GC Tri Code of Conduct
The Gold Coast Triathlon Club (GCTC) Athlete Code of Conduct establishes standards by which athletes are expected to conduct themselves.
General Conduct:
- Refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Compete in the spirit of fair play through acceptance of the WTC Anti-Doping Rules as endorsed by WADA.
- Treatment of fellow athletes, officials, volunteers, and spectators will be conducted with respect and courtesy, free of objectionable material and profanity.
- Avoid the use of abusive behavior whether verbal, physical or sexual.
- Respect the property of others.
- When speaking as a representative of the sport, GCTC, your fellow athletes or events – act responsibly and communicate professionally.
- Never make a false statement in relation to eligibility and Membership to compete.
- Be responsible for my own safety and the safety of others, for the entire duration of club workouts and races.
- Obey traffic regulations and instructions from race officials. Riding Responsibility:
- Always wear a helmet.
- Carry proper identification on every ride.
- Never ride in aero in a paceline, unless you are the lead.
- Be alert to what is going on in the road in the front of the pack, and anticipate what traffic will do.
- Be aware of your surroundings all times, not just the wheel in front of yours.
- Follow the rules of the road. Do not run red lights or stop signs!
- Blinking lights is mandatory for all riders until there is light at the start of the rides. Safe time will be determined by the ride leader.
- Bring your own gear to fix your flat – at least one spare tube and an inflation device.
- Announce if an intersection is clear before going through it.
- Ride single file when any traffic is nearby.
- Hold your line; do not move from side to side.
- Don’t overlap wheels; ensure your front wheel is never beside someone’s rear wheel.
- Don’t look back!
- Be aware of potholes, debris, or roadkill and announce them (with proper signaling) to the riders behind you.
- Don’t brake unless absolutely necessary. If you need to brake, it is best to tether your front brakes and not slam you rear brake. If you need to slow down to stop, move to the outside of the group.
- Pass carefully on the left and announce before you do so. NEVER pass on the right.
- When riding in a pace-line move through at a steady pace and make sure you are clear of the front rider before pulling off. When on the front of the pace-line, keep the group pace and do not surge your speed.
- At red lights, when coming to a stop, group up and take up the lane as a car or remain in single file. Announce you are slowing/stopping. Do not weave in and out of stopped cars. It takes one driver looking at his phone and not the road to veer a few inches and knock one/any/all of us over.
- Do not attempt to pass riders as a red light approaches. Even if the light is going to turn green before we reach it. Large groups suffer from communication delays through the peloton. Assume we’re going to stop.
- Coming down the hill out of the park and reaching the first light (Orchard Street) at a high speed and subsequently down to the route 5 intersections poses a problem to a group with 30 people as there are serious bottle necks. Single file while in motion and taking up a lane at red lights gives makes us predictable to cars. Most cars are nervous around groups of cyclists and are either scared to pass (so they tailgate) us, or worse, pass us too close and far too fast.
- Remember that New Jersey is filled with a lot of assholes and many of those assholes drive cars like assholes.
*Any multiple (and intentional) offender of these rules will be removed from all GCTC group rides, and possibly dismissed from the club.
GC Tri ByLaws
ARTICLE I
Name and Location
The name of this organization is the Gold Coast Triathlon Club, Inc. (GC Tri Club). It is located in Hoboken, NJ and the surrounding metropolitan area.
ARTICLE II
Definitions
Gold Coast Triathlon Club. “GC Tri Club” is used herein to mean the Gold Coast Triathlon Club, Inc., an organization registered with USA Triathlon (USAT), Inc. and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt 501(c)(7) organization.
ARTICLE III
Purpose (Mission Statement)
The Gold Coast Triathlon Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to the athlete for the promotion and participation in multi-sport competition. To develop a community of multi-sport athletes from recreational to elite who share a common purpose. The Gold Coast Triathlon Club believes in directing each athlete to achieve their personal athletic goals, encouraging individual growth and performance in the sport through mentoring and learning, participating in organized group training sessions consisting of professionally designed workouts, and socialization in a fun and welcome environment, all while maintaining the unique competitiveness and spirit of endurance sports.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Member. Every GC Tri Club member (herein referred to as “member”) shall be currently registered as a member of GC Tri Club and shall have paid their annual GC Tri Club dues. Members are also responsible for meeting any applicable rules or codes of conduct issued by the club. A member may be expelled from GC Tri Club for failing to meet any applicable rule or code of conduct by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such decision shall be final and not subject to review.
ARTICLE V
Meeting of Members
Section 1. Place of meetings. Meetings of the membership shall be held at any suitable place convenient to the membership as may be designated by the GC Tri Club Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as BOD).
Section 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the members of GC Tri Club shall be held between October 1 and December 31. At such meeting there shall be a call for nominations for the board of Directors in accordance with the requirements of Article VI of the Bylaws. The members may also transact such other business of the organization as may properly come before them.
