The name of this corporation is “DEWITT CO. SPORTSMANS CLUB”; hereafter referred to as the “Club”. The Board of Directors may consent to the use of the Club’s name in connection with related or unrelated organizations, from time to time. The Club was incorporated as a non-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Illinois.
ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSES & OBJECTIVES
Section 1 The members of this Club pledge to encourage and perpetuate competitive shooting disciplines at the Club and among all members, thus developing and expanding the sport of shooting among men, women, and youth in Illinois.
Section 2 Locate, obtain, sanction, establish, operate, maintain and protect a firearms shooting facility in Dewitt County.
Section 3 Further, and equally important, is the promotion of sportsmanship, firearms safety procedures, and firearms safe handling by all those privileged to be present at the facility on any given day.
Section 4 Lastly, the Dewitt Co. Sportsman’s Club pledges to uphold and protect the rights of abiding citizens of the State of Illinois to purchase, possess, and use all manner of firearms for purposes of recreation, hunting, personal defense, and any other traditional and legitimate purposes, and to specifically guard the right to the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. This is -“A well regulated militia, being necessary to preservation of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
ARTICLE 3 - CLUB PROPERTY & RANGE MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 The Club may operate a firing range and club recreation area as in Article 2. All Club members, in good standing, and their families, may visit the facility and may participate in events open to the public, as it relates to using firearms.
Section 2 Requirements for Range Membership
A) All present and future Club Members, advancing to the firing line(s) and engaged in unsupervised use of firearms at the range, or bringing guests, who would do the same, must complete the following requirements and become “Range Members”.
1) Complete all current listed requirements for general membership.
2) Submit a complete application for membership, properly signed.
Section 3 Violations
A) If range qualified member is found to break safety rules or otherwise be in violation of the qualifications listed in these bylaws and attachments, the Board of Directors may temporarily rescind privileges of that member or revoke the range use qualification entirely.
1) The member’s continued, General Club status of membership will also receive a Board of Directors ruling.
2) Members expelled, if so stated by the Board of Directors, may reapply after one (1) year of termination.
3) No fees paid, prior to termination, are eligible for refund.
ARTICLE 4 - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Membership shall be open to all citizens of the United States of America or such other applicants that the Board of Directors may approve. There shall be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, or gender in determining qualification for membership or in participating in any of its activities.
Section 2 Qualifications for Membership
A) All prospective Range Users shall meet all legal requirements - Federal, State, and Local, to own and possess firearms.
B) Members and those becoming members will receive a review and a copy of current, pertinent documents, pertaining to the Club. This will include, in some manner, the DCSC Constitution, the DCSC Bylaws, Standing rules, Gun Safety and General Range Rules, Member Obligations form, and any other item currently approved by the Board of Directors.
C) All persons applying for membership having satisfied all other requirements may be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present at a regular monthly Members Meeting.
Section 3 Dues
A) The Board of Directors will review and set/post membership dues, from time to time.
B) Membership dues for those persons retired and/or over 60 shall be lower than the regular membership fee.
C) Life Memberships shall be available according to age at time of application.
D) Membership dues are waived for any member in good standing serving on Active duty in the US Armed Forces.
Section 4 Assessments
A) Labor Alternative Assessments
1) Whereas the Dewitt Co. Sportsman’s Club, as stated in Article 2, Section 2, operates and maintains a firearms shooting facility and as stated in Members Obligations (Addendum C); Club members provide labor or substitutes twice a year to offset expenses of operation and enhance the facility for member use.
2) Each member below the age of 60, and not submitting a physical disability statement signed by a medical doctor, is required to meet the requirement listed.
3) Alternative #5 of Member Obligations (Addendum C) (if chosen) must be paid at the time of membership renewal for the next year.
4) Life Members are required as well as Annual Members to fulfill this obligation.
B) Assessments shall not exceed the annual dues, per member, per year, and will be payable within 45 days of enactment.
Section 5 Renewal and Resignation of Membership
A) Annual dues and applicable fees shall be payable to the Treasurer by the 1st of January each year.
