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CONSTITUTION UNITED STATES BILLIARD MEDIA ASSOCIATION ARTICLE 1. NAME The name of this organization shall be the United States Billiard Media Association. ARTICLE 2. OBJECTIVE This organization shall be dedicated to the following: Electing billiard media members to the Billiard Congress of Americas Hall of Fame Board, for the purpose of nominating and electing players and notable figures to the Hall of Fame. Elevating the visibility and status of billiards in the media at large. Providing support and a single, authoritative voice for media members when confronted with obstructions to the free practice of journalism. Providing a forum for media members to share information about events and professional issues, as well as resources to better cover cue sports and players. Recognizing outstanding work and long-term achievement among media members and figures in the billiard community. Maintaining a liaison with billiard associations and promoters, and providing information about the billiard media for cue-sport organizations and the general public. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP Membership in the USBMA shall consist of professional print, radio, TV, public relations and Internet media persons who cover cue sports. The executive board reserves the right to determine whether an applicant should be considered a media professional. Membership shall cost $20 per year, with the membership year starting every Jan. 1. ARTICLE 4. ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting shall be held during the U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships. The president will serve as chairman during the annual meeting. ARTICLE 5. ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT The association shall be managed by Luby Publishing Inc., publisher of Billiards Digest and Billiard Retailer. All funds shall be remitted to Luby Publishing Inc., which shall be solely responsible for financial obligations of the association. ARTICLE 6. OFFICERS The officers shall consist of a president and two vice presidents. The three will serve as the executive board. The president and vice presidents of the USBMA for its first two years of operation will be chosen by the principal owners of Luby Publishing Inc., starting from January 1, 2007, and then elected on a biannual basis by a majority of the USBMA members thereafter. All officers will serve for a period of two years, taking office at the annual meeting immediately after the election. ARTICLE 7. ELECTIONS Elections shall be held during the annual meeting, beginning with the annual meeting at the 2008 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships, and then held every two years thereafter. Candidates for the positions of president and vice president must make their candidacy known to the executive board a minimum of 60 days prior to the annual meeting, and the executive board must officially announce their candidacy to the membership no less than 45 days prior to the annual meeting. Elections shall be conducted by majority vote, if there is more than one candidate for the position of president, or more than two candidates for the positions of vice president. In the latter case, members will be able to vote for two of the candidates for vice president, and the two candidates with the most votes will win the offices. Members unable to attend the annual meeting will be able to vote by proxy with a ballot in a signed and sealed envelope. In the instance that a president must resign his or her position, the vacancy will be filled by a vice president, if a single vice president opts for the position, or jointly if both vice presidents seek the position. A president may choose to fill empty seats on the executive board via provisional election at an off-year annual meeting, as long as a majority of members are represented at the meeting or via proxy. ARTICLE 8. QUORUM A quorum at the annual meeting shall consist of a minimum of 10 members. Such a quorum shall be necessary only for the purpose of amending the constitution. ARTICLE 9. ELECTING MEMBERS TO THE BCA HALL OF FAME BOARD ARTICLE 10. AMENDMENTS The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members at the annual meeting, provided that a quorum is present and provided that such amendments have been made available to members 60 days before the annual meeting. |