Overview
April 12, 2005
The objective of this proposal is to unify the Harbormasters and Assistant
Harbormasters within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in one Association, which
in turn will be separated in regional Chapters.
As we stand currently in Massachusetts, there are three Harbormaster
Associations, the North Shore Harbormasters Association, the Cape and Islands
Harbormasters Association, and the Massachusetts Harbormasters Association Inc..
The three major drawbacks with the current system are: lack of communication,
lack of coordination and an unspoken sense of competition, even though all
organizations are frequently striving for the same goal.
The proposal is simple, instead of working against one another; we work as a
cohesive unit.
All organizations structurally shall remain the same except that they’ll now be
considered Chapters instead of Associations if they choose to be. The
Massachusetts Harbormaster’s Association Inc. will be considered the Association
for Harbormasters in the State of Massachusetts.
The objectives of this new association will be simple:
“…shall be to aid and promote the general welfare of the boating public; to
endeavor to bring better administration to the waters of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; to assist in the adoption of any new legislative programs which
the Association believes would be beneficial to the boating public, and to aid
and inform the Harbormasters and Assistant Harbormasters of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.”
As soon as possible, all of the Harbormasters and Assistant Harbormasters will
be invited to a general assembly in order to elect an executive board of
officers for the MHA, Inc. an outlined in the proposed by-laws. The newly
elected Board of Officers will be tasked with the following:
- Form as many chapters as needed to meet the needs geographically.
- Establish and ensure open communication between chapters.
- Resolve conflicts within the membership.
- Establish the MHA Inc., as the spokesperson for all Chapters.
By-Laws of Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, Inc.
Article I Name:
The name of the Corporation (Hereinafter sometimes referred to as the
Association or MHA Inc.) is the Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, Inc.
Article II Objective:
The objective of the Association shall be to aid and promote the general welfare
of the boating public; to ensure improved management on the waters of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts; to assist in the adoption of any new legislative
programs which the Association believes would be beneficial to the boating
public, and to aid and inform the Harbormasters and Assistant Harbormasters of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Article III Organization:
Section 1.
The Association may consist of geographically based chapters that have obtained
membership in the MHA Inc.
Section 2.
All individuals shall hold membership in the MHA Inc. through their membership
in a respective Chapter.
Article IV Policies:
Section 1.
The policies of this association shall be in harmony with the policies of Law
Enforcement and Public Safety departments of the Commonwealth, to provide safe
boating, and for the protection and management of the Commonwealth’s coastlines,
harbors and inland waterways.
Section 2.
The Association shall be non-commercial, non-partisan, and non-sectarian. The
name of the Association, it’s officers in their official capacities, shall not
be used in connection with any partisan interest, or anything other that the
regular work of the Association. The Association shall endorse no commercial
enterprise or any political candidate.
Section 3.
The Association shall have the exclusive right to use the name “Massachusetts
Harbormaster’s Association, Inc.”. The corporation shall retain the exclusive
and sole right to use, allow or refuse the use of all emblems, seals, badges or
other items incorporation the words, “Massachusetts Harbormasters” or any of the
corporation’s copyrighted or registered marks.
Article V Membership, Voting and Dues:
Section 1.
All Harbormasters, Assistant Harbormasters and Associate non-voting members
endorsed by their respective chapters will be considered members in accordance
with Article III, section 2.
Section 2.
The annual dues for membership shall be set forth by majority vote of the
Executive Board of Directors. Dues will be paid to the Treasurer through each
respective Chapter. A minimum of 30% of the dues established by the MHA, Inc.
shall be sent to the MHA Inc. by the Treasurers of each respective chapter.
Criteria for associate members shall be established by the Executive Board of
Directors.
Section 3.
No chapter member in arrears shall be represented by MHA Inc.
Section 4.
Each community represented in the MHA Inc. shall have one vote. “One community,
one vote.”
Article VI Massachusetts Harbormasters Association Executive Board:
Section 1.
