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GALA BOWLING LEAGUE (GBL) BYLAWS

(Revised 8/29/2010)

 

1.       Organizational Meeting

An Annual Organizational Meeting shall be called by the prior season’s President (or, if unavailable, another Officer) no earlier than two weeks prior to the opening night of bowling, and no later than the last week of September.  GBL members present at the Organizational Meeting shall elect officers, determine weekly fees, establish teams, select team names, receive a copy of the bowling schedule, and discuss other items on the agenda as determined by the Officers.

 

2.       Officers

a)       Election:  The election of GBL Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) shall take place at the Annual Organizational Meeting.  All nominations from the floor must be seconded.  The election of each officer will be by majority vote of the membership present.  The vote will be by a show of hands, unless a secret ballot is requested. 

b)       Resignation:  In the event that an Officer should resign, his/her remaining term is open to any member who wishes to volunteer.  If two or more members volunteer, then a run-off election will be held among the members of the GBL.

c)       Removal:  Officers may be removed from office for misconduct, misuse of funds, or failure to fulfill their duties by a two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the Board of Directors.

 

3.       Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of the 4 elected league officers and a Team Captain from each team.

 

4.       League Membership

The GBL shall be sanctioned with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), and maintain membership with the International Gay & Lesbian Bowling Organization (IGBO).

 

5.       Teams

The GBL shall consist of teams of 3-5 bowlers.  The number of teams for that season shall be determined at the Organizational Meeting. 

 

6.       Schedule

Bowling shall be on Sunday evenings at 6 PM commencing on the first Sunday after Labor Day, and for 30 weeks.   Practice will begin each week at 5:50 PM.

 

7.       Bowling House

The bowling house shall be East Providence Lanes (EPL) in East Providence, Rhode Island.

 

8.       Fees and Dues

a)       The weekly league fee shall be determined by a majority vote of the GBL members present at the Annual Organizational Meeting.  The vote shall be taken after the League Officers present their recommendation for these fees based on the cost of bowling (lineage), estimated cost for award trophies and the Annual Banquet, league parties and activities, and other expenses.

b)       The weekly fees MUST be paid by all members/substitutes/replacements who are present each night.  Any bowler who has pre-bowled will pay for that week’s fees when he/she returns.

1)       If a Substitute wishes to be eligible for individual awards, and believes that they will bowl two-thirds of the season (which is required to be eligible), they shall pay the same fees as regular members.  Otherwise, they are responsible for paying the linage fee and the bowler they are substituting for shall be responsible for the difference.

c)       There will be NO bowling “ON CREDIT   In other words, if you are present and bowl, you must pay league fees.  Anyone falling more than 2 weeks behind in paying their dues will be placed in substitute status beginning the 3rd week unless a payment is made..  A vacancy score will be used in place of their absentee score.  In the event that a member does bowl without paying the league fees, the scores will be adjusted and the points awarded for the night will be recalculated based on the vacancy score.  Exceptions to the above may be granted by the Officers present under extraordinary circumstances (i.e. on disability/fixed income).  You must request this rule exemption directly.  Any bowler paying fees by check will only be allowed 2 returned checks per season, after which, all fees must be paid in cash.

d)       A bowler may be granted a Leave of Absence from the league where they will not be required to pay league dues provided the following requirements have been met.

1)       The bowler must be absent for 4 weeks minimum.  The bowler may return before 4 weeks but will be required to pay dues for the weeks they missed.

2)       Bowler must inform their team captain AND the GBL secretary at least 1 week before the leave of absence starts. 

During the Leave of Absence, a vacancy score will be used by the bowler’s team and the bowler will be placed on the substitute list.  The bowler is not guaranteed an opening on the same team or the league when they return.

e)       The fees for the last two weeks of bowling MUST be prepaid by the last bowling shift in October, as the account maintained at East Providence Lanes must be closed two weeks prior to the end of the season.

f)        USBC sanction dues will be paid by the league for all league members.  Anyone joining after the initial payment is made to the sanctioning body will be required to prepay their 10th week of bowling upon joining the league to cover the cost of sanctioning.  The treasurer will track these payments to insure that they do not pay again on their 10th week.

g)       In the event a league member QUITS the league, a refund of the last two weeks (if pre-paid) will only be given if a valid reason for leaving is provided to the Officers, AND if notice was given to the Team Captain and Officers.

h)       As compensation for their time in performing their weekly duties, the elected positions of Secretary and Treasurer shall not pay the weekly fee for lineage.  The Secretary and Treasurer instead, will be responsible for paying the difference between the weekly dues and the weekly fee for lineage.  This amount, in keeping with the rest of the league, will be used for league expenses.

