CORINTHIAN YACHT CLUB OF TACOMA BYLAWS
As amended November 2025
Preamble
Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma is a social sailing club with the goals: to promote, advance, and encourage the sport of Corinthian, or amateur sailing, particularly yacht racing and cruising; to promote, advance, and encourage safe boating and the science of seamanship and navigation; to provide Club educational, social, mooring, cruising, and racing facilities for its members; to hold and take part in sailboat races and regattas with other yacht clubs and associations, and to cooperate and associate with them; to develop the friendship, sportsmanship and good fellowship of its members and the public; to make more popular the yachting facilities of the Puget Sound area and to utilize its possibilities; and to take part in and support other outdoor sports in the Pacific Northwest.
Article I
Location
Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma (the Club) is located in Tacoma, Washington - 5624 Marine View Drive, Tacoma, WA 98422.
Article II
Membership
Section 1. Rights and Privileges The rights and privileges of membership are afforded to each member in accordance with their membership class. Members are entitled to, except as provided in section 2:
a) Levy a vote in Club business;
b) Hold and fly the Club Burgee;
c) Receive a Club membership card.
d) Serve in a Bridge officer position.
e) Serve in an elected officer position.
f) Serve in committees.
g) Claim reciprocity.
h) Skipper a yacht at Club cruises.
i) Receive discounted racing fees.
Section 2. Classes of Membership The Club offers the following classes of membership:
a) Active: An Active Membership cannot exceed two individuals and will be represented by one vote only. Active members are afforded all rights and privileges from Article II Section 1. An active member pays an initiation fee and annual dues. The Board of Trustees has the option of reducing the initiation fee for a membership drive.
b) Associate: An Associate Membership cannot exceed two individuals and will be represented by one vote only. An Associate Membership is accorded all rights and privileges from Article II Section 1 except they cannot claim reciprocity, a Club burgee, or discounted racing fees. An Associate Member pays an initiation fee and annual dues. The Board of Trustees has the option of reducing the initiation fee for a membership drive. Associate Member dues are 50% of Active Member dues.
c) Crew: A Crew Membership is a single individual and has no voting rights. A Crew Member is accorded the rights and privileges enumerated in Section 1 of this Article, but cannot levy a vote in Club business, hold or fly the Club burgee, hold a Bridge officer position, occupy an elected officer position, claim reciprocity, receive discounted racing fees, or skipper a yacht at Club cruises. A crew member pays annual dues. Crew Member dues are 25% of Active Member dues.
d) Non-resident: A Non-resident Membership cannot exceed two individuals and does not have a vote. A Non-resident Member is a former Active Member who has moved her/his primary place of residence or boat more than 100 miles from Tacoma, Washington. A Non-resident Member receives all Club communications. They cannot levy a vote in Club business, hold a Bridge office position, occupy an elected officer position, receive discounted racing fees, or skipper a yacht at Club cruises. Upon returning to Tacoma, the Non-resident Member will be reinstated as an Active Member. Member dues are 25% of Active Member dues.
e) Inactive: Due to personal hardship or unusual circumstances, an Active or Associate Member in good standing, may apply to the Board of Trustees to seek inactive membership status. Inactive membership status will be granted by the Board to Trustee based upon individual circumstances and will be for a period of not more than two (2) years. An Inactive Member has no rights or privileges during this period. An inactive member may reapply to the Board of Trustees to be reinstated as a member, and if approved, will be given credit for the initiation fee previously paid.
f) Life: A Life Membership cannot exceed two individuals and is represented by one vote only. Life members are afforded all rights and privileges of an Active Member. Upon a one-time payment of ten (10) times the current Active Membership dues, are eligible to a membership for that member's life without payment of further dues. The Life membership is limited to the first twenty (20) members who make their life payment. An Associate or Active Member converting to Life membership are given credit for the initiation fee previously paid.