B) The Membership Renewal Application and the appropriate amount of each applicant shall be turned in by person or by mail.
C) Verification of the current membership will be issued to each successful applicant.
Section 6 Voting Rights
A) Each regular member, who has held such membership for no less than one (1) year immediately prior to any such event, shall be considered eligible and entitled to vote at the annual election of officers and directors. These members shall be entitled to one vote for each position to be elected. Members shall not vote by proxy.
Section 7 Termination of Membership (For Cause)
A) Termination for Cause. A person’s membership may be terminated for cause by the vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the Board of Directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, which vote shall be by written ballot. The causes for which this action may be taken shall be:
1) Conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Club at determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.
2) Violation of the Bylaws and related writings of this Club.
3) Violation of safety rules, as posted on range property, or prescribed in programs, bulletins, or in any rulebook of the Club.
B) Written charges shall be preferred through the Secretary and presented to the Board of Directors. A copy thereof shall be furnished to the member. A full and impartial hearing by the Board of Directors shall be had pursuant to the timely notice to the member on said charges, at which hearing the member may be present and have counsel. The hearing, deliberations, vote, and all matter relating to the consideration of the termination of any member, shall be held in executive session by the Board of Directors. No member so terminated shall be entitled to any refund of dues or contributions already paid.
ARTICLE 5 - MEETING OF MEMBERS
Section 1 There shall be one meeting per month on the first Sunday at 11:00 AM. If the first Sunday falls on a legal holiday, the meeting will be held instead on the third (3) Sunday 11:00 AM of the said month.
Section 2 An Annual Meeting shall be held between January 1st and February 1st, inclusive, of each year at such time and location as determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the regular monthly meeting place of the Club.
Section 3 In November we will have a “Nominating Committee” formed as described in Article 9, Section 1 of these bylaws. The nominating committee is responsible for reporting nominations of eligible members, who have pre-agreed to serve if elected, as a slate of selected candidates for the next year’s Club office positions to be filled. Members are encouraged to attend this meeting, thus giving precedence to the election.
Section 4 As stated in Article 9, Section 4 (Elections), Line A, an annual meeting for the election of officers will be held at the time of the regular December Club members meeting. Both floor and “Nominating Committee” candidates will be recognized and voted upon by eligible (Article 4, Section 5) voting members.
ARTICLE 6 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 Powers and Duties
A) The property, business, and affairs of the Club shall be managed by and under the supervision of the Board of Directors, and the Board may exercise all such powers as provided by the Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act, as amended or replaced, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these bylaws.
Section 2 Qualifications
A) The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than three (3) or more than seven (7) voting members. Voting ex-office members are: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Regular members are the three (3) persons elected from the membership, according to club eligibility statutes. Non-voting members may consist of any and all past Presidents, who are members in good standing for at least the past two (2) years, just previous. Past Presidents may vote to break a tie, but do not count toward a quorum for purposes of voting. A quorum being two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3 Terms of Office
A) All three (3) Directors shall serve a term of two (2) years, from January to January when elections are held. Two (2) Directors will be elected in even numbered years. The other three (3) Directors will be elected in off number in years.
Section 4 Vacancies
A) Any Director, knowing he/she will not be fulfilling their term of office is obligated to notify the President at the first opportunity. The President, with three-fourths (3/4) majority, Board of Directors approval, may appoint a qualified member, not presently in office, to replace any present board member who will not serve out the current term. A qualified member is as described in preceding sections of the Membership Article 4.
Section 5 Meeting(s) of the Board of Directors
A) An annual meeting shall be held immediately at the close January meeting of members, or when elections are held, and at which time the new Board of Directors has been elected. Directors will be advised of their duties.
B) One meeting will be held in November to satisfy Article 9, Section 1 of the Bylaws.
C) The business of the Board of Directors is to, at their discretion, appoint a nominating committee for selecting the next to be elected slate of officers and other Club business that they deem necessary.
