Site Directory

Inside BASK

BASK Bylaws

Article 1. NAME

1.1 Name: The Club shall be known as Bay Area Sea Kayakers, or BASK. The use of the name for advertising, soliciting, or other commercial or political purpose is prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Governing Board.
1.2 Affiliates: BASK is affiliated with the American Canoe Association.

Article 2. PURPOSE

2.1 Purpose: The purpose of BASK is to promote safe and environmentally responsible sea kayaking and develop a sense of community among sea kayakers by providing a forum for meetings, paddling opportunities, education and networking among kayakers.

Article 3. ADMINISTRATION

The Governing Board (Board) of BASK shall conduct the business and administration of the Club and its affairs as set forth in these Bylaws.
3.1 The Board shall consist of five (5) Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Member-at-Large.
3.2 The Board shall meet regularly at the monthly Planning Meeting.
3.3 The location of BASK shall be in the San Francisco Bay Area counties and the specific address shall be designated by the Board.

Article 4. OFFICERS

4.1 Qualifications: The Officers of BASK consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Member-at-Large, shall be regular members of BASK for at least twelve (12) months.
4.2 Duties of Officers: A. President; The President shall be the presiding Officer and administrative head of the Board. The President shall conduct the monthly General Meetings of BASK and any Special Meetings. In the absence of the Vice President, the President shall conduct the Planning Meetings.; B. Vice President; The Vice President shall preside over the Planning Meetings. The Vice President shall be responsible for establishing the featured program for the General Meetings. The Vice President shall conduct the General Meeting in the President's absence.; C. Secretary; The Secretary shall keep a written record of all Planning Meetings, the Annual Meeting and any Special Meetings of the Board. The Secretary shall maintain the Minute Book, make Minutes and records available to the Board and members, and distribute the Minutes as the Board my direct. The Secretary shall be responsible for conducting and maintaining the general administrative correspondance of BASK. In the absence of the President and Vice President, the Secretary shall preside over any meeting.; D. Treasurer; The Treasurer shall have responsibility for maintaining BASK's bank account and its financial activities and records. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for the fiscal year and present it to the Board for approval. The Treasurer shall be responsible for preparing the annual financial statement and providing a report at Planning Meetings or at the request of the President.; E. Member-at-Large; The Member-at-Large shall be responsible for taking meeting minutes and assuming the duties of the Secretary in his/her absence. The Member-at-Large shall ensure the availability of BASK trip waivers to the members, keep an annual file of BASK trip waivers and deliver the trip waivers to the Librarian for archiving annually. The Member-at-Large shall maintain a file of other BASK forms and printed literature, committee reports and other miscellaneous records of BASK.
4.3 Nominations: A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting to develop and propose to the February General Meeting a slate of Officers constituting the Board. The slate shall be presented to the BASK membership for nomination. Additional nominations (with the nominee's consent) shall be accepted from the general membership at the February General Meeting.
4.4 Elections: The election of Officers shall take place at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of those members present.
4.5 Terms of Office: Officers shall serve from April 1st to March 31st of the following year or until their successors are elected. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, with the exception of the Treasurer, who may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms.
4.6 Resignations: A resignation by an Officer or Standing Committee chairperson shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary (or President, if the Secretary is resigning), and shall be effective when a successor is appointed. A successor to fill the unexpired term of said office or chair, shall be appointed by the President within 15 days of receipt of the written resignation. In the event the President resigns, a successor shall be appointed by the majority of the remaining Officers.
4.7 Removal from Office: An Officer who fails to attend three consecutive Board Meetings without prior notification to the President or Secretary, may be removed from office by a majority vote at any Planning Meeting. Any Officer may be removed without cause by vote of the remaining Officers or by vote at a Planning Meeting. A successor to fill the unexpired term of said Officer shall be appointed by the President. In the event the President is removed, a successor shall be appointed by a majority of the remaining Officers.

