MEMBERS

Constitution of the Staten Island Chess Club

Article I...Name

The full name of this organization shall be the Staten Island Chess Club.

Article II...Objectives

The objectives of this organization shall be:

1. To promote chess throughout Staten Island.
2. To provide the opportunity for chess play on a regular basis
3. To conduct tournaments and other chess activities open to all.
4. To provide chess instruction.

Article III...Membership

 Membership is open to anyone, provided he or she agrees to the payment of club dues as provided in Article IV below, and agrees to the rules and regulations of the club as stated in this document.  Members are also expected to observe the normal standard of decent behavior at all meetings.
 

Article IV...Dues and Fees   

The dues for annual membership shall be collected on the first Wednesday of every month.  This does not include any special fees for tournaments, simultaneous exhibitions, or other special fees activities, the fees for which are to be set at the discretion of the club officers.  Furthermore, the annual membership fee shall not be changed except with the occurrence of a majority of the members present at a scheduled meeting for that purpose.

Article V...Officers of the Club

 1. There shall be four officers of the club:  President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  Each must be a dues-paid member for his term in office.  Any member of the club is qualified to serve in any office.

2. The duties of the President and Vice President shall include presiding over each meeting, conducting the meeting of the club, and providing guidance to the club to meet the goals as stated in Article II and to confer with club Secretary and Treasurer.  The Vice-President acts in the President’s stead.

3. The club Secretary will correspond and conduct public relations to meet the goals as stated in Article II. 

4. The duties of the Treasurer shall include the keeping of all financial and member ship records; collecting all dues; accepting contributions; handling all financial transactions; paying all expenses duly agreed upon by the officers and members; maintaining the club bank account; and from time to time reporting to the officers and members the state of the club treasury.

5. Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the membership at an agreed upon time, full advance notice of said elections being given.  Any member is eligible to hold office and no nomination of candidates is necessary.  A special election is to be held on the petition of a majority of the membership.

Article VI...Meetings

Club meetings shall be held every Wednesday night between the hours of 7:00 PM and 12:00 AM, holidays excluded, at St. Paul's St Luke's Church Center, unless the officers shall designate another time and/or place for said meetings.  At such meetings, the officers shall bring to the attention of the membership all club business that they may see fit.  Furthermore, it is the right of any member to raise any topic for discussion deemed appropriate by a majority present.  The main purpose of each meeting, however, is the opportunity of chess play amongst the membership. 

Article VII...Amendments

This constitution may be changed or amended by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership.

Amendments to the Constitution of the Staten Island Chess Club

Amendment 1.  In order to transact club business a quorum of a majority of the dues-paying members in good standing must be present.  A member in good standing is one who does not have any club sanction imposed upon him.

Amendment 2.   During tournament and club activities, members and visitors are expected to adhere to the USCF Code of Ethics and Standard of Conduct as stated in the most recent USCF Official Rules of Chess.

In addition members and visitors should refrain from annoying, loud, vulgar, or obscene language and/or behavior.

Amendment 3.  Members who violate either the Staten Island Chess Club’s rules and regulations or the USCF’s Code of Ethics and Standard of Conduct are subject to any or all of the following sanctions:  reprimand, censure, suspension, and expulsion.  Depending on his/her offense, a member may be suspended and/or expelled from the Staten Island Chess Club’s activities. 

Sanctions may be imposed only at a scheduled meeting for that purpose.  A three-quarters majority vote by a quorum of the members in good standing is necessary to impose any club sanction on a member.