Constitution
and By-Laws
THE OAKS RECREATIONAL CLUB
AURORA, ILLINOIS
Article I Organization
SECTION 1. The club is incorporated
under the laws of Illinois as The Oaks Recreational Club. Its object
is the promotion of swimming and other recreation and social activities
and the ownership and maintenance of the grounds, pool, clubhouse
and equipment necessary for these purposes on a non-profit basis.
Article II Definitions
SECTION 1. EQUITY MEMBER. An Equity member
shall consist of a family unit residing in Oakhurst and nearby communities
in Aurora, Illinois that have purchased an equity membership in the
club. A family unit shall consist of the head of the household and
the permanent resident members of the family and upon approval by
the Board of Directors any other person temporarily residing with
the family unit Use of the pool and other physical facilities of the
Club shall be limited to members and their guests, subject to the
rules and regulations established by the Board of Directors. Equity
memberships are primarily intended for owners of single or multi-family
residences. All equity members in good standing shall enjoy voting
privileges and each family unit shall be entitled to one vote. An
equity member in good standing shall be entitled to the use of the
pool and all other physical facilities of the Club.
SECTION 2. CHARTER MEMBERA Charter member
will be defined as any Equity membership purchased up to and including
November 15.1997. Charter members shall be entitled to privileges
as established each year by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. ANNUAL
MEMBER Annual memberships are primarily intended for families
who are on the waiting list, renters residing in family residences
set forth in Section 2.and others designated by the Board of Directors.
An annual member shall be entitled to the use of the pool and
all other physical facilities of the Club, subject to whatever
restrictions are established by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. FULL MEMBERSHIP
Full membership for the Club is 400 dues -paying equity members
who are in good standing.
SECTION 5. GOOD STANDING Any member
who has paid the membership fee in fuIl or is up to date on an
approved payment plan for the membership fee and who has paid
in full annual dues and all other lees.
SECTION 6. BAD STANDING
Any member who is not in good standing as set forth in Section
5.
SECTION 7. BOARD OF
DIRECTORS Those equity members who have been duly elected
by the Clubs equity members to control and manage the affairs
and property of the Club.
SECTION 8. MEMBERSHIP The fee established
by the Board of Directors, subject to a minimum of $1,750.00 to
purchase an equity membership.
SECTION 9. ANNUAL DUES The yearly
amount established by the Board of Directors for use of the Clubs
facilities.
SECTION 10. SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT Any amount approved by a passing vote of the equity
members present or by proxy to reduce the Clubs indebtedness or
to defray expenses for a new capital equipment or major repairs
to the Clubs facilities.
SECTION 11. WRITTEN
NOTICE Notice by mail to the members last postal address
on the Clubs books.
SECTION 12. WAITING
LIST List of perspective members who have made application
for membership. Names will be placed on the list in order of receipt
of application
SECTION 13. CANCELLATION
LIST List of equity members who have tendered in writing their
resignation or who have been terminated by the Board of Directors.
Names will be placed on the list in order of receipt of resignation
or termination.
SECTION 14. PASSING
VOTE A two-thirds vote by equity members present or by their
proxy vote.
Article III Becoming an Equity
Member
SECTION 1. Memberships may be purchased only from the
Club and shall not be transferable except as provided in Article
VI. There shall be a membership fee as listed En the official
Club records for equity memberships. Every person desiring to
become a member must make an application in writing to the Club
on a form approved by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. Membership fees are established annually by
the Board of Directors up to the maximum authorized by the members.
The membership fee will be announced in writing prior to the pool
opening of each year. The schedule of membership fees will be
available from the Secretary.
SECTION 3. Certificates of membership shall be contained
in a book and be issued in consecutive order under the corporate
seal of the Club, and shall be numbered, registered and signed
by the President and Secretary in the order in which they are
issued, All certificates returned to the Club shall be canceled
by the Secretary and such canceled certificates replaced in their
original place in said book.
Article IV Becoming an Annual
Member
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall determine each
year the number of annual memberships to be issued for the current
operating year, Annual memberships may be issued by the Board
of Directors at any time and upon such terms as the Board of Directors
shall determine.