Section 3. BOD meetings. The BOD shall meet bi-monthly during the off-season and monthy during triathlon race season.
Section 4. Special Meetings. It shall be the duty of the President to call a special meeting of the members upon receiving any one of the following items: 1) a resolution of the Board of Directors, or 2) a petition signed by members representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total membership having been presented to the Secretary. The notice of any special meeting shall state the time of such meeting and the purpose thereof. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except as stated in the notice.
Section 5. Notice of Meetings. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to send a notice by post or electronic mail of each annual or special meeting, stating the purpose thereof as well as the time and place where it is to be held, to each person who is currently a member in good standing. Notice in person or through electronic means shall be considered as notice served.
Section 6. Quorum. The presence, either in person, or by electronic ballot on one or more of the issues specified in the notice, of the members representing at least ten (10%) of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of members. If the number of members at a meeting drops below the quorum and the question of a lack of quorum is raised, no business may thereafter be transacted.
Section 7. Voting. At every meeting of the members, the members shall have the right to vote. The vote of the members representing a majority of the quorum at a duly called meeting shall decide any question brought before such a meeting, unless the questions is one upon such, by express provision of the Bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control. No person shall be eligible to vote unless he/she is a member of GC Tri Club as defined in Article IV. Votes shall be cast in closed ballot.
Section 8. Order of Business. The order of business at all regularly scheduled meetings of the members shall be as follows:
• Determination of quorum.
• Proof of notice of meeting or waiver of notice.
• Approval of minutes of preceding meeting.
• Reports of officers. The report of the Treasurer shall include a report of all expenditures made by the Board of Directors since the previous meeting of the membership.
• Reports of committees.
• Unfinished business
• New business.
ARTICLE VI
Board of Directors
Section 1. Number. The affairs of this organization shall be governed by the Board of Directors (BOD) composed of five (5) members. The BOD will consist of the following positions: President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and (2) At Large members.
Section 2. Election of BOD. The five elected members of the BOD shall be elected at the end of the year by means of an electronic voting system. No person shall be eligible to be elected to the BOD unless he/she has been a member of GC Tri Club as defined in Article III for at least one year unless unanimously approved by the current Board of Directors. All qualified members may be listed on the election ballot. Candidates may only run for one BOD position. Candidates with the majority vote shall be elected to each BOD position.
Section 3. Powers and Duties. Each BOD member shall serve as an officer of GC Tri Club with the powers and duties accorded each officer by Article VII of these Bylaws. The BOD shall have all powers and duties necessary for the administration of the affairs of GC Tri Club. It shall be the duty of each at-large BOD member to serve as Chair or Co-chair of at least one of the Club’s committees. The powers and duties of the Board of Directors shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
• To ensure that GC Tri Club is primarily a non-profit athletic and social organization available to all adults in the Hoboken, NJ and surrounding metropolitan area who wish to participate and/or compete in triathlons or other multisport events;
• To provide for the establishment of and collection of membership dues and special assessments in accordance with Article VIII;
• To promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations as may be deemed proper respecting membership rights and obligations, all of which shall be consistent with the provisions of these Bylaws;
• To appoint members of committees as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate; and
• Insofar as permitted by law, to do any other thing that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors will promote the purposes of the GC Tri Club and is not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 4. Election and term of office.
a. Each BOD member shall serve a term of office fixed at one (1) year. The Directors shall hold office until their successors have been elected and hold their first meeting.
b. A BOD member may be re-elected to an additional term, without limit.
Section 5. Vacancies. Vacancies of the BOD caused by any reason other than the removal of a Director by a vote of the membership shall be filled by vote of the majority of the remaining Directors, even though they may constitute less than a quorum; or by the members at a special meeting to be called by the Board; and each person so elected shall be a Director who shall serve out the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 6. Removal of Directors. At an annual or special meeting duly called, any Director may be removed with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the majority of members present with a quorum present, and a successor may then be elected to fill the vacancy thus created. In addition, a Director may be removed for cause by unanimous vote of the remaining Directors. A Director who fails to attend more than three meetings of the Board during any given term may be removed with cause.
Section 7. Compensation. No compensation shall be paid to the BOD for their services as Directors.
Section 8. Organization meeting. The first meeting of a newly elected Board of Directors shall be held within thirty (30) days of election with written notice to the elected Directors of the date, time, and location of such meeting.
Section 9. Regular meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place as shall be determined, from time to time, by the President, or a majority of the Directors, but at least four (4) such meetings shall be held each year. Notice of such regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each Director, personally or by mail, electronic mail or telephone, at least seven (7) days prior to the day named for such meeting.
Section 10. Special meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by any three (3) Directors on at least a three (3) day advance notice to each Director, given personally or by mail, electronic mail or telephone, which shall state the time, place and purpose of the meeting.
Section 11. Waiver of notice. Before or at any meeting of the Board of Directors, any Director may, in writing, waive notice of such meeting and such waiver shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance by a Director at any meeting of the board of Directors shall be a waiver of notice by them of the time and place thereof. If all Directors are present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, no notice shall be required and any business may be transacted at such meeting.