 

9.       League Funds

After payment of all GBL expenses, including parties, activities, banquet expenses, trophies, etc., a minimum of $300.00 will be set aside for the next season.  All remaining funds shall be refunded at the end of the season to qualifying GBL members (all members who have paid to the final week, have bowled 1/3 of the season, and who are standing members of a GBL team).  If a bowler has not paid his/her dues in full but would otherwise qualify for the refund and the amount owed is less than the amount being returned to the qualifying GBL members, then any past due fees will be deducted from this refund.  Otherwise, the entire sum owed will be due and no refund issued.  Refunds will be prorated based on the number of games paid for during the season as a percentage of the total number of games available during the season.  The Treasurer must make a final Financial Report available as early as the Annual Banquet, but no later than the following season’s Organizational Meeting.

 

10.    Awards and Trophies

a)       The GBL Officers shall be responsible for establishing awards for the appropriate number of top Teams (based on type of season, ex. split or straight), and for Individuals.  Individual Awards will be given in the categories of High Average (male and female), High Series (male and female, scratch and handicap) and High Game (male and female, scratch and handicap).  Members may be awarded trophies in only one category based on individual achievement, in which case the order that the categories will be awarded is; High Average, High Series scratch, High Game scratch, High Series handicap, High Game handicap.  In the event that the same bowler has won all three categories (High Average, Scratch Series and Scratch Game, male or female), a special Triple Crown Award will be made to that bowler.  Team Awards will be given in the categories of High Series (scratch and handicap) and High Game (scratch and handicap).  Teams may be awarded trophies in only one category based on team achievement, in which case the order that the categories will be awarded is; High Series scratch, High Game scratch, High Series handicap, High Game handicap.  In the event that a team has won all four categories, a special Fourplay Award will be given to that team.

b)       In the event of a tie, based on games won, for any awarded place, the order placed will be determined by total handicap pin count for the season.

c)       The Most Improved Bowler Award shall be determined by the highest point improvement for both males and females based on their averages between sequential years.  For new members, their official average shall be established after their 21st game of the season, and will be compared with their final average assuming they have bowled at least two-thirds of the season.  The secretary shall verify this award.

d)       Any bowler who either bowled on schedule or pre-bowled for every week of the season shall receive a cash award for Perfect Attendance.

e)       Any bowler, including substitutes, must have bowled at least two-thirds of the season to qualify for any individual award.

 

11.    Annual Banquet/Awards Presentation

a)       An Annual Banquet, paid entirely with GBL funds shall be planned by the Officers, and awards shall be presented at that time. 

b)       Every effort shall be made to hold the banquet within several weeks after the close of bowling, and prior to Memorial Day of that season.

c)       A banquet dinner refund will be given to any GBL member or guest who informs the officers of his/her inability to attend the banquet prior to the payment cut off date of the banquet facility.

d)       Additional guests to the banquet will be charged a fee to cover the cost of the banquet meal.

 

12.    Banquet Refunds

A banquet dinner refund will be given to any GBL member who informs the officers of his/her inability to attend the banquet prior to the payment cut off date of the banquet facility.

 

13.    League Averages

Any new bowler who does not have an USBC sanctioned book average must establish an entering league average based on a minimum of three games bowled at the Annual Organizational Meeting or during his/her first week of league bowling.  A new bowler who joins the league after the Annual Organizational Meeting and without a sanctioned book average shall establish an average their first week of bowling.   A vacancy score shall be used to determine wins and losses for their team that week. The bowler’s established average will be used to determine wins and losses for their team starting with the bowler’s second week of bowling.  New bowlers with an USBC sanctioned book average must show proof of that average with their local association’s average book.  Returning GBL members shall use the previous season’s final average as their entering average and shall establish a current average after bowling three games in the new season.  All averages shall be updated weekly through the end of the season.

