GCSAA Bylaws

SECTION 1.  Application for Membership:  Effective July 1, 1997, all Class A and Class B applicants for membership residing in the United States, except Alaska, must be a member of an Affiliated Chapter and effective March 1, 2018, all Class A and Class B members residing outside of the United States must be a member of an Affiliated Chapter, if one exists as permitted by the policies of the Board of Directors and all shall maintain such membership thereafter. The Board of Directors shall be the sole judge of an applicant’s qualification for membership. The Board of Directors of the Association shall adopt Standing Rules for membership, and shall have the authority to establish qualifications, rights and dues for all classes of membership, except AA, A, B and C. The additional qualifications for Class A membership shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and presented to the membership at the annual meeting and must be decided by a majority vote.

SECTION 2. Membership Classes:

Class AA - Life Members:  To qualify for Life Membership, one must have retired as a golf course superintendent or assistant golf course superintendent and have been a golf course superintendent or assistant golf course superintendent member of GCSAA for twenty-five (25) years of which a minimum of twenty (20) years has been as a golf course superintendent.

A life Member shall have all the rights of the Association except that of holding office. Class AA-Life Members will pay no membership dues.

Class A Member:  is a golf industry professional; who possesses knowledge, skills and abilities through a combination of education, experience, professional development and environmental stewardship; and has met and continues to fulfill on-going Class A renewal requirements.

Class A – Retired:  To qualify for Class A – Retired status, one must not be currently employed as a golf course superintendent and have a minimum of five years of service as a Class A member. The years of service as a GCSAA member when combined with the member’s age must equal or exceed seventy-five (75) years. This member shall have all the rights of the Association afforded that classification, with the exception of holding office.

Class B:  To qualify for Class B membership, an applicant shall be employed as a golf course superintendent and does not meet the additional qualifications for Class A membership. Class B shall have all the rights of the Association, except that of holding office.

International Superintendent Member:  To qualify for International Superintendent Membership, individuals must be employed outside of the United States as a superintendent or head greenkeeper where a GCSAA Affiliated Chapter does not exist as otherwise permitted by the policies of the Board of Directors and shall be required to maintain a membership in his/her recognized “home” organization, if one exists. International Superintendent Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Class C - Assistant Golf Course Superintendent:  To qualify for Class C Membership, an applicant shall be an assistant to a golf course superintendent and shall be presently employed in such capacity. Class C Members shall have all the rights of the Association, except those of voting and holding office.

Equipment Manager:  To qualify for Equipment Manager membership; an applicant shall be employed as an equipment manager, assistant equipment manager or mechanic/technician and shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Facility Membership:  To qualify for Facility Membership, an applicant must be a golf course facility that employs no current GCSAA member. Facility Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Class E - Educators: To qualify for Class E Membership, an applicant must be an educator or extension officer. Class E Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Associate:  To qualify for Associate Membership, an applicant must be employed by a golf course superintendent at a golf course and does not qualify for membership under the Class A, Class B, Class C or Equipment Manager Bylaw’s definition. Associate Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Affiliate:  To qualify for Affiliate Membership, an applicant must be an individual, business firm or governmental body interested in golf course management and/or in the growing or production of fine turfgrass, either individually or through employment by, or other affiliation with, a company, proprietorship or association, and who does not qualify for membership in another class. Affiliate Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Honorary:  To qualify for Honorary Membership, the individual must be recognized by the Board of Directors for contributing in an outstanding manner to this Association or profession or related field. This membership shall continue in effect unless otherwise revoked by the Board of Directors. Honorary Members shall not be required to pay dues or assessments of the Association and shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Student:  To qualify for Student Membership, an applicant must be a turfgrass student enrolled in a formal course of education, or have completed his or her formal education less than one (1) year prior to the date of application for membership provided one’s current employment does not qualify for membership under any other classification. Student Members shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

Retired:  To qualify for Retired Membership, one must be retired and no longer seeking employment within the scope of activities of any membership class of the Association. An applicant may apply for Retired Membership, the annual dues for which shall be set by the Board of Directors, but shall not exceed half the amount paid for the classification in which the member retires. There are two options for retirement: (1) Any member reaching age fifty-five (55), may retire and shall have all the rights of the Association afforded the member in his or her immediate previous classification, with the exception of holding office; or (2) Any member having completed a minimum of twenty (20) years of service in any membership classification may retire in that classification and shall have all of the rights of the Association afforded that classification, with the exception of holding office.

