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BY-LAWS

Article I DEFINITIONS

Terms not defined in these By-Laws shall have the meaning as defined in the Standing Rules and Class Rules Measurements and Specifications.

Article II NAME

The name of this organization shall be known as the National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association, sometimes called the Association and the NSSSA.

Article III PURPOSE and POLICIES

Section 1. PURPOSE

  1. Promote the Sweet Sixteen Class sailboat.

  2. Maintain the one design feature of the Sweet Sixteen sailboat.

  3. Promote and develop Sweet Sixteen Class racing under uniform rules governed by the Association.

Section 2. POLICIES

  1. To cooperate with other yachting organizations and, in return, to insist on strict observance of the rules of the Sweet Sixteen Class.

  2. To promote and maintain interest in the Sweet Sixteen, emphasizing sailing skill and enjoyment.

  3. To keep the initial cost and upkeep of the Sweet Sixteen within reasonable limits without sacrificing high standards of performance and safety.

  4. To promote a one-design class of Sweet Sixteen, in which racing shall be to determine the skill of the skipper and crew. Everything in the By-Laws, Standing Rules and Class Rules, Measurements and Specifications is intended to assure competition in boats of identical and equal design in all essentials such as hull line, sail plan, spars, etc.

  5. A Sweet Sixteen is considered in the Class and eligible for competition in Regional or National Sweet Sixteen Class races only when it conforms to the Association Class Rules.

  6. The National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion or national origin. All Functions and meetings of the National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association shall be held at facilities which do not discriminate  on the basis of race, creed, religion or national origin.

Article IV EMBLEM

The official emblem of the Sweet Sixteen shall be a red, (Pantone Red 186-C) white, and blue, (Pantone Reflex Blue-C) roundel. The Sweet Sixteen design within the sail shape and the letters National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association shall be in red on white background. The remainder of the design shall be blue. The official emblem may be rendered in a single color for printing or other instances where three colors are impractical.

Article V JURISDICTION

The Association shall have jurisdiction over all sanctioned Sweet Sixteen activities. The By-laws, Standing Rules, Class Rules Measurements and Specifications are binding on all members and fleets. Rulings of the Chief Measurer shall be published in the Association Newsletter and on the Association internet website. Such rulings are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. All rulings shall be binding in accordance with the Association By-Laws, Standing Rules and Class Rules Measurements and specifications.

Article VI MEMBERSHIP

Application for membership in this Association either by individuals or fleets implies that the applicants agree to abide by the Class Rules.

There shall be Active, Special and Fleet memberships as defined in the By-Laws.

Section 1. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

  1. Regular, Contributor, Sponsor: The names Member, Contributor and Sponsor only serve to distinguish three different levels of monetary support of the Association. Each Member, Contributor or Sponsor may skipper in any Sweet Sixteen sanctioned race and has the right and privilege of voting and holding office.

  2. Junior: Junior member is a sailor who is under the age of 18 and is a full time student who is currently participating in a Youth/Junior sailing class. The Youth/Junior member has the rights and privileges of voting members, but cannot hold an office.

  3. Associate Member: Associate member is a non-skipper member and has the right and privilege of voting and can hold office.

Section 2. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP; MULTIPLE OWNERS

  1. Co-Ownership: The membership classification of Co-Owner exists where two or more persons own a Sweet Sixteen. One must be an active member and enact the one vote per boat rule. 

  2. Family Ownership: Family Ownership applies to immediate members of a family. Immediate members are defined as: husband, wife, spouse, son, daughter, stepchild, or in-law.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP

  1. Life Membership: A Life Member is an individual who in the opinion of the Executive Board has done so much for the good of the Class that recognition must be given. Life members shall have the rights and privileges of voting and holding office.

  2. Honorary Members: Honorary Membership is awarded to an individual who does not own a Sweet Sixteen, and has shown an interest in the welfare of the Class. They do not have voting rights, cannot hold office, and are not eligible to skipper in a Sweet Sixteen sanctioned race.

Section 4. CHARTERING AND GUEST ELIGIBILITY

It is the intent of this Section to encourage the ownership of the Sweet Sixteen and support for its Association. Therefore, it is necessary to prohibit the practice of non-owners borrowing, chartering, or token purchasing a Sweet Sixteen for the purpose of racing in a sanctioned regatta, for purposes of scoring and qualifying for standings and the awarding of trophies.

  1. Chartering/Leasing: In a sanctioned event if the boat of an active member/owner, co-owner or family owner is in a state of disrepair or otherwise unavailable, he/she may charter a Sweet Sixteen that is currently registered with the Association and sail in any event. Both the leaser and lessee must be members in good standing.

