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Constitution and Bylaws
Article I Name
The name of this organization shall be "Maryland Sportsmen’s
Association", herein after referred to as "The Association".
Article II Purpose
To promote the proper use of land and water resources for
conservation and propagation of fish and wildlife for recreational
purposes. To provide support for a statewide association of individuals
interested in promoting sound wildlife management. To provide maximum
opportunity to engage in the shooting sports, hunting, fishing, trapping
and other related activities. To provide financial and other support for
agencies and organizations dedicated to the enactment and enforcement of
laws, policies and regulations designed to protect and enhance the
natural resources of Maryland. To educate the public, and particularly
youth, with reference to the attributes of land, water and wildlife
resources and the part played by sportsmen in conserving such resources.
To promote recognition of commitment to conservation as a vital factor
in maintaining the state’s health and quality of life for all the people
in Maryland.
Article III Organizational Structure
“The Association” will be comprised of four regions within the state
(see organizational chart), Western, Central, Southern and Eastern. The
Central region shall also include Baltimore City.
Article IV Membership
Membership shall be open to all individuals in the State of Maryland
who subscribe to the objectives of this association without reservation,
approved by the Board of Directors of “The Association”. Individuals
shall be considered as “Association” members in good standing when their
annual dues are current. A family membership shall consist of parents or
guardian and all dependent children under the age of twenty-one (21).
Non-residents may join as associate members. Memberships are valid for
one year and are due for renewal one year after the membership begins.
Renewal of a membership must be completed within 30 days of the
expiration date in order to remain a "member in good standing".
Article V Voting
A family membership will have 2 votes and an individual member will
have one vote if present at the annual meeting for the election of
officers or matters of business affecting the organization. No one
member shall have more than one vote. Non-residents associate members
shall have no voting privileges as individuals.
Article VI Dues
The annual dues for membership in “The Association” will be $15.00
per individual. Family memberships will be $25.00 and a Youth Membership
will be $5.00 for anyone under the age of twenty one (21). The Board of
Directors shall determine future dues.
Article VII Officers and Directors
The Officers and Directors of “The Association” shall consist of the
following:
President, First Vice-President (which is one of the regional
Vice-Presidents), four Vice- Presidents (one from each region), four
Regional Directors (one from each region) and four Directors at Large
(can be from any region). The Board of Directors shall elect a
Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary. One regional
Vice-President shall be elected by the Board of Directors to serve as
First Vice-President.
The Board of Directors of “The Association” shall consist of:
(a) President
(b) First Vice-President
(c) Four Regional Vice-Presidents
(d) Four Regional Directors (one from each region)
(e) Four Directors-at-Large (from any Region)
Enclosed as Attachment 1 is the Duties of the Board of Directors as
well as Duties of County Representatives. Each member of the Board of
Directors, upon assuming office, must be an individual member in good
standing, and maintain individual membership for the duration of their
term in office.
Article VIII Committees
Committees may be established or abolished at the discretion of the
Board of Directors. Committee members must be individual members and
maintain individual membership for the duration of their time as a
member on any committee. Each year, the Board of Directors shall appoint
an Audit Committee comprised of three (3) Board members for the purpose
of conducting a yearly audit of the MSA financial records. Such audit
shall commence no sooner than February 1st and be completed no later
than February 28th for the preceding calendar year.
Article IX Meetings
“The Association” shall convene in regular convention annually at the
will and pleasure of the Board of Directors. There will be at least (6)
six additional Board of Directors meetings held throughout the year. The
Board of Directors shall determine the definite date, time and meeting
place. Board members are required to attend all Board meetings to
include any special meetings as called by the President. In the event a
Board member is unable to attend such meetings, they shall notify the
President as soon as possible and any report they intended to give,
shall be provided to the President for presentation at the meeting.
A quorum for the Board shall include either the President or a Vice-
President and not less than six additional Board members for a total of
seven members. In the absence of the President and 1st Vice President,
one of the attending Vice Presidents shall be assigned as Chairman for
that particular meeting.
A quorum for annual meetings shall be 15 members including either the
President or Vice-President and not less than six additional Board
members.
Each region shall have a minimum of two meetings per calendar year,
separate, apart and not in combination with any other organization's
meeting. However, in addition, each region may choose to meet at any
time, place or location when necessary.
