About VBA & Bylaws

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be The Vermont Bridge Association.

Section 2: The short title of The Vermont Bridge Association is the Association, and the short title of the American Contract Bridge League is the ACBL.

Section 3: The Association: (a) is a Unit of the ACBL, and part of the New England Bridge Conference (District); (b) recognizes the ACBL as the parent organization; and (c) operates under the sanction of the ACBL.

The objectives of this Association shall be to:

• Preserve and promote the best interests of tournament contract bridge in Vermont.
• Prescribe rules of eligibility for participation in tournaments under its auspices.
• Cooperate with and assist the ACBL in the promotion and conduct of contract bridge tournaments.
• Consider and pass upon reports of dishonest, unethical, or improper conduct of participants, and to bar or suspend persons guilty of such conduct.
• Conduct, license, or sanction contract bridge tournaments at which championship titles shall be determined.

Section 1: The membership of the Association shall be comprised of ACBL members in good standing who are residents of the State of Vermont, or who have received appropriate dispensation from the ACBL.

Section 2: The privileges of members in good standing shall be: (a) to vote in person at the Annual Meeting and at all special meetings; and (b) to be eligible for election or appointment to any office or committee of the Association.

Section 1: The affairs of the Association shall be administered by a Board of Directors.

Section 2: The Board of Directors consists of representatives appointed by affiliated clubs based on weekly game volume, plus the officers (President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President, and Table Talk Editor).

Section 3: Bridge clubs will be accepted as affiliates upon application and maintenance of an ACBL sanction.

Section 1: Amendments may be made at any regular or special meeting of the members, provided 10 days notice in writing incorporating the proposed amendment text has been given.

Section 2: Concurrence of two-thirds of all members present and voting is required to pass any amendment.

Section 1: The Board of Directors appoints a Nomination Committee (at least 3 members) 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting to prepare a slate of officers.

Section 3: Additional nominations may be made in writing by any member, signed by at least ten members in good standing, and presented to the Secretary at least 30 minutes before the Annual Meeting.

Section 1: The Board of Directors fixes the time and place of the Annual Meeting. The Secretary gives written notice at least 20 days prior.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by the President, a majority of the Board, or three or more affiliated clubs.

Section 5: There shall be at least three regular meetings of the Board of Directors each year.

The Board of Directors has the authority to:

• Discuss and decide the general policies of the Association.
• Arrange tournament schedules and coordinate with the ACBL.
• Acquire, hold, maintain, and dispose of Association property and funds.
• Censure, suspend, or expel any member for violations or improper conduct, requiring a two-thirds vote after due hearing.
• Cause receipts and disbursements to be audited biennially.

Section 1: The President, with Board approval, appoints committees to perform Association functions. Standing committees include:

• Executive Committee: Comprises the officers and Past President for urgent decisions.
• Nomination Committee: Prepares the slate of officers.
• Conduct and Ethics Committee: Holds hearings on violations and recommends penalties to the Board.

Section 2: The Secretary produces welcome packages, maintains membership records, takes minutes of Board meetings, and keeps historical records.

Section 3: The Treasurer pays bills, maintains financial records, produces financial reports, bank accounts, and cooperates with biennial audits.

Section 5: All officer positions and the Table Talk Editor are non-salaried.