, phone number, hull/sail number, yacht name, and berthing information by September 30.
B. Fleet Captain - shall file an annual fleet report with the Commodore of the Association each year two weeks prior to the annual meeting. The Fleet Report shall consist of:
1. Names, addresses and phone numbers of Fleet Officers.
2. Summary of meetings, newsletter content, racing, cruising and social programs and general interest items such as championship or special awards, sailing conditions, pictures and articles.
ARTICLE III – FINANCES
A. Association Dues - The Governing Board shall set reasonable Association dues. The dues are not prorated, but begin and end on the anniversary of the member's application.
B. Fleet Dues - shall be determined by each Fleet and retained for use by the Fleet.
C. Collection of Dues - The Association dues shall be collected by the Association Secretary/Treasurer or designee.
D. In the event a member of any status elects to terminate his membership in the Association, all fees and dues shall be forfeited.
E. The Association shall not be liable for any debts contracted by its officers, Fleet officers, or members other than the expenditures authorized by the Governing Board.
F. The Governing Board shall have the power to contract for any of its business services and will review the contract annually for continuation, compensation, responsibilities and performance. All Governing Board members are expected to keep expenses to a minimum.
G. The Association shall pay limited expenses of the Governing Board members. These expenses shall include the reimbursement for supplies, postage, phone calls, etc. for the conduct of Association business. Meals, lodging, and transportation to and from official meetings and other Association events are not reimbursable.
H. Special assessments and special or unusual expenditures must be approved by two-thirds of the votes cast by Catalina 320 member yachts either in person, by mail, or by the use of any appropriate technology.
ARTICLE IV - FLEET NEWSLETTERS All Fleets are encouraged to publish a newsletter and send a copy of their newsletters to the Commodore.
Constitution and Bylaws Approved: September 24, 1994
Amended August 23, 1997; January 31, 2008
Amended August 23, 1997; January 31, 2008
