Club By-Laws

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By-laws are legal documents that comprehensively outline the rules, regulations, and guidelines of any organization.  By-laws are often filed along with a corporation’s Articles of Incorporation when the business is first formed.

Our by-laws include the structure of the organization, and they are primarily established to protect the rights and itemize the duties and responsibilities of the directors, officers, trustees, and various committee members. Well-written by-laws can help an organization run smoothly by providing for every contingency, including elections, nominations, and settling disputes between parties. Organizations must formally adopt by-laws and may amend them as needed.

PIQUA FISH & GAME PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS
(ADOPTED BY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP) JUNE 2015

ARTICLE 1
This organization shall be known as The Piqua Fish and Game Protective Association Inc.

ARTICLE 2
SECTION 1
The objection and aim of this Corporation shall be the protection and propagation of all Fish and Game such as under the state and federal laws.

SECTION 2
To assist in enforcing all laws and to assist in prosecuting all violators who are reported to the Corporation. To cooperate with the farmers of the surrounding area in bringing about a better understanding between the sportsman and the farmer such as “no hunting” and “no trespassing” signs. And further for the members of the corporation and to obtain permission from the farmers before entering upon their land.

SECTION 3
To create a fraternal and social spirit among it’s members. To lend assistance when unjust charges are brought against them while on the premises or representing the Piqua Fish and Game Association Inc.

SECTION 4
To encourage the cooperation of the public in the development of the clean and wholesome outdoor sports in the surrounding area.

SECTION 5
To refrain from any and all political discussions during the business sessions of the Corporation, and to keep all action of this corporation free from any political connection except when dealing with wildlife, fishing and trapping issues.

SECTION 6
This corporation will back no political parties or persons.

ARTICLE 3

SECTION 1
Any legal resident of the United States of good clean sportsmanlike character shall be eligible for membership. Those under the age of eighteen (18) years of age, to be considered junior members, having the same privileges as adult members, except as noted in section 3 of this article.

SECTION 2
Application for membership shall be made to either the officers of said Corporation or any regular member thereof. Said application will be brought before the membership committee which is appointed by the executive board for approval and any questionable application before the executive board for approval. Two (2) no votes will prevent membership. When applicant has been approved and dues paid, applicant will receive their membership card. Any falsification information on the application will result in immediate revocation of membership.

SECTION 3
All adult members shall have equal rights to the floor when recognized by the presiding officer. All adult members shall have equal rights to vote on all issues coming before or during this session. (Membership shall commence November 1 and end the following October 31 of each calendar year. The membership drive is to be held in the month of October commencing the first (1st) day of the month.)

SECTION 4
There will be a minimum of one membership meeting per month. The meeting will be held on the premises of the association at a time and date set by the members. The meeting will be published electronically and by flyer encouraging members to come. Order of business will be financials, minutes of previous meeting, minutes of previous board meeting and general forum. During all meetings of the Piqua Fish and Game, “Roberts Rules of Order” will apply.

SECTION 4A
The executive board will set the annual dues, the initiation fees and yearly assessments. Dues paid within six (6) months will not require board approval.

SECTION 5
A three (3) day membership can be obtained from the club manager or bartender for a fee set by the executive board. The three (3) day membership can be obtained only twice (2) per calendar year except for public events. All persons on grounds must be members.

SECTION 6
Any member who brings legal action against this Corporation will automatically lose their membership. They must reapply for membership after a six (6) month period.

ARTICLE 4
SECTION 1
The executive board of the Corporation shall consist of seven (7) elected members and one (1) appointed. The appointed member shall serve as Treasurer, appointment being made by the elected board members. All elected members shall serve three (3) year terms. Term to be staggered and a minimum of one (1) member elected each year. The board at it’s January meeting will elect a President, Vice-President and Secretary.

SECTION 2
Members of the executive board shall be elected at the required December meeting and shall be installed at the January meeting and shall serve until their successors have been installed.

ARTICLE 5
SECTION 1
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Corporation. To see that all rules and regulations are strictly enforced and call special meetings whenever he deems necessary or upon written notice by nine (9) members of the corporation in good standing. He can appoint special committees except nominating committee.

SECTION 2
The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in case of absence or disability.

SECTION 3
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to attend all executive board meetings. A true record of all monies, receivables and payables is to be kept in such books as is provided. He shall make monthly financial reports to the executive board and to general membership on request. The Treasurer shall receive monies to be deposited in the designated banking institution. The checks shall be printed with the Corporation name and shall be signed by two (2) of three (3) designated persons whom are the President, Vice-President and/or the Treasurer. From time to time the executive board upon recommendations of the President and the Treasurer may add additional signatures to the check signing process.

SECTION 4
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend all executive board meetings and keep minutes of said meetings. He shall read all communications, papers received, committee reports and reply to same. In relation all committees must have written reports to the Secretary by the twenty – fifth (25) of the month for the previous month.