Inactive:  An Inactive Member is an individual who, by reason of unemployment, illness or other adverse circumstances, has been placed in this class upon his or her application. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to act on such application and to place a member on Inactive status subject to terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules.

Friends of the Golf Course Superintendent: To qualify for Friend Membership, an applicant must be an individual who supports the golf course and does not qualify for membership in any other class. Golf Course Friends shall have such rights of the Association as the Board of Directors may specify by Standing Rules, except those of voting and holding office.

SECTION 3.  Reclassification of Members: All reclassifications of members shall be made by the Board of Directors, in accordance with Standing Rules adopted by it from time to time, or pursuant to directives adopted by the membership at any annual meeting or any special meeting called for that purpose.

(a)  Voluntary Reclassification:  Any individual member may request a change in his or her membership classification to accord with a change in his or her qualifications for membership as set forth in Section 2 of this Article. No retroactive status will be given for a change in classification greater than forty-five (45) days from the date of the requested change.

(b)  Mandatory Reclassification:  All members, upon renewal of their annual membership, must clearly state their current employment status. The determination of the appropriate classification of membership for each individual shall be made in accordance with the Standing Rules of Membership. No retroactive status will be given for a change in classification greater than forty-five (45) days from the date of the requested change.

SECTION 4.  Rights of Membership:  Except as otherwise provided herein, members of GCSAA shall have all of the rights of membership. These rights shall include the following:

(a)  (a) Use the Association name, initials, and logo in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure and Guidelines established by the Board of Directors.

(b)  Attend the annual meeting of the Association.

(c)  Vote if a Class AA, A, B, or retired A, or B member.

(d)  Hold office if a Class A member and actively employed as a golf course superintendent.

SECTION 1.  Annual Dues:  The annual dues shall be sums fixed by the Board of Directors, except for Classes A, B and C. Annual dues for Classes A, B and C shall not exceed the sum fixed at any annual meeting of the Association, as decided by a balloting conducted under regular voting procedures set forth in the Standing Rules of the Convention established by the Board of Directors, in accordance with Article V of these Bylaws. Dues shall be payable in advance of the member’s annual renewal date.

SECTION 2.  Assessments:  Where necessary, in the opinion of a majority of members present at any annual or special meeting of the Association called for that purpose, for the payment of any existing deficit, there may be levied an assessment in addition to annual dues, to be paid by each Association member, provided, however, that such assessment may not be levied more than once in any year and shall not exceed an amount equal to the annual dues fixed for such year.

In the event of grave emergency, the Board of Directors upon unanimous vote, by signed order, may levy an assessment to be paid by each Association member, except Class AA Life, Honorary, Student, and Inactive, for the payment and discharge of any bona fide indebtedness, loss incurred, or for the payment of any judgment or decree rendered against the Association, provided, however, that no more than an amount equal to the annual dues shall be levied as such assessment during any year. The vote of the Board of Directors on the question of levying an assessment may be taken by a transmitted ballot prepared by the Secretary.

SECTION 3.  Extension of Time for Payment:  The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, for good cause, temporarily excuse or extend time of payment of annual dues or assessments for any member.

SECTION 1.  Nonpayment of Dues or Assessments:  All members whose dues are not paid in advance of the member’s renewal date may have services and benefits suspended. All members whose dues shall remain unpaid more than ninety (90) days past their annual membership renewal date, or after the due date of any assessment, shall be dropped from the membership roll of this Association.

SECTION 2.  Prohibited Conduct:  The following conduct is prohibited for members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America:

(a)  Violations of the GCSAA Code of Ethics.

