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Club  By-Laws






Club  By-Laws


 
BY-LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS
RICHLAND ROD AND GUN CLUB

The By-Laws, rules, and regulations of the Richland Rod and Gun Club were adopted at placeCityRichland StateWashington, February 1954.  Seven revisions have been made since 1954.

First Revision May, 1957
Second Revision, November 1962
Third Revision, December 1974
Fourth Revision December 1980
Fifth Revision, January 1996
Sixth Revision, May 2010
Seventh Revision, March 2015

Articles and Addendum - You may click on any Article or the Addendum to go directly to that section of the By-Laws.





 
Article 1 - PURPOSES

1.1: Provide educational programs that are available to the public to encourage and support safe and lawful outdoor recreation opportunities including hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife observation.
1.2: Support state and federal agencies with wildlife habitat projects and fish and wildlife surveys.
1.3: Train young sportsmen for future opportunities and responsibilities in wildlife management through education and examples of safety, good fellowship and sportsmanship.
1.4: Communicate with other like-minded organizations, landowners, government agencies and the public to promote cooperation in addressing issues related to fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
1.5:  Promote sustainable use of natural resources through public education and by providing input to state and federal government wildlife agencies regarding draft conservation and management plans and regulations.


 
Article 2 - MEMBERSHIP

2.1: All individuals are eligible to apply for membership.  Membership may be either individual or family.  Family membership includes spouse and all dependents less than 18 years of age.  
2.2: Application with dues shall be submitted at the next Board of Directors meeting for approval.
2.3: Annual membership year shall begin on April 1 and end on March 31 of the following year.  Membership shall automatically terminate if dues are not paid by June 1st.
2.4:  There shall be one class of voting members of the Club who shall annually elect Officers and Trustees to open positions on the Board of Directors.  Each membership, individual or family, shall have one vote.
2.5:  Lifetime membership may be awarded to any eligible individual by the Board of Directors . See Addendum - Award Criteria Guidelines.
2.6:  Upon receiving evidence of a member having committed an act inconsistent with the objectives of the Club and having been given an opportunity for defense, the Board of Directors may suspend or expel the member by a vote of two-thirds of Directors present at the Board meeting.  

 
Article 3 - DUES

3.1: The Board of Directors shall establish the annual dues structure.
3.2: Members awarded a lifetime membership shall be exempt from dues.  


 
Article 4 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4.1: The affairs of the Club shall be managed by the Board of Directors.
4.2   Elected Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
4.3:  The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected Officers, the Immediate Past President, plus up to fifteen (15) Trustees.
4.4: With the exception of the Immediate Past President, the Officers and Trustees shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the members present at the March general membership meeting. They will assume the responsibilities of their offices at the April general membership meeting.
4.5:  The Board of Directors shall have control and manage the property and affairs of the Club and all other matters not provided for in the Bylaws.  The Board of Directors shall meet once each month to plan and execute the Club program.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to make and amend rules, provided such changes do not conflict with these Bylaws.
4.6:  Fifty per cent (50%) of the Directors (Officers and Trustees) must be present at a meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
4.7:  The act of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, unless the vote of a greater number is required by the Articles of Incorporation or applicable Washington law.
4.8:  The rules of procedure for meetings shall be rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, newly revised, so far as applicable.
4.9:  When necessary to address an urgent matter, the President may request a special meeting of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary shall issue notice of the purpose, date, time, and place of any special meeting to all Directors.
4.10:  Club business may be conducted by phone, e-mail, or other electronic communications equipment.  Participation by electronic means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.  Ratification of any electronic Board of Directors meeting decision or action shall be required at the next regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting.
4.11:  Officers and Trustees must be members in good standing (dues paid current, no policy violations, etc.).
4.12:  Any Officer or Trustee may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the President or Secretary or at any Board meeting.
4.13:  Any Officer or Trustee may be removed from office by the Board, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Directors present at any Board of Directors meeting at which a quorum is present.
4.14:  A vacancy created by the death, resignation, removal, or disqualification of any Officer or Trustee may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term or for a new term established by the Board.        


