Copyright © 2005– by CCLA. All rights reserved. |
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CONSTITUTION |
OF THE |
CORRESPONDENCE |
CHESS LEAGUE |
OF AMERICA |
(Revised: August, 2021) |
(Effective January 1, 2022) |
Article I |
NAME: The name of this organization is the Correspondence Chess League of America, hereafter referred to as CCLA, or the League. |
Article II |
PURPOSE: CCLA is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote and develop correspondence chess and conduct chess competitions. |
Article III |
MEMBERSHIP: Any chess player residing in the United States or its possessions, shall be eligible for full membership in this organization, subject to such regulations as may be provided by this Constitution or the Bylaws of the League. Chess players residing elsewhere may be eligible for limited Associate membership rights if so provided by the Bylaws of the League. |
Article IV |
ORGANIZATION: All executive and administrative functions of the League shall be vested in a Board of five (5)
Directors, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of the League’s elected Officers and Directors at large. The Board shall
consist of three (3) Officers and two (2) at large Board Members. All Board members must remain CCLA members in good standing during their
terms of office, or relinquish their Board positions. No Board member may be an officer, employee, or have any investment in a competing
correspondence chess organization, except the U. S. Chess Federation, the International Correspondence Chess Federation, or any association
of which CCLA is a member. |
Article V |
ELECTIONS: The two (2) at large Directors shall be elected by the membership for a term of four
calendar years and their terms of office shall be so divided that no more than one Directors is elected in any two-calendar year election
cycle. |
Article VI |
AMENDMENT: Amendment of this Constitution shall require an affirmative vote by the membership at large, as provided under Article VIII of this Constitution. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the membership by the League President, upon direction of two-thirds of the Board, or upon petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) League members in good standing, including a majority of the Board. |
Article VII |
BYLAWS: Certain Bylaws will be established, in addition to this Constitution, which will explain in more detail the operation of the League. Changes in the Bylaws can be made either by a two-thirds affirmative vote of all Board members, or by an affirmative vote by the membership at large upon petition signed by at least twenty-five (25) League members in good standing, including a majority of the Board. |
Article VIII |
VOTING: All votes taken, whether by the membership at large or the Board, will be decided by a majority of the votes cast, unless specifically stated otherwise in the Constitution or Bylaws. |
Article IX |
RATIFICATION: This Constitution shall become effective upon affirmation by the League members in good standing as attested by the signatures hereto of the League Officers. |
BYLAWS OF THE |
CORRESPONDENCE |
CHESS LEAGUE |
OF AMERICA |
(Revised: August, 2021) |
(Effective January 1, 2022) |
1. Powers and Duties of Officers |
a) PRESIDENT: The President shall be the Chairman and preside at all meetings of the Board and shall submit
properly presented motions to the Board for its deliberation and determination. He (she) shall perform such duties as may properly be assigned
to the executive officer of the League. He shall appoint a General Manager, Chairman and members of the Nominating Committee, Membership
Director, League representative(s) for its affiliation with the International Correspondence Chess Federation, Tournament Director(s), Magazine
Editor, Website Manager, and any other appointments as may be required for the smooth operation of the League. All such appointments shall be
subject to affirmation by the Board. The President may also terminate the services of any such appointee, at his discretion, subject to the same
affirmation by the Board, upon notification in writing to the appointee of his intention to do so. |
b) VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall act as administrative assistant to the President. He (she) shall temporarily assume the duties of the President in the event of his absence or disability for a period not exceeding 90 days. If the President resigns or does not properly perform his duties for a period longer than 90 days, the Board is empowered to take appropriate action to elect a replacement. |
c) SECRETARY-TREASURER: The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep full and correct minutes of all meetings of the Board, shall receive and record the votes of the members of the Board on any measure presented to it for voting, and shall announce the results of such voting to each Board member, specifying the manner in which each voted. The Secretary shall maintain a book (either in written and/or electronic format) of such minutes, proposals and votes. By mutual agreement between the Vice President and the Secretary-Treasurer, with the approval of the President, the Vice President may assume the responsibilities of the Secretary as mutually agreed upon. |
d) The SECRETARY-TREASURER shall pay all bills and other obligations authorized by these Bylaws contained in the annual budget, or otherwise by the Board, when validated by the President or General Manager. With the cooperation of the General Manager, he shall keep accurate records of all receipts and disbursements and shall prepare such financial statements as the President or the Board may direct. He (she) shall have custody of all books, papers, money, and property of the League, except those in custody of the General Manager and his staff. All properties of the League shall, however, be submitted to the President or his designated representative at whatever time and place the Board may specify. With the approval of the Board, he may delegate some or all of these duties to the General Manager, subject to such restrictions or procedures as the Board may direct. |
e) BOARD MEMBERS: All Board members, with the exception of the President, will be assigned membership in one or more standing committees, as prescribed by Board action, and active participation on at least one committee will be a condition of their holding positions on the Board. Board members will be expected to vote on ballots submitted for their review and failure to exercise this franchise and maintain an active presence on the Board can lead to dismissal from the Board. Such dismissal would require a two-thirds affirmative vote of the entire Board. |
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f) POWERS OF THE BOARD: The Board as a whole shall have the following powers vested in it: |
2. Headquarters Staff |
The Headquarters Staff shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the League and shall be under the
jurisdiction of the General Manager and shall include the Tournament Director(s), Games Recorder, Ratings Statistician, Time Control
officer, Editor of the League magazine, and office personnel. The tenure of the General Manager shall be continuous until vacated by death,
resignation, or disposition by vote of the Board. The tenure of the members of the Headquarters Staff shall be at the pleasure of the
General Manager. |
3. Nominating Committee |
The Nominating Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, will consist of a Chairman and two members.
They shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the Board. No member of the Committee shall be an Officer, Director, employee
of CCLA, or a candidate for office. The Committee shall be appointed prior to February 1 of every even numbered year for two-year terms, which
may be renewed by the President, at his discretion, subject to Board approval. |
4. League Magazine |
The official magazine of the League will be The Chess Correspondent, which will be published at the discretion of
the Board, but not less than four times per year. |
5. International Chess |
CCLA shall support organized international correspondence chess through its affiliation with the International Correspondence Chess Federation or in association with other chess organizations in the United States as approved by the Board. |
6. Dues and Fees |
All CCLA membership dues and tournament fees shall be payable in advance and shall be determined by the Board. All dues and
fees are subject to change at any time. All classes and types of memberships will be established and approved by the Board and are subject to change. |
7. Membership Requirements |
At the discretion of the Board, membership in CCLA is required of all persons participating in CCLA sponsored tournaments and
matches and such membership must be maintained during the period play is in progress. Failure to renew a membership within 90 days of its renewal date
shall be grounds for termination of membership within the meaning of this Bylaw. A player may be barred from membership in CCLA or from participating
in any tournaments or matches if his or her conduct is deemed a detriment to CCLA and its members, upon recommendation by the General Manager, ratified
by a two-thirds majority of the Board. |
8. Board Procedure |
The President shall set a deadline for voting on any measure, except those set by the Constitution or Bylaws. The President
shall interpret the Bylaws and the Constitution in their application to League affairs, subject to appeal by any Board member to the Board as a whole,
whose decision shall be final. |
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