Last revised: February 2022
ARTICLE I - NAME AND PURPOSE
Sec .I The name of the Club shall be Multnomah Channel Yacht Club, a nonprofit corporation chartered under the corporate laws of the State of Oregon, maintaining its principal office at 50990 Dike Road, Scappoose, Columbia County, Oregon, 97056, or any location to which the Club may move.
Sec. II Purpose: To provide social and yachting activities for the members without profit; to serve the interest of all boat owners; to defend such owners against discriminatory legislation and burdensome taxation; to aid in the prevention of pollution of neighboring recreational waters; to stimulate a greater interest in boating among all the citizens in the area served by the Club, and to cooperate with other organizations and groups that are organized for similar purposes.
ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP
Sec.I Membership in the Multnomah Channel Yacht Club shall be open to all individuals who are interested in boating or other water activities. Boat ownership is not a requisite for membership. A membership is defined as one or two adults 21 years of age or older and all minor children of that family.
Sec. II Applications for membership must be in writing and submitted to the Commodore, Secretary or Membership Chairperson for review and processing.
Sec. III Applicant must attend a Board of Directors meeting to be interviewed as well one (1) General Membership meeting and one (1) social function. Their membership application will then be considered by the Board of Directors for final disposition after ALL 3 requirements are met.
Sec .IV If applicant receives three (3) NAY votes from the Board of Directors, membership will be denied to the applicant.
Sec. V Applicant will be notified of the Board of Director’s decision by the Secretary or Membership chairperson at the direction of the Commodore.
Sec. VI Upon approval of the Board of Directors, applicant will be installed as a member at the next General Membership meeting, at which time the initiation fee, annual dues and voucher fees are due and payable in accordance with the schedule of fees currently in effect. Each new membership will be awarded the Club burgee, 2 Club Handbooks, name badges and membership cards. ( a ) Upon applicant approval by the Board of Directors the Commodore will assign a member of the board (or another designee) to act as mentor to the new member for the purpose of helping said new member assimilate into the club and understand the rules and policies of the club.
Sec .VII A member may resign from the Club at anytime upon notice in writing addressed to the Board of Directors.
Sec. VIII Membership in the Club may be terminated by the Board of Directors for nonpayment of dues or failure to abide by MCYC By-laws, Rules, Regulations and Policies. Membership may also be terminated for cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at any General Membership meeting.
Sec .IX A member being considered for termination must be notified, in writing, by the Secretary not less than thirty (30) days prior to the vote for termination.
Sec .X Members whose membership is terminated will be asked to return to the Secretary, their membership cards, Officer/Committee flags and Club burgee immediately upon termination.
ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sec .I The management and government of the Club shall be vested in the Board of Directors, consisting of: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Treasurer, Secretary and five (5) Directors elected from the membership-at-large. The immediate Past Commodore shall become a member of the Board of Directors by automatic succession for a period of one (1) year, without the vote of the membership.
Sec .II A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be six (6) members.
Sec .III Special and Emergency Board meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and place designated by the Commodore or shall be called by the Commodore upon the request of two (2) Board members.
Sec .IV Directors shall be elected by the membership at the November General Membership meeting and shall hold office for one (1) year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Sec .V A person must be a member of MCYC for at least one (1) year before they may be nominated to serve on the Board of Directors in any capacity.
Sec .VI Directors shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and any Director who shall fail to attend three (3) meeting without good cause acceptable to the Board, or leave-of-absence granted by the Board, may at the option of the Board, be deemed to have resigned as Director.
Sec .VII Vacancies of any elective office shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors at their next scheduled meeting after the vacancy. The appointment shall be ratified by a majority vote of the members present at the next General Membership meeting. The successor so chosen shall serve for the unexpired term of their predecessor.
Sec. VIII The Board of Directors may employ whatever personnel they deem necessary and for which funds are available, to aid in the management of the Club.
