07
October

F.A.Q.

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Question	Date
What are the Annual CRABBS Awards?The ANNUAL CRABBS AWARDS "the Oscars for St. Croix the local divers" are awarded each year the the CRABBS Holiday Party. There are two awards - THE DIVER OF THE YEAR and the THE CRABBS MEMBER OF THE YEAR The Diver of the Year The Diver of the year is awarded to the member who can produce, during the holiday party, proof in the form of recorded logs (logbook or divecomputer printouts) the most amount of non-professional recreational dives since the start of the year. The CRABBS member of the year. The CRABBS member of the year is awarded to the CRABBS member who has collected the highest amount of CRABBS awards points during the year. Points are awarded for participating in official CRABBS dives and activities, for giving presentations or arranging guest speakers and for completing dive certifications.	7 Oct, 2009 7:33 AM
Do you have to be a diver to be a CRABBS member?There is no rule saying you need to be a diver to be a member of CRABBS. We have in fact had members who have joined us due to their deep love of the ocean and the marine environment and who have enjopyed out meetings, presentations and activities without part taking in dives. However, in order to participate in any of our dives, you must be a properly certified diver.	7 Oct, 2009 10:15 AM
What are the CRABBS Bylaws?Bylaws of CRABBS (Caribbean Reef Association of Bubble Blowers of St. Croix, Inc.) Approved by the board of Directors June 20, 2006 I. MEETINGS Regular monthly meetings of The Club shall be held at a date, time and place chosen by the Board of Directors. These specifics will be announced at the preceding meeting or by phone or email notification to the Members. The Board of Directors shall meet a few days in advance of each monthly meeting as well as at the discretion of the President or at the request of any Officer or Director. II. ANNUAL DUES The annual dues for the upcoming year shall be determined by the Board of Directors at their December meeting. Annual dues shall be paid by January 31 st for a renewal membership or on the date of joining for a new member. III. MEMBERSHIP Single membership is open to any interested person. Family membership is open to any persons living within one household. Scuba certification is encouraged but not required for membership.The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may bestow honorary membership upon anyone providing services on behalf of The Club. Membership commences with the payment of annual dues. Membership terminates if the annual dues are not paid by January 31st or if the Secretary is notified in writing of the termination of membership. IV. VOTING Each individual covered by a paid-up membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote. All elections for Officers and Directors shall be decided by simple majority vote of the members present. V. GOVERNMENT The Board of Directors is charged with directing The Club’s efforts towards The Club’s purpose and promoting the interests of the membership in The Club’s activities. The Board of Directors consists of six (6) elected Officers plus up to four (4) Board members. All Board members are elected for a term of one (1) calendar year. The President coordinates the efforts of the Board of Directors; represents The Club in outside contacts; calls, plans agenda for and presides over all meetings. The Vice President shares the responsibilities of all the Board of Directors as requested by the President; arranges speakers and programs for the monthly meetings; presides over meetings in the absence of the President. The Secretary records minutes of business transacted at all meetings; maintains copies of all communications issued on behalf of The Club; maintains the contact information such as e-mail and postal address records of the membership by periodic review with the Treasurer; and signs all written communication issued by The Club as approved by the Board of Directors. The Secretary also collects information on The Club’s activities past and future to be disseminated to The Club’s membership. The Treasurer issues, receives, informs the Board of Directors of and files copies of all transfer of funds and all indebtedness; maintains the records for all repositories of funds; signs or otherwise endorses all expenditures. The Treasurer is additionally responsible for reporting The Club’s end of year status through a Financial Statement. Activity Officer(s) will coordinate all events held outside the regular monthly meeting. These may include fundraisers, group dives, off-island trips or any other function that may be desired by the membership. The Award Officer will obtain treasures, trophies, door prizes, and the like for prizes in conjunction with The Club’s activities. The Award Officer will also tally any points for contests within The Club. The Directors, if any, shall serve as advisors to the Board of Directors. Each shall have one (1) vote on any matters which come before the Board. In addition, Directors may have specific duties as listed below. The Membership Chair will perform such functions to keep monthly meetings organized and fun. These duties may include, but are not limited to, name tags, door prizes, introduction of guests, membership discounts, and coordination of beverages. The Publicity Chair will organize those efforts which will make the general public aware of The Club and promote participation in Club events when appropriate. The Assistant Treasurer is a member appointed by the Treasurer to act on the Treasurer’s behalf in his/her absence. Committees shall be created or dissolved at the discretion of the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. After