DSBA History
The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association was founded in the fall of 1948 by Ty Tyson and other sports announcers in metropolitan Detroit. Tyson and others were disenchanted with what they perceived as 'second class citizenship' in the press box at then-Briggs Stadium. It seems the electronic media were not 
granted the access afforded the baseball and pro football writers in Detroit. Recognition of the organization came quickly. Regular sportscasters of all major Detroit stations became members and took an active role in supporting the DSBA. Membership later swelled as color analysts and sportscasters from other radio, television and cable stations joined. Meetings were held weekly at the Detroit Press Club as major sports news was broken at the Wednesday noontime gatherings. For several years, the name of the organization was unofficially changed to Detroit Sports Broadcasters and Sports Writers Association to reflect the diverse media membership.
The DSBA presidency reads like a 'Who's Who' of Detroit TV and radio: Ty Tyson, Paul Williams, Al Nagler, Fred Wolf, Van Patrick, Budd Lynch, Bob Reynolds, Bill Flemming, Bruce Martyn, Joe Gentile, Dave Diles, Ray Lane, Vince Doyle, John Fountain, Bill Humphries, Larry Adderley, Chris McClure, Dave Lew Allen, Kurt Schneider, Rich Kincaide, Jim Brandstatter, Ken Kal, Will Tieman and Vicki Foley, among many others. Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inductees from the ranks of the DSBA include Ernie Harwell, Bob Ufer, Frank Beckmann, George Blaha, Paul Carey, Tyson, Flemming, Patrick, Lynch, Reynolds, Martyn, Diles and Lane.
Weekly DSBA meetings are now replaced by special media events with guests and program themes, held at Hockeytown Cafe (Detroit), Ginopolis On The Grill (Farmington Hills) or other venues. Sports broadcasters, sports writers, sports photographers, P.A. announcers, sports public/media relations/SIDs, sports marketing professionals, ADs, as well as student electronic journalists from high schools and colleges, comprise the DSBA.
The DSBA reaches out to the community with its successful Grant Fund program, an executive director, popular awards such as the Ernie Harwell Lifetime Achievement Award, Ty Tyson Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Award, Kathy Best 'Best of the Best Award', the Tigers/Lions/Red Wings Rookies of the Year, and the Lions Media-Friendly 'Good Guy' Award. Our charity Golf Outing includes the President's Cup Trophy and Challenge Cup to low-score winners from general golf foursomes and athletics/sports departments foursomes, respectively.
For further information on the DSBA or to apply for membership use the tab at the top of our home page or e-mail Dsba1@yahoo.com, call (586) 558-9103, fax (586) 558-9104, or write to P.O. Box 1222, Warren, MI 48090-1222. Dues are $60.00 annually plus a one-time $20.00 initiation fee. Student (Junior) members who are in college or high school journalism programs, pay $20.00 annually plus the one-time $20.00 initiation fee.
DSBA Presidents:
Ty Tyson, Don Wattrick, Paul Williams, Al Nagler, Van Patrick, Budd Lynch, Bob Reynolds, Fred Huber, Bill Fleming, Bruce Martyn, Fred Wolf, Joe Gentile, Dave Diles, Ray Lane, Don Kremer, Larry Adderly, Vince Doyle, John Fountain, John Cwikla, Bill Humphries, Chris McClure, Kurt Schneider, Dave Lew Allen, Gary Ratski, Paul Chapman, Mark Unger, Raymond Rolak, Rich Kincaide, Ken Kal, Jim Brandstatter, Jim Stark. Will Tieman & Vicki Foley.
DSBA Lifetime Honorary Members:
Jack Adams, Edmund Barber, Kathy Best, Paul Carey, Jerome Cavanaugh, Jim Chapman, Jim Cornelius, Fritz Crisler, Istvan Danosi, Hugh (Duffy) Daugherty, Dave Diles, Anne Doyle, Marvin (Sonny) Eliot, Les Etter, Bill Fleming, John Fountain, Joe Gentile, Steve Ham, Jim Hart, Ernie Harwell, Edgar Hayes, Fred Huber, Bill Humphries, George Kell, Don Kremer, Budd Lynch, John MacInnes, Bruce Martyn, Hal Middlesworth, Johnny Mowers, Al Nagler, Bennie Oosterbaan, Paul Pentecost, Bob Reynolds, Jack Riggs, Glenn (Bo) Schembechler, Elliott Trumbull, Ty Tyson, Bob Ufer and Paul Williams.
