Club Bylaws
BYLAWS
(AMENDED)
LAWRENCE ROD AND GUN CLUB, INC.
REVISED – February 06, 2017
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PURPOSE
SECTION I
The organization shall be known as the “Lawrence Rod and Gun Club, Inc.”
SECTION II
The purpose of the organization shall be to promote all legitimate sports with rod and gun
and to enforce the laws for the protection and propagation of fish and game within the
State of Massachusetts; and to secure such legislation in that direction as needed. To this
end, to acquire and keep both real estate and personal property.
At the Lawrence Rod and Gun Club, discrimination on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age or handicap is strictly prohibited. Any person who thinks he/she has been
discriminated against in this club should notify the Board of Directors in writing
immediately.
ARTICLE II
OFFICERS
SECTION I
The Officers of the organization will consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer,
Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary and a Board of Directors of nine elected
members. The outgoing president shall be considered to become a member of the Board
of Directors with a majority vote of the existing Board of Directors and the members
present at a regular meeting. This special appointment shall be for the up coming year
only, making a total of ten Board Members for that particular year.
a) President
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings. The President will call all
meetings of the organization, and shall appoint the chairman of all committees, unless
otherwise set forth in these bylaws. The President shall be a member of all committees by
virtue of the President’s office, and may be the chairperson of a committee with the
approval of the Board of Directors. The President is also a member of the Board of
Directors.
b) Vice President
The duty of the Vice President is to assist the President in the discharge of all duties and
to officiate in the President’s absence. The Vice President is also a member of the Board
of Directors.
c) Treasurer
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep all of the funds of the organization in a
financial institution approved by the Officers. The Treasurer has the authority to pay all
of the organization’s utility bills (Electric, Phone, Oil, Gas etc.) without the approval
from a majority vote of members present at a regular meeting or a majority vote of the
Officers.
The Treasurer shall, at each regular meeting make a verbal report to the membership and
submit a written report of all receipts and expenditures since the last report and present
the account balance or balances for inspection to the Recording Secretary. The Treasurer
shall make a complete and written report of the finances of the organization on or before
May lst of each year, for the previous year, and post the report under glass on the club’s
bulletin board for a minimum of 30 days. Any member may have a copy of the report
upon request to the Treasurer. The Treasurer is also a member of the Board of Directors.
d) Recording Secretary
The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be the handling of all official correspondence,
filing all records and communications, recording of all proceedings of the Board of
Directors and of any committee upon request by that committee, and of all the business in
general that comes before and is disposed of by this organization. The Recording
Secretary shall also be responsible for notifying the membership of all special meetings.
The Recording Secretary shall record the names of all new members submitted by the
Financial Secretary in the minutes of each meeting and to include the names of new
members in the minutes of the previous meeting. The Recording Secretary will also
gather and organize input and articles for the newsletter. The Recording Secretary is also
a member of the Board of Directors.
e) Financial Secretary or Clerk
The Financial Secretary shall collect all dues and all other monies collected in the name
of the organization. The Financial Secretary shall turn over to the Treasurer all dues and
monies and receive receipt, thereof. The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for
accepting renewal and application forms for membership to the club and shall submit a
written record of all new members to the Recording Secretary at each regular meeting.
The Financial Secretary shall, at the conclusion of their term of office, turn over to the
successor all monies, books and valuables of the organization in their possession. It shall
be the responsibility of the Financial Secretary to notify those members whose renewal
dues for the following year are unpaid by the first meeting in February. If the Financial
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Secretary is not a resident of Massachusetts a resident clerk will be appointed by the
Board of Directors. The Financial Secretary is also a member of the Board of Directors.
f) Board of Directors and Sitting Officers
The Board of Directors and Sitting Officers shall have general supervision of the
organization’s property and shall plan and conduct any business of the organization not
provided for in these bylaws. Any expenditure of the funds of the organization of less
than $200 for the maintenance purpose of the organization can be approved by a majority
vote of the Board of Directors. Any expenditure of funds of the organization of more than
$200 for the maintenance purposes of the organization and any expenditure of funds of
the organization, regardless of the amount for the purpose other than maintenance of the
organization, must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors and also by a
majority of the members present at a regular meeting, whether such expenditures
originate in the Board of Director’s meeting or from the members at a regular meeting,
except as mentioned in ARTICLE II, SECTION IC and ARTICLE X of these bylaws.
Any new policies or projects of the organization must be approved by a majority vote of
the Board of Directors and also by a majority vote of the members present at a regular
meeting. Eleven (11) Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. No phone vote(s)
shall be taken at a Board of Director’s meeting except in an emergency requiring
immediate action. If any Board Member is absent from a regular meeting without
justification, he/she is subject to removal from office by a 2/3 vote of the Board of
Directors and a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERS
SECTION I
Members shall be divided into five classes:
a) Regular Members
b) Junior Members
c) Honorary Members
d) Life Members
e) Limited Family Memberships
SECTION II
a) Regular Members
Under the guidance of a Club Member Sponsor who themselves have been a member in
good standing for a minimum of two consecutive years a person eighteen (18) years of
age or older, and a citizen of the United States of America, may apply for regular
membership in the organization by submitting the following:
1) Payment of the yearly dues and initiation fees accompanied by a signed
application form for membership, and proof of US citizenship. The applicant
must present themselves to the membership at a regular general meeting.
