SOUTHERN BOWLING WRITERS ASSOCIATION

BYLAWS 

(As of 27 June 2007)

ARTICLE I – NAME, ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES, MOTTO, LOGO, AND GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES

Section 1-1. NAME – The organization will be known as the Southern Bowling Writers Association (referred herein as the SBWA)

Section 1-2. ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES – To offer membership in the organization to anyone who participates in providing publicity for or promoting bowling - both professionals who make all, or part of their income from it and amateurs who do it only for the love of the sport. 

Section 1-3. MOTTO – The association motto is – “Focused on the Future.”

Section 1-4. LOGO – The official SBWA logo will incorporate its motto, a computer, bowling pin, American flag and a southern flag on a field of gold trimmed in red, white, and blue.

Section 1-5. GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES – The SBWA geographical boundaries will include the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Virginia.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 2-1. MEMBERSHIP – Membership will consist of Regular, Honorary, and Life Members, as defined in subsequent sections of this article

Section 2-2. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP – Open to all individuals who meet the organizational objectives of Section 1-2, above.

Section 2-3. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP –

a.  Any member of the SBWA may nominate an individual for honorary membership who has promoted the sport of bowling and met our organizational objectives.

      b.  A two-thirds vote by the general membership is required.

      c.  Honorary Members are exempt from paying dues.

d.  Honorary members may vote on legislative matters, but may not vote for, nor hold a position as officer, or director.

Section 2-4. LIFE MEMBERSHIP –

1. The SBWA Board of Directors may nominate any Past President or Past Executive Director for Life Membership.
2. A two-thirds vote of approval by the general membership is required.
3. Life members are granted the privilege to vote on legislative changes and election of officers and directors.

Section 2-5. MEMBERSHIP FEES – The annual membership fee (dues) is $10. and will cover the calendar year beginning 1 January and ending 31 December.

ARTICLE III – ASSOCIATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 3-1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

1. The association will elect the following officers – President, Vice President, Executive Director, Sergeant at Arms, and four directors.
2. Eligibility to hold office is contingent upon the candidate fulfilling the following requisites –

1. Must reside in the SBWA geographic area.

2. For election to President, vice-president, or Executive Director, the candidate must have served at least one term as a director.
3. For election to director the candidate must be a member in good standing, reside in the geographic area, and agree to serve.

3. The Nominating Committee will prepare and submit a slate of prospective candidates to the general membership at the annual meeting.
4. Nominations may be made from the floor.
5. Voting will be by verbal expression unless there is more than one candidate for a position. In that case a written ballot will be used. Absentee or proxy voting will not be authorized.
6. A majority vote is not required. The person receiving the most votes will be elected.

Section 3-2. TERM LIMITS – There will be no term limits imposed for officers and directors as long as they are voted for annually and agree to serve. (Amended 27 June 2007 – Term limits are set at three (3) years.)

Section 3-3. ANNUAL MEETING –

1. The SBWA will conduct an annual meeting at a site determined by the membership.
2. The annual meeting is open to all members in good standing and special guests.
3. Ten percent of the general membership shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3-4. ORDER OF BUSINESS –

1. Call to order
2. Roll Call of Officers and Directors
3. Action on previous minutes.
4. Report of Officers.
5. Report of Directors
6. Committee Reports
7. Elections
8. Old Business
9. New Business
10. Adjourn

ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEES –

Section 4-1. COMMITTEES

1. The President will appoint members to the following committees: Awards, Legislative/Business, Social Activities, and Nominating
2. Other committees may be established at the President’s discretion

Section 4-2. LEGISLATIVE/BUSINESS COMMITTEE – Responsible for audit, financial records, policy and procedure reviews.

Section 4-3. NOMINATING COMMITTEE – Responsible for the submission of a slate of candidates meeting the SBWA criteria and have consented to serve.

Section 4-4. AWARDS COMMITTEE – There will be four Awards Committee Chairs – Dick Weber Distinguished Service Award; Collegiate/High School Bowlers of the Year; The Steinsiek Award; and Male/Female Regional Bowlers of the Year.

ARTICLE V – AMENDMENTS –

Section 5-1. APPROVAL AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT:  The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the membership. The President has the discretion to request a vote via e-mail throughout his tenure. Amendments requiring attention at the Annual Meeting should be addressed during “New Business.”

Approved: 27 June 2007