| BY-LAWS Article I: Membership and Dues Section 1. Membership Categories and Criteria. a. Regular Membership. Any licensed practicing, game hawker (falconer) who holds a valid California Hunting License with appropriate game species tags and stamps who presently hunts with his or her birds and is successful to a degree in the taking of legal prey species may apply for regular membership, who is neither antagonistic nor detrimental to the association or its purpose, who is at least fourteen years of age. No member shall in any way attempt to represent the Association on any issues concerning hunting, or falconry without prior approval of the Board and or membership. All applicants shall submit a photo copy of their valid Hunting license and valid falconry license. Photo copies shall be submitted annually with membership renewal. b. Affiliated Membership. Any falconry, hunting, fishing, coursing, trapping organization having purposes complementary or similar to those of this association may become an Affiliated Member. Section 2. Admission to Membership. Admission to all categories of Membership shall be within the discretion of the Board of Directors. Applicants for Membership shall submit a completed Membership application form, including a referral (endorsement ) from a current member who is in good standing. Section 3. Dues. Annual dues shall be established in amounts recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Regular Membership in a vote by mail or e-mail. Membership fees are due by Jan. 1st, if dues are not paid by Jan. 1st of the current year, membership shall be dropped and reapplication shall be required. Dues shall be payable to the Treasurer in the association’s name at the time of submission of application for Membership, or, in case of renewals, between Jan. 1st and Dec. 31st annually. Dues shall not be apportionable for any part of a calendar year, either upon admission to or termination of Membership. Section 4. Duration of Memberships. Upon payment of annual dues, Membership shall extend from calendar year to calendar year, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with these By-Laws. Section 5. Termination or Suspension of Membership. Membership may be terminated by resignation or death of the Member (to include dissolution of the association in the instance of Affiliated Membership). Affiliated Membership may be terminated for such cause and in such manner as, in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, is in the best interests of the association. Membership will terminate automatically if not renewed by payment of prescribed annual dues on or before Jan. 1st annually. Regular Membership may be suspended or terminated by the Board of Directors if, in the sole judgment of the Board, such Member has violated the By-Laws, rules or regulations of the association, or if, in the sole judgment of the Board, such Member’s status, activities, or motives are prejudicial to the best interests of the association. Such suspension or termination shall be imposed only by affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors; provided that a statement of the grounds for such action shall be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to such Member at his address on file with the association at least 30 days before suspension or termination action is taken by the Board; and, provided further that such statement shall advise the Member of the scheduled date of Board action and that he may, prior to that date, submit to the Board for its consideration any matters in explanation, defense, extenuation, or mitigation. Actions by the Board with respect to suspension or termination shall be final and shall not be subject to ratification by or appeal to the Regular Membership. The provisions of this subparagraph are not applicable to Board Members and Officers of the association. Board Members and Officers first must be removed from office as hereinafter prescribed prior to any suspension or termination of Regular Membership status. While in a suspended status, a Regular Member shall not be entitled to vote, serve as a Director, or hold office. e. Any Game Law violation resulting in the revocation of a members hunting or Falconry license will cause for termination of membership. Article II: Directors Section 1. Number of Directors. The number of Directors shall be determined by the needs of the association but not to be less than six. As the proportion of the Membership increases from other regions , new Directorships will be required to represent those regions. New regions shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by a two-thirds vote of the Regular Membership in a vote by mail or e-mail in the same manner as prescribed for amending the Constitution and By-Laws. Section 2. Electorate, Qualifications, Terms and Term Limits. Electorate. Board Members shall be nominated from the Regular Membership by Regular Members. Qualifications. Directors must be residents of the regions from which elected or appointed. Residence, for purposes of Director qualification, shall be the mailing address furnished by the individual and maintained on file by the association. c. Terms. The term of office of a presidential panel consisting of four presidents, two residing in the northern region of the state and two residing in the southern region of the state shall be two years. Directors terms shall be two years. The Board of Directors shall insure that the terms of half the Board begin on July 1st of even-numbered years, and the