DSBA AWARDS:
- DSBA Lifetime Honorary Member Award
- Detroit Tigers DSBA Rookie of the Year
- Detroit Red Wings DSBA Rookie of the Year
- Detroit Lions DSBA Rookie of the Year
- Detroit Lions PFWA-DSBA 'Good Guy' Media-Friendly Award
- Retired-Detroit Shock DSBA Player of the Year
- DSBA Ty Tyson 'Excellence in Sports Broadcasting' Award
- DSBA Kathy Best ''Best of the Best' Award
- DSBA Ernie Harwell Lifetime Contribution Award
- DSBA President's Trophy (First Place General Team at annual DSBA Charity Golf Outing)
- Retired-DSBA (Kurt) Schneider Cup (First Place General Team at annual DSBA Charity Golf Outing)
- DSBA Challenge Cup (First Place Sports Organization Team at annual DSBA Charity Golf Outing)
- NOTE: Many DSBA trophies are on permanent display at Hockeytown Cafe in downtown Detroit
DETROIT TIGERS/DSBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 2011 - Al Albuquerque
- 2010 - Austin Jackson
- 2009 - Rick Porcello
- 2008 - Armando Galarraga
- 2007 - Ryan Raburn
- 2006 - Justin Verlander
- 2005 - Curtis Granderson
- 2004 - Nook Logan
- 2003 - Craig Monroe
- 2002 - Carlos Pena
- 2001 - Victor Santos
- 2000 - Jose Macias
- 1999 - Gabe Kapler
- 1998 - Matt Anderson
- 1997 - Deivi Cruz
- 1996 - Tony Clark
- 1995 - Bobby Higginson
- 1994 - Chris Gomez
- 1993 - Chris Gomez
- 1992 - Scott Livingstone
- 1991 - Milt Cuyler
- 1990 - Travis Fryman
- 1989 - Kevin Ritz
- 1988 - Paul Gibson
- 1987 - Matt Nokes
- 1986 - Eric King
- 1985 - Nelson Simmons
- 1984 - Barbaro Garbey
- 1983 - Dave Gumpert
- 1982 - Glenn Wilson
- 1981 - No Award
- 1980 - Rick Peters
- 1979 - Lynn Jones
- 1978 - Lou Whitaker
- 1977 - Dave Rozema
- 1976 - Mark Fidrych
- 1975 - Vern Ruhle
- 1974 - Ron LeFlore
- 1973 - Dick Sharon
- 1972 - Chuck Seelbach
- 1971 - No Award
- 1970 - Elliott Maddox
- 1969 - Mike Kilkenny
DETROIT RED WINGS/DSBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 2010-11 - Jakub Kindl
- 2009-10 - Jimmy Howard
- 2008-09 - Jonathan Ericsson
- 2007-08 - Derek Meech
- 2006-07 - Jiri Hudler
- 2005-06 - Johann Franzen
- 2004-05 - None Awarded
- 2003-04 - Niklas Kronwall
- 2002-03 - Henrik Zetterburg
- 2001-02 - Pavel Datsyuk
- 2000-01 - None Awarded
- 1999-2000 Jiri Fischer
- 1982-1998 None Awarded
- 1980-81 - John Barrett
- 1979-80 - Mike Foligno
- 1978-79 - Wilhelm Huber
- 1977-78 - Dale McCourt
- 1976-77 - Jim Nahrgang
- 1975-76 - Michel Bergeron
- 1974-75 - Bill Lochead
- 1973-74 - Bill Hogaboam
- 1972-73 - Henry Boucha
- 1971-72 - Marcel Dionne
- 1970-71 - Tom Webster
- 1969-70 - Al Karlander
- 1968-69 - Paul Popiel
- 1967-68 - Gary Jarrett and Roy Edwards
- 1966-67 - not awarded
- 1965-66 - Bert Marshall
- 1964-65 - Roger Crozier
- 1963-64 - Pit Martin
