HUNTSVILLE TRACK CLUB CONSTITUTION

1.0 CONSTITUTION OF THE HUNTSVILLE TRACK CLUB, INC.

 

1.1 ARTICLE I - NAME AND DURATION

 

The name of this organization shall be the Huntsville Track Club, Inc.  The period of duration of the corporation shall be perpetual.

 

1.2 ARTICLE II - PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

 

The primary purpose of this organization shall be the education and training of individuals in and around the community of Huntsville, Alabama, as to the benefits of jogging and long distance running for fitness, health and recreation.

 

The educational aspects shall include thorough and objective presentations of pertinent physical, mental and nutritional facts associated with conditioning of the body to retard aging, abate injury and increase immunity.  These facts shall be supported by the experience of conditioned runners, exercise physiologists, doctors, and professional educators.  This organization will develop documents such as newsletters, flyers, essays, clinical reports, stretching and strengthening programs and other instructional material to be used during instruction and distributed to its membership and other interested individuals in Huntsville.  The collection and dissemination of running/fitness information published in reputable periodicals and books will be reviewed and reported on.  This organization will provide consultation to city and state officials for the design and development of running and exercise courses and parks in around the Huntsville area.   Furthermore, this organization will research popular issues concerning jogging/running and host clinics and seminars, teach specific running and fitness courses and hold guest speaker meetings via direct personal contact or radio and television.

 

The training aspects shall be conducted in the safest possible manner and be directed specifically toward improving or developing each individual's capabilities to the point that they can in fact enjoy more vitality, longer life, fewer injuries and gain greater immunity from cardiovascular and other degenerative diseases.

 

The aforementioned educational and training activities will also serve to foster fellowship and bring mutual benefits to its members and all participants.

 

Secondarily, this organization will develop a program for the promotion of jogging, road racing, cross country, and track and field activities in Huntsville.  These activities, and the competition within them, provide the necessary goals and challenges to allow the participants to apply the education and training offered to them through this organization.  The support and propagation of running events in Huntsville is essential to motivate those considering better health and fitness through exercise because the accomplishments of all participants dramatically demonstrates how others have gained significant improvements.  The social and recreational benefits of these community sporting events will be available for everyone to enjoy.

 

All instructional material, training and events will be used to achieve the primary educational purpose and objectives either directly, or as a motivational stimulus.

 

The secondary promotional activities of this organization shall include:

 

(A) stimulating the interest of the people in healthful participation in scheduled and non-scheduled events,

 

(B) establishing an effective means of communication for the transmission of useful ideas, whereby coaches and athletes and citizens will be informed of the latest developments and techniques,

 

(C) giving prompt attention to valid suggestions on how to improve the conduct and administration of track and field and running events,

 

(D) creating and maintaining research projects that will benefit all interested parties,

 

(E) training and certifying competent cross country, road racing and track and field officials,

 

(F) financing improvements in the sport of track and field and raising money for that purpose,

 

(G) conscientiously planning and preparing athletes for regional, national and international competition through the best available coaching, careful scheduling of workouts and meets, and proper travel (transportation, housing and food) arrangements,

 

(H) unifying and coordinating the efforts of all agencies interested in furthering jogging, road racing, cross-country, and track and field in our area and allowing all interested parties to have a voice in the development of the sport in our area,

 

(I) aiding and encouraging the establishment of cross country, track and field programs in the area schools,

 

(J) aiding in the improvements of established cross country, track and field programs in the area schools,

 

(K) providing a competitive program for individuals, particularly those who have no other opportunity for competition.

 

1.3 ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

 

This organization shall have a dual level membership.  The first level will be active or working members and the second will be inactive or non-working members.  The fee structure for membership will be divided into four divisions: General, Family, Subscribers, and Supporters.  The administration of these dues will be as delineated in the By-Laws (Section 2.0).

 

1.4 ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION, OFFICERS AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

The officers of this organization shall be: President, Vice President-Programs, Vice President-Races/Equipment, Vice President-Communication, Secretary, Treasurer.  The election of officers will be held at the January meeting in even years.  Each officer shall hold office for a period of approximately two years or until his successor is appointed.  The exact term of office shall be from the day after the annual meeting at which he is elected through the day of the next elections.  The duties of officers, qualifications for membership or such regulation as may be deemed necessary shall be provided for in the BY-LAWS of this organization.

 

A Nominating Committee for the above offices shall be appointed by the President and approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee at least one month before the elections.  The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three to five members, none of whom shall be seeking office in the election under consideration.  The Executive Committee shall name one of the Nominating Committee members as Chairman.  The Nominating Committee shall perform the following duties:

 

1 - Accept nominations from any member, and contact nominees for acceptance of nomination.   Current information regarding nominees for any office will, upon request, be given to any HTC member.

 

2 - Actively seek members to run for all offices.

 

3 - The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall conduct the elections as outlined below.

 

The election shall be conducted by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee and shall adhere to the following guidelines in the order given:

 

1 - The Chairman will identify the names of all members who have already been nominated and accepted the nomination of each office.

 

2 - The Chairman will open the floor for additional nominations for any office.  Any member may be nominated (including self-nomination).  The Chairman will ask any nominee from the floor for verbal acceptance.  Any nominee from the floor must be present to accept nomination.  An individual shall not be nominated for more than one office.  When all members desirous of making a nomination have done so, the Chairman will close nominations for all offices.

 

3 - Each nominee shall be given a maximum of five minutes to speak on his own behalf.  If He is unable to attend, another member may speak on his behalf.  Candidates shall speak in the following order: Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President-Communications, Vice President-Races/Equipment, Vice President-Programs, and President.  Within each office, candidates shall speak in alphabetical order.

 

4 - Secret Ballots will then be taken from any current member or anyone who was a member on the December 31 before the elections.  Absentee ballots will not be accepted.

 

5 - The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall not vote unless there is a tie which affects the outcome of the election.  In that case he must vote for one of the candidates who are tied.

 

6 - The Nominating Committee shall announce the results of the election.

 

1.5 ARTICLE V - FILLING OF VACANCIES OF OFFICERS

 

The President shall appoint to office, with the advice and majority approval of the Executive Committee, any member to fill a vacancy among the officers until such time as a successor is duly elected.

 

1.6 ARTICLE VI - NON-PROFIT STATUS

 

This organization was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization by the State of Alabama in 1972.

 

1.7 ARTICLE VII - TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

 

In recognition of its non-profit purpose and objectives this organization was granted a Federal Tax exemption under 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code in 1977.  (Employer I.D. # 63-610133 issued 1975)

No part of the net income of the organization shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services actually rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes and objects set forth in Article II.

No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, the corporation shall not conduct or carry on any activities not permitted to be conducted or carried on by an organization exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or by an organization contributions to which are to be deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of such Code.

 

1.8 ARTICLE VIII - AFFILIATION

 

The Executive Committee of this organization shall consider and act to affiliate this organization with national organizations and other bodies when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the organization membership to further the purposes and objectives set forth in Article II.

 

1.9 ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

 

The Constitution and BY-LAWS may be amended at any meeting of the organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those present, provided each member is sent a written notice of proposed amendment from the Executive Committee a minimum of one week before the meeting at which said amendment is to be voted upon.

 

1.10 ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION

 

Upon the dissolution of the organization or the winding up of its affairs, after all creditors have been paid, the assets of the organization shall be distributed exclusively for charitable or educational purposes or to organizations which are then exempt from federal tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and to which contributions are then deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of such Code.