CONSTITUTION OF PRO DUFFERS USA

                 ARTICLE I

The name of this organization is PRO-DUFFERS USA ("The National Organization")

                                                                         ARTICLE II 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to promote and encourage a greater interest by its chapters, members and the public in the game of golf and related social, civic and charitable activities.

                                                                         ARTICLE III

TYPES OF MEMBERS

The membership of this organization consists of five types:

A:        Charter Member - All participants of each club who met the financial obligation to Pro duffers USA at the time of the meeting held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 11 to 15, 1988 are designated as charter members and founders of Pro Duffers USA.

B:        Chapter Membership - All members in good standing of each local chapter are entitled to full membership in the National Organization and are subject to all local chapter rules and regulations and all rules and regulations of the National organization.

C:        At-Large Membership - At-Large membership shall be granted by a majority vote of the nearest chartered or affliated local chapter Organization or the National Council to those persons who (i) , not belonging  to a chapter, but by presence and expression, have demonstrated a desire for membership; or (ii) those persons who may have been a member of a Chapter but due to their current residential location are not close to or accessible to a chapter . No At-Large membership shall be granted in an area where the National Council determines there is geographical accessible chapter in good standing. These members are subject to the rules and regulations of the National Organization.

D:        Honorary Membership - Honorary Membership may be granted by a majority vote of the Organization or the National council to those individuals whose actions or deeds warrant the gratitude and esteem of the general  membership.

E:        Emeritus Membership - Emeritus membership may be granted by a majority vote of the Organization to those individuals who:

         (1)    Have been members in good standing in a local chapter for a minimum of 15 years and are nominated by such local chapter based on the service provided  to the local chapter and/or National Organization; or

         (2)    Have been members in good standing at least (10) years and have been determined by the National council to have made significant contributions to the National Organization.

                                                                 ARTICLE IV

QUALIFICATION AND ELECTION OF MEMBERS 

A:        Any person not less than twenty-one (21) years of age may become a members of the National Organization upon being approved by and having met all the local chapter and/or national qualification. Each local chapter may set its own requirements for local chapter membership as long as they do not conflict with the requirements set forth in this Constitution.

B:        At-Large and Honorary membership may be granted at any meeting of the national Organization or by the National Council at any other time.

C:        Emeritus Membership may be granted at any meeting of the National Organization.

D:        If an At-Large member relocates to an area where a local chapter exist, he shall apply for membership in the closest local chapter and meet local and national financial obligations.

                                                               ARTICLE V

ORGANIZATION

A:        This organization shall consist of Pro-duffers USA ("The National Organization") and local chapters in geographical area as approved by the Organization. Only one chapter shall exist in each designated area. The approved and existing chapters as of September 1, 1995, are:

               Name                                                        Area

         1.    Pro Duffers East                    The Greater Washington D. C. ,                                                                         Metropolitan Area 

         2.    Pro Duffers South                 The Greater  Memphis, Tn Metropolitan Area 

         3.    Pro Duffers Southwest        The Greater Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX Area

         4.    Pro Duffers Southwest        The Greater Little Rock, Ar. Little Rock, Ar.             

5.     Pro Duffers East                     Atlanta, Georgia

6.    Pro Duffers East                   Philadelphia/ New Jersey Area                     

            7.    Pro Duffers Southwest         Houston, Texas Area

            8.    Pro Duffers East                   Northern Virginia

9. Pro Duffers East Carolina States

B:        Each local chapter shall abide by and adopt by-laws consistent with this constitution.

C:        The fiscal year of this Organization and each local chapter shall be the calendar year.

D:        The officers of the National Organization shall be be of African descent/heritage and would consist of : President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament director, and Parliamentarian. Each officer shall serve a term of two years or until his successor is elected and installed.

                                                               ARTICLE VI           

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A:         The President shall preside at all meetings of the Organization and meetings of the National council and shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Organization. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and shall appoint the chairmen of all committees.

B:        The Vice President shall perform duties as assigned by the President and, in the absence of the President.

C:        The Secretary shall make and keep a record of all meetings of the Organization and National council and shall maintain custody of all records, minutes, books, and seals of the Organization and shall do and perform all duties pertaining to the office of Secretary.

D:        The Treasurer shall have complete supervision over all funds of the Organization. He shall deposit all funds turned over to him in a bank account approved by the National council. He shall keep account of receipts and disbursements and shall make reports when called upon by the Organization or the President. He shall perform all other duties pertaining to the office and his books shall be audited annually.

E:        The National Tournament Director,tournament director shall direct and be responsible for all national tournaments, handicaps and standings. He shall adjudicate and resolve all disputes of play according to the U.S.G.A. rules. In order that he could He will provide assistance to and be aware of all local tournaments so that these tournaments do not conflict with rules or activities of the national Organization, the Tournament Director shall constitute a committee comprising all tournament directors of the local chapters, to be referred to as the Tournament Committee. The Tournament Committee shall meet at least twice a year to plan the yearly tournament programmes for the organization.. The Tournament Director He shall make reports when called upon by the President and perform other duties that pertain to this office.

F:        The Parliamentarian shall give advice on the interpretation of the constitution and procedures of the Organization when advice is requested by the presiding officer.

                                                                   ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

The annual meeting of the National organization shall be held each year between September and November at a time and place designated by the national council. The travel expenses of the attending National Organization meetings, National council meetings and other meetings will be the responsibility of each individual member. Travel expenses shall be provided from National Organization funds only if voted by the national Council. The responsibility for hosting each annual meeting shall rotate among the local chapters.

                                                                 ARTICLE VIII

DELEGATES

A:         Delegates shall be selected from each chapter for the purpose of voting on matters presented at the annual meeting of the National Organization. Except as specified in this Constitution, the method of delegate selection and period of their term shall be determined by each chapter.

B:         Each chapter shall select one (1) delegate for each ten (10) members or fraction of ten members in that chapter who has met their national financial obligation to represent them at the annual meeting and shall provide the names of the delegates to the Secretary at least seven days (7) days before the first business day of each annual meeting. At the annual meeting any member in good standing may speak on any issue being considered by the Organization, but only the duly qualified delegates may vote. At-Large members may not vote. Addendum: September 19, 2003: As it is written: Each chapter will have one (1) delegate vote per ten members plus the fraction with a maximum number of  five (5) delegate votes per chapter.

                                                              ARTICLE  IX

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

At every other annual meeting, the Organization shall elect from its membership a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Director, and Parliamentarian. These officers shall be elected and installed.  Tthese elections must take place at the annual meeting. Tthe term of office will commence with installation at the annual meeting.

                                                                  ARTICLE X

NATIONAL COUNCIL

A:            The power, property and affairs of the National Organization, subject to the limitations contained in the constitution, shall be exercised, conducted and controlled by the National council.

B:            The National council shall consist of all elected national officers the immediate past President, and one representative from each chapter that is not otherwise represented. The representative for a chapter not otherwise represented shall be selected by the local chapter. 

C:            This council shall have charge of the management of the business and affairs of the National Organization between national meetings. Tthey shall at all times act under the direction and control of the President and shall make reports to the membership of their actions, which reports shall form part of the records of the National Organization.

                                                               ARTICLE XI

  PAID PERSONNEL ASSISTANCE

In support of their function and duties, the National council may engage the temporary services of appropriate personnel when needed at a level of compensation determined by the National Council.

                                                             ARTICLE XII

COLORS AND CREST

The colors of the Organization are brown, green, gray, blue, black and tan and each local chapter shall use the national crest.

                                                              ARTICLE XIII

FEES AND DUES OF MEMBERS

All members shall pay an annual national membership fee, in an amount which shall be designated by the National Council, and shall be due by the First Day of May each year.

1.           Collection of Dues

              a)   Chapter - National dues will be collected by the Treasurer of each chapter and forwarded to the national treasurer.

              b)   At-Large Members - National dues of At-Large member shall be paid directly to the national treasurer.

              c)   Honorary and Emeritus members are exempt from national dues.

2.           Use of National Dues

               a)  National dues will be used to defray all costs incurred in the operation and promotion of the National Organization. Fifty percent (50%) of all dues collected will be used to help underwrite the national meeting.

                                                              ARTICLE XIV

PENALTY

Any member whose dues are not paid by the first day of May of each year is declared delinquent. Any delinquent member will be prohibited from participating in any scheduled event until such delinquency is removed. 

The above applies to At-Large members.

                                                              ARTICLE XV

 QUORUM

At all meetings of the National council, sixty percent (60%) of all members of the National Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction pf business. At all other meetings of the National Organization, sixty percent (60%) of the certified delegates shall constitute a quorum.

                                                              ARTICLE XVI

TOURNAMENTS

The scheduling of all tournaments will be under the direct control of the National Council. Tthe National Open, held during the annual meeting, will be operated and conducted by the National tournament Committee under the chairmanship of the National Tournament Ddirector. Local chapters will conduct and operate their local tournaments. All disputes will be resolved by the National Tournament Director.

                                                            ARTICLE XVII

CHAPTER CHARTERS

By majority vote of the National Organization at an annual meeting or of the National council at other times, the formation of a new chapter may be granted to any group of not less than ten persons from one general locale, all of whom meet membership requirements, upon formal application and payment of national dues. 

The existing chapter nearest the newly formed chapter, as determined by the National Council, shall perform an installation ceremony for the new chapter.

The general organization, conduct, qualification and election of members, assessment of local dues and operation of the local chapter will rest solely in the hands of the local chapter, but must be consistent with the rules and regulations as set forth in this Constitution. Application for new chapters should be directed to the National Council via the President.   

                                                         ARTICLE XVIII

COMMITTEES

To facilitate the business of the Organization, committees shall be appointed and duties defined by the President and the National council. The National council shall have the power to remove any member of any committee by majority vote of the National council at a regular or called meeting of the National Council.

                                                           ARTICLE XIX

GUEST 

Members are encouraged to bring guest to the annual meeting. Tthe National Council shall fix and determine such rules and regulations concerning guest privileges and members introducing guest shall be responsible for the conduct of such guest and any obligation to the Organization incurred by them.

                                                           ARTICLE XX

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Proposed amendments to the constitution must be initiated by a petition of and signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing of the National Organization, or by majority of the National Council, or by a majority of the delegates at an annual meeting. Proposed amendments from the membership must be circulated to each local chapter at least thirty (30) days prior to a vote being taken on the proposal. A vote of sixty percent (60%) of the delegates at an annual meeting is required to approve a proposed amendment

                                                            ARTICLE XXI

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of the National Council and the Organization's meetings, except as otherwise required by the Constitution.

As approved

September 15, 1995

National Constitution Committee

Larry Brown         Pro Duffers South

Bill Carr                 Pro Duffers East 

Updated: September 19, 2003

Thomas H. Sweeney Jr., National President