Policies and Regulations

Article I – Membership

1.0 Membership

1.01 General Membership Provisions

The rights and qualifications of the membership at large, including each class of member, are outlined in these Rules. The definitions and criteria for membership classes shall be determined by the Club’s Board of Directors.

1.02 Classes of Membership

The Club shall have the following membership classes:

• a. Active Member:
  An individual who meets all qualifications for voting membership. This includes the member’s spouse (if any) and unmarried sons and daughters under the age of 18. All such individuals shall enjoy the voting privileges and other benefits of the Club, subject to the Club's Bylaws and these Rules.
  
  
• b. Cruising Member:
  A non-voting membership class open to individuals nominated by the Officers or Board of Directors and approved by the Board. Cruising Memberships are limited to one (1) calendar year but may be renewed annually with re-election by the Board each January.
  
  

1.03 Applicants for Membership

• All applicants must:
  
  
  • Complete the Club’s official membership application form.
    
    
  • Submit the form to the Membership Committee.
    
    
  • Provide a valid credit card number for payment of the initiation fee and first-year dues.
    
    
• Approval Process:
  
  
  • Applicants must receive affirmative majority approval from the Membership Committee in accordance with Section 1.10.
    
    
  • Final concurrence by the Board of Directors is required.
    
    
• Rejection:
  
  
  • Applicants who are not accepted may reapply no sooner than six (6) months from the date of their rejection notice.
    
    

1.04 Member Credentials

• New members will be issued appropriate membership credentials upon acceptance and confirmation of payment.

 

Club Rules and Operating Regulations:

1.04 Member Welcome Package

New members will receive their membership materials—either by mail or in person—following their acceptance. This package will include (but is not limited to):

• A welcome letter from the Commodore
  
  
• A copy of the Club Bylaws
  
  
• A copy of the Club Rules and Operating Regulations
  
  
• A membership card
  
  

Applicants who are not accepted will be notified in a courteous and professional manner.

1.05 No Ownership Interest in the Club

By applying for and accepting membership, the undersigned acknowledges the following:

• The facilities at The Westmoreland Yacht Club are owned and/or leased and operated by The Westmoreland Yacht Club, a California limited liability company doing business as The Westmoreland Yacht Club (the "Club").
  
  
• Membership is strictly non-equity, non-proprietary, and non-participatory. It grants no ownership interest in the Club or its assets.
  
  
• Membership does not:
  
  
  • Convey any right to participate in the business operations or policy-making of the Club.
    
    
  • Constitute an investment in the Club or its facilities.
    
    
  • Create any form of equity, ownership, proprietary interest, prescriptive easement, or other property right.
    
    
• Members do not have:
  
  
  • A vested or guaranteed right to use Club facilities beyond the terms of their membership.
    
    
  • Any interest in Club income.
    
    
  • Any rights to Club assets upon dissolution.
    
    
• If approved, the undersigned receives only a non-exclusive, revocable license to use certain Club facilities in accordance with the terms of their Social Membership and the Club’s Membership Plan, as amended from time to time.
  
  

1.06 Voting Rights

Only Active Members are entitled to voting privileges, as defined in Section 1.02(a) and subject to the Club Bylaws and these Rules.

1.06 Voting Rights

Active Members (or their spouses) are entitled to vote on matters submitted to the membership. At each election of Directors and Officers, each voting membership shall have one (1) vote per open position.

1.07 Termination of Membership

1. Suspension/Expulsion for Cause
   The Board of Directors may suspend or expel any member for cause by a majority vote at a meeting where a quorum is present.
2. Expulsion for Ineligibility / Past-Due Accounts
   The Board of Directors may terminate any member who becomes ineligible for membership. A member who is delinquent in paying Club Charges may be suspended or expelled in accordance with Section 1.09.

1.08 Resignation

Any member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Secretary. However, resignation does not relieve the resigning member from the obligation to pay any outstanding Club Charges.

1.09 Club Charges

1.091 Annual Dues
Dues, as proposed by the Officers or Board and approved by the Board of Directors, are payable by January 31 of each year. Any member who fails to pay in full by March 1 shall be terminated and notified in writing.

1.092 Authority
The Board of Directors has exclusive authority, subject to the Bylaws, to determine the amount of all Club Charges to be paid by members.

1.093 Special Club Charge Provisions
a. A nominal fee may be charged for Club events to cover related expenses. Fees are determined on a per-event basis.

 

1.10 Expulsion, Suspension, and Reinstatement of Members

1.101 Expulsion for Cause
A member may be expelled for just cause. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Membership Committee and signed by the complainant. If the Committee finds the complaint valid and serious, the member will be given an opportunity to respond. If the issue cannot be resolved, it will be referred to the Board of Directors for final action.

1.102 Late Charges on Past-Due Accounts
Members who fail to pay dues within 30 days of the due date will be assessed a late charge of 5% per month, continuing until the balance is paid in full.

1.103 Termination Due to Non-Payment
Any member who fails to pay dues in full by March 1 will be terminated and notified in writing. Terminated members forfeit all Club privileges.

1.104 Charge Privilege Suspension
The Board may suspend or restrict the charge privileges of any member whose account is considered doubtful for collection.

 

1.11 Membership Procedures

1.111 Membership Committee
A Membership Committee, composed of a Chair and three (3) members appointed by the Vice Commodore, will review all applications. Approval requires a majority vote, subject to concurrence by the Board of Directors. Applications must be submitted on the Club’s official form with all required information. A majority dissenting vote will result in rejection, and applicants may not reapply for six (6) months.

