CHAPTER BY-LAWS
TOPS #AZ 503, LAKE HAVASU CITY
Charter Date: January 7, 2006
Revised Date: January 6, 2007
Motto: We’re Here for You!
Colors: (TOPS) Red; (KOPS) White
Emblem: Heart
Meeting Place: Mohave Community College
Classroom 814
1977 West Acoma Blvd
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Meeting Time: Saturdays / Weigh-in 8:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.
Business Meeting 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
The Official TOPS Rules (Form S-027) and Official KOPS Rules (Form S-027K) govern all chapter activities.
These by-laws supersede all previously printed by-laws for TOPS #AZ 503, Lake Havasu City and shall be reviewed and available at all chapter meetings. Chapter by-laws may not contradict Official TOPS Rules or Official KOPS rules in anyway, but may define local dues, penalties, chapter awards, social activities, etc. By-laws are subject to change by amendment. Each individual bylaw or amendment must be approved by secret, written ballot by the membership. A simple majority of votes cast by the chapter members in good standing is required for the passage of any matter.
1. Membership:
a. A member shall be in the chapter one (1) week to compete in a special contest.
b. Within two (2) weeks of joining, a before picture will be taken, or member may submit before picture. (Full length, showing feet). The pictures must be clear prints, with backgrounds as plain as possible, must show the full length of member including feet/shoes. Measurements may/can also be taken of bust/chest, waist and hips.
c. Members must call or notify an officer or the weight recorder to be excused from meetings. Any member not calling an Officer or Weight Recorder for two or more consecutive weeks will be considered absent (un-excused) starting the second consecutive week and onward. (See TOPS Rules 16d. Weight Records and Annual Recognition).
2. Dues:
a. Monthly dues are $5.00 per month and begin as soon as a person becomes a member.
b. Dues are paid before start of Business meeting to the Treasurer.
c. All members must pay dues even when absent. Chapter dues must be made current upon return to the chapter and before member weighs-in.
d. Any visitor that is weighing in with a travel chart, who wishes to stay for our chapter meeting, take part in program, contest, etc., should pay $1.00 weekly chapter dues for each week they attend our meetings, starting the 2nd meeting they attend.
3. Weigh-in & Meeting Agenda
a. Weighing in will start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 8:55a.m.
b. No one, including officers and weight recorders, may weigh himself or herself. (Members from the same family or the same household should not weigh each other, if possible)
c. The first and last weigh-in of the year, plus weight recorded on official TOPS Club, Inc. forms (such as renewal forms) must be converted from digital scale tenths to quarter pounds as follows:
Over No more than Round up as
....... ..................... ……………..
.00 .25 .25 pound
.25 .50 .50 pound
.50 .75 .75 pound
.75 .00 (.00) whole pound
(See Page 26 in Guide for Weight Recording)
d. The business portion of the meeting will be called to order at 9:00 a.m.
e. Any member who arrives after the start of the business meeting will be weighed after the close of the business meeting and is not eligible to receive weekly awards that evening.
f. All non-gainers who are present for the meeting are eligible to play TOPSI for the week. TOPSI is played like BINGO and a winner is determined by having a row diagonal, horizontal or vertical, 5 TOPSI numbers are drawn and play continues each week until a winner is achieved, and then a new game on new cards will begin the next week. The winner receives a “One Free Month of Dues” card that can be redeemed, given away to another member or retained for later use.
g. The meeting will end when the program and all business are completed.
4. Voting:
a. All items shall be considered passed by a majority rule. Every member must abide by the decision of the majority.
b. Only members in good standing are eligible to vote. Ineligible are those with four (4) consecutive unexcused absences and/or not having current chapter dues paid in full.
c. Ineligible voting members must attend four (4) consecutive meetings with the exception of emergencies and/or have current dues paid to become member in good standing with voting privileges.
5. Motions
a. In recording motions made the secretary or acting secretary shall have member's name making the motion, and member's name seconding the motion. The motion will be re-read from the current minutes and then must be approved by vote to pass. (See Rule 4a.)
