Bylaws

Of The

UNION RIVER SPORTING CLUB, INC.

Revised September 7, 2018

Preface

The bylaws are revised to reflect the change of the name of the Mariaville Sportsmen’s Club , Inc. to the Union River Sporting Club, Inc. The Club was first organized and incorporated May 24, 2013 in Mariaville as the Mariaville Sportsmen’s Club , Inc.

Since then the domain of the membership has significantly grown and changed well beyond Mariaville to include the environs of the nearby Union River and beyond. The new name is more representative of the broad locale of the membership.

The status of the Club has changed also. The Club is now officially recognized as a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) corporation by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the State of Maine.

Recently, the Club became affiliated with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The Program was established in 1906 as part of the 1903 War Department Appropriations Act. Its original purpose was to provide civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve in the U.S. military. Over the years emphasis of the program has shifted its focus to youth development through marksmanship. The Program is now administered by the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety (CPRPFS) created as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996.

Table of Contents

Article Title Page

I Name 1

II Mission Statement 1

III Objective 1

IV Membership 2

V Dues and Fees

a. Initiation Fee Schedule 2 b. Annual Dues Schedule 3

VI. Meetings

a. Annual 3 b. Regular 3 c. Special 3

VII Executive Committee 4

VIII Officers and Directors

a. Elections 4 b. Duties 1) President 5 2) Vice-President 5 3) Secretary 5 4) Treasurer 5 5) Board of Directors 6

IX Suspension or Expulsion 6

X Match Rules 7

XI Amendments 7

XII Dissolution 8

Bylaws

of the

UNION RIVER SPORTING CLUB, INC.

Mariaville, Maine

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of this organization is the Union River Sporting Club, Inc., hereinafter referred to as “the Club”. The Club shall adopt and operate in accordance with the following Articles and bylaws.

ARTICLE II – Mission Statement

(a) The Club is officially recognizes as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation by the U. S. Internal Revenue Service and the State of Maine. It is an outdoor sporting and shooting club.

(b) The mission of the Club is to:

1) Encourage widespread participation, knowledge, and interest in the incidental activities of the outdoor sports through education, instruction and training .

2) Promote safe practices of those activities.

3) Create an environment where the spirit of outdoor sportsmanship can grow among members, families, friends, and community.

In furtherance of that mission, the Club is affiliated with the Civilian Marksmanship Program(CMP) operated under the auspices of the U. S. Government chartered tax-exempt corporation, Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice & Firearms Safety (CPRPFS).

(c) The Club is set up so as to attract necessary support by contribution, directly or indirectly, from a representative number of persons in the community

(d) However, regardless of any other provisions of these Articles, the Club is organized exclusively for one or more purposes specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1986. Moreover, the Club shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried out by an organization exempt from the aforementioned tax code or corresponding provisions of any subsequent tax laws.

ARTICLE III– Objective

(a) The objective of the Club is to:

1) Encourage organized rifle, pistol, shotgun, archery shooting among law-abiding citizens of the United States residing in our community.

2) Encourage the organizing of other outdoor sports activities, including but not limited to, hunting, fishing, trapping, ATV, and snowmobiling.

3) Provide essential knowledge about the safe handling and proper care of firearms, and improving marksmanship of said citizens, consistent with tenets and guidelines of the CMP.

4) Advance good sportsmanship and patriotism through the development of honesty, good fellowship, team-play, self-discipline, and self- reliance.

(b) The Club in its activities shall not engage in propagandizing or otherwise participating in, or intervening in (including publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE IV – Membership

(a) Any citizen of the United States may become a member of the Club when the application for membership has been completed satisfactorily, and required initiation fees and dues have been paid. In that regard, no person may be denied membership in the Club on a basis of gender, race, creed, color or national origin.

(b) A member can be:

1) Regular member – citizen 16 years or older.

2) Junior member – citizen less than 16 years of age.

3) Honorary member – citizen nominated by the Executive Committee.

4) Member in Good Standing – member who is not in arrears in their annual dues, or nor otherwise suspended as set forth in Article IX of these Articles and bylaws.

5) Member Not in Good Standing – member who is arrears in annual dues, or under terms of a suspension.

(c) A Junior member may be enrolled and participate in Club activities under the supervision of adult members.

(d) The term of membership is one(1) year. Membership for the next year may be renewed by paying annual membership dues on or before its expiration.

(e) Members not in good standing shall not be eligible to vote on Club matters, or to participate in Club activities, or to enjoy any other of the privileges or benefits offered by the Club.

ARTICLE V – Dues and Fees

(a) A one-time Initiation Fee is paid when a citizen becomes a member.

