BWAA Bylaws

ARTICLE I (NAME) | ARTICLE II (OBJECT) |
ARTICLE III (MEMBERS) | ARTICLE IV (BOARD) |
ARTICLE V (MEETINGS) | ARTICLE VI (COMMITTEES)|
ARTICLE VII (AWARDS) | ARTICLE VIII (AMENDMENTS) |
ARTICLE IX (CONTRACTS) | ARTICLE X (INDEMNIFICATION)



(Effective 08/01/2009)

ARTICLE I

SECTION 1.
The name of this corporation is Bowling Writers Association of America, Inc., hereinafter referred to as BWAA.

SECTION 2.
The fiscal year of this corporation shall begin on the first day of January each year and end on the last day of December each year.

ARTICLE II

OBJECT

The organization shall be dedicated to bringing together those professional and non-professionals who communicate and/or promote the game of American Tenpins. Members shall subscribe to and support the highest ideals and skills of their craft.

The organization shall foster educational and scholarship opportunities and honor its members and others for outstanding performance and distinguished service. It shall foster the exchange of ideas and information between members.

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ARTICLE III

MEMBERS

SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY
An applicant for membership in BWAA shall be subject to the conditions defined under Article III.

SECTION 2. TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
There shall be two types of memberships:

REGULAR:
Regular membership is open to those individuals who communicate news and information about the sport of American Tenpins by any of the following activities or means:
a. Sports editors, staff and freelance writers of daily and weekly newspapers who contribute bowling related material on a regular basis.
b. Publishers and/or writers of national, state/provincial, local bowling publications
c. Designers and editors of active websites or electronic newsletters
d. Radio and television announcers on local or national bowling shows
e. Photographers/cartoonist/illustrators who contribute bowling artwork
f. Freelance writers not covered by any of the above who periodically write bowling articles and/or books.
g. Public relations staff members of bowling industry companies.
h. A former member of the NWBW or BWAA who is no longer involved in reporting or promoting bowling and wishes to retain membership in the organization.

SUPPORTING:
Supporting Membership is open to those businesses and individuals who wish to support the ideals of the organization. Supporting Members do not have voice or vote. BWAA function sponsors will receive a complimentary Supporting Membership.

SECTION 3. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Nominations for Life Membership may be made by the board of directors and granted by a 2/3 majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting.

SECTION 4. COUNCIL OF LIFE MEMBERS
Council of Life Members: The council will meet yearly and bring recommendations to the BWAA Board of Directors through its Chairman or designee elected by members of the council. That representative shall be elected to the board by email or US mail vote prior to August 1 every other year to serve a two-year term from August 1 through July 31 of the next year.  Should the office become vacant the Life Members shall immediately vote on a replacement to serve the unfulfilled term. The representative may only serve two consecutive terms.

SECTION 5. MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues are payable annually in advance and shall cover a period of one year from January 1 through December 31. Members who have not paid dues by March 31 shall be considered in arrears and shall be dropped from the membership roll until dues have been received. Annual dues for all types of memberships shall be determined by the board of directors and approved by vote of the members at the annual meeting. Any changes will become effective January 1 following the annual meeting. Life Members shall be exempt from paying dues.


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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.
The BWAA Board of Directors, which shall consist of the officers and directors, shall manage the business and affairs of this corporation.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors will consist of 12 Directors who will be elected by the membership by plurality vote, the Executive Administrator and the Council of Life Members representative.

Directors shall be elected by a stagger system.
Six Directors shall be elected in odd numbered years.
Six Directors shall be elected in even numbered years.
The term of office shall be August 1 through July 31.

The directors shall elect a President and Vice President for a term of one (1) year. Officers may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

Strike Ten Entertainment shall provide administrative Services for BWAA.  One person will be designated as the Executive Administrator, as approved by the BWAA Board.  The Administrative Director must be a member of BWAA and have voice but no vote at all board meetings.  Duties of the EA will be outlined in the Policy Book.

Protest to any election must be made prior to adjournment of the meeting at which the election occurred.

SECTION 3. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will include the President, Vice President, Executive Administrator, Chairman of the Council of Life Members and a Director selected by the Board. The committee shall be charged with the responsibility of acting for and on behalf of the BWAA when the association is not in session and business requires necessary action. All actions of the committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors at its next meeting.

SECTION 4. Eligibility
Only members in good standing shall be eligible to hold office as Directors.

SECTION 5.
The President shall preside at all meetings; appoint committees, both standing and special; review the bank balance quarterly; authorize mail ballots to voting members if necessary; and perform such other duties as pertain to the office. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

SECTION 6.
The Vice President shall assist the President and perform such other duties as may be required. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President, if the President is unavailable or incapacitated.

SECTION 7.
The Executive Administrator shall be the custodian of the corporation records; serve as Treasurer and keep a complete record of all funds of the corporation; shall deposit all monies in a bank which is a member of, and whose deposits are insured by, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, in the name of the corporation; issue checks as authorized; keep a complete record of all meetings; issue membership cards for dues; keep an accurate record of all memberships; and perform all duties as specified by the Board of Directors; and be ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

SECTION 8.
The Directors shall perform such duties as are assigned by the President.

SECTION 9.
Officers, directors and committee chairmen shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred under the guidelines as approved by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall pre-approve extraordinary expenses

SECTION 10.
If the office of the President becomes vacant, it shall be filled by the Vice President. The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall fill any other board vacancy. The appointee shall hold the position for the unexpired term of office.

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ARTICLE V

MEETINGS

SECTION 1.
The Board of Directors shall hold a meeting preceding the annual membership meeting at a time and place designated by the President. Additional meetings shall be held as required.  Each BWAA Board member shall attend at least one full board meeting per year.

SECTION 2.
One officer and six directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a Board of Directors meeting.

SECTION 3.
The BWAA will have an annual meeting of the membership. Meetings shall be open to all members, including Supporting Members and Life Members.

Six directors and twenty (20) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting.

SECTION 2.
Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the proceedings of all meetings when not inconsistent with these bylaws.


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ARTICLE VI

COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint the following standing committees: audit, budget, legislative and awards. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors. The duties and functions of these committees shall be prescribed in the procedures manual.

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ARTICLE VII

AWARDS
Special awards and contest awards may be presented as approved by the Board of Directors. The criteria for awards shall be set forth in the procedures manual.   The Hall of Fame Award shall be called the BWAA Luby Hall of Fame Award and the Meritorious Service award shall be called the BWAA Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious Service Award.

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ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS
These bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting, providing amendments from BWAA members have been submitted to the Legislative Committee and/or the Executive Administrator at least 45 days before the annual meeting and distributed to the members not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting.

Amendments to the bylaws not distributed to the membership 30 days prior to the annual meeting may be considered at the annual meeting with the approval of two-thirds of the members present voting to allow the amendment to be considered. If approved for consideration, such amendments will require a 75% affirmative vote in order to be adopted.


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ARTICLE IX

CONTRACTS, CHECKS, LOANS & DEPOSITS

SECTION 1.
Contracts — The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers or agents to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instruments in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 2.
Loans — No loans creating indebtedness of this corporation shall be contracted on behalf of the corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by or under the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 3.
Checks, Drafts, Etc. — All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness, issued in the name of this corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of this corporation and in such manner as from time to time may be determined by or under the authority of resolution of the Board of Directors.

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 ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS
Directors, officers, and other authorized volunteers, employees or agents shall be indemnified against claims for personal and individual liability arising in connection with their positions or service on behalf of the association to the full extent permitted by law.

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