BY LAWS

                   THE INTERNATIONAL LAWN TENNIS CLUB

  (A)          What is the International Club?

                The "I.C." is the shortened and more popular name given to member clubs.

Membership throughout the world is restricted to players who have represented their country, who have won national championships or who have achieved a high standard of play and played in representative matches abroad. Each country's "I.C." has similar rules governed by the Council of International Clubs, which meets once a year at Wimbledon.

(B)           History.  

                The initial idea of the International Club was conceived at the 1923 Wimbledon Championships, when a former British Prime Minister; Arthur Balfour, was chatting with Wallis Myers, an outstanding writer on lawn tennis. Uppermost in Balfour's mind was the prospect of promoting international goodwill by friendship across the net. Myers, in his vigor at 45, was not one to let such an opportunity pass, and on the 26th November, 1924, the I.C. of Great Britain was formed. In the following year; steel grey and pink were selected as the Club's colors. The I.C. was to foster friendship pure and uncommercialized.

                In 1929, Jean Borotra was approached by Wallis Myers and Lord Lyle to form a Club in France in what the former described as an ~extension of the British franchise." M. Borotra was the first Chairman of the French Club and participated actively right up until his death in 1994. He regarded tennis as a lifetime game and was a model for the young in demonstrating that it is possible to continue to play throughout a long life while carrying on a career outside lawn tennis.  Other nations followed suit, the U.S.A. and Netherlands in 1931, Czechoslovakia in 1933, Sweden in 1937, and, following World War II, many more until now there are 33 I.C.s around the world. Each Club organizes its own annual program to achieve the objects as set forth in the constitution. Matches are played between International Clubs which have, over the years, enabled ex-international players to maintain their friendships made through tennis.

                Many Clubs assist the young tennis players of their own country by taking them on matches abroad or holding competitions for promising young players. Many regard the I.C.s as an opportunity to retain their links with the game and an opportunity to put something back into the game after an active playing life has come to an end. Most clubs will entertain visiting players on the occasion of their country's major tournament. At Wimbledon, the I.C. of Great Britain holds a Reception at the Hurlingham Club and gives a Dinner Dance in the weekend before Wimbledon. The I.C. of the United States holds a dinner during the American National Championships as do the Clubs of Australia and New Zealand during their National Championships.

                In June 1949, the Council of International Clubs placed on record that the regulations and administration of the game, and of lawn tennis in general, was not the function or concern of International Clubs but that International Clubs should aid their respective Associations in every reasonable way. The Council also emphasized that the game of lawn tennis and all that it stands for in promoting international goodwill and comradeship can truly be served by close co-operation of International Clubs with national associations, and vice versa.

                Thus, the I.C.s have never become involved in the politics of lawn tennis and they represent an ideal arena in which lawn tennis can be played free from the politics of the world game and from the pressures from commercialism.

(C)           The Seal

                The Seal of the International Clubs was adopted in 1949. The outline of the seal is a silhouette of a tennis ball divided into four equal parts. These may be considered as North, South, East and West. In each section is placed a Latin word. These four words symbolize the ideals of international tennis. At the top is the word BENEVOLENTIA which means "Goodwill." At the bottom, the foundation of the Seal, is built the word VIRTUS. This means "Valour; Courage and Bravery."

                In the left side is the word AMICITIA which means "Friendship." In connection with this word is the oakleaf, which is the symbol of strength, so it can be interpreted as strong friendships which are established through tennis. On the right side is the word AEQUITAS which means "Sportsmanship." Placed next to this word is the laurel, which is the symbol of victory, to associate the ideas of victory through sportsmanship.

                In the center of the Seal are placed the Eastern and Western hemispheres which are joined under international tennis. On this are shown all the countries of the world. The tennis court, which is drawn as it is viewed by a tennis player, faces the design of the two hemispheres which should be interpreted to mean that any member playing for the International Club will have, in opposition, players from all over the earth. The player, as he views the Court, will see on the other side of the net, the two hemispheres which will symbolize competition in worldwide terms. The oakleaf design was made from an actual oakleaf picked from an oak tree in front of Longfellow's famous Wayside Inn. The laurel was made from drawings of early Roman designs.

     COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CLUBS

                The International Clubs' ideals are believed to be of such value that the development and maintenance of their standards in any country should be the concern of all those interested in the finer traditions of the game, and particularly of those who enjoy the privilege of I.C. membership.

                The ways to achieve such purpose were the object of a first exchange of views in Paris in 1946 among members of some of the I.C.s - Great Britain, France, U.S.A., Czechoslovakia, Holland, Sweden and Belgium - followed by a meeting in London, on 22nd July, 1947, called by the I.C. of Great Britain, the first of the I.C.s to be established.