  2. Guest Eligibility: In order to expand membership, gain notoriety, or bring new members to the Sweet Sixteen Association, the Executive Committee may elect to allow Guest Eligibility on a case-by-case basis. The Guest will pay all dues associated with the regatta.

Section 5. FLEET MEMBERSHIP

  1. A Sweet Sixteen Fleet shall maintain annual membership in the Association by obtaining a Fleet Charter from the Association, (see Article VII).

  2. Each fleet captain shall be responsible for filing the names and addresses of the members of their fleet with the Association Secretary annually.

  3. Fleet dues may be fixed by and made payable to the individual fleets.

  4. Fleet Captains and Members shall not have rights or privileges in the Association beyond those of their regular Association membership.

Article VII ORGANIZATION OF FLEETS

Any three or more Sweet Sixteen yachts owned by Association members in good standing, who belong to the same yacht club or who normally sail in the same waters may form a Fleet.

  1. A member need not belong to a fleet, but may maintain an independent membership in the Association without affiliation to a fleet.

  2. A Fleet may be granted a Fleet Charter upon application to the secretary of the National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association.

  3. The fleet may elect its own officers, and committee chairpersons. It is self-governing in all local matters not conflicting with National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association rules.

  4. A Fleet may present its annual summary report at the Association’s Annual Meeting either by means of a Fleet Representative or by submitting a written report to be read at the Meeting.

Article VIII DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES

Association dues and assessments shall be fixed by the By-laws and must be paid before a member can be in good standing. New members are encouraged to join at any time during the year. Dues will not be pro-rated.

All renewing membership fees for the current year are decided upon at an annual class meeting

Section 2. ELIGIBILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PAYMENT OF DUES

To participate in any National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association sanctioned event including the Nationals Championship, Members must be in good standing.

Section 3. OTHER ASSESSMENTS

Other assessments may be levied only when approved by majority vote of a General Meeting.

Article IX EXECUTIVE OFFICERS /EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Officers shall compose the Association Executive Committee.

Section 1. PERSONNEL

Association Executive Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Membership Meeting. All officers shall serve for one year or until their successors are duly elected. Those who are elected to the offices of: Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Class Information Officer, Regional Vice-Commodore and Chief Measurer, together with the immediate Past Commodore shall form the Executive Committee.

Section 2. QUALIFICATIONS

All officers shall be members in good standing.

Section 3. QUORUM

A simple majority of the Executive Committee shall be a quorum.

Article X ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. NOMINATION

The Executive Committee shall have the power to draw up a slate of candidates to be submitted to the Class Information Officer for publication to the membership three weeks or more in advance of the Annual General Membership Meeting. Nominations from the general membership may be made from the floor at the meeting or by electronic means no less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. A nominee must be in attendance at the Annual Meeting to accept her/his nomination.

Section 2. ELECTION

Voting shall be one vote per boat with votes by proxy accepted from absent active members. The candidate receiving the greatest numbers of votes shall be considered elected.

Section 3. TERM OF OFFICE

The term of the office shall be from election at one Annual Meeting to election at following  Annual Meeting.

Section 4. VACANCIES

The Commodore may appoint replacements to fill vacancies during the year.

Section 5. REMOVAL

In cases where officers of this Association have been proven to be remiss in their duties, they may be removed from office upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee.

Article XI DUTIES AND POWERS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the Association in all matters in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws.

Under no circumstances shall any member of the Executive Committee divulge or disclose any personal information of an Association member to anyone who is not a member in good standing of this Association. This includes but is not limited to charge card or bank account information provided for the payment of dues, fees and other purposes.

In all matters pertaining to Association activities and business no individual member of the Executive Committee or the Committee as a whole shall be held liable for any actions of the Association or its members.

  1. Commodore: Acts as Chief Executive; presides at all meetings and is chairperson of the Executive Committee. Rules on procedure, summarizes decisions; appoints special committee Chairpersons; authorizes payment of all bills.

  2. Vice-Commodore: Officiates in the absence of the Commodore, and fulfills duties designated by the Commodore.

  3. Secretary: Handles all correspondence, and minutes. Handles and records all National race results.

  4. Treasurer: Collects all dues, deposits all funds in the bank as approved by the Executive Committee, keeps the books of the Association. The Treasurer also disperses funds, but only on order of the Executive Committee.

  5. Rear Commodore: Manages as webmaster, records information regarding fleets memberships and yachts. Prepares newsletter, promotes Sweet Sixteen racing, functions in the growth of new fleets and performs such duties as designated by the Commodore.

  6. Regional Vice-Commodore: Officiates within the region in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws and refers problems to the Executive Committee for necessary action and performs such other duties as designated by the Commodore.