- 1962-63 - Doug Barkley
- 1961-62 - Bruce MacGregor
- 1960-61 - Hank Bassen
- 1959-60 - Murray Oliver
- 1958-59 - Len Lunde
- 1957-58 - Don Poile
- 1956-57 - Billy Dea
- 1955-56 - Glenn Hall
- 1954-55 - not awarded
- 1953-54 - Bill Dineen
- 1952-53 - Marcel Bonin
- 1951-52 - Glen Skov
- 1950-51 - Terry Sawchuk
- 1949-50 - Steve Black
- 1948-49 - Max McNab
DETROIT LIONS/DSBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 2011 - To Be Announced
- 2010 - Ndamukong Suh
- 2009 - Louis Delmas
- 2008 - Kevin Smith
- 2007 - Gerald Alexander
- 2006 - Ernie Sims
- 2005 - Shaun Cody
- 2004 - Kevin Jones
- 2003 - Boss Bailey
- 2002 - Joey Harrington
DETROIT LIONS/DSBA-PFWA 'Good Guy' AWARD
- 2011 - To Be Announced
- 2010 - Calvin Johnson
- 2009 - Dominic Raiola
- 2008 - Corey Smith
- 2007 - Roy Williams
- 2006 - Mike Furrey
- 2005 - Cory Schlesinger
- 2004 - Eddie Drummond
- 2003 - Dre' Bly
- 2002 - Jason Hanson
DETROIT SHOCK/DSBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
- 2009 - Deanna Nolan
- 2008 - Deanna Nolan
- 2007 - Deanna Nolan
DETROIT SHOCK/DSBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- 2006-2009 - None Awarded
- 2005 - Kara Braxton
- 2004 - Chandi Jones
TY TYSON 'EXCELLENCE IN SPORTS BROADCASTING AWARD'
- 2011-12 - To Be Announced
- 2010-11 - Ken Daniels/Red Wings Hockey & Fox Sports Detroit
- 2009-10 - Frank Beckmann/U-M Football & WJR-AM
- 2008 - Dan Dickerson/Tigers Baseball & WXYT-FM
- 2007 - Ken Kal/Red Wings Hockey & WXYT-FM
- 2006 - Jim Brandstatter/Lions/U-M Football
- 2005 - Budd Lynch/Red Wings Hockey
- 2004 - Mark Champion/Lions Football
- 2003 - Ray Lane/Tigers/Lions/Red Wings/Big Ten
- 2002 - George Blaha/Pistons/MSU Football
- 2001 - Ernie Harwell/Tigers Baseball
- 2000 - Josh Lewin/Tigers Baseball & Fox Sports Detroit
KATHY BEST 'BEST OF THE BEST AWARD'
- 2010-11 - Tim Pendell, Lions
- 2009-10 - John Johnson, MHSAA
- 2008 - Will Tieman, Spartan Sports Network
- 2007 - George Eichorn, DSBA
- 2006 - Jim Streeter, EMU Eagles
- 2005 - Mark Engel, UDM Titans
- 2004 - Dennis Davidson, Boxing
- 2003 - John Lewandowski, MSU Spartans
- 2002 - Risa Balayem, Ford Field/Lions
- 2001 - Bill Keenist, Lions
- 2000 - Matt Dobek, Pistons
- 1999 - Tyler Barnes, Tigers
- 1998 - Tommy Cameron, MIS Speedway
- 1997 - Mike Murray, Lions
- 1996 - Bruce Madej, U-M Wolverines
- 1995 - Kathy Best, Red Wings
DSBA ERNIE HARWELL LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD
- 2011 - To Be Announced
- 2010 - John Fountain
- 2009 - Ernie Harwell
DSBA CHALLENGE CUP (First Place Sports Team at annual DSBA Charity Golf Outing)
- 2011 - Michigan State University Athletic Dept.
- 2010 - Eastern Michigan University Athletic Dept.
