WEST ST. PAUL HORSESHOE CLUB

C O N S T I T U T I O N

ARTICLE                                                                                                                   PAGE

                        PREAMBLE                                                                                          2

     I                  NAME                                                                                                    2

     II                PURPOSE                                                                                               2

     III               MEMBERSHIP                                                                                     2

     IV               EXECUTIVE BOARD                                                                           2

     V                ELECTION OF OFFICERS                                                                   2

     VI               DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS                                3-4

     VII             COMMITTEES                                                                                      5

     VIII            BY-LAWS                                                                                               5

     IX               AMENDMENTS                                                                                   5

     X                MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS                                                               5

     XI               EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS                                                    5

     XII             EXECUTIVE BOARD VACANCIES                                                   6

     XIII            REMOVAL OF AN ELECTED OFFICER                                          6

     XIV            ORDER OF BUSINESS                                                                        6

Section

1.                                DUES                                                                                                      7

2.                                SALARIES                                                                                             7

3.                                GAME RULES                                                                                     7-9

Originally written Sept. 13, 1985 – West St. Paul, Minnesota

Adopted October 1985.   Revised November 1995.

Rewritten January, 2003 – Hastings, Minnesota

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WEST ST. PAUL HORSESHOE CLUB

C O N S T I T U T I O N

PREAMBLE

            We, the horseshoe pitchers of West St. Paul and the surrounding area, in order to promote, foster and develop the game of horseshoe pitching both as a competitive sport and recreational pastime, provide the proper facilities, and ensure the continued growth and existence of the game do hereby establish this Constitution for the West St. Paul Horseshoe Club.

ARTICLE I  (NAME)

            The name of this association shall be the “West St. Paul Horseshoe Club”.

ARTICLE II  (PURPOSE)

            The purpose of this association shall be to provide an orderly means for its members and prospective members to participate in and enjoy the game of horseshoe pitching.

ARTICLE III  (MEMBERSHIP)

            Any person may become a member of this association by the payment of dues fixed by the Club.

ARTICLE IV  (EXECUTIVE BOARD)

            The elected officers of this Club shall consist of a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President and a Secretary/Treasurer.  These officers shall constitute the Executive Board.  The Executive Board is responsible for performing the duties required under ARTICLE II.

ARTICLE V  (ELECTION OF OFFICERS)

            The officers elected by a majority vote of the regular members present and entitled to vote at the annual spring meeting of the Club shall hold office for two-year terms.  The election of officers (installed at the conclusion of the meeting), shall be held on alternating years as follows:

a.          President and Second Vice President

b.          Secretary/Treasurer and First Vice President

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ARTICLE VI  (DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS)

Sec.  1.    PRESIDENT

The duties of the President shall be to preside at all meetings (including Executive Board meetings), to administer the business of this Club, and to pass on any obligations the Club may wish to incur in compliance with this Constitution and By-Laws, and handle whatever other duties which may come to the President’s attention in promoting the best interests of this Club.

a.          Meetings

1.      Conduct at least two (2) Executive Board meetings annually, including selection of recipient for an appreciation award who exemplifies outstanding contributions to the support of this Club.

2.      Provide and conduct annual spring membership meeting

3.      Conduct the fall awards banquet meeting

b.          Supervise officer activities

1.      Provide an annual plan of objectives/goals to the Executive Board on a timely basis

2.      Oversee annual audit of the Clubs financial records before the fall banquet

3.      Coordinate the activities of all committees

c.          Monitor promotional activities

1.      Provide and/or gather reports of membership and Club levels of activity

2.      Provide methods for the promotion and sponsorship of our sport

Sec. 2.     FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

            The First Vice President shall have the same duties as the President but will assume them only in the absence of the President.