D) The board may elect to hold other meetings, as needed, to conduct business or resolve issues.
E) On certain issues and business, the Board of Directors may find it necessary to meet in closed session. The material discussed and decisions made during these meetings are not to be made available to the general membership or to any other parties not agreed upon to receive the information at the session.
Section 6 Notification of Meeting of the Board of Directors
A) The Board of Directors is to make their own notification of meetings.
Section 7 Manner of Acting
A) The act of the majority of a quorum of voting Directors present at any meeting shall be the act of the Board of Directors; except where otherwise provided by law or by these bylaws.
Section 8 Compensation
A) No compensation, such as wages or favors is permitted. If a member presents a receipt for an approved expense at any meeting, the treasurer is obliged to pay it, placing the receipt on file.
ARTICLE 7 - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1 Appointment
A) The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee of one (1) officer and two (2) Directors. The Board may remove and replace any member of the Executive Committee who is unable to serve. The Executive Committee shall have the authority granted it by the Board of Directors in the management of the Club, except with reference to:
1) Amending, altering, or repealing bylaws.
2) Electing, appointing any member of the Board, Officers, or Committee Chairperson.
3) Amending the articles of incorporation.
4) Adopting a plan of merger with any other body.
5) Authorize the sale, exchange, lease or mortgage of any of the property or assets of the Club.
6) Allowing any disillusion of the Club or revoking any proceedings thereof.
7) Adopting a plan for the distribution of the assets of the Club.
B) Amending, altering, or repealing any directive by the Board of Directors. Officers and Board Members present at any meeting may act in behalf of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 8 - OFFICERS
Section 1 The Officers of the Club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other Officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of this article. The Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will report directly to the President.
Section 2 Qualification
A) Candidates must satisfy Article 4 - Membership, Section 1
B) Candidates must be 21 years of age or older.
C) Candidates must be a member in good standing for one (1) year or more.
Section 3 Terms of Office
A) The Officers of the Club shall be elected biannually as specified in Article 9 Section 4 of these bylaws. Each officer shall hold office until his/her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 4 Vacancies
A) A vacancy in the office of president because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise shall be filled by the Vice President, for the unexpired portion of the term. A vacancy in any office, other than the President, because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by a vote of Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5 President
A) The President shall be the principal Executive Officer of the Club and shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Club. He/She shall preside at all the meetings of the members, executive committee, and of the Board of Directors. He/She may sign, with the Secretary, or any other proper officer of the Club, authorized by the Board of Directors, and deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors have authorized to be execute, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of directors, or by these bylaws, or by statue, to some other Officer or Agent of the Club, and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 6 Vice President
A) In the absences of the President, or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 7 Secretary
A) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meeting of the members and the Board of Directors in one (1) or more books provided for that purpose; attend to the proper publication of official notices and reports in accordance with these bylaws or as required by law; be custodian of the corporate records; perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Directors.
Section 8 Treasurer
A) The Treasurer shall have the charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Club, receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Club from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the Club as described in Article 13, Section 3 of the Bylaws, as shall be selected by the Board of Directors, and in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the president or by the Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his/her duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties, as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 9 Other Officers and Agents
A) The Club shall have such other officers, assistant officers, agents and representatives as the Board of Directors shall form time to time appoint.
Section 10 Compensation
A) Officers shall receive no compensation for their services as Officers of the Club. Officers may be reimbursed for approved out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Club, for which a receipt is presented.
Section 11 Resignations
A) Any Officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or to either the President or Vice President of the Club. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified in the written notice, and unless otherwise specified by the resigning Officer, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
ARTICLE 9 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1 Nominating Committee
A) A nominating committee shall be selected by the November Members meeting, prior to the annual election.
B) The nominating committee shall be composed of three (3) members entitled to Vote.
C) Directors, terms of who, are not now due to expire, of which there will be two or three (2 or 3), are the basis of the nominating committee.
D) The President shall then appoint two or three (2 or 3) members who are eligible to vote to the nominating committee, to complete the total of five (5).
