ARTICLE I

NAME AND PURPOSE

SECTION 1:    The name of this organization shall be Blackbeard’s Scuba Club, incorporated under the laws of the state of Georgia as a non-profit corporation.

SECTION 2:    The purpose of Blackbeard’s Scuba Club shall be to develop, promote and encourage the interest of Scuba Diving in a safe and organized manner, and to provide access to dive partners.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1:    Any individual interested in Scuba Diving and willing to abide by Blackbeard’s Scuba Club by-laws may seek membership.  The club shall have three types of membership as follows:

(A)                   Active Membership:    This membership is open only to certified divers.  Active members who miss three or more consecutive events shall be put on inactive membership status.

(B)                   Inactive Membership:      Any dues paying member that doesn’t meet the attendance quota as per part A above.

(C )                  Honorary Membership:   Honorary membership may be conferred upon persons bringing  

value to Blackbeard’s Scuba Club as determined by the board of directors.  These members shall not pay dues, and are not eligible to hold any elected office or appointed office and shall not have voting rights.

SECTION 2:    Membership in this club may be revoked upon recommendation of the board of directors and a majority vote of active members, for those members who willfully use unlawful conduct in regards to this constitution, club by-laws or commit other offences which may bring Blackbeard’s Scuba Club into disrepute.

SECTION 3:    Members as such must agree to sign a waiver of release agreeing not to hold Blackbeard’s Scuba Club or its members responsible for any accidents, injuries, or misfortunes that may occur to them whilst participating in club activities.

SECTION 4:    Dues shall be assessed annually at a rate to be determined during the annual meeting.  Dues are payable on the first day of the Fiscal year. A ninety day grace period will be provided during which those members whose dues payments is delinquent shall retain all membership privileges.  Delinquent members will be dropped off Blackbeard’s Scuba Club roster after this ninety-day period has ended.

ARTICLE III

            BOARD OF DIRECTORS                 

SECTION 1:   

( A )                 President

(i)            Preside over all meetings of the club

(ii)           Submit a quarterly report of club activities

(iii)          Know all the officers and members

(iv)          Know Blackbeard’s Scuba Club financial

               status and monitor spending

(v)           Attend Blackbeard’s Scuba Club meetings

               and activities

(vi)          Promote public awareness of the club and

               maintain the club webpage

(vii)         Promote and organize Blackbeard’s Scuba

               Club activities and trips

( B )                 Vice President

(i)            Fulfill the duties of the president during his/her

               absence

(ii)           Schedule programs and speaking guests for

                meetings

( C )                 Secretary

(i)            Fulfill the duties of the Vice President during

               his/her absence

(ii)           Help maintain a current membership list

(iii)          Maintain personal files on all meetings as

               described in

               ARTICLE II

(iv)          Take minutes and roll call at meetings

( D )                 Treasurer

(i)            Fulfill the duties of Secretary during his/her

               absence

(ii)           Issue receipts and collect money

(iii)          Keep accurate records of expenses and

               receipts

(iv)          See that all Blackbeard’s Scuba Club

               members have paid their dues and have been

               issued Blackbeards Scuba Club membership

               cards

(v)           Assist the President with monitoring spending

SECTION 2:            BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

The elected officers shall serve as Board of Directors to expedite the business of the club by taking all necessary actions consistent with the express desires of the club.

(i)            All actions of the Board of Directors must be

              taken by a vote of a majority of its members. 

               The Secretary shall keep minutes of

               the Board meetings and these shall be

               available to the membership.

(ii)           Among other things, the Board of Directors

               shall be specifically authorized to order

               disbursements of the club funds in an

               emergency situation and to fill vacancies on

               the Board of Directors

(iii)          The Board of Directors shall appoint all

                committees

SECTION 3:            ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

(A)       Club members shall be elected to serve a one year term, but may serve more than one term.  Nominations for officers shall be held during the meeting in November

(B)       Elections will be by majority vote of active members held at the meeting in December.  Voting by proxy will be permitted for active members

(C)       In the event of a vacancy, the membership will nominate a replacement at the next meeting and vote on the nomination at the following meeting

ARTICLE IV

     MEETINGS         

SECTION 1:   Unless otherwise ordered by the club or the Board of

                        Directors, regular business meetings, will be held -

                        monthly.  Additional meetings may be held when a

                        presentation, speaker, or other seminar is available or

                        desired

SECTION 2:    The last meeting of the Fiscal Year shall be known as the annual meeting, and shall be for the purpose of installation of Officers, for receiving annual reports of Officers and Committees, for setting dues for the next Fiscal Year, and for any other business that may arise.

SECTION 3:    Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Board of Directors or upon presentation of a petition signed by one forth of the active membership.  An attempt shall be made to call the meeting within ten days notice.  The Secretary must attempt to notify all members of such special meetings by any means possible in the timeframe allowed.  The notice for the special meeting shall state the purpose for which the meeting is called and that only the special business will be discussed.  Special meetings will not be used to amend these by-laws

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

Committees shall be appointed as needed to assist in operation of the club and will have the responsibility to plan, organize and administer specific club events as established by the Board of Directors

ARTICLE VI

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

SECTION 1:   The rules contained in “Roberts Rules of Order” revised

                        edition shall govern all meetings of the club, when

                        applicable, and when not inconsistent with the by-laws

SECTION 2:   The Fiscal Year shall run concurrent with the calendar

                         year

ARTICLE VII

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND LIMITATIONS

SECTION 1:    No contract or other document obligating Blackbeard’s Scuba Club shall be entered into except by the President or Vice President with the consent of the active membership and Board of Directors or by persons so authorized by the President or Vice President with the consent of the active membership and Board of Directors

SECTION 2:    No obligation of indebtedness shall be entered into without the approval of the majority of members present at a regularly scheduled or specially called meeting of Blackbeard’s Scuba Club

SECTION 3:    No officer or member of Blackbeard’s Scuba Club shall, as such, have any personal liability for the acts of Blackbeard’s Scuba Club, Blackbeard’s Scuba Club Committees, or Blackbeard's Scuba Club Board of Directors other than as a member

ARTICLE VIII

DIVE TRIPS

SECTION 1:    Blackbeard’s Scuba Club shall sponsor two types of dive trips; those requiring the use of a boat, and where no boat is used

SECTION 2:    Persons of all ages may participate in club trips.  Only members over the age of twelve, may participate in diving activities

Participation shall be subject to the following rules:

1.            Priority for spaces on all trips will be given to

              ACTIVE club members, then inactive members

2.            Participants may not violate federal or state

               laws while on a club trip

3.            Minors must be accompanied by a parent or

               adult Blackbeard’s Scuba Club ACTIVE

              member who will accept responsibility for the

               member

4.            The Board of Directors or its designee shall

              establish a cost per individual to cover trip

              expenses. The cost shall be equal for all

             participants. The Board of Directors or its

             designee shall establish a payment schedule for

              the trip. This schedule shall be comprised of a

              minimum deposit to secure the reservation and

              a final installment due before the actual trip. 

               All payments received will be directed with

              the trip organizer.  The person deemed in

              charge of the trip shall accept reservations and

              fill available spaces on the trip upon receipt

              of the specified deposit and a written request

              describing the number and type of reservations

              requested. Trip spaces will be filled in the order

              they are received

5.            Cancellations of reservations will be accepted

               only in writing

6.            All participants on a club dive must sign a 

              release form for each dive trip

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS