Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be "Lake San Marcos Men's Club" (hereinafter referred to as the "Club"), functioning as an independent entity separate from The Links at The Lakehouse organization.

Article II. Objectives

Section 1: The purpose of the Club is to play and promote the game of golf, develop friendship and sportsmanship, and learn and promote the rules and etiquette of golf.

Article III. Membership

Section 1: The Club shall be composed of men eighteen years of age or older.

Section 2: A member must complete an application and be approved for membership by the Board of Directors. He must pay for, transfer, and/or establish an active GHIN number and handicap to participate in any Club event.

Section 3: A member who does not have an established handicap through The Links will not be eligible to participate in any Club events.

Section 4: Participation in the Club requires each member to pay an annual fee. The fee will be determined by the Board of Directors based on ongoing expenses and planned events.

Article IV. Handicap Policy

Section 1: General. The World Handicap System (WHS) is the official handicap system used by the Club, and all rules pertaining to establishing and maintaining handicaps are defined by the WHS. Under the WHS, the USGA established the Golf Handicap Index Network (GHIN) to administer golfers' handicap indexes.

Section 2: Only members with an established GHIN index through the Club will be eligible to compete in events.

Article V. Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board of Directors will be composed of seven Club members in good standing. The Board is responsible for the direction of the Club, promoting membership, organizing and running events, and enforcing compliance with the Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and up to three At-Large Members.

Section 3: Each Board member's term is one year, with elections held at the general meeting in January.

Section 4: Should a Board position become vacant before the end of a term, the Board of Directors will select a replacement. Each Board member has one vote; in the event of a tie, the President casts the deciding vote.

Section 5: The Board of Directors will meet quarterly, or more frequently if the President determines it necessary.

Article VI. Nominations

Section 1: Any Club member may nominate a candidate for an open Board position by submitting written notice to the Board of Directors.

Section 2: The candidate must provide in writing the reason for his interest in becoming a Board member, his qualifications, his availability to serve, and confirmation that he is in good standing as a Club member.

Section 3: The Board of Directors will vote on the candidate and notify him of the result. If he is not accepted, the Board is not required to disclose its reasoning.

Article VII. General Meetings

Section 1: The Board of Directors will hold an annual meeting (or more frequently if needed) with all Club members to discuss upcoming events, general issues, and any open Board positions.

Section 2: Each Club member has one vote on general topics discussed. A quorum must be present, and a simple majority vote is required to pass any motion.

Section 3: Conduct of Meetings. The Board of Directors shall conduct meetings according to standard parliamentary procedure, in the following order: call to order, introductions, approval of minutes from the previous meeting, treasurer's report, announcements and items of general interest, unfinished business, new business (elections, dues, sweeps, Board meetings), open discussion, and adjournment.

Section 4: A member wishing to add an item to the agenda must submit it to the Board of Directors in writing as early as possible before the meeting date.

Section 5: The Board of Directors shall notify Club members of the meeting date and location at least 30 days in advance.

Article VIII. Duties of Officers

Section 1: Duties of the President. He shall preside over all Club Board meetings and general meetings; call special meetings when necessary; provide general leadership and direction for the Board of Directors and the Club, and serve as the Club's spokesperson; in the case of a resignation or vacancy on the Board, appoint a replacement; and ensure that the Club Constitution and playing guidelines are strictly enforced.

Section 2: Duties of the Vice President. He shall assist the President in overseeing the Club's functions; assume the President's duties if the President becomes incapacitated; and assist in organizing Club events.

Section 3: Duties of the Secretary. He shall maintain all records for Board of Directors and general meetings; publish the results of Club events on the website; and assist in organizing Club events.

Section 4: Duties of the Treasurer. He shall receive and deposit all funds from Club members into a financial institution selected by the Board of Directors; pay all bills as directed by the Board of Directors; maintain records of revenue and expenditures for the year and report this information to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting; and prepare a budget for the upcoming year, including a recommended dues amount, and present it to the Board of Directors.

Section 5: Duties of the At-Large Members. They shall sit on the Board of Directors and assist with the overall functioning of the Club and the organization of events; assist the President, Vice President, and Secretary with special projects; and may be assigned to fill a vacant Board position, if one becomes available.

Article IX. Inappropriate and Unbecoming Conduct

Section 1: Each Club member is expected to conduct himself appropriately and suitably toward fellow members, pro shop personnel, golf course maintenance staff, and restaurant employees, and to treat everyone with courtesy and respect.

Section 2: Club members must avoid unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to cheating, handicap manipulation, club throwing, abusive physical or verbal language, and destruction of personal property or the golf course itself.

Section 3: Club members should make every effort to play at an appropriate pace and keep up with the group ahead of them.

Article X. Complaints and Disputes

Section 1: Charges brought against a Club member will be heard by the Board of Directors. The complaint must be emailed to the Board of Directors by the individual(s) involved within 24 hours.

Section 2: The Board of Directors will make an initial determination regarding the merits of the complaint and notify the subject(s) of its substance. The Board may notify the members involved in writing of its decision or, if a hearing is warranted, will notify them accordingly.

Section 3: Disciplinary Action. The Board of Directors may reprimand, suspend, or expel a Club member for violating the Code of Conduct. Matters submitted will be decided by a simple majority vote. The Board of Directors is not required to disclose its reasoning for any action taken, and its decision will be final.