CLUB RULES
The Sandys Boat Club Inc.
8 Mangrove Bay Road, Sandys MA 01, Bermuda
Founded September 10th, 1937
Incorporated November 1955
1. NAME
The Name of the Club shall be The Sandys Boat Club.
2. OBJECTS
The objects of the Club are to encourage small boat sailing, aquatic and other sports, and to provide social amenities for its Members.
3. CLUB COLOURS, BURGEE AND RACING PENNANT
The colours of the Club shall be royal blue, white and gold. The Club Burgee shall be a triangular pennant of royal blue with a gold cross thereon, a narrower white cross shall be imposed on the gold cross, this white cross shall be approximately three-fifths of the width of the gold cross. A steering wheel with eight spokes, worked in gold, shall be superimposed at the juncture of the crosses. The words "SANDYS BOAT CLUB BERMUDA" shall appear on the wheel. The racing pennant shall be of similar shape and design as the Burgee without the steering wheel insignia appearing thereon.
4. CLUB LOGO – TRADEMARK SYMBOL
The Logo of the Club shall be a steering wheel with eight spokes.
The words, “Sandys Boat Club Bermuda” will be superimposed around the perimeter of the wheel.
The Clubs Racing Pennant will be superimposed in the center of the wheel in an angled position.
Colouring as follows, Lettering – Royal Blue, Wheel – Golden, Pennant – Royal Blue, White, Golden, and Brown.
Usage and reproduction of the Logo will only be allowed by permission of the Executive Committee.
5. CLUB YEAR
The Club year shall be from the first day of February to the thirty-first day of January.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in April of each year, when the
Officers, all Committees, and the Auditors shall be elected.
b. A quorum at any General Meeting shall consist of ten percent of the membership on the day of the meeting.
c. At least seven days before any Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, the Secretary shall notify all Members (except those who are absent from these Islands) by either E-mail, Facsimile, or Postcard posted to each Member and a notice posted on the Notice Board. Such notices shall contain date, time and location of meeting.
7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
Special or Emergency General Meetings may be called by the Commodore on the direction of the Executive Committee or on the request, in writing, of at least seven Members in good standing. Such meetings shall be held after a notice clearly stating the business for discussion has been posted on the Club Notice Board for a period of at least seven days.
8. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES
No rule shall be made, altered, amended or rescinded at any General Meeting, unless notice thereof shall have been posted on the Notice Board of the Club at least fourteen days prior to such meeting. Any amendment must be proposed and seconded by two Members in good standing.
9. MEMBERSHIP
The Membership of the Club shall be limited to Three Hundred (300) exclusive of
Honorary, Collegiate, Senior, Temporary, Associate, Associate Junior and Overseas Members.
10. ELECTION OF MEMBERS
a. The election of Members to the Club shall be the responsibility of a
Membership Committee consisting of past (full) Commodores, present
Flag Officers, the Secretary and three other Members in good standing appointed by the Executive Committee. The appointment of the aforementioned three Members shall be made within two months of the date of the last preceding. A.G.M. and shall be recorded by the Secretary in the Minutes of the Executive Committee and as an addendum to the Minutes of the A.G.M. The appointments shall be valid for the Club year in which they are made.
b. (i) At any meeting of the Membership Committee, seven Members shall form a quorum and an applicant shall not be accepted for membership unless at least seven Members vote.
(ii) Voting by the Membership Committee shall be treated as CONFIDENTAL.
c. The method of electing applicants shall be as follows:
(i) Every nominee for election must be proposed and seconded by two.
Members in good standing, to whom he/she must be personally known.
(ii) Application for Membership shall be made on a form approved by the membership committee and shall be duly signed by the applicant, the proposer and seconder, and shall be forwarded to the Secretary for posting on the Club Notice Board. The applicant shall be required to pay the Entrance Fee applicable in their case, to the Treasurer, before their application is posted on the Club Notice Board.
(iii) Applications shall be displayed on the Notice Board for at least fourteen days, in order to give Members an opportunity of registering any objection they may have to the applicant.
Objections must be made in writing to the Secretary only and shall not be disclosed except in Committee.