  7. Chief Measurer: Answers all questions about measurement rules. The Chief Measurer shall interpret all rules and regulations concerning sail plan, rigging and equipment, shall make rulings on matters not specifically covered in the official rules and plans. Such rulings shall be published in the National Newsletter and are subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. All rulings shall be binding in accordance with as if part of the Association By-Laws.

  8. Immediate Past Commodore: Acts in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee and may vote.

Article XII COMMITTEES

The Commodore shall appoint the chairpersons of all committees. The Committee members shall be selected by the chairperson subject to the approval of the Executive Board.

Article XIII ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

The General Membership Meeting shall be held annually on the 2nd Saturday of March. The place, to be determined by the Executive Committee. The Order of Business at meetings shall proceed as described, but the business itself shall not be limited only to the following: Order of Business, Annual Membership Meetings:

  1. Call to order

  2. Minutes of the last meeting

  3. Reports of officers

  4. Reports of committees

  5. Unfinished business

  6. New business

  7. Election of officers

  8. Adjournment

Order of Business, Special Meetings:

  1. Call to order

  2. Special business

  3. Adjournment

Article XIV VOTING

Section 1. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

  1. Each Sweet Sixteen owner or co-owner who is a member in good standing, is entitled to one vote on all National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association matters.

  2. At a General Meeting such votes may be cast by proxy in the absence of the owner. A written Statement of Proxy must be presented to and approved by an Executive Officer prior to the commencement of that meeting.

  3. A majority of votes shall decide all questions not otherwise stipulated, and the Chair or Presiding Officer at the General Meeting shall cast the one deciding vote in the event of a tie. A tie on a mailed in balloting vote by mail or electronic means shall be decided by the Commodore.

Section 2. VOTING METHODS

  1. By Hand, Voice or Ballot: The Presiding Officer or Chair shall determine the method of voting at a General Membership Meeting. If a member objects to the method of voting, the Presiding Officer or Chair shall ask for a vote by show of hands on the method of voting.

  2. By Electronic Means: Shall include voting by phone, fax, electronic and postal mail, as well as other electronic means. Voting by Electronic Means shall be at the discretion of the Executive Committee if the following criteria have been met:

    1. If there is a need for discussion, an opportunity and means has been provided.

    2. All voting members have access to the electronic means or a substitute means, approved by the Executive Committee on a case-by-case basis.

    3. All voting members have been informed that the vote is occurring and response time frames for discussion and voting are clearly stated in the motion to vote.

  3. By Quorum: In a general membership meeting, the quorum is simply the number of persons present at the time, since they constitute the entire membership at the time.

Article XV AMENDMENTS

  1. The By-Laws, Standing Rules and Class Rules Measurement and Specifications may be amended only by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by members in good standing in attendance at the annual meeting. Previous notice of said Amendment(s) shall be published and presented to the membership three weeks or more prior to the vote.

  2. No amendment may be passed which shall render ineligible a former Sweet Sixteen sailboat whose eligibility was established under the then existing rules of this Association and whose status cannot be changed to confirm to the proposed amendments without excessive expense.

  3. The basic principles of Articles III – Purpose and Policies, IV -Emblem and V-Jurisdiction can not be changed.

Article XVI FISCAL YEAR AND FINANCES

The fiscal year of the National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association shall be March 1 to February 28/29.

The books and accounts of the National Sweet Sixteen Sailing Association shall be kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. A copy of the financial report of the Association will be provided to any member in good standing upon written request to the Executive Committee.

Article XVII COMMUNICATIONS/AUTHORITY TO SPEAK

In all matters of the Association activities, public relations, publications and management or use of the Association website, only the Commodore and the Rear Commodore Officer shall have the authority to speak on behalf of the Association. The Commodore may delegate this authority.

Article XVIII USE OF INTELLECTUAL AND REAL PROPERTY

All intellectual property belonging to the Association, including, but not limited to the Association membership list or any Association generated mail list, or logo, is for the use of the Association only and can not be used for promotion of any activity unrelated to the business of the Association without prior written permission of the Executive Committee. Such property shall not be used for personal gain, or made available for commercial or solicitation use.

Any real property belonging to the Association, including, but not limited to equipment, gear, water craft, rigging, office equipment and trophies is for the use of the Association only and can not be used for promotion of any activity unrelated to the business of the Association without prior written permission of the Executive Committee. Such property shall not be used for personal gain, or made available for commercial or solicitation use.

Article IX PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not consistent with these By-Laws and Class Rules and any special rules of order the Association may adopt.

Article XX TERMINATION DISSOLUTION

Should the Association terminate for any reason, disposal of all assets shall be determined at a special General Meeting.

END OF BY-LAWS

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