Mount Vernon Country Club

MEMBERSHIP

The club shall be known as The Mount Vernon Country Club (hereinafter called Club). The membership of the Club shall consist of all classes of membership, whether voting or non-voting. All classes of membership, and the rights and privileges thereof, shall be governed by these bylaws, rules and regulations, under the sole and exclusive authority of the Board of Directors of the Mount Vernon Country Club, Inc.  These bylaws, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time in the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Mount Vernon Country Club, Inc.

A. NO RIGHTS IN CLUB PROPERTY

Club Members have no right, title or interest in or to any property or assets of the corporation or the Club other than the rights and privileges to use the Club Facilities relative to the category of Membership which is held by them, subject to the rules and regulations governing the use of such Club Facilities and the payment of dues and charges therefore, as may be set from time to time by the Board.  Club Members do not have any rights of ownership or any other equity or proprietary interest in the Club or the corporation, and shall not share in the income, profits or distribution of the Club or Corporation.  All of the rights and privileges of the Club Members are set forth in these Membership Rules.

B. VOTING AND NON-VOTING MEMBERS

The property and assets of the Club are owned exclusively by Mount Vernon Country Club, Ltd.,  an Ohio limited liability company (The Company).  The Company is owned by investor members, who hold the sole and exclusive voting privileges and rights, as provided in the Operating Agreement governing The Company.  The Company is governed by the Board of Directors of Mount Vernon Country Club, Inc., a non-profit corporation.  The Board of Directors is elected by the investor members of The Company, in accordance with the Code of Regulations of Mount Vernon Country Club, Inc.  The Board of Directors is the management authority and governing body over all club assets, property, and membership rights and privileges.  All members of the Club, other than investor members of The Company are non-voting, non-equity members, subject to the rules and regulations of the Club as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

GOVERNANCE

The Board of Directors shall have complete control over the management of the business, funds, and property of the Club, its personnel, and all of its government and operations. The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend or revoke privileges of Club Members, to expel any Member whose conduct shall be deemed by a majority of the Board to have been disorderly, improper, or in violation of any Club rules or prejudicial to the interest, welfare, or character of the Club.

MEMBER CONDUCT; ACCOUNTS

A. MEMBER CONDUCT

Club Members, their Family members and Guests are expected to abide by these Club Rules.  Any violation of the Club Rules may subject the Club Member to suspension or forfeiture of Membership in the Club.

Any Club Member who conducts himself or herself in an unbecoming manner, or who knowingly violates any of the Club Rules may be denied service by the Club or may have his or her Membership suspended or forfeited as provided in the Membership Rules.

Good order, proper attire, decorum and consideration of the rights and comforts of others must be observed at all times.

The Club will not be responsible for loss or damage to any personal property of the Club Members, their Families or Guests.

Any damage caused to the Club Facilities by a Club Member or a Club Member’s Family or Guests, shall be the responsibility of the Club Member and related costs will be charged to the Club Member’s account.

Any complaints regarding the conduct of Club Facilities staff or of a Club Member’s Family or Guests should be reported directly to the Club Manager in writing.  A Club Member should make no criticism to or reprimand another Club Member or any employee of the Club.

B. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

The Club will accept Club Member charges for dining and golf, and credit cards and cash in the pro shops and Club Member charges or cash in the swim club.  All other service outlets will be Club Member charge or credit card only.  The Club reserves the right prohibit use of credit cards for certain purchases.

All Club Members’ account numbers shall be placed on file in the office and all service areas.  The number will be used on all charge tickets.  Club Members are required to present their charge cards for all purchases and must sign all charge tickets.

C. CLUB MEMBERS’ ACCOUNTS

A monthly statement shall be sent to each Club Member, which will include a summary of all monthly fees and charges.  Such statement will be sent on or about the first of each month.

Food and beverage minimums will be billed in advance in such intervals as determined by the Board.

All fees and charges are due and payable within thirty (30) days after the statement date.  Any balance outstanding for thirty (30) days or more will be subject to a late charge of eighteen percent (18%) per annum from the statement date.

