PAPCA ByLaws draft 19 Feb 2023 to share

**Admin** Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:02 pm

Article 1 - Name
The name of the Corporation shall be Pan-American Pool Checkers Association (PAPCA)

Article 2 - Purposes
The PAPCA shall be devoted to:
a) integrate Pool Checkers into the structure of the World Draughts Federation (FMJD) checkers and draughts movement;
b) promote the evolution of checkers in the the United States of America and in the territories of Pan-America by means of

establishing educational programs to broaden children's and adults knowledge of checkers,
organizing of championships and other checkers tournaments;
organizing cultural events such as lectures, exhibitions;

Article 3 - Office location
The principal office of the PAPCA shall be located in Manhattan county, State of New York. As the PAPCA evolves, it may decide to open branches within and without the State of New York.

Article 4 - Membership
The PAPCA is open to checkers players who are residents of the USA and those who are citizens of countries of Pan-America and who wish to become active members. Citizens of other countries can also be accepted to membership by decision of PAPCA on the basis of their outstanding achievements in the field of checkers as a coach, World recognized judge (referee) or tournament organizer.
A member has to adhere to the association and pledges to abide by its rules and regulars.

Upon paying the first yearly installment the member shall receive, among other privileges, membership card, newsletters, voting right, admittance in tournaments and events organized by Association, etc.
The member is expected to cooperate fully with the officers in helping the Association grow.

Article 5 - Nondiscrimination Policy
The PAPCA, in any manner, shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, ethnicity or religion.

Article 6 - Dues Period and Payment

1. The PAPCA shall establish the annual membership dues for all categories of members.

2. The annual dues period shall run from January 1st to December 31st, covering a full calendar year. The annual dues are nonrefundable. Upon receipt of the dues payment by the PAPCA, the member shall receive a membership card bearing the name and logo of the PAPCA. The membership card shall not be transferable. Any member who does not pay his/her dues in the prescribed periods shall have his/her membership status suspended indefinitely until payment is received, and shall not be eligible to participate in tournaments organized by the association.

Article 7 - Trainings
In order to enhance its member’s capability and to expand their knowledge, the PAPCA shall periodically provide training courses for players of different skill levels as well as for referees and coaches.

Article 8 - Tournaments, matches and exhibitions
Tournaments, individual and team matches interstate, intercity or inter-borough shall be organized regularly to allow all PAPCA members to develop competitive skills.
Exhibitional events will be provided by PAPCA for popularization of checkers, attracting new members to the pool-checkers as an intellectual sport.

Article 9 - Board of Directors
An elected Board of Directors shall manage the PAPCA in a democratic process under the majority rule. The Board of Directors shall be composed of three members at the minimum: President, Secretary and Treasurer. The expansion of the board shall be decided by a special meeting of the Board of Directors.

Article 10 - Mandate
The members of the Board of Directors are elected for a period of two years. Two months prior to the expiration of their mandate, new elections shall be held to elect a governing body.

Article 11 - Role and Functions
1. President:
The president shall have the duty to:
Call in special meetings in emergency situations.
To preside over at all sessions of the Board of Directors;
To act on behalf of the PAPCA;
To present a report detailing the general conditions of the PAPCA in every respect;

2. Secretary: The secretary attends all sessions, records the proceedings and receives an account from the treasurer.

3. Treasurer: The treasurer is the legal custodian of all goods, funds and properties of the PAPCA. He shall keep an accurate record of all accounts. He receives gifts for the association from all sources, giving a receipt to the donors. No funds can be withdrawn without the counter-signatures of both the President and the treasurer. An audit shall be made of the books, financial papers and accounts of the treasurer by the Secretary and by the President and cause a report of the same to be made at each monthly session.

The PAPCA may increase the number of officers to elect a vice-president and other members of the Board of Directors.

Article 12 - Meetings
1.Location
Every meeting of the members and of the Board of Directors can be held in person or with the electronic communication sources as shall be designated in the call for.

2. Annual Meeting
The PAPCA shall call its members together at least once a year for academic, social, administrative, and cultural objectives. This meeting shall constitute the General Assembly and shall occur no later than one month after the closing of the calendar year.

3. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be held at such time and place as the Board of Directors may select. Special meetings shall be convened on demand and to solve a particular matter regarding the PAPCA.

4. General Meeting
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors and the membership shall be held throughout the year. The meetings shall be convened as often it is necessary but at least four times per year to discuss general matters of the PAPCA.

5. Meeting Notice
For all meetings, adequate notice shall be given personally to the members. Written notice shall be given at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. All media of communications, e.g. mail, email, electronic messenger, telephone shall be used. If a member cannot be physically present, a conference call shall be sufficient to assure participation. A majority of members shall constitute a quorum. The notice shall set forth the time, place, date, and agenda of the meeting.

6. Meeting Agenda
The agenda of meetings shall run as follows: roll call, proof of the announcement of the meeting request, reading the minutes of the preceding meeting, correspondence, reports of officers, old business, new business, elections of officers if appropriate, questions of general interests.