- 2009 - Oakland University Athletic Dept.
- 2008 - Oakland University Athletic Dept.
- 2007 - Oakland University Athletic Dept.
- 2006 - Oakland University Athletic Dept.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I - ADOPTION: November 1948. REVISED: November 12, 1952; May 16, 1956; August 31, 1960; August 15, 1979; April 19, 1995; June 2, 2004; April 16, 2007; June 2, 2011.
ARTICLE II - NAME: The name of the organization shall be 'The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.'
ARTICLE III - OBJECT: The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association shall have as its object:
A) The improvement of sports broadcasting in the Detroit area;
B) The welfare of its Members as well as the moral, social and professional involvement of the vocation of sports broadcasting;
C) The conducting of meetings, encouraged by the appearance of sports personalities, whose presentations to the Membership will be for the better understanding of the profession.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERS: Membership in the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association shall be considered upon written application to the association's Executive Committee, and accompanied by a recommendation from a 'Sponsor' who is a current Member in good standing. Upon receipts, the Executive Board shall investigate the application and make a recommendation to the Membership to 1) Accept; 2) Reject; or 3) Table, pending further investigation prior to vote by the Membership. Applicants shall be assigned to either one of three categories, ACTIVE, ASSOCIATE or JUNIOR, and must be approved by majority vote of the Membership.
There shall be an annual review of each Member's qualifications with said review conducted by the Executive Committee at its first meeting following March 1 of each year, at which time appropriate changes in Members' standing shall be made and announced.
Membership will be contingent upon meeting the stipulations set forth below in Article IV subsections and shall be maintained only upon continued fulfillment of those stipulations and payments of dues and fees as outlined in article III of the By-Laws.
A) ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: Persons regularly employed as members of the electronic broadcast community, who operate under license of either the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Canadian-Radio and Television Commission (CRTC), or Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in categories defined below:
1) Persons who conduct regularly scheduled sports news programs on broadcast, cable or telephone channels, licensed by the FCC, CRTC or MPSC.
2) Sports Directors of broadcast, cable or telephone channels licensed by the FCC, CRTC or MPSC.
3) Persons who in the course of their employment are directly under the jurisdiction of a sports director and regularly deal with sports subjects within sportscasts.
4) Persons who regularly deliver play-by-play accounts of sports events including color commentators.
5) Persons who host regularly scheduled audience participation sports programs.
6) Non full-time employees, commonly known as 'Stringers,' who are regularly contracted by broadcast entities, who operate under license of either the FCC, CRTC, or MPSC, to provide voice and/or interview material of sporting events.
7) Persons who are employed for the purpose of sportscasting via Internet dissemination.
B) ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: Persons who are connected with sports and its attendant broadcast potential in categories defined below, but do not pursue sports broadcasting on a full-time basis:
1) Sports publicists, public address announcers, coaches, athletic directors, sporting officials, sports authors, sportswriters, sports marketing professionals, sports producers, executive producers and sports show screeners.
2) Dues-paying Members in good standing that no longer qualify as Active Members, but wish to maintain their status with the DSBA.
C) JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: Students who are affiliated with a sports broadcasting or sports writing curriculum on a regular basis at a Michigan college, university or high school.
D) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP: A special category, to be awarded to deserving individuals at the discretion of the Executive Committee, with the majority approval of the Membership (subject to verification in the official minutes of the DSBA). Persons designated as Honorary Members may be chosen from either the DSBA 'Member in good standing' roster, or may be a non-DSBA Member who is a prominent sports personality or supporter.
ARTICLE V - RIGHTS OF MEMBERS
A) ACTIVE MEMBERS may:
1) Hold any office in the DSBA.
2) Vote in all association elections.
3) Introduce legislation, participate in debate, initiate constitutional amendments, and vote on legislative and constitutional questions to come before the DSBA.
4) Initiate recall of officers.
5) Be members of standing or specials committees.
B) ASSOCIATE MEMBERS may:
1) Hold any elective office in the DSBA, EXCEPT that of PRESIDENT.
2) Vote in all association elections.
