International Lightning Class Association
Constitution
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization is the INTERNATIONAL LIGHTNING CLASS ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as ILCA or the
ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE II - EMBLEM
The emblem shall be the symbol of a "flash of lightning," in
accordance with Lightning Sail Plan, and of contrasting color with sail.
ARTICLE III - OBJECT
1. To promote and develop racing, without geographical limitation, in
Lightning Class sailboats under uniform rules and between boats of
identical design.
2. 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.
ARTICLE IV - POLICY
1. To cooperate with all other sailing organizations and to demand in return observance of the Class Rules of the
ILCA.
2. To rigidly maintain the one-design features of Lightning Class
sloops, as designed by Sparkman and Stephens, Inc., (plan No. 265), to
insure that all Lightning Class races shall be to determine the skill of
the skipper and crew. The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules Governing All
Sanctioned Lightning Class Regattas, and Measurement Specifications
shall be interpreted to insure competition between boats of identical
design. Design changes tending to increase costs and to out-class
boats now certified by the ILCA shall not be permitted.
ARTICLE V - ORGANIZATION
1. The Association shall consist of territorial branches known as
"districts" and units within such territorial branches known as "fleets".
2. Any three or more owners of Lightning Class sailboats, who are
members of the Association, may be granted a Fleet Charter upon
application to this Association and upon payment of such charges as
may be fixed from time to time by this Association.
3. Each fleet shall be self-governing in all matters not conflicting with
Association Rules. Each Fleet shall elect officers including a
Fleet Captain and a Fleet Secretary-Treasurer.
4. Groups of Fleets shall be titled and organized into Districts by the
Governing Board. Each District shall elect its own officers including a
Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer and be self-governing providing
its rules and regulations are not in conflict with this Association.
5. Fleet Charters may be suspended or revoked for due cause and
Districts may be redesignated in the discretion of the Governing Board
of this Association.
6. Applications for membership may be made to this Association if
there is no fleet in the locality of the applicant.
7. The powers of this Association shall be vested in the Governing
Board.
ARTICLE VI - JURISDICTION
The Association has jurisdiction over all Lightning activities. Its Class
Rules govern all Lightning races. Its Constitution, By-Laws, Rules
Governing All Sanctioned Lightning Regattas, and Measurement
Specifications are binding upon all Members and Fleets. All registered
Lightnings must conform to its official plans and specifications.
ARTICLE VII - DUES
The Association will set forth the amount of the membership dues in
the By-Laws. Fleets and Districts will determine their own dues
structures. All assessed dues and taxes must be paid before a member,
Fleet, or District can be in good standing of the ILCA.
ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
1. The membership in the Association shall consist of four classes: -Life, Active, Associate, and Crew as follows:
(a) A Life Member shall be entitled to all of the privileges of an Active
Member so long as such member meets the requirements for active
Membership. He or she must be eligible for active membership to be
elected, and may retain such membership after ceasing to be a
Lightning owner.
(b) An Active Member must be either an owner or part-owner of a
Lightning, a Service Fleet representative or the representative of a
wholly owned Club Fleet, and a member of a Fleet if in a locality in
which there are three or more Lightnings in close enough proximity to
permit racing together; provided, however, the bonafide leasee of a
Lightning holding title thereto under written lease recorded with the
Executive Secretary, shall be deemed eligible for active membership with the privilege of participation in all Class activities, subject to the
express provisions of the ILCA Constitution, By-Laws, Rules Governing
All Sanctioned Lightning Class Regattas, and Measurement
Specifications; provided further that in cases where a Lightning is
owned by an organization (Fleet, Club, Association, Corporation or
Government Agency) the owner can designate up to two individuals as
its representatives for such boat and those representatives shall be
deemed eligible for Active Membership. An Active Member is
privileged to hold office, to vote, and to skipper a Lightning in
accordance with the By-Laws. Active membership shall be retained
until the end of the fiscal year in which the member ceases to be a Lightning owner.
(c) An Associate Member must be a non-owner of a Lightning. He or
she may be enrolled as part of the crew of a specific boat and may
skipper in any sanctioned or non-sanctioned race or regatta. An
Associate Member cannot vote or hold office.