other half on July 1st of odd-numbered years. d. Term Limits. All Board Members (not including Secretary, Treasurer and Editor, which are defined as Officers) shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in any particular office; each term being two years in length. After vacating an office for one term (two years), the individual may again run for, and hold the same office. A regular member may run for, and hold office of a different distinction without waiting two years. Section 3. Election of FOUR Person Presidential Panel and Directors. The Presidential Panel shall be nominated and elected from the Regular Membership at large. The regional Directors shall be nominated and elected from the regular membership. Voting shall be done by mail or email and voting by proxy shall be prohibited. The Board of Directors shall have general authority to plan for, schedule, and supervise the election of Board Members by the Regular Membership. Voting rules and procedures to be promulgated by the Board of Directors shall, among other matters: (1) Permit the completion of regular elections not less than 30 days prior to expiration of the affected incumbents’ terms. (2) Provide to all Regular Members timely notice of both nominations and elections, and reasonable opportunity to nominate and to vote. (3) Insure that at least one qualified candidate is nominated for each Board position to be filled, and that each nominee is willing to accept the position if elected. Active competition for election to Board positions shall be encouraged. (4) Insure that elections are conducted in a fair and equitable manner. A majority (over 50%) of all votes cast for a particular Board position shall be required for election to that position. If no candidate receives a majority, a special election between the two candidates receiving the most votes shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible. If two or more candidates be tied for the most votes, or if one candidate receive the largest number and two or more be tied for the second largest number, then all who are tied shall participate in the special election. Section 4.a Within the discretion of the Board of Directors, it may delegate to any Board Member or Officer such authority as it deems appropriate and to create or dissolve new Offices as deemed useful. b. In addition to the general powers conferred, the Board of Directors shall control and manage all funds and property of the association, including specifically the appropriation and disbursement of its funds. The Board shall have authority to prescribe Officers’ responsibilities and job descriptions subordinate to these By-Laws. Section 5. Directors’ Meetings. A quorum as such will not be required, but, unless otherwise prescribed herein, the affirmative vote of over 50% of the Board, in person or in writing, by mail or email, shall be required for action on any matter. Voting by proxy at Board Meetings shall be prohibited. Not more than 20 days from the date of mailing shall be allowed to reply to any request for vote by mail (post or electronic). Any Board Member who shall fail on two consecutive occasions to respond to such a request shall be considered to have resigned his office as a Board Member. Specific circumstances shall be considered by the Board. Section 6.. In the event vacancies in the Board of Directors occur in any manner other than by expiration of term of office, then the remaining members of the Board, by majority vote, shall fill the vacancy temporarily by appointment from the Regular Membership.. Section 7. Submission to the Regular Membership. Any matter pertaining to the association must be submitted to the Regular Membership for vote by mail upon the written petition of one percent of the Regular Members (but not less than 10 Members). Within 15 days following receipt of such petition, the Board of Directors shall submit the matter to the Regular Membership for vote. In such event, the Board of Directors shall be bound by the resulting vote of the Regular Membership upon the issues submitted. Article III: Officers Section 1. Appointment and Tenure. All Officers shall be appointed and approved by the Board of Directors, from among the Regular Membership, at their discretion. Within the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Regular Member may hold the offices of Secretary and Treasurer simultaneously. Section 2. Duties of Officers. The Presidential Panel shall be the governing body of the Association and shall call and preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the association, except as otherwise prescribed herein. They shall be responsible for the planning and presentation of all matters requiring Board action or action by the Regular Membership, and the expeditious processing of such matters to a conclusion. Secretary. The Secretary shall: Give notice of all meetings of the Regular Membership. Keep minutes and/or other records of all meetings including meetings/communications by mail. Keep records of all actions taken by the Board of Directors. As directed by the Board of Directors, conduct correspondence on behalf of the association, including, but not limited to, membership renewal forms, meeting agendas, nominations, and ballots and maintain records of such correspondence, and maintain records of such other official correspondence of the association as may be furnished him by the Board of Directors and the Officers of the association. Maintain a complete file of all association publications. Obtain from the