3) Introduce legislation, participate in debate, initiate constitutional amendments, and vote on legislative and constitutional questions to come before the DSBA.
4) Initiate recall of officers.
5) Be members of standing or specials committees.
C) JUNIOR MEMBERS may only:
1) Participate in DSBA meetings events.
2) Be members of standing or special committees.
D) HONORARY MEMBERS may:
1) Vote in all association elections.
2) Introduce legislation, participate in debate, initiate constitutional amendments, and vote on legislative and constitutional questions to come before the DSBA.
3) Initiate recall of officers.
4) Be members of standing or specials committees.
E) The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association shall design and produce Membership cards for the four above-mentioned categories, and distribute them to all Members in good standing on an annual basis.
F) Upon request, sports publicists shall be supplied with a roster of Members in good standing. Also upon request, the DSBA Executive Committee shall recommend to said sports publicists, those Members who should be eligible for working media credentials.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTED OFFICERS: The elected officers shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant at Arms. The officers shall serve for a period of one year. The President may serve succeeding terms not to exceed two consecutive terms in the same office. All other Officers may serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms in the same office. A vacancy in any office during any term shall be filled by ballot at any regular meeting soon after the vacancy occurs, and shall be for the balance of that term.
The title of 'Honorary President' shall be maintained in the name of Ty Tyson in perpetuity.
A) DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT: Preside over all organization meetings, serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee, appoint standing committees, coordinate committee activities, authorize disbursement of association funds, represent the organization in all united organization matters. This person must be an Active Member.
B) DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT: Serve as chairperson of the Program Committee, chair meetings in the absence of the President, assume presidential responsibilities on an interim basis in the event the President is unable to serve.
C) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY: Serve as chairperson of the Elections Committee and Grant Committee, keep and circulate minutes of all meetings, take attendance, prepare and circulate all correspondences and coordinate mailing of dues statements to be included with first October mailing of each year.
D) DUTIES OF THE TREASURER: Serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee, collect dues and other monies due the DSBA, disburse funds upon the approval of the President, maintain all necessary financial records and present the Membership a quarterly report of DSBA accounts. Maintain in the name of the DSBA a Savings Account to house Grant Funds, and a checking account to house all other monies collected. Present the Secretary with a dues statement for mailing to the general Membership prior to October 1 each year.
E) DUTIES OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS: Serve as chairperson of the Special Events Committee and maintain decorum of all meetings at the pleasure of the presiding officer.
F) The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
G) All elected officers and the immediate Past President shall be voting members of the Executive Committee, to which all other Committees report.
ARTICLE VII - NON-ELECTED OFFICERS
A) The EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR is employed in a self-sustaining position, responsible for a broad range of activities directly related to the growth and community participation of the DSBA with terms approved and overseen by the Executive Committee to include:
1) Employment on a contract basis subject to periodic review with duties of the position and length of employment specified in said contract.
2) Contract term to not exceed March 1 of any year, but may be renewed on an annual basis or semi-annual basis by a newly elected Executive Committee no earlier than January 2 of any year.
3) A non-DSBA Member may be considered to be contracted as Executive Director, but as a condition of employment, must become a dues-paying Member of the DSBA if hired.
4) The Executive Director shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
B) The MARKETING DIRECTOR is a non-paying position responsible for researching and managing projects approved by the President and Executive Committee that further the DSBA's financial and public image standing.
1) Each Executive Committee will appoint a DSBA Member in good standing to this position.
2) The Marketing Director shall be a non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE VIII - ELECTION PROCEDURE: The election committee shall seek nominations from the Membership and present qualified candidates for all elected officer positions by the first November meeting each year.
A) All candidates for elected office shall receive the opportunity to briefly state their qualifications and campaign platform in the annual December DSBA Newsletter, and via the DSBA official website between Thanksgiving weekend and the election.
B) Official DSBA ballots shall simply list candidates in alphabetical order of last name, without prejudice of incumbency or any other DSBA standing.
C) Design of official DSBA ballots shall both protect the 'Private Ballot' process, and also ensure authenticity.