(d) A Crew Member must be a non-owner of a Lightning. He or she
may be enrolled as part of the crew of a specific boat and may skipper
in Fleet races and non-sanctioned races and regattas only. A Crew
Member cannot vote, hold office.
2. Active membership in any Fleet shall be restricted to Active
members of the Association. Associate membership in any Fleet shall
be restricted to Associate or Crew members of the Association.
3. A member cannot belong to more than one fleet at a time, nor can a
boat be registered in more than one fleet.
ARTICLE IX - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
1. The Association officers, designated below, shall be elected at the
Annual Meeting and serve from September 1st through August 31st or
until their successors are duly elected or appointed. Nominations to
each office may be made by:
(a) The Nominating Committee hereinafter provided for; or
(b) Any fleet delegate from the floor at the Annual Meeting; or
(c) Any fleet in good standing by submission to the ILCA in writing
thirty days in advance of the Annual Meeting, provided such nomination is signed by a majority of active members of such fleet.
2. Each officer shall be nominated, and voted upon separately by the
fleet delegates in the order named and the candidate receiving the
greatest number of votes shall be considered elected. The officers
shall be:
(a) PRESIDENT - The President is the chief executive officer and shall
preside at all meetings and serve as Chairman of the Executive
Committee and Governing Board. He or she shall rule on procedure,
jurisdiction, summarize decisions, appoint special committees and
authorize the payment of all bills.
(b) VICE PRESIDENTS - There shall be elected a number of Vice
Presidents who may have as their primary responsibility serving as
chairpersons of special committees appointed by the President. Each
Vice President shall present a report of the activities of the committee
in person and/or in writing at the association's Annual Meeting.
Vice Presidents shall officiate in the absence of the President in the
following order: Chief Measurer, Secretary, Treasurer, executive committee member, longest serving Vice President.
For countries other than the U.S.A., a Vice President should be
designated by the Active Members of each country to represent that
country in international affairs and to promote organized Lightning
Class activity. Additional Vice Presidents should be designated in a
ratio of one Vice President for every 100 Active ILCA Members in that
country. This is designed to be a separate position or may be
combined with the office of District Commodore. Vice Presidents from
countries outside the USA may also be elected to serve as special
committee chairpersons. The name of the designated Vice President(s)
is to be submitted to the Nominating Committee in writing thirty days
in advance of the annual meeting by the Secretary of the corresponding District.
(c) SECRETARY - The Secretary shall have the rank of Vice President
and shall handle correspondence brought to his or her attention and
record the minutes of meetings of the Association.
(d) TREASURER - The Treasurer shall have the rank of Vice President
and shall keep the financial books, records and securities of the
Association. He or she shall deposit funds in a depository approved by
the Executive Committee, and shall disburse funds only on authority of
the President.
(e) CHIEF MEASURER - Shall have the rank of Vice President and shall
serve as Chairman of the Measurement Committee in the performance
of its duties as set forth in Article 14.
(f) ASSISTANT MEASURER - Assistant Measurers shall have the rank of
Vice President and shall serve as members of the Measurement
Committee as set forth in Article 14.
3. The Executive Committee shall not have more than two individuals from the same District.
ARTICLE X - NOMINATING COMMITTEE
There shall be a Nominating Committee of three members, who are
automatically appointed each year after the Annual Meeting to serve
for the ensuing year and shall be made up of the three most recent
Past Presidents of the ILCA who are available to serve. The
Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate of Officers for election at
the following Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE XI - DISTRICT OFFICER METHOD OF ELECTION AND DUTIES
1. District of officers shall be elected, as set forth below, and shall
serve through the next annual meeting or until their successors
qualify. Each District shall endeavor to hold its district election before
the end of each calendar year. If any district shall not have given
written notice to its members that such meeting will be held before
February 1, the President of the ILCA shall appoint a Commodore and
Secretary, for such District to serve for the unexpired portion of that
calendar year. The officers are:
(a) DISTRICT COMMODORE - who shall be a member of the ILCA and
have general supervision over all LIGHTNING activities in his or her
District.