                It was unanimously recommended that the maintenance of the I.C.'s ideals everywhere should be entrusted to a "Council of the I.C.s", composed of representatives of all the existing I.C.s.  Prior to formation of any new International Club, approval of this Council must be obtained, such council to meet once a year in London, on the second Wednesday morning of the Wimbledon fortnight.

                The functions of the Council are now carried on by an executive committee composed of nine people with three year terms, as follows: representatives from the three oldest I.C.s, Great Britain, France and U.S.A.; six members from other International Clubs, nominated by the Nominating Committee with a view to regional representation. The seat of the executive committee is at the office of its Secretary, Peter McQuibban, to whom any application in connection with the formation of a new I.C. should be submitted.

BY- LAWS

1.             The Club shall be called THE INTERNATIONAL LAWN TENNIS CLUB OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INC.

OBJECTS

2.             The Objects of the Club shall be:

                (a)                To promote, by social union and match-play, good fellowship among tennis players who have represented this country abroad as members of touring tennis teams or who are or have been active in international tennis competition.

                (b)                To develop, encourage and maintain the highest standard of sportsmanship and understanding among tennis players of all nations.

                (c)                To assist in the welcome and hospitality of tennis teams and players visiting the United States of America from abroad.

                (d)                To provide members with information of tennis clubs and facilities in overseas countries.

MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION

3.             The Club shall consist of men and women who are tennis players as either:

(a)           Active Members

            (b)                International Members

             (c)                Honorary Members, or

             (d)                Junior Members.

                Active Members shall be citizens or residents of the United States of America and shall only be eligible for election if, in the judgment of the Club's Board of Directors, (a) they have demonstrated their interest in the Objects of the Club, and (b) as tennis players, they have achieved a high standard of play and have either (i) represented their country in international competition, (ii) won national championships in any age category, or (iii) played, or been invited to play, in international team matches approved by the Club.

                International Members shall not be citizens of the United States of America and shall be eligible for election as such, provided that they have been members of an international team visiting the United States of America, or have participated in matches of an international character or have rendered signal services to international tennis. No person shall be elected an International Member unless he or she is a member of; and is approved by, the International Club (if any) of his or her country.

                Honorary Members shall be limited to citizens of the United States of America and shall not exceed thirty in number. A person, in order to qualify for election as such, shall have rendered signal service to tennis in general and particularly to international tennis in a capacity other than as a player.

                Junior Members shall be citizens or residents of the United States of America who satisfy the eligibility requirements for Active Members but have not yet attained the age of twenty-five years.  Junior Members are not liable fo the Annual Contribution.  Upon attaining the age of twenty-five years, they cease being Junior Members but shall become eligible for election as Active Members.

                In the following By-Laws the word "Members," unless otherwise indicated, shall apply to Active, International, Honorary and Junior Members.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS

4.             The Election of Members is vested in the Directors.  Members shall be elected by the affirmative vote of four-fifths of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.  Every Candidate for membership shall be proposed and seconded by and have his or her qualifications for membership presented by his or her proposer and seconder and his or her qualifications shall be read at a meeting of the Directors and the Candidate shall be eligible for election at that meeting. Unless permitted by the Directors, no rejected Candidate shall be again proposed until after the expiration of three months.  No Candidate twice rejected shall be again proposed as a Member.

NEW MEMBERS

5.             Each new Member shall receive from the Secretary notice in writing of his or her election and a copy of the Club’s By-Laws.  The new Member shall be requested to pay the Annual Contribution for the current year to the Treasurer; the payment of which shall be considered as implying acquiescence in, and submission to, the objects and By-Laws of the Club.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE  

6.             There shall be a Nominating Committee appointed annually by the President consisting of three Members at least two of whom shall be Directors and neither of whom shall be officers. The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be designated by the President.

                The Nominating Committee shall report to the President not less than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting of Members its nominations for Officers and Directors to succeed the Officers and the retiring class of Directors.

                Other nominations may be made by a writing signed by not less than twenty-five Active Members and filed with the Secretary not less than thirty days prior to the Annual Meeting of Members..

DIRECTORS  

7.             The management of the Club shall be vested in the Directors, consisting of not less than fifteen nor more than twenty-five as set by the Directors.  Not more than three Directors shall be other than Active Members. The term of each Director shall be four years or until a successor has been elected and qualified

                The Directors shall meet at such times and places as they may consider necessary and convenient for the transaction of business.  The Secretary shall mail to the Directors notice of the date, place and hour of each such meeting at least fourteen days prior to the date of such meeting.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS  

8.                Vacancies in the Directors shall be filled by vote in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of Members. Directors whose terms have expired shall be eligible for re-election unless they have served eight consecutive years during any period of time commencing after the 1998 Annual Meeting of Members, in which case they shall not be eligible for re-election until one year has elapsed from the time they ceased holding office as Director. Only Active Members may vote for the election of Directors.

