ByLaws

Hampton Roads Dive Club ByLaws 2024

-Chapter Charter-

1. Name: The name of this organization shall be the Hampton Roads Dive Club (herein referred to as HRDC) and shall hold its principal office at Underwater Adventures in Hampton, VA (herein referred to as UWA).

2. Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this organization shall be to:

   2.  Enable and educate people to enjoy underwater activities as safely as possible by supporting, teaching, and practicing sound public policy relating to diver education, the use and conservation of wetlands, bodies of water, and aquatic life therein, as well as for the promotion and encouragement of programs and policies directed at such use and conservation. 

   3.  We are committed to the following outcomes by adding value and expertise through investment of time, working and partnering together with an active dive center, influencing local scuba divers, and through direct delivery of diving events and trips with Dive Club participation.

      3. Improve opportunities to participate, progress, and achieve better skills in scuba diving.

      4. Support well being and resilience in communities by improving our active infrastructure – people and places – through the sport of scuba diving.

      5. Encourage and enable the active to stay active throughout life by entering the sport of scuba diving.  

      6. Encourage and enable the inactive to be more active by diving more and offering more diving opportunities.  

      7. Develop physical confidence and competence from the earliest age of 12 years old.

3. Membership.

   2.  Any registered Underwater Adventures (UWA) students, customers, volunteers, and staff interested may officially join the organization, although anyone may attend meetings and events hosted by the organization permitted seats are available.

   3.  Only registered UWA volunteers may hold office, but all members in good standing may vote in elections for the organization's officers.

   4.  Only the President and Vice President shall allocate the organization's funds.

4. Events, meetings, and promotion of views.

   2.  The HRDC Club shall meet no less than once per month.

   3.  The HRDC Club shall host speakers, dives, trips, and discussion meetings according to the statement of purpose.

   4.  The HRDC Club may vote on action items that do not involve Officer position or club funds as long as two (2) Officers and ⅓ of the members in good standing are present. It must be a unanimous vote.

   5.  When the HRDC Club organization promotes itself or its views, it shall abide by all club policies.

5. Officers.

   2.  The organization shall have 5 officers:

      3. President:

         1. Is responsible for setting and monitoring the goals of the club, running club meetings, appointing committee chairs, and delegating tasks as necessary, recruiting, training, and retaining members and maintaining regular communication with the Vice President. This position is to be held by the principal owner of the corresponding non-profit corporation.

      4. Vice President / Treasurer:

         1. Is to assist the President and other club officers in completing their duties. It is also the Vice President's job to effectively contribute to the club's operations. To do this effectively, he or she must be involved with the work and understand the policies of the club. Additionally, the Vice President will control the club's money, both its collection and disbursement.  He or she collects member dues, prepares and monitors the budget, and maintains accurate financial records. This position is to be held by the principal owner of the corresponding non-profit corporation.

      5. Secretary:

         1. Is responsible for the administration of the club, arranging meetings, taking the minutes of the meeting and reporting said minutes at the next meeting, and dealing with any administration regarding the club ethics. Correspondence will usually be handled by the Secretary.

      6. Public Affairs:

         1. Is responsible for facilitating news media coverage of Club activities. To create and maintain a Club website to enhance communication with others, both within and outside the organization. To contact local radio stations to run free public service announcements.

      7. Event Coordinator:

         1. Is responsible for overseeing particular tasks throughout the event planning process. Their duties include meeting with vendors at the venue location to help with set-up, running errands for supplies and decorations, and working with staff to ensure the completion of a successful event.

   3.  Failure of any officer to uphold the duties of their office are grounds for removal from office.

   4.  An officer (excluding the President and Vice-President) may be removed from office by a 2/3 vote of the registered members of the organization.  

6. Criteria for holding office.

   2.  All individuals holding office must be registered UWA volunteers and be elected by a majority vote of the registered members in good standing of the organization voting at the elections meeting.

   3.  The elections meeting shall take place in January of each year.

   4.  In the case of a resignation of an officer from office, a special elections meeting may be held to fill the office until the next elections meeting.

   5.  All officers hold their position until the elections meeting.

   6.  There are no limitations on the number of terms of office an individual may hold.

Signed in the City of Hampton, Commonwealth of Virginia, on the 2nd day of December, 2023.