(iv) After having been posted for at least fourteen days, the applications shall be brought before the next meeting of the Membership Committee. After considering any objections registered by Members, and after being satisfied that sufficient is known about the applicant, the Membership Committee shall vote on the application.
(v) The Membership Committee may defer consideration of an application, in order to conduct any necessary interview or investigation.
(vi) Voting shall be by secret ballot and should one third of the votes cast be adverse votes, the applicant shall be declared rejected and the proposer and seconder shall be advised within seven days and the entrance fee paid by the applicant, refunded.
(vii) Should the vote be in favor of the applicant, he/she shall be declared elected to membership and shall be so advised in writing by the Secretary within seven days of the date of acceptance.
(viii) After a period of at least six months, a rejected applicant may again apply for Membership, but, if rejected a second time, he/she shall not be eligible for membership.
(ix) No elected applicant shall be entitled to the privileges of membership until their subscription is paid. Applicants shall not have the use of the Club facilities before election excepting as a guest of a Member.
(x) A person who was a Member of the Club and resigned in good standing and now wishes to rejoin will not be required to attend a membership meeting. All remaining application procedures do apply. At the discretion of the Membership Committee the person may be asked to attend.
11. INDEBTEDNESS
a. Any indebtedness to the Club must be paid within thirty days.
b. Any Members, whose indebtedness to the Club is not paid within sixty (60) days, shall have their credit facilities automatically suspended.
c. Any Member, whose indebtedness to the Club is not paid within ninety (90) days, shall have their Membership automatically suspended until the debt is paid in full.
d. Any Member, whose indebtedness to the Club is not paid within one hundred and twenty (120) days, shall automatically forfeit their membership, and recovery of the debt will be pursued.
12. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERSHIP
The Entrance fee shall be payable as per Rule 12 a (I).
13. ENTRANCE FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
a. (i) The amount of the Entrance Fee shall be considered and set by the Membership of the Club at each Annual General Meeting or at any Special General Meeting. Currently set at BD$100.00
(ii) Sons and daughters of Members who are accepted for membership between their eighteenth and nineteenth birthdays shall pay an Entrance fee of BD$50.00
(iii)The Entrance Fee for the Collegiate Membership shall be fifty dollars ($50.00). The annual dues will be 50% percent of the Full. Membership pro-rated per month depending on date of entrance. Upon the Collegiate Member’s 26th birthday or at any time before He or She can apply for Full Membership. The additional amount of the entrance fee shall be waived for such an application.
b. The Club subscription with effect from February 1st 2011 shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00) per annum, payable in advance on the first day of February each year. Where husband and wife are both Members, the annual subscription for both of them shall be six hundred and twenty-five ($625.00).
c. Shareholders of Sandys Holding Company shall be entitled to a ten ($10.00) reduction on their Club Subscription fee.
d. Members admitted to membership during the Club year shall pay fees on the basis of forty-one dollars sixty-seven cents ($41.67) per month and husband and wife membership at fifty-two dollars fifty-two cents ($52.08) per month, both to include the month admitted to membership.
e. (i) At the age of Sixty-Five (65) years, or a person with a Bermuda Government –“Special Person” Card with at least ten years membership in the Club, may continue as a Full Member of the Club at a reduced Annual Membership Fee.
(ii) The reduced fee shall not be less than 25% of the normal Fee.
(iii) The Full Annual Membership Fees shall be paid by the “Special Person” unless he/she applies for a reduced fee and the application is approved by the Membership Committee, or, the Membership Committee, at their discretion offers reduced Annual Membership Fee to a “Special Person”.
f. Any Member in good standing, who wishes to change their membership status (with the exception of resignation or suspension from the Club shall apply to the Membership Committee for such change and be entitled to a pro rata adjustment (on a monthly basis) to their dues, by either paying the difference or having their account credited with any surplus.
14. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
a. All spouses of Members shall be accorded Associate Membership. They shall be permitted to enjoy the Clubhouse, its facilities and amenities. They shall not be given any vote or voice in the management of the Club. They shall at all times be subject to and governed by the Rules of the Club.
b. Associate Membership may be retained by the widow/widowers of former Members and by other persons who were accorded this privilege prior to 31st March 1976.
c. The Executive Committee shall have the power, however, to suspend or terminate such Membership, should circumstances warrant such action.
d. An Associate Member (i.e. the Spouse of a Full Member) who wishes to upgrade their membership status to a Full Membership shall apply to the Membership Committee for such change. The Entrance Fee shall be waived for such an application.
