Catamount Club Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

Article I

Name

The organization shall be named the Catamount Club.

Article II

Purpose

The purpose of the Catamount Club is to raise funds, promote and support the Intercollegiate Athletic programs of Western Carolina University. The club shall solicit contributions of money and/or other property in the name of the Western Carolina University Foundation so that the Foundation may provide support to the Intercollegiate Athletic programs of Western Carolina University including private funds necessary for grants-in-aid to deserving student-athletes who meet the eligibility criteria established by Western Carolina University, the Southern Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Article III

Relationship to the Western Carolina University Foundation

The Catamount Club shall operate as a component part of the Western Carolina University Foundation and, as such, enjoys the tax exempt status afforded the Foundation under the United States and North Carolina Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Additionally, in accordance with the constitution of the NCAA, (Article 3, Section 2., Principles of Institutional Control and Responsibility) all funds generated by the Catamount Club must be deposited in the Western Carolina University Foundation. The latter shall be responsible for the management of such funds subject to the recommendations of the Board of Directors of the Catamount Club and in accordance with the laws governing the operation of nonprofit charitable organizations, University policy, NCAA regulations and the bylaws and constitution of the Foundation.

Article IV

Principal Office

The principal office of the Western Carolina University Catamount Club shall be on the campus of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723.

Article V

Operating Office

Section 1: The conduct of the day-to-day business operations of the Catamount Club shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director of the Catamount Club in cooperation with the President of the Western Carolina University Foundation, the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs, and the Director of Athletics. The Office of University Development shall process the receipt of all funds, authorize expenditures, and maintain all records. Additionally, the Executive Director of the Catamount Club shall recommend and conduct promotional and fund raising activities as approved by the Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, and the Athletic Director and will also assist in the planning and implementation of social activities.

Section 2: Appointment/Compensation: The Executive Director of the Catamount Club shall be an employee of Western Carolina University and thereby appointed and compensated in accordance with university policy.

Article VI

Membership

Section 1: Qualifications: Any person who makes an annual contribution as defined by the Board of Directors of the Catamount Club to the Foundation for the support of athletics shall be a member of the Catamount Club.

Section 2: Benefits: All members are entitled to all of the rights and privileges of membership as set forth herein. Annual membership is from July 1 to June 30. Membership privileges are defined as the right to hold office, attend and vote at the annual meeting and participate in classification benefits as determined by the board.

Section 3: Expectations: The Catamount Club and its members adhere to the principles of sportsmanship and ethical conduct as stated by the policies of the NCAA (2.4), the Southern Conference Code of Spectator Conduct, and the policies of Western Carolina University’s Department of Athletics (Addendum P).

Article VII

Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board: The Board of Directors shall advise the Executive Director of the Catamount Club in conducting the affairs of the organization. The Board shall consist of at least 15 members and no more than 24 members as determined by the Board. All members shall serve one 3-year term and are eligible for re-election to a consecutive 3 year term. Thereafter, one full year must elapse before a Board member is eligible for a subsequent term. The Board at all times must, as near as possible, have one-third of its members’ terms expiring each year. The directors shall be elected by the majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting. The Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Affairs, the Executive Director of the Catamount Club and the Athletic Director shall be ex-officio members of the Board.

Section 2: Officers: The officers of the Catamount Club shall consist of a President and a Vice President who shall serve in their respective offices for a term of one year and are eligible for re-election for a term of one year. The President and Vice President shall be elected from the membership of the board by vote of the board. Nominees must have served on the Board at least one year prior to being elected.

Section 3: Meetings: Meetings of the Board shall be held three times a year. One of these meetings shall be designated the annual meeting. The annual meeting will be held at a site and time designated by the President. Special meetings may be called at any time by the President with five (5) days notice to the Board. At all meetings of the Board, those members present shall constitute a Quorum. A majority vote of those members present constitutes a valid vote. Attendance is required as stated in the Board Criteria as proposed 7-23-05.

Section 4: Committees: The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, , a Director at Large, elected by directors for a one year term. And the immediate Past President that is a current member, Executive Director of the Catamount Club (ex-officio) and the Director of Athletics (ex-officio). Three voting members present constitute a quorum. During the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall exercise all powers of the Board in all cases in which specific direction shall not have been given nor action taken by the Board. All action taken by the Executive Committee shall be by majority vote of the members of that committee, and all action taken by the Executive Committee shall be reported at the next meeting of the Board.

The Nominations Committee shall consist of the Executive Committee and shall have the power and duty to submit to the Board on an annual basis nominees for President and Vice-President and for board membership.

The President may establish any additional committees as shall be deemed necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Catamount Club, including, but not limited to: a membership committee, a fundraising committee, a marketing committee, and an auction committee.

Article VIII

Amendments

These bylaws may be altered, amended or added to by the Board of Directors at any meeting, provided a copy of the proposed amendment shall be mailed to each Board member prior to the meeting at which it is to be acted upon. A two-thirds vote of those members attending shall be required to pass such an amendment. All final bylaw amendments must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Western Carolina University Foundation.

Article IX

Dissolution

By decision of the Board of Directors of the Foundation or by Executive Order of the Chancellor of Western Carolina University the Catamount Club shall cease to function. All assets and responsibilities will be retained by the Western Carolina University Foundation.

Proposed 7-23-05