GHWGA BY-LAWS
BY-LAWS OF THE GRAND HAVEN WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Amended and restated; approved May 13, 2025
ARTICLE I: NAME
This Association shall be known as the Grand Haven Women's Golf Association (GHWGA)
ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES
·stimulate and promote interest, participation, and individual improvement in the game of golf;
· provide an environment for friendly competition, including interclub matches;
· familiarize members with the rules, etiquette, and good sportsmanship of the game of golf as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in the GHWGA shall be open to women who are full golf members of
the Grand Haven Golf Club.
Section 2. Privileges: All members of the GHWGA shall have the privilege of participating in
tournaments and events held by the GHWGA; voting on items that require a vote by the
membership; and serving on any committee when qualified.
Section 3. Conditions:
(a) Applicants for membership shall attain such status by voluntarily accepting the by-laws of
the GHWGA; subscribing to the objectives of the GHWGA; paying dues in the amount and
time-frame prescribed by the Board of the GHWGA; participating in the designated game
during league play; and accepting and applying all decisions of the Board, acting within its
jurisdiction.
(b) New members wishing to join the GHWGA must submit to the GHWGA Membership
Chairman the completed GHWGA application form along with payment of dues in the amount
and manner prescribed by the Board;
(c) Members must have an established GHIN handicap index and are limited to a maximum of
36 strokes for all GHWGA events.
(d) A member must play a minimum of eight Tuesdays during the active playing season
(September opening day to May closing day) to qualify for awards (Ringers, Birdies, Hole-in-
One, Eagles, Most Improved, etc.) budgeted for that fiscal year.
(e) Members must post all scores, whether playing at Grand Haven or away.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. The officers of the GHWGA shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. The officers are elected by the general membership at the end of each season
(typically the closing luncheon) for a two-year term of office.
Section 2. The term of office shall be for two year, commencing on June 1st. Officers shall
not hold the same office more than 2 consecutive terms. This term limit can be waived by a
vote of the general membership.
Section 3. The Board shall consist of the Officers of the GHWGA, the past President as
Advisor, and the Chairpersons of the Standing Committees, who are or may be appointed by
the President at the beginning of her term.
Section 4. The Board shall fill any vacancy in the office of Vice President, Secretary, or
Treasurer occurring between the time of the annual elections.
Section 5. The Board shall meet prior to general membership meetings or whenever deemed
necessary. The Officers shall meet at the discretion of the President.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE BOARD:
Section 1: Duties of Officers:
President: The President shall be Chairman of the GHWGA Board. She shall appoint and
advise all Committees as needed except the Nominating Committee, of which she shall
appoint the Chair. She presides at all Board meetings and general meetings of the
membership; she or her designee which shall be another Board member, shall coordinate
with the Food and Beverage manager for food and beverage, and decorations for all GHWGA
functions. She is authorized to sign checks for the GHWGA in the absence of the Treasurer.
Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President in the execution of her office.
She shall assume the duties of the President in the event of her absence or inability to act.
She shall provide to the Club monthly updates to be included in the Club newsletter. She will
have oversight of the Tuesday discretionary fund, i.e, Special Tuesdays.
Secretary: The Secretary shall take minutes of and keep the records from all meetings of
the Board, the opening and closing luncheons, send out all notices to the general
membership, and have charge of all correspondence of the GHWGA.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall prepare the annual budget, keep an accurate account of all
funds received by her, deposit such funds in the name of Grand Haven Women's Golf
Association, and make all disbursements by check. She shall present a written report of the
finances of the GHWGA at each Executive Board meeting. She shall be responsible to ensure
that the paid dues agree with the Membership Chairman's record of paid members.
Section 2. Duties of Standing Committees:
The duty of each Standing Committee of the GHWGA shall be to formulate and execute plans for the current year with the approval of the Executive Board and to assist the President in carrying out her duties.
(a). Membership Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Membership Chairman to receive applications for GHWGA membership and verify with the Grand Haven Golf Club eligibility of the applicant. She shall coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure records agree. She shall welcome the new member and provide said new member with information about the GHWGA. She shall keep the membership directory up to date and notify Admin Committee of any changes to be published on the website.