7. Quorum
A majority of members present in person or proxy shall constitute a quorum for the purpose treated at any meeting. All matters discussed during the meetings shall be approved at the simple majority to be legally binding.

8. Minutes
During meetings the Secretary, or the Assistant Secretary if any, shall be present and shall take written notes of the discussion. All minutes must be kept at the principal location of the PAPCA for a period no less than three years.
Minutes of all deliberative bodies shall be made available for the members on request.

9. Annual Report
At the annual meeting of the members, the Directors and the Officers shall present a report detailing the activities of the PAPCA for the immediate past calendar year. The President and the Treasurer, or a majority of the Directors of the PAPCA shall certify such a report. The verified report shall become part of the permanent files of the PAPCA. A written note of such a meeting shall be entered in the records of the PAPCA .

Article 13 - Accounting and taxation policies
1. Books
The PAPCA shall keep full, true and complete books, pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law of the State of New York and the United States of America. Such books of accounts shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the organization and shall be open to the inspection and examination of the public upon request and within a reasonable time as required by State and federal statutes. The PAPCA shall adopt the generally accepted accounting standards of the United States of America as applicable to nonprofit entities.

2. Annual Statements
A complete set of financial statements of the PAPCA shall be prepared within a reasonable period of time after the close of each fiscal year. A copy of financial statements shall be accessible to each member of the PAPCA.

3. Funds of the PAPCA
All funds of the PAPCA shall be deposited in the PAPCA 's name in a designated bank account(s). Withdrawals from such bank accounts shall be made upon such signature(s) designated to the bank by the PAPCA 's governing body.

4. Taxation
The annual information tax return of the PAPCA shall be prepared and filed in accordance with the State of New York and federal tax laws, within a reasonable time after the closing of its fiscal year or within the filing period imposed by federal and State statutes.

5. Other Legal Compliance
The PAPCA shall comply with all the State of New York and federal laws determining the nonprofit status.
Disclosures about donations, fundraising activities, etc, shall be executed in appropriate time and manner as prescribed by local state and federal laws governing the nonprofit Corporation.

Article 14 - Compensations
Section 1. Except as otherwise provided, the directors and officers shall not receive any compensation for services rendered to the PAPCA. Hired manager(s), employee(s) shall receive compensation for their services. The Board of Directors shall establish guidelines for compensations. Any compensation will be subject to the financial condition of the PAPCA. Payroll taxes related to the salary should be filed with the appropriate State and federal authorities.
Compensation, if any, shall be reviewed in a meeting called by the Board of Directors when the members deem the meeting appropriate.

Section 2.
Future Compensation
The provisions of this article shall be reviewed as often as it is necessary to reflect the changes in the operations of the PAPCA. In the future, the directors may decide to compensate themselves. The decision must be settled during a special meeting or a general meeting.

Article 15 - Dissolution
The PAPCA shall have the right to dissolve its operations at any time, provided that the dissolution is approved by a two-thirds vote of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.

The PAPCA shall be deemed terminated upon completion of the dissolution, winding up liquidation and distribution of its assets, in compliance with the State of New York and federal Nonprofit Corporation laws.

Article 16 - Amendments
The PAPCA shall have the rights to amend, alter, change or repeat any provision contained in these bylaws, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statutes of the State of New York and by the Articles of Organization.
Any amendment to these bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the majority of the active members of the General Assembly, at any regular or special meeting, on proposition of the Ethics Commission or on proposition signed by five percent of the total active members of the PAPCA.

The proposed changes shall be set forth in the notice of the meeting. Any amendments to the articles of organization must be filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to the New York Nonprofit Corporation Law.

Article 17- Adoption

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this governing instrument shall be executed on this XX day of March 2024.

**Admin** Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:03 pm

Executive Council meeting - Agenda

Monday, March 4th 2024, 8:30 p.m. Lausanne time

FID 100 aniversary
Confederations questions (all should be invited) - WC25 qualifications, etc
Draft ByLaws of the Pan-American Pool Checkers Association. Andrey Scherbatiuk to be invited
Starting preparations for organizing World champion title matches
World Championship Teams - Portugal. Current questions
1. Teams…
2. materials?
3. chief referee
4. FMJD delegation
5. Web?
Others.
1. FMJD YT channel - current situation.
2. Doping tests necessary in 2024.
3. Registration process - update
4. Our back office web system:
  1. steps necessary to open part for the Federations?
  2. financial documents (in/out)
5. Mail from Mr. Reszka “During the Polish Open, the players asked me to change and move the short tournaments before the Polish Open because they feel tired after the classic tournament and play at an accelerated pace. Therefore, I am asking for a postponement and new tournament dates: Our tournaments included in the calendar:
  Polish Open – December 7-13, 2024
  Rapid World Championships – December 14
  World Blitz Championship – December 15
  Proposal:
  Rapid World Championships – December 7
  World Blitz Championship – December 8
  Polish Open – December 9-15 (departure).”