Plains Pickleball Association

Bylaws and Mission Statement

Article I – General

1. The name of the organization is the Plains Pickleball Association (PPA)

    The PPA exists for the benefit of its members.

2. The Pickleball Mission Statement: The Plains Pickleball Association (PPA) will promote the

     game of pickleball to area residents and visitors; provide competitive, social and fun 

     pickleball activities for all ages and playing levels; to promote healthy activities for people of 

     all ages, and encourage good sportsmanship, camaraderie and development of the sport of

     pickleball through training and participation.

3. The PPA is to provide an opportunity for all members to learn and improve their play; to

     implement instructional lessons; to schedule open and skill level play; league (ladder) play

     and  tournaments; to encourage the highest standards of safe play; to promote social 

     pickleball activities within the community.

4. This  Association shall be operated as a nonprofit organization in accordance with applicable 

    Montana State and Internal Revenue Tax Exempt Codes, and the Association’s Bylaws.

Article II – Membership

1. Membership shall be open to all.

2. There shall be no other precondition for membership, nor will members be required to join

    any national, state, or regionally affiliated organization.

3. Membership is required for participation in Association activities, including: association round 

    robins/leagues/ladders/tournaments, social events and General Membership Meetings.

4. Guest Privileges:

1. General Membership Meetings are open to Guests, however, participation

     is limited to members only.

2. Guests must be accompanied by an association member when participating in a Club

    function.

5. The amount of dues for members will be determined annually on the recommendations of the

    Association Board and approved by a majority vote of the association members attending. 

    Annual membership dues are based on the calendar year - January 1 through December 31. 

    Prorated membership may be determined by the Board.

6. Members who threaten the safety of themselves or others, are abusive, blatantly create 

    turmoil, disruption, or dissension among association members, associations or the 

    association in general may have their association membership temporarily suspended (up to 

    two [2] weeks) by the association. Written notice regarding the reasons for temporary 

    suspension shall be provided to the Executive Board within two (2) business days of the 

    temporary suspension. Termination of an association membership can only occur following a

    recommendation from the President and the approval of the Executive Board. Severe cases 

    of adverse behavior, as described above, may be a cause for suspension of Association 

    membership rights and privileges. Any suspension or termination of association membership

    or Association rights and privileges may be appealed to the Executive Board.

1. First Offense – a written warning from the PPA  board

2. Second Offense – a two-week suspension by the board

3. Third Offense – a four-week suspension by the board

4. Fourth Offense – permanent termination recommended by the Board.

Article III – Officers

1. The Executive Board will consist of four officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and

    Treasurer. 

2. Additional elected officers for this association are: Members At Large.

3. Elected officers will serve from January 1 through December 31. Election of Officers will occur

    at the November General Membership Meeting.

4. The association board shall be elected by a majority vote of those present at the association's 

    annual membership election meeting. The elected officers shall serve without compensation.

5. All positions are elected for (1) year terms.

    President – presides at all association meetings and direct the activities of the association

    Vice President - serves the president, other association officers, committees, and the general

      membership

    Executive Board - Ad hoc committees may be established at the discretion of the President. 

            The Presidential vote breaks any tie. Signatory on bank accounts. Executive Board

            Member.

    Secretary – sets the agenda, records all the minutes of association meetings and posts them

 to the membership. Ensure the retention of association records, reports, and usage 

 sheets. The Secretary may also assist in maintaining the member roster and new 

 member information. Signatory on bank accounts. Executive Board Member.

    Treasurer – acts as custodian of all association funds. Maintains a checking account for the 

association and ensures all monies are deposited and recorded accurately, and that all 

financial reports are properly kept, maintained, and that all federal and state tax reports

are prepared and timely filed. Signatory on bank accounts. Executive Board  Member.

    Members At Large (five positions) – assists any officer as needed. The positions are 

intended to be filled by previous board members to provide continuity and historical 

practice.

    Vacancies. The Association Board will determine when it is necessary to fill a Board vacancy. 

Such determinations will consider the amount of time left for that term, the time of year 

that office is vacated, and any other pertinent matter.

1. The Board will provide the membership with an explanation within 30 days of the 

                vacancy.

2. Should a determination be made that the vacancy must be filled for the continuity of 

    the association, at the next General Membership meeting, loosely following Robert’s 

    Rules of Order, an election will be held.

    6. Impeachment – To impeach an officer, Robert's Rules of Order must be followed. If the

        impeachment is successful, the election of a new officer must follow immediately.

Article IV – Meetings

1. Frequency of Meetings – General Membership Meetings will be held each November for

    annual elections and on an as needed basis.

1. All members will be notified in advance of the meeting.

2. The Board may call a Special membership meeting.

2. Provisions for calling and recording meetings. Agenda and minutes will be taken by the Board 

    Secretary to document all business sessions and will be approved by the Board.

1. Agenda and minutes, as well as other pertinent administrative records, will be retained 

    for a period of three (3) years.

2. Agenda and minutes should be available to the membership before the next general

    meeting.

3. Twelve (12) Association Members are required to make a grievance for reasonable cause to

    require the Board to call a special membership meeting. A fourteen (14) day notice must be 

    given to all  members if a special meeting is called.

4. Voting and Quorum Requirements:

1. Board Meetings – a quorum, is a simple majority of the Board to include two officers.

2. Voting – A simple majority of board members is required for all issues except bylaws. 

    to approve the bylaws requires a 2/3 majority.

3. Elections will be held in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order. Secret ballots will  

    be utilized if there are two or more nominees for any one office.

    If the elected positions have one nominee, election will be by a show of hands and/or 

    voice vote.

Article V – Financial

1. Financial records shall be retained for a period of seven (7) years (prior to the current year).

2. The Board shall authorize the Treasurer to disburse funds in support of Association activities 

    in amounts not to exceed $600. Expenditures exceeding $600, must have two (2) authorized

    signatures. 

3. A receipt is required for all expenditures and disbursements.

4. The Treasurer shall sign all checks. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President, or 

    Secretary shall be authorized to sign Club checks.

5. Club Advertising. Any commercial advertising or flyers of association activities must be in 

    compliance with Club policies.

Article VI – Committee

1. Committees and/or chairpersons are appointed by the Association Board.

2. Each committee will report directly to the Board through a Board-designated liaison.

3. All committees rely on volunteers to chair and serve on each committee. If there are no

    volunteers to staff the committee it will be considered to be inactive.

Article VII – Club Reciprocity

1. Our association from time to time may issue an invitation to other pickleball associations in 

    surrounding communities to attend special events. It is understood that such invitations are

    issued only on an occasional basis.

Article VIII – Amendments

1. To amend the Bylaws of this association requires a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

Article IX – Dissolution

Prior to association dissolution all debts must be satisfied. Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal govt., or to a state or local govt., for the public purpose.