(b)  Use of GCSAA affiliation for the purpose of promoting schemes, ideas or objects that are detrimental to the Association.

Conduct that is prohibited shall be cause for disciplinary action or expulsion from the membership in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section 3 of this Article.

SECTION 3.  Procedure for Disciplining or Expelling a Member:  A member may be disciplined or expelled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors after compliance with the due process procedures, specifically notice and hearing, and upon a showing of just cause. The Board of Directors shall establish by Standing Rules the procedures to be followed to ensure protection of such members' due process rights. An expelled member may reapply for membership no earlier than one (1) year after the date of such expulsion, in accordance with the provision of Article I.

SECTION 1.  Original Chapters:  Chapters possessing certificates of affiliation with the National Association of Greenkeepers of America shall be automatically chapters of this Association. Chapters having certificates of affiliation issued during 1934 or 1935 to the National Association of Greenkeepers of America are deemed Charter Chapters of this Association.

SECTION 2.  New Chapters:  A voluntary association of persons engaged in the occupation of producing, maintaining and improving turfgrass may make application for admission as an Affiliated Chapter of this Association in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Affiliation Agreement. An affiliated chapter’s bylaws must be consistent with, but not limited to, the Bylaws of this Association, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Affiliation Agreement. All applications for affiliation must be approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.  Affiliation:  All Chapters shall execute an Affiliation Agreement to be an Affiliated Chapter of GCSAA and shall have all rights and privileges of an Affiliated Chapter as set forth in the Affiliation Agreement.

SECTION 4.  Procedure for Probation, Suspension and Revocation:  An Affiliated Chapter may be placed on probation, suspended or revoked as a result of conduct described in the Affiliation Agreement by a majority vote of the Board of Directors after compliance with the due process procedures set forth in the Affiliation Agreement. A revoked chapter may reapply for affiliated status no earlier than one (1) year from the date of revocation in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Affiliation Agreement.

SECTION 1.  Delegate Representation of Chapters at Association Meetings:  An Affiliated Chapter may be represented at all meetings of this Association by a delegate, who must be a voting member of this Association. Such voting delegate shall represent, and be authorized to cast the votes of the voting members of this Association, who are also members of such Affiliated Chapter and who desire to be represented by such delegate.

SECTION 2.  Proxies:  Voting members at any meeting of the Association may exercise their vote through the use of a proxy. A proxy may be exercised only by the person named in such proxy, who must be a voting member in good standing of the Association. 

SECTION 3.  Individuals:  Individual voting members, not voting by delegate or proxy, may cast a vote in person on all issues brought before the body.

SECTION 4.  Voting Procedures:  The Board of Directors shall have the power to establish the Standing Rules of the Convention governing voting procedures at Association meetings.

In addition to the slate of candidates recommended by the Nominating Committee, in accordance with Article VII, Section 1 of these Bylaws, nominations will be open from the floor. When nominations have been closed, the election shall proceed in orderly fashion by ballot for all elections of officers and directors. There shall be a separate ballot for President; Vice President; Secretary/Treasurer; and for each open Director position. However, if there is but one (1) candidate for any office, that election may be held by voice vote. If, in conjunction with or during the election process, a vacancy occurs, the resulting open position will be filled by ballot immediately following the election of open positions for Director. The President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Directors are elected by a plurality vote. All other issues shall be decided by a majority vote of those present, except as otherwise stated in the Bylaws.

SECTION 6.  Publication of Votes:  There shall be reported to the membership after each annual election, the voting record of each affiliated chapter casting votes through a delegate or alternate, as well as collective individual and collective proxy voting records. This official account shall summarize the number of votes cast (1) for each individual standing for election, (2) for and against each proposed amendment to the Bylaws and/or Articles of Incorporation, (3) for and against any dues proposal, and (4) for and against any other business that may come before the membership.

SECTION 1.  Qualifications and Terms of Office:  Only Class A members who are actively employed as golf course superintendents are eligible for election as Officers or Directors of this Association. Officers and Directors ceasing active employment as golf course superintendents may serve for up to six months after cessation of employment.