If a Club Members’ account has a past due balance sixty (60) days after the statement date, the Club Member shall be in default and as a result will not be in good standing.  If not in good standing, no credit shall be extended to such Club Member, or the Family of the Club Member.

Failure to pay dues or charges within sixty (60) days of the date of the statement from the Club may result in the suspension or termination of the Club Member.                                 

A. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES      

                                            
Alcoholic beverages may not be brought onto or removed from the Clubhouse, swim club and golf course facilities, at any time by Club Members, their Family members or Guests.

No alcoholic beverages shall be served or consumed on or about the Club Facilities in violation of applicable liquor laws.  All alcoholic beverages served or consumed at the Club or on or about the Club Facilities shall be purchased from the Club.  Persons under the age of twenty-one (21) are not permitted to order, buy or drink alcoholic beverages while on Club property.

B. PETS

No dogs or other pets are allowed on or about Club Facilities, other than seeing-eye dogs and the Club goose control dog.  Club Members permitting dogs and other pets on or about the Club Facilities are subject to suspension.  A Club Member is responsible for any damage caused by an animal owned by or under his or her control.

C. CHILDREN

Children age twelve (12) and under must be accompanied by a parent or other adult who will assume responsibility for the behavior of the child while on or about the Club Facilities.

The Club reserves the right to cancel privileges of a Club Member’s Children if they do not abide by the Club Rules.

Club Members shall assume proper supervision and conduct of their Children at all times.

D. ATTIRE

Club Members should realize that it is not possible to stipulate exactly the type of clothing which is appropriate, but all Club Members agree to abide by the intent of the Club rules and cooperate accordingly.

Work out attire, swim suits, tennis attire and the like are not considered appropriate in the Club House or common areas of the Club.  No swim suits or swimming attire shall be permitted in the Club House at any time.  These items should be confined to their areas of activity.

When in the common areas of the Club, i.e., dining rooms, lounge, card rooms, the appropriate attire should be worn.   No blue jeans shall be permitted in the Charter Room. Well groomed denim may be allowed on our outdoor patios, the Sandtrap area, or bar areas.

An exception to these dress rules shall be designated events, at which occasions appropriate costumes or more formal attire shall be considered acceptable.

Golf Spikes are only permitted in certain golf related areas of the clubhouse.  Club Members should pay strict attention to the areas posted “NO SPIKES ALLOWED”.

E. SMOKING

Ohio law prohibits smoking on Club premises.

F. CARD FACILITIES

Playing cards is authorized in designated game and card rooms only.  These areas are reserved for Club Members, their Family members or their Guests who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older.  The Club reserves the right to temporarily restrict the use of card rooms for any special function when necessary.

 G. SPECIAL PRIVATE PARTIES/FUNCTIONS

Arrangements for special parties for Club Members or Club Member-sponsored groups must be made through the Club Manager’s office.

Reservations must be made in advance.

H. CLUB ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES

All memberships, regardless of their participation or use of club amenities (e.g, Pool, Tennis Courts, Driving Range, Golf Course),  shall pay their full monthly dues according to their membership class. Monthly Dues for the Full Active, Business Class, Associate Class, and Non-Resident golf memberships shall include the use of one locker.  Additional lockers may be rented by a Golf Member for an additional annual fee.

Children age twelve (12) and under must be accompanied by an adult when using locker room facilities. 

No Children under the age of twenty-one (21) will be allowed in either men’s or ladies’ card rooms.

Changing into golf attire must be done in the locker room.

All clothing must be kept within lockers or designated areas.

Golf Clubs shall not be stored in lockers.

Bath towels that are the property of the Club shall not be removed from the locker room for any reason.  Utility towels may be used outside the Clubhouse, but shall not be removed from the Club Facilities.

Objectionable behavior and profanity on the Club premises will be cause for initiation of formal grievance procedures against the offender.

The Club reserves the right to inspect all lockers for health and safety purposes.  Daily lockers will be provided for Social Members, and any Guest(s) of a Club Member, for a daily locker fee, to be charged with Green Fees.

