Article 1 NAME, AFFILIATIONS, and DEFINITIONS

The name of the organization is the Palm Desert Greens Men’s Golf Club, which is affiliated with the SCGA and the USGA. Titles and abbreviations used in this document are:

• PDGMGC Palm Desert Greens Men’s Golf Club
• SCGA Southern California Golf Association
• USGA United States Golf Association
• PDGCC Palm Desert Greens Country Club
• Association Palm Desert Greens Homeowners Association
• Board PDGMGC Board of Directors
• Club Palm Desert Greens Men’s Golf Club

Article 2 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Club is to provide a quality golf experience with competitive events, social fellowship, and golf rules awareness. Further, it seeks to assure the integrity and enjoyment of the game through enforcement of SCGA, USGA, and PDGCC rules and regulations.

Article 3 MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualifications.

Any male owner of property in PDGCC or male resident with Association golf privileges is eligible for membership.

Section 2. Acceptance

An applicant becomes a member upon the payment of dues and a PDGMGC application approved by both the Membership Chair and Handicap Chair.

Section 3. Classes

1. A Full Member meets the qualifications in Sec.1 and 2 above, and has attained age 55. When his SCGA status becomes active, he is eligible for all Club competitions, subject to Board policy.
2. An Associate Member meets the qualifications in Sec. 1 and 2 above, but has not attained age 55. When his SCGA status becomes active, he is eligible only for Club Sweeps competitions, including Turkey and Ham Shoots. He may not compete in major monthly tournaments, including the Club Championship. (Grandfather clause: an Associate Member who has maintained continuous membership since the By-Laws Revision of November 4, 2004 is exempt from the competition restrictions.) When an Associate Member attains age 55 and submits proof to the club, he becomes a Full Member.
3. A Social Member meets the qualifications of Sec. 1 and 2 above, has attained age 55, but pays dues at a reduced rate with no SCGA status. He may attend tournament luncheons with the payment of the meal cost, and is welcome at other non-golf Club events.
4. A Life Member has been nominated by the Board for extended and outstanding service, then elected to lifetime status by the membership at a regular Club meeting. The Club pays his dues and SCGA fee as long as he remains active in club affairs.
5. A Complimentary Member is Board designated and works closely with the Club through the PDGCC golf or community facilities. Age and property owner or golf privilege requirements are waived, and the Club pays his dues and SCGA fee for as long as that working relationship continues.

Sec. 4 Rights, Responsibilities, and Expectations

1. Rights
   All members have the right to question, disagree with, or express an opinion on any Club policy or activity. They have the right to vote in elections and to seek elected office or other Board positions. They have the right to fair and unbiased treatment by other members.
2. Responsibilities
   All members have the responsibility to conduct themselves as gentlemen, and to honor the Club Code of Conduct. They have the responsibility to keep informed about Club policies and procedures, and to notify the pro shop if canceling a tee time. They have the responsibility to treat other members fairly and without bias.
3. Expectations
   All members are strongly urged to compete regularly, attend monthly membership meetings, participate in Club activities, and always act in the best interests of the Club

Sec. 5 Annual Dues

The amount of annual dues is determined by the Board and is payable on October 1 for the membership year beginning then and ending on September 30. Unpaid dues become delinquent on December 1 and are subject to a penalty, also determined by the Board. Unpaid dues on December 31 result in automatic termination of membership and loss of SCGA status, and a member thus terminated must apply for reinstatement.

Sec. 6 Rejection of Applicant or Termination of Member

The Board has the power to reject an applicant’s request for membership or to terminate a current member on the basis of character or unacceptable conduct. A rejected applicant or terminated member has the right to appeal the Board’s decision directly to the members at a membership meeting. After stating the appeal, the person leaves the meeting and the membership votes by a simple majority to uphold or overturn the Board’s decision.

Article IV BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sec. 1 Structure, Power to Make Policy, and Authority to Vote

The elected officers of the Club and appointed positions constitute the Board. These Board members are authorized to determine the policies and affairs of the Club and to vote on any issue concerning Club business. The details of how events such as elections, tournaments, Sweeps competitions, etc. are conducted are to be defined in writing and filed with the Club Secretary.

Sec. 2 Appointment Procedures and Parliamentarian

The President, with approval by a majority of the other elected officers, is required to appoint the Chair positions above. He may appoint Co-Chairs for a particular position if warranted. He may, but is not required to, appoint a Parliamentarian to advise on issues of proper order, but who has no voting authority. The Parliamentarian relies on the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order as procedural authority.

Sec. 3 Past President

The immediate Past President of the Club is an ex-officio member of the Board, serves in an advisory capacity, and has voting authority.