 

14.    Handicaps

Handicaps shall be based on 100% of the difference between the bowler’s average and 225.   The team handicap shall be the sum of the individual bowlers’ handicaps and any vacancy handicaps. 

15.    Vacancy

Teams without a complete lineup of bowlers may use a vacancy bowler(s) and a score(s) of 150.

 

16.    Games

The GBL shall bowl 3 games weekly, with points awarded for each game won, plus one point for total pins, for a total of four points.  Any ties shall be scored as one-half point.  A team must have a legal lineup consisting of at least 1 bowler to win points.  The team opposing a team without a legal lineup must bowl within 100 pins of their team average in order to win points for that game and 300 pins of their team average in order to win a point for total pins.  In the event that the opposing team does not bowl within 100 pins of their team average for a game or 300 pins of their team average for total pins, no points will be awarded for those games.

 

17.    Absentee Scores

When a GBL member is absent from a scheduled shift and no substitute is provided, the team shall use a score of the bowler’s average minus 10 pins, for each game.  In the event an entire team is absent from the shift, that team shall forfeit all four points regardless of the actual outcome. 

 

18.    Postponements

The GBL Officers shall determine what is sufficient cause to grant a postponement or cancellation of a scheduled bowling shift (snow storms, etc.).  In such an event, the GBL Officers shall telephone the Team Captains, and they in turn shall contact their team members.

 

19.    Tardy Bowlers

A bowler who arrives late to a scheduled shift may enter a game provided that five full frames of the opposing team’s game have not been completed.  If a bowler arrives after 5 full frames, a substitute who may have bowled in his/her place may complete that game only.  If no substitute was assigned for the absent spot, then a blind score (the absent bowler’s score minus 10 pins) must be entered for that game.

 

20.    Replacement of a Team Member

If a bowler is absent for 3 consecutive weeks, has not pre-bowled, and has not notified his/her Team Captain or a GBL Officer, that bowler will be removed from his/her team and placed on the substitute list.  The team that he/she has vacated will be allowed to replace the removed bowler beginning the 4th consecutive week.

 

21.    Playoffs

Any and all playoffs shall be established by the GBL Officers.  In the event of a tie for league championship, a one game roll-off will be bowled on that night to determine the league champion.

 

22.    Bowling Environment

There shall be no food or beverages permitted in the approach or well areas of the lanes.

 

23.    Bowling Etiquette

Bowlers on the right shall always have the right of way to bowl their frame.  No bowler may be on the approach if he/she is not bowling.  Non-bowlers are not allowed in the approach or well areas of the lanes.  Talking or yelling to a bowler on the approach will not be tolerated.  Team Captains shall be responsible for instructing and enforcing the bowling etiquette of their team members and guests. 

 

 

24.    Score Sheets

Each Team Captain must sign the score sheet after the third game, verifying it’s accuracy and completeness.   The score sheet must then be submitted to the league Secretary.  There must be at least two copies given to the Secretary, one for the EPL and one for the GBL.  In the event of a discrepancy with the EPL’s computer printout, the score sheet will be used to settle the discrepancy.  If, however, the score sheet is not signed by a Team Captain (or another team member if the Captain is absent), and there is a discrepancy between the scores reported on the score sheet and the scores reported on the EPL’s computer printout, then the game(s) will be forfeited. 

 

25.    Foul Lights

Foul lights shall be used by the GBL.  Any discrepancy with foul lights shall be determined by a majority vote of the team members involved.

 

26.    Pre-Bowling

If a member is aware that he/she will be away for a scheduled shift, he/she may “pre-bowl” for that night.  Pre-bowled nights count toward perfect attendance awards that are given at the end of the season.  Pre-bowling shall be limited to a maximum of 8 weeks of the season, and may include up to three consecutive weeks.  Exceptions to this rule may be approved by the GBL officers for valid reasons.  An entire team may pre-bowl for any given scheduled shift, however, as a courtesy, the opposing team should be informed about it, either through its Team Captain, or a GBL Officer.  A computer printout should accompany the score sheet.  GBL Officers shall decide any protests regarding pre-bowling.  When filling out the score sheet for pre-bowling, the following information must be included in order for the scores to be accepted:  League--GALA; Date--Date pre-bowling for; Lane--Fill in lanes being bowled on; Team--Fill in team name.  Be sure to sign the score sheet when you have completed pre-bowling.  A copy of the score sheet should be kept and given to a member of your team who will be at the EPL for the shift in question.  If the entire team will not be attending, please get a copy to a GBL Officer.  Bowlers should not pay EPL for pre-bowling, but should pay for the bowling shift(s) missed the next time they attend a regular Sunday night bowling shift.

