THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHESS FEDERATION
CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Southern California Chess Federation, hereafter referred to as SCCF.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section 1. It is the purpose of the SCCF to develop chess and chess competition, to broaden chess as art and recreation, and to promote chess as a significant cultural and educational element throughout Southern California.

ARTICLE III: POWERS

Section 1.The SCCF is empowered to do business as deemed necessary to support the purpose of the organization, except it will take no action contrary to all legal regulations applying to unincorporated, non-profit organizations in the State of California.

ARTICLE IV: NATIONAL STATUS

Section 1. In keeping with this purpose, the SCCF will also serve as the Southern California state chapter of the United States Chess Federation (USCF).

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Regular Membership:

  1. Regular membership is open to any individual meeting the following conditions:
  2. Privileges and Benefits

Section 2. Associate Membership

  1. Any individual who does not meet the requirements and conditions for regular membership is considered an associate member upon the payment of required dues.
  2. Privileges and Benefits
ARTICLE VI: AFFILIATION

Section 1: Clubs and Organizations

  1. Subject to qualifying guidelines established by the Executive Board, any group, that has a purpose consistent with the SCCF, may affiliate with the SCCF.

  2. Privileges and Benefits:

    • They have the right to organize and conduct SCCF activities, subject to the approval of the Executive Board.
    • They shall receive the official publication of the SCCF.
    • They are not entitled to vote in SCCF elections or referendums.
    • No affiliate is considered an agent or representative of the SCCF for any reason unless such authority is granted by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII: EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The SCCF shall be governed by an Executive Board herein referred to as the Board. This Board shall be elected by the regular members.

Section 2. Composition: The Board shall consist of twelve (12) elected members, five (5) of whom shall subsequently be selected as officers.

Section 3. Qualifications: All Board members are required for the term of their office to maintain current regular membership in SCCF and current USCF membership.

Section 4. Responsibilities and Privileges:

  1. All affairs or business of the SCCF will be conducted by the Board.
  2. The Board has the authority to establish membership dues and affiliation fees.
  3. The Board has the power and authority to suspend and/or revoke, for just cause and with due process, any membership or affiliate status with no refund in dues, as prescribed in the Bylaws.
  4. The Board has the authority to establish the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the organization.
  5. The Board has the authority to conduct elections and referendums.
  6. The Board has the authority to select delegates, voting members, and alternate voting members to the U.S. Chess Federation as prescribed by the USCF.
  7. The Board has the authority to select the time and place for the annual membership meeting, which must be held on or before October 1 of each year.
  8. The Board has the power to set the date, time and location of the regular Board meetings.
  9. All powers not specifically delegated or limited elsewhere reside in the Board.

Section 4. Term of the Board: Board members shall begin their term of service upon election and serve a term of two (2) years or until their successors are elected. Six (6) Board members' terms shall expire in even years and Six (6) Board members' terms shall expire in odd years.

Section 5. Vacancies on the Board:

  1. Vacant seats on the Board shall be filled by nominations from the Board members. A secret ballot election by the Board to fill a vacant seat shall be conducted. Vacant seats shall be filled before filling vacant offices of the Board.

  2. A member elected to fill a Board vacancy shall hold office only during the balance of the term of office for the Board member they are replacing.

ARTICLE VII: OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the SCCF shall be, in order of precedence President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary.

Section 2. President

  1. Responsibilities and Privileges

Vacancy: In the event the office becomes vacant for any reason, the Vice-President shall become the new President.

Section 3. Vice-President

  1. Responsibilities and Privileges

Section 4. Secretary

  1. Responsibilities and Privileges

Section 5. Treasurer

  1. Responsibilities and Privileges

Section 6. Membership Secretary

  1. A. Responsibilities and Privileges

ARTICLE IX: TERM OF OFFICES

Section 1. The Board shall nominate and elect from its body the officers, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, as specified in the Bylaws.

Section 2. No officer shall hold more than one office at a time.

Section 3. No Board member may hold the same office or committee chairmanship for more than three (3) consecutive years. This does not limit eligibility for other offices, board membership, or the same office in a subsequent term.

ARTICLE X: MEETINGS

Section 1. Board Meetings

Section 2. General Membership Meetings

ARTICLE XI: ELECTIONS

Section 1. An Annual Election shall be held by secret ballot to fill the six (6) positions for the outgoing members of the Board.

Section 2. The Board shall establish election dates, times, and places to include specific opening and closing times of voting.

Section 3. Regular members may vote only once by:

Section 4. The Board shall appoint an Election Board of at least three SCCF regular members to conduct any election as required by this Constitution and Bylaws. Responsibilities and Privileges of the Election Board are to oversee all aspects of the Election including by not limited to the below:

  1. Shall solicit Nominations from:

ARTICLE XII: REMOVAL FROM THE BOARD

Section 1. Any Board member may be removed from the Board for gross neglect of duties or misconduct.

Section 2. An investigating committee shall be appointed to prefer charges and a formal hearing must be held. A three-fourth (3/4) vote of the entire Board will be required for removal from the Board.

Section 3. Any Board member who misses three (3) consecutive regular Board meetings without cause may be removed from the Board by a three-fourth (3/4) vote of the entire Board.

ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the SCCF in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or any special rules of order the SCCF may adopt.

ARTICLE XIV: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:

Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution must be approved by:

ARTICLE XV: DISSOLUTION

Section 1. In the event that the SCCF should for any reason be dissolved, then all of its financial assets will be turned over to the United States Chess Trust, for use in the promotion of chess in Southern California in conformity with the purposes stated in Article II above.

APPENDIX A

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISOS (1988)

In the 1988 election carried out under the old constitution, four (4) officers and twelve (12) board members are elected under the old rules. The four (4) officers and the four (4) lowest vote-getter of the twelve (12) at-large Board members will get a one (1) year term. The other eight (8) Board members will receive two (2) year terms. Officers have the right to serve their full one (1) year terms in the offices to which they were elected unless impeached for cause.

IMPLEMENTATION PROVISOS (1998)

In the 1998 election, the Constitution was amended by the membership to change the number of Board members from sixteen (16) to twelve (12). Six (6) board members were elected, while the remaining eight (8) board members, elected under the old Board size, also remained in office. Therefore, in 1998-99, there will be fourteen (14) Board members. In the 1999 Election, six (6) Board members will be elected.