D) Official DSBA ballots may be cast by Members in good standing with voting rights:
1. In person
2. Via US (regular) mail
3. Via fax
4. Via E-mail
E) No ballot may be accepted more than thirty minutes after the annual December 'Holiday Party' meeting is gaveled to order.
F) The Elections Committee shall tabulate and authenticate all properly submitted ballots during the 'Holiday Party' meeting.
G) Results of the annual election shall be announced via e-mail or US mail for those without e-mail, by the Secretary or, in his absence, the senior Elections Committee member, on or prior to December 30 of said year. Detailed election results shall then be posted on the official DSBA website and published in the annual January DSBA newsletter.
H) Newly elected officers shall assume their positions on January 2 of each year.
I) In the event a special election is required to fill a vacant position on the Executive Committee, the above election procedures (with exception of dates) shall be followed, with the vacant position filled at the first regular meeting after a list of candidates has been posted.
ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES: There shall be the following Standing Committees: Executive; Elections; Program; Grant; Finance; and Special Events.
The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE shall consist of all current officers and the immediate Past President. The President shall appoint members of the remaining committees during the first quarter of each year and add additional members throughout the remainder of the year as needed. Each committee shall have at least three (3) members, with the exception of the Executive Committee, which shall be as defined above.
A) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Shall secure and investigate the eligibility of desirable Members, coordinate organizational relationships with sports entities, conduct the annual review of Member eligibility, and oversee financial and all other operations of the DSBA.
B) ELECTIONS COMMITTEE: Shall solicit and accept nominations of qualified candidates for DSBA offices between August 1 and October 31 of each year, and be prepared to publish those nominations for consideration by Members at the first November meeting each year. The committee shall conduct, supervise, tabulate and authenticate election procedure and results under procedures described in Article VIII of this Constitution. Should a vacancy in any office occur, the Election Committee shall, as soon as is possible, present a list of qualified candidates to the Membership and conduct, supervise, tabulate and authenticate the results of said special election.
C) PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Shall schedule the agenda of all regular meetings.
D) GRANT COMMITTEE: Shall develop and announce a set of criteria under which grant monies shall be awarded, shall coordinate the disbursal of grant monies through the President and Treasurer, and the organization shall, by vote, annually select a designated charity or scholarship recipient process.
E) FINANCE COMMITTEE: Shall plan and manage the financial affairs of the DSBA including development of the annual budget, to be submitted to the Executive Committee for formal approval prior to July 1 of each year.
F) SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE: Shall coordinate and administrate all social, athletic and fund-raising events for the betterment of the DSBA.
ARTICLE X - MEETINGS: There shall be regular meeting, at least once per quarter, on as many dates of the year as possible at a time and place designated by the Executive Committee. The DSBA shall conduct an annual December 'Holiday Party' meeting for the purpose of holding elections and celebrating the holiday season. The President may call special meetings at such times and places deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee. Special meetings shall be publicized in the official minutes at least one week prior to said special meeting. The
DSBA will conduct an annual MEMBERS ONLY meeting on or before April 15 of each calendar year. The purpose of said meeting will be to review all actions of the Executive Committee from the previous year. The Executive Committee shall provide to the membership at the meeting all minutes from the previous year and a line item financial report. The
Executive Committee will provide an overview for all of the current year including a budget.
ARTICLE XI - FISCAL YEAR: The financial fiscal year of the DSBA shall commence each January 1 and run through December 31. Quarterly financial reports from the Treasurer shall be filed each January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, or the next regular meeting following the aforementioned dates. An estimated budget shall be developed by the newly elected Executive Committee each January, with an annual budget to be finalized by the Finance committee and Executive Committee prior to July 1 each year.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS: Proposed amendments to this Constitution must be presented in writing at a regular meeting, read by the Secretary at such a meeting, and left on the table until the next regular meeting, when a vote on such an amendment or amendments shall be taken. A two-thirds of the Membership present shall be necessary to approve any amendment.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 - QUORUM: A quorum of a regular, Executive Committee, or special meeting shall consist of a majority of the currently serving officers.
