ARTICLE I
CODE OF ETHICS
Section 1. Members of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of America shall abide by the CODE OF ETHICS of the Association.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Each applicant for membership in the Chapter shall furnish satisfactory evidence of his or her qualifications to the Chapter’s Board of Trustees which shall be the sole judge of the applicant’s qualifications for membership. Any person who desires to become a member of the Chapter shall file an application in writing with the Membership Chairman on an application form which will be furnished upon request. The application must be signed by the applicant, and must be accompanied by remittance of one year’s dues. Application shall be acted upon by the Board of Trustees at the first Board Meeting following receipt of the application.
Section 2. All applicants for Class A, Superintendent Members, Class C, and Associate categories, if not already a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, must file application to the National Association with the applications to this Chapter, and must remain a member of the National Association as long as they are members of this Chapter.
Section 3. Membership Classes
Class AA - Life Members: To qualify for Life membership a member must have reached age fifty-five (55), must have been a Regular or Charter Member for at least twenty-five (25) years or a former Board member and must have retired from active service as a golf course superintendent. A Life Member shall have all the rights and privileges of the Association except that of holding office.
Class A- Golf Course Superintendent Members: To qualify for a Class A membership, an applicant shall have at the time of application for membership, at least three (3) years experience as a golf course superintendent, be employed in such capacity and comply with all additional qualifications adopted by the membership. Class A Members shall have all the privileges of the Association.
Golf Course Superintendent Members: To qualify for Superintendent Member membership, an applicant shall, at the time of application, be employed as a golf course superintendent and does not meet the qualifications for Class A membership. Superintendent Members shall have all the privileges of the Association, but shall not be eligible for offices of President or Vice President.
Class C - Assistant Golf Course Superintendent: To qualify for Class C, Membership, an applicant shall be, at the time of application for membership, an assistant to a golf course superintendent, and shall be presently employed in such capacity. Class C Members shall have all the privileges of the Association, except those holding office.
Associate Members: To qualify for Associate Membership, an applicant shall have, at the time of application for membership, less than on (1) year experience as a golf course superintendent, or less than three (3) year’s as assistant to a golf course superintendent and shall be presently employed in either of the above capacities. Employment by a golf course superintendent shall also qualify individuals for Associate Membership. Associate Members shall have all the privileges of the Association, except those of voting and holding office.
Affiliate Members: To qualify for Affiliate Membership, an applicant must be an individual business firm, governmental body or a person interested in the growing, management or production of turfgrass, either individually or through employment by, or other affiliation with, a company, proprietorship or association, who does not qualify for membership in another class. Affiliate Members shall have all the privileges of the Association, except those of voting and holding office.
Affiliate Commercial Members are those members who are employed by companies that conduct business with the golf course industry.
Affiliated Non-Commercial Members are those members who are employed by businesses who are not providing services or products to the golf course industry.
Affiliate Life Members: To qualify for Life Membership as an affiliate member, one must have reached age fifty-five (55), must have been a member for at least twenty-five (25) years, and must be retired from the business qualifying for affiliate membership. Affiliate Life Members shall have all the privileges of the Association except those of voting and holding office.
Honorary Members: To qualify for Honorary Membership, the individual must be recognized annually by the Board of Trustees for contributing in an outstanding manner to this Association or profession or related field. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues or assessments of the Association and shall have such privileges of the Association as the Board of Trustees may specify from time to time by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.
Student Members: To qualify for Student Membership, an applicant must be a turfgrass student, enrolled in a formal course of education, or who has completed his or her for education less than one (1) year prior to the date of application for membership. Student Members shall have such privileges of the Association as The Board of Trustees may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.
Retired: Any Class A, Superintendent Member, Associate or Affiliate Member reaching age fifty-five (55), who are retired and no longer seeking employment within the scope of activities of any membership class of this Association, may apply to the Board of Trustees in writing for Retired Membership. A Retired Member shall have all of the privileges of the Association afforded the member in his or her immediate previous classification, with the exception of holding office.
Inactive Members: An Inactive Member is a member who, by reason of unemployment, illness or other adverse circumstances, has been placed in this class upon his or her application. The Board of Trustees 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 Trustee may specify from time to time by Standing Rules; provided, however, that an Inactive Member shall not vote or hold office.
Section 4. Reclassification of members shall be mandatory at the time such members qualifies, or fails to qualify, for a different membership class, as determined by the Membership Committee of the Chapter.
Section 5. Any member failing to pay his, or her, dues by March 31 of each year will be suspended until his, or her dues are paid in full. If the dues are not paid by May 1 of each year, the membership may be revoked.
Section 6. A member may be suspended by the Board of Trustees for non-payment of dues; if found in violation of the Code of Ethics, By-Laws or Standing Rules; or for using his membership for the purpose of promoting schemes, ideas or objects for private or collective gain.
Section 7. A person expelled for non-payment of dues may apply for reinstatement by making such application on the appropriate forms and paying one year’s dues. A person expelled for any other reason may only reapply for membership after the expiration of one year and by making such application on the appropriate forms and paying one year’s dues.
Section 8. A member may be disciplined or expelled by the Board of Trustees for violating the Code of Ethics, the By-Law, or the Standing Rules.
ARTICLE III
DUES
Section 1. The dues for all Class AA Life Members, Affiliate Life Members, and Honorary Members shall be waived.
Section 2. The dues of all Class A, Superintendent Member, Class C, Associate, Non-Commercial Affiliate, and Inactive Members shall be established by the Board for the period of January 1 through December 31 each year.
Section 3. The dues of all other classes of membership will be set by the Board for the period of January 1 through December 31 each year
Section 4. A one time processing fee established by the Board will be charged, in addition to the first year’s membership fee, to each Affiliate Commercial Member if his company has not previously had an employee as a member of this Chapter.
