Bylaws


The South Shore Neptunes, Inc.

55 Sea Street
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Club History, By-Laws, and Rules

July, 2000 (Revised 09/21/04)


Club Objectives        4

The Free Diver’s Code        4

Club History        4

Club Activities        5

List of Club Activities        5

Safe Diving Code        6

Public Relations and Civic Activities        6

Annual President’s Appointments        7

Constitution and By-Laws        8

Article I - Name        8

Article II - Membership        8

Section 1.        8

Section 2.        8

Section 3.        8

Section 4.        8

Section 5.        9

Section 6.        9

Section 7.        9

Section 8.        9

Section 9.        9

Section 10.        9

Section 11.        10

Article III - Meetings of Members        10

Section 1.        10

Section 2.        10

Section 3.        10

Section 4.        10

Section 5.        11

Article IV - Officers        11

Section 1.        11

Section 2.        11

Section 3.        11

Section 4.        11

Section 5.        11

Section 6.        12

Section 7.        12

Section 8.        12

Section 9.        12

Section 10.        13

Article V - Board of Directors        13

Section 1.        13

Section 2.        13

Section 3.        13

Section 4.        14

Section 5.        14

Section 6.        14

Article VI - Standing Committees        14

Article VII - Checks, Deposits, and Funds        14

Section 1.        14

Section 2.        14

Section 3.        15

Article VIII - Certification of Membership        15

Article IX - Fiscal Year        15

Article X - Term of Office        15

Article XI - Fees and Dues        15

Section 1.        15

Section 2.        15

Article XII - Safety Code        15

Article XII - Application Forms        16

Article XIV - Fish and Game Laws        16

Article XV - Amendments        16

Ratification of the By-Laws        16

Club Rules        17

Ratification of Club Rules        21


Club Objectives

The club objectives are to establish and promote comradeship among divers, to engage in activities which promote diving, and to encourage safe diving. To promote diving, the members shall engage in underwater exploration, research, and conservation; foster rigorous adherence to all local fish and game laws; and guard against the passage of unfair or undesirable legislation, local or national, which seeks to curtail or restrict the sport of skin-diving or underwater spearfishing, They shall promote safety through educational programs for members and others in the proper use of diving equipment and in the skills required for safe diving.

Additional objectives of the club are to promote the social, civic, and athletic interests of its members and to establish a place for holding meetings. The founders intended that the club might, if it wished, apply for a license to sell alcoholic beverages and voted that the corporation should have no capital stock.

The Free Diver’s Code

I am proud of the privilege of exploring the underwater world.

I never dive alone.

I never dive without a plan.

I never dive without knowing my safe time and depth limits.

I never dive without first checking my equipment.

I observe fish and game laws.

Club History

The South Shore Neptunes was founded in the year 1956 by a group of enthusiastic skin divers and first met in the cellar of a home in the town of Holbrook. The club moved first to the Holbrook Town Hall, then to the Russel Club of Brockton, then to the Quincy Police Station, then to the Boston Harbor Marina in Squantum, then to the Fore River Club House in Quincy, then to the Quincy Civil Defense Base, and finally to its present location in the Quincy Underwater Recovery Team building on the corner of Quarry Street and Joyce Road in Quincy. The club began with a membership of three and has continually increased in size to its present membership of about one hundred and twenty. The club filed for incorporation on the first of December, 1958.

The South Shore Neptunes was one of the hosts of the First National Convention of Skin-divers, held at the Bradford Hotel in Boston. It was at this convention that the Underwater Society of America was formed. The club participated actively in the former Northeast Council and is now active in the Bay State Council of Divers.

The club is governed by a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and nine additional directors. The officers and directors are elected annually.

Club Activities

The club sponsors a large number of diving and social activities for its members. There is at least one official club dive each month, summer and winter, three competition dives and an optional spearfishing contest each year. There are four annual contests: largest lobster, largest fish, artifact, and underwater photography, and a number of special events. One popular special event is the annual “sober-up” dive held each New Year’s Day. Social events include the annual Family Outing, held each August at one of the local beaches, and the annual Awards Banquet, held each winter. Each year there is a Diver-of-the-Year competition toward which members amass points for participation in various club activities. Trophies for this and other competitions are awarded at the banquet.

The club and its members have participated in and sponsored many competitions with other clubs and their members. One currently popular competitive sport is underwater rugby.

List of Club Activities

  1. Club dives and competitions with both snorkel and scuba events for which prizes and trophies are awarded.
  2. Largest Lobster Contest with a trophy awarded for the largest lobster taken during the year and properly entered in the competition.
  3. Largest Fish Contest with a trophy awarded for the largest fish speared during the year.
  4. Artifact-of-the-Year Contest with a trophy awarded for the most interesting artifact recovered during the year.
  5. Underwater Photography Contest with a trophy awarded for the best underwater photograph taken during the year.
  6. Wreck Dives during which members can explore some of the many wrecks in the area and possibly recover valuable artifacts.
  7. Annual Family Outing for members, families, and friends. This is held at one of the local beaches and includes a cookout with plenty of food, games, and fun.
  8. Boat Dives using either charter boats or members’ boats. Destinations include the harbor islands and other desirable locations. Large numbers of lobsters are often taken.
  9. Annual ice dive.
  10. Dinner parties at local restaurants for members, spouses, and friends.
  11. Other athletic events as the members desire. These have included white water rafting trips, softball games, and ski trips.
  12. Annual Awards Banquet with dinner, dancing, and the presentation of the trophies for the Diver-of-the-Year and other contests.

Safe Diving Code

  1. Have a first aid kit available.
  2. Never use ear plugs or block your ears with a tight hood.
  3. Never dive unless you are feeling well and in good health; never dive when you have a cold.
  4. Have at least one member of your diving party qualified in life saving CPR.
  5. Never dive alone.
  6. Avoid dives which require decompression stops.
  7. Be sure you have sufficient air for the dive planned.
  8. Protect yourself against cold and overexertion and leave the water if you feel chilled or tired.
  9. Check your equipment thoroughly before entering the water.
  10. Before you enter the water be sure you can get out again.
  11. Make full use of properly equipped diving boats, inflatable floats, and life jackets.
  12. Do not interfere with fishermen or their gear or with others who may be using the diving area.
  13. Do not dive in areas of heavy boat traffic.
  14. Never attempt a long swim on the surface while wearing dive equipment.
  15. Never hold your breath while using SCUBA equipment.
  16. Always breathe normally while ascending. Exhale while ascending if your air supply fails or becomes exhausted.
  17. Stay below your small exhaust bubbles while ascending unless in an emergency.
  18. SCUBA divers should stay away from skin divers who are spearfishing.
  19. Never use a speargun or a harpoon near swimmers, bathers, or surface fishermen.
  20. Always load and unload a speargun in the water. Never point it or discharge it toward another person or toward the surface.
  21. Abandon a dive if you feel worried or unsure about it.
  22. Always render assistance to other divers and to any other persons who may require help.
  23. Know the address and telephone number of the nearest first aid station and recompression chamber. Carry the phone number of the Diver’s Alert Network.

Public Relations and Civic Activities

The South SHore Neptunes has always sought to foster good relations with all the cities and towns of the area so that divers will be welcomed at the local beaches and coastlines. Public service brings favorable publicity not only to the club, but to all other divers as well. A few of the club’s public service and civic activities are described here.

Many members of the club are also members of the Quincy Emergency Management Underwater Recovery Team, and the majority of the members of the Team are members of the South Shore Neptunes as well. The Underwater Recovery Team is an all volunteer organization dedicated to public service, not only for Quincy, but also for all the surrounding towns and cities. In addition, the Team works in close cooperation with the United States Coast Guard and has often engaged in underwater searches at the Coast Guard’s request.


The Underwater Recovery Team is most frequently asked to recover the bodies of drowning victims, but it has also searched for stolen cars and weapons at the request of the Quincy and other local police departments, and for downed aircraft at the request of the Coast Guard. In times of severe storms the Team aids other Civil Defense units in pumping flooded basements and clearing fallen trees from the streets. We are proud to have so many members who freely give their time for community service when it is least convenient and often during the worst weather.

Over the years the club has participated in a wide variety of community service activities. These have included fund raising events for both the Jimmy Fund and the Heart Fund. The club has conducted an underwater survey for the State Health Association and has participated in clean up events at many lakes and beaches.