                In the event of any vacancies occurring in the Directors after the annual election, the Directors shall have the power to fill such vacancies by appointment.  The Members so appointed shall retire at the Annual Meeting of Members next following such appointment but shall be eligible for re-election at that Annual Meeting.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

9.             At the first meeting of the Directors following the Annual Meeting of Members, the Directors shall elect from among their members a Chairman, a President, an Executive Vice President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary; and a Treasurer. In addition, the Directors may elect from the Club's membership an Honorary Chairman, a Captain or Co-Captains, and an Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer. Each officer shall hold office for one year or until a successor has been elected and qualified.  All officers are eligible for re-election.

  QUORUM

10.           The requirements for a Quorum for Annual and Special meetings of the Members shall be one-tenth of the total number of Members entitled to vote.  Unless provided otherwise in these By-Laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of Active Members present at any such Meeting at which a quorum is present is required to constitute the act of the Members.

                The requirements for a Quorum for meetings of the Directors shall be one-third of the entire number of Directors.  Unless provided otherwise in these By-Laws, the affirmative vote of a majority of Directors present at any such Meeting at which a quorum is present is required to constitute the act of the Directors.

 ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

11.           An Annual Meeting of members of the Club shall be held at such place and hour; and on such day during the U.S. Open Singles Championship, as the Directors may appoint. Particulars of resolutions to be brought forward at the Annual Meeting shall be sent to the Secretary at least four weeks prior to the Meeting in each year; at least fourteen days' notice of the date, place and hour of the Annual Meeting shall be mailed to all Active Members of the Club resident in the United States of America, together with a copy of any resolution to be moved. For the purpose of preparing the Annual Balance Sheet and Report of the Treasurer, the fiscal year of the Club shall terminate on May 31st. Only Active Members may vote.  All International, Honorary and Junior Members are welcome to attend the Annual Meeting.

  SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

12.           A Special Meeting may be called at any time by the Directors for the purpose of considering any matters affecting the welfare and By-Laws of the Club.  A Special Meeting shall be called on receipt of a request in writing, signed by at least twenty-five Active Members of the Club, specifying the objects of such meeting, at which the discussion shall be confined to those objects. Fourteen days' notice shall be mailed to all Active Members giving the date, place and hour of such Special Meeting.

COMMITTEES

13.           There may be an Executive Committee, a Finance Committee and such other committees as the Directors or the President shall appoint, with such duties as shall be specified by the Directors or the President.

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION

14.           The minimum Annual Contribution for Active Members, due and payable to the Treasurer on election and thereafter on or before April 1st of each year, shall be such amount as shall be set by the Directors from time to time. If the payment of the minimum Annual Contribution by a new member is not made within one calendar month after notification of election, the election of the New Member shall be revoked and the Member's name shall be removed from the list of Members of the Club, unless the Directors otherwise direct. Any Active Member whose current year's Minimum Annual Contribution shall be unpaid on October 1^st shall receive notice thereof from the Treasurer.  If such Contribution shall remain unpaid at the end of such current year, he or she cease from that time to be a Member of the Club, unless he or she can justify the delay to the satisfaction of the Directors or unless the Directors shall otherwise direct. Any member desiring to resign must signify' his or her intention before June 1^st; otherwise he or she shall be liable for the current year's minimum Annual Contribution.

EXPULSION  

15.           Should the conduct of any Member, either in the opinion of the Directors or of at least twenty-five Members of the Club (who shall certify the same to the Directors in writing), be regarded as injurious to the interests of the Club or incompatible with its objects, as defined in By-Law #2, the Directors shall have the power, after investigation, to recommend, in writing, that such Member resign. If the Member so recommended shall not comply within fourteen days, the President shall then call a Special Meeting of the Directors, and, if at such Meeting at which a quorum is present, a two-third majority of Directors present shall vote to expel such Member, the membership of such Member shall be revoked, the Member's name shall be removed from the list of Members and he or she shall forfeit all Contributions and the right to claim the privileges of membership of the Club.

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS  

16.           These By-Laws may be amended at any Meeting of the Members at which a quorum is present by a vote of two-thirds of the Active Members present in person or by proxy; provided, that written notice of each proposed amendment has been given to the Secretary at least thirty days prior to such Meeting and is set forth in the notice of the Meeting mailed to the Active Members at least fourteen days prior to such Meeting.  

                These By-Laws may also be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors present; provided, that written notice of each proposed amendment has been give to the Secretary at least thirty days prior to such meeting and is set forth in the notice of the meeting mailed to the Directors at least fourteen days prior to such meeting.