Purpose

The Greater Columbus Tennis Association is a non profit organization that supports tennis in the central Ohio area.
The GCTA is an organization made up of volunteers.
The GCTA is the USTA Community Tennis Association for Central Ohio. The progression is GCTA, Ohio Valley Tennis Association, USTA Midwest Section, and USTA.
The purpose and specific objectives of the GCTA are stated under articles II and III in the following constitution of the organization.

Constitution and Code of Regulations
of
The Greater Columbus Tennis Association
(Re-written and adopted September 2000)
Article I - Name

The name of this association shall be The Greater Columbus Tennis Association (“Association”) and shall be operated not for profit. Article II - Purpose The purpose for which the Association is formed and shall be operated is the development of tennis as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness; and, the maintenance of high standards of fair play and sportsmanship involved in amateur competition. Article III - Specific Objectives The specific objectives for which the Association is formed and shall be operated are to:
1. Elevate the importance of tennis as an elementary school, secondary school, and college sport.
2. Increase tennis participation at all age levels.
3. Generate increased tennis interest in all people, regardless of their financial means.
4. Create more sport news value in tennis.
5. Popularize tennis as a spectator sport by increasing the rate of exposure through mass communications media—using newspapers, television, radio, magazines, newsletters, and the Internet.
6. Raise the level of playing skills for all age groups through clinics, tournaments, schools, and the like.
7. Increase the reservoir of players from which to choose those who will represent the United States in international competition. Article IV - Affiliation The Association shall be a member of the United States Tennis Association, the USTA Midwest Section, and the Ohio Valley Tennis Association. Article V - Membership Association membership shall accrue to anyone who makes an annual minimum contribution as determined by the Association. Each membership shall be on an annual basis extending from April 1 to March 31. Article VI - Membership Meetings
(Annual and Special Meetings) Meetings of the membership shall be subject to the following regulations:
1. Between July 1 and September 30 of each year, there shall be an annual members’ meeting at such time and place as the Board of Trustees may determine. Twenty days advance notice to the members shall be given prior to the annual meeting. The notification shall list the nominating committee's slate of officers. Any proposed changes in the constitution will be given to the Board of Trustees 15 days in advance of the annual meeting.
2. Special meetings of the members may be held at any time upon call of the Board of Trustees. Only such matters as are listed in a special meeting notice may be considered at such a meeting.

Article VII - Board of Trustees

There shall be a Board of Trustees elected by the members consisting of not less than 15 nor more than 33 persons, the exact number to be determined by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The Trustees shall have control of and manage all property of the Association; further, they shall conduct all Association business and report to the members about same at the annual members’ meeting. The Trustees shall be subject to the following regulations:
1. Each Trustee shall serve for a term of 3 years or until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified and the Trustee shall be a member of the Association .
2. Only one-third of the total number of Trustees shall be elected at each annual members’ meeting; however, no more than eleven shall be elected at each meeting.
3. The Trustees shall meet once every three months at such time and place as the President may determine. Special meetings may be called by the President from time to time upon reasonable advance notice to the Trustees.
4. Twenty-five percent of the Trustees attending any meeting shall constitute a quorum.
5. Any vacancy shall be filled forthwith by the Executive Committee with the replacement Trustee serving throughout the replaced Trustee's unexpired term. Two consecutive absences from called meetings may constitute sufficient grounds for removal from office by majority vote of the Trustees.
6. Nominees for the office of Trustee shall be annually provided by a nominating committee consisting of the following members: four members of the Executive Committee designated by the President and four members selected by the President from the then current list of members.
7. The Trustees shall appoint an auditor to annually review the Association books and provide for payment of same. The results of such audit shall thereupon be made known to the members and Trustees. Article VIII - Officers and Duties 1. Officers.
The Officers of the Association, elected by vote of the Board of Trustees, shall be a President, three Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, and a Treasurer. These Officers shall be members of the Board of Trustees and shall serve for a one-year term or until a successor is elected. The President shall be elected to no more than two consecutive one-year terms.
2. Duties.
The President shall act as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and shall coordinate and direct the activities of the Association. He/She shall direct the Vice Presidents as to their roles.
The Recording Secretary shall keep the formal minutes of the Association and perform all other functions normally performed by a Secretary. The Treasurer shall keep the books and records of the Association and shall provide year-end financial statements and coordinate the preparation of financial planning matters. Articles IX - Executive Committee The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, the five elected Officers listed in Article VIII. Such Committee shall act as a policy making body and advisor to the Board of Trustees and have such additional powers as the Board of Trustees shall delegate to it. All actions of the Committee shall be reported to the Board of Trustees through communication of the complete Executive Committee minutes. A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. Article X - Indemnification Any person who is a party to any suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or otherwise) by reason of this or her being an Officer, Trustee, agent or member of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association for expenses (including reasonable attorney fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with such suit or proceeding if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; and, such determination as to conduct shall be made by the Board of Trustees. Article XI - Committees The following committees shall be considered as Standing Committees: the Budget Committee and the Nominating Committee. The chairman of each standing committee shall be appointed by the Executive Committee and shall be an Association member. The President shall name other committees as needed. Article XII - Amendments These regulations may be amended by majority vote of the Association members at a meeting held for such purpose.

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