Finally, the club has promoted strict adherence to all Fish and Game laws and courtesy of divers to other members of the public, both among its own members and among all divers.

Annual President’s Appointments

  1. Program Chairman to arrange speakers, films, etc. for the time after meeting and other appropriate times.
  2. Competition Committee to set up and run competition dives as described in the club rules.
  3. Auditing Committee to audit the previous year’s books.
  4. Cleanup Committee to maintain the clubhouse in good order.
  5. Equipment Officer to keep track of and maintain club equipment/
  6. Librarian to maintain the club library.
  7. Photographer and Historian to photograph club activities and maintain the club scrapbook.
  8. Sergeant at Arms to distribute, collect, and count ballots at club meetings and to maintain order.
  9. Parliamentarian to rule on points of procedure at meetings.
  10. Membership Recruitment Chairman to find ways to encourage more people to join the club.
  11. Other committee chairmen as the club deems necessary.

Constitution and By-Laws

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the South Shore Neptunes, Inc.

Article II - Membership

        Section 1.

Regular membership shall be open to all those who show an interest in the objectives of the organization, who are in good standing in the community, who have reached the age of eighteen (18) years, and who receive an affirmative vote of a majority of those members present and voting at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting called for that purpose, after having first been recommended by one member and approved by the board of directors. Applicants for membership who have not reached their eighteenth birthday shall, as a condition precedent to consideration for membership, satisfy the members that their parents or guardians have no objections to their being members by having the proper application forms, provided by the organization, duly notarized and signed.

Section 2.

Any Person who has not reached the age of eighteen (18) years, but is sixteen years of age or older, may be admitted as a junior member under the conditions set forth in section one of this article concerning parental approval. The junior member shall be entitled to all the privileges of regular membership.

        Section 3.

Each regular member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote on each matter which shall be submitted to a vote of the membership.

Section 4.

The board of directors may suspend and recommend for expulsion any member for cause after an appropriate hearing before said board. If the board recommends expulsion, the recommendation must be sustained by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present and voting at the next regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose. If a special meeting is necessary, it shall be called without undue delay. If a three-fourths vote is not achieved, no expulsion shall take place.

        Section 5.

Upson the request of an expelled former member, filed with the secretary, the organization may, by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members present and voting, reinstate said former member upon such terms as the membership may deem appropriate.

Section 6.

Any member may resign by submitting a written resignation with the secretary, but such resignation shall not relieve the member so resigning of any monetary or financing obligation to the organization.

Section 7.

Membership in the organization shall not be transferable or assignable.

Section 8.

Honorary members may be admitted to the organization by a unanimous vote of the members present and voting at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Honorary members shall pay no dues, but shall not be entitled to vote or to hold office.

Section 9.

Any regular member called into active military service for his country shall be carried without payment of dues as a regular member in good standing for the period of service and for six months following the date of discharge from such service.

        Section 10.

Corresponding members may be admitted by a single majority vote of the regular members present and voting at any regular meeting. Corresponding members shall be entitled to receive all regular club mailings, but shall not be entitled to vote or hold office. They shall be entitled to participate in club activities only as guests. Dues for corresponding members shall be set by a vote of the regular membership. Former regular members who have continuously maintained corresponding membership during a period of absence may, upon request and upon a single vote of the regular membership, be readmitted to regular membership upon payment of a regular member’s dues, prorated as appropriate, but without payment of initiation fee or other penalty. Dues of a corresponding member may be waived by a majority vote of the regular membership for reasons specified in the club rules.

Section 11.

Any regular member who has completed a total of twenty years as a regular dues-paying member in good standing shall automatically become a Life Member. Life Members shall have all the rights and privileges of regular members, but shall not be required to pay dues. The twenty years need not be continuous, but periods of absence or Corresponding membership shall not be counted toward the total.

Article III - Meetings of Members

Section 1.

Regular meetings shall be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Section 2.

The annual meeting of the members and of the board of directors shall be held on the third Tuesday of each December.

Section 3.

Special meetings may be called by either the president or chairman of the board of directors, or upon a bona fide petition signed by not less than five members and addressed and presented to the president. The notice to members of all special meetings shall include an agenda of all business to be acted upon at said special meeting. Business acted upon at any special meeting shall be limited to items specifically stated in said agenda.

