ARTICLE I NAME
C 1.00 The Name of this organization shall be the Sonar Class Association (SCA).
ARTICLE II INSIGNIA
C 2.00 The emblem of the Class shall be six red graduated rectangles as depicted in the Class Rules.
ARTICLE III OBJECTIVES
C 3.00 To promote class racing among boats that are equal and keep one-design standards in perpetuity.
C 3.01 To exercise jurisdiction over all Class activities and to enforce its Constitution, By-Laws and Class Rules upon all members and fleets of the Association.
C 3.02 To manage the Sonar Class.
ARTICLE IV POLICY
C 4.00 The SCA exists to encourage and exemplify the highest traditions of Corinthian sportsmanship. It shall cooperate with other yachting organizations, in return for which observance and enforcement of the policies of the SCA is expected.
C 4.01 The Constitution, By-Laws and Class Rules shall be interpreted to insure continued competition between boats of identical design.
C 4.02 The official language of the SCA is English. If a dispute over the interpretation of the Constitution, By-Laws or Class Rules occurs, the English text shall prevail.
ARTICLE V ORGANIZATION
C 5.00 The powers of the SCA shall be vested in the Executive Committee, with the exception of matters specifically reserved for the Annual Meeting.
C 5.01 A fleet shall consist of three or more boats owned by active members in good standing residing in a class-approved territory. Each fleet shall have Fleet Secretary and shall be self-governing within the Rules of the SCA.
C 5.02 Districts shall consist of fleets in specified geographical areas.
ARTICLE VI JURISDICTION
C 6.00 The SCA shall have jurisdiction over all Sonar activities. Its Constitution, By-Laws and Class Rules shall be binding upon all members and fleets and shall govern all races.
ARTICLE VII MEMBERSHIP
C 7.00 There shall be one class of membership as follows:
C 7.00.01 Active Member:
An Active Member shall be a dues paying owner or part owner of a Sonar and shall be privileged to hold office, and to vote. However, each Sonar shall be entitled to only one vote. Partners shall decide who shall cast their boat’s one vote.
A non-owner of a Sonar may become an Active Member by paying the appropriate dues for the current year. A non-owner Active Member shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of an owner, but cannot vote or hold office.
C 7.01 Membership Year:
Membership shall run from the later of January 1, or the date dues are paid, and shall end December 31, of each year.
ARTICLE VIII – ELECTION OF OFFICERS
C 8.00 The SCA officers designated below shall be elected at an annual meeting and normally serve a two year term which can be renewed. Nomination to any office may be made by:
C 8.00.01 the Nominating Committee as appointed by the President;
C 8.00.02 from the floor by an Active member. Candidates for President shall be voted on first. It is the responsibility of the nominator to know in advance that a proposed candidate will be willing to serve.
C 8.01 Voting shall be by the Active members present or by qualified proxy. A majority vote is required for election of a candidate. If more than two candidates are nominated for an office, the one who receives a majority of the votes shall be elected. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, then the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall participate in a run-off vote. In the event of a tie vote, the Chairman of the meeting shall cast the deciding vote.
ARTICLE IX OFFICERS
C 9.00 President:
The President shall be chief executive officer. The President shall preside over all meetings, serve as Chairman of the annual meeting. and serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee. The President shall rule on procedure, jurisdiction, summarize decisions, appoint special committees and authorize payment of bills.
C 9.01 Vice Presidents:
Four Vice Presidents who shall be from at least two continents and perform the duties assigned to them and, in the absence of the President, one of the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties of the President. One of the Vice Presidents shall normally succeed to the Presidency in the event of the demise or resignation of the President.
C 9.02 Secretary:
The Secretary shall be responsible for taking minutes of meetings, disseminating general information, and maintaining records (including a list of Sonar owners and sail numbers).
C 9.03 Treasurer:
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Association and shall receive all dues and make disbursements as ordered by the President. At each annual meeting the Treasurer shall present a financial statement.
C9.04 Vacancies
Vacancies in any office may be filled by the remaining members of the Executive Committee. The term of any person so appointed shall expire at the next Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE X STANDING COMMITTEES
C 10.00 Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairman of the Measurement Committee, Chairman of the Technical Committee, plus any member or members the committee may select. The Committee shall be responsible for the affairs of the Association and can hold Executive Committee meetings electronically.
C 10.01 Technical Committee:
The Technical Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and be chaired by a Vice President. The Committee shall be responsible for interpretation of the By-Laws and Class Rules and reviewing all proposed amendments thereto.
C 10.02 Measurement Committee:
The Chairman of the Measurement Committee (Chief Measurer) shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall be responsible for monitoring all measurement certificates so as to maintain strict one-design characteristics as determined by the SCA. The Chief Measurer shall appoint regional measurers as required.
C 10.03 Development Committee:
The Committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and be chaired by a Vice President. The Committee shall be responsible for overseeing the activities necessary to promote the development of the Sonar in line with the class objectives worldwide. This would include contact with ISAF, MNAs, fleet captains, regatta planning, newsletters, the yearbook and general publicity.
ARTICLE XI ANNUAL MEETING
C 11.00 An annual meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee, preferably in conjunction with the North American Championship or a World Championship. To be valid, an annual meeting must be attended by active members, in person or by proxy who represent a minimum of 20%of the active fleets in the Association. A proxy must be duly signed by an Active member and received at the address of the SCA at least 48 hours before an annual meeting. If the minimum percentage of the active fleets is not met, then the existing Executive Committee will continue in office until the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE XII ORDER OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING
C 12.00 The agenda of the annual meeting shall be as follows:
Call to order.
Roll call of fleets.
Minutes of last meeting.
Reports of officers and committees.
Setting of dues for next SCA year.
Unfinished business.
Proposed amendments to Constitution and/or By-Laws
New business.
Election of officers for the coming year.
Adjournment.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS
C 13.00 The SCA Constitution shall never be suspended but may be amended by the following procedure:
C 13.00.01 A proposal by a standing committee or a proposal from a fleet.
C 13.00.02 The proposed amendment must be received at the address of the SCA at least 60 days in advance of an annual meeting in order to be included in the agenda. Proposed amendments sent electronically must be confirmed in writing.
C 13.00.03 The proposed amendment must be mailed in hard copy and/or electronically to the Active membership at least 30 days before an annual meeting.
C 13.00.04 At an annual meeting, the amendment must be approved by a two-thirds vote of Active members present, including proxies.
C 13.00.05 If so approved, it shall be submitted in hard copy and/or electronically to all Active members for final ratification. Enactment shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of all qualified ballots received in hard copy and/or electronically by the published deadline date.