Unit 446 Obligations

The ACBL Handbook, Chapter 3, Section Two and Section Three, is amended as follows:

A unit functions as an organization chartered by ACBL, which, in accordance with its charter, supervises and promotes many, but not all, aspects of ACBL bridge within its boundaries. See the ACBL Unit agreement. It has the exclusive right to conduct all sectionals held within its territory. In addition, it may obtain sanctions from ACBL to organize and conduct other games such as unit  championships, unit-wide games, unit charity games and extended team events, and club games. The regulations that govern these events appear in Chapter 4 and 5.

A unit must meet the following ACBL requirements to receive and maintain its ACBL charter:

• Hold an annual membership meeting.

• Produce a written annual financial statement and make it available to its district director and any of its members upon request.

• Adopt bylaws that are consistent with those of ACBL and file a copy with ACBL. On request, ACBL will provide copies of typical unit bylaws.

• Conduct at least one sectional tournament every two years, A waiver, for cause, may be granted by the district).

• Select a standing disciplinary chairperson and otherwise comply with Section 1.1 of the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations. See Chapter 11.

• Elect a unit board of directors in accordance with its bylaws.

• Process reports of dishonest or unethical conduct by participants in sanctioned games at clubs under its jurisdiction, and to discipline members guilty of such conduct in a manner fully consistent with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations. See Chapter 11 and

Appendix D.

• Process reports of dishonest, unethical, or improper conduct by participants in sanctioned games at unit events, or tournaments under its jurisdiction, and to discipline members guilty of such conduct in a manner fully consistent with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations. See Chapter 11 and Appendix D.

• Select a designated unit electronic contact (UEC).

As an organization chartered by ACBL, the unit has certain privileges.

Receives a share of ACBL membership fees as established by the ACBL Board of Directors and may:

• Conduct up to 16 (note: up to 24 effective 1/1/09) unit championship sessions per year.

• Hold up to four sectional-rated charity sessions per year.

• Run games on behalf of ACBL and/or the district where there is a void.

• Participate in elections for District Director, First and Second Alternate Directors, and Board of Governors Representatives.

A unit is encouraged to carry out the following:

• Conduct sectional tournaments and regional and/or NABC tournaments when authorized by the district.

• Perform basic marketing functions as established by the ACBL Board of Directors.

• Encourage people to conduct ACBL-sanctioned club games within the unit.

• Promote the development and enrollment of bridge players as members of ACBL.

• Promote interest in duplicate bridge by providing a continuous and attractive program

of bridge events to supplement those offered by clubs with sanctioned games.

• Cooperate with the district and ACBL in the promotion of district-wide and ACBLwide tournaments.

• Establish and maintain amicable relations with neighboring units, the district, and conferences, thus fostering cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

• Select people to fill the positions of Education Liaison, Tournament Coordinator and

Intermediate/Newcomer Coordinator.

• Conduct other activities in keeping with its purposes.

Units must comply with the requirements set forth in II above. Failure to do so will result in an initial penalty of the withholding of a Unit's share of membership dues and service fee rebates until it is in compliance with this regulation. Continuation of non-compliance may result in further action up to and including revocation of the Unit’s Charter.

Unit members elect the unit board of directors for the terms of office defined by the unit bylaws. All unit board members must be active ACBL members and must belong to ACBL through the units they represent. The unit board manages and conducts the affairs of the unit. Should a board member leave office before his or her term expires, vacancies will be filled according to the unit’s bylaws.

Active, rated tournament directors and any other permanent ACBL employees may not serve as voting members of unit and/or district boards.

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