 
Article 5 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

5.1: President - The President shall preside at all board, regular, or special meetings of the Club, casting the deciding vote in case of a tie, and perform such other duties incidental to the office.  The President is the Chief Executive Officer of the Club and is chairman of the Board of Directors.  The President shall present for approval the names of all chairmen of Standing Committees at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual election. The President shall inform committee chairmen of the responsibilities of their committees.  The President, or his designee, shall be the sole point of contact for the Club on matters pertaining to the Club.  All correspondence, letters of endorsement and official business from the Club shall be from the President, or his designee. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee not later than the January Board meeting.   The President shall appoint an Audit Committee to conduct an annual review of the Club's financial records.  The President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees.
5.2: Vice-President - The Vice-President shall assist the President in the execution of his duties and in the absence of the President shall assume and perform the duties as are incident to that office.   The Vice-President shall serve as the Program chair for his term of office and is also responsible for the Annual Picnic. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall succeed to that office for the unexpired term of the President.
5.3: Secretary - The Secretary shall keep a full and complete record of the proceedings of all Board of Directors meetings; maintain a roster of the Officers and Trustees; maintain and have charge of all correspondence of the Club, all of which is to remain the property of the Club, and shall be surrendered to his successor. The Secretary has the responsibility for the historical records of the Club. The secretary is also responsible for writing and publishing the monthly Club Bulletin which shall stand as a running history of the Club.
5.4: Treasurer - The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accounting of all monies received by the Club and pay all just bills.  The Treasurer shall maintain all checking, savings, and special money accounts of the Club.  He shall keep an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements, make monthly reports to the Board of Directors, and shall exhibit a full statement of the financial status of the Club at each annual meeting.  The Treasurer shall complete and submit such government reports and filings as are required to maintain the Club's non-profit status.  The Treasurer shall hand over to his successor a complete and accurate financial statement together with all funds and records pertaining to his office.  An annual audit shall be performed by person(s) selected by the President.  The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, require the Treasurer to furnish a Bond of Security for the faithful performance of his duties, the expense of such bond to be paid by the Club. The Treasurer shall preside over the Use of Funds committee and present a tabulation of proposed expenditures in January of each year for approval by the Board of Directors.
5.5: Immediate Past President- The Immediate Past President serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors and as a special advisor to the current Officers and Trustees.


 
 Article 6 - STANDING COMMITTEES and SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS

6.1:  Temporary Committees- The President and/or Board may designate and appoint temporary Board Committees and vest such Committees with such powers as they may see fit, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by the Board and by applicable Washington law.  Examples of temporary Committees are the Nominating Committee and the Audit Committee which are appointed by the President.  Committees may be chaired by a member who is not an Officer or Trustee but at least one Director must be on each Committee.

6.2:  Standing Committees- Standing Committees shall be established as directed by the President.  The President may use his discretion to add, subtract, or combine these committees, and shall call for a report of their activities at board and regular Club meetings.  The Standing Committee Chairmen shall be responsible for maintaining a current and accurate accounting of all Club property entrusted to them.  They shall report on their committee's status at the Board of Directors meetings and/or the general Club members meetings.   Current Standing Committees are: Webmaster, History and Awards, Use of Funds, Game Recovery, Fish, Big Game, Membership, Youth Activities, Hunter Education, Legislative, and Public Lands.  Suggested additional Standing Committees are: Upland Bird and Waterfowl, Wood Duck Nest Boxes, Salmon in the Classroom, Conservation, Door Prize (monthly meetings), Fishing Kids, Lunker Lake, Salmon Booth, Dog Training, Scholarship and Phone Tree.
6.3: Special Volunteers-The Club members listed as Special Volunteers are appointed by the President, and reviewed annually, and are generally former officers or Trustees and provide a reservoir of experience that is valuable to the Club.   Although Special Volunteers are designated to have powers similar to Trustees, it is not meant that they compete, but rather complement and re-enforce actions being considered by the Club.  Unlike the Trustees, it is not a requirement that Special Volunteers attend all Board meetings; nevertheless, Special Volunteers are encouraged to attend Board meetings.  Special Volunteers may vote at Board of Directors meetings on issues that do not impact fiduciary responsibility of the Club (monthly photo contest winner, dates for Club events, etc.).  Fiduciary responsibility is reserved solely to the Board of Directors.


