BISMARCK MANDAN HORSESHOE PITCHERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS I. NAME This organization known as the Bismarck Horseshoe Pitchers  Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. In the remainder of this Constitution and Bylaws, the acronym “BHA” shall stand for the full name of the Association. II. PURPOSE The purpose of the BHA is to work with its membership to facilitate Division play and to raise funds to benefit the sport of Horseshoes, the facility, and BHA members. BHA shall perform fundraising activity and promotional activity in conjunction with the BHA’s Articles of Incorporation and IRS 501(c)(3) stated purposes. BHA works with state and national associations in the promotion of the sport of horseshoes. III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors shall consist of fourteen (14) members elected from the general membership. Each position is indefinite, however, if a member resigns, a letter or note will be issued to the President, from the member resigning, who presents it to the Board for approval; at that time the Board will nominate a person(s) from the general membership to serve on the Board. This Board of Directors shall make decisions necessary to accomplish the BHA stated PURPOSE and shall raise and dispense funds, enter into agreements as determined necessary, and generally conduct activity deemed necessary, without membership approval. This Board of Directors shall determine the individuals who will represent the Director positions. Funds disbursed up to $500 must have the President, Vice-President and Secretary approval; funds disbursed over $500 require BHA Board approval. A minimum of two signatures representing the President, Vice-President, or Secretary are required to disburse funds. This Board of Directors shall conduct business only if a simple majority or more of Board Members are present with the President and Secretary as required members of this simple majority. IV. MEETINGS BHA shall hold one general membership meeting annually in the spring before regular season play begins. Other meetings may be held at the discretion of the Board. In order to be official for voting procedures, a minimum of three officers and ten other club members must be present at the spring meeting. Board action shall require a simple majority with votes cast via phone, email, or fax to the Board President.               V. BHA REGULATIONS 1. ORGANIZATION - A. BHA shall consist of three Divisions men’s, women’s, and co-ed. The Board, from time to time, and as determined necessary, may organize additional Divisions. Division representatives, as selected by the Board, will advise the Board regarding start date of play, point/shoe count, and class size. The Board is however not obligated to adopt the representative’s suggestions if it is determined NHPA, NDHPA, or BHA Rules would be circumvented or violated in any way or that the overall BHA would be negatively impacted. B. Divisions shall be made up of Classes. The Board shall organize classes based on number of teams registered prior to the start of the BHA season. The Board shall have the prerogative to establish team entry deadline each year for the purpose of an orderly start of Divisional play. 1. The Board will place teams in classes according to the combined average of both players. 2. Team Formation - Teams shall consist of two players. Team partnership shall be decided by players selecting their own partner. Co-Ed Division teams will consist of a man and a woman. Teams may consist of more than two members but all team members must be BHA members. 2. DIVISION PLAY - a. Play shall be held on nights to accommodate the Divisions. b. Games must be started by 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise prearranged by the individual Teams. c. If unable to pitch on scheduled night, teams will be allowed 14-days before or after to make-up games; except, all games must be completed by the end of the last scheduled week of each round. d. If one team member cannot pitch on the scheduled night, the use of an additional Team member or a substitute is encouraged. 3. SUBSTITUTES - a. In order to use a substitute, one regular member of the team must play. b. Any member of a class may substitute for any other member of the same class regardless of ringer percentage. c. Players will be permitted to substitute in any other class provided his/her ringer percentage is not more than 15% higher than player substituted for. d. Only BHA members with an established average for the current season are permitted to substitute. Go To Page 2 Home Home