Section 4.

Notice of all meetings, regular, special, and annual, of the members shall be given to each member by leaving such notice with him or her at the member’s residence or usual place of business or by mailing the same, postage prepaid, addressed to him or her at his or her address as it appears on the books of the club at least seven days before the time of such meeting.

Section 5.

At any meeting of the members thirteen members shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting of the members the quorum shall include at least one officer. At any meeting of the board of directors a majority of the full board shall constitute a quorum.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1.

The officers of the organization shall be the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

Section 2.

The officers shall be elected from the regular membership and hold office for a period of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 3.

All officers and members of the board must be members in good standing when elected and during the term of office.

Section 4.

Nominations shall take place at the first regular meeting in December, and elections shall be held at the annual meeting, at the next possible regular meeting, or at a special meeting called for that purpose. If elections are held at any meeting other than the annual meeting, the membership shall be so notified at least seven days prior to the said meeting in accordance with Article III, Section 3.

Section 5.

Any officer, elected or appointed, may be removed from office only after proper presentation of charges, a hearing of defense, substantiation of said charges, and a motion to remove the charged officer which shall be duly carried or made before any regular or special meeting of the organization. Any motion for removal of an officer shall be voted on by written or closed ballot. A majority of those regular members present and voting for such motion shall be sufficient to carry the same. Notice in writing of removal shall be given said officer by the secretary or by the chairman of the board of directors.

Section 6.

A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled by the membership for the expired portion of the term.

Section 7.

The president shall be the chief executive officer of the organization and shall be elected from among the regular membership. The president shall preside at all meetings of the members. He or she shall sign, with the secretary, all deeds, leasses, mortgages, bonds, contracts, and other instruments which the organization has authorized to be executed, except where such signing and execution shall be expressly delegated by the organization by-laws, or by statue, to some other officer. The president shall be responsible for the enforcement of the by-laws, rules and regulations of the organization and perform all duties prescribed by the organization. He or she may appoint such temporary committees as deemed necessary and shall be ex officio a member of all committees. The president shall, with the treasurer, sign all checks issued by the organization. The president shall be allowed an advance of money to be spent on behalf of the organization in an amount to be determined by vote of the membership and shall prepare for the treasurer an account of all money spent.

Section 8.

The vice president shall, if the president is absent or unable to perform his or her duties, or refuses to do so, perform all the duties of the president and, when so doing, perform all the powers of the president and be subject to all restrictions upon the president. The vice president shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the president and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees. The vice president shall preside over all meetings of the board of directions, but shall have but a single vote.

Section 9.

The secretary shall keep the minutes of all the meetings of the members and the board of directors and shall be responsible for seeing that they are typewritten or printed at least quarterly. He or she shall be responsible for publishing an organization newsletter at least monthly and see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws or as required by law, custodian of the organization’s records, and keep a register of the post office addresses of all members, which shall be made available to all members. The secretary shall perform all duties which may from time to time be assigned by the president. The secretary shall be allowed an advance to cover expenses in an amount to be determined by vote of the membership and shall prepare for the treasurer an account of all money spent. The secretary will have his or her dues paid by the organization each year.

Section 10.

The treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all the organization’s funds and securities, receive and give receipts for all the moneys due and payable to the organization from any source whatsoever, deposit all such moneys in the name of the organization  in such banks or other depositories as shall be selected by the organization, keep books and accounts showing all receipts and disbursements, sign all checks together with the president, and perform all of the duties of the office of treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the president. The treasurer shall maintain in the name of the Corporation a two signature checking account and one or more two signature savings accounts. If required by the board of directors the treasurer shall give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum and with such surety as the board shall determine.

Article V - Board of Directors

Section 1.

The board of directors shall act in an advisory capacity to the organization.

Section 2.

The number of directors shall be nine. They, together with the four officers, namely the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer shall constitute the board of directors. The nine directors shall include the past year’s officers, if available, and a sufficient number of additional persons, elected from the regular membership at the annual meeting or as soon thereafter as possible, to make a total of nine. Directors shall hold office for a period of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 3.

The individual members of the board of directors shall have no power of authority as such. The board shall act and have the authority to act only as a unit. Any action taken by the board shall be subject to approval or disapproval by the membership.