15. ASSOCIATE JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP
All sons and daughters of the Members, over the age of nine years and under the age of eighteen years shall be accorded Associate Junior Membership. They shall be permitted to enjoy such privileges and uses of the Club; its facilities and amenities as may be determined from time to time. They shall have neither vote nor voice in Club management and shall be subject to, and governed by, the Rules of the Club at all times.
16. COLLEGIATE MEMBERSHIP
Persons of the age of 18 years to the age of 25 years will be afforded the option to become a Collegiate Member. Collegiate Members shall have full use of the Club premises, may not vote at any Club meetings, have any voice in Club affairs, nor have any credit facilities. They shall at all times be subject to and governed by the Rules of the Club.
17. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Honorary Membership, may, at discretion of the Executive Committee, be granted to persons with similar qualifications to those required of Members. Such membership shall not be granted to any person for a period exceeding fourteen days, without the approval of the Membership Committee. Honorary Members shall have full use of the Club premises, but may not vote at Club meetings, have any voice in Club affairs, nor have any credit facilities.
18. TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP
The Membership Committee may accord the privileges of the Club, (with the exception of voting, any voice in Club affairs or credit facilities) to persons with similar qualifications to those required of Members, who are visitors from abroad or who are residing temporarily in these islands. They must be proposed and seconded by two Members in good standing. Temporary membership shall be for a period not exceeding six months and the subscription fee shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per month.
19. OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP
a. Any Member in good standing leaving these islands may, on the expiry of his/her then current annual dues opt to become an Overseas Member on payment of annual subscription of $50.00 (or its equivalent in other currency) due on the 1st February each year. Such Members are permitted to enjoy the use of the Clubhouse, its facilities and amenities during visits to these Islands and to remain on the Club's mailing list but shall have no vote or voice in management of the Club. They shall at all times be subject to and governed by the Rules of the Club.
b. Applications for Overseas Membership may also be made by any former Member in good standing in accordance with the terms and conditions of Rule 11.
c. Applicants, not being former Members in good standing, must comply with the requirements
of Rule 9, sections c, (i) and (ii).
d. Overseas Membership is not open to former Members falling within the categories covered
by Rule 10.
e. Overseas membership may be terminated by the Membership Committee at any time.
20. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
May be granted to a Member by the Executive Committee with the agreement of the Membership Committee.
Such Membership shall have full voting rights and privileges of a Member.
21. GUESTS
a. Guests, not being expelled Members or rejected applicants or former Members who’s Membership has been forfeited under Rule 10, may be admitted to the Club on invitation by a Member who shall be responsible for their guest’s conduct and shall see that their guest's names are duly recorded in the Visitor’s Book.
b. No person who would not be eligible for membership of the Club under Rules 9, 13 or 15 shall be admitted to the Club as a guest.
c. The Executive and /or Membership Committee shall have the right to question excessive use of the Club by any person as a guest, or act upon any complaint by a Member of such excessive use. Such matters shall be recorded in the Minutes of the Committee.
22. PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER CONDUCT
a. Improper conduct shall be such conduct, either on or off the Club premises, that is in the opinion of the Executive Committee improper, and/or against the interest of the Club.
b. Complaints against a Member for improper conduct shall be made in writing to the Executive Committee.
c. The Executive Committee shall hold a hearing of all such complaints at which the Member whose conduct is being questioned, shall have the right to hear and give evidence.
d. The Executive Committee shall have the power to suspend, for a period not exceeding six months, any Member found guilty of improper conduct.
e. Any Member, whose membership has been suspended by the Executive Committee shall have right to appeal such suspension to the Membership Committee, and it shall then be open to that Committee to confirm or alter the penalty.
f. Should any Member be guilty of such conduct either on or off the Club premises, which on being considered by the Executive Committee, appears to render it necessary that such Members should receive a more severe penalty than six months suspension, the Committee shall direct that a Membership Committee Meeting be called to act on the matter.
g. If expulsion of the Member is proposed, then a majority of two thirds of the Members present, voting by ballot, shall be required to expel the Member.
h. The decision of the Membership Committee (in such matters) shall be final.