Section 12. Quorum. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the acts of the majority of the Directors, except as otherwise provided within the Bylaws.
Section 13. Action without meeting. Any actions by the Board of Directors required or permitted to be taken at any meeting may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors shall individually or collectively consent to such action. Such consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors.
Section 14. Expenditures. All GC Tri Club expenditures made by any member, including any Director, on the behalf of GC Tri Club for which GC Tri Club will be liable must be subject to prior approval in accordance with Article X, Section 4.
ARTICLE VII
Officers
Section 1. Designation. The principal officers of GC Tri Club shall be a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary, and two (2) At Large members. In its first meeting after the election, the Board of Directors shall designate a committee chair for each of the principal club committees.
Section 2. Qualifications. Each officer shall be a member of the Board of Directors (BOD).
Section 3. Removal of officers. Any officer may be removed either with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. The office will then be transferred to one of the remaining Directors until a special meeting of the members is called to either remove the Director and elect a new Director, or to reappoint the office to the original Director. This special meeting must be called within 45 days of the removal of the officer, unless the annual meeting will occur within that 45 day period.
Section 4. Terms. Officers shall serve for terms of one year, unless they otherwise resign from the Board or the Officer position, are removed pursuant to these Bylaws, or become ineligible to serve as an Officer of the corporation. In the event that an individual replaces an Officer, he or she shall serve the remaining portion of term for the Officer he or she replaces.
Section 4. President.
The President shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the general membership. The President will give direction for the management of all business of the club, and give direction to the BOD and committee members to facilitate all operations of the club.
Section 5. Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
The CFO shall prepare a yearly budget and submit to the BOD for approval. The CFO will be in charge of the management of all club funds, preparing any tax returns, and coordinating all club spending with the BOD and committee members.
Section 6. Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the board of directors and the minutes of all meetings of members.
Section 7. At Large Members.
There shall be two (2) At Large Members on the board of directors. Each At Large Member can, but is not required to serve as committee chair for one of the club’s principal committees. At large members shall assist the president with the management and direction of the club.
Section 8. Club Committee Chairs.
Committee chairs shall not have voting privileges in BOD decisions. Committee chairs will assist the president with club operations. The following committee chair (coordinator) positions shall exist: Social coordinator, Ride coordinator, Run coordinator, Race coordinator, Sponsor coordinator, Webmaster, Merchandise coordinator, Membership coordinator, Communications coordinator, Spirit coordinator.
ARTICLE VIII
Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Liability and Indemnification. The officers and directors of GC Tri Club shall not be liable to the members for any mistake of judgment, negligence, or otherwise, except for their own individual willful misconduct or bad faith. The officers of GC Tri Club shall have no personal liability with respect to any contract or other commitment made by them, in good faith, on behalf of GC Tri Club, shall forever hold each such officer and director free and harmless against any and all liability to others on account of any such contract or commitment, and the GC Tri Club shall indemnify such officer and director for any such liability.
ARTICLE IX
Dues and Assessments
Section 1. Dues. Membership dues may be established and assessed by an affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Special assessments. In addition to any dues established by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may levy a special assessment on members of the Club for any purpose that the Board of Directors may consider appropriate or necessary, provided that any such assessment shall have the assent of the majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Non-payment of dues or assessments. Any dues or assessments levied pursuant to these Bylaws which are not paid on the date when due shall be delinquent and any member owing such dues or assessments shall lose the right to vote and compete with GC Tri Club until such payment is made.
ARTICLE X
Fiscal Management
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The GC Tri Club fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31 of the calendar year.
Section 2. Books. The Treasurer shall maintain books containing accurate and timely record of all monies raised by GC Tri Club fundraising efforts and all monies raised by GC Tri Club from members as dues or assessments.
Section 3. Inspection of books. Any member may inspect GC Tri Club’s books upon request to the Treasurer. The outgoing President and newly elected President shall review the books after the Treasurer has closed the books at the end of the fiscal year.
Section 4. Expenditures. All expenditures exceeding $75 made by any member on behalf of GC Tri Club for which GC Tri Club will be held liable or accountable must have prior approval of the CFO or any 2 members of the BOD. The Officers shall establish policies defining who has spending authority for the organization and at what thresholds.
Section 5. Annual budget. The BOD will establish and adopt an annual budget no later than March 1 of each term. Upon the Board’s approval of the budget, it shall be available to the membership upon request.
ARTICLE XI
Amendments
Amendments. The Bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of members representing at least sixty-seven percent (67%) of the members present at a duly noticed meeting with a quorum present, or by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, provided that the Board of Directors may not amend Article VI, Section 7, addressing Board compensation.
ARTICLE XII
Compliance – Interpretation
Compliance and Interpretation. Any disputes with regard to the interpretation of these Bylaws shall be resolved by a majority vote of the BOD.