ARTICLE II - RIGHTS OF MEMBERS: Members shall have all the rights and be subject to the duties customary in parliamentary procedure. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary discussions.
ARTICLE III - CODE OF ETHICS: As Members of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, we pledge ourselves, insofar as it lies within our power, to further physical fitness and sports interest in our community through accurate and faithful reporting of events to which we are assigned or otherwise through broadcast dissemination of sports news. We pledge ourselves to maintain high standards or reportorial fidelity. We shall hold inviolate all sports information imparted to us confidentially. We are conscious of broadcasting's immense power, and we shall strive always to justify the confidence of the sports audience.
We specifically oppose:
A) Casting doubt or aspersion of the basic integrity of any established sport without full possession and complete comprehension of conclusive, overwhelming evidence fully supported in unassailable fact.
B) Any and all individual efforts to nullify or to encroach upon fully concluded commercial contracts for the broadcast of athletic events. The proper time for competitive effort is before a contract has been consummated.
C) The continuance of nourishment of personal animosities that may provide outlets for disturbed or over-stimulated egos but which are, viewed objectively, harmful to sports broadcasting as a whole.
D) Actions deemed detrimental to the operation and welfare of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and its Membership.
ARTICLE IV - FEES AND DUES:
A) There shall be an initiation fee for each new or re-applying Member. The amount of the Fee will be voted and approved on an annual basis by the Executive Committee upon recommendation by the Finance Committee. The initiation fee and first year Membership dues shall be payable in advance of each new or re-applying Member's acceptance into the organization. The first year dues will apply only until the end of the current fiscal year.
B) Annual Dues shall be assessed each Active, Associate, and Junior Member at the beginning of each fiscal year with dues rates to be voted and approved on an annual basis by the Executive Committee upon recommendation by the Finance Committee. Honorary Lifetime DSBA Members are not subject to dues.
C) Any increase in Initiation Fee or Annual Dues of more than 20% from the previous year must be approved by a 2/3 vote of Membership at the next regular meeting after the Executive Committee's approval of said increase.
D) Annual Membership dues are payable in full upon presentation of a bill by the Secretary and Treasurer. Dues for any calendar year are payable between October 1 and March 1.
E) Dues paid by a new Member on or after October 1 of any given year, shall be considered paid through the entire following fiscal year.
F) A majority percentage of surplus funds at the conclusion of any fiscal year shall be allocated as seed money to the following year's Grant Fund.
ARTICLE V - PENALTIES: Members delinquent in their dues after March 1 of each year shall be dropped from Membership rolls and relinquish all rights of Membership in the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. These persons must reapply for initiation and Membership. The Treasurer, as part of the April 1 quarterly financial report, shall publish the names of Members no longer in good standing.
Any Member found guilty of conduct unbecoming a Member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, by a hearing before the Executive Committee and such finding approved by the Membership, shall be dropped from the organization by a two-thirds vote. No refund of fees and/or dues will be given.
Such complaints should be submitted at any time in writing to the Executive Committee by a Member in good standing. The President shall then be mandated to call a hearing before the Executive Committee after written notification to the accused has been issued. All parties involved will be invited to appear before the Executive Committee during the hearing. The recommendation of the Executive Committee shall be determined by a poll by the President in a public forum.
ARTICLE VI - RECALL OF OFFICERS: May be petitioned for in writing at any time by a group of at least 6 (six) Members, provided:
A) The officer(s) in question are documented to have failed in their responsibilities to uphold provision(s) of the DSBA Constitution and By-Laws.
B) Recall election must be posted in the official minutes at least one week prior to a vote being taken.
C) Officers will be removed from office provided 60% of the Members in attendance at the meeting where the recall vote is held agree in the affirmative.
D) The Treasurer must be qualified and competent to maintain all the books and ledgers in accordance with acceptable accounting practices. All checks of $400 or more must be signed by the Treasurer and one additional member of the Executive Committee. All expenses must be submitted seperately and documented with receipts, if possible, before they can be reimbursed. Monies received at DSBA events must be documented and deposited seperate of any other deposits.
Effective: December 16, 2005. June 2, 2011.