23. OFFICERS OF THE CLUB
a. The Officers of the Club shall be the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Director and Sports Officer.
b. However, a General Meeting of the Club may decide that a Member shall hold more than one of these offices, excepting those of the Flag Officers, for a stated period
24. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
a. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Officers of the Club, four elected Members and the Immediate Past Commodore (ex officio).
b. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Club. This Committee shall meet once, at least, in every month.
c. The Committee shall draft such rules it deems necessary to ensure the proper management of the Club at all times, and such rulings to be known as the House Rules, shall be printed and posted in the Club for the information and guidance of all Members.
d. There shall be an Entertainment Committee, Sports Committee and House Committee. The Entertainment Committee and Sports Committee reporting to the Vice Commodore within seven days of their meeting.
25. SAILING COMMITTEE
There shall be a Sailing Committee consisting of the Rear Commodore as permanent Chairman and not less than six or more than nine elected Members, or appointed Members in accordance with Rule No. 37. The Sailing Committee shall be responsible for all sailing and other aquatic activities of the Club. They shall appoint two Fleet measurers, Point Race Secretary and Dinghy Secretary, (the latter being appointed to serve from September 30th to September 29th each year) and employ or appoint such other help as may be necessary to ensure the proper running of all aquatic events. Further, the Committee shall see that all boats, dinghies, sails, masts, racing gear, equipment and dinghy locker, the property of the Club, are used, stored, maintained and kept secured in a proper manner. The Committee shall select all crews manning Club boats, charter boats and set conditions. All races with exception of Fitted Dinghies, shall be sailed under the Rules of the International Yacht Racing Union in general, however, where local rules may be adopted under which races will be sailed, such Sailing Rules shall be posted in the Club for the information and guidance of Members after final approval has been given by the Executive Committee.
26. COMMODORE
a. The Commodore shall preside at all meetings except those of the Sailing Committee, and decide all questions of order and announce results of voting. He/she shall neither move nor second a motion or amendment, nor vote excepting as a Member of the Membership Committee, unless the voting be equally divided, when he/she shall give the casting vote. He/she shall take no part in any debate while in the Chair except in cases of debate on rule of order, shall countersign all cheques drawn against the funds of the Club by the Treasurer' shall see that the Rules of the Club are enforced and shall see that the other Officers perform their duties in a proper manner.
b. The Commodore shall receive an honorarium, paid monthly in arrears for the performance of his/her duties as set out in the previous paragraph, to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee. The amount of the honorarium shall be set or varied by the Annual General Meeting of the Club Membership.
c. Receipt of the honorarium shall not affect the Commodore's voting rights or voice in Club affairs
27. VICE COMMODORE
a. The Vice Commodore shall assist the Commodore in the discharge of his/her duties and in the absence of the Commodore shall officiate in his/her stead. He/she shall be responsible to the Executive Committee in all matters pertaining to the management of the Clubhouse and the Bar. He/she shall oversee Club employees and direct them in the proper performance of their duties.
b. The Vice Commodore shall receive an honorarium, paid monthly in arrears for the performance of his/her duties as set out in the previous paragraph, to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee. The amount of the honorarium shall be set or varied by the Annual General Meeting of the Club Membership.
c. Receipt of the honorarium shall not affect the Vice Commodore's voting rights or voice in Club affairs.
28. REAR COMMODORE
a. The Rear Commodore shall be responsible to the Executive Committee for all sailing and aquatic activities of the Club.
b. He/she shall have the power to appoint all Protest Committees.
29. SECRETARY
a. The Secretary shall attend all General Meetings, and meetings of the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep a record of all such meetings in the Minutes Book of the Club. He/she shall keep a role of membership posted in the Club. The Secretary shall conduct all general correspondence of the Club.
b. The Secretary shall receive an honorarium, paid monthly in arrears for the performance of his/her duties, as set out in the previous paragraph, to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee. The amount of the honorarium shall be set or varied by the Annual General Meeting of the Club Membership.
c. Receipt of the honorarium shall not affect the Secretary's voting rights or voice in the Club affairs.