g) Honorary Life: Honorary Life membership may be offered to an Active or Associate Member by a majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees. A candidate for Honorary Life membership must have rendered outstanding service to the Club, be at least sixty-five (65) years of age, and been a member of the Club in good standing for ten (10) or more consecutive years. An Honorary Life Member pays no dues and is not entitled to vote or hold any office.
h) Honorary Vessel: Honorary Vessel membership may be granted by majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees. Honorary Vessel membership may be nominated and granted any time throughout the year but must be renewed before the start of the next calendar year. Honorary membership may only be granted to vessels of historic or unique distinction.
i) Charter: The first fifty (50) Active Members to join Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma are designated as Charter Members, or those members, if less than fifty (50), that became members prior to August 31, 1975. A Charter Member are accorded all rights and privileges of an Active Member.
Section 3. Applications for membership are made on a form supplied by the Club. Each applicant must be sponsored by two voting members in good standing, except Crew Member applicants may be sponsored by one voting member in good standing. All applications for voting membership will be considered by the Board of Trustees, and a majority vote by the Board where a minimum of six (6) Trustees levy a vote is required for approval. Applications for Crew membership will be approved at the discretion of the Membership Chair. The membership period will start immediately upon approval of the membership application and payment of membership dues. First year dues for new members will be prorated to coincide with the start of their membership period and must be made within 30 days of approval of their membership application.
Section 4. From the date of April 1, and extending through June 30 of each year, the Club will conduct a membership drive during which the Membership Chair will lead an active recruitment of new members program. During this time, and as an incentive for new members to join, the initiation fee is waived. Other incentives may be agreed to by a vote of the Board of Trustees at the March Board Meeting.
Section 5. The term of membership for all classes, except Life membership, expires each year on March 31st, and members must renew their membership by April 1st of each year. A grace period of 90 days will be offered to renew any expired membership. Any payments made toward membership dues are nonrefundable.
Section 6. Any expired membership will be automatically dropped from the Club after 90 days. If a member has resigned or been dropped from the membership for failure to pay dues, that member will be required to pay the current application initiation fee upon re-application for membership; except at the discretion of the Board of Trustees, and by a majority vote of the Board, may choose to waive the initiation fee.
Section 7: No membership, or portion thereof, may be granted to any member or prospective member for any reason, except for Honorary Life and the Immediate Past Commodore. The Immediate Past Commodore upon completion of their term as Commodore, receives the following year's membership free of charge in recognition of their service to the Club.
Section 8: At the discretion of the Board of Trustees, and by a majority vote of the Board, the Club may, in the interest of working with other Clubs or organizations, offer discounted memberships at the "Active" and "Crew" classes to organizations which have, in turn, offered discounted membership to CYCT members.
Article III
Officers and Their Duties
Section 1. The elected officers of the Club are: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership, Fleet Captain Cruising, and Fleet Captain Racing, and Fleet Captain Dinghy. All elected officers hold office beginning on January 1st following their individual election, and for a term of duration as described below.
Section 2. The Bridge officers of the Club are the: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, and Immediate Past Commodore. In addition to duties specific to their office, each Bridge officer represents CYCT in appropriate dress at events sponsored by other yacht clubs in which the Club agrees to participate.
Section 3. The Board of Trustees consists of the nine (9) elected officers and the Immediate Past Commodore. The Operations Manual contains additional information and applies to all Club Members. The Operations Manual outlines the tasks and guidance of the Club Officers.
Section 4. The Commodore will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Be the senior officer of the Club and preside over all meetings of membership and the Board.
c) Have served one term as Vice Commodore. If the Vice Commodore chooses not to succeed as Commodore, a board member may be nominated, provided they have served a minimum of two (2) years as a Board Member.
Section 5. The Vice Commodore will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Take the place of the Commodore in the Commodore's absence and act as Executive Officer to the Commodore and support Race Committee.
c) Have been a member in the Club for at least one year.
Section 6. The Rear Commodore will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Manage the clubhouse.
c) Have been a member in the club for at least one year.
Section 7. The Immediate Past Commodore shall:
a) Serve a one-year term, immediately following the term as Commodore.
b) Act as the Fundraising Chair.