2) The above monies and application will be presented and voted for acceptance by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors followed by a majority vote of the
members present at a general meeting.
No prospective member may be present at their time of election. All prospective
members will be notified of their membership status. New members are not allowed to
attend any meetings until they have had their orientation and received their membership
card.
Before any new member is given a membership card, they must meet with an Officer or
designee and have their responsibilities within the club explained. Each new member will
be responsible to make themselves aware of these bylaws, range rules etc. Each new
member must be able to read and understand all range rules and commands. Any
infraction of the bylaws or range rules may be taken up by the Board of Directors for
disciplinary action.
(IGNORANCE OF THE CLUB’S BYLAWS AND RANGE RULES WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE FOR ANY INFRACTION BY A MEMBER)
Each member must be aware of the liability of the club for non-member guests.
No individual member may take the responsibility of endangering other members.
No
guest is allowed on the inside range for shooting purposes except as approved by a
majority vote of the Board of Directors.
No member of the club has the authorization to use the name of the club in sending for or
receiving materials without approval from the Board of Directors.
No member of the club shall be allowed to use the club name, facilities, or ranges for
their own personal/business gain.
No member is authorized to spend monies in the name of the club without a majority vote
of the members present at a regular meeting and a majority vote of the Board of
Directors, otherwise, it will be their responsibility to pay the bill. The only exception to
this rule is stated in ARTICLE II, SECTION IC and ARTICLE X.
b) Junior Members
Any person under the age of eighteen (18) may apply for a junior membership in the
organization upon payment of the yearly dues and accompanied by a parent or guardian
and a signed application and a signed consent by a parent or guardian and presented at
and voted on at a regular meeting. Junior members shall not have the privilege of voting
or holding office.
No prospective junior member shall be present at their election. All prospective members
will be notified of their membership status. A Person who becomes a senior member and
is a junior member the preceding year will not be required to pay the initiation fee as a
regular member.
No junior member may be present on the club grounds without being accompanied by an
adult member’s supervision.
Junior members are not allowed any keys or use of keys to the club.
No junior member may be present to observe or shoot on the inside range without the
presence of an adult member. The adult member taking full responsibility for the junior
member.
A junior member must go through the same orientation as an adult regular member before
receiving their membership card.
A junior member between the ages of 10 and 18 years of age must attend, free of charge,
the club sponsored NRA Firearms Safety Course.
c) Honorary Members
The organization may bestow an honorary membership, without voting powers, upon
individuals in recognition of services or otherwise, by a majority vote of the members
present at a regular meeting and also a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The term
of honorary membership shall be for a period of one year.
d) Life Members
Any member having reached the age of sixty (60) and having been an active member for
ten years preceding their 60th birthday, shall automatically become a life member for the
next calendar year. A life member shall be exempt from the payment of dues. Life
members shall be accorded the privileges of regular members. (A Special meeting may be
called to sell life memberships for emergency funding.)
e) Limited Family Memberships
A limited family membership shall apply to husband and wife only. Upon payment of
regular dues only one initiation fee will be required.
ARTICE IV
PROCEDURE FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Disciplinary action may be taken against any member for:
a) Infraction of range and/or safety rules
b) Conviction of a felony
c) Theft or destruction of club property
d) Any infraction of these bylaws
e) Infraction of game laws on or off club property
f) Not wearing their club identification badge while on club property.
Procedure for such action may follow one or all of the following:
a) Verbal warning
b) Written warning from the Board of Directors
c) Expulsion from the club
d) Any action deemed necessary by the Board of Directors
All accusations against a member shall be made in writing to the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors shall provide the accused with a copy of the written complaint.
The Board of Directors will schedule a meeting with both the accused and the accuser to
determine if any action should be taken.
A majority vote of the Board of Directors is needed to sustain any action, and any action
taken will be reported at the next regular meeting for a majority vote of the members
present. Any appeal by the accused may be made to the members at a regular meeting
before a vote is to be taken regarding the disposition of the disciplinary action.
ARTICLE V
MEETINGS
SECTION I
The annual nomination of Officers and Board of Directors shall be held during the
regular meetings of October and November. Election of Officers and Board of Directors
will be held during the first December regular meeting. The Officers and Board Members
shall begin their official duties after they have been sworn in at the installation of
Officers meeting. All elections shall be by a majority vote of regular and life members in
good standing and present at the election meeting. In case of a vacancy in office, the
Board of Directors shall have the power to nominate and elect a person to fill the office.
A person must be a member in good standing for at least two consecutive years before
seeking or being appointed to an office, they must be present to accept the nomination
to office, and can only seek a seat for one board position. The name of all nominees
will be placed on the voting ballot in the order of a random drawing.
