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                    By Laws of the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club


ARTICLE l: NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of this club shall be total group experience enhancing the activities and fun of shipboard travel with family and friends who share similar interests. Added benefits to group travel are reduced costs, first class vacation travel, five-star dining with the group while sharing your daily in-port tour experiences, and outstanding nightly entertainment.

ARTICLE III: POLICIES

   SECTION I:
The Club Officers shall develop the policies of this club.

   SECTION II:
This club shall be non-commercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan. No commercial enterprise, political party or candidate shall be endorsed by it. 

  
SECTION III: Meetings and parties will be hosted by a member or associate member in either their home, or a banquet room paid for by attending members and will generally include a "POT LUCK" dinner.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

  
SECTION I: Any person interested in a cruise vacation may become a member of the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club.

   SECTION II:
A member or associate member may become a member in good standing by making a confirmed deposit or reservation on a future cruise planned by the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club and must be willing to uphold its policies and subscribe to the club By-Laws.

   SECTION III: Any dependent, relative or friend of a member in good standing may join as an associate member with a confirmed deposit or reservation on a future cruise with the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club, with provision that they will uphold club policies and subscribe to club By Laws.

ARTICLE V: DUES AND FUND RAISING

   SECTION I
: Members participating in a future cruise may purchase shirts and hats embroidered with the Dessert Shipmates logo selected for the intended cruise. Purchasing shirts is not mandatory, but is encouraged.

   SECTION II: Five dollars will be added to the cost of each shirt. These funds are to be used for procuring prizes for future logo and party contests.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION  

    SECTION I: The officers of this club shall be: Cruise Director, Assistant Cruise Director, Captain, First Officer, Purser, Director of Public Relations, Radio Operator and Shore Patrol.

   SECTION II: Officer Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee of three members appointed by the club Cruise Director at least two months prior to the election. The nominating committee shall report at the election meeting/party the names of the candidates for each office to be filled. Additional nominations may be received from the floor at that time. Voting will then take place.

   SECTION III: A vacancy occurring in an office shall be filled by a vote of the officers and approved by the board members.

ARTICLE VII : DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A majority vote of the board members will determine the next cruise destination 18 months, no later than 12 months, in advance of the next cruise. For payment of duties performed, any cruise group bonuses/payments will be used by the officers in descending order as defined in Section I through IV below with Section V through XI alternating every two years. Bonuses/payments will be applied to the officer’s passage payment.

   SECTION I: The Cruise Director will assist the Captain with presiding over meetings and parties and shall perform all other duties of this office including coordinating travel for ship reservations, hotel reservations, special tours, and transportation to and from the ship as needed by the club members.

   SECTION II: Assistant Cruise Director shall act as aide to the Cruise Director in the absence of that officer.

   SECTION III: Captain shall preside over all meetings of the club.

   SECTION IV: First Officer shall perform the duties of secretary recording the minutes of all meetings.

   SECTION V: Purser shall perform the duties of treasurer and is custodian of all moneys of this club, and shall keep an up-to date record of all transactions and shall disburse funds only as directed by the officers. The Purser shall report at each meeting, and shall submit books for audit at the request of the officers.

   SECTION VI: Radio Operator is responsible for creating and maintaining the Desert Shipmates Cruise Club "Web Site," fliers and advertisements for bulletin boards.

   SECTION VII: Director of Public Relations is responsible for the editing of content and accuracy of the Web Site and any advertisements posted on public bulletin boards.

   SECTION VIII: Shore Patrol shall perform the duties of the Sergeant at Arms.

   SECTION IX: The Group Photographers shall consist of any club member attending meetings, parties, cruise ship events, and group excursions and shall be responsible for taking photos and submitting photos to the Radio Operator for posting on the Desert Shipmates Web site.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS / CRUISE PARTIES

   SECTION I:
Meetings & parties shall be as follows: post/pre (deposit as need) party i.e., post-Mexico pre-Hawaii, 90 day deposit party (prior to cruise as needed), thirty-day document party (as needed) and a possible social event on the ship. The officers will conduct their meetings one hour prior to each party.

   SECTION II:
A quorum for the transaction of club business shall consist of greater than or equal to 10% of the members.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

   SECTION I:
These By-Laws may be amended at any regular club meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present, providing that notice of the proposed amendment was read at the previous meeting and posted via e-mail network two weeks prior to a scheduled meeting/party.