Section 8. The Secretary will:
a) Serve a two-year term, voted to start in odd numbered years.
b) Keep records of all proceedings of the Club and the Board of Trustees, and a file of documents, records, communications and other matters connected with the Club business.
Section 9. The Treasurer will:
a) Serve a two-year term, voted to start in even numbered years.
b) Be the custodian of all funds of the Club, give necessary receipts for monies paid to the club and deposit Club money in the financial institution approved by the Board of Trustees in the name of the Club.
Section 10 Membership Chair will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Recruit new members, retain existing members, and plan Club promotional activities.
Section 11. Fleet Captain Cruising will:
a) Serve a two-year term, voted to start in even numbered years.
b) Oversee the Club's cruising program.
Section 12. Fleet Captain Racing will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Establish the racing schedule, ensure on-the-water race management, and secure US Coast Guard race permits.
Section 13. Fleet Captain Dinghy will:
a) Serve a one-year term, voted annually.
b) Establish the racing schedule for the next season, publicizing this schedule by September First (1st), and ensuring the performance of on-the-water race management including permitting with the US Coast Guard for all CYCT sponsored races.
c) Manage the dinghy dock. Additional information is included in the Operations Manual.
Article IV
Board of Trustees and Committees
Section 1. The government of the Club is vested in the board of Trustees.
Section 2. The Board of Trustees meets monthly, on the fourth Monday of the month. The Board may meet at other times as the Commodore may direct on personal initiative, or upon request in writing by any two (2) members of the Board. Each member of the Board receives notice of any Board meetings not regularly scheduled herein at least three (3) days prior to the meeting date.
Section 3. The Board of Trustees of the Club is responsible for the maintenance and operation of all Club activities. Various phases of this responsibility may be delegated to committees, but this does not relieve the Board of Trustees from the ultimate responsibility for these functions.
Section 4. The Commodore appoints such committees as are necessary to carry out the activities and functions of the Club. The Committee Chairpersons attend Board Meetings, having a voice in such meetings, but no vote.
Section 5. The Board of Trustees of the Club appoints any Board position vacancy with an eligible member who holds office until the end of the year during which they are appointed.
Article V
Meetings
Section 1. The Annual Membership Meeting is held on the second Monday of November of each year, notice of which is provided to all members at least ten (10) days prior thereto. In addition to routine Club business, this meeting includes:
• Election of expiring Board of Trustee Positions (see Article VI, Section 1).
• Voting for Club’s perpetual trophies.
• Voting on proposed changes to the Bylaws in accordance with Article X.
Minutes from the Annual Membership Meeting will be provided for approval at the December General Membership Meeting.
Section 2. General Membership meetings of the Club are at a pre-specified location the second week of each month. During the summer months, general membership meetings are held at the CYCT Clubhouse on the second Monday of the month. During the colder months, the general membership meeting will be held at a local restaurant or meeting space as is available.
Section 3. Special meetings of the membership of the Club may be called by the Commodore or at the request of a majority of the Board of Trustees, by giving ten (10) days’ notice thereof to the members, stating the objective of the meeting.
Section 4. Those members, in good standing, attending a properly called meeting constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, govern all cases not covered by these Bylaws.
Article VI
Nominations and Elections
Section 1. It is the duty of the Board of Trustees to appoint a Nominating Committee each year at its regular meeting in August. A majority of the Committee at the time of election will be members of the Club other than elected officers. The Committee selects its own chairperson.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee will, at the regular October meeting of the club, submit to the membership a list of nominees and their qualifications for each of the elective offices. The list of nominees submitted to the membership by the Nominating Committee will be provided to each member eligible to vote at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section 3. Additional nominations may be made by any voting member by providing notice to the Secretary of the Club no later than 30 days prior to the Annual Membership Meeting, or by voice from the floor at or before the October General Meeting. If no nominee is identified prior to the Annual Membership Meeting for an expiring office that year, then nomination may be made by a voice from the floor at the Annual Meeting.