1.112 Reinstatement
Suspended members may be reinstated upon written request, approval by the Membership Committee, and a majority vote of the Board of Directors, provided all Club Charges and penalties are paid in full.

1.113 Reapplication After Resignation
Members who resigned and wish to rejoin after two (2) years must apply as new members. The Membership Committee and Board of Directors will determine any applicable dues or charges upon reapplication.

1.2 Membership Qualifications and Rights

1.201 Eligibility
Membership is open to persons of good character who are at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

1.202 Member Privileges
All members may participate in Club events. For capacity-limited events, priority is given to members. Non-member guests may attend only if space remains after all interested members have been accommodated.

1.203 Qualifications for Office
Only Active Members or their spouses may serve on the Board of Directors or as Officers. A member and their spouse may serve during the same term, but not within the same governing body unless an exception is made by the Board in the Club’s best interest.

1.204 Qualification for Club Committees
Members and/or their spouses may serve and vote on Club committees and may act as committee chairpersons.
a. If duties of any committees overlap, it is the responsibility of the committee chair to report the issue to the Commodore for resolution.

1.205 Sabbatical Leave
Members may be granted “Sabbatical Leave” at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board shall apply this policy fairly and consistently. The duration of leave, rights during leave, and any applicable Club Charges will be determined by the Board. Sabbatical Leave does not affect voting rights.

1.3 Membership Meetings, Notices, and Voting

1.301 Annual Meeting
One (1) meeting of the Membership, known as the Annual Meeting, shall be held each year in November.

1.302 Proxies
Voting by proxy is permitted on all matters. Proxies must be:

• In writing
  
  
• Signed and dated by the member
  
  
• Filed with the Election Tellers prior to the vote at the meeting
  No proxy shall be valid for more than thirty (30) days from its date.
  
  

1.303 Nominating Committee – Appointment
The Nominating Committee shall consist of the current Club Officers. The Committee is responsible for nominating candidates for Officers for the upcoming year. These candidates will stand for election at the next Annual Meeting.

1.304 Nominating Committee – Operations
All actions of the Nominating Committee shall be determined by majority vote.
Nominations for Directors and Officers must be reported to the Secretary within seven (7) days. The Secretary shall then announce the nominations by posting a notice on the Club bulletin board, in the Club newsletter, or on the Club website.

1.305 Candidates for Director
If a Director resigns before the end of their term, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. The appointed Director may be placed on the ballot for re-election at the next Annual Meeting.
The Board shall nominate candidates for open Director positions and submit them for election by the General Membership at the Annual Meeting.

1.306 Election Tellers; Voting
The Officers shall appoint three (3) Election Tellers to oversee ballot counting for the election of Directors and Officers.
Ballots may be distributed on the day of the Annual Meeting and will be accepted up until the vote is called.
The Election Tellers shall report results to the Commodore, who will announce the outcome at the meeting.
The Secretary shall post election results on the Club bulletin board and/or in the newsletter.
Ballots will be either retained by the Secretary for audit (if requested by the Board) or destroyed, at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Article II: Contracts, Checks, Deposits, and Funds

2.0 Contracts
The Board of Directors may authorize any Officer or agent of the Club to enter into contracts or execute instruments in the name of the Club. This authority may be general or limited to specific instances.

2.01 Drafts and Payments
All checks, drafts, and orders for payment of money issued in the name of the Club must be signed by authorized Officers or agents, as designated by Board resolution.

2.02 Deposits
Club funds shall be deposited in such banks, trust companies, or other financial institutions as selected by the Board of Directors or Officers.

2.03 Gifts
The Board of Directors may accept, on behalf of the Club, any contribution, gift, bequest, or devise for general or specific Club purposes.

2.04 Operational Prohibitions
To maintain tax-exempt status, the Club, its Board, Officers, and agents shall not:

• Lend any portion of income or assets without adequate security and interest.
  
  
• Pay compensation exceeding reasonable allowances for services actually rendered.
  
  
• Make services available preferentially.
  
  
• Purchase property for more than fair market value.
  
  
• Sell property for less than fair market value.
  
  
• Engage in transactions that substantially divert income or assets to major donors, members, their families, or related entities.
  
  

The Club shall not accumulate income:

• Unreasonably or for extended durations inconsistent with its tax-exempt purpose.
  
  
• For purposes not related to its mission.
  
  
• In a manner that jeopardizes the Club’s tax-exempt objectives.
  
  

Article III: Notices

3.0 Notice
Required notices may be delivered:

• In person
  
  
• By mail (postmarked and addressed to the last known address on Club records)
  
  
• By facsimile (effective upon successful transmission)
  
  
• By email (effective upon successful delivery)
  
  

3.01 Waiver of Notice
Any required notice may be waived in writing, signed by the individual entitled to receive such notice, before or after the time stated. Such waiver is considered equivalent to actual notice.

3.02 Effective Date of Rule Changes
Any rule change approved by the Board shall be posted electronically on the Club’s website by the Secretary within seven (7) days and shall become effective immediately upon posting.

Article IV: Miscellaneous

4.01 Rules of Conduct
All members and guests are subject to Rules of Conduct established by the Officers and the Board of Directors.

4.02 Ship’s Store
The Treasurer is responsible for all Ship’s Store merchandise. Prices shall include the base unit cost plus a margin to cover Club expenses, set on a per-item basis.

4.04 Club Records
Balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and Board meeting minutes shall be available for inspection and copying by any active member upon reasonable request.

4.05 Member Personal Information
A member roster may be provided for internal Club use only.
Use of personal information for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and may result in termination of membership.