Constitution

Article I: Name

This organization shall be known as the Greater Lawrence Baseball Umpire’s Association (GLBUA).

Article II: Purpose

To recruit, train, improve, promote, and to unify baseball umpiring, with the intention of maintaining a high standard of officiating.

Article III: Officers and their duties

Section I

President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Interpreter, Past-President, and at-large member(s). All officers shall be offered free membership.

Section II: President

Be elected by a majority of the membership.

Section III: Vice-President

Be elected by a majority of the membership.

Section IV: Secretary

Must be elected by a majority of the membership. The Secretary shall keep detailed records of all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee, and shall be responsible for giving notice to such meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for the coordination of all Association correspondence and shall maintain accurate records of all Association correspondence and shall maintain accurate records of all printing and distribution of all documents relating to the Association. The Secretary shall perform related duties as directed by the President. The Secretary shall be paid an annual fee, the amount of which will be determined by the Executive Board.

Section V: Treasurer

Must be elected by a majority of the membership. The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Executive Committee, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Association and shall maintain an accurate record of all financial transactions and accounts. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds of the Association and shall deposit such funds in a bank account to be maintained in the name of the Association. Any bank used for the financial purposes of the Association must meet the approval of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall be responsible for recording and collecting all dues and other assessments from members. The Treasurer shall annually prepare and submit to the Executive Committee a detailed statement of the Association's finances one week before the annual business meeting. After approval by the Executive Committee, shall be submitted to the membership at the annual business meeting. Other financial reports shall be prepared as required. The Treasurer shall perform related duties as directed by the President. The Treasurer shall be paid an annual fee, the amount of which will be determined by the Executive Board.

Section VI: Interpreter

Shall rule on all questions pertaining to the rules of Major League Baseball as published by Major League Baseball. Shall conduct clinics and give rule interpretations for the benefit of the association and its membership. The President shall appoint the Interpreter each year.

Section VII: At Large Member(s)

Must be elected by a majority of the membership. There shall be an At-large Member representative for every 25 members of the association. If membership of the GLBUA reaches above 125 members the At Large Member representatives shall not exceed 5 representatives. Member(s) at large shall serve on the Executive Board and perform duties for the Association as directed by the President.

Section VIII: Past President

Shall serve as a member of the Executive Board and perform duties for the Association as directed by the President. In the event the Past President can no longer serve, the President will appoint a member to serve in this position until the next business meeting. Then the majority of the membership will elect a representative.

Article IV: Membership

Section I:

To be a member in good standing, each member shall pay dues and attend the Business Meeting and one clinic annually. Meetings will be set by the Executive Board.

Section II: New Membership

To be eligible for membership, you must:

1. Be at least 18 years of age
2. Submit a non-refundable application fee
3. Attend pre-examination clinics
4. Pass the annual entrance examination
5. Attend the 2 Man Mechanics Class
6. Attend at least one field clinic for the first 3 years of membership

The Executive Board may set additional requirements for new members

Section III: Inactive Members

1. Must pay annual dues
2. Must declare themselves inactive at the beginning of the year
3. Do not have to attend business meeting or clinics
4. If an inactive member declares themselves active, they must meet the requirements of a member in good standing, plus:

*Attend 4 clinics: either new membership clinics, board clinics, or clinics held by accredited boards or individuals

Section IV: Junior Membership and Junior Associate Membership

1. Be at least 16 years of age
2. Submit a non-refundable application fee
3. Attend pre-examination clinics
4. Pass the entrance examination
5. Attend the 2 Man Mechanics Class
6. Attend at least one field clinic for the first 3 years of membership
7. Restricted to assignments of 13 year olds and younger
8. At 18 years of age, advance to Member, if in good standing as defined in the Constitution
   

Junior Associate Membership

1. Be at least 14 years of age
2. Submit a non-refundable application fee
3. Attend pre-examination clinics
4. Pass the entrance examination
5. Attend the 2 Man Mechanics Class and Small Diamond Clinic
6. Attend at least one field clinic for the first 3 years of membership
7. Restricted to assignments of 12 year olds and younger
8. At 16 years of age, advance to Junior Member,  and at 18 years of age advance to Member if in good standing at each juncture as defined in the constitution.

    

*The Executive Board may set additional requirements for Junior Members

Note: To accommodate this amendment, add “Junior Member” to Setion I

Article V: Executive Board and Duties

Section I

The Executive Board shall be the representatives of the Association. Their voting in all matters except where noted is binding on the Association.

Article VI: Dues (see Article III also)

Section I

All members must pay annual dues by the date set for the Annual Meeting of that year. Dues will be determined by the Executive Board.

Article VII: Elections

Election of all officers will be held at the first annual meeting of the odd years. The meeting will be held on a date set by the elected officers of the organization. This is a mandatory meeting of all active and new members. There will be no term limits for elected officers.

Article VIII: Uniforms

Uniform requirements shall be set by the Massachusetts Baseball Umpire’s Association (MBUA). The requirements will be discussed each year at the annual business meeting.

Article IX: Amendments

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members in good standing, who are in attendance at the annual business meeting. All amendments must be submitted to the Secretary no later than 10 days prior to the date set for the annual meeting of the calendar year to be voted on.

Article X: Conduct

Section I

The Executive Board, at their discretion, can suspend a member by a simple majority vote.

Section II

A member may be removed from the Association at a meeting called by the Executive Board, by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership in attendance at the meeting.

Section III

A member who does not comply with attendance requirements and dues obligations shall be fined a fee not to exceed double the amount of their dues.

Section IV

If a member accepts a game assignment and does not show at that assignment, and does not notify the assigner immediately with valid reason why the assignment was missed:

1. First Offense: The member will receive a verbal warning.
2. Second Offense: The member will be fined an amount equal to the game fee for the (same year) missed game.
3. Third Offense: The member will be subject to suspension by the Executive Board (same year)

Article: XI: Special Meeting

Any ten members in good standing may petition the Executive Board to hold a special business meeting by submitting a petition to the Secretary. The petition must be signed by the petitioners and detail the specific topic to be discussed at the meeting. The President will instruct the Secretary to notify all members of the meeting to be held within 30 days. The petitioners shall appoint a spokesman who will address the membership to discuss the topic at hand.

Article: XII: Honorary Life Membership

Honorary life membership shall be bestowed upon certain members based on dedication and service to umpiring and the Greater Lawrence Umpires Association. Any member may submit a name(s) to the Executive Board by December 31 for their review. The Executive Board can submit a list of no more than 3 nominees per year to receive this honor and status. Upon 2/3's vote of agreement by the Executive Board, their decision will be ratified by a 2/3's vote of the membership at the first business meeting of the year. There will be new honorary life memberships bestowed if the following requirements have been satisfied by the nominee:

1. Minimum of 25 years continuous membership in the Greater Lawrence Baseball Umpires Association.
2. Dedication and service to umpiring and the Greater Lawrence Baseball Umpires Association.