AMENDMENT

Amendments to these Bylaws, Rules and Regulations may be made by a majority vote at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors for such purpose.

Proposed amendments are to be mailed to each member of the Board of Directors not less than seven (7) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment, or amendments, are to be considered. The call shall also state the day, date, time, and place of the meeting.  Only amendments specified in the call may be acted upon.

MEMBERSHIP                

A. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

There shall be the following classes of membership in the Club:

(1)        Full Active
(2)        Business
(3)        Associate Class I, Class II, Class III
(4)        Social                       
(5)        Social Plus                                              
(6)        Non-Resident                                           

Other classes shall be limited to such Members as the Board of Governors shall from time to time direct.

B. REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for obtaining and maintaining membership in the Club shall be as follows:
(A)       Public posting of prospective member’s name for not less than thirty days before action on an application for membership;

(B)       Approval of application for membership by the Board of Governors with no more than two dissenting votes
(C)       Payment of all dues and any assessments as required;

(D)       Observance of the Code of Regulations and any rules and regulations governing use of Club facilities.

C. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

Upon the death of an individual member (excluding Business Membership), the privileges of the membership shall be transferred without charge to the surviving spouse.  If there is no surviving spouse, the membership shall terminate.  A membership transferred to a surviving spouse is no longer transferable.

 (1)        FULL ACTIVE.                       
Full active members shall be over twenty-one (21) years of age and shall be entitled to all privileges of the Club.  The membership, upon approval by the Board of Governors shall be registered in the name of applicant
(2)        BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP.

Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or business entity may obtain one or more business memberships which shall entitle the designated member to all privileges of the Club.  The membership shall be registered in the name of the business entity and privileges of the membership shall extend to the individual which the business entity shall designate.  The business entity shall have the right to transfer the privileges of membership to another designated person upon paying a transfer fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00)

(3)        ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP.

 Associate membership shall be available to individuals between the ages of twenty-one (21) and thirty-five (35) years of age. Associate Members shall be entitled to the full range of privileges offered by the Club.  Associate members shall be offered in three (3) classes based upon the age of the applicant. Associate I: age 21-24; Associate II: age 25-29; Associate III: age 30-35. Upgrade to each successive Associate level shall require the payment of any additional initiation fee at time of upgrade. Upon attaining their thirty-sixth (36) birthday, an Associate member must apply for Full Active membership. At that time the Associate member shall be required to pay the difference between the Associate class initiation fee already paid by the member, and the Full Active initiation fee due at the time of application for Full Active membership.

                                                                                                           
(4)        SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP.

Social members shall be over twenty-one (21) years of age and shall be entitled to dining, tennis, and pool privileges at the Club.  Social members may convert one time only to Full Active or Business membership upon the approval of the Board of Governors and upon payment of the difference between the Social and Full Active membership initiation fee at the time of conversion. Social memberships shall be limited at the discretion of the Board of Governors.  Social members shall be entitled to golf as a guest with a golfing member up to 3 times per year.

(5)        SOCIAL PLUS MEMBERSHIP.
Social Plus members shall be over twenty-one (21) years of age and shall be entitled to dining, pool, tennis, wellness center, and limited golf privileges at the Club.  Social Plus members may convert one time only to Full Active or Business membership upon the approval of the Board of Governors and upon payment of the difference between the Social Plus and Full Active membership initiation fee at the time of conversion. Social Plus memberships shall be limited at the discretion of the Board of Governors. Social Plus members shall be entitled to golf once per calendar month.

(6)        NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIP.

 A person residing outside of Knox County and over twenty-five (25) miles from Mount Vernon may become a non-resident member.  Privileges of membership shall be the same as a Full Active member.

(7)        HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.

Honorary membership may be given by the Board of Governors from time to time for the recognition of individuals from professions, prominent public figures, golf professionals, and any member with 50 years in the Club
(8)        FAMILY MEMBERSHIP.