SECTION II
The installation of Officers shall be held within the first two weeks of January of each
year, the date of which will be determined by a vote of the members present during the
regular meeting in November.
SECTION III
There shall be a regular meeting held on the first and third Monday of each month unless
otherwise voted by the Board of Directors. Each meeting will start at 7:00PM. If a
quorum is not present by 7:15PM, the meeting may be canceled. There shall be a Board
of Directors meeting after each general meeting or as deemed necessary. Meetings may
be re-scheduled to the second and fourth Monday if needed due to national holidays etc.
Special meetings shall be subject to the call of the President, or upon written request of
ten voting members to any officer stating the reason for requesting such a meeting. All
members shall be given notice of such a meeting, mailed at least five (5) days in advance,
stating the purpose of the special meeting. No other business shall be transacted during
the special meeting.
ARTICLE VI
MEMBERSHIP FEES (DUES)
Membership fees are due on January 1 of each year, and payable on or before January 31,
of each year. Any member, whose dues remain unpaid after January 31, shall pay a
penalty for each month their dues are in arrears. A two-thirds vote of the Board of
Directors and a majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting shall determine
the penalty. The Financial Secretary will notify all members whose dues are not paid by
the February meeting, that all club privileges have been canceled and that in order to be
reinstated they must pay their dues, plus penalty no later than the first meeting in March,
or they will have to apply for new membership upon which dues and initiation fees will
apply.
The membership must be given at least (30) days notice prior to voting on any increase in
dues or initiation fees. The increase must be voted on by a two-thirds majority of the
members present at a regular meeting at which at least thirty members are in attendance.
The increase must also be ratified by a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VII
QUORUM
Fifteen (15) voting members, which include three Officers, shall constitute a quorum at
any regular meeting of the organization. Eleven (11) Board Members shall constitute a
quorum at any Board of Directors meeting of the organization; and thirty (30) voting
members, which include three Officers, shall constitute a quorum at any special meeting
of the organization.
ARTICLE VIII
AUDITING COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors will determine when, if, and which accountants shall be retained
for the purpose of auditing the Financial Secretary and Treasurer’s books and informing
the club of the financial obligations, in writing
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be altered or amended at a special meeting of the organization
provided that written notice of the special meeting is mailed to each member at least five
days in advance of the meeting at which such action is contemplated. A two-thirds vote
of the Board of Directors and a two-thirds vote of the members present at a special
meeting shall be necessary to alter or amend any section of the bylaws.
ARTICLE X
COMMITTEES
All committees that are considered as essential to the welfare of the organization shall be
appointed by the President. The following committees are examples: House, Grounds,
Publicity, Trap, and Safety. Any other (ad hoc) committees deemed essential each year
shall be appointed as necessary.
The duties of the committees shall be defined by the Board of Directors.
The House Committee and the Grounds Committee chairman have the authority to spend
up to $100.00 each for general purposes, and they are responsible to report it to the
members present at a regular meeting.
The membership shall be notified as to the openings and availability of positions in
various committees. Any member deemed to have a conflict of interest by the Board of
Directors cannot serve on a committee that would sustain that conflict of interest.
ARTICLE XI
KEYS
Keys/Card Keys to the outside club door will be changed during the first meeting in
February of each year. Keys are available to regular and life members who have paid
their annual dues and upon presentation of their current membership card along with a fee
set by the Board of Directors. These keys are not transferable. Keys must be obtained in
person, they cannot be mailed.
ARTICLE XII
CONTRIBUTIONS
The total amount of contributions, to other organizations, charities etc., within one year,
shall not exceed 4% of the previous year’s membership dues as reported by our financial
statement. Contributions will be limited to ARTICLE I, SECTION II of these bylaws.
ARTICLE XIII
ORDER OF BUSINESS
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary
Procedure and the order of business shall be the following, in order of preference:
1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
2. Calling meeting to order
3. Roll Call
4. Election of Members
5. Minutes of previous meeting
6. Minutes of previous Board of Directors meeting
7. Treasurer’s report
8. Financial Secretary’s Report
9. Bills
10. Reading of communications
11. Report of committees
12. Old business
13. New business
14. Ad Hoc
15. Adjournment
ARTICLE XIV
DISSOLUTION
Disposition of Assets:
In the event the corporation is forced to relocate or merge, and is unsuccessful, the
corporation shall be dissolved. An accounting must be made by the Treasurer or outside
Treasurer within a reasonable timeframe. After paying or making provisions for payment
of all liabilities of the corporation all of the remaining property and assets are to be
donated for the protection and propagation of fish and game within the State of
Massachusetts.
ARTICLE XV
LIABILITY
No member of this club shall be held liable for any action or accident occurring on the
club’s property. There is no liability, expressed or implied, to any member, and by
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signing a membership application or renewal form and accepting membership into the
club, all members acknowledge that use of the club’s facilities is at their own risk.