Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this corporation shall be the ProSkaters

ARTICLE II – FORM OF ORGANIZATION

ProSkaters shall be a nonprofit corporation, incorporated under chapter 24.03 RCW. Its terms of existence shall be perpetual. It shall be operated in compliance with state and federal laws governing nonprofit corporations.

ProSkaters is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Bylaws, ProSkaters shall carry on only those activities permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ProSkaters shall be a membership organization.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSES

The purposes for which this Corporation is formed are exclusively charitable and educational and consist of the following:

3.1 To educate professional figure skaters and other interested individuals about current professional figure skating issues.

3.2 To perform research to assess current professional figure skating concerns; particularly those related to equitable compensation, working conditions, retention of quality professional events, and dissemination of information.

3.3 To pursue new competition and performance opportunities.

3.4 To address a common body of rules for professional competition events and to sanction professional figure skating events.

3.5 To pursue solutions and remedies to current professional figure skating problems.

3.6 To work with other organizations and individuals for the foregoing purposes.

3.7 To do any and all lawful activities which may be necessary, useful or desirable for the furtherance, accomplishment, fostering or attainment of the foregoing purposes, either directly or indirectly and either alone or in conjunction or cooperation with others, whether such others be persons or organizations of any kind or nature, such as corporations, firms, associations, trusts, institutions, foundations, or governmental bureaus, departments, or agencies.

Furthermore, ProSkaters shall:

3.8 Not endorse or support in any way any candidate for political office.

3.9 Not attempt to influence any votes in any election.

ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4.1 Composition

The Board of Directors (Board) shall be constituted by not less than three nor more than nine individuals; the Executive Director shall be an ex officio member. The first elected Board shall consist of four individuals and the remaining five positions will be elected on August 1, l997.

(a) From time to time the Board may wish to appoint Honorary Directors to the Board who shall act in an advisory capacity and have no vote. Their term shall be for one year with no limit for the number of terms they serve. These individuals must be dues-paying members and, having no vote, may be selected from any membership category.

4.2 Qualifications

Nominees for positions on the Board must be Full members of ProSkaters that have exhibited an active interest in and commitment to the goals and purposes of ProSkaters.

4.3 Non-discrimination

There shall not be discrimination against any nominee for a position on the Board on the basis of the nominee’s race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. As far as possible, the composition of the Board should reflect the diversity and composition of the community it serves. Participation by members of minorities and underrepresented groups shall be encouraged.

4.4 Duties

(a) The Board shall govern the activities, financial affairs and property of ProSkaters, and to do so it may exercise all corporate powers available under

ProSkaters Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation and the laws of the State of Washington. The Board and each Director shall assume fiduciary responsibility for all aspects of ProSkaters. The Board may resolve to put before the membership, or any category thereof, for a vote any question not specifically reserved for the Board by these Bylaws or by the laws of the State of Washington.

(b) Duties of the Directors include: Reviewing and updating mission and vision statements once a year, attending the annual meeting and conference, attending monthly and/or bi-monthly meetings and other special meetings (by phone, in person, or by electronic/digital means), working on a minimum of one committee, be familiar with the ProSkaters Bylaws, Organization Statement, historical statement, current year’s fiscal statement and past year’s newsletters as well as important related industry literature, and adding their input to the organization’s long-term and annual plans. Duties also include acting as an ambassador of the organization by promoting the organization and its goals as well as providing accountability to the membership.

Directors will be expected to commit an average of 1-3 hours per week to these and other activities. Meeting attendance is considered very important and Directors who have more than one unexcused absence per year will be automatically resigned from the Board. Legitimate absences can be excused by the President.

4.5 Compensation

Directors shall not receive any compensation for performing duties as Directors. However, the Board may reimburse Directors for expenses incurred in performing those duties. Directors may serve concurrently as employees of or contractors to ProSkaters, and may be compensated for work in that capacity.