Family members are the immediate members of the household of all membership, which term shall mean the spouse where applicable and their children living under the same roof as the member, or full time student(s) who are twenty-four (24) years of age or younger and un-emancipated. Family members shall be entitled to all Club privileges of the members membership classification, except voting privileges.

D. DEATH, RESIGNATION

Upon death, resignation or expulsion of a Member, all rights and privileges shall terminate except as expressly provided otherwise.  The estate of the deceased shall not, however, be relieved of any debt or liability of the deceased member of the Club.

CLUB CHARGES AND ASSESSMENTS

 (1)        All Club charges, other assessments, and fees which shall be billed are due immediately upon receipt of an invoice or bill from the Club.  All such invoices and/or bills which have not been paid by the end of the month in which they were tendered shall cause the Member to be delinquent.  Delinquent Members shall not be entitled to privileges of the Club.  If after any delinquency of 60 days the indebtedness remains unpaid, the Member will be dropped from the membership list and forfeit any right to Club privileges.

 (2)        The Club shall apply a late charge of (1 ½% monthly to the unpaid balance) to any delinquent accounts.  Delinquent accounts are any Club invoices and/or bills which have not been paid by the end of the month in which they were tendered.
(3)        Food Minimum Charges.
(i)         $300.00 semi-annually (1/1 - 6/30, 7/1 -12/31);

            Members will be billed for any amount not utilized.

TRANSFER, SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 A. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

 Membership may be suspended or terminated by the Board for the following reasons:

(1)        Failure to pay dues or charges within sixty (60) days of the date of the statement from the Club.

(2)        Conviction of a felony committed by the Club Member or the Club Members’ Spouse.

(3)        Conduct that is improper or unbecoming of a Club Member or, in the board’s judgment, interferes with the welfare, safety, harmony, good reputation or best interest of the Club of the Club Members.
(4)        Making false written statements on or in connection with application for Membership
(5)        Failure to abide by the Membership Rules, Club rules or such other rules as may be adopted from time to time by the Board.

(6)        Any other reasonable criteria deemed by the Board to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Club or the Club Members.

Imposition of suspension or termination shall be determined solely by the Board, which has the sole authority to suspend or terminate a Membership.  The Board shall provide a hearing for a Club Member prior to terminating that Club Member’s Membership and prior to any suspension other than for no-payment of dues or charges.

The conduct of the members of the Family and the Guests of a Club Member while using or otherwise enjoying the Club Facilities or while on the Club’s property shall be deemed to be conduct of the Club Member for purposes of this section. However the Board may, in its sole discretion, suspend or terminate any or all of the rights of a member of the Family or a Guest of a Club Member to use the Club Facilities without any action against the Club Member.

During a suspension, dues and charges shall continue to accrue and shall be paid in full prior to reinstatement as a member in good standing.  No Club Member shall on account of any suspension or termination be entitled to any refund or any initiation fee, dues, charges or any other fees.  The initiation fee paid by a terminated Club Member shall be forfeited upon termination.  The Club reserves the discretionary right to terminate a Club Member at any time for cause or causes other than those described in this section and return the full amount of the initiation fee.

B. REINSTATEMENT

During any period of suspension, dues and other charges shall be payable.  The suspended Club Member and his/her Family shall be entitled to be reinstated with the rights and privileges of the category of Membership to which the Club Member belongs at the expiration of any period of suspension only if at that time all dues and charges of the Club Member owing to the Club are paid in full.

C. DIVORCE OF A CLUB MEMBER; CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Upon the divorce of a Club Member, the Club Member shall retain the Membership since it is personal to such Club Member.  However, if the divorced spouse was approved as a member of the Family of the Club Member, then such divorced spouse may become the Club Member if the original Club member relinquishes the Membership to the divorced Spouse pursuant to the divorce decree.  No other member of the Family of the Club Member is eligible to receive the Membership.  This section shall not apply to Corporate Memberships.

Any Member may change to another class of Membership requiring a higher initiation fee upon payment of the difference between the amount of initiation fee already paid by the Member, and the current initiation fee applicable to the new membership category.  Members may change to a lower level of membership only one time.