SECTION 2. Annual member shall have no ownership interest
in the property and assets of the club. Annual memberships shall
not be renewable as of right, any renewal being subject of approval
of the Board. Annual dues of annual memberships shall be determined
by the Board of Directors. Use of the Club by annual memberships
can be limited prior to the swimming season by the Board of Directors.
No family shall be permitted to be annual members for more than
two years.
Article V Resigning an Equity
Membership
SECTION 1. Any member in good standing may at any time
resign his membership by turning in to the Secretary of the Club
their certificate of membership for cancellation and forfeiting
all their rights. Names of the resigning members shall be placed
on the cancellation list.
SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Club will
cancel a membership only when sufficient funds are available and
only upon approval of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 3. A resigning member in good standing,
will receive their original membership less any discount as determined
by the Board of Directors, so long as Section 1 and Section 2
of this Article are satisfied.
SECTION 4. A resigned member in bad standing or a member
who has been terminated by the Board of Directors will receive
their original membership fee less any discount as determined
by the Board of Directors.
Article VI Transferring an Equity
Membership
SECTION 1. Any member in good standing who ceases to
be a resident homeowner may transfer their membership to the buyer
of their home. The transfer will be made by the Secretary of the
Club after receiving the certificate of membership from the member
canceling same immediately without being put on the cancellation
list and issuing a new certificate to the buyer of the home. The
fee to be paid for such transfer shall be determined by the Board
of Directors, and designed to cover administrative costs.
SECTION 2. A membership may be transferred between
members of the same family in the event of divorce. The transfer
will be made by the Secretary of the Club after receiving written
notice from either of the family members and signed by both members
relinquishing all rights to the membership and request that it
be transferred to another family member. In addition, the old
membership certificate must be tendered to the Secretary of the
club who will cancel it and reissue a new certificate to the other
family member.
SECTION 3. A membership may be sold by an equity member
to another party subject to approval of the Board of Directors
provided original membership certificate and an affidavit signed
by the original member(s) relinquishing ail rights are tendered
to the Secretary of the club who will cancel the original certificate
and issue a new certificate to the buyer.
Article VII Equity Rights Upon
Dissolution of Club
SECTION 1 In the event of any dissolution at the Club
all assets remaining after all liabilities and obligations of
the Club have been paid or adequate provision made thereof, shall
be distributed in equal shares to equity members in good standing
at the time of dissolution; provided, however, that no member
shall have any rights to any assets or property of the Club except
in the event of dissolution and in such case only as specifically
provided in this section.
Article VIII Membership Rights
Upon Death of Member of a Family Unit
SECTION 1. Upon death of an equity member in good standing
the certificate of membership shall be suspended pending settlement
of the estate. No dues or other charges will be collected during
this period. Membership can be reactivated by survivors as approved
by the Board of Directors.
Article IX Payment of Annual
Dues
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall by the first
day of December of each year determine the annual dues to be charged
for equity and annual memberships. The Board shall notify by the
fifteenth day of December all equity members in good standing
of the estimate of probable costs and annual dues for the coming
year.
SECTION 2. Equity and annual members shall
by the fifteenth day of January remit to the Club the annual dues
for full membership or their first installment under a quarterly
payment plan as approved by the Board of Directors. Dues of members
terminating their membership shall be refunded on a prorated basis
according to the number of days of the pool season defined for the
purpose of these by-laws as Memorial Day to Labor Day that have
elapsed at the time such membership is terminated as determined
by the Board of Directors in accord with a uniform policy established
at The beginning of the year provided, however, that no refunds
shall exceed two-thirds of the annual dues nor shall any refunds
be made in the case of membership terminations after August 1 of
that year.
SECTION 3. The Board of Directors may change the amount
of the annual dues or levy special assessments against voting
members from time to time as in their sole discretion the urgency
of the Club may require: provided, however, that no special assessment
shall be valid until the same shall have been ratified and approved
by a passing vote of the equity members present in person or by
written proxy at a regular meeting, or at a special meeting called
for the purpose of considering the same, New members accepted
to membership during June, July and August shall pay dues from
the effective date of their membership as fixed by the Board of
Directors. These dues will be prorated, but in no case less than
one-third of annual dues.