Article 5. COMMITTEES

The President shall appoint committee chairpersons and may appoint persons to serve upon Standing Committees as designated below and those other Standing Committees that may be created from time to time as the Board shall determine. The President may create ad hoc (temporary) committees, appoint their chairperson and delegate duties for the benefit of BASK. The President is an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. Any action proposed by any Committee shall be subject to approval by the Board.
5.1 Committee Chairs: The chair of each standing committee shall be appointed by the President within fifteen (15) days of the Annual Meeting for a term of one (1) year.
5.2 Standing Committees and their Duties: A. Clinic and Workshops Committee; This Committee shall initiate, oversee, develop, conduct or otherwise support various clinics and workshops for the benefit of BASK. Clinics and workshops may include but are not limited to instructor training, novice, navigation, safety and expedition clinics. The Committee may appoint volunteers or subcommittees to undertake the development of clinics and workshops.; B. Membership Committee; The Membership Committee shall be responsible for the receipt and maintenance of membership applications and records, shall collect and forward dues to the Treasurer, and provide new members with their first newsletter and other membership material. The Membership Committee is responsible for coordinating and printing the BASK Handbook and Membership Directory, newsletter mailing labels and preparing new member introductory materials.; C. Editorial Committee; The Editorial Committee shall be responsible for publishing and overseeing the regular distribution of the monthly newsletter "Bay Currents". The Editorial Committee shall solicit articles which will further the purpose of BASK, and select and edit the articles to be published. The newsletter shall include a schedule of upcoming events and meetings open to the general membership. The Editorial Committee shall also be responsible for the distribution of special notices or other materials to be circulated to the members.; D. Safety Committee; The Safety Committee shall be responsible for fostering increased member awareness of kayak safety issues, including but not limited to, discussion at BASK General Meetings, organizing on-the-water exercises, contribution to the monthly newsletter and the BASK Handbook and Membership Directory.; E. Environmental Committee; The Environmental Committee shall be responsible for fostering increased member awareness of kayak environmental issues including, but not limited to, discussion at BASK General Meetings, contribution to the monthly newsletter, the BASK Handbook and Membership Directory, and communication with other organizations which seek to protect and enhance the marine environment.; F. Library and Archives Committee; The Library and Archives Committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Mary Verdon Memorial Library, shall circulate library items to the BASK membership, and encourage the growth of the library. Trip waiver and trip report forms, and other such forms and literature developed by BASK, shall be collected and maintained as part of the permanent archive of BASK by the Librarian.; G. Internet Communications Committee; The Internet Communications Committee shall develop and maintain BASK's electronic communications, including but not limited to the web site, listserver and the online directory in accordance with the aims and objectives of BASK.

Article 6. MEETINGS

6.1 Annual Meetings: The Annual Meeting shall be held in March of every year.
6.2 General Meetings: Regular General Membership Meetings (General Meetings) of BASK shall be held on the last Wednesday of each month except November and December (ten times a year) or at such other time and date as the officers may designate.
6.3 Planning Meetings: Meetings of the Board shall be held concurrently with the monthly Planning Meeting. The date and location of the Planning Meeting shall be established at least one month prior to the upcoming meeting, and notice shall be published in the newsletter and announced at the General Meeting. All members may attend.
6.4 Special Meetings: The President may call Special Meetings of the Board when action is urgent and cannot await the next Planning Meeting. All Officers shall be given a meeting notice and agenda at least 3 days before the meeting date when possible. A majority of the Officers constitutes a quorum and any action taken shall be by majority vote unless otherwise specified in these bylaws or in Robert's Rules of Order Revised.
6.5 Voting, Quorum: Action shall be taken by vote of the members present at the General, Annual and Planning meetings with a quorum present. At General and Annual Meetings, 20 persons shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of any vote or action on behalf of BASK. At a Planning Meeting a quorum shall consist of at least 8 members, which shall include 2 Officers.

Article 7. MEMBERS

7.1 Membership Classes: There are two classes of BASK membership: Regular Members (individual, family, student and senior) and Out-of-State Members.
7.2 Regular Members: Regular Members are voting members with full membership privileges. Regular members shall be over 18 years old. Membership benefits and voting rights shall be suspended when dues become delinquent. Individual members. Any individual may become a Regular Member of BASK by submitting a membership application together with payment of dues established for individual members. Family members. Two or more individuals maintaining a shared household may become Regular Members of BASK by submitting a membership application together with payment of dues established for family members. All family members may participate in club activities and are limited to one newsletter per family. Student and Senior members. Individuals with student or senior status may become Regular Members of BASK by submitting a membership application together with payment of dues established for student and senior members.
7.3 Out-of-State Members: Out-of-State members shall submit the membership application and pay the newsletter-only dues. Out-of-State members shall receive the newsletter only, and shall not be entitled to any vote or other membership privileges.
7.4 Dues: Annual membership dues shall be paid for the calendar year. Dues shall become payable on January 1st of each year and are delinquent on February 1st of each year. Any modification of dues shall be by majority vote at a General Meeting, after prior notice in the newsletter and discussion at a Planning Meeting, and shall be established at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the calendar year.
7.5 Resignation of a Member: Any member may resign from BASK by submitting their resignation to the Membership Chairperson. Resignation does not entitle a member to a refund of any portion of paid dues.
7.6 Notice to Members, Announcements: Any notice or announcements to be given to members of BASK shall be deemed delivered by printing such notice or announcement in the BASK monthly newsletter.

Article 8. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and other policies or special rules of order BASK may adopt.

Article 9. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended at any General Meeting of BASK by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been discussed in at least one Planning Meeting, submitted in writing at a previous General Meeting and the proposed amendment is noticed and distributed to the members at least two weeks prior voting at the Meeting. The notice shall state the time, date and location of the Meeting at which the voting shall occur.

Article 10. DISSOLUTION OF BASK

Dissolution of BASK shall require a vote of two-thirds of a quorum at a General Meeting. Upon dissolution of the club, and during the winding-down process, all obligations shall be paid from the club funds. Any remaining assets and funds shall be transferred to a kayak-related organization which maintains non-profit status, and such organization shall be determined by majority vote of the Board.

Back to Key Documents and Forms