(b) DISTRICT SECRETARY - who shall handle all correspondence and
details of minutes, records, fleets, squadrons, membership, boats and
perform all other duties pertaining to such of office for his or her
district. The Secretary shall automatically become DISTRICT COMMODORE for the unexpired term, should that office be vacated by
reason of death or resignation.
(c) JUNIOR COMMODORE - who shall have general supervision over all
Junior LIGHTNING activities in his or her District and shall act as
liaison on Junior matters between the Juniors and the District
Commodore.
2. Method of Election - The District Commodore and the District
Secretary shall be elected by vote of the Fleet members in each
District at the annual District meeting in the regular manner. They shall
be nominated by a committee consisting of two or more members
appointed by the Commodore and such nominations will be sent to the
District Secretary. However, if there is no annual District meeting, the District Secretary will then advise each Fleet of the nominations, and
each member of each Fleet will then, by mail vote, signify the persons whom he or she designates. That person having the greatest number
of votes received by the District Secretary within thirty days from the
date of mailing notification of nomination to the Fleets, shall be
considered elected District Commodore. The candidate receiving the next greatest number of votes will be elected District Secretary. The
Junior Commodore shall be elected by vote of the Fleet members in
each District or appointed by the Commodore.
ARTICLE XII - STANDING COMMITTEES METHOD OF ELECTION AND
DUTIES
1. Certain Committees shall serve, except as otherwise provided,
through the next succeeding Annual Meeting or until their successors
are duly qualified, as follows:
(a) The Governing Board - shall consist of all Executive Officers and
District Commodores, or in the absence of any District Commodore his
or her duly authorized delegate of his or her respective District of the
Association. The President shall be Chairman of the Governing Board.
All questions before the Board shall be decided by majority vote. The
Governing Board is authorized to interpret the Constitution and
By-Laws. It shall also have the authority to impeach Fleet, District, and
Association officers for a term not exceeding the committee's term of
office and to suspend any member guilty of gross violation of ILCA
Class Rules or of unsportsmanlike conduct, but only by a three-quarters
vote.
(b) The Executive Committee shall be a sub-committee of and
empowered to act in the name of the Governing Board when prompt
action is required. There will be five members of the Executive
Committee, four of whom shall automatically be the President, Chief
Measurer, Secretary and Treasurer. The fifth member will be elected
by the Governing Board. The election will be decided based on a simple majority of the votes received within 45 days from the date the ballot is issued.
The President shall be the Chairman of the
Executive Committee. This Committee shall approve policy,
procedure, and the appointment of sub-committees by the President. It
shall grant charters, create and alter territorial limits, fill vacancies in
office, subject to ratification by the Governing Board. This committee
must approve the purchase and sale of securities and approve
depositories.
(c) The Budget Committee - The Treasurer and a Vice President
designated by the President and the Executive Secretary shall prepare
and publish a budget for the ensuing year. As soon as the budget is
formulated it shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for
approval and thereafter published in the next issue of Lightning
Flashes. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 1 to
December 31.
ARTICLE XIII - APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
1. The following Committees shall be appointed by the Executive
Committee and shall serve through the next Annual Meeting or until
their successors are duly qualified:
(a) MEASUREMENT COMMITTEE - It shall appoint and be in charge of
all Certified Measurers, grant or reject Measurement Certificates, issue
duplicates and answer questions on measurement rules. The Chief
Measurer shall be the Chairman of this Committee. When two or more
Assistant Measurers are in office concurrently, they shall be designated
as First Assistant Measurer, Second Assistant Measurer, etc. in descending order by a Committee consisting of the Honorary
Commodore, the President and the Chief Measurer, which designation
shall also serve to establish their order of succession. In the absence of
the Chief Measurer, the next Assistant Measurer shall perform his
duties. In case of death or resignation of the Chief Measurer, the next
Assistant Measurer shall automatically become the Chief Measurer
until the next Annual Meeting or until his successor is duly qualified. The Measurement Committee, may, with the approval of the Executive
Committee, deny plans, numbers and/or Measurement Certificates to
any individual or boat builder whose actions constitute flagrant or
repeated violations of Article III and Article IV of this Constitution.