E) Non-withstanding these bylaws, no member of this committee may be a candidate for office.
F) The nominating committee shall select a chairperson from their ranks.
G) The nominating committee shall report its nominations of eligible members, who have pre-agreed to serve if elected, as a slate of selected candidates, to the secretary, not later than the December Members meeting before the election.
Section 2 The secretary shall be responsible to include the office and name of members selected by the nominating committee prior to the election.
Section 3 Nominations will be accepted from the floor during the November Members meeting, prior to the election.
Section 4 Elections
A) The Official election shall be at the December Member meeting, after the nomination process.
B) Elections shall be conducted by and on Official Secret Ballots, unless no one opposes the official slate.
C) Thos eligible to vote, as ascertained by the tellers, according to the bylaws, will be given one (1) ballot for the election of each office of this election.
D) Opposed election. Candidate receiving the greatest number of official votes for the office being voted for shall be declared elected.
E) Unopposed election. When no candidate opposes the slated nomination, the Club Secretary shall cast a unanimous vote, and declare that person elected.
F) Death of a Candidate. A candidate who dies, or is otherwise unable to serve is elected, shall be replaced by the vote of majority of the Board of Directors.
G) Term of Office. Officers and Board Members are bound to their duty for two (2) years.
H) Installation of Officers shall be at the January Members meeting.
ARTICLE 10 - REMOVAL OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1 Any officer, Member of the executive committee or Director may be removed at any time by three-fourths (3/4) vote of the remaining Board of Directors.
A) In case where there is a complaint, the same procedure designated for removal of regular members shall apply.
B) Removal also can be without complaint or prejudice, if deemed by the Board to be in the best interests of the Club and member in question may be present prior to deliberations for vote.
C) If so voted, office holder removal takes effect immediately.
D) The individual’s continued membership in the Club may then be decided by a second vote of the Board of Directors according to Article 4, Section 7.
E) All deliberations of the Board in these matters are to be held in the executive session.
F) In the event any officer or director misses three (3) consecutive unexcused meetings that will be considered their unwritten resignation.
ARTICLE 11 - BUSINESS MEETINGS OF MEMBERS and of DIRECTORS
Section 1 Members Annual Meeting and Regular Meetings
A) According to Article 5, Section 2, the Annual Meeting shall be held between January 1st and February 1st, inclusive, of each year at such time and location as determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the regular monthly meeting place of the Club.
B) Conduct of Business at Members Meetings
1) President’s call to order and Secretary’s roll call of Club Officials
2) Reading of the minutes of previous meeting
3) Report of the Board of Officers
4) Report of Committee
5) Unfinished business
6) New business
7) Hearing of the membership
8) Adjournments
9) If there is a program, this can be at the beginning of the meeting or after adjournment, depending on scheduling.
ARTICLE 12 - COMMITTEES
Section 1 Standing Committees
A) The following named may be occupied and are standing committees.
1) Bylaw Review (Directors)
2) Executive (per bylaws)
3) Nominating (per bylaws)
4) Range Operations/Facilities (note 1)
5) Education and Training (note 1)
6) Shooting Disciplines/Competitions (note 1)
7) Publications (note 1)
B) Note 1: Persons serving on these committees are from volunteers of the membership that the President determines to appoint.
Section 2 Non-Standing Committees
A) May be appointed by the Executive committee at the request of the President.
B) May be dissolved by the Executive committee at any time.
C) May seek authority for activities form the Executive Committee.
D) May organize as desired to accomplish the task.
E) Committee chairperson to report as per President’s instruction.
Section 3 All committees must end by one day before the elections meetings.
ARTICLE 13 - CONTRACTS AND FINANCIAL
Section 1 Contracts
A) The Board of Directors may authorize the President, and such Officers of the Club, to enter into any contracts or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Club and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances No indebtedness shall be incurred and no payment of any kind.
Section 2 Checks and Drafts
A) All checks, drafts, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Club shall be signed by the President, Treasurer, or such other Officers of the Club and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer of the Club shall sign such instruments.