Sec. 3.     VICE PRESIDENTS

            The First Vice President and the Second Vice President, in addition to the following duties, shall carry out any specific duties assigned by the President of the Club:

a.          Representation of Club membership

1.      Attend Executive Board meetings

2.      Provide Club reports at annual meetings

b.          League promotion and development

1.      Promote junior involvement

2.      Promote national sanctioning

3.      Promote news media coverage

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WEST ST. PAUL HORSESHOE CLUB

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ARTICLE VI  (DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS) continued

Sec. 3.     VICE PRESIDENTS continued

c.          Tournament promotion and development

1.      Promote junior involvement

2.      Coordinate tournament scheduling

3.      Promote news media announcements and publication of results

4.      Promote national sanctioning of tournaments

d.         Club representation

1.      Promote membership and subscription to publications

2.      Provide periodic input and articles for publication

Sec. 4.     SECRETARY/TREASURER

            The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of the minutes of all meetings and submit a copy of the minutes on a timely basis to all members of the Executive Board.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall act as custodian of all funds of the Club, sign all warrants for Club expenditures, and keep accurate financial records for the Club.  The Clubs banking account shall provide for two (2) authorized signatures, namely the Secretary/Treasurer and the President.

a.       The Secretary/Treasurer responsibilities also include:

1.      Timely response to all correspondence in a professional manner

2.      Work directly with the President and provide accurate accounting and membership records

3.      Provide Club statistics for publication

4.      Comply with all Club reporting on a timely basis

Sec. 5     EXECUTIVE BOARD

            The executive Board will formulate the policy of the Club between the annual meetings, keeping in mind that the development of future plans and activities is their primary function.  The President shall hold meetings of the Executive Board at such time and place as deemed necessary.  At least three (3) members of the Executive Board must be present to constitute a quorum.

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ARTICLE VII  (COMMITTEES)

            The President shall appoint such committees as deemed necessary.  These committees may be dissolved and individual members replaced whenever the President deems it necessary.  Individuals selected as Committee Chairpersons, such as the following shall be regarded as officers of this Club:

a.          Club Coordinator

b.          Junior Director

c.          Sponsor Director

d.         Tournament Director

e.          Banquet Director

f.           News Media Director

ARTICLE VIII  (BY-LAWS)

            This Club may adopt such by-laws, as it deem necessary.  By-Laws shall be adopted when approved by a majority vote of the members in good standing present at the annual spring meeting.

ARTICLE IX  (AMENDMENTS)

            This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the members in good standing present at the annual spring meeting.  However, all members in good standing must be notified with a written announcement of any proposed changes at least one week in advance of the annual spring meeting.

ARTICLE X  (MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS)

The regular annual spring meeting shall be held prior to April 15^th each year.  In the event that a special membership meeting is required, the Secretary/Treasurer shall notify all members in good standing of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting at least one week in advance of the special meeting.

ARTICLE XI  (EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS)

            With the approval of the President, any officer of the Executive Board when deemed necessary may call Executive Board meetings,

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ARTICLE XII  (EXECUTIVE BOARD VACANCIES)

            Any vacancy on the Executive Board, caused by the death, serious illness or resignation of a member, shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Executive Board members.  The person selected shall serve for the duration of the unexpired term of office.

ARTICLE XIII  (REMOVAL OF AN ELECTED OFFICER)

            An elected officer can be removed from office only for criminal conduct or flagrant misuse or neglect of duties.  This must be accomplished only after due deliberation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present in a special meeting called for that purpose.  A member receiving a majority vote of the members present will fill any vacancy caused by such action at the same meeting.

ARTICLE XIV  (ORDER OF BUSINESS)

            Roberts Rules of Order, revised and reading as follows shall govern the order of conduction the meetings.

1.      Call the meeting to order and welcome by the President and appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms.

2.      Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

3.      Approval, additions or corrections of the minutes.

4.      Reading of the financial report.

5.      Officer reports.

6.      Unfinished business.

7.      New business.

8.      Election and installation of officers.

9.      Adjournment.

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WEST ST. PAUL HORSESHOE CLUB

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Sec. 1.     DUES

            The annual dues of West St. Paul residents shall be $45.00 ($50.00 for non-residents) per member for the fiscal year January 1^st to December 31^st, inclusive.  The fee for dues includes State and National dues and insurance provided by the NHPA.