Article X Management
SECTION 1. he control and management of the Club and its affairs and property shall be entrusted to a Board of eleven Directors. The Directors shall select a President who will preside at all the meetings of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. The annual meeting and election of Directors
of the Club shall normally be held on the third Tuesday in September
of each year at such time and place as the Board of Directors
shall direct notice of which time and place shall be given by
mail to the members of the Club at least ten days before such
meeting; but such meeting may be adjourned from time to time as
shall be found necessary or convenient. The Directors elected
at such meeting shall take office immediately.
SECTION 3 At any annual or special meeting of the Club,
twenty-five equity members in good standing, or their written
proxy shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SECTION 4 Meetings of the Board shall be once a month
at a time and place the Directors shall decide. Special meetings
of the members may be called at any time by the Board of Directors
and shall be called by them on the request in writing of not less
than twenty-five voting members. Members shall be given at least
five days notice by mail of any such special meeting, which notice
shall state the subject of such meeting.
SECTION 5 The terms of the initial five directors shall
expire in September 1999. Thereafter the Directors shall hold
office for two years and until their successors are fully elected
and qualified. Should a Board position become vacant for any reason
the Board shall select a successor to fulfill the remainder for
the term within thirty days.
SECTION 6 At least thirty days before the annual meeting,
the Board of Directors shall appoint a nominating committee. Such
nominating committee shall propose new director candidates, to
be submitted to the general membership for vote. At least fifteen
days before the annual meeting the Secretary shall mail to each
Equity member of the Club a list of the proposed candidates. The
candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered
elected to the board, with the current Board breaking any tie
votes.
(a) Informal Action by Directors- The authority of the
Board of Directors may be exercised without a meeting if a consent
in writing, setting forth the action taken is signed by all of
the Directors entitled to vote.
SECTION 7. If any Director fails to attend four meetings
of the board in any fiscal year, the Board may in its sole discretion
declare his/her office vacant.
SECTION 7.1 Vacancies: A vacancy in any office, except
the President, because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification
or otherwise, may be filled by the President, upon approval of
the Board of Directors for the unexpired term, if any.
SECTION 8. The officers of the Club shall be a President,
Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall all be members
of the Board of Directors and shall hold their respective offices
for one year and/or until their successors are elected and qualified.
SECTION 8.1 The President shall preside at all meetings
of the members and shall be the general executive officer of the
Club, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
The President and the Secretary shall sign, on behalf of the Club,
all instruments in writing, contracts, deeds, notes, mortgages
and other legal documents which it may become necessary for the
Club to execute after authorization from the Directors.
(a) Election: The President shall be a member of the Board
of Directors and elected annually at the annual meeting of the
Board for a term of one(l) year, or until his successor is appointed
and qualified. The election of the President shall be by a majority
of the Board members present at the meeting at which the President
is elected The President shall be elected from the Board of Directors.
(b) Resignation The President may resign by submitting
in writing his resignation to the Secretary of the Club. The resignation
shall be effective when a successor President is duly appointed
and qualified. A Director may resign as President and still remain
as a Director of the Club.
(c) Removal: The Board of Directors by majority vote of
the Board .may remove the President from that office whenever,
in its judgment, the best interests of the Club would be served
thereby but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract
rights, if any, of the person so removed The removal shall be
effective only after service on the person holding this office,
by United States mail, return receipt requested of a copy of the
written statement of the reasons for this removal and an opportunity
to be heard by the full Board in person or by counsel for his
own defense upon not less then ten (10) days notice. In
case of abandonment of his office or in the case of death, conviction
of a felony or removal from office, or in the event he should
not be a duly appointed and qualified member of the Board of Directors
of the Club his/her office shall become vacant.
(d) Duties: The President shall be the principal officer
of the Club and shall, in general, supervise and control the affairs
of this Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings
of the Board of Directors: the President may sign with the Secretary,
or any other proper officers of the Club, any Contracts, Notes
or other instruments which the Board of Directors have authorized
to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution
thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors,
or by these By-Laws, or by the Statutes of the State of Illinois,
to some other officer or agent of the Club; and, in general, the
President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President.