 
Article 7 - ADMINISTRATIVE and FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

7.1:  Members having control of Club property shall keep an inventory of said property and location.  The inventory shall be presented to the President at the April Board of
Directors meeting.  A record of the inventory shall be retained by the Treasurer.
7.2:  The Club shall keep copies of its current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (Secretary); correct and adequate records of accounts and finances (Treasurer); minutes of the proceedings of its Board of Directors (Secretary), insurance policies (Secretary and President); a roster of the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of Officers, Trustees, and Special Volunteers (Secretary); and a current membership list including name, type of membership, date joined, address, phone number, and e-mail address (Membership Chair and Secretary); and such other records as may be necessary or advisable.
7.3:  The principle office of the Club for business purposes will be the Club Post Office Box.  When a physical location address is required, it will be the address of the Treasurer.
7.4:  The Board may authorize any Officer or Officers to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Club.
7.5:  The accounting year of the Club shall be the twelve (12) months ending December 31 of each year.
7.6:  Actions by the Board of Directors that set policy or have potential long-term impacts or significance, shall be tracked by a Resolution Number assigned by the Secretary.  Revisions to membership dues, authority to open or close bank accounts or be signatory to those accounts, investment of Club funds, or decisions to enter into contracts are examples of actions that require Resolutions.       


 
Article 8 - AMENDMENTS

The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting or any special meeting called for amending the Bylaws. Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be approved by the Board of Directors and then submitted in writing to all members of the Club not less than thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting or any special meeting called for amending the Bylaws.


 
Article 9 - ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Club shall be the regularly scheduled general membership meeting in March of each year.
9.1: The first item under “New Business” of the annual meeting shall be the election of Officers and Trustees.  The Nominating Committee will provide a slate of candidates.  Additional nominations may also be made from the floor during the meeting.  
9.2:  The second item under “New Business” shall be consideration of any properly submitted proposed amendments to the Bylaws.


 
 Article 10 - ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows unless changed at the discretion of the presiding officer.
Reading and approval of minutes of previous meeting (Board of Directors meetings only)
Pledge (General Meeting)
Introductions
Report of Officers
Report of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Election of Officers (Annual Meeting)
Program (General Meeting)
Adjournment




 
ADDENDUM

RRGC Award Criteria Guidelines

General Guidelines
1. Not necessary to present any award in a given year, only as Club service and contributions warrant.
2. Not necessary to be a Club officer to receive an award.
3. Guidelines may be waived in special cases.
4. An individual can receive each award only once.
5. All awards are presented by the President at the Annual Big Game Dinner or, alternatively, at a Club meeting depending on the awardee's availability.
6. President or appointee is chairman of the Awards Committee which meets each January to identify suitable candidates for each award.
7. Awards Committee makeup to be at discretion of President/Board of Directors.
8. Nominees for awards to be approved by a majority vote of the Board.

Distinguished Service Award - Established 1975
Description- An engraved plaque to be retained by the recipient. The DSA can be awarded to more than one individual in a given year.  Requires active support for Club projects and activities in excess of four years with at least one year as an officer or in excess of five years as a Board member or as a leader of a long term activity/project not necessarily a function of the Club or as a business contributing to the Club or as a sportswriter continually calling attention to wildlife related issues (can be non-Club member).

Gardner-Cranston Exemplary Volunteerism Award - Established 1998
Description-Engraved plaque to be retained by recipient, name plate to be installed on Master Award Plaque (to be displayed at an appropriate location) and to have possession of traveling perpetual trophy until relinquished to next recipient. The award shall be presented to no more than one recipient per year.
Requires continuous support for Club projects and activities and in excess of 15 years membership and in excess of 10 years of service on Board or as a volunteer with frequent attendance at Board/Club meetings and assumes leadership role on several projects or on a particular long term Club project and holder of Distinguished Service Award received as a Club member.

Life Member Award - Established prior to 1975
Description-In addition to recognition becomes non dues paying member of Club. The award may be presented to more than individual in a given year.
Requires recipient to be holder of Gardner-Cranston and Distinguished Service Awards and have in excess of 20 years active Club membership and be over 55 years of age.


March 2015