There shall be an annual election for the following named officers who shall serve on the Board of Directors: President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer, who shall hold office for a period of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified and who shall perform the duties hereinafter prescribed for each of such officers.

There shall likewise be elected to the Board of Directors five members of this Association who shall be elected to a two (2)-year term by the membership. An election shall be held each year for those Director positions whose terms are to expire. The Immediate Past President of this Association shall serve as an officer for the term of one (1) year, but this term may be extended to two (2) years at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The Officers of this Association as hereinabove provided for together with the Directors as constituted shall constitute the Board of Directors of this Association. Each member of such Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote at the meeting thereof and a quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall not be less than the majority of said Board of Directors.

SECTION 2.  Vacancies:  Vacancies occurring within the Board of Directors of the Association between scheduled elections of officers and directors shall be filled by an appointment of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The appointment will remain in effect until the next scheduled election of officers and directors.

SECTION 3.  Duties and Powers of the Board of Directors:

(a)  The Board of Directors shall have general charge and management of the affairs of the Association.

(b)  A two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire Board of Directors shall be required for the passage of any resolution or decision that will cause or incur any indebtedness that includes the execution of a mortgage or loan document that will carry past the time of the next annual election and thus impact the fiscal responsibilities and options of future boards of directors.

(c)  The Board of Directors shall further cause to be made an audit of the Treasurer's books and shall make the audit available to the membership within 150 days of the end of the fiscal year.

(d)  The expenses of all members of the Board of Directors incurred while attending to the business of the association shall be paid by the Association upon presentation of an itemized expense account.

(e)  Removal:  The Board of Directors shall have the power to remove or otherwise discipline any member of the board for violation of the GCSAA Code of Ethics by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.  Duties of the President:  The President shall, during any period when the Board of Directors is not in session, have general charge and supervision of the affairs and property of the Association, subject to such rules and regulations as may from time to time be made by the Board of Directors. This individual shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. This officer shall, from time to time and as often as may be directed, submit reports to the Board of Directors and give such information touching affairs of the Association as may be required, and make such recommendations as he or she may think proper. The President shall appoint all committees or task groups except the Nominating Committee. All appointments to committees or task groups shall be subject to the approval of the President.

SECTION 5.  Duties of the Vice President:  In case of the absence or inability of the President, the Vice President shall, during the period of such absence or inability, perform the duties required of the President.

In the event the office of President shall become vacant; the Vice President shall perform all duties of the President until the annual election or until a successor shall be duly elected. If both the office of the President and Vice President shall become vacant or both officers are incapacitated, then the Board of Directors shall elect one of their members to fill the vacancy of the office of President.

SECTION 6.  Duties of the SecretarylTreasurer:  The Secretary/Treasurer shall be an officer of this Association and be present at all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors, and shall be responsible for, and keep a record of, all the transactions at the meetings in a book, belonging to the Association, kept for such purposes. In case of emergency, the President shall have the authority to appoint a temporary Secretary for said meeting.

This officer shall ascertain proper notice, as stated in the Bylaws, has been given for all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall be the custodian of corporate records and of the corporate seal, and shall perform all other duties usually performed by the Secretary of a like corporation and such other additional duties as may be required by the Board of Directors.

This officer shall be responsible for all monies, bills, notes, bonds and similar property belonging to the Association and the safekeeping of the same in the name of the Association, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and shall keep such financial accounts and records as may be required by the Board of Directors, as well as make an annual report and such other reports that may be required by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7.  Position of CEO:  The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall employ a CEO who shall be the chief executive officer and an employee of the Association. This person's function shall be to put into effect the decisions of the Board of Directors, and otherwise advise, promote and carry out the objectives and purposes of the Association, as directed by the Board of Directors. His or her term of employment and compensation shall be decided by the Board of Directors, but in no event can the Board of Directors; commit itself to a contract exceeding three (3) years.