NTGCSA Bylaws

North Texas GCSA – Bylaws (October 2020)

ARTICLE I – NAME

Section 1. The name of this association shall be “North Texas Golf Course Superintendents’ Association.”

Section 2. The object of this organization is to advance the art and science of golf course turf through education, exchange of ideas and mutual cooperation of golf course superintendents.

ARTICLE II

Section 1. Membership classes shall match GCSAA membership classes as appropriate.

Section 2. Membership Classes:

Class AA – Life Members:  To qualify for Life Membership, one must have retired as a golf course superintendent or assistant golf course superintendent and have been a golf course superintendent or assistant golf course superintendent member of GCSAA for 25 years of which a minimum of 20 years has been as a golf course superintendent.

A life Member shall have all the rights of the Association except that of holding office.  Class AA-Life Members will pay no membership dues.

Class A Member is a golf industry professional who possesses knowledge, skills and abilities through a combination of education, experience, professional development and environmental stewardship; and has met and continues to fulfill on-going Class A renewal requirements

Class A – Retired:  To qualify for Class A – Retired status, one must not be currently employed as a golf course superintendent and have a minimum of five years of service as a Class A member.  The years of service as a GCSAA member when combined with the member’s age must equal or exceed 75 years.

This member shall have all the rights of the Association afforded that classification, with the exception of holding office.

Class B:  To qualify for Class B membership, an applicant shall be employed as a golf course superintendent and does not meet the additional qualifications for Class A membership.  Class B shall have all the rights of the Association, except that of holding office.

International Superintendent Member: To qualify for International Superintendent Membership, individuals must be employed outside of the United States as a superintendent or head greenkeeper where a GCSAA Affiliated Chapter does not exist as otherwise permitted by the policies of the Board of Directors and shall be required to maintain a membership in his/her recognized “home” organization, if one exists.  International Superintendent Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Class C – Assistant Golf Course Superintendent:  To qualify for Class C Membership, an applicant shall be an assistant to a golf course superintendent, and shall be presently employed in such capacity.  Class C Members shall have all the rights of the Association, except those of voting and holding office.

Equipment Manager: To qualify for Equipment Manager membership; an applicant shall be employed as an equipment manager, assistant equipment manager or mechanic/technician and shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Class E – Educators:  To qualify for Class E Membership, an applicant must be an educator or extension officer.  Class E Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Associate:  To qualify for Associate Membership, an applicant must be employed by a golf course superintendent at a golf course and does not qualify for membership under the Class A, Class B, Class C or Equipment Manager Bylaw’s definition.  Associate Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Affiliate:  To qualify for Affiliate Membership, an applicant must be an individual, business firm or governmental body interested in golf course management and/or in the growing or production of fine turfgrass, either individually or through employment by, or other affiliation with, a company, proprietorship or association, and who does not qualify for membership in another class.  Affiliate Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Honorary:  To qualify for Honorary Membership, the individual must be recognized by the Board of Directors for contributing in an outstanding manner to this Association or profession or related field.  This membership shall continue in effect unless otherwise revoked by the Board of Directors.  Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues or assessments of the Association and shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Student:  To qualify for Student Membership, an applicant must be a turfgrass student enrolled in a formal course of education, or have completed his or her formal education less than one (1) year prior to the date of application for membership provided one’s current employment does not qualify for membership under any other classification.  Student Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Retired:  To qualify for Retired Membership, one must be retired and no longer seeking employment within the scope of activities of any membership class of the Association.  An applicant may apply for Retired Membership, the annual dues for which shall be set by the Board of Directors, but shall not exceed half the amount paid for the classification in which the member retires. There are two options for retirement: (1) Any member reaching age fifty-five (55), may retire and shall have all the rights of the Association afforded the member in his or her immediate previous classification, with the exception of holding office; or (2) Any member having completed a minimum of twenty (20) years of service in any membership classification may retire in that classification and shall have all of the rights of the Association afforded that classification, with the exception of holding office.