4.6 Election

Directors may be nominated by any sitting Director or member in good standing of ProSkaters. The election of directors shall be held in December so the term of office will coincide with the fiscal year except for the first election which will be split with four director positions elected on June 1, l997 and the remaining five positions elected on August 1, l997. The initial four member Board shall provide for sufficient notice for nominations and election procedures to conduct the August l, 1997 election. Nominations for all subsequent elections must be received four weeks prior to the election for preparation of ballots and mailings with the candidates’ statements. The Board shall provide for procedures for absentee ballots or voting by electronic means due to the difficulty in bringing all members together at one place and time. Positions will be filled according to the greatest number of votes until all positions are filled. A new position on the Board is created by the election of an additional Director.

4.7 Terms

A Director shall serve a two year term from the date of election or until he or she submits a written, explicit, signed resignation or until the Director is removed. The four initial directors elected on June 1, l997 shall serve full two year terms whereas the five Directors elected on August 1, l997 shall only serve until the regular membership meeting in June of l998. This shall stagger terms so that approximately one half of the Board is elected each year. There is no limit to the number of terms, successive or otherwise, that a Director may serve.

4.8 Removal of Directors

Any Director or any number of Directors may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Board by secret ballot. Proper notice must be given in advance if the removal of a Director is to be considered at a meeting of the Board. Thirty day written notice that the Board is considering removal, and of the reasons for that consideration, shall be delivered to the Director whose removal is under consideration. That Director shall be given an opportunity to respond either in writing or in person.

4.9 Filling Vacancies

The Board shall elect a Director to fill any vacancy on the Board without undue delay. If a vacancy is created by the loss of a Director, for any reason, it may be filled by the directors in office, even if they constitute less than a quorum.

4.10 Election of Chairs and Officers

At the first regular meeting the Board shall elect a Chairperson of the Board and new officers of the corporation. The Chairperson shall serve a term of one year. The initial four person Board shall elect a transition Chairperson that shall serve until the first regular meeting of the full nine member Board after the August 1, 1997 election. The transition Chairperson shall appoint two ProSkaters members to serve as temporary Secretary and Treasurer until Officers are elected by the full nine member Board.

4.11 Conduct of Meetings

At all meetings of the Board, the following persons may preside: the Chairperson of the Board, the President of the corporation, the Vice President, or a temporary chairperson chosen by the Directors present. In the event of any dispute regarding process, Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern.

4.12 Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least annually. Other meetings scheduled in advance by resolution at a regular meeting are also considered regular meetings.

4.13 Special Meetings

All meetings besides regular meetings are special meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or upon request of at least three Directors.

4.14 Notice

(a) Regular meetings of the Board may be held without separate notice of time, date, location and purpose of each meeting if the time and place is fixed by resolution. The Board may, by resolution, establish or change the dates for regular meetings.

(b) Special meetings of the Board must be preceded by at least two days advance notice to each Director of the date, time and place of the meeting, unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws. The notice need not describe the purposes of the special meeting unless these Bylaws require otherwise. Notice may be by mail, hand delivery, phone or any electronic/digital means. Written notice shall be deemed delivered when actually received by the Director or when actually delivered to the Director’s address on file with ProSkaters. For mailed notice, three days shall be added to the two day required notice period to allow for delivery.

4.15 Waiver

(a) The attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting except where a Director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objection to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not duly called or convened.

(b) Whenever any notice is required to be given of any meeting, a waiver of that notice in writing and signed by the person(s) entitled to such notice shall be the equivalent of giving such notice. The person(s) may sign the waiver before or after the meeting has taken place. Such waivers may also be submitted by fax, or email. Waivers of notice shall be filed with the corporate records.

4.16 Quorum

A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of Elected Directors and shall be sufficient at all meetings to transact business, unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws or the laws of the State of Washington. When needed, the Executive Director as an ex officio member of the Board may be counted for a quorum.

4.17 Decision-Making and Voting

The Directors shall diligently and conscientiously attempt to make decisions by consensus. They shall employ all standard consensus practices and techniques including the expression and careful consideration of minority views. Where it is apparent that consensus cannot be achieved, any Director may request that a vote be taken instead. Each Director shall have one vote. A majority vote of the Directors at any meeting at which a quorum is present is necessary and sufficient to make a resolution or decision of the Board, unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws. Any issues that are submitted for fax/email ballot shall require a 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors.