 

27.    Tournaments and Directors

a)    The GBL may sponsor two tournaments:

1)       A national IGBO tournament.

2)       A local tournament

b)    Any GBL member who is interested in serving should make his/her interest known to the League President.  If more than one person is interested, a majority vote of the Board of Director’s will choose the Tournament Director based on experience and personal skills of leadership, organization, communication, and the ability to work  with others.  The Tournament Director will then form a Tournament Committee to assist in making the tournament(s) successful.  The two positions of Tournament Director are:

1)    Local Tournament:  a one-year term to direct the tournament.

2)    National Tournament:  a multi-year term beginning at the completion of the previous tournament, and ending with the completion of all tournament business. (mailing of standings, closing of finances, dissolving of Tournament Committee, etc.)

 

28.    IGBO Representative

a)       Every bowling league that is a member of IGBO (the International Gay Bowlers Organization) selects one of its members to serve as IGBO Representative.  This person is the liaison between IGBO and the local bowling league.  Although not a league officer, this person is selected at the beginning of each bowling season and serves a term of one year.  Any GBL member who is interested in serving should make his/her interest known to the League President.  A majority vote of the Board of Directors will select the IGBO Representative if there is more than one person interested in serving. 

b)       The job of IGBO Representative will include:

1)       Attending at least three IGBO meetings (tournaments) per year including either the midyear or annual meeting and both regional meetings (see notes* below).

2)       Represent the GBL and its interests with regard to all business conducted at the above meetings.

3)       Give a complete report to the GBL officers of all business discussed and decisions made at the above meetings.

4)       Regularly distribute information and flyers about upcoming IGBO tournaments and encourage GBL members to participate.

*Note: To help with the expenses of attending IGBO meetings (tournaments), the GBL will pay the entry fee of these three tournaments if the IGBO Representative chooses to bowl.

*Note:  If, because of some unforeseen conflict, the IGBO Representative cannot attend one of these three meetings (tournaments), the GBL Officers may appoint an “alternate IGBO Representative” to attend that meeting.

c)       Removal:  The IGBO Representative may be removed for failure to fulfill the duties by a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the Board of Directors. 

 

 

29.    GBL Charity Fund/Raffles
The GBL will establish a GBL Charity Fund for the purpose of supporting “not for profit” organizations in the gay and lesbian community.  The recipient of donations from this fund shall be, but not be limited to, AIDS Project Rhode Island.  The GBL may hold raffles, the proceeds from which will go to support this Fund.  Donations may be made in any dollar amount and at any time by a majority vote of the GBL Elected Officers. 

 

30.    Special Charitable Donations

The GBL will make a special $20 donation from the Charity Fund to an appropriate charity in the event of the death of a present or past League member or the death of an immediate family member of a present League member.

 

31.    Confidentiality of Members

The GBL will respect the confidentiality of all of its members.  The Officers will maintain an up-to-date list of all members who choose not to have their names used publicly and will not release these names to any outside sources including local newspapers, Options, websites, etc.

 

32.    Website

The GBL will maintain a website for the purpose of publicizing the League and posting weekly standings, contact numbers, announcements, etc.

 

33.    Social Behavior

As a group of gay men and lesbian women, we should be responsible to the issues of drinking.  While social drinking is acceptable, excessive drinking can become socially disruptive and a risk to other bowlers, and will not be tolerated.   

 

34.    Changing the Bylaws

Any of the above bylaws may be changed during the season by a two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the Board of Directors.  Any bylaw changes made by the Board of Directors may, however, be overruled by a two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the GBL.

 

35.    All Other Situations

For all situations not covered in the above bylaws, the USBC “Playing Rules” shall be followed.