Section 4. No person will be nominated without that person's consent.
Section 5. Election procedures will be conducted as follows:
a) The election will be held via ballot vote at the Annual Membership Meeting on the second Monday of November each year only for positions with terms due to expire at the end of the calendar year:
a. Commodore
b. Vice Commodore
c. Rear Commodore
d. Secretary
e. Treasurer
f. Membership Chair
g. Fleet Captain Cruising
h. Fleet Captain Racing
i. Fleet Co-Captain Racing
b) The Nominating Committee will provide one ballot per membership to each eligible member requesting one.
c) Voting will be by written and secret ballot at the meeting.
d) Absentee ballots must be requested from the Nominating Committee. The ballot will be provided when it is available. The completed ballot must be received by the Nominating Committee the Sunday prior to the Annual Membership Meeting.
e) Before a vote is taken, the Nominating Committee Chairperson will appoint three active members to act as Election Judges. The decision of the Judges will be final as to the conduct and legality of the election, and the Judges will certify to a current Bridge officer, the successful candidates.
Section 6. The election results will be validated by the Board at the November Board meeting following the election.
Article VII Budget
Section 1. Each officer reviews the current approved budget at the beginning of their term and recommend any changes to the Board of Trustees at the February Board Meeting. The Treasurer will prepare a revised budget if revisions are approved.
Section 2. Budget requests will be submitted for the following year by Board of Trustees Members and Committee Chairpersons by the September Board Meeting. The Membership Chairperson will also submit membership projections for the next year. The Treasurer will consolidate the budget requirements with income projects into a proposed budget and present it to the Board for discussion and approval at the October Board Meeting.
Section 3. The Commodore will request an audit of the Club's financial books by October 15 every year. The Audit Committee will consist of a chairperson and three (3) Club members in good standing. The results of the audit will be reported at the Annual Membership Meeting.
Section 4. The Board of Trustees must have approval by the general membership for expenditures exceeding $3,000, the following process for approval will be followed:
a) Requests for Capital Expenditure originate from a Board Member, with the request made at a Board of Trustees Meeting. Agreement to the scope, amount, and conditions will be discussed and voted on by the Board. If approved, a Resolution is developed for the review and approval by the General Membership.
b) The Resolution will be included in the next issue of the club newsletter immediately after the Board Meeting.
c) The Resolution will be presented to the General Membership at the next General Membership meeting under "New Business".
d) The vote for the resolution will occur at the General Meeting immediately following the notification in the club newsletter and the presentation at the General Meeting. Votes may be cast by a) attendance at the General Meeting or b) by written notice to the Club Secretary, prior to the General Meeting
e) A simple majority of the votes received by A and B above will constitute approval.
The Board of Trustees may approve expenditures over $3,000 for the purposes of handling Club Emergencies, including the continuity of the racing program. These can be addressed at Special Meetings of the Board.
Article VIII
Flags and Uniforms
Section 1. The Club Burgee is a pennant in the colors of orange, white, light blue and dark blue. It should be flown according to prevailing custom. The only boats authorized to fly the Club Burgee are yachts belonging to Club members or Club operated boats.
Section 2. No boat or yacht chartered to a non-member of the Club or engaged in trading is entitled to fly the Club Burgee.
Section 3. Bridge officers will wear the traditional Yacht Club uniform to indoor membership meetings and appropriate club functions, unless otherwise specified by the Commodore.
Article IX
Property Rights
Section 1. The Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma has no capital stock.
Section 2. Ownership of Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma Burgees resides with the Club. Burgees must be returned to the Club upon termination of membership.
Article X
Amendments
These bylaws may be amended at any annual or special meeting of the membership, provided that a notice of the amendment is given as one of the stated objectives of such meeting, and provided further, that a copy of the proposed amendment will be distributed to the voting eligible membership at least ten (10) days prior thereto.
Bylaw Revisions
11/2013
12/2016
05/2019
05/2021
11/2025