SECTION 5
It shall be the duty of the executive board to elect a capable person to replace any officer or trustee who resigns, becomes unable to do their duty toward the corporation, dismissed from the executive board or otherwise becomes disconnected with the Corporation. The new member shall serve the remainder of the replaced member’s term.

SECTION 6
The executive board shall have the power and authority to establish rules and regulations to govern the Corporation. The executive board shall authorize all expenditures and establish the spending limits for each department.

SECTION 7
It shall be the duty of the executive board to act on all important business and where it is found impossible to call a meeting of the Corporation or in cases of emergency.

ARTICLE 6
SECTION 1
There will be a minimum of one (1) executive board and one (1) regular business meeting per month. The meeting will be held on the premises of the Association at such time and date as set by the executive board. The board may establish other regular meetings to perform the work of the Corporation.

SECTION 2
The number of members necessary to constitute a quorum shall be five (5) for the executive board.

SECTION 3
The Secretary of the board shall preside ex-officio in the absence of the President and or Vice-President at the general meeting.

SECTION 4
Failure for any member of the executive board to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without a legitimate excuse shall be sufficient reason to remove member from said board.

SECTION 5
Only board members shall attend the executive portion of board meetings. Others may only attend if requested by a majority of said board members.

SECTION 6
Order of business for the executive board and/or general meetings shall consist of: Roll call, reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, treasurer’s report, secretary’s report, report of committees, communications, old business, new business, good of the Corporation, adjournment.

ARTICLE 7
SECTION 1
Any group of club members who schedules meetings or conducts affairs on club premises must represent itself to the executive board to be recognized as an affiliate or as a committee.

SECTION 1A
An affiliate’s main purpose is to serve the on going need of it’s members. Affiliates may operate infinitely.

SECTION 1B
A committee’s main purpose is to perform a certain task for the club. After the task is accomplished the committee may or may not be dissolved.

SECTION 2
Affiliates can be formed only after members wishing to do so submit in writing to the executive board their goals and intentions. Committees may form or be appointed at the general or executive board meetings. Formation of any affiliate or committee will be subject to a majority approval by members present at the general meeting.

SECTION 3
All affiliates and committee activities and social events are to be scheduled and coordinated by the executive board or designee. All said affiliates and committees self-imposed rules shall not conflict or supersede this Corporation’s rules and by-laws. All affiliates and committees except those appointed by the executive board are to be under the direct authority of the club manager.

SECTION 4
All affiliates and committees will be required to submit a report on their previous month’s activities to the secretary for presentation to the executive board and/or general meetings.

SECTION 5
All affiliates and committee monies are to be claimable by this Corporation. Committees can maintain money only in the Fish and Game general fund with their respected amount being noted separately in the Corporation’s financial reports. All non-operating funds received and/or raised for committees must be turned over to the treasurer for deposit. Dispersal of said funds will be made upon request of executive board by said committee head, affiliates will be permitted to maintain a separate account (checking only) as approved by the executive board for operating expenses. Full financial reports, as deemed acceptable by the executive board are to be submitted to the Treasurer for the last month, previous to meeting held. All funds are to include an overall Corporation financial statement and separated when appropriate. All affiliates and committees will have expenditure limits as set by the executive board before approval is required by either executive board or general membership. A building committee may keep funds separate of the general fund and may be specified for that purpose only. The signature on this account will be the same as the general fund except no one other than the officer of the Corporation may be on the account.

ARTICLE 8
SECTION 1
Any member wishing to file charges or complaints against another member must present same to the executive board in writing with their signature affixed before any action will be taken on such charges or complaints. Said paper can be placed in the suggestion box which will be opened at every executive board meeting.

SECTION 2
Any member can be disciplined only by the executive board for conduct unbecoming to a member of this Corporation. If deemed necessary, an investigating committee of five (5) members may be appointed by the executive board to investigate any and all violations of any rules, by-laws or club rules being broken on club premises. The findings of this committee will be turned over to the executive board with the executive board making the final decision.

SECTION 3
Any disciplinary action taken against a member, the member has the right to appeal the action within one (1) year of the date of action taken.

ARTICLE 9
SECTION 1
At the June and December meetings or at executive board’s discretion, the President shall appoint a committee consisting of three (3) members whose duty shall be to audit the books of both the Treasurer and the Secretary. This committee shall make a report to the executive board at the following board meeting.

SECTION 2
At any regular meeting the by-laws may be suspended for any specific reason during said meeting by unanimous consent of the members present.

ARTICLE 10
SECTION 1
No amendments to this constitution can be made unless presented in writing at a general meeting of Corporation or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Said amendment must be read at three (3) regular or special meetings before action can be taken for it’s adoption. Said amendment shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present for the adoption. Upon unanimous consent to those present (minimum 15) the requirement to read the amendment three (3) times shall be waived.

ADOPTED BY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP