Bylaws
Bylaws
HILLSIDE ROD & GUN CLUB
BY-LAWS ADOPTED OCTOBER 13, 1982
REVISED: December 13th, 2023
Dissolution Statement
In the event the club is no longer functional, all remaining assets would be auctioned off or sold. The Monies received from the sale of all assets will be placed in a trust controlled by a board. The funds should be distributed by request and board approval for activities that promote hunting, fishing, shooting sports, archery sports, youth education in these sports, and environmental issues, until all funds are depleted.
ARTICLE I – NAME
Sec. 1 This Club shall be known as HILLSIDE ROD & GUN CLUB of
Blossburg, Pennsylvania.
ARTICLE II – LOCATION
Sec. 1 The Hillside Rod & Gun Club is 625 Gulick Road Street, Blossburg, PA 16912.
ARTICLE III – OBJECTIVE
Sec. 1 The objective of the Club shall be to promote and foster good public sentiment for better fish, game, and forest management; to encourage sportsmen’s activities, especially hunting and fishing through all social land physical means and engage in any lawful act related to the foregoing.
Sec. 2 The Hillside Rod and Gun Club shall abide by all local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
ARTICLE IV – MEETING
Sec. 1 This Club will meet on the second Wednesday of each month.
Sec. 2 Fifteen members will constitute a Quorum. A simple majority vote will carry any motion voted upon, except a bylaw change or sale of realty.
Sec. 3 The Club Managers are expected to attend all Executive Board Meetings. If the Managers cannot attend an executive meeting, they will provide a written report to any Executive Board Member prior to the Executive meeting.
ARTICLE V – FISCAL YEAR
Sec. 1 The Club’s fiscal year shall run from January 1st through December 31ST.
Sec. 2 Last day to pay membership dues will be January 31st, of the new year. A late fee to be assessed to any member paying dues after December 31st of the preceding year, as determined by club policies.
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS, ELECTION OF DUTIES
Sec. 1 Officers of this Club shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five (5) additional members to form a nine (9) man Executive Committee.
Sec. 2 Four of the nine officers must reside within a ten (10) mile radius of the Club. The remaining five officers must reside within a thirty (30) mile radius of the Club.
Sec. 3 New Officers shall be nominated annually in September, elected in October, and assume office in January. Any Officer can be re-elected. All nominees must have attended not less than 25% of the monthly meetings preceding the September meeting to be eligible for office. All nominees for office must be present or must submit a letter of intent to the Executive Board at the September meeting so that their nomination can be accepted or declined.
Sec. 3A In October of each year Officers shall be elected. The process of elections will adhere to the following:
1) Elections will be by written ballot.
2) Elections will occur immediately after the meeting has been called to order.
3) Immediately after all voting members have cast their ballots, the auditors, and only the auditors, shall be sequestered in an area away from the general meeting area for the purpose of tallying the votes.
4) In the event that one or more of the auditors are not present at this meeting, the Executive Board shall appoint replacement auditor(s) for the purpose of tallying the votes.
5) Upon completion of the vote tally, and prior to adjournment of the meeting, the auditors will present the results to the President. If the President is not present at the meeting the results will be delivered to the Vice President.
6) At the conclusion of the meeting, but prior to adjournment, the President or Vice President will read each nominee’s vote tally along with the winner of each office.
7) Any tie for any office will result in an immediate recount of the votes for all offices. In the event the same tie exists, a re-vote for that office will be taken.
7a) No Write-ins are allowed to break the tie.
8) If the recount shows any discrepancy from the original count a second recount will be taken.
9) Immediately after the General Membership Meeting has been adjourned, all ballots shall be safely secured in the office of the secretary.
10) Any request for a vote recount must have a second and be carried out by the majority of the voting members.
Sec. 4 Any Executive Committee Member failing to attend three (3) consecutive monthly meetings of the Club will forfeit his office. His replacement will be appointed by the Executive Committee.
Sec. 5 Any member holding a position within the Club who willingly resigns.(excluding resignation for health and/or occupational reasons), will not be eligible to hold a position within the Club for a period of five (5) years following the resignation.
Sec. 6 It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Club. By virtue of his office, he shall be a member of all committees.
Sec.6a The Executive Committee shall appoint at least one Executive Committee Member, excluding the president, to be an active member of each committee.
Sec. 7 It shall be the duty of the Vice-President, in the absence of the President, to assume his duties and be vested with equal authority to act.
Sec. 8 It shall be the duty of the Secretary to record and report all club meetings, conduct all correspondence of the Club, and maintain the Club’s membership roster. The minutes of the meetings and membership roster remain Club property and shall be promptly turned over to any new Corresponding Secretary before he assumes office.
Sec. 9 It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all Club monies; pay legitimate bills presented and make an accounting of same in a report to be given at each monthly Club meeting.
Sec 9a The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Club Manager have the power to sign any official documents required for loans or other purposes that have been previously approved by the membership in accordance with the bylaws.
Sec. 10 The Club Manager will be appointed by the Executive Committee each year. The Club Manager will be responsible for the operation of the Club and will report to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will designate the duties of the Club Manager.
Sec. 10a The Executive Committee shall meet on the Monday preceding each regular meeting of the Club. If necessary, it will meet in emergency session as called for by the President. Five (5) members constitute a Quorum.
Sec. 10b A primary duty of the Executive Committee will be to screen all matters before they may be brought before the Club membership. Therefore, if a member has business to be brought before the Club, it must first be brought to the attention of a committee member, in a written letter or email, at least one week prior to the regular meeting of the Club. Should any emergency requiring immediate action of the Club, it must be described in an email or writing and placed in a sealed envelope and given to any Executive Committee member immediately prior to the emergency session.
