Proposed Amendment to LVMC By-Laws
Nov 04 2015 |
11-04-2015 05:30 To the LVMC Membership: The 2015 Board of Directors is proposing a change to Article III Section 8 of the by-laws concerning requirements and reinstatement of Emeritus Status. The by-laws require that the membership be notified per the requirements of Section XI. This is the notification. Membership definitions are in the by-laws, found both in the published membership directory and the club web site www.lvmgcc.com. There are three issues at stake. Each is brief below: 1. Minimum duration as a regular member prior to enablement of Emeritus status CURRENT BY-LAWS: Require a member to be in good standing for at least eight (8) years prior to the year they elect to become an emeritus member. PROPOSAL: The Board is proposing a reduction from 8 to 2 years. COMMENTARY: While Regular membership is capped at 600, there is no cap on the number of Emeritus members. However, the notably reduced Emeritus member benefits has kept the number under 50. It is a membership historically chosen by those who have a temporary to permanent personal issue that restricts their ability to participate in club events. The club, in setting the Emeritus fee based on expense, does and will not take financial loss for offering such a membership. We have had an increase in the number of short term members who have requested Emeritus status, and find no reason to withhold such membership from them. 2. Fees associated with emeritus status CURRENT BY-LAWS: The fee is set annually by the Board of Directors at a level sufficient to cover cost of printing and mailing materials. In addition, those emeritus members who wish to maintain an SCGA handicap will be billed for the cost of this service. PROPOSAL: The fee for emeritus membership shall be set annually by the Board of Directors at a level sufficient to cover cost of membership materials and SCGA handicap. COMMENTARY: The existing wording implies two cost elements: communication materials and SCGA fees. The Board does not offer an Emeritus membership that does not include the SCGA expense, and therefore feels the fee statement should be inclusive of all cost elements. 3. Conversion from Emeritus to Regular membership CURRENT BY-LAWS: Undefined. PROPOSAL: Emeritus members wishing to convert to Regular member status for the coming year may do so by petitioning the Board of Directors in writing prior to the annual renewal date. COMMENTARY: There have been varying definitions of this unwritten requirement, and concerns over potential abuse of the ability to convert to and from Regular and Emeritus status. This written definition gives the Board a defined procedure and the ability to constrain a member who attempts to abuse this option. Feedback on these changes should be sent to the club president and club secretary. The ratification vote will take place on 11/04/2015 at the general meeting. Approval by a two-thirds majority at that meeting shall constitute adoption. « Back |