4.18 Telephonic Meetings

When necessary, and when proper notice is given, meetings may be held by telephone conference in which all participating Directors may simultaneously hear and speak with each other. A Director participating in such a meeting is deemed present for purposes of a quorum.

4.19 Decisions Without Meetings

Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation, the Board may make any decision or take any action within its power through a mail, electronic or digital ballot.

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

5.1 Officers

Officers of ProSkaters shall be a President, a Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Any two offices, except those of President and Secretary, may be held simultaneously by the same person.

5.2 Election and Term of Office

The Officers of ProSkaters shall be elected by the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board at the first regular meeting of the Board for a term of one year. Each Officer shall hold office until he or she resigns, is removed or his or her successor has been properly elected.

5.3 Removal

Any Officer may be removed by the Board by a two-thirds vote by secret ballot whenever, in the Board’s judgment, the interests of the corporation would be best served by such removal. Removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Officer so removed.

5.4 Vacancies

If any Office of the corporation becomes vacant for any reason, the Board shall fill the vacancy through a majority vote of a quorum present at a Board meeting. The replacement Officer shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of that office.

5.5 President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board. The President shall be the principal Officer of ProSkaters and shall, in general, supervise and control all of its affairs. The President shall also perform other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board. The President may sign any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof is expressly delegated to some other Office or agent by the Board, these Bylaws or by law.

5.6 Vice President

In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President, when acting as President, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. She/he shall also perform other such duties as are assigned to her/him by the Board.

5.7 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

(a) Oversee and be responsible for all funds and securities of ProSkaters;

(b) Oversee the collection of monies due and payable to ProSkaters;

(c) Oversee the deposit all such monies in the name of ProSkaters in such banks and other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with these Bylaws;

(d) Prepare or assist in the preparation of required state and federal reports with regard to income and disbursements and activities of ProSkaters;

(e) Perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or by the Board.

5.8 Secretary

The Secretary shall:

(a) Keep the minutes of the meetings of the members and of the Board;

(b) See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law;

(d) Oversee a register of the mailing address of each member which shall be provided by such member;

(e) Ensure that all required state and federal reports are prepared and

filed in a timely fashion; and

(f) Perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or by the Board.

ARTICLE VI-COMMITTEES

6.1 Establishment

The Board may, by resolution, establish one or more committees that are either standing or temporary by nature. Each committee shall be made up from the membership and consist of one or more Directors. The Board shall always have the power to amend, alter or repeal the actions of each of its committees by resolution.

6.2 Members

Each member of a committee shall continue as such until his/her successor is appointed unless the committee is terminated, the member is removed from the committee, or the member ceases to qualify as a member of the committee.

6.3 Chair

One member of each committee shall be selected or appointed chair by the whole Board or by the members of that committee, as determined by the Board.

6.4 Committee Procedures

Each committee may adopt procedures for its own governance not inconsistent with the Bylaws or with resolutions adopted by the Board. Unless otherwise specified, committee meetings shall operate with the same quorum and voting requirements as the full Board. Minutes shall be recorded and filed with the Secretary for all meetings of committees.

6.5 Powers

The Board shall specify the powers and mission of each committee by written resolution at the time the committee is created or thereafter. Each committee shall have and exercise the authority equivalent to the Board in the management of the corporation to the extent specified in the written resolution creating the committee, in the Articles of Incorporation and in the Bylaws of ProSkaters. However, such committees may not have the authority of the Board in reference to: a) Amending, altering or repealing the Bylaws; b) Appointing or removing any member of any such committee or any Director or Officer of ProSkaters; c) Amending the Articles of Incorporation; d) Adopting a plan of merger or adopting a plan of consolidation with another corporation; e) Authorizing the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets of ProSkaters not in the ordinary course of business; f) Authorizing the voluntary dissolution of the corporation or revoking proceedings thereof; g) Adopting a plan for the distribution of the assets of ProSkaters; or h) Amending, altering or repealing any resolution of the Board which by its terms provides that it shall be amended, altered or repealed by such committee. The designation and appointment of any committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board or any Director of any responsibility imposed upon it or him/her by law.

