Article I. The Name. The name of the organization shall be referred to as WINTER HAVEN SENIOR SOFTBALL (WHSS).

Article II. Purpose. The purpose of the WHSS is to promote and provide an opportunity for all able-bodied persons, age 55 and over, to play recreational softball.

Article III. Membership & Eligibility. A person becomes eligible for membership at age 55, or at any time during the current calendar year that that person will be age 55. Upon request, each person must provide proof of age via document(s) (e.g. driver’s license, passport) satisfactory to any board member. In addition to age verification, each person shall pay any duly authorized organization fees or charges and waives his rights to claims against WHSS. No person shall be deemed a WHSS member or allowed to participate in any WHSS softball game until all fees and/or charges are paid in full and a written waiver is executed, as certified by a Board Member. Membership will be on an annual basis, beginning in October of each year.

Article IV. Governing Body. The business of WHSS shall be conducted by the Board of Directors (BOD), comprised of the following: Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Treasurer, and 2 at large board members. Each Board Member shall be elected for one (1) year and shall have one (1) vote on all business matters brought before the BOD. Elections will be staggered, with a Commissioner and an at large board member elected on even years: an Assistant Commissioner, Treasurer and second at large board member elected on odd years. The present BOD (for the sake of organization) will remain as the governing body of WHSS until elections for new BOD members occurs in the year 2005. Nominations for BOD members will be open in August, with elections in September. In all voting procedures, a majority rules. The BOD will also appoint two advisors, from the community at large. Advisors will have no voting power.

Article V. Duties of the Board of Directors. The BOD will be responsible for the administration of all business matters relating to the activities of WHSS, as well as the enforcement of the rules and regulations of WHSS.

The Board of Directors shall meet periodically, (but not less than once every two months), and as called into session by the Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner. Any WHSS member may attend any BOD meeting, unless the meeting has been announced as a "closed meeting". A meeting of the BOD may also be called at any time provided a majority board agrees to the calling of such meeting.

In matters of an emergency nature which requires prompt action, the Commissioner and one other board member, acting together as an Executive Committee, may respond and act in lieu of a meeting of the entire BOD. All actions taken by the Executive Committee in such an emergency must be reported in full at the next BOD meeting.

All BOD meetings shall be conducted under and governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

Commissioner. The Commissioner shall preside at all meetings of WHSS. The Commissioner shall have such authority granted by the BOD to rule in business matters of concern to WHSS between scheduled meetings of the BOD, including matters regarding membership, team rosters, and/or rules interpretations that may arise during the course of a WHSS softball game.

Assistant Commissioner. The Assistant Commissioner shall preside in the absence of the Commissioner. In such situations, the Assistant Commissioner shall have the full authority of the Office of the Commissioner, including matters regarding membership, team rosters, and/or rules interpretations that may arise during the course of a WHSS softball game.

Article VII. General Meetings. WHSS shall have an Annual General Meeting each year during the first calendar quarter. The purpose of this general meeting shall be election of the BOD for the coming year. All persons who are members are eligible to vote vote at this meeting.

Each Board Member will be elected for a 2 year period, with selections alternating each year. Two directors will be elected in 2005, with an additional two directors and Commissioner elected in 2006. (the directors to be replaced are Shannon Steinmetz and Forrest Keown)

Two new committees were developed:

Good and Welfare – to be presided over by Shannon Steinmetz, and assisted by Mort Dermer.

Birthday Card – to be handled by Pat Freedman. (strictly voluntary)