Search for:        

 


 

  Security Levels

 

  National Threat Level: Elevated


By-Laws

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:

  1. Form as many chapters as needed to meet the needs geographically.
  2. Establish and ensure open communication between chapters.
  3. Resolve conflicts within the membership.
  4. 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.

 

 

 


Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, Inc.
home