Section 3 Deposits
A) All funds of the Club shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Club in such banks or other F.D.I.C. insured depositories as the Board of Directors may select.
ARTICLE 14 - INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS AND INSURANCE
Section 1 The Club shall buy sufficient insurance of types required to protect itself, as stated in the Bylaws.
Section 2 The Club shall indemnify its Officers and Directors pursuant to the Not-For-Profit Act of the State of Illinois, as amended, and any replacement legislation. Such indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which a Director or Officer seeking indemnification may be entitled. Each Officer and Director shall be entitled to such indemnification to the fullest extent requested in writing to the Secretary by such Officer or Director unless and only unless prohibited by the aforementioned Act. The indemnification provided by this Article 14 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any bylaw agreement. Insurance policy, vote or disinterested members of the Board of Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, Officer, employee or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a deceased person. Denial of coverage of a Director, Officer, employee or agent under any insurance policy owned by the Club shall not defeat the denied person’s rights under this Article. Denial of indemnification by the Club shall not operate to deny a requesting party coverage under any applicable Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy of the Club. (Definition of Indemnify - repay, make good, compensated for damage or loss.)
ARTICLE 15 - CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Any transaction in which a Director or Officer is directly or indirectly a party must be approved by a majority of the disinterested directors. The interested Director or Officer must disclose the nature and extent of his/her interest to the Board and must excuse themselves from voting on the approval of the transaction. If the transaction is fair to the Club at the time it is authorized, approved or ratified the fact that t Director or Officer is directly or Indirectly a party to the transaction is not grounds for invalidating the transaction. The name of the corporation may not be used in conjunction with a Director’s, Officer’s, Agent’s, or employee’s business other than to indicate the individual is a member or the organization is an affiliate. If a Director or Officer is a director, officer, partner or more than 5% shareholder of an entity, that is prima facie evidence that the director or officer is interested in that entity.
ARTICLE 16 - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Club shall be set by resolution of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 17 - WAIVER OF NOTICE
When any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the General Not-For-Profit Corporation Act of Illinois or under the provision of the articles of incorporation or of the Bylaws of the Club, a waiver, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated for the action, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance at any meeting, other than to protest the calling of the meeting or to voice objection to the matter before the meeting, shall be considered a waiver or notice, as shall signature of a consent in lieu of a meeting.
ARTICLE 18 - DISSOLUTION AND DISTRIBUTION
Section 1 Dissolution
A) Given at least five (5) days notice and the membership may affirm the resolution with a simple majority vote, those in attendance comprising a necessary quorum for that purpose.
Section 2 Distributions Prohibited
A) No part of the net earnings of the Club shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers, members, or other private persons, except that the Club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 3 Distribution upon Dissolution
A) Upon the dissolution of the Club, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the Club, distribute all of the remaining assets to such organization or organizations organized and operated for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or corresponding section of any future tax code. Any assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the Club is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organizations as said Court shall determine which shall be organized exclusively for such purpose.
ARTICLE 19 - AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS AND ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The power to amend, alter, restate, repeal or adopt new bylaws or Articles of Incorporations shall be vested solely in the Board of Directors. Such action may be taken at a regular or special meeting, for which thirty (30) days’ advance written notice has been provided to each director, such notice clearly stating the intention to address changes to the bylaws and /or the Articles of Incorporation, and setting forth the proposed changes to be voted upon. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board is required to amend, alter, restate, repeal or adopt new bylaws and/or Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE 20 - AMENDMENTS
The Club shall not directly provide financial support to political parties or candidates for public office. This amendment does not prohibit the use of Club funds in support of organizations such as the National Rifle Association, The Illinois State Rifle Association or other associations with which the Club becomes affiliated in support of the shooting sports and the second amendment to the United States Constitution. It is understood that these organizations may provide financial supports as they see fit in the support of our common goals. Additionally, contributions to civic and public organizations, which promote good community citizenship, are permitted.