(b). Games Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Games Chairman to provide play formats for the calendar year to the pro shop representative who has charge of GHWGA play. She shall assign members to Stableford teams based upon member handicaps. She will also oversee the Food Bank collection on designated dates.
(c). Admin Committee: It shall be the duty of the Admin Committee to maintain the GHWGA website by posting any information provided by other GHWGA Committees. The Committee will maintain all WGA Google Accounts to include passwords, two factor authentications, training of new committee chairs in the use of their account and updating all distribution lists in the appropriate accounts.
(d). Angel Tree Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Chairman to coordinate with the appropriate agencies and provide names and gift ideas received from the agencies to the membership. She shall collect gifts and donations and deliver to the agencies.
(e). Rules Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Rules Chairman to understand USGA Rules of Golf, post local rules, settle any dispute pertaining to rules of golf, and promote knowledge of and adherence to the Rules of Golf among the membership.
(f). Ringer/Birdie Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Ringer/Birdie Chairman to keep a record of birdies and ringers during the active playing season (September through May) and award prizes to the winners at the end of the season (typically the closing luncheon).
(g). Historian: It shall be the duty of the Historian to take photographs at GHWGA events and post said photographs to the GHWGA website.
(h). Sunshine Chairman: It shall be the duty of the Sunshine Chairman to send gifts or cards to members, be it by mail or electronically, remembering special occasions, and to those members who are ill or having surgery, lost a loved one, or facing a long term illness.
(i). Inter-club Captain(s): It shall be the duty of the Inter-club Captain(s) to organize the teams for inter-club play according to the guidelines set forth by the Board and posted to the Grand Haven Women’s Golf Association website.
ARTICLE VI: NOMINATIONS
Section 1. The President shall appoint a Chairman of the Nominating Committee no later than two months prior to the Annual Election Meeting, held in May at the closing luncheon.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee shall nominate a slate of at least one candidate each for the office of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The report of the committee shall be posted at least two weeks prior to the closing luncheon on the GHWGA bulletin board and GHWGA website. Additional nominations may be made from the floor with the consent of the person or persons so nominated.
ARTICLE VII: ELECTIONS
Section 1. The election of officers shall be held at the closing luncheon. Terms of office shall be from June 1st through May 31st for a two-year period.
Section 2. All balloting shall be according to Robert's Rules of Order Revised.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS AND QUORUM
Section 1. General memberships or special meetings shall be conducted at the call of the President and/or a majority of the Board. A quorum for the transaction of business shall be one quarter of the membership present.
Section 2. The Board shall meet as designated by the President, Vice President, or Secretary. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board.
Section 3. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the procedure of all meetings.
Section 4. Only the membership may vote to dispense with a general meeting. All changes of scheduled events must be approved by the board at a called meeting.
Section 5. Polling of members will not preclude a vote of the general membership on any given question.
ARTICLE IX: FINANCE
Section 1. The Board shall meet as designated by the President, Vice President, or Secretary. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Board.
Section 2. Expenditures over $100, that are not covered by the approved budget, must be approved by the President. All monies shall be used for prizes, awards, and other approved expenses with the exception of working capital (minimum of $50) for the newly elected Board of the GHWGA.
Section 3. All monies of the GHWGA shall be deposited in its name and shall be strictly accounted for and controlled by the Treasurer. The GHWGA shall not be held liable for any claims of any nature incurred by a member or group of members unless specifically authorized in advance by the Committee. Claims not so authorized shall be the sole responsibility of the members so involved.
Section 4. Every two years an auditor shall be appointed by the President and shall audit the Treasurer's books and report her findings to the President.
ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARIAN
Section 1. The President, at her option, may appoint a parliamentarian for the conduct of business. She shall resolve the propriety of the procedure of motions.
Section 2. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern the procedure of all meetings.
ARTICLE XI: ADMENDMENTS
The By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting (general or special). Members will be notified of the proposed amendment which will be posted on the GHWGA bulletin board and on the GHWGA website for a period of not less than two weeks in advance of said meeting.
By-Laws Changes:
Approved May 13, 2025