MUSKEGON YACHT CLUB HOUSE RULES

The use of the facilities of the Muskegon Yacht Club is for members and their guests.

GUESTS

• A guest is any non-member, eligible for membership, sponsored by a member, using Club facilities.
• Guests must write their names and addresses in a register provided for that purpose, and the sponsoring member shall sign their name as sponsor.
• A member sponsoring a guest must be present at the Club when the guest arrives; the member may advise the Club Manager of the expected arrival of the guests. This will authorize the Club Manager to admit the guests, pending arrival of the member.
• Members sponsoring guests will be considered responsible for their conduct at the Club, and for any debt, liability, or loss incurred by the guest to the Club.
• No guest will be permitted to avail themselves of the privileges of the Club more than twice in the same year.
• No guests will be admitted to the Club on such days the Board of Directors may designate.
• No member shall knowingly sponsor as a guest any person who has been suspended or expelled from the Club.
• Transient boaters, who are members of another Yacht Club, and their crews, who pay the appropriate dock or yard fees, may use the Club in the manner of a member.
• Visiting yachtspersons who are members of Yacht Clubs affiliated with the International Yacht Racing Union, but are not transient boaters, may use the facilities of the Club in the manner of a member twice in one year by registering with the Club employee in charge and providing identification confirming their Club affiliation.
• Transient boaters and their crews, and visiting yachtspersons shall pay for all purchases and fees by cash, check, or credit card (but not by Club credit) prior to leaving the Club.
• NOTE: The intent of reciprocity is for our membership to extend hospitality to the out of town yachtspersons traveling in our area for a short period of time. If the visiting yachtspersons want to avail themselves of our hospitality more than twice in the same year, they may do so by having a member sponsor them in writing to a flag officer for a guest membership card.
• Guest membership cards may be issued for a period not to exceed two weeks, upon written application of a member and approval by a flag officer.

The House Committee and Board of Directors are sensitive to those members that race and their need to acquire crew. It is recognized that these non-member crews are potential members that will take advantage of an Associate Membership and join the Club. Taking this into consideration, the following shall be the policy concerning non-member racing crew:

• Non-member crew shall be on Club property only on the days when they are crewing for a race. Crew shall not be in the Club lounge (bar) unless they are accompanied by the member on whose boat they are racing.
• The member is responsible for the crew’s conduct at the Club and for any debt, liability, or loss incurred by the crew to the Club.

CHILDREN

• The behavior of children and guests requiring adult supervision at the Club is the responsibility of the member parent or sponsor. Children under the age of 18 shall not sit or stand at the bar at any time. Children under the age of 18 shall not be in the lounge after 9 p.m.

AUTHORITY

• The Club Manager (or employee designated in charge of the Club) is charged with the responsibility of assuring the proper decorum of members and guests on the Club premises. If a member disagrees with a decision, his only recourse is to file a written complaint with the House Committee Chairperson.
• The bartender on duty shall decide whether to discontinue serving alcoholic beverages to a member or guest. Flag Officers, Directors, and House Committee members shall support the bartender.
• Any members violating a Club rule, or for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, subject themselves to suspension in accordance with the Club By-laws (Article 5, Section 7).

SMOKING

• Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the club between Launch day and Haulout day. In the winter, smoking will only be allowed in the bar area, and NEVER between the hours of 6pm and 8pm.

PETS

• Pets are not allowed to enter any part of the Club House.

ATTIRE

• Members and guests must wear shirts and shoes while using the bar and food facilities inside the Club House. Attire must be appropriate at all times for a family Club.

EMPLOYEES

• Members shall not use the Club employees for personal use during the hours the employee is scheduled to perform Club services. Employees are required to follow all rules as set forth by the Club Manager and the House Committee.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

• The Club holds a “Club License” from the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. This license specifies that alcoholic beverages are to be sold only to Club members. Employees are required to request proof of Club Membership of all persons ordering alcoholic beverages that the employee does not know to be a club member.
• Guests are not permitted to purchase alcoholic beverages at any time.
• No alcoholic beverages will be sold to anyone under the age of 21, in accordance with State Law. Persons may be required to provide identification for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
• The Michigan Liquor Control Commission Rules prohibit alcohol purchases off the premises to be brought into the Club House. Any alcohol consumed on the premises must be purchased by the Club.

BULLETIN BOARDS

• The Club bulletin board will be maintained by the Club Manager. Members who wish to post notices on the bulletin board must submit the notice to the Club Manager for approval and posting. The Club Manager may remove any material not approved, or which is deemed inappropriate.

CREDIT

• Charging is a member privilege. Interest will be charged at 1.5% per month after 30 days (the first of the month after the billing that contains the charges is mailed to the member).
• Charging privileges will be revoked for members who have any charges that have been outstanding for over 60 days (first of the second month after the billing is mailed to the member).
• Use of Club property (docks, dry sail areas, hoist, ramp, parking, lounge, etc.) will be revoked for members who have any charges that have been outstanding for over 120 days (first of the fourth month after the billing is mailed to the member). Overdue charges that reach 150 days are subject to court action. It will require full payment of all debt to the Club to reinstate Club privileges.
• Members who have written a check that is returned for non-sufficient funds will be charged $25. Charging privileges will be denied for one year to a member who writes three non-sufficient funds checks.

COMPLAINTS

• Any complaint regarding the Manager, or any employee, must be submitted in writing to the House Committee Chairperson.
• Any complaint concerning House operations should be addressed to the House Committee Chairperson in writing.
• Complainant shall also be encouraged to address their complaint to the House Committee at its next meeting.

MEETINGS

• House Committee will meet not less than once a month on a date and time agreed upon by the committee members and approved by the Rear Commodore, bearing in mind the necessity to report to the Board of Directors monthly meeting. Members are invited to attend these meetings to share suggestions and comments. The manager will meet with the House Committee and present a written summary of the issues of the house for the past month and a brief review of the upcoming events.