Sec. IX The Commodore and Board of Directors shall review and approve an operating manual for each office and committee and see that the duties, rules, and requirements within are enforced.
ARTICLE IV - NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Sec .I The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of the three most recent Past Commodores, with the immediate Past Commodore as Chairman.
Sec .II The Nominating Committee shall present their proposed slate of Officers and Directors at the October General Membership meeting.
Sec .III Nominations from the floor may be made at the October and/or November General Membership meetings except for Vice Commodore and Commodore
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Sec .I The elective officers of the Club shall be Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary and Treasurer. Duties of all Officers are defined in the job descriptions as set forth in the Club Handbook and as follows:
Sec .II The Officers shall be elected by the members at the November General Membership meeting and shall hold office for the term of one (1) year, beginning with the Annual meeting in December or until their successors have been elected and qualified. The Commodore shall not serve more than one (1) term consecutively.
Sec .III The Commodore shall preside at all meetings of the Club and its Board of Directors, shall appoint all committees, shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall carry on those other responsibilities assigned to him/her by these By-Laws and/or the Board of Directors.
Sec .IV The Vice Commodore’s duties shall be to assist the Commodore and shall officiate in the absence of the Commodore.
Sec .V The Rear Commodore’s duties shall be to assist the Commodore and shall officiate in the absence of the Commodore and the Vice Commodore.
Sec .VI The Secretary shall keep the minutes of proceedings, handle correspondence, maintain membership records, attendance records and all other secretarial duties as directed by the Commodore and/or Board of Directors of the Club. At the annual meeting the secretary shall read the minutes of the prior years annual meeting and provide an annual report.
Sec .VII The Treasurer shall keep all financial records and accounts of the club and have charge of its funds. Funds shall be maintained in bank(s) approved by the Board of Directors and in the name of the Club, subject to withdrawal by checks which shall bear the co-signatures from the following authorized signors: Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary or Treasurer. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Club under the direction of the Board of Directors. Upon a written request submitted to the Board of Directors any member may examine the financial records, by obtaining a statement of the current year to date income and expenses vs. budget report. All financial records, the Moorage Manager account, Quarter mistress account, etc. must be kept in readiness for examination by an independent auditor, recommended and authorized by the Board. At the Annual meeting, the Treasurer shall provide a full and complete financial report of all income and expenses for the fiscal year. The report shall include cash on hand and all assets and liabilities of the Club.
ARTICLE VI - FISCAL YEAR
Sec .I The fiscal year of the Club shall commence on the first day of January and end the thirty first of December.
ARTICLE VII - BUDGET
Sec .I The Treasurer, in conjunction with the Vice Commodore and Commodore shall propose a budget to be presented to the Board of Directors at the November Board meeting for review, revision and recommendation to the membership.
Sec .II The Treasurer shall present at the Annual meeting the proposed budget, as approved by the Board of Directors covering the total anticipated income and expenses for the new fiscal year. The proposed budget shall be reviewed, revised and voted on. To pass the budget a majority vote of the membership present is required.
Sec .III The budget may be reviewed and is subject to revision by the membership at any time after approval. Any proposed revision to the approved budget shall be submitted to the Board of Directors for review and recommendation to the membership at large. Revision of the annual budget requires a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at any General Membership meeting.
Sec .IV The Officers, Board of Directors, nor any other member of the Club shall obligate the Club in excess of the approved budget.
ARTICLES VIII - DUES
Sec. I The dues shall be in the amount recommended by the Board of Directors, approved by the membership, per year per family membership. Dues are payable at the first General Membership meeting after January 1 st of each year. Dues may be paid by paying for the first half of the year in January and the second half in July. An individual or family becoming a new member after February 1st will have their dues prorated evenly by the months remaining in the year.
