About Arlington Chess Club

History and Formation

The North Arlington Chess Club began hosting a regular rated chess tournaments in Arlington in March of 2015. Arlington Chess Club was formed on January 19, 2017 when it accepted all the assets of the North Arlington Chess Club. Arlington Chess Club was formed as a nonprofit 501(c)4 social welfare organization that organizes chess events and provides volunteers to teach chess in public libraries and some local schools. We have also helped local schools acquire chess equipment without cost.

Corporation

Arlington Chess Club is a Texas nonprofit corporation.

Arlington Chess Club is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as determined by the IRS.

Arlington Chess Club is an affiliate of the US Chess Federation.

Arlington Chess Club is gold-level GuideStar participant.

Officers and TournamentDirectors

President: Chris Wood
Secretary/Treasurer: Jim Clarke
Director of Outreach: Troy Gillispie
Director of Adult Chess: Doug Stephens

Bylaws of Arlington Chess Club (as amended 2023)

Name and Objectives

The name of the organization is Arlington Chess Club.

The purpose for which the corporation is organized is to promote social welfare within the meaning of section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, including but not limited to:

• Promoting and supporting the chess-playing community,
• Providing opportunities for adults and children to play and learn chess,
• Providing chess instruction to adults and children,
• Assisting schools and other groups in the development of chess clubs and events, and
• Helping adults and children with financial needs enter chess competitions.

Duration

The period of duration for this corporation shall be perpetual or until the Board of Directors shall adopt a resolution recommending that the corporation be dissolved pursuant to the laws of the state of Texas.

Not for Profit

This corporation is not organized for profit, and no part of the net earnings of this corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member of the Board of Directors except that this corporation may make payments of reasonable compensation for services rendered.

The corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office to an extent that would disqualify it from tax exemption under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

This corporation shall not have the authority to issue capital stock.

Changes to Bylaws

Changes to these Bylaws may be proposed by any director. Changes will be accepted when more than one-half of the enhanced membership votes to approve the changes. Changes must be approved within one year of being proposed by a director. If a change is not approved within one year, it may be proposed again.

Dissolution

Upon the winding up and dissolution of this corporation, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets shall be distributed to, and only to, one or more charitable or social welfare organizations.

Membership

Anyone who attends a regular club meeting or one of the tournaments the club sponsors is considered a regular member. A membership fee is not required to be a regular member. Regular members do not have the ability to vote on any matter before the board of directors.

Enhanced memberships are available. A regular member may become an enhanced member after paying a joining fee and being approved by a majority vote of the board of directors. The board of directors determines the joining fee for enhanced members.

Any enhanced member who fails to attend at least two Arlington Chess Club events during any calendar year will no longer be an enhanced member.

Enhanced members and only enhanced members shall receive the following benefits:

• Right to vote for members of the club's board of directors, but only if the member is at least 18 years of age.
• Right to vote in other club elections, but only if the member is at least 18 years of age;
• Right to hold office in the club

Officers and Board of Directors

The club is led by a five-member board of directors. One member of the board will serve as president of the club. One member of the board will serve as secretary/treasurer of the club. Other directors may be assigned areas of responsibility by the president and named directors of those areas of responsibility.

• The president presides over club activities except as otherwise provided in the bylaws; may call special meetings of the club and the Board of Directors; and directs the operations of the club except for those responsibilities assigned to others in these bylaws.
• The secretary/treasurer maintains a record of attendance of the enhanced membership and maintains a record of all meetings of the Board of Directors, conducts a monthly audit of club financial activity, and regularly reports on the financial status of the club to the board of directors.

No compensation will be given for service as an officer of the club. This does not exclude payments for expenses or payments for other services.

In odd numbered years the Board of Directors will schedule an election of officers to be completed by the end of the first regular club meeting in October. If there is no regular club meeting in October, the election must be conducted by the end of October. The Board of Directors may schedule an election to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors.

Enhanced members of the club may call for a special election to replace any officer if two-thirds of the enhanced members present at any regularly scheduled meeting vote to schedule a special election. The vote to have a special election and the special election must not be held at the same regularly scheduled meeting.

Tournament Directors

The club may authorize one or more tournament directors who shall exercise exclusive authority over all activities concerning any event involving prizes or United States Chess Federation ratings during the days and hours the events are conducted, from the time registration is scheduled to begin until the last game is finished and final disposition of prizes is made.

Tournaments

The club will hold chess tournaments. Proceeds above expenses for these tournaments shall be returned to the club.

The Board of Directors may authorize reimbursements for expenses incurred or payments for services rendered to tournament directors or others providing goods or services related to these tournaments.

The Board of Directors may authorize tournament directors to hold tournaments in the name of the club and may require that a portion of the entry fee be returned to the club.