The Executive Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Harbormaster’s
Association, Inc. shall be comprised of representatives of each chapter, and one
or two additional at large members. There shall be a chairman, vice-chairman,
clerk and treasurer. Each chapter shall have one member on the executive board
for every ten communities belonging to that chapter. The Executive Board of the
MHA, Inc. shall hold quarterly meetings at a minimum. The Executive Board shall
convene the annual meeting in November, unless otherwise determined.
Section 2.
All officers shall serve a term of two years, unless a member of the Board
resigns or has been removed from office.
Section 3.
An Executive Board member may be voted from office by a ¾ majority vote by their
respective chapter.
Section 4.
Only those Harbormaster’s whom have been a member in good standing for a period
of two years in their respective chapter, can be eligible for membership on the
Executive Board of Directors.
Section 5.
The nominating committee shall make nominations for the Executive Board of
Directors one month prior to the annual meeting. Following the report of the
Nominating Committee, at the annual meeting, nominations from the floor shall be
accepted providing the consent of the nominee has been duly given.
Section 6.
When held, elections to the Executive Board of Directors shall be held on the
first Thursday in April. Elections shall be made by ballot whenever there is
more than one nominee for office.
Article VII Duties of Officers:
Section 1.
The Chairman shall be the General Executive Head of the Association. The
Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Association and Executive Board,
and shall be an Ex-Officio member of all other committees, except the Nominating
committee. The Chairman shall be the co-signer, with the Treasurer, of all
notes, checks, deeds, leases, mortgages, and other legal documents given on
behalf of the Association. The Chairman shall have the power to call meetings of
the Executive Board.
Section 2.
In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall assume all the duties of
that office.
Section 3.
The Clerk shall have charge of all books, documents, the Corporate Seal, and
papers as the Board of Trustees may determine. The Clerk shall attend all
meetings of the Association and shall keep minutes of all meetings. The Clerk
shall keep updated information al all members including addresses and phone
numbers. The Clerk shall give adequate notice of all meetings to the members of
the Association. The Clerk shall perform other duties that may be assigned by
the Chairman.
Section 4.
The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds and property of the Association
subject to regulations imposed by the Executive Board of Directors. The
Treasurer shall receive all Association funds, depositing the same in the name
of the Association in a bank or trust company, as may be designated by the
Executive Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of all
receipts and disbursements when necessary or proper. The Treasurer may co-sign
with the Chairman, on behalf of the Association, checks, notes and other
obligations. The Treasurer shall not make any disbursement of association funds
other than association administrative expenses in excess of one hundred dollars,
without prior approval of the Executive Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall
present a statement of the account at each meeting and at other times as
requested by the Executive Board.
Section 5.
The Executive Board of Directors shall be responsible for upholding the by-laws.
The Executive Board of Directors shall oversee all committees.
Section 6.
Each chapter shall select a member to serve on each of the following committees:
Training, Legislative, Press and Public Relations and any ad-hoc committees.
Section 7.
Article VIII Regional Chapters:
Section 1.
Each regional chapter shall elect a President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer.
Section 2.
Each officer shall have the duties set forth in Article VI, in their respective
chapters.
Section 3.
Massachusetts Harbormaster’s chapters shall include but are not limited to the
following:
a. North Shore Region
b. Cape – Islands and Southeastern Region
c. South Shore Region
d. Inland Waterways
Section 4.
Each region shall consist of a minimum of ten communities in order to organize
into a chapter.
Article IX Amendments:
Section 1.
These by-laws and articles of the Association may be amended by a two-thirds
vote of the membership at the annual meeting.
Committee Responsibilities
Training Committee – Responsible for the Harbormaster’s Academy, In-service
classes, and other training events.
Legislative Committee – Responsible for reviewing and recommending legislative
proposals and keeping the membership aware of changes in laws that may affect
Harbormasters.
Public Relations Committee – Responsible for making the MHA Inc.’s presence
known, and to project a positive image of Harbormaster to the public, also for
PR events like the "Boston Boat Show".
Nominating Committee – Responsible for organizing the election of Board members
and the annual meeting.
