Club Bylaws

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Atascadero Pickleball Club, Inc. and referred to as “the Club”. 

• To create a friendly and welcoming environment that facilitates the game of Pickleball in Atascadero for the enjoyment, health and social engagement of its members.
• Generate opportunities to give back to the community by encouraging newcomers to learn the game.
• Provide activities to enhance the Pickleball experience for its members through social, educational and skill development events.
  

Section 1. The Club is formed as a tax exempt social and recreational club under Internal Revenue
Code section 501(c)(3).
   

Section 1. Any adult is eligible for membership, and each member shall have one vote for election
of officers.

Section 2. Members will abide by the bylaws and actively support and participate in club functions.

Section 3. Membership will be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, nonpayment of dues or assessments or violation of the provisions of these bylaws. A member may be suspended or have their membership revoked for conduct determined to be detrimental to the Club by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. The Board of Directors shall have the option of limiting the number of memberships so as to ensure that court availability is sufficient for a satisfactory playing experience by its members.     

Section 1. There will be a minimum of two Board of Directors’ meetings per year, with dates and
times determined by current needs.

Section 2. The President may call meetings of the Board of Directors at any time. A majority of the
officers will constitute a quorum. The Secretary shall distribute the minutes of these meetings to all Club members upon their approval by a majority of the board.
 

Section 3. Closed Board of Director meetings, called at the discretion of the president to deal with
sensitive issues, are not open to members. The Secretary shall take minutes of these sessions. A copy of the approved minutes from any closed session shall be entered into the Club records. They shall not be disclosed or distributed to any Club member unless there is approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.
 

Section 4. Special meetings may be called by the President; by a majority of the officers; or by
written request signed by 10% or more of Club members indicating the purpose of the special meeting. Special meetings should be specific to issues. 

Section 5. An annual Club member meeting shall be held in the month of December each year, for the purpose of electing officers, if necessary and to provide a report to the members on the Club’s current financial condition. Other topics may be presented by the Board of Directors at its discretion that may include, but not be limited to, a review of the past year’s activities and discussion of the coming year’s plans and objectives. 

Section 6. A quorum for any meeting called by the President shall consist of a majority of the officers of the club.  

Section 1. Club members will pay annual dues, as established by the Board of Directors concurrent
with the Club’s fiscal year which starts the 1st day of January and ends on the 31st day of December. Annual dues will be collected from January 1 to December 31 for the current calendar year. Semi-annual or other special dues packages may be offered at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There will be no pro-ration of dues for memberships paid during the current calendar year or terminated before the end of the current calendar year. A renewal notice for the collection of dues for the upcoming year will be sent to all members in December of the current year.

Section 2. The Club membership may agree to other assessments to cover maintenance and equipment replacement needs. Any such assessment will be placed before the Club members upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The proposed assessment will be voted upon at a special general membership meeting called by the Board of Directors solely for this purpose. The assessment shall be approved with the consent of the majority of the members present at this meeting. 

Section 1. The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Club and has the authority and responsibility for the control, direction and oversight of the Club consistent with the provisions of these bylaws. They may appoint committees and adopt Club policies, procedures, rules and regulations as needed to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Club. The Board may be assisted by the chairpersons of committees formed by the Board of Directors to carry out the Club functions and purpose. Officers may be elected to successive terms until resignation or removal by a two-thirds majority vote of the Membership.

Section 2. The Club shall be administered by a Board of Directors consisting of elected officers, who shall include:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Two (2) Directors At-Large
- USA Pickleball Club Ambassador 

Section 3. The Past President may continue in an advisory (non-voting) capacity for one year following their term.
 
Section 4. Terms of the offices shall be two years from January 1 to December 31 of the second
year. Vacancies in any office may be filled by the President but then shall be ratified by a majority of the officers at the Board’s next scheduled meeting.