Treasurer and keep in the association’s files an accurate and complete list of the membership. Maintain all association files and records, other than financial, which are necessary for the conduct of association affairs. Perform such other and further duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall: (1) Serve as custodian of all association funds and property, and keep a strict accounting of all receipts and expenditures. (2) For equipment owned by the association (e.g., office equipment) and all association records, the Treasurer shall keep on file a signed agreement from association officials who possess association equipment and/or records, stating the ownership by the association; make, model and serial number in the case of equipment; definition and accounting of association records; and the return of equipment and/or records upon termination of duties. The Treasurer shall provide current copies of signed agreements to the Secretary. (3) Collect and receive all monies due this association from whatever source. (4) Pay only such expenditures as have been authorized by the Board of Directors. (5) Deposit all association funds in suitable checking and/or savings accounts protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); insure that signature cards on file with the bank bear the signatures of the Treasurer, the President, and the Vice President; and insure that the accounts are so restricted that the signatures of the Treasurer and of either the President or Vice President shall be required on all checks drawn thereon or withdrawals made therefrom. In absence of a Treasurer, at least two of the four person Presidential panel are authorized to sign checks for these purposes. (6) Maintain proper accounting records of the association, and, upon 10 days notice from the Board of Directors, submit to the Board a current statement of receipts and expenditures and a statement of fund balances. (7) Maintain complete lists and addresses of past and current Members and when required, certify to the status of Members. The mailing address furnished to the association by Members and maintained on file by the Treasurer shall be used as the official Membership list. (8) Members. The mailing address furnished to the association by Members and maintained on file by the Treasurer shall be used as the official Membership list. (9) Insure that expenditures do not exceed cash on deposit, and advise status of same. (10) Perform such other and further duties as the Board of Directors may direct, including an audit when appropriate. Article IV: Regular Membership Communications Section 1. Communications with Regular Members, in all its forms, shall be given the highest priority. An informed membership shall be the measure of success for the Board of Directors. Section 2. Regular Meetings. The Regular Membership shall be called to meet physically at least every year upon call of the Presidential Panel. Section 3. Membership Communications by Mail. a. Full notice of the issues involved in a vote by mail, or e-mail including a ballot on which to record the vote, shall be mailed to each Regular Member at his mailing address on file with the association, not less than 45 days prior to the effective date for counting the ballots. The Secretary, on advice from the Presidential panel shall provide time sensitive information to the Members via email, or mail. Section 4. Membership Communications via Association Publication. The Secretary shall make available for publication Board Meeting Minutes for those issues that are not sensitive or damaging to the association or an individual Member. Article V: Association Publications Section 1. Editor(s) of Association Publication(s). Editor(s). The Editor(s) shall (1) Compile, publish and distribute association publications in conformity with operational, editorial and financial policies determined by the Board of Directors. (2) Solicit newsworthy material from within and without the Membership. (3) Submit a draft for peer review to the Presidential Panel or Board Member prior to publication. (4) Refrain from censorship except when material submitted may injure an individual or the association, or the sport of Game Hawking. Section 2. The Publication. The official publication of the association shall be known as The Game Bag. The purpose of The Game BAG is set forth in Article I of the Constitution. The Game Bag shall be published at least three times annually, and shall be distributed to all current association Members without charge. Reproduction of The Game Bag’s articles is allowed given the source and credit is referenced in the reproduction. The Board of Directors may authorize the publication of additional sources of information as they deem useful. Article VI: Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws Section 1. The Constitution and/or these By-Laws may be amended only through mail to the Regular Membership, provided written notice of such communication, the proposed amendment, the contents thereof, and a ballot shall be mailed to each Regular Member in good standing at his address on file with the association, not less than 45 days prior to the date fixed for counting ballots. Affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Regular Members responding in a vote by mail shall be required for amendment. Voting by proxy shall be prohibited. Section II. Any significant changes to the Association policies or to the By Laws shall be presented to the general membership for consideration and/or vote. BY-LAWS.doc |