Tollycraft Boating Club Bylaws

An Association of Tollycraft Owners

As amended January 16, 2024

Article I: Purpose and Name  

  1. The purpose of the Tollycraft Boating Club of Puget Sound is to establish an association of Tollycraft owners for the purpose of providing a means of communication on questions and answers pertaining to their boats, to foster greater interest and understanding of pleasure boating, to promote proper and safe pleasure boating, to organize cruises of Northwest waters, to be a source of information on cruising facilities, and to act as a medium for the exchange of ideas and information pertaining to Tollycraft boats.
  2. The name of this club shall be the Tollycraft Boating Club”.

Article II: Membership

  1. Membership in the Tollycraft Boating Club is open to all persons interested in boating.
  2. Application for membership in the Club shall be made to the Executive Bridge Officers who will determine the eligibility of the proposed member.
    1. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP:  Granted to Tollycraft enthusiasts.
    2. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Granted to individuals, for extraordinary assistance to the Club only by the approval of the Executive Bridge with the full rights and privileges as that of a Regular Membership. Commodores of the Tollycraft Boating Club of Puget Sound shall be named as Honorary Life Members of the Club at the end of their year as Commodore.
  3. Membership in the Club may be terminated for non-payment of dues.
  4. Termination.  Members of all classes may be censured, suspended or terminated for violation of these by-laws or for conduct unbecoming of a member, for actions injurious, threatening or prejudicial to the welfare of the member(s) and of the club.  A member that is suspended or terminated may not attend any club functions nor come with a club member to any club functions.  Suspension and termination of a Member must be by a majority vote of the Executive Bridge.

Article III: Management

  1. The management of the Club shall be vested in the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past Commodore and Trustees who make up the Executive Bridge Officers of the organization.
  2. The management for the club is conducted on a calendar year basis beginning January 1st through December 31st of each year.  The calendar year shall apply to membership, club budget and cost tracking. However the rotation and terms of Executive Bridge Officers as described in Article IV, shall be July 1st through June 30th of each year.
  3. A review of the Treasurer’s books shall be made by an independent person or persons within 60 days after the election of another treasurer, or at anytime that a majority of the Executive Bridge Officers requests such review.

Article IV: Executive Bridge Officers

  1. The Executive Bridge Officers shall consist of the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Immediate Past Commodore, and Trustee(s). The present Executive Bridge may appoint other Officers to an Executive Bridge position to be confirmed by a majority vote of the full Executive Bridge. Their term shall not exceed that of the Commodore.
  2. Executive Bridge Officers shall be elected by the members of the Club at the annual Rendezvous business meeting and shall hold their office for a period of one year.
  3. The Executive Bridge Officers may employ any personnel they deem necessary and for which funds are available, to aid the management of the Club.
  4. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, and Immediate Past Commodore to be headed by the Commodore, or in his/her absence by the Vice Commodore. The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to consider and select candidates for nomination to the Executive Bridge. The Executive Bridge Officers will by majority vote, present names to fill Executive Bridge positions for membership vote at the annual business meeting.
  5. All Executive Officers will advance through the chairs with the exception of Secretary and Treasurer. Executive Officers that are advancing through the chairs shall not serve more than two terms consecutively in the same position. If a bridge member is elevated to the next higher chair due to the unforeseen departure of another bridge member the elevated Officer’s year of service will not count against the two consecutive year limitation. The Secretary and Treasurer positions may not hold office for a period longer than 3 years. This restraint may be waived by unanimous vote of the full Executive Bridge during the nomination process and is limited to a 1year extension.
  6. After leaving the Executive Bridge said Officers shall not rotate back on the Executive Bridge for a minimum period of two years. The Bridge will consider such rotations after two years, from previous Bridge members, with consideration given to other club members who have not previously served. Not more than one member of the same household may hold an Executive Bridge office at the same time. However, this would not preclude any household member from being appointed by the Executive Bridge to chair committees.
  7. All matters requiring a vote of the Executive Bridge shall be presented to all Executive Bridge members so that each member has an opportunity to comment and vote. Executive Bridge members may only give their proxy vote to their spouse or another Executive Bridge member. The Commodore shall vote only when there is a need due to a tie vote.
  8. During the absence, or temporary incapacity of the Commodore, the Vice Commodore shall perform the duties of the Commodore.
  9. The Treasurer shall keep all records and accounts of the Club and have oversight and signing authority of its funds. The Treasurer shall keep all funds in the name of the Club and in a bank approved by the Executive Bridge Officers.  The Club checking account shall always have at least two active Executive Bridge members as authorized signing authority who each can sign individually.
  10. The Secretary will keep notes/minutes of all meetings and of all club business where a motion is made and/or a vote is called for.
  11. The Executive Bridge Officers must be owners of Tollycraft boats on the date of their original election to any Executive Bridge office. If a Bridge Officer no longer owns a Tollycraft they may finish their current term on the Bridge, but will not be allowed to serve another term. All Executive Bridge Officers must have an active Tollycraft Boating Club membership.

Article V: Dues

  1. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP:  A one year membership is renewed annually beginning January 1st of any year and ending December 31st of the same year.
    1.  The dues shall be $125 for the first year and $70 every year thereafter and are payable on the first day of the calendar year.
    2. The first year the member will receive: Tollycraft Boating Club Burgee, Club Roster, Two Nametags and Newsletters.
    3. The second and following years the member will receive: Club roster and Club Newsletters.
    4. Renewal or new membership can be made at any time during the calendar year. The club will send its annual call for membership renewal with a January letter as well as in the February newsletter. Regardless of when a new member joins or when an existing member renews, the annual membership expires December 31st, following the date of joining or renewal.
    5. Reinstated Memberships will be $70 dollars unless all items in point 2 are needed. If so, then the rate will be $125.
  2. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP: There are no dues to be paid.
    1. The member will receive: Club roster and Newsletters.

Article VI: Voting Privileges 

  1.  Voting privileges are open to Captains and same family Captains and First Mates under the Regular membership plan providing dues for the current year are paid.
  2. Honorary life members shall have the same voting privileges as Regular members.

Article VII: Disbursement of Funds Upon Dissolution of the Organization  

  1. Upon dissolution of the Tollycraft Boating Club, it shall be decided by majority vote presented at the final meeting of the Executive Bridge Officers to donate the balance of the Club’s funds to a marine related organization.
  2. The Treasurer is responsible for final accounting of the funds and taking appropriate action to assure all State and Federal agencies are notified and the required actions are taken.

Article VIII: Amendment of Bylaws

  1. These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Executive Bridge Officers.

Article IX: Indemnification of Executive Bridge Officers 

  1. Each Executive Bridge Officer or Club committee member performing assigned duties and/or responsibilities in accordance with the Club or its by-laws, shall be indemnified by the organization against all costs, expenses, judgments and liabilities, including attorneys fees, reasonably incurred by or imposed upon them in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which they are or may be made a party by reason of being or having been such Executive Bridge Officer or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by them as such Executive Bridge Officer whether or not they are in office at the time of incurring such costs. Expenses, judgments and liabilities, except in relation to matters as to which they shall be finally adjudged, without right of further appeal in such action, suit or proceeding, to have been liable of willful misconduct in the performance of their duties or actions. Such indemnification shall be made with respect to adjudication other than on the merits and shall extend to settlements and compromises. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which such Executive Bridge Officer may be entitled as a matter of law.