Section 4.

Any vacancy occurring on the board of directors shall be filled by the membership for the part of the term which is unexpired.

Section 5.

Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month. Special meetings of the board may be called by the president, by any one of the officers, or by any three members of the board.

Section 6.

Board meeting attendance shall be recorded. Any director who misses three board meetings during the course of a year shall automatically be dismissed from the board.

Article VI - Standing Committees

The organization may, from time to time, by resolution or motion, designate such standing committees as it deems necessary, each committee so designated to perform the specific function set forth in the resolution or motion creating it. The president shall appoint the members of each committee from the regular membership. Any member of any committee may be removed by the president whenever in his or her judgment the best interests of the organization shall be served by such removal.

Article VII - Checks, Deposits, and Funds

Section 1.

All checks, drafts, and other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the organization shall be signed by both the president and the treasurer. Money shall be paid out only with the approval of the organization substantiated by a majority vote of the members present and voting according to procedures specified in the club rules.

Section 2.

All funds of the organization shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the organization in such banks or other depositories as the organization shall select.

Section 3.

The board of directors may accept on behalf of the organization any contribution, gift, or bequest for the general or special purpose of the organization.

Article VIII - Certification of Membership

The board of directors may provide for the issuing of certificates of membership in the organization in such form as the board may determine.

Article IX - Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December of each year.

Article X - Term of Office

The term of office of each officer and member of the board of directors shall commence on the first day of January of each year and continue to the last day of December and until their successors are elected and qualified.

Article XI - Fees and Dues

Section 1.

The initiation fees, if any, and the annual dues of members shall be determined by vote of the membership.

Section 2.

Dues shall be payable annually on or before January 1 of any year for the succeeding year. Any member in default in the payment of dues beyond the first regular meeting of January shall loose his or her standing in the organization and his or her membership will thereupon be terminated.

Article XII - Safety Code

A diving safety code shall be drafted by the board of directors and revised from time to time as the board may deem necessary. Violation of said code shall constitute grounds for suspension or expulsion of any member.

Article XII - Application Forms

The board of directors shall draft an application form to be given to all applicants for regular membership. No applicant shall be admitted to membership without first completing this form to the satisfaction of the board of directors and of the membership. Said application form may be revised from time to time as the board may deem necessary.

Article XIV - Fish and Game Laws

Violation of Federal and/or State Fish and Game Laws shall constitute grounds for suspension or expulsion of any member.

Article XV - Amendments

Any by-law or by-laws may be replaced, repleased, added, modified, or amended, or new by-laws adopted at any regular or special meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that at least seven days prior to such meeting written notice is given to the members of the intention to replace, replease, add, modify, or amend one or more by-laws, or to adopt new by-laws at such meeting.

Ratification of the By-Laws

The membership having been duly notified in accordance with Article XVII of the By-Laws, all existing by-laws of the South Shore Neptunes, Inc. be repealed and a new set of by-laws, now in the hands of the membership and headed “South Shore Neptunes Proposed By-Laws 19/January/1988”, be adopted in their place.

The above motion was made, seconded, and passed at the regular meeting of the South Shore Neptunes on the 19th of January, 1988.