Sec.4 Multiple Board Positions

An individual may hold no more than one elected office, but may also hold one appointed position. In addition, an individual may hold two appointed positions.

Sec. 5 Duties of Board Members

In general, Board Members serve to promote and maintain an active golf club with reasonable costs to the membership. They administer Club affairs, make and change Club policy as needed, and settle questions of by-laws interpretations. They report their Club business activities to the Board and membership at scheduled meetings, and promptly transmit to the Treasurer any Club fees or payments received. Committee Chairs may appoint additional members to assist them in their duties .When a member leaves the Board, he assists his successor in the transition.

5.1 The President exercises general oversight of Club affairs, coordinates the activities of the other Officers and Chairs, conducts all Board and membership meetings, and is an ex-officio member of all committees except Nominating. He is responsible for the enforcement of Club By-Laws and regulations, the scheduling of Club events and facility use with the Association, and is the Club’s representative to the larger PDGCC community.

5.2 The Vice President assists the President, acts on his behalf as requested, and conducts meetings in the President’s absence.

5.3 The Secretary keeps records of Club proceedings, and has overall supervision of meeting minutes, by-laws, and policies. He maintains the official correspondence of the Club. In the absence of both President and Vice President from a meeting, he conducts the meeting and appoints a secretary pro tem to record the proceedings.

5.4 The Treasurer receives, deposits, and disburses all Club funds and keeps detailed records of all financial transactions. He maintains the Club bank account, ensures that Club records agree with the monthly bank statement, and verifies that all Club checks are signed by two of these officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary. He documents all income, expense, and reimbursement with appropriate forms and signatures. He prepares monthly statements of the Club’s financial position, submits them to the Association, and makes them available to the Board and membership. He ensures that the Club complies with the Association’s audit expectations.

5.5 The Club Liaison attends all Association Golf Committee meetings and presents a summary of Club activity and positions on current issues. He reports the actions of the Golf Committee to the Board and membership and is guided by their response. He consults with the Association General Manager, Golf Professional, and Greens Superintendent but does not interfere with their duties.

5.6 The Member at Large USA (an American resident) and the Member at Large Canada (a Canadian resident) serve as membership representatives to the Board. Both are open to the concerns of the entire membership, and convey suggestions and comments on Club activities to the Board. Certain issues impacting Canadian members may be better communicated via the Member at Large Canada (and a similar American rationale,) but both Members at Large represent the interests of all members.

In addition, the Members at Large perform other duties as requested or assigned by the President. These include financial sponsor development, management, and recognition; facilitation of special PDGCC functions like the Charity Tournament and Club events like Welcome Back; and ad hoc committee work.

5.7 The Handicap Chair/SCGA Delegate has completed relevant SCGA Certification. He verifies that accurate scores are reported for handicap purposes, ensures that each member or guest index is accurate prior to each competition, and is responsible for the club’s computerized handicap system. He works with the Membership Chair to review and approve membership applications, and communicates on the Club’s behalf with the SCGA on these and related matters.

5.8 The Care and Compassion Chair actively seeks information about the health and welfare of members and of their close families. He sends get well and sympathy cards, and other appropriate expressions of Board and membership concern. He may make personal visits as appropriate.

5.9 The Hole-in-One Chair records names and supporting information of members who score a qualifying hole-in-one, presents authorized trophies and awards, and supervises end of season cash pool prize distribution.

5.10 The Membership Chair processes all applications for Club membership and maintains an accurate member roster including Life and Complimentary members. He works with the Handicap Chair to ensure that all member applications are processed promptly, and with the Publicity Chair and Webmaster to inform the membership of Club events and procedures. He keeps member information current so that email and telephone contact can be accomplished quickly and efficiently.

5.11 The Publicity Chair initiates or expedites all Club information on appropriate media. These include but are not limited to print, PDGCC Channel 98, Club and Association websites, and commercial social media. He works with the Membership Chair and Webmaster to effectively inform and motivate the membership.

5.12 The Webmaster manages and maintains the Club’s website and works with the Publicity Chair and Secretary to ensure that all content is accurate, current, and relevant. Information and tools available on the website include but are not limited to: Board contact information and commentary, tour-nament and Sweeps results, frost delay notices, membership meeting minutes, current events, membership applications, By-Laws, policies, and a link for score posting.

5.13 The Tournament Chair is responsible for the planning, organization and management of the Club’s monthly major tournaments, with team and individual formats consistent with traditional stroke play and Club policy. He coordinates these events with the Golf Professional, Greens Superintendent, Restaurant Manager, Handicap Chair, and Treasurer. Each event requires a budget, to be approved by the Board in advance. Other responsibilities include contestant pairings, course set-up, score checking and posting, meal arrangements, determining winners, and awarding prizes. Because these items are detailed and time consuming, the Tournament Chair is required to form a committee of at least two other members to assist him directly and in the delegation of tasks to staff and volunteer assistants.

