The following is being considered for the Fall meeting. Please read through the proposal and add your comments at the end. You must be registered to comment, to register click on the link under meta on the left.
DRAFT 7/09
BYLAWS
OF
NEW YORK BIATHLON
A New York State Ski Racing Assoc. Nordic Recognized Sport
67 PICO RD
CLIFTON PARK, NEW YORK
12065
ADOPTED________, 2009
ARTICLE I. NAME AND STATUS
The name of this organization shall be New York Biathlon, referred to in these ByLaws as NYB. NYB is one of the three formally recognized Nordic sports in New York State Ski Racing Association- Nordic (hereafter referred to as NYSSRA Nordic). As NYB is affiliated with and operates under the guise of its National Governing Body (NGB), the United States Biathlon Association (USBA), any NYB organized events adhere to all applicable International Biathlon Union (IBU) rules to ensure fair, safe, and high quality biathlon events.
ARTICLE II. PURPOSES
The purposes for which NYB has been organized and exists are as follows:
Vision: Vision: “In accordance with NYSSRA Nordic ideals and standards of excellence for organized ski sport in New York State, NY Biathlon strives to be the premier state biathlon program in the nation by offering summer and winter competitions, training camps and special events for participants and officials so they may excel to the best of their ability in the sport.”
Mission: NY Biathlon is dedicated to providing competitors of varied skills and interest levels summer and winter biathlon events that are safe and fair abiding by all applicable IBU rules.
To achieve these inspirational statements, NYB will strive to:
- Provide year round opportunities in training, competition and event management through its club system for those lovers of the sport to utilize their personal strengths for the benefit of all.
- Establish competitive Summer and Winter Biathlon events that welcome competitors regardless of ability and interest. Unless deemed a championship event, which will have specific restrictions due to the nature of the competition
- Work with other Biathlon entities to ensure NYB is of the highest quality organization for advancement of its members, especially scholastic biathletes
- Hold periodic Biathlon Clinics/special events to increase the awareness of the sport by the greater community as well as improve the competencies of those that participate
- Credential a cadre of Level I/II Officials and International Referees throughout NYS to ensure all sanctioned biathlon events are safe, meet their stated objectives and adhere to IBU Rules
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP & DUES
Membership is open to NY clubs who hold at least one Summer or Winter Biathlon event and who support the purposes of NYB. At present formally recognized clubs are:
- Western NY Biathlon Club (Rochester NY)
- Syracuse Biathlon Club (Syracuse, NY)
- Polar Bear Biathlon Club (Old Forge, NY)
- Saratoga Biathlon Club (Day, NY)
- Lake Placid Biathlon Club (Lake Placid, NY_
- A recognized club shall be enrolled as a member upon submission of a completed application form and payment of dues (e.g. $10/club and $2/club member). Any applicant who is under the age of 18 must have written consent of a parent or guardian. Club and member dues can be changed at one of the designated NYB meetings by a submitted motion and majority vote by the recognized NYB clubs.
- Each club membership shall be for one year beginning at the Spring meeting.
- The NYB State Committee shall determine the annual club and member dues for membership to the state organization and present such at the Spring meeting. The separate club and member dues are intended to be used for supplies (ammunition, relay bibs, rifles, championship event supplies) and events that benefit all association members. (community meals, banquets, special recognition awards)
ARTICLE IV. STATE BIATHLON OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
- NYB shall be governed by the State Biathlon Committee (hereafter SBC), which shall consist of the Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Secretary (appointed by the SBC for a two year term of at least four meetings), and each NYB club that hosts at least one Summer or Winter Biathlon event. Each club has one vote regarding any business brought before the committee.
- The position, Treasurer is occupied by the State Governing NYSSRA Nordic Treasurer. All non club specific funds and disbursements will go through the NYSSRA Nordic Treasurer.
- It is the intent of the assistant chairperson to assume the position of state chairperson after the state chairperson’s two year term has expired. Nominations will be accepted and presented to the SBC to replace the assistant chairperson.
- If for any reason the state chairperson cannot fulfill his/her two year term, the assistant chairperson will assume the remaining term of the departed chairperson and a new assistant will be instilled from recommendations and votes from SBC. The clubs will serve as a nominating committee (designated spokesperson) and canvass their own members and other affiliated community members revealing candidate(s) for one or both positions.
- Club representatives will be selected from their respective club. Despite each club having one vote regarding organization business, all club members are encouraged to attend.