30. TREASURER
a. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all monies of the Club. He/she shall keep a record of the Members of the Club and the dues paid statements showing the position of the Club at the Annual General Meeting in April of each year. He/she shall also keep an up-to-date inventory of all Club property. He/she shall inform the Executive Committee of any Members being in arrears in his/her dues or being otherwise indebted to the Club. He/she shall not pay any amount incurred by the Club unless sanctioned by the Executive Committee and shall require that all such accounts incurred be duly signed by those Officers authorized to commit the Club to such expenditure. He/she shall place all records at the disposal of the Club Auditors at any time. He/she shall deposit all monies in the name of the Club at the Bank of Bermuda Limited, Somerset Branch, and all Cheques drawn by the Treasurer shall be countersigned by either the Commodore or the Vice Commodore.
b. The Treasurer shall receive an honorarium for the performance of his/her duties, which shall be paid monthly, in arrears, for the performance of his /her duties as set out in the previous paragraph, to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee and not before presentation to the Executive Committee of a Trial Balance, Income Statement and Statement of Financial Position for the previous month. The honorarium shall be set or varied by the Annual General Meeting of the Club Membership.
c. Receipt of the honorarium shall not affect the Treasurer's voting rights or voice in Club affairs.
31. SAILING SECRETARY
The Sailing Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Sailing Committee. He/she shall keep a record of such meetings in the Minute Books of the Club and conduct all correspondence pertinent to sailing. He/she shall assist the Secretary in the performance of his/her duties, as provided in rule 29, and in the absence of the secretary, shall act in his/her stead.
32. SPORTS OFFICER
The Sports Officer shall be responsible for all indoor and field sports activities of the Club.
33. SOCIAL DIRECTOR
The Social Director shall be responsible for all Entertainment and Social activities of the Club (as approved by the Executive)
34. CLUB AUDITORS
a. There shall be two Honorary Auditors elected at the Annual General Meeting.
b. The Club Auditors shall require of the Treasurer all records of the Club and shall conduct a proper audit of same. They shall sign the Annual Presentation of Accounts as prepared by the Treasurer and may append such comments or explanations as may be proper and in the best interest of the Club.
35. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
a. Nominations for Officers of the Club and for Members of Committee shall be made in writing by the Nominating Committee comprising of a Past Commodore, who shall act as chairman, and two other Members of the Club appointed by the Executive Committee, and have the signed approval of the candidate; such nominations shall be posted in the Club by the Secretary at least seven days prior to the commencement of the Annual General Meeting.
b. Additional Nominations may be submitted to the Secretary by any Members, up to forty-eight hours prior to the Annual General Meeting provided the written consent of the candidate is obtained. None of the aforesaid candidates shall withdraw his/her written consent to nomination after the Annual General Meeting has been called to order.
c. Nomination for office or committee membership shall not be made at the Annual General Meeting unless no prior nominations have been posted in the Club as aforesaid. However, any Member, in good standing, who has not been elected, shall be eligible for nomination at the Meeting for membership of the Executive Committee.
36. QUORUM AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A Quorum at any Committee Meeting, excepting the Membership Committee, shall consist of a majority of the Members of that Committee being present in the Island.
37. APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES
If any Member of any Committee resigns his/her post or leaves the colony for a prolonged period or ceases to be a Member of the Club or fails to attend to consecutive meetings of his/her Committee without reasonable excuse, then the Chairman of that Committee shall have the power to appoint another Member in his/her stead subject to the approval of a majority of the remaining Committee Members. The foregoing shall not apply in the case of a Flag Officer who must be elected at a General Meeting of the membership, or to the appointed members of the Membership Committee.
38. LIMITATIONS OF EXPENDITURE
The Executive Committee of the Club shall not make any extraordinary expenditure on excess of $2,500 unless with the prior authorization of a General Meeting of the Members of the Club.
39. ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND PROXY VOTES
Proxy votes and/or Absentee Ballots shall not be accepted at any General Meeting of the Club.
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Revised: October 24th, 2006
April 26th, 2008
- Collegiate membership added
August 26th, 2010
– amendments to formatting, numbering & spelling
– no content has been changed
December 14, 2010
- dues increase, full, family
- overseas/temporary member rate increase
April 30th 2011
- add 10. c. (x)