such approval, the President shall appoint a Chairperson and the Chair shall appoint members to the Committee. Board approval is required for all appointees of chairpersons. A Nomination Committee consisting of at least three club members (not current Officers) is appointed at least sixty days prior to elections. This committee will select one nominee for each office to be filled. Additional nominations may be made by the membership. The list of nominees shall be presented to the members at the December monthly meeting. The elections are held by secret ballot and a simple majority of the membership present is required for election to any position. . No Officer shall hold the same position for more than two (2) consecutive terms. The newly elected Officers and Directors begin service office in January of the following year. VI. BUSINESS Dues are payable annually. All funds reside in repositories approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer shall only disburse cash from The Club with one of the following approvals: Written authorization of the President. Written authorization can be an e-mail from the President, the President’s signature on a note or receipt or some other written form of correspondence from the President. Approval by the Board of DIrectors. Recommendation by the members; followed by approval by the Board of Directors. All external written communications issued by The Club are approved by the Board of Directors. All records reside in a repository approved by the Board of Directors. Such records may include the monthly reports of Officers and periodic reports of Committee Chairs. Reports will be subject to correction and approval by the membership and will thereafter be kept with the Club records.Reports are made at all meetings by Officers and committee chairpersons on their areas of responsibility described in Section V of any events since the last such report. Reports may be corrected and are then approved to become part of the records of The Club. Records may be examined by any member at any time. Failure to abide by the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or conduct detrimental to The Club’s purpose may result in removal from office, or from a committee, or suspension or termination of membership. In such a case, recommendation to remove, suspend or terminate will be made by secret ballot at a membership meeting. A simple majority vote of members present is required to approve. If such action is approved, the subject will be immediately informed. The subject will be allowed the opportunity to defend him/herself and the next membership meeting. The suspension or removal action may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of members present in a follow-up secret ballot. VII. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER may be applied when a point is not covered in the Bylaws or Articles of Incorporation at the discretion of the presiding Officer or at the request of a member. The Articles of Incorporation may be amended, by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a membership meeting after notification of the list of proposed amendments is given. “Fiscal year” is defined as the period from the first day of January to the last day of December. “Member” shall mean an individual who is covered by a membership paid in full. “Notification” is defined as communication sent or e-mailed at one time to the recorded postal or email address of each Member.Any notification on matters requiring a vote must be sent at lease seven days before such vote is taken. “Approved” is defined as affirmative simple majority of the members present (except where a two-thirds majority is specified in these Bylaws). The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows: Call to order Approval of minutes of preceding meeting Reports of Officers Reports of Committees Old Business New Business Meeting Speaker Adjournment VIII. SAFETY STANDARDS Safety standard and procedures, such as those currently suggested by the national certifying SCUBA agencies shall be adhered to. Mature judgment is the key to safe diving. If a boat dive is sponsored by The Club, the boat captain shall be in authority. The boat used in The Club dives shall meet all applicable safety standards including those of the U.S. Coast Guard. It shall be the responsibility of the boat captain to make sure the vessel is in seaworthy condition and to operate the vessel in a manner consistent with U.S. Coast Guard policies and standards. IX. LIABILITIES Scuba Divers recognize that diving is a dangerous sport. As a member, the individual releases The Club, its Officers, Directors and members from any liability, for damages or injuries resulting from activities associated with The Club. Members agree to hold The Club harmless for actions performed with the intention and spirit of The Club’s purpose.	7 Oct, 2009 10:17 AM
Where are the monthly meetings held?The CRABBS monthly meetings are held at The Nature Conservancy in Estate Little Princesse on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. However, do check our calendar to confirm the location and time of meetings just in case we occasionally change the location or time.	7 Oct, 2009 10:18 AM
Can I come to a meeting to check out the club without making a commitment to join the club?Absolutely! A good way to check out the club and meet some friendly divers is to drop by one of our very casual monthly meetings.	7 Oct, 2009 10:19 AM
Is CRABBS a non profit organization?CRABBS Dive Club (Caribbean Reef Association of Bubble Blowers of St. Croix, Inc.) is the only dive club on St. Croix that is a 501(c)(3) non profit corporation with tax exempt status.	7 Oct, 2009 10:26 AM