BYLAWS OF THE
ARTICLE
I : NAME
The name of the organization shall be the Oklahoma Chess Association,
commonly known as the OCA.
ARTICLE II : PURPOSES
The
purpose of the Association shall be educational and instructional, to
broaden and develop chess as art and recreation, as a significant element of
culture in
a.) To operate exclusively for
educational, recreational, and social welfare purposes;
b.) That no
part of its contributions, dues, or net income shall inure to the benefit of
any individual, except that trophies or prizes awarded in the course of its educational and promotional program shall not be
so construed; and
c.) That the Association is not operated for
profit and that neither principal nor income of any of its funds may be used in any attempt to influence legislation.
ARTICLE III : MEMBERSHIP
III.1
Regular Membership: Any person may
become a Regular Member of the Association upon payment of $8.00 dues for one
year. Patron Membership: Any person
may become a Patron Member of the Association upon payment of $25.00 dues for
one year.
Youth Membership: Any youth under 20 years
of age may become a Youth Member of the
Association upon payment of $4.00 dues for one year.
III.2 Rights and
Privileges: Each Member of the OCA, regardless of membership type, shall be
entitled to receive a regular copy of the official state publication, participate in the Annual Membership Meeting,
hold office, and to enjoy all other rights and privileges of membership not
herein enumerated.
III.3
Revocation of Membership: The Policy Board may revoke or suspend the membership
of any member for good cause. In addition, the Policy Board may suspend or remove from office any OCA officer or official
for good cause.
III.4 Annual
Membership Meeting: The President shall call and preside at an annual meeting of the membership, held in conjunction with the
Oklahoma Open, for the purpose of hearing reports, making suggestions to the Policy
Board, and electing officers to the Policy Board. Twelve members present in
person shall constitute a quorum The
Secretary shall publish advance notice of
the meeting in the "Oklahoma
Chess Bulletin".
ARTICLE
IV : POLICY BOARD
IV. I
Responsibility: The Policy Board is responsible for the management
of the affairs of the Association, including employment and other contracts and
shall perform other duties as are specified in these Bylaws. In the case of a
tie vote, a motion fails. The Policy Board may refuse to publicize or recognize
a tournament for cause, including anything tending to discredit the
Association.
IV.2
Composition: The Board shall be composed of the President, Vice President,
Secretary/Treasurer, and three Members at Large elected by the membership of
the Association, and the Immediate Past President.
IV.3
Meetings: The Board shall meet at least three times each year. Meetings may be
held at the request of any member of the Board provided that all Members have
been given advance notice of the meeting. The minutes of the Policy Board
Meetings shall be published in the "Oklahoma Chess Bulletin". A
quorum shall consist of four members of the Board being present in person.
IV.4
Nomination: Any OCA member shall be eligible for nomination
to any elected office upon nomination by a fellow member at the Annual Meeting.
No full time employee of the OCA shall serve in any elected office on the
Policy Board. The Secretary shall serve advance notice of the election in the
"Oklahoma Chess Bulletin".
IV.5
Elections: All OCA elections shall occur at the Annual Meeting. A plurality
shall elect the nominee.
IV.6
Terms: The terms of the elected Policy Board members shall
begin upon their election and shall continue until the Annual Meeting in the
year in which their term expires. The Members at Large shall have terms of
approximately one year. The President, Vice President, and Secretary shall have
terms of approximately two years. The Immediate Past President shall remain a
member of the Policy Board so long as he/she remains Immediate Past President.
IV.7
Duties
President: The President shall
preside at all meeting of the membership and the Policy Board; carry out all
requirements of these Bylaws; represent the Association on occasion; and report
annually to the membership at the Annual Meeting.
Vice President: The Vice President
shall execute the duties of the President when the President is unable to
serve.
Secretary/Treasurer: This officer
shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the membership and the Policy Board;
carry out all duties prescribed by these Bylaws; publish in the "Oklahoma
Chess Bulletin" the minutes of the meeting of the membership and the
Policy Board; keep records of the financial affairs of the Association; and
manage the funds of the Association.
IV.8 . Revocation of Membership: "In the event
that the Policy Board shall revoke or suspend the membership of an individual
pursuant to Article III, Section 3, it shall, prior to taking such action, give
to the individual thirty days written notice of the proposed action. Within
said time, that individual may submit in writing to the Policy Board reasons
why such actions should not be taken. The Board may thereafter, if it sees fit,
act upon the written suggestion or set a date for a hearing to be held
concerning the proposed action. Nothing contained herein shall require notice
of termination of membership of any individual for non-payment of moneys due.
IV.9
If a vacancy occurs in any elected office, a successor to serve the unexpired
term shall be nominated and elected by the Policy Board, except that a vacancy
in the office or President shall be filled by the Vice President.
IV.10 The
Policy Board shall appoint the Chair of the Editorial Committee for the
official publication of the OCA. This appointment shall be reviewed annually.
If a vacancy occurs in the position, the Policy Board shall appoint an interim
Chair to fill the vacancy until the time of the annual review. The Editorial
Chair shall appoint OCA members to the Editorial Committee to assist in producing
the official publication. Any such appointment may be rescinded by the Chair.
The Chair is responsible for obtaining price quotes and selecting the printer,
and may be required to justify such decision to the Policy Board.
IV.11
The Policy Board shall be responsible for the organization of, or directing the
organization of, the tournaments promoted by the OCA.
IV.12 The
OCA shall promote an annual state championship tournament. This tournament
shall be known as the Jerry Spann Memorial. This tournament shall be open to
all USCF and OCA members, however, only OCA members residing in the state of
IV.13 The
OCA shall promote an annual state class championship tournament. This
tournament shall be known as the Oklahoma Class Championship and hall consist
of no less than five sections. These sections shall be composed of players with
similar ratings. This tournament shall be open to all USCF and OCA members, however,
only OCA members residing in the State of
ARTICLE V COMMITTEES
The Policy Board may appoint any
committees, standing or ad hoc, which are deemed necessary to advance
Association purposes.
ARTICLE VI: SUNDRY BYLAWS
VI.1
Office: The registered office of the Association shall be at the address of the
Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.
VI.2
Publications: The "Oklahoma Chess Bulletin", or its successor
publication, is designated an official publication of the Association.
VI.3
Fiscal period: The Fiscal period shall be the year ended June 30.
VI.4
Funds: All general funds shall be designated in one or more federally insured
depositories in the Association's name, disbursable only by check signed by
the. Secretary/Treasurer or by others designated by the
Policy Board.
VI.5
National Affairs: The Association is the official
VI.6
Procedure: "Robert's Rules of Order" shall be used at all meetings of
the membership and the Policy Board.
VI.7
Authority: These Bylaws have been adopted by the membership under the authority
of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), subject to all State and Federal
laws.
VI.8
Amendment: The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the membership at
the Annual Meeting or by the Policy Board.
VI.9 Reliance of Records: Each officer and employee of
the Association shall in the performance of his or her duties be fully
protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to
the Association by any of its officials, or by an independent Certified Public
Accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Policy
Board, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the Association.