GTWA Governance

Constitution and Bylaws

Golf Travel Writers of America

Article I – Name and Purpose

Name:

1. The name of this organization shall be the Golf Travel Writers of America (known as (“GTWA”)

1. Purpose: The GTWA is dedicated to:
   • Promoting and maintaining the highest professional standards among working media who specialize in golf and travel.

• Encouraging fair and accurate coverage of golf travel in all platforms, with the overarching objective of providing the golfing public with reliable information on potential golf-travel destinations.

1. • Fostering collegiality, professional development, and the sharing of best practices among Members.
   • Serving the greater good of the game of golf and its diverse global community through responsible journalism and public engagement.

Article II – Membership

1. Eligibility
   Membership is open to individuals engaged in, or demonstrably committed to, golf travel-related journalism, communications, or media activities.
2. Classes of Membership
   • Professional Members: Individuals producing or editing golf-travel content that is published.
   • Supporting Members: Individuals with a professional or academic interest in golf-travel media who do not meet the criteria for Professional Membership.
3. Rights of Members
   • Professional Members in good standing may vote, hold office, and serve on committees.
   • Supporting and Retired Members are welcome to attend meetings and serve on committees as non-voting participants.
4. Dues
   Annual dues shall be set by the Executive Committee and communicated to all Members at least 30 days before taking effect. Members who do not pay dues within the established timeframe may have their privileges suspended until payment is received.

Article III – Officers and Governance

1. Officers
   The officers of the GTWA shall be:
   • President
   • Vice President
   • Secretary
   • Treasurer
2. Duties
   • President: Provides leadership, presides over meetings, and represents the in external matters.
   • Vice President: Assists the President and assumes presidential duties in the President’s absence.
   • Secretary: Maintains accurate meeting minutes, Membership records, and the GTWA website.
   • Treasurer: Manages the financial affairs of the GTWA and presents at least one financial report annually.
   • Past President: The Past President works with the Treasurer to manage the business of the GTWA and perform other duties assigned by the Executive Committee.
3. Executive Committee
   The officers of the GTWA constitute the Executive Committee, which implements t’s mission, carries out policies, and acts on behalf of the Membership between meetings.
4. Terms and Elections
   The Professional Members elect officers for two-year terms. No officer may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same role unless the membership can vote to waive this limit for continuity purposes.

Article IV – Meetings and Voting

1. The GTWA shall hold at least one annual meeting, conducted either in person or through electronic means that allow real-time participation.
2. Special meetings may be called by the President, by a majority of the Executive Committee, or by written request from at least 10% of the Professional Members.
3. Quorum: One-third of the Professional Members in good standing, participating in person or electronically, shall constitute a quorum.
4. Unless otherwise stated in these bylaws, decisions require a simple majority vote of Professional Members present and voting.
5. Only Professional Members may vote at GTWA meetings.

Article V – Professional Conduct

1. Members shall always honor the good name of the GTWA.
2. Behavior or practices by any Member that bring discredit to the GTWA shall be subject to discipline.
3. Complaints and Discipline:
   • Allegations against a Member of conduct detrimental to the GTWA must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.
   • The Executive Committee, or an Ethics Committee appointed by the Executive Committee, shall investigate an allegation of misconduct, during which the accused Member shall have the right to present evidence in their defense.
   • If the Executive Committee or Ethics Committee determines that an allegation of misconduct against the Member is founded, the Executive Committee may impose a penalty of a warning, suspension, or expulsion from the GTWA.
   • In the event of expulsion, no refund of the Member’s dues will be made.
   • Decisions to commence disciplinary action or to impose discipline against a member require a majority vote of the Executive Committee.
   • Any decisions made by the Executive Committee will be accepted as final.

Article VI – Amendments

1. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the Secretary and circulated to Professional Members at least 14 days before the meeting at which they will be considered.
2. Amendments require a two-thirds vote of Professional Members present and voting.

Article VII – Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, after payment of all lawful debts, remaining assets shall be distributed to one or more nonprofit organizations that support golf education, as determined by the Executive Committee and in accordance with applicable law.