Dome Marina Sailing Centre Bi-laws
1. Name
The name of the centre shall be “Dome Marina Sailing Centre”
2. Burgee
The burgee of the Centre shall be a triangular pennant with a red and navy blue field, and wavy diagonal white line through the Centre.
3. Objective
The objective of the Centre shall be to provide training facilities for members to sail, with the purpose of training and organizing sailing events as well as social events for members, to increase awareness of Wadi Dome Ein Sokhna as a Centre for sailing.
4. Officers and Directors
Commodore: The Commodore shall serve as the head of the Centre, shall provide leadership and inspiration, shall preside at all meetings of members, and shall insure the application of all rules and regulations of the Dome Marina Sailing Centre. The Commodore shall serve as manager of the Centre’s affairs, shall attend meetings of the Board of Directors and all members meetings. With the advice and consent of the Board of Directors he shall appoint members to serve on committees, in appointive offices, and to represent the Centre in community affairs.
Vice Commodore: The Vice Commodore shall assist the Commodore in the discharge of the Commodore’s duties, and in the Commodore’s absence, shall act in the Commodore’s stead. The Vice Commodore may vote as a member of the Board in the event of a tie but shall not be included in determining the presence of a quorum unless acting as Commodore.
Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all Board of Directors general meetings and membership meetings and shall keep minutes thereof. The Secretary shall prepare and make available both those forms that are set forth herein and other forms that may be required in the day-to-day business of the Centre. These duties shall be carried out by the Commodore until such time a person is appointed.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep the financial records of the Centre and pay bills as prescribed by the Board of Directors and the Bylaws. The Treasurer shall report at Board meetings on income and expenses and also give an account of the Centre’s current financial status. These duties shall be carried out by the Vice Commodore until such time a person is appointed.
Fleet Captain: The Commodore shall have the discretion to appoint Fleet Captain[s] as the Commodore deems appropriate. The primary responsibility of the Fleet Captain[s] shall be to arrange cruises, parties, sailboat races and other events for the member’s participation. The Fleet Captain[s] shall assume no responsibility for leadership, navigation, or safety. They shall, however, render all possible assistance.
Membership Chairman: The membership chair shall promote the membership of the Centre, maintain the membership roll, report to the Board on the status of membership, and make recommendations. The membership chairman shall be responsible for issuing membership renewals, membership cards, and all the appropriate communication to the members as provided herein. These duties shall be carried out by the Secretary until such time a person is appointed.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall meet not less than quarterly. The BoD will prepare an operating budget for Dome Marina Sailing Centre to be approved at the Annual Dinner. The Commodore will be authorized to spend up to 1000LE as per his signature. The Chairman of the BoD and the Commodore, combined signatures will have authority to spend up to 5000LE. Board approval shall be required for all contracts and expenditures exceeding 5000LE except for bar inventory purchases and repetitive payments such as rent, insurance, taxes and licenses. In case of an emergency (i.e. roof leak, plumbing failure, etc.) and an expenditure is needed in excess of 1000LE, the Chairman of the Executive Committee, and any director, together, may authorize such expenditure without board approval. The Board of Directors shall have the overall responsibility for the affairs of the Centre, and shall have all authority not otherwise specifically denied it, to enable it to execute this responsibility.
The first Board of Directors shall include and is limited to 5 members: Mostafa Badreddin Chairman, Khaled Yousry member, David Megalli Secretary.
5. Committees
The following committees may be established and such other committees from time to time be deemed necessary by the Commodore. Unless otherwise specified, members of all committees shall be appointed by the chair of each committee subject to the approval of the Commodore.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of three (3) members, two of whom shall be the Treasurer, and the Commodore. The Executive Committee will carry out all those duties herein described.
The first committee shall consist of: Khaled Yousry Chairman, David Megalli Secretary.
Facilities Committee: The Facilities Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Board of Directors, one member to be an Officer of the Centre or a member of the Board of Directors.
Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall consist of three (3) members appointed by the Board of Directors one of whom is the Membership Chairman. The membership committee is charged with setting the membership fees and evaluating the process by which individuals become members. This committee shall submit recommendations to the chairman at the end of every year or more frequently as the committee deems appropriate.
Boat Safety Committee: The Boat Safety Committee is charged with evaluating boat safety and making suggestions with regards to equipment and maintenance. This committee shall submit recommendations to the Commodore at the end of every season or more frequently as the committee deems appropriate.
Skipper Privileges Committee: The Skipper Privileges Committee is charged with evaluating the process of acquiring Skipper Privileges and setting programs to educate skippers, prospective skippers and all members.
Procedural Committee: The Procedural Committee is charged with creating a series of procedures with regards to sailing on Dome Marina Sailing boats, including when boats should go sailing and what procedures should be followed in unusual cases such as boats subjected to severe weather, etc.
Nomination Committee: The Nomination Committee consists of the Commodore and all past Commodores. The Nomination Committee will nominate the Officers of the Centre to be voted upon at the Annual Dinner.
7. Membership Categories
A. Individual Membership: all persons must be approved by the Membership Committee. Any member can apply for the Skipper certification test after taking the sailing course and gaining enough experience about the Marina harbor conditions and how the Centre operates. Any person with previous sailing experience may apply for Skipper Certification by completing a boat handling test successfully and receiving approval from the Skipper Privileges Committee. Skipper certification allows a person to reserve and skipper a Centre Sailboat.
B. Family Membership: this membership includes the spouse and children up to eight (8) years of age.
Youth membership ages (8-16) 300LE/youth/year
C. Village Member: persons who own a chalet or villa in Marina Wadi Dome and La Siesta. They will receive a 20% discount membership fees.
D. Honorary Member: any member may nominate a person for an honorary membership. Only 3such memberships shall be awarded per year. All nominations will be reviewed by the Executive Committee and must receive unanimous approval of that committee. Persons awarded an honorary membership shall be announced at the annual dinner. All rules, regulations and procedures, as well as any expenses related to tests and certifications, shall be the responsibilities of this member. They are exempt of the annual membership dues only.
8. Dues and Payment methods
The membership dues are set each year and published in the informational brochure and website. Members who join once the season is underway shall be billed in their first year a portion of the annual dues which will be added to the annual fees due the end of January of every year.
All dues are payable in cash, one year in advance, and due no later than the end of January of every year.
9. Boats Operating Schedule
The boats will be available to members each year for a period designated by the Commodore. In the event of inclement or dangerous weather, the Boat Safety Committee may restrict access to the boats at any time during the season. During the season, the fleet is operational every day from 9 a.m. until dusk.
10. Guest Privileges
The guest fees for day sailing and for beach use will be set each year and published in the informational brochure and website. Each member will receive 5 free guest passes per year. Applicants for membership who have not yet been accepted as members must pay guest fees. Guest fees are paid in cash upon arrival.
First year fees for up to 3 guests will be 50LE/guest.
11. Symbols
The Commodore is entitled to wear three gold stars and to display the Commodore’s Flag whenever appropriate. The Vice Commodore is entitled to wear two gold stars and to display the Vice Commodore’s Flag whenever appropriate. The Rear Commodore is entitled to wear one gold star and to display the Rear Commodore’s Flag whenever appropriate. A Race Committee Chairman is entitled to display a gold anchor positioned horizontally. A Race Committee member is entitled to display a gold anchor positioned vertically. Past Officers are entitled to wear silver stars or other devices equal to their highest office.
12. Annual Dinner
The Annual Dinner shall be held each winter, at such place as the Commodore shall designate. Every second year, there shall be elected at the Annual Dinner by majority vote of all Members present a Commodore, a Vice Commodore, a Secretary and a Treasurer for terms to commence on the first day of January following the election and to continue for two years or thereafter until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
13. Election of Officers
A. The Board of Directors shall meet in early November for the purpose of electing Officers.
B. The Board shall elect by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those attending, members to act as Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary and Treasurer.
C. The Officers may be elected from the general membership or from the Board of Directors.
D. No person shall be elected to the same office more than two consecutive full terms, excluding Secretary and Treasurer.