Sec. II Dues are delinquent if not paid by February 1st and August 1st and if not paid by March 1st or September 1st members are subject to removal from membership by the Board of Directors. If dues are not paid by February 1st or August 1st and the Treasurer has to send out a reminder, there will be a $5.00 assessment. If dues are not received by February 15th or August 15th and the Treasurer has to send out a second reminder, the assessment will be an additional $10.00.
Sec .III Except for Life, Charter and Associate members, each member must buy party vouchers for each adult covered by the membership each year. The vouchers shall be in an amount recommended by the Board of Directors, approved by the membership, as referenced in the schedule of fees. The purchase may be split, one half in January and one half in July, or all may be purchased in January. The amount new members must purchase will be prorated evenly by the months remaining in the year. Party vouchers may be used for the cost of dinner and/or drinks at any MCYC planned party at the clubhouse. The members name will be on the vouchers and vouchers may be used by any member of the Family Membership. Vouchers are good only in the year purchased. Unused party vouchers will be void at the end of the year.
Sec. IV The initiation fee shall be in the amount recommended by the Board of Directors, approved by the membership and will remain in effect until changed, as referenced in the schedule of fees
ARTICLE IX - MEETINGS
Sec. I All meetings shall be governed by the parliamentary law and procedures contained in Roberts “Rules of Order”.
Sec. II The General Membership Meetings shall be held on the third Friday of each month. General Membership meetings are for general business, the introduction of invited guests and initiation of new members.
Sec. III Board of Directors meetings shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month. All members are invited to attend. The business management and government of the club shall be conducted primarily at board meetings.
Sec. IV The Annual meeting shall be held after adjournment of the General Membership Meeting, on the third Friday in December. Business at the Annual meeting shall be conducted by the newly elected Commodore and shall include the following: a. Reading of annual minutes. b. Introduction of new Officers and Committee Chairpersons and Daughter of Neptune c. Vote on the Annual Budget d. Election of a tenant member to the Moorage Committee, nominated and selected by vote of the moorage tenants. e. Appointment by the Commodore of a non-tenant member to the Moorage Committee.
Sec. V Social meetings may be held at any time or place at the pleasure of the membership.
Sec. VI Special and Emergency Board meetings may be called at the discretion of the Commodore and/or Board of Directors. Any action taken at a Special or Emergency Board Meeting shall be by a unanimous written consent and approval of the Board Members.
Sec. VII Minutes of a meetings proceedings shall be kept for all meetings of the Club, i.e.: General Membership, Board, Committees, Special and Emergency Board meetings.
Sec. VIII Alcoholic beverages shall be prohibited during any General Membership or Board meeting.
ARTICLE X - VOTING
Sec .I Voting privileges are open to all adult members in good standing under the family membership plan, except Associate Members, who are not voting members.
Sec .II All major Amendments, Rules, Regulations, Policy and Election of Officers must be voted on by written ballot. (By-Laws amendment Passed 09/16/98)
Sec .III A member may vote by absentee ballot, requested from the Secretary, if unable to attend the meeting at which a vote is taken on any amendment to the By-laws,
ARTICLE XI - CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
Sec .I All members shall be expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not bring discredit to MCYC while participating in any activities of the Club, and/or acting as a representative of MCYC. Any member or vessel displaying the Club logo or burgee is deemed to be representing the Club.
Sec. II All members are required to abide by all By-Laws, Rules, Regulations and Policies as set forth and/or published by the membership.
Sec. III When the Board of Directors receives two (2) written complaints on a suspected violation by a club member and it is determined that a violation has occurred, the Board of Directors shall direct the Commodore to speak to the person or persons regarding the violation or noncompliance. The verbal conversation by the Commodore regarding the violation and request for compliance shall be documented. The violator will then be invited to discuss the violation with the Board of Directors.
Sec. IV If a member continues violating the rule, the Commodore shall notify the member of the violation in writing with a specific date to remedy the violation, with a copy to the Board of Directors. If the violation continues beyond the date specified, the Board of Directors shall impose a penalty to be determined by the Board of Directors. The member shall be notified of the penalty in writing.
