Bardstown Boaters Club Bylaws
I. Purpose:
1.1 Promote and encourage the recreational navigation of
rivers, creeks and other navigable bodies of water by
canoe, kayak and other self-powered craft.
1.2 Promote conservation of rivers and creeks by practicing
conservation as a club, by cooperating with local and
national conservation organizations, and by communicating
the club’s concerns to governmental authorities and
to the public.
1.3 Promote the development of paddling skills through
instruction, training and participation in canoeing and
kayaking events.
1.4 Promote appreciation for the beauty of our water
resources and for the recreational value of river cruising,
camping and whitewater sports.
II. Philosophy of individual responsibility
Whitewater sports, including canoeing, kayaking and
rafting, entail certain risks which expose participants to
various hazards. Ultimately, it is the individual paddler
who is solely responsible for his or her decision to go on
any trip, to put on any river, at any time, to scout or run
any rapid, to participate in any rescue attempt or to pass
up any walk-out or take-out opportunity. These are facts of
life on the river.
III. Members
3.1 Individual membership. Any individual, regardless of
age, and any organization or corporation, who subscribes to
the purposes and policies of the club may become a member
of the Bardstown Boaters, subject to the compliance with
these bylaws and rules of the club.
3.2 Membership dues. The club shall require annual
membership dues to be paid by its members in an amount to
be determined by a vote of the membership. Dues shall be
payable in advance on the first day of January each year.
If any member shall be in default in payment of dues for a
period of two months, the member shall be considered not in
good standing. New members submitting applications after
October 1 shall be considered to have paid in advance
through the following year.
3.3 Waiver. The Club shall require of each member the
execution of a statement of individual
responsibility/waiver in a form prescribed by the Executive
Committee. Parents of minors shall execute the waiver on
their behalf. Dues shall not be accepted from any member
who does not execute the waiver. Any member who does not
execute the waiver shall be considered not in good standing
and will not be allowed to participate in club outings.
3.4 Participation. Only members in good standing shall be
permitted to participate and vote in meetings of the
Bardstown Boaters and serve in any capacity.
IV. Meetings
4.1 The annual meeting of the Club shall be held in
January, at a time and place to be determined by the
Executive Committee, at which time shall be elected
officers and an Executive Committee, and transacted such
other business as may properly be brought before the Club.
Regular meetings shall be held as determined by vote of the
membership.
4.2 Voting. All business of the Club, except for elections
and amendments of bylaws, shall be enacted by majority vote
of the members present. At all meetings of the members,
each individual or corporate members shall be entitled to
one vote.
V. Officers and Executive Committee
5.1 Officers. The officers of the Club shall be elected by
the membership and shall consist of President, Vice
President, Treasurer and Environmental Director.
5.2 Executive Committee. The business and affairs of the
Club shall be managed by a board of directors, which shall
be known as the Executive Committee. The Executive
Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President,
Treasurer and past (outgoing) president, and one additional
member elected by the membership at the annual meeting.
Each officer and member of the Executive Committee shall be
at least nineteen (19) years of age and shall hold office
for one year beginning on the first day of January or until
a successor is elected. A decision of the Executive
Committee may be overturned by a vote of two-thirds of the
members being present at any regularly scheduled meeting of
the membership.
5.3 Meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be
at the call of the President or by petition of the majority
of the members of the Executive Committee. A simple
majority of members shall be required to enact business.
The President shall poll members of the Executive Committee
by telephone or email, if necessary, or in lieu of calling
a special meeting.
5.4 Elections. Nominations for officers and for seats on
the Executive Committee of the Club shall be opened on the
website forums prior to the annual meeting and these
initial nominations. Additional nominations may be made at
the annual meeting in November and election of officers and
members of the Executive Committee shall be made at that
time. Nominations and elections shall proceed office by
office. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Any absent member
may vote by proxy, in the form of a written authorization
held by a member present at the annual meeting. A member
may hold and vote no more than two proxies.
5.5 President. The President shall be the chief executive
officer of the Club and, subject to the Executive Committee
and the membership, shall have general control of the
business, affairs, and the property of the club and charge
over its officers. The President shall preside at all
meetings of the members and the Executive Committee. The
President may sign all certificates, contracts, obligations
and other instruments of the Club and shall do so and
perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as
from time to time may be assigned by these Bylaws or by the
membership of the club. The officers of the Club shall be
responsible to the President for the faithful discharge of
their several duties and shall make such reports to the
President as may from time to time be required.
5.6 Vice President. The Vice President shall perform all
duties incumbent upon the President during any absence or
disability of the President, and perform such other duties
as required by these Bylaws or assigned by the President,
the Executive Committee or by the membership.
5.7 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep the minutes of the
meetings and the Executive Committee, and cause such
minutes to be recorded in the books provided for such
purpose; see that all notices are duly given in accordance
with these Bylaws; be custodian of the records of the Club;
see that all books, reports, and other records required to
be kept or filed by law are properly kept or filed. The
Treasurer shall have supervision over the funds, receipts
and disbursements of the Club; keep correct books of
account of all business and financial transactions of the
Club; prepare an annual budget; render to the Executive
Committee and to the membership, whenever requested, an
account of the financial condition of the Club and of any
financial transactions entered into as Treasurer; and
perform all duties and have all powers incident to the
office of Treasurer, and as may be assigned by the
President, the Executive Committee, of the membership.
5.8 Committees. The Executive Committee shall appoint such
committees and committee chairpersons as it deems
appropriate to carry out the programs and purposes of the
Club.
5.9 Right to Examine Records. Any member in good standing
shall have the right to examine in person the books and
records of the Club upon reasonable notice to the custodian
thereof.
VI. Publications
6.1 Website. The official publication of the Club is
bardstownboaters.com, which will announce meetings,
nominations, elections, and other business of the Club. The
website shall be constantly available on the internet to
members. Updates to the internet will occur no less
often then to cooinside with notices and announcements as
required by these Bylaws and applicable laws.
6.2 Roster. A membership roster shall be published annually
and published on the website for members in good standing.
6.3 Bylaws. Copies of the Bylaws shall be available upon
request to any member.
VII. Amendments
Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed at any meeting
of the membership, shall be provisionally approved by
two-thirds of the members present, published on the
website, and finally enacted (subject only to the technical
amendments) by a vote of two-thirds of the ballots cast at
the next regular membership meeting. Signed absentee
ballots shall be accepted by the Treasurer prior to the
vote. Approved Amendments shall be published on the
website, and in the next publication of the Bylaws.
Officers
President: Spalding Hurst
Vice President: Toby Thompson
Treasurer: Jay Thomas
Special Committees
Environmental Director: Justin Janes