E. The term of office will be two (2) years.
14. Special Meetings
Special Meetings may be called by the Commodore who shall notify all members of the place, time and purpose of such meeting.
15. Conduct of Members
All members will uphold the high standards of yachting tradition, both at the Centre and while outside the Centre, especially at events hosted by other yacht clubs. All members will conduct themselves with the highest regard to ethical, honest and respectful behavior that symbolizes membership in the Centre. All members will prescribe to a high moral standard while enjoying the facilities and while representing the Centre at other events or in any way using the Centre name.
17. Improper Conduct
The Officers and their designees will direct the attention of members and guests to violations of Centre rules. Any member or their guests who conduct themselves in an unbecoming manner or who break Dome Marina Sailing Centre rules will be denied service. Based upon the seriousness of the incident, the Officers may impose membership suspension or membership cancellation.
18. Dome Marina Sailing Centre Employees
No member or guest will interfere with the professional staff of the Centre. No employee of the Centre may be sent from the premises on a personal errand for any member or guest. No member or guest will reprimand or discipline any Centre employee. Any inattention to duty or lack of courtesy on the part of a Centre employee shall be reported immediately to the Officers of the Centre.
19. Exploitation of Facilities
Members will not use or allow others to use the name, burgee, or membership list for any commercial purposes whatsoever.
20. Dome Marina Sailing Centre Property
Members will not make any changes to Centre boats and facilities without prior approval from the Commodore. The cost of replacing any Dome Marina Sailing Centre property broken or damaged by a member or their guest will be charged to the member.
21. Dome Marina Sailing Centre Mailing and Phone List
The Centre mailing and phone list is considered valuable property of the Dome Marina Sailing Centre and is not distributed to members. Members wishing to receive contact information for a specific member may contact the office for assistance.
22. Application for Membership
Any person may apply for membership in the Centre. The Centre does not discriminate on any basis, including race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religious or political affiliation. Applicants must complete an application, return it to the Centre and be interviewed by the Membership Committee which will decide whether to elect them to membership.
23. Membership Resignation or Cancellation
Once a member has accepted membership in the Centre, they will remain a member until they resign or their membership is canceled. All resignations should be presented in writing to the Centre and all outstanding dues must be paid. If a member cancels, dues are not refunded. For example if you decide to cancel your membership in March and January dues have been charged, you will not be reimbursed for January dues. If you resign from the Centre, you will be put on a waiting list and pay waiting list fees to be determined and published by the Membership Committee. Your application will then be processed the same way as a new member and you must meet the Membership Committee and pay regular initiation fees. The Officers have the power to suspend or cancel the membership of any member for any reason, including improper conduct.
24. Comments and Suggestions
Any comments, suggestions or complaints about facilities, service or staff should be made in writing to the Commodore.
25. Amendments
The Board of Directors may amend the Bylaws by not less than 3/4 vote of those members present. A quorum for the purposes of amending Bylaws or election of Officers shall consist of five (5) Board members, for all other business except as next provided; four (4) members. Proxies shall not be honored for voting or quorum purposes. No quorum shall be required for an appointment to fill a Board vacancy provided the appointment is unanimously approved by all Board members present at a regular meeting, notwithstanding any lack of a quorum required for conducting other business.
26. General
Fiscal Year
The fiscal year shall end on December 31st.
Liabilities
All members of Dome Marina Sailing Centre shall be directly responsible for all damage done to the property of the Centre by themselves or their guests and for the conduct of their guests, and they shall pay in full for any such damages.
Use of The Centre’s buildings, Boats, or other Property or Facilities the Board of Directors or such committee(s) as designated by the Board of Directors shall establish and publish rules for the use of facilities and/or property and such rules, as approved by the Board, shall be binding on all members.
Membership Obligation
By accepting membership in Dome Marina Sailing Centre, each member accepts and subscribes to these Bylaws, and agrees to observe and obey any regulations, rules, or procedures established herein or established under the authority granted herein
