BYLAWS OF
MARYLAND OUTFITTERS AND GUIDES ASSOCIATION, INC.
A Nonstock Corporation |
| Article I |
| Name |
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| 1. |
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The name of this organization shall be "Maryland Outfitters and Guides
Assocation," herein after referred to as "the Assocation."
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| Article II |
| Purpose |
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| 1. |
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Create representation for Outfitters and Guides in the Wildlife Heritage
Service, Wildlife Advisory Commission, Migratory Bird Commission and to
open dialogue to all state and federal agencies including enforcement.
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| 2. |
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Monitor, address and submit bills to the legislature dealing with Wildlife issues.
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| 3. |
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Keep the membership informed and respond to all issues that may affect our hunting heritage.
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| 4. |
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To defend, protect and enhance our state's wildlife legacy.
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| Article III |
| Organizational Structure |
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| 1. |
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The Association will be a non-profit, all volunteer organization consisting
of outfitters, guides and individuals throughout the United States.
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| Article IV |
| Membership |
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| 1. |
| General.
Membership shall be open to all outfitters, guides and individuals operating
in the United States who subscribe to the objectives of the Association
without reservation, approved by the Board of Directors of the Association.
Non-residents may join as outfitters, guides, associates and or supporters.
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| 2. |
| Membership classes.
There shall be four classes of membership.
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| | A. |
| Outfitters shall have the following rights. |
| | a. |
| to serve as a Director or Executive Officer of the Board |
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| B. |
| Guides shall have the following rights. |
| | a. |
| to serve as a Director of the Board |
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| C. |
| Associate Members shall have the following right. |
| | a. |
| to serve on any committee |
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| D. |
| Supporter Members shall have the following right. |
| | a. |
| to serve on any committee |
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| 3. |
| Membership standing.\n
Members shall be considered as "Association" members in good standing when
their annual dues are current. 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."
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| Article V |
| Voting |
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| 1. |
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Only Outfitters and Guides will have voting privileges
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| Article VI |
| Dues |
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| 1. |
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The annual dues for membership in the Association will be $200.00 for
Outfitters. $50.00 for Guides, Supporter for $20.00, and Associate Members
$100.00 and up.
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| Article VII |
| Officers and Directors |
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| 1. |
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The initial number of Directors of the Corporation shall be four (4). The
names of the directors of the Corporation are: F. Tyler Johnson, Richard
Clint Evans, Carla F Johnson, and Donna Schrader, who shall serve until the
organizational meeting of the corporation. After the initial meeting the
initial directors may increase the number of directors up to thirteen (13)
directors. The Directors shall hold their office until the annual meeting
of the Association at which time elections shall be held. The Directors
may appoint officers; who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors and delegate authority to act on behalf of the Association, to
those officers by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors.
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| Article VIII |
| Committees |
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| 1. |
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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 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 Association's financial records. Such audit shall
commence no sooner than Febuary 1st and be completed no later than February
28th for the preceding calendar year.
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| Article IX |
| Meetings |
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| 1. |
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The Association shall convene in regular convention annually at the will
and pleasure of the Board of Directors. There will be at least three (3)
additional Board of Directors meeting held throughout the year. The Board
of Directors meetings held throughout the year. The Board of Directors
shall determine the definite date, time and meeting place. Directors are
required to attend all Board of Directors meetings. In the event a Director
is unable to attend such meetings, they shall notify the other Directors
as soon as possible and any report they inteded to give.
A quorum for the Board shall include at least two-thirds of the Directors.
Robert's Rule of Order (revised) shall govern conduct of all meetings.
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| Article X |
| Nominations and Elections |
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| 1. |
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The Directors 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 Directors shall submit their credentials to the election
committee at least sixty (60) 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 be 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 coy 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 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 three (3) members of the Association
in 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 two (2) candidates with the most votes.
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| Article XI |
| Terms of Office |
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| 1. |
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All terms of Directors shall commence immediately upon the adjournment
of the meeting at which the election was held. Such officers and directors
shall hold office for terms of one (1) year. Officers and Directors may
serve in any office more than one term consecutively.
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| Article XII |
| Dissolution |
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| 1. |
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In the event the Association shall cease to exist as an organization of
Maryland Outfitters and Guides for any cause of 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 Assocation shall be
delivered to the NRA Foundation.
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| Article XIII |
| Removal, Serverance, and Vacancies |
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| 1. |
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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
appoiont 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 2/3rds vote being necessary). At that time, the Board will
have 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 please their case. The Board will
then, within 14 days of the individual's written or verbal rebuttal, decide
by a 2/3rds vote wheter 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 form office.
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.
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| Article XIV |
| Incorporation |
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| 1. |
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The Association, having already obtained incorporation status, shall
remain incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland as a non-profit
organization.
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| Article XV |
| Discrimination |
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| 1. |
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The Association will not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion,
national origin, age, sex, marital status or disability.
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| Article XVI |
| Amendments |
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| 1. |
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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.
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