        Angelo Correnti, President                        Ted Hotz, Secretary


Club Rules

  1. Membership and Dues
  1. If an application for membership is received after the club outing, the applicant will be required to pay the specified initiation fee plus one tenth of the annual dues for each month or part of a month from the time of acceptance to the end of the year.
  2. Any member not in good standing shall not be eligible to hold club office, to receive a trophy, or to be active in any club function if so determined by the board.
  3. Each new member will receive one club decal and one club patch free of charge. Any other decals and patches may be purchased.
  4. Members who are out of the club for a year without submitting a letter of resignation will enter the club as entirely new members. Normal application procedures, dues, and initiation fees will apply.
  5. A member who leaves the club after submitting a letter of resignation may re-apply for membership at a later date through normal application procedures, but without being required to pay the initiation fee.
  6. Any member who for circumstances beyond his or her control cannot pay his or her dues and/or fine shall notify the president to receive an extension.
  7. All outstanding balances which include payments owed for club functions are payable at the time of membership renewal. A fine of $5.00 for the first month and $2.00 for each succeeding month up to a total of $15 shall be levied against all members in arrears. A majority vote of the membership at a regular meeting with the member present shall be required for return to good standing.
  8. Membership Application Rules:
  1. Applicants will be screened by the Board of Directors with sponsor and applicant present.
  2. The initiation fee shall accompany the application. The fee is non-refundable.
  3. Applications passed by the Board will be voted on by the general membership with the applicant present.
  4. Dues shall be paid at the time of the general membership vote.
  5. Following the general membership vote there will be a six month probation period.
  6. During the probation period applicants will have all club privileges.
  7. After the probation period the application will be reviewed by the Board to determine whether the applicant is a desirable club member. The applicant need not be present for the review. If the Board rejects the applicant, the dues, but not the initiation fee will be refunded, and the membership will terminate. The applicant will, however, have the right to appeal to the general membership.
  8. New members must make two beach dives (at least one in the ocean) with a club member before being allowed to participate in the club boat dives.
  1. The dues of a corresponding member may be waived by a vote of the regular membership for reasons of attendance at a school away from the club area.
  2. If two or more members of a family (husband, wife, child) living in the same residence become members of the club, the first shall pay full dues and initiation fee, and remaining family members shall pay half dues and full initiation fee.
  3. The amount of dues shall be determined by majority vote of the membership at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose.
  1. Membership and Dues
  1. Unless an emergency prevails, any expenditure over $50.00 will require advance approval of a majority of the board of directors and of the members. One vote of the board and two votes of the membership will be required, the latter to be taken at two separate regular or special meetings.
  2. The president, secretary, and treasurer will each be given an advance to cover expenses in the amounts to be determined by votes of the membership.
  3. Special funds for specific purposes may be created by vote of the general membership.
  4. All expenditures not covered by sections 1, 2, or 3 above will require a single majority vote of the membership for approval.
  1. Club Dives
  1. Club dives will not conflict with those of the Bay State Council unless the club votes specifically to make a club dive coincident with a Bay State Council dive.
  2. All divers must check in and out of the water with a person appointed as checker.
  3. At all club dives the diver’s flag will be displayed in accordance with state and local laws.
  1. Spearfishing and Lobstering
  1. All spearfishing and lobstering must comply with local game laws.
  2. Spearfishing contest shall include all New England water.
  3. The largest fish and largest lobster contests will run from December 1 to November 30. In order to be eligible for the lobster contest an entrant must show a Massachusetts lobster license. Spear fishermen must adhere to the spearfishing laws. No SCUBA gear is allowed for spearfishing; snorkeling only is permitted, and all fish must be speared in New England water. No skate, goosefish, or lumpfish is allowed. Weights must be witnessed by a valid signed slip from a fish market or bait shop. Members must register their catches at a club meeting within 30 days after the catch takes place. A trophy/award for the largest fish of the year and one of the largest lobster of the year will be awarded.
  1. Annual Contests
  1. Each year there will be an Artifact-of-the-Year contest which will run from December 1 to November 30. Artifacts must be recovered from New England waters in accordance with rules determined by vote of the general membership. Entries will be judged by the Board of Directors at the December board meeting, and an award/trophy will be awarded to the winner.
  2. Each year there will be an Under Water Photography contest which will run from December 1 to November 30. Photographs must be taken under New England waters in accordance with rules determined by vote of the general membership. Entries will be judged by the Board of Directors at the December board meeting, and an award/trophy will be awarded to the winner.
  1. Rules Governing Competition Dives
  1. Any infraction of the competition rules can be cause for disqualification.
  2. All contestants must wear power inflated flotation gear.
  3. The competition director will inspect all contestants before the start of each event.
  4. The competition director will determine whether or not the water is safe.
  5. All gear must have effective quick releases.
  6. SCUBA events will be run under the buddy system.
  7. All contestants and teams must check out when leaving the water upon completion of each event.
  8. SCUBA teams shall enter and leave the water in designated areas.
  9. The distress signal for a diver in need of aid shall be the arm above the head and waving.
  10. A diver’s flag will be displayed in the diving area.
  11. Safety divers will be appointed and will be prepared to enter the water.
  12. A fully equipped first aid kit, in the charge of the competition director, will be at all competition dives.
  13. Points will be tallied before the contestants and competition director leave the area.
  14. Points will be counted only by the competition director and persons appointed by the director.
  15. All disputes and requests for recount will be brought to the attention of the competition director before the completion of the count.
  16. Persons running the dive will not be allowed to enter the competition.
  17. The decision of the competition director will be considered as final in all rules.
  18. Each year there may be up to three competition dives of which points will be awarded. (amended 7/6/04)
  19. Each competition dive will consist of two events: a snorkel event, and a SCUBA event.
  20. There may be one spearfishing contest to be determined from year to year. A trophy or air card will be awarded to the winner, but no points will be awarded.
  21. All competition dives will be held on Sundays.
  22. The membership will be given written notice of each competition at least two weeks prior to the event.
  23. A minimum of two divers for a snorkel event and two teams (four divers) for a SCUBA event are necessary for the event to be held.
  24. If less than two contestants are present the dive will be cancelled one half hour after the scheduled time.
  25. No changes shall be made to the competition rules during the competition season, except for reasons of safety.
  1. Diver-of-the-Year Points
  1. Each year the club shall hold a “Diver-of-the-Year” competition. Each member shall receive points for attending meetings, helping at specified events, participating in specified dives and competitions, and winning or placing in the competitions. The competition year shall run from January 1 each year to the following December 31. Trophies or other awards shall be given to the first, second, and third finishes in this contest.
  2. A rookie of the year award will be given to that new member who accumulates the largest number of points. New members will be eligible during both their first part year and the first full year of membership, except that no person may win the award more than once.
  3. Award points will be given for all dives so designated.
  4. The only persons to receive points for a club dive without entering the water are the appointed competition committee members in attendance at the dive (3 points each event).
  5. No diver-of-the-year points will be given for the spearfishing contest or for the largest fish and largest lobster contests.
  6. Point Breakdown
  1. Meetings: 2 points
  2. Events:
  1. Events Include: Banquet, Sea Rovers, Clubhouse Clean-up, Flea Market, other activities as approved by the Board. Points awarded will be decided by the Event Chairperson and will be presented to the Board for final approval.
  2. 1 Point for every 2 hours worked for a maximum of 4 points/day
  3. Additional 2 points per day for the use of a vehicle to transport materials.
  1. Club Dives: 3 points
  2. Competition Dives (each event)
  1. Entry: 3 points
  2. Winning & Placing