6.6 Advisory Committees

Advisory committees not having or exercising the authority of the Board in the management of ProSkaters may be created. The Board shall determine how members of these committees are appointed and removed. The advisory committees need not have any Directors as members.

ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP

7.1 Classes

ProSkaters shall have four classes of members, Full, Junior , Associate and Producer members. Full members shall have full rights in all aspects of ProSkaters, including voting and any benefits provided by ProSkaters as determined by the Board. Full membership shall have a team category whereby the primary member of a pair, adagio, dance team may join at the regular Full rate and the partner may join at a reduced rate. Both team members have all the rights, privileges and benefits of Full membership; however, if the team should disband, the primary member retains the membership and the secondary member has the option to join at the Full rate.. Junior members shall be eligible amateurs under the age of 18, entitled to official ProSkaters publications, access to the member section of the official ProSkaters web site, and such privileges as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Associate members shall be entitled to official ProSkaters ProSkaters publications, access to the member section of the official ProSkaters web site, and such privileges as may be determined by the Board of Directors. Producer members shall have the same privileges as Associate members.

ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP

7.2 Qualifications for Membership

a) In order to qualify for Full membership, a member must have a current contract to perform or compete or have previously performed under contract in a professional show or competed in a professional competition as a figure skater. The Board shall establish a rate of annual dues. The Board may waive dues for an individual for a period of one year due to hardship. Full members may have such other qualifications as the Board may prescribe by amendment to these Bylaws.

b) In order to qualify for Junior (eligible amateur) membership, a member shall be an active skater interested in the promotion of professional figure skating and endorsed by a ProSkaters Full member.

c) In order to qualify for Associate membership, a member shall be interested in the promotion of professional figure skating and in educating professional figure skaters about current issues.

d) In order to qualify for Producer membership, a member shall be actively engaged in the production and promotion of professional figure skating.

e) In order to qualify for any level of membership, or retain membership, a prospective member or current member must abide by the ProSkaters Code of Ethics and not have been banned for life by the USFSA or their equivalent national figure skating governing body.

7.3 Voting Rights

Each Full member shall be entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter of an issue submitted to the members by the Board. Each Full member shall be entitled to one vote upon each such issue. Full members shall vote for the Board of Directors and other issues presented to the membership for approval or decision.

7.4 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the members shall be held during the calendar year every year at a time and place specified for the purpose of transacting any business as may properly come before the meeting.

7.5 Special Meetings

The President, the Board or not less than 50% of the members entitled to vote at such meeting, may call special meetings of the members for any purpose.

7.6 Place of Meetings

All meetings of members shall be held at any place within the United States designated by the President, the Board, by the members entitled to call a meeting of members.

7.7 Notice of Meetings

The President, Secretary or the Board shall cause to be delivered to each member entitled to notice of or to vote at the meeting, either personally, by mail, or by electronic/digital means not less than twenty-one days nor more than one year before the annual meeting, written notice stating the place, date, and time of the meeting. In the case of a special meeting, written notice by mail, electronic or digital means must be given not less than ten days nor more than thirty days from the scheduled meeting. Written notice of special meetings must also include the purpose(s) for which the meeting was called. The Secretary shall give notice of a special meeting upon written request of not less than 50% of the members entitled to vote at the meeting and if refused, said members may issue notice of the meeting and set the date, time and place of the meeting.

7.8 Quorum

Twenty-five percent of the members of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person, by proxy, or by electronic/digital means shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the members. If a quorum is not present at a meeting, a majority of members present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.

7.9 Manner of Acting

The vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the members represented at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of any matter voted upon by the members, unless a greater proportion is required by applicable State of Washington law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

7.10 Proxies

Proxy votes may be submitted to the Secretary or his agent no less than three days in advance of the meeting provided an agenda for the meeting has been issued with the meeting notice.