6. Awards & Charms:
a. General awards are as follows:
1. Ten pound loss charm and a TOPSI token will be awarded to any member for every ten pounds loss from their joining weight or from their highest weight recorded with TOPS headquarters. Members being recognized for their first 10 pound loss will receive a special TOPS charm of PLEDGE TO LOSE.
2. Half Way to Goal Charm (C-17) and a TOPSI token will be awarded to any member who was turned in an official goal slip and who has loss at least ½ of their total desired weight to goal. This award can only be earned once.
3. Achieved My Goal Charm (C-18) and a TOPSI token will be awarded to any member who has turned in an official goal slip and who has received their goal weight. This award can only be earned once.
4. Consecutive Loser charm and a TOPSI token are awarded to any member who weigh-in for 6 consecutive weeks with no gains.
5. Steady Loser charm and a TOPSI token are awarded to any member who weigh-in for 12 consecutive weeks with no gains.
6. Executive Committee Board Charm will be awarded to the 1 year terms for Outgoing Officers and Weigh Recorders. They will receive the following charms: C-3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 respectively at the installation ceremony.
7. Outgoing Asst. Weight Recorders Charm of 1 year terms will receive charm C-12 at the installation ceremony.
b. Weekly awards are as follows:
1. Weekly Best loser is the member who has weighed in the previous meeting and this week has the greatest loss of all eligible members and must be present to win. Member receives a heart bead, a TOPSI token.
2. Weekly KOPS Lowest below goal is the KOPS member who is the lowest below their goal but still within limits and stayed for the business portion of the meeting. Note: It doesn’t matter if they weighed in the previous meeting. Member receives a white heart bead and a TOPSI token.
c. Monthly awards are as follows:
1. Monthly Best Loser is the member who weigh-in at least once last month (except for new members) and at least two times during the current month, and had the greatest monthly loss of all other eligible members. Member receives a heart charm, a monthly best loser Trophy, a monthly best loser certificate and a TOPSI token.
2. Monthly Honorable Mentions are the members who weigh-in at least once last month (except for new members) and at least two times during the current month, and had a loss of at least one pound. Member will receive a red bead and a TOPSI token.
3. Monthly KOPS is the KOPS member who weigh-in at least once last month (except for new KOPS / members) and at least two times during the current month, and never out of leeway and average the lowest below their goal of any other eligible KOPS member. Member will receive a heart charm, a Monthly KOPS Trophy, a Monthly KOPS certificate and a TOPSI token.
4. Monthly KOPS Honorable Mentions are the members who weigh-in at least once last month (except for new KOPS/members) and at least two times during the current month and average at or below their goal. Member will receive a white bead and a TOPSI token.
d. Yearly awards are as follows:
1. Yearly TOPSI winners are the TOPS Member who earned the Best Loser of the Month the most times during the past year AND the KOPS Member who earned the KOPS for the month the most times during the past year, will receive a TOPSI charm (C-10). (See 7f. Yearly TOPSI Winner Tie Breaker Special Rules.)
2. Best Loser of each division of the year will be recognized at recognition ceremony. 1st and 2nd place division winners will receive charm C-53 (TOPS Division Winner.) along with a Certificate from TOPS Club, Inc. In addition, all loses of 10 lbs or more will be recognized in all Divisions at yearly awards as 3rd, 4th, etc… as needed. These winners will receive charm C-64 (TOPS Winner.) These winners will be determined by TOPS Rule, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16i.
3. Chapter Royalty (King / Queen) shall be honored at recognition ceremony, they must have reached their KOPS status before the last meeting in Dec of the previous year. They will receive pin P-12 Jewel Crown. 1st Runner-up Royalty will receive pin P-15 Small Jewel Crown, while remaining runner-ups will receive C-8 Crown Charm.
4. KOPS in Black are KOPS who have weigh-in and maintain their leeway (no red marks) for the year with at least 24 weigh-ins during the calendar year, shall receive a charm (C-84). New KOPS will have weeks pro-rated to determine award.
e. KOPS Awards:
1. KOPS graduating within chapter will receive charm
(C-2 or C22).
2. A Keep off Pounds Sensibly Charm (C-49) will be
earned by any KOPS member who record 6
consecutive weeks at or below goal but still within leeway.