The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
(e) Appointment of Successor: A successor President shall
be selected by majority vote of the Board of Directors as soon
as a vacancy occurs in that office to serve for the unexpired
term of the President.
SECTION 8.2 The Vice-president shall perform the duties
of the President in the event of his/her death, absence, or inability
to act.
(a) Election: Resignation and Removal: A Vice-President
shall be elected, submit his resignation or be removed in the
same manner as the President.
(b) Duties: The Vice-President shall have such duties
as may be prescribed by the By-Laws, Rules or Regulations of this
Club, or as directed by the President, provided such are not inconsistent
with the Statutes of the State of Illinois, or the By-Laws, Rules
or Regulations of the Corporation. In the absence of the President,
or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Vice President
shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting,
shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions
on the President.
SECTION 8.3 Secretary
(a) Election: Resignation and Removal, The Secretary shall
be elected, submit his resignation or be removed in the same manner
as the President.
(b) Duties: The Secretary shall attend the meetings of
the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall keep in a
book or books of the Club provided for that purpose, true and
correct records of all the meetings: shall give all the notices
herein provided for or required by law, or that may from time
to time be necessary or expedient shall have custody of the corporate
seal, charter, constitution ,and by-laws and records shall conduct
its correspondence, except such as belongs to the office of the
Treasurer: and shall perform such other duties as are usual to
the office or as may be required by the Board of Directors. The
Secretary shall at all times be subject to the direction and control
of the Board of Directors. Shall have such duties as are prescribed
by the Statutes of the State of Illinois:State> and provided
for by these By-Laws and Rules or Regulations of the Corporation
provided such are not inconsistent with the Statutes of the State
of Illinois or the By-Laws Rules or Regulations of the Corporation.
SECTION 8.4 Treasurer
(a) Election: Resignation and Removal. The Treasurer shall
be elected. submit his resignation or be removed in the same manner
as the President,
(b) Duties: The Treasurer shall keep all accounts of the
Club in books belonging to the Club, which shall at all times
be open to the inspection of the Board of Directors, The Treasurer
shall collect and disburse the funds of the Club under the direction
of the Board of Directors and the Statutes of the State of Illinois.
Before entering upon his duties, arid if required by the Board
of Directors, the Treasurer shall execute a Bond with corporate
sureties approved by this Board in such amount as the Board of
Directors shall hereafter direct. The Bond shall be payable to
the Club, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the treasurer
of the duties of his office and the payment of all monies received
by him/her according to law and orders of this Board. The Treasurer
shall, if requested by The Board of Directors, render a statement
in writing at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors showing
the receipts. disbursements and expenses during the preceding
months the amounts due from members and the cash balance on hand
and as far as practicable the outstanding complete balance sheet
showing the financial condition of the Club and full report in
detail of the receipts, disbursements and expenses of the fiscal
year just closed, which balance sheet and report will be printed
and distributed to the members at the annual meeting.
SECTION 9. The fiscal year shall end December 31st of
each year. The Treasurer shall keep the funds of the Club on deposit
in the name of the Club in a bank or other financial institution,
and shall furnish such bond as the Board of Directors may require
Funds may be used to purchase certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, government or corporate bonds or other short term debt
instruments that would quality as prudent man investments. The
Treasurer will be directed on proper disposition of funds for
investment purposes by the Board of Directors and shall be authorized
to act in the Clubs behalf. The Board of Directors shall
require that all checks, drafts, or other instruments for payment
of funds of the Club shall require two signatures, one of which
shall be the Treasurer; the other of which shall be a Director
as authorized by the Board of Directors at their first meeting
following annual election.
Article XI Committees
SECTION 1. The Board at the first meeting
of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting, shall elect
Chair persons for the following standing committees from the Board.
Auditing Committee
Operating Committee
Membership Committee
Social Committee
These committees can appoint sub-committees as appropriate.
Chairpersons so appointed shall prepare and submit to the President
a list of committee members to serve on such committees for the
succeeding year. The President will appoint an Auditing Committee
Chairperson and other committee persons as necessary to the operation
of the club and delegate to them such powers and duties as he
may from time to time deem expedient.
SECTION 2. The Operating Committee shall be charged with
the responsibility for operation of the recreational facilities
of the Club.