7.11 Actions by Members without a Meeting

No actions may be undertaken without a meeting and meetings of the general membership by telephone, fax or email do not constitute a meeting under these Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

8.1 Indemnification

The corporation shall indemnify an individual, who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which such person was a party because of being a director or officer of the corporation, against reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if the Board finds that indemnification would be authorized under the standard of conduct and other requirements of RCW 23B.08.510 had the individual been a director and if the Board approved any settlement of the proceeding; provided, however, that in the case of an individual who was or is an officer, indemnification shall not be required unless the Board also finds the conduct was within the officer’s authority as set forth in the Bylaws or prescribed by the Board of Directors or by an Office authorized by the Board to prescribe the duties of other officers.

8.2 Director’s Liability to Corporation

No person who has served as a Director of this corporation shall incur any liability to the corporation or its members for monetary damages for conduct as a Director, except as otherwise provided by RCW 24.03.025 as now or hereafter amended.

8.3 Dissolution

The dissolution of ProSkaters shall be authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors upon the adoption of a resolution to dissolve by the vote of two-thirds of the Directors in office. Upon the adoption of such resolution, ProSkaters shall cease to conduct its affairs except in so far as may be necessary for the winding up thereof, shall immediately cause a notice of the proposed dissolution to be mailed to each known creditor of ProSkaters, to the Attorney General with respect to assets subject to RCW 24.03.225(3), and to the Department of Revenue, and shall proceed to collect its assets and apply and distribute them as provided in section 8.4.

8.4 Distribution of Assets in the Event of Dissolution

The assets of ProSkaters in the process of dissolution shall be applied and distributed as follows:

(a) All liabilities and obligations of ProSkaters shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made therefor;

(b) Assets held by ProSkaters upon condition requiring return, transfer or conveyance, which condition occurs by reason of the dissolution, shall be returned, transferred or conveyed in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of ProSkaters;

(c) All other assets held by ProSkaters shall be transferred to one or more organizations engaged in activities substantially similar to those of ProSkaters, as determined by the Board in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of ProSkaters;

(d) No part of the assets of ProSkaters shall be distributed to Directors or employees.

8.5 Conflict of Interest

Directors shall declare the existence of any conflict of interest, disclose its nature, financial or otherwise, on the record, and abstain from voting on that matter. A conflict of interest is always present when a vote concerns a Director’s personal financial interest. Directors and Officers may enter into transactions or contracts with ProSkaters, subject to the limitations of law, Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws regarding such dealings. All transactions of the corporation involving the personal financial interest of Directors, Officers or employees shall adhere to standard business practices without special considerations, special compensation, or special benefit to any person as a result of the corporate role of a Director, Officer or employee.

8.6 Authority to Execute Contracts

The Board may generally or specially authorize any Officer(s) or agent(s) of ProSkaters to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument on behalf of ProSkaters.

8.7 Authority to Sign Checks

The Board may generally or specially authorize any Officer(s) or agent(s) of ProSkaters to sign checks on behalf of ProSkaters.

8.8 Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of ProSkaters shall be the calendar year.

8.9 Corporate Records

ProSkaters shall make and keep at its principal or registered office copies of its current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws; correct and adequate records of accounts and finances; minutes of the proceedings of its members and Board, and any member and Director, and of the name and post office address of each officer; and such records as may be necessary or advisable. All books and records of the corporation shall be open at any reasonable time to inspection by any member of three months standing or to a representative of more than five percent of the membership.

8.10 Environmentally Sound Practices

It shall be the policy of ProSkaters to use environmentally sound practices and products whenever practical options exist.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation of ProSkaters, except as otherwise provided by law, or by a two-thirds vote of the Board. Proper written notice must be given in advance of the content of proposed Bylaw amendments.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify:

l. That I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of ProSkaters, a Washington nonprofit corporation; and

2. That the foregoing Bylaws constitute the Bylaws of ProSkaters, as duly adopted by written approval of the Board of Directors dated September 13, 1994.

Adopted May 31, 1997 Burbank, California
Amended June 29, 1998 Hermosa Beach, California
Amended November 14, 1999 Hermosa Beach, California
Amended October 25, 2001 Des Plaines, Illinois
Amended April 17, 2002 Des Plaines, Illinois
Amended February 2, 2003 des Plaines, Illinois
Revised June 5, 2004 Des Plaines Illinois
Amended November 2, 2004 Des Plaines, Illinois