The Measurement Committee shall appoint a qualified District
Measurer for each District. They shall be Active members and Certified
Measurers. Such appointments shall be reviewed periodically and new appointments made as required. The District Measurer has the
authority to enforce eligibility of a boat to participate in Fleet and
District races (subject to appeal to the Chief Measurer), to check to see
that a boat has a Certificate and that this Certificate and boat are in
accord with the Plans and Specifications, notes any irregularities in
design, riggings, sails, equipment, etc., which may or could be illegal
and notifies the Measurement Committee of the same. Keeps records on all boats within his District. Checks on measuring techniques of
Measurers functioning within his District. Sees that they are performing their jobs and staying active and current with changes in rulings and
other changes in Class Documents.
(b) The Youth Sailing Committee is involved with World and regional
youth championship events: scheduling, race and social format and
attendance. The Committee will solicit bids for future events. The
Committee will consider Lightning Class participation in programs
that may result in increased youth activity in our sport.
(c) The Membership Committee considers all services provided to
members. Develops programs to retain current members and to recruit
new members and charter new fleets.
(d)
There shall be a Technical Committee consisting of no more than (9) nine people. The committee shall be made up of individuals that represent the class’ demographics, historical knowledge and manufacturers. The committee should not have more than 50% of its members from manufacturer’s representatives. The Chief Measurer will be the chairman of the Technical Committee and shall organize the operation of the committee and present the committee’s activities. The Chief Measurer shall appoint committee members each year. The Executive Committee and Governing Board shall ratify the appointments each year. The Technical Committee supports the Measurement Committee as requested for support pertaining to the Official Plans and Specifications.
(e) The Racing Rules Committee shall keep ILCA
Instructions to Race Committees and Rules Governing All Sanctioned
Lightning Class Championships current and practical, subject to
ratification by the Governing Board. The Committee shall assist
local regatta and race committees in the planning and execution of
major sanctioned regattas, including the review of the Sailing
Instructions prior to the event.
(f) The Development Committee solicit donations to
the ILCA Fund on behalf of the Class and shall receive, expend, hold
and invest such funds. The committee shall develop other appropriate
sources of income subject to the approval of the Governing Board.
(g) The World Championship Committee shall address
scheduling, race and social format, attendance and boat
transportation matters and work with the local organizers.
(h) The ISAF Committee works with the VP/ISAF
Affairs in developing policy concerning ISAF.
(i) The Annual Publications Committee assists the
Yearbook Editor, selling advertising, securing content, finding
pictures, etc.
(j) Special Committees may be appointed at any
time by the Executive Committee or by the President to accomplish a
specific purpose.
2. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
He or she shall be responsible for the system of records, keeping the
rolls of Fleet membership, the roster of names and numbers of boats
and their owners, award numbers to boats in the numerical order of
their application and perform such other duties as may be designated
from time to time by the President, Governing Board or Executive
Committee. The Executive Secretary is selected by the Executive
Committee subject to ratification by the Governing Board and shall be
paid a salary fixed by the Governing Board.
ARTICLE XIV - MEETINGS
1. The Annual Meetings shall be scheduled during the period including
the Qualifying Series or the Final Races and in the vicinity of the
North American Championship Series except on odd numbered years when
it may be held in conjunction with the World Championship, so long as
the Annual Meeting is held on or before August 31st. The new slate of
officers will commence their term of office on September 1st. Special
meetings shall be held by order of the Governing Board or upon written
demand of twenty-five percent of the Fleets. The time and place of all
meetings is to be fixed by the Executive Committee.
2. Notice of meetings must be sent to the last
recorded Secretary of each Fleet in time to permit action by delegate
or proxy, and if a Special Meeting is noticed the purpose thereof must
be stated in such form as to permit voting by mail and no other
business can be transacted.
