Name

The name of this organization shall be the "Laredo Chess Club".

Purpose

The purpose of the club shall be:

1. To conduct tournaments, matches and other forms of chess competition,
   
2. To provide instruction for learning the game,
   
3. To support the growth of scholastic chess and
   
4. To promote the popularity of the game of chess.
   

Membership

1. Membership is restricted to adults (age 21 and over) and shall be by invitation only. There shall be no dues.
   
2. There shall be two tiers of membership:
   1. Officer
   2. Associate member
3. Officers shall be expected to perform their duties and responsibilities as further described in the by-laws as well as to meet all other requirements as defined by specific resolutions. The latter include attendance and service hour benchmarks. Officers shall be empowered to vote on all club matters.
   
4. Associate members are expected to perform their assigned duties (if specified) as well as to meet service hour benchmarks. Associate members are not empowered to vote.
   
5. In the event that an officer or associate member is found guilty of misconduct or fails to perform his/her duties, the Board of Directors shall rule on any penalty to be assessed. Penalties may range from a simple verbal warning to total expulsion from the club.

Organization

1. The officers of the club shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Director, Assistant Tournament Director and Sargeant-at-Arms / Parliamentarian. They are to be elected to serve a term to last one calendar year.
   
2. The officers of the club shall comprise the Board of Directors.
   
3. Vacancies shall be filled by special election. A successful candidate shall serve the balance of the unexpired term.
   
4. The club shall be affiliated with the United States Chess Federation (USCF) in accordance with the conditions specified by said organization.

Election of Officers

1. Elections are to take place annually in November.
   
2. Members of the Board of Directors may nominate candidates and vote.
   
3. Members of the Board of Directors and associate members may be nominated and become eligible to run for office.
   
4. The Board of Directors must designate a time and place for voting at least two weeks prior to elections.
   
5. All votes must be cast in person.

Duties of the Officers and Board of Directors

1. The President shall:
   1. Preside at all board meetings,
   2. Compile and present the monthly agenda,
   3. Appoint other board and/or associate members to special positions as deemed necessary and
   4. Appoint all committees.
2. The Vice-President shall:
   1. Assist the President and
   2. Preside in the absence of the President.
3. The Secretary shall:
   1. Keep the minutes, attendance records of all board meetings and service hours worked by the Board of Directors and associate members and
   2. Carry on the correspondence of the club.
4. The Treasurer shall:
   1. Deposit all funds received with a bank designated by the Board of Directors,
   2. Make disbursements as authorized by the Board of Directors and
   3. Furnish a balance sheet and an income statement to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.
5. The Tournament Director shall:
   1. Arrange, direct and control all tournaments sponsored by the club,
   2. Appoint assistant tournament directors and tournament personnel,
   3. Report the results of all rated tournaments to the USCF for rating purposes and
   4. Follow all USCF rules and procedures.
6. The Assistant Tournament Director shall:
   1. Assist the Tournament Director and
   2. Assume and perform the duties of the Tournament Director in his absence.
7. The Sargeant-at-Arms / Parliamentarian shall:
   1. Keep order at board meetings,
   2. Advise the President or presiding officer of parliamentary rules and
   3. Oversee that Robert's Rules of Order are observed at board meetings.
8. The members of the Board of Directors shall:
   1. Formulate a program of activities for the club,
   2. Supervise the work of all committees,
   3. Attend board meetings and perform service hours in compliance with standards set by the Board of Directors,
   4. Inform the Board of Directors of impending absences from board meetings and
   5. Replace any board member who does not fulfill his/her obligations.

Meetings

1. Activity meetings shall be held on a weekly basis for the purpose of conducting chess competition, study or other leisure chess activity.
   
2. Board meetings shall be held on a monthly basis for the purpose of discharging all pertinent club business. Meetings are closed to all others unless specifically designated as an open meeting by the Board of Directors. Meetings shall be conducted under Robert's Rules of Order unless suspended by majority vote of members present.
   
3. A regularly scheduled time and place shall be designated by the Board of Directors for (a) activity meetings and (b) board meetings.
4. Special or emergency meetings of the Board of Directors may be called upon request at any time and any place by the President or Vice-President so long as the request is reasonable and all members of the Board or Directors are informed in a timely manner.
   
5. A quorum of four which must include either the President or Vice-President shall be necessary for the Board of Directors to act upon any concern.
   
6. A minimum of four votes shall constitute a majority and shall be required for a motion to carry at board meetings.
   
7. Ideas proposed by associate members should be directed to any member of the Board of Directors for consideration.

Amendments

1. These by-laws may be modified and/or amended by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
   
2. Proposed changes shall be reviewed in January by the Board of Directors prior to being voted on.
3. Resolutions may be passed by the Board of Directors to further define and expound on the by-laws outlined herewith. All resolutions expire at the end of the calendar year.