​

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PICKLEBALL CLUB BYLAWS

(As Amended) February 2024

​

ARTICLE I – Name
Smoky Mountain Pickleball Club (Club)
ARTICLE II – Purpose
To provide a fun, healthy, social pickleball environment for all Club members and guests.

ARTICLE III – Goals
The goals of the Club are as follows:
* To further interest and participation in the game of pickleball.
* To promote pickleball related social activities in East Tennessee.
* To support pickleball player development and to encourage those members who want to
engage in competitive play.
* To cooperate with other clubs or associations to sponsor events.

ARTICLE IV – Membership
Any adult can become a member of the Club by signing a Waiver of Liability and paying required
dues. Children under 18 may not play without an adult present. Each member is entitled to one
vote on Club matters.
ARTICLE V – Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will consist of the following officers: President, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer. Any officer may enlist the assistance of other Club members in the
execution of their roles.

ARTICLE VI – Nomination and Election of Officers
A nominating committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee at least sixty (60)
days prior to the Fall meeting of the voting year (Executive Committee serves for two years).
The Nominating Committee shall consist of one Executive Committee member and no more
than three at large members. This committee will request nominations for each office of the
Executive Committee; however, only one officer per household shall be permitted. (Absentee
ballots will be available to all members.) Actual voting will take place at the scheduled Fall
meeting. One vote per member. Nominations can be made at the Fall meeting prior to
voting. A majority of voting members at the Annual Meeting will elect officers.

Page 1 of 6

The newly elected Executive Council will assume dues one month following their election.
Should an unforeseen vacancy occur among the officers prior to an election, an interim officer
shall be appointed by the remaining members of the Executive Committee to serve until the
next election year. Members of the Executive Committee will be elected and serve for two
years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

ARTICLE VII – Dues
Dues of each office will be as follows:
President – Has the authority to call, preside and break voting ties on all general membership,
executive committee, and any other committee meetings. May request an audit at any time.
Shall be the liaison between the club and other clubs, and the USA Pickleball Association
(USAPA). This may include negotiating and maintaining relationships with facilities, adding
places to play, publicizing the club and the sport among recreation departments, the press, the
public and schools.
Vice President – Assist the Club President in the execution of club roles and responsibilities,
prepare written Grievance Resolution (See Article XII) and assume the duties of the President in
the absence of the President.
Secretary – Will notify members of play activities and advise the membership of all meetings
and will keep minutes of those meetings. Will compile a database including the name, phone
number, and email address for each member and shall maintain signed liability waivers for
members and guests. In the short-term absence of the Secretary, the Treasurer will assume the
responsibiliHes of the Secretary.
Treasurer – Shall maintain the Club bank account with a Signature Card, including other
Executive Committee members. The Treasurer shall be responsible for paying facility rent(s) or
purchasing equipment and supplies. Except for facility rent, any check for an amount above
$200.00 requires the signature of the Treasurer and one other member of the ExecuHve
CommiOee. The Treasurer is responsible for all dues and monies collected. The Treasurer shall
maintain current and accurate account records, authorize payments for all approved bills, and
make a detailed, printed financial report to the Club on a quarterly basis. In the short-term
absence of the Treasurer, the Secretary will assume the responsibiliHes of the Treasurer. A
review of the Treasurer’s records shall be performed by the newly elected ExecuHve CommiOee
subsequent to their elecHon. The Treasurer may enlist assistance from members to purchase
and maintain Club supplies and equipment.

Page 2 of 6

ARTICLE VIII – Meetings
At least two (2) General Membership meetings will be called by the Executive Committee each
year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Notice, designating the time and place of such
meetings, will be given to all members by email or other means at least thirty (30) days prior to
the meeting. The fall meeting shall be the Annual Meeting of the Club for the purpose of
electing officers (every two years for a two-year term), needs assessment and general planning.
Special Meetings of the Membership may be called by the Executive Committee as needed.
Notice of Special Meeting, designating the time and place of such meeting, will be given to all
members by email at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE IX – Dues
MEMBERS: Proposed membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Committee and
voted on by the membership at the fall meeting. Dues for local resident players, new to the
club, are not required for the first two weeks of play.
Once dues are paid, there shall be no refund unless specifically approved by the Executive
Committee.
HOUSE GUEST: Short term house guests of members are welcome to play when accompanied
by the member. No fee is required.
OCCASIONAL GUEST: Club members may bring an "occasional guest" to play. No fee is required.
The ExecuHve CommiOee will determine the definiHon of "occasional guest" on a case-by-case
basis. Should the "occasional guest" become more than "occasional" they will be required to
join the club to continue play.
AREA VISITORS: Short term (up to seven consecutive days) visitors to the area are invited to
play. No fee is required.

ARTICLE X – Skill Development
The Club encourages the advancement of player skill through general play and new player training.
The new player court is a court reserved to teach new players the basic rules and techniques of the
game. The new player court is scheduled once a week for one hour of instruction; sign-up is required. If
there are no new players, the court will return to General play use. All club members are encouraged to
help new players learn to play the game.
ARTICLE XI – General Play Guidelines

Page 3 of 6

General play is open play for club members and guests on a first come, first serve basis. Players begin
play based on the use of a paddle saddle, paddles rack, sign up board, etc.
If a foursome desires to play together, they may place their paddles in line behind the
last group of four that are waiHng to play. They may play together when their foursome moves
up to the next position.

ARTICLE XII – Problem Resolution/Grievance Policy
When a diverse group of people come together it is possible to occasionally have
disagreements. The following guidelines are designed to address these issues in the event they
occur.
Areas where conflict may occur include but are not limited to:
Rules & Regulations: All club members are expected to follow Club and USAPA rules. To avoid
misunderstanding, all Club rules and by laws are available to all members on the website or in
written form upon request. USAPA pickleball games rules are available on the USAPA website.
Sportsmanship: Club members are expected to treat each other with respect. Offensive, loud,
or vulgar behavior is not acceptable during Club play or events.
Language: The use of foul language is prohibited during any Club play or event. Foul language
includes, but is limited to, cursing, disparaging remarks, ethnic and gender slurs, etc.

Etiquette: Club members are expected to know and abide by the rules of pickleball etiquette
Examples of common etiquette include server calls score before each serve, not chasing balls
into adjoining courts, retrieving, and returning balls that land in your court of play.
We encourage members to address in a professional manner any issue initially with the person
they feel has behaved inappropriately or violated Club rules. Should a member not be
comfortable with addressing the issue initially with this person, the next step is to bring the
behavior to the attention of any member of the Executive Committee member for review.
Aker the review, if the member wants to continue with the grievance, the following procedure
is in place to handle the complaint/grievance.
Problem Resolu,on/Grievance Process
In the event of a perceived issue, the following grievance process is in place to ensure that all
parHes are heard and a fair resoluHon is achieved.
A grievance may be brought by any Club member against another Club member for rules
violaHon or inappropriate behavior. Such inappropriate behavior may include, but are not
limited to: excessive disruptive behavior, physical violence, abusive or obscene language, sexual
harassment, unauthorized use of club equipment, action in violation of the Bylaws.

Page 4 of 6

Grievances should be brought in writing to the attention of an Executive Committee officer
within 14 days of the alleged incident. This officer will immediately apprise the Executive
Committee. Grievance details must include the name(s) of the parties involved and a complete
description of the alleged incident or activity. Time, date, behavior, and witnesses are expected
elements of the grievance document.
Within a maximum of 14 days of receipt of a written grievance, the President will consult with
the Executive Committee to determine a course of action on the grievance. If the grievance
includes a Club officer, that officer will be excluded from the review. If the Executive
Committee determines the grievance is without merit, the President, or appointed officer, will
inform the grievant verbally and in writing of the Executive Committee’s findings and decision.
If the Executive Committee finds the grievance warrants further investigation, it will, in writing,
notify the member(s) involved of an informal investigation. Notice will include all pertinent
details of the allegations. The investigation and final decision are to be completed as soon as
possible or within a maximum of 30 days of receipt of the written grievance barring extenuating
circumstances.
Upon completion of the investigation and final decision, resolutions available to the Executive
Committee include dismissal of grievance, written and verbal warnings, suspension for a limited
Time or permanent expulsion from the Club.
Resolutions
1. Dismissal of the Grievance: The Executive Committee will provide a written decision
sharing the reason for the decision to dismiss the grievance. The written decision will be
given to all parties who were involved in the initial filing.
2. Warning: In the event that a warning is deemed appropriate, the Executive Committee
will issue a written warning that includes a caution that any future disciplinary issues
may result in Suspension or Expulsion. If within one year of a wriOen warning, there is
no further conduct of a similar nature by the member, the written record will be
destroyed.
3. Suspension: If the Executive Committee finds that the circumstances warrant a
suspension of the member’s club participation, the Executive Committee can
recommend suspension for a period ranging from one month to a year. During
suspension, the member may not participate in club functions, have access to dedicated
club rooms, or attend club meetings.

Page 5 of 6

4. Expulsion: If the Executive Committee finds the behavior egregious enough to
recommend expulsion, the Executive Committee may so recommend and inform all
parties in writing of the decision. After 2 years, the expelled member may seek to rejoin
the Smoky Mountain Pickleball Club with the approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XIII –Dissolution
Upon dissolution of the Club, the Executive Committee, after paying or making provision for
payment of all liabilities of the Club, shall distribute any equipment and/or disburse funds to a
local charitable or not-for-profit organizaHon(s) which has/have supported the Club.

ARTICLE XIV – Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws will be proposed by letter or email to the members prior to a
General Membership meeting. A majority vote at that meeting will amend the Bylaws.