Robert’s Rules of Order (revised) shall govern conduct of all
meetings.
Article X Nominations and Elections
The Officers of “The Association” shall be elected in convention
assembled at an annual meeting of “The Association”. To be placed on
the printed ballot, candidates for Offices shall submit their
credentials to the election committee at least (60) sixty days prior to
the convention. All candidates shall have been a member in good standing
for at least one year prior to election date.
Qualified candidates shall be Association members presently in good
standing, be a resident of Maryland and 21 years of age upon assuming
office. In the event unfavorable information concerning a nominee is
discovered, a written report will be prepared by the Election Committee
within ten (10) days and submitted to the Board for review and final
approval. The nominee will then be given a copy of the report and will
then have ten (10) days from the time of receipt to submit a written
rebuttal to the Board. At such time, the Board will review all of the
pertinent information and within ten (10) days, render a final decision
concerning the nominee's status as a candidate.
The election committee shall consist of (3) three members of “The
Association” in good standing who are not candidates.
A simple majority of votes cast is required for election. If no
candidate achieves a majority on the first ballot, a run off is held
immediately between the (2) two candidates with the most votes. Regional
Directors and County Representatives shall be filled from within their
respective regions following the above mentioned guidelines. Directors
at large shall be appointed by the Board.
Article XI Term of Office
All terms of elective officers and directors shall commence
immediately upon the adjournment of the meeting at which the election
was held. Such officers or directors shall hold office for terms of (2)
two years. Officers may serve in any office more than one term
consecutively.
Article XII Dissolution
In the event “The Association” shall cease to exist as an
organization of Maryland Sportsmen for any cause or circumstance, all
real and all tangible property held in the name of “The Association”
shall be sold to the highest bidder(s). The proceeds from such sale
shall be held in escrow in an account designated by the Board of
Directors of “The Association” for not longer than one year, before or
at the end of which period such proceeds, together with all other cash
and/or security accounts, shall be delivered to the treasury of such
qualified Maryland successor organization as may have been organized
for purposes similar to those espoused by “The Association”. Should no
such organization exist, all assets of “The Association” shall be
delivered to the NRA Foundation.
Article XIII Removal, Severance, and Vacancies
If any defamatory information is discovered or infraction against the
prescribed mission or policies of "The Association" occurs concerning a
member of the Board, disciplinary action may be taken. The Board shall
appoint a Committee comprised of three Board members to prepare a report
containing any facts and evidence pertinent to the case. This committee
will have 14 days from the time of their appointment by the Board to
prepare said report and present it to the Board. The Board will then
review the report in order to make a decision whether disciplinary
action is in order (a 3/4ths vote being necessary.) At that time, the
Board will have 14 days in order to present the individual a copy of the
report. The individual will then be given 14 days from receipt of the
report in order to submit to the Board either a written rebuttal to the
allegations or infractions or they may request an audience with the
Board to plead their case. The Board will then, within 14 days of the
individual's written or verbal rebuttal, decide by a 3/4ths vote whether
disciplinary action will be taken. Disciplinary action, depending upon
the severity of the infraction, may range from a verbal reprimand, to a
written warning or even removal from office.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the President either by
death, resignation, or removal, or for any other cause, the First
Vice-President shall fill the remainder of the term.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of First Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer or Membership Secretary, the President shall
convene the Board of Directors who shall, by majority vote, elect a
successor to fill the remainder of the term.
Any individual who violates any of the ethics, laws or rules of “The
Association” may be suspended from membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote
of the Board of Directors present at a meeting of the Board.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of director, the Board of
Directors shall appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term.
Article XIV Incorporation
The Association, having already obtained incorporation status, shall
remain incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland as a non
profit organization.
Article XV Discrimination
“The Association” will not discriminate with regard to race, color,
religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status or disability.
Article XVI Amendments
The by-laws of “The Association” may be amended at the annual
meeting of “The Association” by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of
the general membership present at the annual meeting. The general
membership will be presented proposed amendments sixty (60) days prior
to the annual meeting.
The foregoing constitution and by-laws were duly adopted at the
regular meeting of the Maryland Sportsmen’s Association held on March
14, 1998, and amended at the Annual Meeting on March 14, 1999 and on
March 19, 2000.
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