The purpose of these rules is to govern the admission of prospective members, who may at a later date be considered for membership into the Catawba Yacht Club, and additionally to relieve a member of the burdens of accompanying non-members to the Club prior to consideration for membership. Once the prospective Guest Member has met certain requirements (see application), then the process may begin. Let it be known that the Board of Governors and the majority of the membership prefer any prospective member be introduced through the traditional method of the Sponsoring member chaperoning the candidates to the club for a reasonable period of time. Filling out the application alone will not be sufficient to gain Guest Membership status. There will be no guarantee of space to store a boat whether in the wet slip, dry slip or boathouse while the candidate is a Guest Member.The rules of Guest Membership are as follows:
1. Any member in good standing, along with two cosponsors, may propose a person for Guest Membership after that person has been active in some club functions, has a good general understanding of the club and how it functions, and has met the members of the Membership Committee and at least two board members. (See application)
2. The proposal shall be in writing on the appropriate form provided by the Chairman of the Membership Committee.
3. If approved unanimously by the Membership Committee, and prior notification is given to each Board member by the Chairman of the Membership Committee, a non-member shall be admitted to Guest Membership status for period of time not less than 120 days, nor longer than 180 days due to the requirements set forth in rule #6.
4. The sponsoring member (or Secretary) shall deliver to the Guest Member a copy of the Rules of the Club, The Bylaws, and Constitution and also acquaint the Guest Member with the use of the Club and its facilities. A Guest Member must abide by the rules of the Club.
The sponsor shall act as a "mentor" to the prospective member.
5. Upon the Club receiving a deposit equivalent to twenty percent (20%) of the current initiation fee, the Guest Member shall be delivered a club key. Should the Guest Member choose to pursue a senior or junior membership then the entire deposit will apply towards the initiation fee. However, if the Guest Member opts not to pursue full membership, then the deposit shall be forfeited to the Catawba Yacht Club and no refund granted.
6. The Guest Member shall then be required to attend an orientation session held by the Membership Committee once or twice a year, depending on the number of Guest Members, and also, a minimum number of club functions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Two social functions- Two races, practices, classes, or other boating activities- One workday- One membership meeting7. Guest Members shall pay a pro-rata fee for any dry or wet slips and/or lockers that they engage, subject to availability.
8. The Membership Committee shall confirm the Guest Member's intent to either join or reject membership in the time frame set forth in Rule #3. If the Guest Member rejects membership, then all privileges, including unaccompanied access to the club, shall cease and the club key returned to the sponsor, then to the Secretary. In addition, the Guest Member shall remove all personal property from the premises within fifteen (15) days or said property becomes property of the Catawba Yacht Club. If the Guest Member conveys the desire to join the club, then the Board shall vote on membership at the next Board meeting, as set forth in the Club Bylaws; Article VII, Section 2.
9. The Board of Governors reserves the authority to terminate Guest Membership at any time, for any reason, upon a majority vote of the Board.
SUMMARY
Through the process of inviting a prospective Guest Member to club activities over a period of time the:
- Sponsor introduces the candidate to other sponsoring members if need be.
- Sponsor introduces the candidate to Membership Committee members.
- Sponsor introduces the candidate to Board members.
- Sponsor obtains Guest Member Application, Bylaws, Constitution, and Club Rules from Secretary.
- Sponsor goes over the above documents with the candidate.
- Sponsor conveys the completed Guest Membership/Membership Application to the Membership Committee.
- Membership Committee approves/rejects the candidate for Guest Membership, and informs the sponsor.
- Once approved, the candidate shall present a check (Rule #5) to either the sponsor or Membership Committee to convey to the Treasurer.
- The Secretary then sends the candidate a key.
- The Guest Member may then, space permitting, obtain a slip/boathouse space/locker.
When the time period for Guest Membership is over, and if the requirements of Rule #6 have been satisfied, the Membership Committee determines whether or not the Guest Member wishes to join the Club.
- The Board of Governors shall then, at the next Board Meeting, vote as to whether or not to accept the Guest Member for Full Membership.