Sec. V A member may be reprimanded, or suspended from club privileges, or have their membership terminated upon recommendation of the Board of Directors for a continued violation of the By-laws, and/or Rules, Regulations and Policies of this Club.
ARTICLE XII - FUNDING AND DISPERSIONS
Sec .I In the event Multnomah Channel Yacht Club, Inc. should be dissolved, any personal or real property owned by the Club shall be transferred to another nonprofit club or organization and dispersed in accordance with the vote of the membership.
Sec .II The Multnomah Channel Yacht Club, Inc. is hereby authorized to borrow from its members by the issuing of promissory notes, such as needed to construct a suitable clubhouse. These notes to be due and payable when the Club funds are available. The Commodore and the Secretary or Treasurer are authorized to sign these notes on behalf of the Club. Payment will be made when funds are available on a prorated basis.
Sec .III Multnomah Channel Yacht Club is hereby authorized to borrow from a commercial lender(s) or its members for the purpose of financing capital improvements to the club house, moorage or other facilities owned or leased by the Club. Each loan must have Board of Directors recommendation, and approval of not less than 50% of the membership attending the regular meeting at which the proposal is made
ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS
Sec .I Any article of the By-laws, Club Policy, Rules or Regulations may be added, amended, changed or deleted by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the membership present at any general membership, annual or special meeting.
Sec .II Text of proposed addition, amendment, change or deletion must first be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval or disapproval. If approved, all members in good standing must be given thirty (30) days written notice of proposed addition, amendment, change or deletion prior to a vote.
Sec. III The official method of MCYC in notifying its members of any changes in By-Laws, Club Policy, Rules or Regulations or changes in rents shall be E-mail. If any member does not want to be notified by E-mail or does not have E-mail, they will be notified by U.S. Mail. The thirty day notice will begin on the day the e-mail is sent and or the written notice is mailed. The secretary and treasurer will keep an updated list of member’s E-mail addresses and U.S. mail addresses for delivery of proposed changes.
Sec. IV If proposed addition, amendment, change or deletion is not approved by the Board of Directors, a member shall have the right to petition the membership at large. If one third (1/3) of the membership in good standing sign the petition, the Board of Directors must submit the proposed text for a vote at the next General Membership meeting, after a 30 day notice has been published to the membership.
ARTICLE XIV - MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING
Sec. I All members are in Good Standing unless they are contacted by the Commodore in writing stating that their status has been suspended.
● If status is suspended due to a violation of Conduct of Members refer to Article XI
● If status is suspended due to late member fees refer to Article VIII, Sec II
● If status is suspended due to late slip payments refer to Moorage Slip Acquisition Rules #13.
All occurrences are a case by case basis and the violating member will need to work with the Board of Directors to resolve the situation and reinstate the status to Member in Good Standing.
ARTICLE XV - LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP
Sec. I Persons who have been a full member in good standing for twenty five (25) years or more shall be granted a Lifetime in MCYC.
Sec. II Anyone who has served MCYC as Commodore and has been a full member for a period of twenty (20) or more years is awarded Lifetime Membership in MCYC.
Sec. III All Lifetime Members are entitled to full rights and privileges of membership and are not required to pay annual dues or purchase vouchers.
ARTICLE XVI - ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Sec. I A member who has been a member in good standing for at least two years and lives outside a 100 mile radius from the MCYC clubhouse may elect to become an ASSOCIATE MEMBER. An Associate Member is entitled only to the following privileges:
● Carry an Associate Member card
● Fly the MCYC burgee
● Receive the Channel Chatter
● Have their names and phone numbers listed in the MCYC roster.
Sec. II Associate Membership dues shall be in an amount recommended by the Board of Directors, approved by the membership and will remain in effect until changed, as listed in the schedule of fees.
Sec. III The Associate Members name tag shall be white on red.
Sec. IV Associate Members are not required to purchase vouchers.