3. A meeting shall be held midwinter each year,
preferably in the month of March, which shall have the status of a
regular meeting. It is desirable, but not obligatory, that this
meeting be held preceding an outstanding mid-winter regatta.
4. When the Annual Meeting is not scheduled for the
World Championship or the North American Championship, a meeting shall
be held in conjunction with each of these Championships which shall
have the status of a regular meeting.
ARTICLE XV - DELEGATES
1. The membership of each Fleet shall be responsible for selecting and
instructing a delegate, or if unable to send a delegate, it shall
designate a duly authorized proxy, to present the Fleet's views and
cast its votes at all meetings.
2. Any number of alternates or proxies may be named,
provided they are named in order of preference, and the first in order
present shall be the only one entitled to cast the Fleet's votes. Only
those properly certified to, in writing, by the proper Fleet Secretary
or Commodore will be recognized.
3. All delegates and/or proxies or alternates must
be members in good standing of the Association.
ARTICLE XVI - QUORUM AND ROLL CALL
1. A twenty-five percent (25%) representation of the Fleets (including
proxies) in good standing constitutes a quorum at meetings.
ARTICLE XVII - VOTING
1. Each Fleet shall be entitled to cast one vote for each LIGHTNING
boat enrolled in said Fleet which has been properly recorded with the
Association by a separate active member in good standing, butno Fleet
is entitled to more than 33-1/3% of the votes cast. Membership books
close ten days before meeting, or as ordered by the Executive
Committee.
2. At special meetings, votes will be allocated upon
the basis of the number the Fleet had, or would have been entitled to,
at the last Annual Meeting held except new Fleets, which shall vote on
the basis of votes applicable on the date of call of the meeting.
3. Members may be heard, but only accredited
delegates, proxies and active (non-fleet) members shall vote on
motions and must vote unless excused by the Chair. A majority of the
votes present shall decide all questions not otherwise stipulated and
the Chair shall cast the one deciding vote in case of a tie and may
also fix a time limit on speakers and motions.
ARTICLE XVIII - AMENDMENTS
1. The Constitution and By-Laws, except those enumerated in Section 2
hereof can never be suspended but may be amended at any meeting by
two-thirds of the votes present in person or by proxy after written
notice to each Fleet as set forth in paragraph 4 below.
2. Building tolerances shall be published by the
Measurement Committee. Measurers can obtain method for measuring
Lightning Class sloops from the Chief Measurer of the Association.
3. The basic principles of Articles III, IV, V, and
VI cannot be changed nor can an amendment be passed which will render
ineligible a former boat or active member whose eligibility was
established under then existing rules of this Association and whose
status cannot be changed to conform to the proposed amendments, nor
shall retroactive legislation be passed affecting Active Members' or
Fleet's constitutional rights except by a three-fourths vote of the
total voting strength of the Fleets in good standing in the
Association. If not present, a referendum can be ordered.
4. All proposed amendments at either Annual Meeting
or Special Meeting, must be included in the notice thereof and shall
be posted on the ILCA website and mailed not less than sixty days
prior to the date of the meeting. Any Member,
Fleet, or District may propose an amendment by submitting same to the
Executive Secretary of the ILCA, in writing, at least thirty days
before notices of the next meeting are posted and printed. (July 2001)
5. The Rules Governing all Sanctioned Lightning
Class Championships or the Specifications may be amended by a
two-thirds (2/ 3) vote of an eighty percent (80%) quorum of the
Governing Board, after publication of the proposed amendment on the
ILCA website and in Flashes at least sixty days before the
Governing Board vote; subject to the approval by the Measurement Committee where specifications are involved. (July 2001)
ARTICLE XIX - ORDER OF BUSINESS
At Annual Meeting
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call of Fleets.
3. Minutes of Last Meeting
4. Reports of Officers.
5. Charters, ratified and revoked.
6. Ratification of Executive Committee Rulings.
7. Unfinished Business.
8. Instructions Measurement Committee.
9. New Business.
10. Election of Officers for following year.
11. Adjournment.
At Special Meetings
Roll Call, Special Business, Adjournment
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updated August 2001 including all amendments passed July 2001
