BYLAWS OF THE ORLANDO WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIATION

Section 1. The name of the Association shall be “The Orlando Women’s Golf Association”, hereinafter known as the Association or OWGA.

Section 1. The purpose of the Association shall be to promote competitive golf among adult amateur female players, as defined by the United States Golf Association, and its own members particularly, holding such tournaments as may be decided by the Board of Directors, suitably recognizing the winners in those tournaments, and engaging from time to time in charitable undertakings generally related to this purpose.

Section 1. Membership in the Association shall be open to any female amateur who meets the requirements of the Association. She must be a member of a golf club or a lady’s golf association in one of the following counties – Orange, Seminole, Lake, Sumter, Marion, Osceola, Polk, Volusia, or Brevard while playing in the Association.

Section 2. An applicant must have an attested USGA or FSGA handicap index. The limit of which has been established by the Board at the time of application and acceptance. This index, which is set each year by the Board of Directors, is outlined in the Procedures and Rules for Association Play. She must be sponsored by one (1) member in good standing. All members must compete with a maximum index set by the Board. (See Article IV)

Section 3. Due to the limited number of starting times made available to O.W.G.A. by each of the affiliated clubs, membership in the Association shall be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Members wishing to affiliate with O.W.G.A. may apply for membership if their clubs agree to schedule play days at an acceptable reduced rate. If this member cannot secure a playdate, the member will be charged a surcharge as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. New club approval must be by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a regular meeting of the Association.

Section 1. Members must have an attested handicap computed according to USGA rules and registered with GHIN.

Section 2. Each year, the Board of Directors shall establish the handicap index limit for new members.

Section 3. All members shall compete within a maximum index established by the Board of Directors.

Section 4. Current members whose handicap exceeds the limit established by the Board of Directors have until play starts in the following season to get their handicaps to the established limit or lower level.

Section 1. The business affairs of the Association shall be managed and conducted by an elected Board of Directors composed of President, Vice President, Communications Director and Treasurer.

Additional positions are appointed by the Board President with consent of the Board: Event Coordinator, Major Tournaments Coordinator, Website Coordinator and the former President as Advisor. Officers will be elected at the annual business meeting held in March of each year.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancy in their number and the Office of President and Vice President until the next annual election.

Section 3. In addition, the Board of Directors shall have power:

1. To call a special meeting of the Association when in their discretion the same shall be necessary or advisable.
2. To censure or expel any member for conduct that is detrimental to the objectives of the Association, or which is improper or prejudicial to the welfare and reputation of the Association. No member shall be censured or expelled except by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Board.

Section 4. The Board of Directors shall meet at least four (4) times a year at the call of the President or Vice President, when acting on behalf of the President. In order to conduct any business, there must be a quorum present which consists of a majority of its members including at least one elected official.

Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and at all meetings of the Board of Directors. She shall receive all applications for new membership and verify all qualifications. The President shall pass these on to the Board of Directors for their further action and approval. She shall notify new members of their approval and provide them with appropriate OWGA information. She shall name the non-elected Board Members and assist them in understanding the duties of their committees on which she will act as a member ex-officio. In general, she shall perform the duties inherent to her office.

Section 2. During the absence or disability of the President, the Vice President shall perform her duties and shall act as member ex-officio with the President on all committees. It is the duty of the President and Vice President to set tournament dates and arrange the schedule. The Vice President shall act as the Club Representative Coordinator and also oversee luncheons and weekly tournaments events.

Section 3. The Communications Director shall keep the records of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors; she shall have charge of and be responsible for all papers and records, past and present of the Association. These will be posted on the website and in News Section of the website. She shall have charge of maintaining all correspondence, and otherwise handling the general correspondence of the Association. The Communications Director will oversee the Rules Committee.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all funds received by her, depositing such monies in the name and to the credit of the Association in such depository as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. She shall present at each business meeting of the Association a written report of the finances, post same on the morning of each General Meeting, and make a like report to the Board of Directors whenever requested. She shall confer with the President and Major Events Coordinator to determine how much money should be allocated to Major Tournaments, after which she can prepare a proposed budget for the season. In general, she shall perform the duties inherent to her office. She shall compile the information required weekly to keep accurate records of performance “Rewards” and distribute the money earned by each individual member at the end of the season. She shall maintain the Association attendance records.

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President, as soon as possible after her election to appoint the following Coordinators:

1. EVENTS COORDINATOR: It shall be the duty of the Events Coordinator to establish the parameters for each weekly tournament, except for the Major Tournaments. She shall acquire handicaps, establish flights and determine results. She shall disseminate tournament information to the appropriate members. She is responsible for managing entries for weekly tournaments.
2. MAJOR TOURNAMENTS COORDINATOR: The Major Tournaments Coordinator will conduct the Handicap, Team Match Play, and Championship Tournaments. She is responsible for managing all entries and results for these Major Tournaments. She will perform the duties of Club Rep and Event Rep for these events. This Coordinator will also act as the custodian of the trophies and be responsible for their engraving.
3. WEBSITE COORDINATOR: The Website Coordinator shall manage the Association’s software licenses, post information to and maintain the OWGA website, and provide training to members on the website.

Section 1. Annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors and approved at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 2. Annual dues must be paid to the Treasurer on or before the last General Meeting to remain a member for the following year.

Section 3. For members whose handicaps index exceeds the allowable level, and having paid dues according to Article VIII, Section 2, of the By Laws, said dues will be refunded at the beginning of the season.

Section 4. (Added) If a member is out for an injury and hasn’t played in any scheduled play day, they can request a refund of their dues for the season or ask that they be applied to the next season.

Section 1. Operating expenses shall be met from the general Association fund.

Section 2. The fiscal year shall be from the last Tuesday in May to the last Tuesday of the following May.

Section 1. There shall be a minimum of four (4) General Meetings, which includes the Annual Meeting held in March.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or the Board of Directors at the request of at least fifteen (15) members of the Association. The Communications Director shall notify members of all special meetings.

Section 3. All general meetings will start following completion of play, unless cancellation of play due to rain is called, then said meeting will be held at 12PM.

Section 1. Acceptance of membership shall bind each member to uphold all rules of the Association; to observe laws, rules and etiquette of golf as set forth by the USGA; and to observe all decisions of the Board of Directors acting within their jurisdiction.

Section 1. Nomination of officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members. Notice of all nominations will be posted on the OWGA website and emailed to all members at least 10 days prior to the annual business meeting held in March of each year. Additionally, nominations may be taken from the floor at the Annual Meeting. Any nominations from the floor will be added to the Slate and will be emailed to the Membership for a vote. Members will have 10 days to return their ballots. If there are no nominations from the floor, Members will be asked to accept the officers as presented by the Nominating Committee.

An independent individual would be chosen to receive the returned ballots to ensure verification if a vote is required.

Section 2. The Chairwoman of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President.

Section 1. The following order of business shall be observed at the Annual Meeting:

• Acceptance of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting posted to the website.
• Communication Director’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report
• Reports of the Standing Committees
• Old Business
• New Business
• Election of Officers
• Adjournment

Section 1. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by two thirds vote of the Association.

The voting will take place electronically via email. Written notice of the proposed change shall be posted on the OWGA website and an email will be sent to all members at least 10 days prior to the vote being sent to the Members. Members will have 10 days to return their ballots. The results of the proposed By Law change will be disseminated to the membership.

An independent individual(s) would be chosen to receive the returned ballots to ensure verification if deemed necessary.

Section 1. The rules contained in the current Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority for deciding all points of order and procedure when not in conflict with these By Laws.

Section 1. The use of electronic media is acceptable in communicating and conducting any Association business.