Section5. Duties of Officers:
1) President: Act as the chief executive of the Club and chairman of the Board of Directors and shall preside at all meetings of the Board. He or she serves as an exofficio member of all committees, signs and executes all contracts in the name of the Club when authorized by the Club and shall have general supervision over the management of all Club activities. He or she will act as the Club’s principal liaison with the City of Atascadero. He or she has the discretion to call the Board into closed
session for the purposes of discussing sensitive Club matters as may come before the Board.

2) Vice-President: Shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. He/she shall also oversee management of court facilities and Club equipment and facilities.

3) Secretary: Shall take minutes of Club meetings and is responsible for determining if a quorum exists, and shall notify the Club members of official changes in Club’s officers.

4) Treasurer: Shall collect dues and assessments, disburse all funds and provide an oral financial report for each regular meeting and a written financial report for each member for the annual meeting.

5) Directors at large: Shall be responsible for all duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Board of Directors.

6) USA Pickleball Ambassador: In addition to participating in all Board activities, act as the Club’s representative with all local pickleball clubs in the area who have USA Pickleball Ambassadors. Ensure that Club’s activities and rules regarding play and operation are consistent with USA Pickleball guidelines.

Section 5. New at-large directors of the Board will be elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such voting may be done by secret ballot.

Section 6. Each officer and director at large shall have one vote on each matter submitted.

Section 7. Officers can be removed from office with or without cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
the Board; removal by such vote shall be immediate. All members of the Board must receive written notice of the proposed removal at least ten (10) days in advance of the proposed action. The member or members of the action must have the opportunity to present a defense at the meeting. Those subject to removal shall not vote or be present during the vote. In the event of a tie vote, the member or members subject to the proposed action shall remain seated on the Board. 

Section 1. Sixty (60) days prior to the date of the expiration of the current Board’s term, the Board of Directors will appoint a nominating committee which shall consist of, at minimum, the President and two Club members. The nominating committee will immediately begin the search in person and via email to all members to find one or more candidates for each officer position. 

Section 2. Club members interested in running should apply by email to the nominating committee,
stating the office they are seeking. Members, who wish to run for a seat on the Board as a Director at-large, should also include a brief summary of why they are seeking the position and what they would like to accomplish. Any active member of the Club, in good standing, is eligible for these offices. Candidates for the Club’s USA Pickleball Ambassador shall be an active member of the Club and must also be a member of the USA Pickleball.

Section 3. Thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting date, members will receive, via email, a link
to an online survey/ballot application, containing the slate of candidates for each position. Members may receive a printed ballot by mailing their request to the Club. Write-in candidates will be allowed. The deadline to complete the online ballot or cast written ballots is seventy-two hours (72) prior to the date and time of the annual Club Meeting.
   
Section 4. Printed ballots are to be sealed in an envelope and placed in a ballot box located on the
sign-in desk during the hours of Club play.

Section 5. Final tabulation of the votes will be done by two directors who are not declared candidates. The vote shall be certified by the Board of Directors and announced at the annual Club Member Meeting in December, the date and time to be determined by the Club president.

Section 6. Nominees who receive a majority of the votes cast shall be deemed elected. The Secretary will email the results to all Club members and they will also be posted on the Club’s website.

Section 1. Meeting Notices and other information to Club members or to the Board of Directors
shall be by email to the email address provided by the member. All such notices shall be posted on the Club website. It is the responsibility of all Club members to inform the Club of any changes to their email address. 

Section 1. The bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors. Any member of the Club in good standing may propose amendments to these bylaws by submitting a petition, signed by at least ten (10) percent of the active Club members. The petition containing the proposed amendments shall be delivered to the Board of Directors, in writing, with a statement setting forth the reasons therefore. Such amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Upon approval, they shall then be incorporated into the bylaws by the Secretary and published to all Club members and posted on the Club’s website.
   

Section 1. On dissolution of the Club, any tangible assets will be donated to the surrounding area
pickleball clubs specified by the Board of Directors. Any remaining funds shall be donated to USA Pickleball.