Sec. 10c A written agenda will be given to all members attending, prior to each Club meeting. Its contents will be adhered to.
Sec. 11 No matter may be voted on during a regular monthly meeting without following this procedure.
Sec. 11a Any matter pertaining to Club discipline or bylaws change shall be referred to the Executive Committee for its recommendations.
Sec. 11b Any expenditure exceeding $5,000.00 other than regular and customary operation expenses shall be referred to the membership for discussion and approval.
Sec. 11c The Executive Committee shall acknowledge and make recommendations on all matters received.
Sec. 11d The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Club and grounds and shall appoint an Executive Board member to be in charge of overseeing Club projects. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the annual renewal of the Club’s liquor license.
ARTICLE VII – MEMBERSHIP
Sec. 1 The club shall have two (2) classes of membership; regular and life member, beginning March 2006. All approved members’ annual dues will be determined by club policies. Those eligible for life membership are exempt from dues. For the fiscal year 2006 all other than regular and life members will be changed to the status of regular membership for no additional cost.
Sec. 2 To be eligible for Life Membership, the member must have attained sixty-fives years of age and have been a due paying regular member for ten (10) consecutive years preceding their 65th birthday. Life members must reach the age of 65 prior to January 1st of the membership year to be eligible.
Sec. 3 To be eligible for regular active membership in this Club, the prospective member must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and reside within the United States. Additionally, five (5) regular members must sign this application as sponsors.
Sec. 4 A fully completed application for membership, together with dues shall be given to any Executive Committee member or bartender prior to the monthly Executive Board Meeting. The applicant’s membership will be voted on at the next General Membership Meeting. A sponsor must be present at this meeting. Twenty-five percent (25%) “No” votes of the voting members at that meeting will constitute rejection. False, misleading, or incomplete information on the application are also grounds for rejection.
Sec. 5 Dues will be set by club policies.
Sec. 6 If the applicant is rejected, the applicant must wait five years to reapply.
Sec. 7 Any member violating house rules will be liable to suspension or termination of membership, upon recommendation of the Executive Committee and a majority vote at the next monthly Club meeting.
ARTICLE VIII – VISITORS
Sec. 1 Unescorted visitors will not be allowed inside the Hillside Rod & Gun Club. Visitors must leave the club when the member that signed them in leaves the premises. Visitors are not allowed to purchase alcohol or claim small games of chance.
Sec. 2 Visitors who meet the requirements for membership shall be allowed inside the Club twice in a one-year period as a guest. After this, they must apply for membership if they desire to return. Sons and Daughters of members on active military duty are excluded from the twice in a one-year period as a guest rule.
Sec. 3 The conduct of visitors is the responsibility of the member bringing them on Club property.
ARTICLE IX – AUDITORS
Sec. 1 Three (3) members shall be elected annually to serve as auditors. Elections will take place concurrently with the election of offices.
Sec. 2 Auditors are responsible for auditing the Club’s Financial records a minimum of once per year.
Sec. 3 Auditors will count all votes at the meetings. If one or more of the auditors are not present at the meeting, the Executive Board shall appoint replacement auditor(s) for the purpose of tallying votes.
ARTICLE X – BY-LAW CHANGE
Sec. 1 Any request pertaining to a change in the Club’s By-Laws must be referred to the Executive Committee and bylaw committee for study. After hearing the committee’s recommendation on the matter, the Club will vote on its preference at the following monthly meeting. A seventy-five percent (75%) majority of those voting members in attendance at the monthly meeting will be required to effect a change.
Sec. 2 The Club’s By-Laws can be changed only once during the year ;November will be the month for the By-Law review. In December the Bylaw changes will be voted on and amended.
Sec. 3 Normal club operations and business shall be governed by club policies set forth within the guidelines of the club by-laws.
Sec. 4 Policies can be set in any given month. Once a policy is voted on by the membership) accepted or rejected) the policy cannot be brought up again for one year from date of enactment unless the policy was enacted for a specified period.
ARTICLE XI – REALTY
Sec. 1 Club Realty may not be disposed of without the approval of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total existing membership.
Sec. 2 All renters are required to be a member.
ARTICLE XII – DISCRIMINATION
Sec. 1 The Club will not discriminate.
HOUSE RULES
Sec. 1 All members will follow house rules posted throughout the facility and onour website. House rules will be governed by policies set forth within the guidelines of the club by-laws.
VIOLATIONS OF HOUSE RULES WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION,
PROBATION, SUSPENSION WITH PROBATION, OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. MEMBERS ARE RESONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEIR GUESTS. CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED TO BE GUESTS.
ARTICLE XII – Committees
Sec. 1 All committees formed within the organization will adhere to all bylaws and club rules.
Sec. 2 Sporting committees such as Trap and Archery shall have a minimum of Three (3) officers consisting of Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary. Each sporting Committee shall be represented on the executive committee. If a sporting team member is not elected to the executive committee, the Chairman of that sporting team shall represent them at the Executive Board meeting. Non-elected board members have no vote on board decisions but will act as the communication between the main organization and sporting committee.
Sec. 3 All events other than normal practices shall be presented to the Executive Committee. All event incomes including practices shall be reported monthly to the Club treasurer. This must be done prior to or given at the monthly membership meeting without fail.
Sec. 4 As per Article VI Sec. 9. The Club Treasurer name will be on all accounts.