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Constitution and By-laws
of
Maryland Bowhunters
Society
Organized on July 18,
1977
in
Montgomery County,
Maryland
Article I
A. This organization shall
hereby be designated as the “Maryland Bowhunters Society, Inc.” hereafter
referred to as MBS, founded on the date of July 18, 1977 and incorporated
August of 1977.
Article II
A. The goals of the MBS are
to promote and preserve ethical bowhunting practices throughout the State of
Maryland, and to seek and obtain additional bowhunting opportunities for sportsmen
and sportswomen.
B. The goal of the Society
is to unify bowhunters in a conscientious and sportsmanlike manner. The
Society shall promote a positive image of the sport of bowhunting and assist
other organizations whose purpose it is to support the sport of hunting. The
society will actively promote bowhunter education, safety, sportsmanship and
the education of the public in the role of hunters in wildlife management.
Article III
Membership Requirements:
A. A member shall vow;
1. To uphold the goals of
the society.
2. To practice and adhere to
all laws and the rules of fair chase when bowhunting game.
3. To assist others in
developing archery shooting skills and safe hunting techniques and to
facilitate goodwill among all hunters and promotion of hunter education.
4. To promote and practice
conservation of all natural resources.
5. To conduct themselves in
an ethical and sportsmanlike manner when hunting or engaging in society
functions.
B. Membership may be
granted to any person of good moral character who;
1. Has completed and
submitted an application for membership to the MBS and
2. Has submitted proper fees
to the membership secretary for membership and
3. Has had their membership
application accepted by the membership secretary and
4. Meets the requirements as
stated in Article III A.
C. Membership may be denied
or terminated for;
1. Failure to meet
membership requirements as noted above.
2. Willful violation of
local, state or national game laws.
3. Failure to renew dues
within 30 days of the expiration date.
4. Misconduct requiring
action by the Executive Council by a majority vote.
D. Membership shall not
be denied to otherwise qualified candidates on the basis of age, sex, race or
religion.
Article IV
Officers:
A. The officers of the MBS
shall consist of the elected positions of president, vice president,
executive secretary, membership secretary and treasurer. This shall comprise
the Executive Council.
B. Officers shall meet on a
regular basis (to be at least once each quarter) to conduct the business of
the society.
C. Upon election, officers
shall serve one two-year term of office. Officers who fail to perform
satisfactorily may be removed from office by a 4/5 vote of the Executive
Council or a 2/3 vote of the members present at a membership meeting.
D. The Executive council
will be elected on alternate years of the two-year terms of office. President
and vice-president in one cycle and executive secretary, membership secretary
and treasurer in another cycle.
E. Vacancies on the
Executive Council will be filled by appointment of the president and approved
by a majority vote of the Executive Council. The appointment will be the
completion of the original term of office which has been vacated.
F. Duties of officers:
1. President – The president
shall preside at all meetings of the society, shall be a member ex-officio of
all regular and special committees, and shall conduct such duties as pertain
to the office. The president will conduct the meetings and shall appoint such
committees and non-elective positions as may be required. The president will
rule on procedural questions at all meetings using “Roberts Rules of Order”
on matters not specifically addressed in this document.
2. Vice-President -
The vice president shall perform the duties of the president, in the
president’s absence, at the president’s request or should the office of
president be vacated.
3. Membership Secretary –
The membership secretary shall receive and date all applications for
memberships, keep an accurate, up to date roster of members (in a format
presented by the officers), maintain each member’s application and prepare
and distribute renewal notices.
4. Executive Secretary – The
executive secretary shall be responsible for the administration of the
society (except financial). The executive secretary shall record the minutes
of all meetings, and read the minutes of the previous meeting. The
executive secretary will see that each member of the executive council
receives a copy of the minutes for each business meeting, at least one week
before the following meeting. The executive secretary shall ascertain the
membership status of members present at all meetings. The executive secretary
will prepare the agenda for meetings and correspond for the society.
5. Treasurer – The treasurer
shall have charge of all society funds and be responsible for the same. The
treasurer shall place all money in such bank or banks approved by the
officers, within five working days of receipt of same. Such moneys shall only
be withdrawn by a check drawn on an active MBS account. Said check being
signed by the Treasurer and either the President or Vice-President and shall
be for payment of such bills/expenses approved by the officers. Any expenses,
with the exception of normal operating costs (i.e. newsletter, banquet
expenses, etc.), that exceed $500.00 shall be subject to prior approval
by a majority vote of those members present at a membership meeting. The
treasurer will submit quarterly reports to the executive council of the
finances thirty days after the end of the quarter. The treasurer will render
accurate accounts of all transactions and a detailed report at each meeting
and a full written financial report at each membership meeting. The treasurer
is responsible for the collection of all fees, dues, etc. The treasurer is
responsible for the filing of all federal and state tax returns and forms.
