RUTHERFORD GOLF ASSOCATION (RGA)
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
Your club should modify and adapt the following Articles to fit its particular circumstances. Not all areas will apply to your club so please adapt the bylaws to your specific needs and requirements.
Article I – NAME
The name of this golf club shall be Rutherford Golf Association (RGA).
Article II – PURPOSE
FIRST: To organize and implement golf competitions for Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) members and guests by forming a golfing organization.
SECOND: To promote and foster among the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) members
the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.
THIRD: To encourage conformance to the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) Rules adapted from the USGA Rules of Golf by creating a representative authority.
FOURTH: To maintain a uniform system of handicapping similar to the World Golf Handicap System™ to determine each member’s handicap index and issue a Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) Course Handicap for each scheduled tournament.
FIFTH: To provide an authoritative body to govern and conduct Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) competitions and functions.
Article III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership shall be available to (all men/women of any age). Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) does not discriminate against anyone regardless of age, race, religious beliefs, national origin, color or sexual orientation. There shall be a last 10 members (with a maximum membership of 75).
Section 2. Memberships in the club are individual and non-transferable.
Section 3. Members will submit Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) Tournament scorecards for Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) member handicap index. Non-tournament scorecards will be accepted if signed and attested with the full name of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) member.
Section 4. Membership confers no voice in the operation of any golf courses, clubhouses nor any facilities of the courses.
Section 5. Membership confers no special privileges in connection with any golf course.
Section 6. Memberships in the club are for a calendar year only, with all memberships expiring on (December 31st).
Section 7. The fiscal year for the club will be (January 1st through December 31st).
Section 8. In the event that any member of the club shall commit any act which reflects discredit or disrepute thereon or shall refuse or neglect to comply with the rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors or the duly appointed officers, such member shall be subject to suspension or expulsion after (ten days) written notice and the right to be heard, by a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors at any regular meeting or special meeting called for such purpose.
Section 9. The annual meeting of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) at the conclusion of the final Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) tournament of the calendar year. The Board of Directors shall provide for the holding of such other meetings or alternative to the annual meeting as may be deemed necessary.
Section 10. A legal quorum at any meeting shall be (twenty percent) of the members present in person or by proxy. Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 11. All membership fees and dues shall be established by the Board of Directors from time to time in such amounts as they deem to be adequate to operate and maintain the club. Members shall be liable for dues until their resignation has been received and accepted. All monies collected shall accrue to the benefit of the membership.
Article IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of three members in good standing of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) and they shall exercise all powers of management of the club not specifically excepted by these By-Laws.
Section 2. At least five weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of five members of the organization. At least four weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, this committee shall submit to the Board and shall post a list of nominees to fill any vacancies for the term of office beginning on the day of the meeting.
Names of other members in good standing may be nominated by petition signed by a least (ten percent) of the members and submitted to the Board at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. At least one week prior to the Annual Meeting, a list of all candidates nominated shall be distributed to each member via appropriate means and a copy of such list shall be post.
Section 3. Voting shall be voice vote at the annual meeting and those names receiving the greatest number of votes cast shall be declared to be elected. The Board shall appoint a committee of three judges who are not members of the Board or candidates for election to supervise the election.
Section 4. The Board of Directors shall meet at such times and places as they may select and a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Section 5. In the case of any vacancy through death, resignation, disqualification or other cause, the remaining directors, even though less than a quorum, may elect a successor by majority vote to hold office for the unexpired term of the director whose place shall be vacant, and until the election of his successor.
Article V – OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Section 1. Within (ten days) after the annual meeting and election, the Board of Directors shall meet and elect the officers.
Section 2. The officers shall consist of president, vice-president, and treasurer, and their duties shall be such as their titles would indicate or such as may be assigned to them respectively from time to time.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall authorize and define the powers and duties of all committees. Chairs and members of all committees shall be appointed by the president, and the president shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
Section 4. The following committees shall be appointed each year, with such other committees as the president may deem necessary or advisable:
Tournament Committee to arrange and schedule with the management of any golf course as necessary, and conduct all intra-club and inter-club competitions. Review completed scorecards and establish tournament rankings.
Handicap Committee composed primarily of members with the responsibility to establish a fair and proper system of handicaps in accordance with procedures set forth in World Golf Handicap System.
Membership Committee to investigate and act upon all applications for membership and to recommend appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
Social Committee to encourage and arrange social entertainment features and events for
special occasions.
Article VI – Financials
1. A bank account in the name of Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) will be kept to hold all funds for the club.
2. Banking and financial records will be kept by the Treasurer and are available for review at any time.
3. The bank will be instructed to send a duplicate statement to a Board member other than the
Treasurer for review purposes.
4. Treasurer is responsible for maintaining financial responsibility and reviewing financial activities annually.
ARTICLE VII — Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA), the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for payment of all liabilities of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA), including the costs and expenses of such dissolution, dispose of all the assets of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) exclusively for the exempt purposes of the
Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) or distributed to an organization described in Section 501 (c)(3) or 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future federal law, as shall be selected by the last Board of Directors. The Board shall choose between the the United States Golf Association, First Tee or another charitable Golf Association as proposed by Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) members. None of the assets will be distributed to any officer or director of the Rutherford Golf Association (RGA).
Article VIII – AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall have the power to repeal or amend any of these By-Laws provided that such action shall not be effective until approved by a majority vote of the
members of Rutherford Golf Association (RGA) club at a meeting held in accordance with
the provisions contained herein.