INITIATION FEE SCHEDULE

Membership

Amount($)

Regular

20.00

Family (Regular members)

35.00

Junior

4.00

Military/Veteran

20.00

(b) Annual Membership Dues are paid when a citizen becomes a member and when the member’s term of membership is renewed. The term of membership expires one(1) year from the date of record of membership as shown on the membership card. Annual dues are payable at the end of the term of membership.

Annual Dues Schedule

Membership

Amount($)

Regular

25.00

Family(per Regular member)

25.00

Junior

5.00

Military/Veteran

20.00

(c) A member who has not paid annual dues when payable shall be deemed “in arrears”. Membership is renewed if dues are paid within 30 days of expiration date of membership.

(d) A member’s membership shall be cancelled if dues in arrears are not paid within the aforementioned 30 day period.

ARTICLE VI – Meetings

(a) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Club shall be held on the first Thursday in September of each year. If the annual meeting shall not be held when scheduled, it shall be held within three(3) consecutive weeks thereafter; the officers shall retain their positions until their successors have been elected.

(b) Regular Meetings. The regular business meeting of the Club for the transaction of ordinary business normally shall be held on the first Thursday of a month at such time and place as may be fixed by the Executive Committee. In the event the regular meeting cannot be held on said day, notice shall be given to the membership per (c) Special Meetings.

(c) Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Club may be held at any time upon the call of the President or upon the call of the Executive Committee. It may be held upon demand by member(s) in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by not less than 20% of the members entitled to vote.

Notice of the time, place and object of any special meeting shall be given, by the Secretary of the Club, to all officers and members in good standing in writing by the United States mail or by e-mail not less than seven(7) days prior to the date fixed for the holding of the meeting. The place of such special meeting shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.

(d) Quorum.

1) Club meetings. Five(5) members, three(3) of which must be officers, of the club entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting other than a meeting of the Executive Committee.

2) Executive Committee meetings. Five(5) members of the seven(7) members shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII – Executive Committee

(a) The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Officers of the Club and a Board of Directors. Acting together they shall constitute the Executive Committee. The Committee is entrusted with the overall direction of the Club for the advancement of its Mission and Objectives.

(b) The Committee shall exercise general supervision and control of the Club, including maintenance of facilities and activities thereof. The Committee may make agreements with other organizations and individuals to carry out the objectives of the Club.

(c) The Executive Committee shall meet regularly at such time and places as it determines. Special meetings may be held at any time on the call of the President, and they may be called on demand, in writing to the Secretary, by two(2) members of the Committee.

(d) Resignation of any officer of the Club may be accepted by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

(e) A vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee. However, if more than one(1) vacancy exists, a special meeting of the Club shall be called by the Committee remaining and new members shall be elected to fill the vacancies until the next scheduled annual election of said committee members.

ARTICLE VIII – Officers And Directors

(a) The officers of this club shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined.

(b) Election of officers of the Club:

1) The officers shall be elected by a majority vote by ballot of the members in good standing at the scheduled annual election of officers, to wit: The Vice-President and Treasurer are elected at the annual meeting of the Club; President and Secretary are elected six(6) months apart from the election of the Vice-President and Treasurer .

2) Nominations for officers shall be received and approved no later than the scheduled regular meeting preceding the scheduled annual meeting.

3) Members 21 years of age and older are eligible to become officers of the Club.

(c) The term of office for officers is one(1) year, or until their successors are elected and can take office.

(e) The officers of the Club shall maintain individual membership in the National Rifle Association for their tenure in office.

(e) Duties of Officers:

1) President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Executive Committee. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform all such other duties as usually pertain to his office.

2) Vice-President. The Vice-president shall perform the duties of the President when sent or when requested.

3) Secretary. The Secretary shall:

i. Prepare and submit reports from the Club required by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Process all correspondence involving those reports.

ii. Notify the members of the Executive Committee of all meetings, and notify the members of the special and annual meetings as required by Art.VI(c).

iii. Keep a true record of all meetings of the Executive Committee and the Club.

iv. Retain and keep custody of the books and files of the club, except the Treasurer’s book of account.

v. Accept and process all applications for membership in the Club.

vi. Issue a call to the membership for nominations for officers 1 month in advance of the regular meeting preceding the annual meeting pursuant to Art.Viii(b)(2).

vii. Collect, with the Treasurer, all fees and dues and remit same to the Treasurer, obtaining proper receipt therefore.

viii. Re-affiliate the Club with the NRA annually.

4) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

i. Have charge of all funds of the Club and place same in such bank and petty cash fund as may be approved by the Executive Committee.

ii. Pay such bills as approved by the Executive Committee by drawing on the aforementioned bank only by check signed by the Treasurer, or President, or cash disbursement from the petty cash fund.

iii. Keep accurate account, with the Secretary, of all financial transactions.

iv. Render a detailed report of the aforementioned transactions with receipts at any meeting of the Executive Committee when requested.

v. Render an annual report of the Club account at its annual meeting.

5) Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of three members in good standing. The Directors shall be part of the Executive Committee.

a) Term of office. The term of directors shall be three(3) years. The terms of the directors shall be staggered¹ such that only one(1) director is elected each year at the annual meeting of the Club.

b) Vacancies. In case of a director vacancy occurring during a year, the Executive Committee may appoint someone to fill the vacancy temporarily until an annual meeting is held to elect a replacement for the remainder of that vacancy, Art VII(e) notwithstanding. If more than one director vacancy exists, a special election shall called per Art VI(c) pursuant to Art VII(e).

c) Duties.

i) The Board of Directors, under direction of the Executive Committee, is responsible for authorizing payment of bills by the Treasurer for approved expenses incurred by the Club. Initials or signature of two(2) Board members are required for approval before a bill may be paid.

Bills for approved projects and activities are ordinarily presented at regular meetings for discussion and approval.

ii) The Board may delegate in writing some of its payment approval authority to one or more Club officers, in the interest of efficiency. Such delegation of authority shall be in writing.

ARTICLE IX – Suspension or Expulsion

(a) Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing present at any special meeting called for this purpose. No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least 15 days notice in writing shall have been given to the officer of the reasons for his removal and of the time and place of the special meeting at which such ballot on his removal is to be taken. At such special meeting the officer shall be given a full hearing.

(b) Any member may be suspended or expelled from the Club for any cause deemed sufficient by the Executive Committee by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the Committee present at any regular or special meeting. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least 15 days notice in writing shall have been given to the members of the charges preferred and of the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting the member under charges will be accorded a full hearing.

(c) Charges against any officer or member may be preferred by any member in good standing. They shall be in writing clearly stating the facts relied upon and accompanied by all affidavits or exhibits which are to be used in their support. Such charges shall be filed with the Secretary, who will immediately notify the President.. The President will call a meeting for the Executive Committee to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least 15 days notice of the meeting to each member of the Executive Committee, to the accuser and to the accused, which notice shall be in writing and will include a true copy of the charges and of the supporting affidavits and exhibits.

(d) Any member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full membership of the Club. Such appeal shall be made in writing to the Secretary who will notify the President. The President will call a special meeting of the Club for the purpose of acting on the appeal. The Secretary shall give at least 15 days notice in writing to all members of the Club in good standing stating the date, time, place and reason for such special meeting. At the meeting of the full Club, the Secretary will read the original charges, the supporting affidavits, and will read or display the accompanying exhibits, and will read the minutes of the special meeting of the Executive Committee at which the charges were heard and action taken. A full hearing will be given to the accuser and the accused. A vote will be taken by ballot of the members in good standing present and a two-thirds vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive Committee.

(e) The NRA shall be given a complete report whenever a member of the Club who is a member of the NRA, too, is suspended or expelled showing charges and action taken.

ARTICLE X – Match Rules

All rifle, revolver, pistol, and shotgun competitions held by the Club will be governed by the rules and regulations laid down by the NRA or approved by the CMP or other sanctioning organization.

ARTICLE XI – Amendments

Any proposed amendments to these bylaws may be introduced by any member of the Club at any regular meeting or special meeting called for the purpose. The amendments must be acted upon by the Club membership at a regular meeting or special meeting called for the purpose provided a notice of change to the bylaws has been sent to each club member by Unites States mail or by email at least 10 days prior to the meeting. A two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present will be necessary to pass or reject it. After being passed by the membership, a copy will be submitted to the NRA club affiliated department for their records.

ARTICLE XII – Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the Club or the termination of its activities, the assets of the Club remaining after payment of all its liabilities shall be distributed exclusively to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for such purposes. Said organizations shall qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as a charitable, religious, eleemosynary, benevolent, or educational corporation within the meaning of Title 13B, The Maine Revised Statutes as amended.

No part of the assets , net earnings of the Club is distributable to nor shall accrue to the benefit of any member, or officer of the Club, or any private individual(Reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the Club in carrying out its mission and objectives). Moreover, no member, officer of the Club, or any private individual, shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the Club’s assets on dissolution of the Club.

I hereby certify that these bylaws have been adopted by the Union River Sporting Club, Inc.

President’s Signature __________________________________________Date ______________

Secretary’s Signature_____________________________________ _____Date _______________

1 By 2016 the staggered pattern of 3-year terms will have been established per the previous bylaws Art VI(a) and ArtVII(e).