5.14 The AM Sweeps Chair, in cooperation with the Golf Professional, plans, organizes and directs the Wednesday morning events. He selects the format, posts results, and determines winners, while ensuring that all Sweeps players are members in good standing. For the afternoon Sweeps, these duties are most effectively handled directly by the Golf Professional and his staff, but the President may appoint a PM Sweeps Chair should the need arise.

5.15 The Rules Chair interprets and enforces the Rules of Golf as defined by the USGA. He consults with the Golf Professional as needed and may recommend Board disciplinary action for violations, especially ones that are repeated. A member thus sanctioned has the right to appeal the Board’s action to the membership in the manner described in Article III, Section 6.

Sec. 6 Vacancies on the Board

Should an appointed position become vacant, the President with Board approval promptly appoints a replacement. In the event an elected office other than the President becomes vacant, the other officers become responsible for the performance of the vacancy’s necessary duties and seek a suitable replacement to be approved by the membership. In the event the President’s office becomes vacant, the Vice President assumes his office and duties and the other officers seek a suitable Vice President replacement to be approved by the membership.

Article V ELECTION of OFFICERS

Sec. 1 Nominating Committee

In an election year, the President with Board approval appoints a Nominating Committee Chair and at least one other Committee member. He introduces them at the December membership meeting. The President may appoint additional members as needed, but no Committee member may be a current Board member. The Committee actively seeks candidates for the elected offices and may nominate themselves. They report a slate of at least one candidate for each office at the January membership meeting.

Sec. 2 Nominations from the Floor

At the February membership meeting, the Nominating Committee again reports the slate and calls for nominations from the floor. Candidates so nominated who intend to accept must do so at the time in person or by letter.
When nominations are closed, the President calls for a membership majority vote to elect uncontested candidates. He then calls for an election by ballot for any office with two or more nominees.

Sec. 3 Election Committee

If an election by ballot is required, the President with Board approval appoints an Election Committee of at least three members, none of whom are candidates for office nor members of the Nominating Committee. The Election Committee prepares a sample ballot listing candidates and offices, and, no later than 3 days after the February membership meeting, posts this ballot on the Club bulletin board for the membership’s information. Additional postings via email and website are recommended ed-hrvatski.com.

Sec. 4 Election by Ballot

The Election Committee conducts this process according to Board policy governing the method and timing of elections. They prepare identical unnumbered ballots in the form of the sample above. They prepare a signed report tabulating the results and the number of votes cast for each candidate and certify the winners, with ties decided by lot. Winners are posted on the Club bulletin board within 24 hours of election closing, and email notification and website posting is recommended as above. The Committee’s full signed report is filed with the Club Secretary.

Sec. 5 Term of Office

The term of office for all elected officers is two years beginning May 1 and ending April 30. No elected officer may serve more than 2 consecutive terms in one office. Appointed positions serve for a term of one year beginning May 1 and ending April 30, but may continue to be reappointed with no formal term limit.

Article VI MEETINGS

Sec. 1 Membership Meetings

Regular membership meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, October through April. The Annual Membership Meeting is held on the third Tuesday of March. Its purpose is to report to the membership the state of the Club and its finances, review the season, recognize Club Champions and other notable member achievements, and to install officers in election years. The Board may approve alternative dates for Membership Meetings as needed.

Sec. 2 Board Meetings

Regular meetings of the Board are held on the first Tuesday of each month, October through April. If the first Tuesday falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held on the second Tuesday. The Board may approve alternative dates as needed. At all other times the Board meets only if the elected officers determine that there is Club business that cannot be addressed in any other way. These Special Board Meetings may be called on reasonable notice by the President or by four other elected officers.

Sec.3 Quorums

A quorum for any regular membership meeting requires at least four elected officers and five percent of the membership including Board members. A quorum for any Board meeting requires eight Board members, four of whom are elected officers.

Sec. 4 Proxy Voting

A Board member absent from a Board meeting may give his proxy, with voting instructions, to another Board member who must vote as instructed. The proxy may be used to satisfy the quorum requirement and a Board member may vote only one proxy. The same proxy privilege applies to any member at a regular membership meeting.

Article VII AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS

These By-Laws may be amended or repealed only at a special meeting called for that purpose or at a regular membership meeting with a By-Laws vote on the agenda announced to the membership at least 7 days in advance. A quorum for such a meeting requires ten percent of the membership including Board members. The membership votes to accept the entire proposal and a two thirds majority vote is needed to approve. An amended document becomes effective immediately.

Approved by the Board of Directors January 7, 2020
Adopted by the Membership January 28, 2020