Sec. 2.     SALARIES

a.       The Secretary/Treasurer of this Club shall receive $500.00 per annum.

b.      League Secretaries shall receive $2.50 per annum, per member.

Sec. 3     GAME RULES

a.       The official NHPA rules of horseshoe pitching are to be used for all sanctioned tournament and league play.

b.      Team Captains:

The high average person on each team shall be team captain, unless he/she designates the titled to another person on the team.  The team captain may suspend any member who fails to pitch in two consecutive events without due cause.  Any member suspended by the team captain can appeal to the Executive Board, and the Executive Board ruling shall be final.  A replacement player shall be selected from the substitute player list.

c.       Handicap scoring:

Each individual league shall decide handicap scoring, not to exceed one and one half (1-1/2) points for each percent point difference.

d.      Scorekeeping:

In keeping score, it is recommended that NHPA standard scoring symbols and methods be used.

e.       Substitutes:

1.      No substitutions can be made for regular players that are present and physically able to pitch.

2.      Substitutes shall use their established average for the class of substitution.

3.      Substitutes shall be members in good standing of the Club.

4.      No player shall substitute on another team playing against his/her own team.

5.      In playoff games, a team may only have a substitute pitcher whose pitching average is within five (5) percentage points of the individual they are substituting for.

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Sec. 3     GAME RULES continued

f.       Forfeiture:

After scheduled team play, a game will be forfeited if a player has not arrived for competition before twenty (20) shoes of the first game have been pitched.

g.      Postponements:

All postponed matches shall be rescheduled by the team captains and made up at the earliest possible date, not later than one week following the end of the season.  If all matches cannot be made up, final league standings shall be decided by high win (games) percentage.

h.      Court Maintenance:

Tools and water will be available at the courts.  It is expected that all pitchers will leave the courts in suitable condition before replacing the covers.

i.        Club Tournaments:

A Club tournament shall be scheduled at the end of the regular horseshoe season.

j.        Most Improved Player Award:

1.      Each class shall provide a most improved player award

2.      The recipient must have pitched in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the scheduled games

3.      The beginning average will be the average from the previous years’

Pitching

k.      Team and Individual Awards

Other team and individual awards shall be presented as outlined in the NHPA Sanctioned Club/League Program.

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Sec. 3     GAME RULES continued

l.        Single’s Teams:

1.      Teams shall be made up of at least four (4) pitchers.  The cumulative ringer percent averages of each team shall be as balanced as possible.

2.      In tie games, there are two options:

a.   Each contestant shall receive one-half (1/2) win and one-half loss (This option should be used if a handicap system is in effect)

b.   A two-inning  shall be played, using the same method of play that was used in the game.  In the event of another tie, the same process shall be repeated and this procedure shall continue until the tie is broken.

3.      Team ties in final league standings shall be decided by a playoff

      Consisting of four (4) more games.

4.      Trophies or awards shall be  to the first (1^st) and second (2^nd) place teams in classes with up to seven (7) teams.  Three (3) trophies or awards shall be presented in classes with eight (8) teams or more.

m.    Doubles Teams

1.      Teams shall be made up of two (2) pitchers.  The cumulative ringer percent averages of each team shall be as balanced as possible.

2.      In tie games, there are two options:

a.   Each contestant shall receive one-half (1/2) win and one-half loss (This option should be used if a handicap system is in effect)

b.   A two-inning tiebreaker shall be played, using the same method of play that was used in the game.  In the event of another tie, the same process shall be repeated and this procedure shall continue until the tie is broken.

3.      Team ties in final league standings shall be decided by a playoff consisting of one (1) more game.

4.      Trophies or awards shall be presented to the first (1^st) and second (2^nd) place teams in each class.

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