SECTION 3. The Membership Committee shall be charged
with the responsibility for all matters pertaining to membership
and shall supervise the election of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. The Auditing Committee consisting of three
equity members who are not Directors shall biannually audit the
books of the Club and shall report the results of their audit
at the annual meeting. The report of the Auditing Committee shall
be available to all members at all times.
SECTION 5. The Social Committee shall be responsible
for all social functions sponsored by the Club.
Article XII Miscellaneous
SECTION 1. Nothing in these by-laws shall be construed
to permit the Board of directors to borrow or pledge the credit
of the Club without the specific approval of two- thirds of the
voting members of the club at a duly held regular or special meeting.
SECTION 2. The club shall keep correct and complete records
containing the name, addresses and types of membership of all
members, Such records may be inspected by any voting member for
any proper purpose upon reasonable written notice and statement
of purpose
SECTION 3. The Club shall complete all filings required
by law.
SECTION 4. The Board of Directors shall present at each
annual or special meeting a full and clear statement of the business
and financial condition of the Club.
SECTION 5. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations
not inconsistent with these by-laws governing the operation and
use of the Clubs facilities and in connection therewith
shall take other action as it deems necessary and proper.
SECTION 6. These by-laws are subordinate to the Articles
of Incorporation but shall control and take precedence over any
other rule and regulation of the Club, or publication or other
matter, whether oral or written.
SECTION 7. All points of order not covered by the by-laws
shall be ruled upon according to Generally Accepted Rules of Order
at all meetings.
SECTION 8. The Board of Directors may delegate to an
administrative committee or to a responsible employee or sub-contractor
of the Club the power to deny recreational privileges to any member
of a family unit for violation of Club rules and regulations.
A report of such suspensions, containing reasons therefore shall
be submitted to the Chairperson of the Operating Committee and
the Board of Directors within forty-eight hours of taking such
action, Regular membership may be suspended for valid reasons
by the Board of Directors. This suspension must be followed by
a hearing with time and place given in writing with at least one
days notice to the member in order that the member may exercise
his/her rights to contest the suspension.
SECTION 9. (a) All members of the Club shall be accorded
the facilities of the Club subject to the rules and regulations
which shall be adopted by the Board of Directors and posted at
all times in the Club.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by these by-laws, the
Board of Directors at its discretion may extend temporary privileges
of the Club to non-members
(c) The Board of Directors shall have full power to deny
the use of the Clubs facilities to any non-member.
(d) Any property of the Club either willfully or negligently
broken or damaged by a member or his/her guest shall promptly
be paid for by the head of the household of the member unless
otherwise provided by the Board.
(e) The Club assumes no responsibility and members or
their guests can have no claim against the Club or the property
of members or any guest which may be brought into or left in the
buildings or on the grounds.
(1) No intoxicants shall be brought into the grounds without the
prior consent of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 10. Each person who acts as a Director or officer
of the Club shall be indemnified by the Club against expenses
actually and necessarily incurred by him/her in connection with
the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which he/she
is made a party by reason of his being or having been a Director
or officer of the Club except in relation to matters as to which
he/she shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to
have acted outside the scope of his authority or be liable for
gross negligence or willful misconduct and except any sum paid
for the Club in settlement of such action suit or proceeding based
on action outside the scope of authority or gross negligence or
willful misconduct in the performance of his duties.
(a) The right of indemnification provided herein shall
inure to each Director and officer referred to in Section 10 whether
or not he/she is such Director or officer at the time such costs
or expenses are imposed or incurred, and in the event of his death,
shall extend to his legal representatives.
SECTION 11. The Post office address of the principle
office of the Club shall be that designated by the Board of Directors.
The Club shall have and continuously maintain in this State a
registered office and a registered agent whose office shall be
identical with such registered office as from time to time determined
by the Board of Directors.
Article XIII Amendments
SECTION 1. This constitution may be amended at any annual
or special meeting of the Club, by vote of two-thirds of the voting
members present in person or by written proxy. Notices of proposed
amendments shall be furnished to the Secretary and the Secretary
shall mail a notice of proposed amendments, with copies of same
to each member at least two weeks before such meeting.
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