- The term for each club representative is two years starting at the spring meeting. Consecutive terms are not permitted.
- As the SBC is the ultimate governing body of NYB, only the state or the assistant chairperson can hold a position at any state championship/festival event. The other officer that is not involved may be called upon to convene the SBC to reconcile procedural issues from previous biathlon events
- Members in good standing who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to serve as officers or club representatives.
Standing Sub-Committees
Rules & Events Sub-Committee: The Rules & Events committee (3 members including a chair from 3 different clubs) works with club event organizing committees to ensure all events are safe, fair, and adhere to all applicable IBU rules. The R& E committee is involved with club ESGQs, NYS Winter ESG, NYB Nor AM, and NYB championships. The chair is to be at least a level II USBA Official. The other two members should be at least level I officials or intending to be credentialed at the next official clinic. Terms for the chair and committee are not to exceed two years. New chair and members are to be recommended to the SBC by recognized clubs and appointed by the SBC for terms not exceeding two years
Credentialing Sub-Committee: The credentialing committee is charged with performing yearly official clinics for Level I/II and IR. The committee will be chaired by an IR with a credentialed official from each recognized club. Members cannot hold concurrent position on the SBC. It is the intent that a cadre of Level I/II and IR be formed enabling NYB to host periodic high quality biathlon events, not being constrained by the number of I/II/IR. Members of the credentialing committee can serve as I/II/IR or TD at ESGQs, NYS Winter ESG, NYB Nor AM, NYB championships or other major events outside of NY State. The terms of the chair and members are not to exceed four years. New chair and members are to be recommended to the SBC by recognized clubs and appointed by the SBC for terms not exceeding four years.
Other Standing or Ad Hoc committees can be created by the SBC as deemed necessary to carry on NYB activities.
ARTICLE VI. GOVERNANCE
To ensure NYB remains an inclusive, welcoming, growing biathlon organization…. Open, transparent governance is paramount in all aspects of its operation. The following processes should be used by NYB clubs as they conduct their club business
Meetings
All formal NYB meetings will conduct business by following the decision making processes in either Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (e.g. Robert’s Rules for Dummies) or Consensus Decision Making or other source. (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=roberts+rules+for+dummies&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=1105518281&ref=pd_sl_7783trwd89_b) (http://www.casagordita.com/CONSENSUS.HTM). The decision making process is to be accepted prior to commencing organization business. Regardless of which process is selected, adherence to process is paramount. SBC and attendees are encouraged to acquire an accepted version of either process, one that will be used by all to accomplish organization business (see above).
- The state or assistant chairperson will chair all NYB meetings abiding by agreed upon governance procedures
- Minutes will be taken, transcribed and posted on the NYB website.
- Any business being brought before the SBC at one of its formal meetings must be submitted prior to the meeting and posted on the website in the form of a motion or request at least one week prior to the meeting. Supporting rationale and any financial implications must be included.
Amending NYB By-Laws
Amending the by laws provides NYB the ability to transform as an organization, assuring continued growth in both the sport and its members. The process of amending the by laws should assure all members can weigh in on the proposed revisions and their concerns adequately addressed.
- Any proposed amendments must be presented to the membership at least 30 days prior to the spring NYB meeting
- Comments are to be submitted to the State Chairperson for presentation at the next regularly scheduled NYB meeting (Fall)
- Amendments will be voted on individually by all members in attendance.
- If insufficient members are present to cast an adequate vote, single club votes can be used. A two-thirds vote by members or clubs is required to amend the by laws.
ARTICLE VII. NYB WEBSITE
The website which represents NYB is the property of NYB (http://www.nybiathlon.org/, http://summer.nybiathlon.org/, ). The website is to be maintained by a webmaster that coordinates the website’s maintenance with a team of technical and content experts ensuring the website remains current and accurate. All web hosting fees and stipends for the state website are to come from the NYSSRA Nordic/NYB account. Any additional websites that are affiliated with recognized NYB events are also the property of NYB (http://www.skireg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=2184) .
Club or personal websites are not under the purview of the SBC unless their content runs contrary to the mission and vision of NYB or violates the NYSSRA Nordic/NYB athlete code of conduct (found in the NYSSRA Nordic manual).
ARTICLE VII. DISSOLUTION OF NYB
In the event NYB ceases to function as the recognized biathlon organization in NY, all remaining funds and equipment will be folded into NYSSRA Nordic or given to the NYSEF biathlon program (http://www.nysef.org/#)
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