# Competing

1st

2nd

3rd

2

5

0

-

3

10

5

0

4 (or more)

15

10

5

  1. A unit shall consist of a single diver for the snorkel event and a buddy pair for the SCUBA event. If less than two units enter an event, that event shall be cancelled, and no points shall be awarded.
  1. The Memorial Trophy
  1. Each year, if the board of directors feels that it is warranted, the club shall present a trophy or other award to a member who has in the psat year made an outstanding contribution to the club. The selection of the recipient shall be made by a vote of the board of directors. This award shall be a memorial to deceased members of the club.
  1. The Bay State Council
  1. The club will pay $2.00 toward any regular member’s Bay State Council dues if the member pays the remainder.
  1. Miscellaneous
  1. All members of the board of directors will have the responsibility of enjoining any minor member from drinking any alcoholic beverage at any club function. If any minor member so warned ignores the warning, the board will take appropriate action.
  2. Any member who takes one of the following actions will, at the discretion of the board of directors, be subject to dismissal from the club:
  1. Violates any state or local laws which pertain to diving or taking fish or lobster.
  2. Dives after being told he or she is too intoxicated, untrained, or incapable.
  3. Willfully displays firearms at any club function or violates any Massachusetts firearms law.
  4. Takes any action, in or out of the water, which endangers any other member of the club.

Ratification of Club Rules

Moved: That the present Club Rules of the South Shore Neptunes, Inc. be repealed in their entirety and that a new set of club rules, now in the hands of the membership, titled “Proposed New Club Rules” and dated 11 July, 2000 be adopted in their place.

The above motion was made, seconded, and passed at the regular meeting of the South Shore Neptunes on the 11th of July, 2000.

                Susan McNeely, President                                Bruce Gerhard, Secretary


Body text: Palatina

Headlines: Helvetica

Printed September, 2000


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