Inactive:  An Inactive Member is an individual who, by reason of unemployment, illness or other adverse circumstances, has been placed in this class upon his or her application.  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to act on such application and to place a member on Inactive status subject to terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules.

Facility Membership: To qualify for Facility Membership, an applicant must be a golf course facility that employs no current GCSAA member. Facility Members shall have all rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify in the Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Friend of the Golf Course Superintendent: To qualify for Friend membership, an applicant must be an individual who supports the golf course and does not qualify for membership in any other class. Friends of the Golf Course Superintendent shall have all rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify in the Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Section 3.  Reclassification of Members:  All reclassifications of members shall be made by the Board of Directors, in accordance with Standing Rules adopted by it from time to time, or pursuant to directives adopted by the membership at any annual meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose.

(a)  Voluntary Reclassification:  Any individual member may request a change in his or her membership classification to accord with a change in his or her qualifications for membership as set forth in Section 2 of this Article.   No retroactive status will be given for a change in classification greater than 45 days from the date of the requested change.

(b)  Mandatory Reclassification:  All members, upon renewal of their annual membership, must clearly state their current employment status.  The determination of the appropriate classification of membership for each individual shall be made in accordance with the Standing Rules of Membership.  No retroactive status will be given for a change in classification greater than 45 days from the date of the requested change.

Section 4.  Rights of Membership:  Except as otherwise provided herein, members of the North Texas GCSA shall have all of the rights of membership.  These rights shall include the following:

(a)  Use the Association name, initials, and logo in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure and Guidelines established by the Board of Directors.

(b)  Attend the annual meeting of the Association.

(c)  Vote if a Class AA, A, B, or retired A, or B member.

(d)  Hold office if a Class A member and actively employed as a golf course superintendent.

*All mentions of Membership Classifications in the current By-Laws will reflect these changes if ratified, Article III – Privileges, Article VI – Dues and Assessments

ARTICLE III – PRIVILEGES

Section 1.  All Class A and B members are entitled to all rights, privileges and benefits of this association unless herein otherwise specified, so long as they are in good standing. All Class C members shall have all the privileges of this association except the right to hold office. Class D, E, H, AF, R and S members shall have all the privileges of the association except the right to hold office or vote.

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Section 1. Application for membership shall be filed with the Secretary on the regular form and shall be accompanied by one (1) years dues and application shall be acted upon by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following the receipt of applications. Each application for Class A and B membership in this association must present an application for membership or evidence of membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and maintain such membership thereafter. All applications are subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Suspended members upon filing an application for reinstatement shall accompany such application with one (1) years dues and such other payment as the Board of Directors shall deem right and proper.

Section 3. A member, after written notice of such contemplated action, may be denied reinstatement or expelled by a 2/3 vote at a special meeting called for that purpose by the President.

ARTICLE V – ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT

Section 1. The control and management of the association and its affairs and its property shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors, consisting of its officers and at large Directors.  All officers and a majority of the entire board of directors shall be GCSAA Class A or B members actively employed as golf course superintendents. The officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, and Secretary/ Treasurer, all of whom shall be Class A or B members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The Secretary/Treasurer will be appointed by the President. The Vice-President will be elected by the membership at the October meeting. The Vice-President automatically succeeds the President in office.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, seven elected members and the immediate past President. Two elected board members shall be Class AF members and the other five elected members shall be class A members.

Section 3. The elected officers, Secretary/Treasurer and immediate Past President will serve a one (1) year term. The Board of Directors will serve two (2) year overlapping terms.

Section 4. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired term by presidential appointment subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. A member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a petition bearing the signatures of 2/3 of the voting members.

Section 6. The approval or amendment of those bylaws shall rest solely in the hands of the voting members of this organization.

