2021 Annual Business Meeting Held 3 November

The 2021 Annual Business Meeting required per by-laws Article VIII was held on 3 November at the Doyle Sail Loft in Middletown, RI. The meeting presentation is available at this link.  The by-laws require that members should be notified 10 days before the meeting and if a new officer slate is to be voted on then that should be distributed to the members 30 days ahead of the meeting.

Since the timeline for notifying members was not completed in time, the meeting has been continued so that members may be contacted and provided the opportunity to review the proposed slate prior to voting.  In addition to the proposed officers slate, proposed changes to the by-laws were submitted.  An amendment to the proposed by-laws was made at the meeting. The proposed slate and each by-law change is available for voting using the Twenty Hundred Club shop.  In order to cast your vote you must be logged in. The proposed slate has a block for “Approve, Disapproved, and Approve with these changes (text box provided for changes).  Each by-law change may be voted on using “Approve” or “Disapprove”. Voting closes at noon, 9 December 2021.

The Proposed Slate is:

*Exceeds 2 year term limit in by-laws
**Member at Large appointed by Commodore

The proposed by-laws changes are as follows:

The second paragraph of Article V should be changed from:

The officers shall make up the Executive Committee along with a Member-at-Large, appointed by the Commodore, who may be in liaison with the NBYA Cruising Canvas Committee. Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting and shall take office at the conclusion of the meeting at which they are elected. No Flag Officer may serve more than two years in any Flag Position.

 

No person may serve continuously in any other one office on the Board for more than four years.

 

The second paragraph of Article V should be changed to:  (text in red below is added)

The officers shall make up the Executive Committee along with a Member-at-Large, appointed by the Commodore, who may be in liaison with the NBYA Cruising Canvas Committee. Officers shall be elected at the annual business meeting and shall take office at the conclusion of the meeting at which they are elected. No Flag Officer may serve more than two years in any Flag Position unless no other member is available and willing to serve.

 

No person may serve continuously in any other one office on the Board for more than four years unless no other member is available and willing to serve.

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Article VI paragraph 9 should be changed from: (text in red to be changed)
9. The Nominating Committee Chairman shall be the immediate Past Commodore. He may appoint two additional members who shall not be members of the Board, and whose appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Commodore. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers for election at the annual business meeting. This slate shall be mailed to all members at least thirty days before the annual business meeting. Counter nominations may be made from the floor, provided that full written notification, including the names of proposed officers, is given to the Secretary at least ten days prior to the annual meeting. Such written notification must be signed by at least five members in good standing.

Article VI paragraph 9 should be changed to:  (text in red above is modified)
9. The Nominating Committee Chairman shall be the immediate Past Commodore. He may appoint two additional members who shall not be members of the Board, and whose appointment shall be subject to the approval of the Commodore. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers for election at the annual business meeting. This slate shall be sent to all members at least thirty days before the annual business meeting. Counter nominations may be made from the floor, provided that full written or email notification, including the names of proposed officers, is provided to the Secretary at least ten days prior to the annual meeting. Such written or emailed notification must be signed or endorsed via email by at least five members in good standing.
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Article VIII paragraph 3 should be changed from:
Notification of all membership meetings shall be sent to the general membership at least ten days in advance of the meeting date. At any membership meeting, 20 members in good standing other than officers, shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of all members in good standing, present, shall carry a motion. 

Article VIII paragraph 3 should be changed to:   (text in red below is added)
Notification of all membership meetings shall be sent to the general membership at least ten days in advance of the meeting date. At any membership meeting, 20 members in good standing other than officers, shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of all members in good standing, present, shall carry a motion. For the purpose of obtaining 20 members in good standing, the meeting may be augmented with audio / video conferencing and electronic communication such as email or online voting. A motion may be carried forward for up to ten days after a membership meeting with follow-up to additional members in good standing to obtain votes.  Should 20 members in good standing not be obtained within the ten day period, the quorum requirements shall be deemed as not met. 

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Proposed Change Rationale: The club originally had a “membership” concept where the Executive Committee would admit people. Membership is available to all who pay dues.

Article VII paragraph 5 should be deleted: (text in red below is deleted)
 5. Consider and act upon applications for membership.