Section 5. Failure to pay the annual dues for membership will result in loss of membership as outlined in Article
II, Section 6.
Section 6. Assessments, if deemed necessary, will be governed by Article II Section 2, of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV
VOTING
Section 1. Those members eligible to vote on all matters of this Chapter shall be Class AA (Life), A, Superintendent Member, C, Retired A or superintendent member.
Section 2. Those members eligible to hold office as a Board of Director or Officer or Trustee of this Chapter shall be a Class A member, or superintendent member.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular
a. Written notices shall be sent to each member by the Secretary ten (10) days in advance of any meeting.
b. There will be nine (9) regular meetings per year, plus the Semi-Annual Business Meeting in July, plus the Annual Business Meeting in November or December. No meeting will be held in the month of February.
c. The dates for the meetings shall be set by the President of the Chapter.
Section 2. Special
a. Special meetings of the members of the Chapter may be held at any time upon the call of the President, a majority of the Board of Trustees, or 10% of the voting members.
b. Calls for special meetings shall specifically state the time, place and object or objects thereof.
c. No business other than that specified in the call shall be considered at any such meeting.
ARTICLE VI
STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President of the Chapter shall annually appoint the committee chairmen for the following Standing Committees.
a. Budget and Finance
b. Golf And Tournament
c. Membership & Welcoming
d. Strategic Planning
e. Social
f. Program and Educational
g. Historical & Benevolent
h. Editorial
i. Public Relations
j. Industrial Relations
k. Mal McLaren Award
l. Employment Relations
m. Research/Scholarship
n. Ethics
o. Government Relations/Environment
Section 2. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the appointment of other committees by the President for the advancement of the Chapter.
Section 3. No committee shall have the authority to bind this Chapter for payment of money or the performance of any contract, such authority is reserved expressly for the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VII
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
All methods of operation of this Chapter shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order Revised.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is now or shall hereafter serve as an officer, director, employee or agent of this Association from and against any and all claims and liabilities, whether the same are settled or proceed to judgment, to which such person shall have become subject by reason of having heretofore or hereafter been an officer or employee of the Association or by reason of any action alleged to have heretofore or hereafter been taken or omitted by such person as an officer, director, employee or agent of the Association and shall reimburse each such person for all legal and other expenses (including the cost of settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such claim, liability, suit, action or proceeding; provided, however, that no such person shall be indemnified against, or be reimbursed for any claims, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred in connection with any claim or liability, or threat or prospect thereof, based upon or arising out of such person’s negligence or willful misperformance of such duties as an officer, director, employee or agent. The determination of all questions as to the existence of negligence or willful misperformance as to the right to indemnification and reimbursement hereunder and the reasonableness of such costs and expenses may be made and shall be final and conclusive, if made, by the Board of Trustees acting at a meeting at which quorum is unaffected by self-interest (notwithstanding the other members of the quorum present but not voting may be so affected).
The rights accruing to any person under the provisions of this section shall not exclude any other rights to which such person may be lawfully entitled, no shall anything herein contained restrict the right of the Association to indemnify or reimburse such person in any case, even though not specifically provided for in these bylaws.
ARTICLE IX
DISSOLUTION PROVISION
The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specifies in these bylaws, and no part of its funds shall inure, or be distributed, to the members of the Association. On dissolution of the Association, any funds remaining shall be distributed to one or more regularly organized and qualified professional societies, trade association, charitable, education, scientific or philanthropic organization to be selected by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended, repealed or altered, in whole or in part, by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees present at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present.
STANDING RULES OF THE NORTHERN OHIO CHAPTER GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Any club hosting a Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents’ Association Meeting will not discriminate in any way against its members.
A priority reservation policy will be in effect for the Annual Green Chairmen Superintendent Meeting as follows:
Active Golf Course Superintendents and Green Chairmen (Club Official) first priority, Individual Golf Course Sperintendent, second, Assistant Superintendents and Life Members, next, and remaining members on a “first come basis”. This will pertain to golfing restrictions only. Dinner and program open for all members.
All reservations made for monthly meetings are guarantee for payment. “No shows” will be billed accordingly.
A $5.00 surcharge will be assessed for those not making proper reservations.
No member may attend any meeting just to play golf. All costs of said meeting must be paid even though member leaves prior to dinner and the program.
The dress code for all meetings is coat and tie unless specified as casual dress in meeting notice.
No commercial solicitation is permitted at regular meetings, whether it be in a verbal or literature form.
The dues of all Class A, Superintendent Member, Non-Commercial Affiliate, and Inactive Members shall be $105.00 per year, January 1 through December 31 each year.
The dues of all Class C and Assistant Superintendents and associate golf course employees shall be $85.00 per year January 1 through Dec 31.
The dues for Affiliate Commercial Members will be $175.00 per year, January 1 through December 31 each year.
The dues for Student member shall be $30.00 per year, January 1 through December 31 each year with plaque fee optional.
A one time processing fee of $150.00 will be charged, in addition to the first year’s membership fee, to each Affiliate Commercial Member if his company has not previously had an employee as a member of this Chapter.
Price list for employment search mailings:
$25.00 Golf Course writes job description, stuff and stamp envelopes, and everything is sent UPS to The Northern Ohio Chapter.
$100.00 Golf Course writes job description, N.O.G.C.S.A.A. stuffs and stamps the envelopes and include them as part of our regular monthly mailing. Descriptions need to be sent to Northern Ohio Chapter.
$200.00 Golf Course writes job description, N.O.G.C.S.A.A. stuffs and stamps envelopes, and sends out a special mailing.
June 1996 / November 2000/ September 2002