Section 7. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for standing and/or special committees shall be established by the Executive Committee and confirmed annually or as required by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI – DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. The dues of this association shall be $120.00 per year for Classes A, B, C, D, E and AF members (Fiscal year being Jan. 1 to Dec. 31). Class H members are honorary and have free membership as do Class R members. Class S membership will be 50% of regular membership dues.

Section 2. Any member who has not paid his dues by the 31st day of March shall be considered delinquent and his membership suspended.

Section 3. The membership dues of all Board of Director members will be complimentary during each year of service.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1. A minimum of ten (10) meetings shall be held each year

Section 2. Written notice shall be sent by the Secretary seven (7) days before regular meetings and ten (10) days before the annual meeting or a special meeting.

Section 3. A quorum for a membership meeting shall consist of not less than 25% of the voting members.

Section 4. No business can be transacted at a meeting of the Board of Directors when less than three (3) members of the Board are present.

Section 5. The annual meeting will be held in the fourth quarter each year as confirmed by the Board of Directors with a 45 day declaration of meeting notice to the membership.

Section 6. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all meetings.

ARTICLE VIII – INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. The Association shall indemnify any and all persons who may serve or have served at any time as officers or directors, and their respective heirs, paid administrators, successors and assigns, against any and all expenses including judgements, counsel fees and amounts paid in settlement (before or after suit is commenced), actually necessarily incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement or any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which they, or any of them are made parties, or a party, or which may be asserted against them or any of them, by reason of being, or having been, an officer, or director, or former officer or director, shall be adjudged in any action suit or proceeding to be liable for those acts and omissions arising out of his or her willful misfeasance. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled including such immunities under any lay, bylaw agreement, or otherwise.

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION

Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, after all liabilities and responsibilities have been met, its assets shall be distributed in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code concerning its exempt status in accordance with State law. The decision of distribution shall be made by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS

Section 1. At the August meeting of this organization, the president will appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members. The Nominating Committee shall present to the October meeting a slate of candidates, providing therein one (1) candidate for each office. Following the report of the Nominating Committee, an opportunity shall be given for nominations from the floor, followed by the election of officers using the method desired by the President. Only those present may vote.

Section 2. The newly elected officers and Board Members will be installed at the November meeting and will assume official duties January 1st of the following year.

ARTICLE XI – DUTIES

Section 1. Duties of the President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and the meetings of the Board of Directors, and a member ex-officio at all committee meetings. He shall perform all such duties properly as may be required of him by the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint all committee personnel subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint the Secretary/Treasurer from the existing Board of Directors.

Section 2. Duties of the Vice-President: In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all of the duties; and if the office of the President should become vacant, the Vice President shall hold the office of President for the remainder of the term. He will be responsible for planning and executing programs for each meeting of the Association. The Vice-President by virtue of his office, shall attend all meetings of the Board.

Section 3. Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence of the Association and keep and accurate mailing list of all its members. He shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the Association. He shall collect fees and dues from members and have custody of all funds and shall disperse funds at the rate of no more than $1,000.00 per month, unless approved by the Board. Detailed statements of receipts and expenditures of the Association for the preceding calendar month shall be made each month to the Board of Directors. The NTGCSA may elect to employ an executive secretary to discharge the duties of the Secretary/Treasurer under his/her supervision.

ARTICLE XII – LIABILITY

Section 1. On consideration of the Association’s acceptance of each individual membership into the Association, each member upon being accepted into membership, agree to release and hold the Association harmless from any injuries or damages to such member, while he may be engaged in any meeting, demonstration, function or other activity of or on behalf of the Association.

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The rules and bylaws can be amended by a vote of the quorum of the voting members of this organization.

ARTICLE XIV – AUDIT

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee shall consist of not less than three (3) Directors and the President of the Association. The Audit Committee shall recommend to the Board of Directors the designation of an independent auditor to certify the financial statements of the Association annually and have such other duties as shall be set forth by the President. Audit Committee members will be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.