3. KOPS members shall receive a Rhodium Numerals for each anniversary 1-15 and then in 5-year increments through 50 (i.e., 15, 20, 25…)
7. Miscellaneous
a. Numerous contests are held throughout the year to encourage weight loss. Rules for each contest must be in writing before contest starts, with a copy given to secretary. All contests are voluntary, but participation is encouraged.
b. The Chapter Executive committee may vote on spending up to $20.00, as needed, without approval of chapter members.
c. The leader shall make other appointments such as program chairperson, host/hostess, reporter, photographer, contest chairperson, measurer, membership chairperson, sunshine person, special ceremonies chairperson, holiday party chairperson, fund-raiser chairperson, aluminum can person, etc.
d. KOPS should be recognized at every installation and recognition ceremony.
e. KOPS initial registration fee will be covered by chapter funds.
f. Yearly TOPSI Winner Tie Breaker Special Rules - For TOPS Members - If a tie occurs between TOPS members for the Yearly TOPSI Winner, the winner will be determined 1st by adding up the weight loss for each month the member earned the Monthly Best Loser award. The member who lost the most during those months will win. However, if the tie still continues, a percentage will be calculated based on the total weight loss for each month the member earned the Monthly Best Loser award divided by their starting weight for the year. For example: Member 1 starting weight was 176 lbs and Member 2 starting weight was 168.5 lbs. Each member had lost 15 pounds as the sum of the months they earned the Monthly Best Loser award. Member 1’s percentage would be 15 / 176 or 8.5% while Member 2’s percentage would be 15 / 168.5 lbs or 8.9% and thus Member 2 would win the Yearly TOPSI Winner. FOR KOPS Members - If a tie occurs between KOPS members for the Yearly TOPSI Winner, the winner will be determined 1st by adding up the averages they were below their goal for each month they earned the KOPS Lowest below their goal award. The lowest average will win. However, if the tie still occurs an average for the entire year will be calculated to determine their yearly average below goal. The lowest yearly average below goal will determine the winner. NOTE: Any further needed tie breakers will be decided by the Chapter Executive Committee and presented to the chapter for vote.
BY-LAW TERMS:
Chapter Executive Committee – the elected officers, together with the weight recorder and assistant weight recorder shall constitute a Chapter Executive committee.
Excused Absent – when a member misses a weigh-in and has notified the weight recorder or an officer of the chapter of the plan or unplanned missed weigh-in.
KOPS – means Keep off Pounds Sensibly, a member who as reached goal weight no higher than highest weight recorded at TOPS may become a KOPS – an honored member of TOPS.
Officer – an elected member of a chapter who holds the term of Leader, Co-leader, Secretary or Treasurer
TOPS – stands for Take off Pounds Sensibly, refers to a member of TOPS Club, Inc., (“a TOPS) and is also a popular term for TOPS Club, Inc.
TOPSI – a symbol of TOPS. However for these by-laws it is a BINGO like game that is played weekly where 5 new TOPSI numbers are drawn and called each week. Non-gainers or KOPS who are present for the business portion of the meeting are allowed to play. Play continues each week until a winner is determined by having a row diagonal, horizontal or vertical.
TOPSI Token – a card developed by TOPS #AZ 503, where once 10 cards are collected by any individual member can be redeemed for a “One Months Free Dues” card or for one free month of dues.
Travel Chart – a weight chart that the weight recorder has given a member who will be traveling and wants to visit other chapters during their visit to weigh-in.
Weight Recorder – an appointed position by the leader who records and maintains individual member weigh-ins.
Unexcused Absent – when a member misses a weigh-in and hasn’t notified the weight recorder or an officer of the chapter of the reason for their absence within one week of the missed weigh-in.
SPECIAL NOTE: When a member pays dues away from their home chapter, member brings a statement from the chapter(s) visited to his/her home chapter showing that he/she has paid dues while attending there. Home chapter waives dues during away time as member has been supporting an awards program at away chapter. However, if a portion of his/her dues at home chapter goes into an SRD/ARD/PRD fund, member must pay this during time away as well if they plan to share in any of these funds.