Article V
Appointed Positions:
A. Appointed positions shall
be added at the time there is a need deemed necessary to the functioning of
the society.
B. They shall be appointed
by the president and approved by a majority vote of the executive council.
C. Committees shall be
appointed by the president.
Article VI
Meetings and Elections:
A. Election of officers and
specific changes to the constitution and by-laws shall be performed at
membership meetings either verbally, or in writing by secret ballot, by fully
paid members.
1. The Society shall hold
quarterly membership meetings, rotating each meeting to different sections of
the State thus ensuring that all MBS members have equal opportunity to
participate in these meetings. It shall be the duty of the Executive Council
to arrange for the different meeting places. Notice of the meetings shall
appear in the issue of the official club newsletter, which precedes the
actual meeting date. (i.e. If a meeting is scheduled for March/spring it
shall appear in the January/winter issue.)
B. Any future changes to the
constitution and by-laws shall be presented to the general membership in
writing 30 days prior to a membership meeting and may be executed by 2/3 of
the members present at the membership meeting.
C. All ballots shall remain
with the executive secretary for a period of one year.
D. Time and place of
membership meetings shall be decided by a majority vote of the executive
council.
E. Quorum of officers to
hold a meeting shall be three (3).
F. Only a majority vote of
the executive council can call a special meeting of the society.
G. Any member of the society
may request a special meeting through the executive council.
H. Nominations for candidacy
shall be verbal or written and said nominees shall consist of those members
submitted by the nominating committee, who meet the following criteria.
Nominees who also meet the criteria may also be nominated from the floor at
membership meetings.
Candidates must:
1. Have attained the age of
21.
2. Be a member in good
standing for at least one year. In the event that no eligible candidates
volunteer for the office then the Executive Council may authorize a member in
good standing with less than one year tenure to serve.
3. Be a resident of the
State of Maryland.
4. Have broad experience and
considerable expertise in the sport of bowhunting and be a licensed Maryland
hunter.
5. Be of good moral
character.
6. Have the skills necessary
to carry out said duties of prospective office in accordance with the goals
and directions of the society.
I. Those candidates for
elected positions shall be elected by a majority vote of the society members
present at a meeting.
J. The term of office
consists of 24 months from the date elected.
K. Officers may serve more
than one term of office.
Article VII
Chapters:
A. Individual members of the
MBS may establish regional working groups hereafter referred to as Chapters,
to represent and/or carry out the goals of the organization within a specific
county or area. Chapter initiatives will enhance the visibility of the MBS at
the local level and provide greater opportunities for the members to
participate in convenient activities, which promote the sport of bowhunting.
The following operating procedures will apply to all chapter activities.
1. Each chapter shall have a
Director and Assistant Director. These individuals should be elected for a
two-year term of office by all members in good standing in each respective
chapter. There is no limit on the number of terms that can be served by
either the director or assistant director. All chapter directors and
assistant directors must also be members in good standing with the MBS and
meet the approval of the executive council.
2. All events, projects or
programs will have to be approved in advance by the president and the
executive council.
3. All income/expenses shall
be deposited/disbursed by the treasurer. Proper receipts for all expenses
must also be submitted to the treasurer. Chapters will not be allowed to have
to have their own checking or savings accounts. Any funds raised, less
expenses, is to be used at the discretion of the chapter.
4. There will be no limit to
the amount of chapters that there can be in a county. Chapters may also be
formed out of the State of Maryland. (PA, WV, DE, VA)
5. All chapters
will be required to meet on a regular basis (to be at least twice a year) to
conduct business. Written minutes of same shall be submitted to the MBS
president within 15 days of all such meetings.
6. Chapters will be subject
to the same rules and regulations that are listed in Article I through VI in
this document.
7. Chapters should promote
membership through the dealers in their areas.
BY-LAWS:
1. The fiscal period of the MBS shall be from July 1 through June 30.
2. The membership fees shall
be determined by the executive council and approved by the members at a
membership meeting.
3. All fees for renewal of
membership must be paid within 30 days of written notification.
4. Those members holding
appointed positions are responsible to the executive council.
5. No one member or officer shall
speak for the society before any group without obtaining specific permission
from the president with the approval of the executive council on official
society policy or legislative issues.
Adopted:
3/11/78 Revised: 8/12/84
Revised: 3/15/81 Revised: 3/13/89
Revised: 3/14/82 Revised: 3/04/95
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