By-laws of the Walden Sportsman's Club Inc. Walden N.Y.

Article I - Title

The name of this organization shall be the Walden Sportsman’s Club, Inc. Its principle place of operation will be on the club property on Route 52, Town of Crawford, County of Orange, New York State.

Article II - Object

A) The object of this organization shall be the encouragement of organized firearm and archery shooting among members of our club with a view toward a better knowledge on the part of our members of the safe and proper handling and care of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship. It shall be our further object and purpose to encourage the development of the characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play, and self reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true American patriotism.

B) It shall further be the object to conserve and protect the fish and game of the country; to insist upon the observance of fish and game laws; to insist upon ethical responsibilities imposed by the law and demanded by the sport both individually and collectively.

C.) It shall further be the object to uphold and protect the Constitutions of the United States and New York State and to encourage membership in other organizations sharing these objectives.

Article III - Membership

A) The types of membership shall be:

Regular Members - Shall consist only of those members who have successfully completed the application process and continuously pay yearly dues.

Family Members - Shall consist only of the spouse and children under age 18, or children to age 22, who are fulltime students or in the Armed Services. They pay no dues but have all rights of a regular member except they may not vote or hold office.

Honorary Members - Shall consist only of those nominated and approved by majority vote of members present at a regular meeting. They shall consist of individuals who have displayed outstanding service to the club. They pay no dues but have all the rights of a regular member. They shall be an honorary member for life unless revoked.

Landowner Members - Shall consist of cooperating landowners allowing the posting of 10 acres or more (for access and use by the club). They pay no dues but have all the rights a regular member except they may not vote or hold office.

B) Eligibility: Citizens of the U.S. 18 years of age or older may become a member of this organization. To become a member they must: 1) Attend an orientation meeting, 2) Remit the usual fees and dues, 3) Present proof of membership in the National Rifle Association, and 4) Be confirmed by a vote by the members at a regular meeting. An applicant shall be excluded if they receive three negative votes from the members present at a regular meeting.

C) Conduct: A member of the Walden Sportsmen's Club is expected to conduct himself as a true sportsman at all times, work for the good of the club, be aware of existing game laws and follow those laws carefully. He should also be concerned about game and land management, landowner relations and hunting ethics. He should work to sharpen his shooting skills and always keep safely in mind while using any sporting implement. He is encouraged to support any organization which works for the good of sportsmen.

D) Rights: To hold office; to vote; to use range, club and adjoining land; to hunt property posted by the club after landowner obtaining permission; to bring one guest at a time to use shooting facilities, to have spouse and children to use club grounds for any legitimate use.

E) Obligations: to pay dues, to attend as many meetings as possible; assist in work details; to encourage all others to be a good sportsmen; to work for the benefit of the club as a whole; to follow all additional rules and regulations as established by the club membership.

F) The number of members shall be decided at the annual meeting. The number established shall include only regular members.

G) New Members shall only be considered at the October and March meetings.

Article IV - Dues

A) The dues of the Walden Sportsmen's Club membership shall be fixed by a vote of the majority of members present at the August meeting. The members annual dues to the club shall be payable in full not later than the end of the annual meeting in September.

B) The term "dues" shall include but not be limited to inclusion of money and raffle ticket responsibility.

C) New members will be subject to a one time initiation fee as established at the August meeting.

D) Any charges for checks returned to the club will be born by the member who submitted such check.

Article V - Meetings

A) Annual Meetings: The annual meeting of the club shall be held on the second Thursday of September in each year.

B) Regular Meetings: The regular business meeting of the club for the transaction of ordinary business shall be held on the second Thursday of each month at the club at 7:00 p.m.

C) Emergency Meetings: The President or his designee may call an emergency meeting at any time if it is necessary for the good and welfare of the club.

D) Order of Business:
1) Call to Order
2) Pledge of Allegiance
3) Reading of Minutes
4) Treasurer's Report
5) Committee Reports
6) President's Report
7) Special Business
8) Old business
9) New business
10) Adjournment

E) Board Meetings: Board meetings shall be held on the Tuesday before each regular club meeting at a time agreed to by the board members. A quorum of six shall be required to hold a meeting. Six affirmative votes shall be necessary to act on a motion. Board meetings are not open to the general membership. Any member may request an appearance at a board meeting and the board may likewise request a member to attend.

Article VI - Board of Directors and Officers

A) Officers of the club shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Range Officer. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers plus four Board Members.

B) The minimum qualifications for all officers and board members shall be 21 years of age and three full consecutive years of membership by the election. The office of President, however, shall require five full consecutive years of membership.

C) Nominations of officers and board members shall be closed at the end of regular meeting in August. Election shall take place at the annual September meeting. Officers shall be elected by majority of ballots cast. Board seats shall be filled by four candidates receiving the most votes of those running.

D) Officers and Board Members shall assume their duties at the first Board meeting in October. The term of office for all board members shall be one year. Additionally, the president may not hold that office for more than four consecutive years.

E) Resignation of any officer or board member shall be made to the Board. A vacancy on the board shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members of the Board. However, if more than one vacancy exists, a special election shall be held at the earliest possible club meeting. Officers and board members are expected to attend both board meetings and club meetings. The secretary shall record attendance at both meetings. A board member missing three board meetings or three club meetings shall have resigned their position unless directly excused by the Board because of hardship or extenuating circumstances.

Article VII - Duties of Officers and Board Members

A) The Board of Directors is the policy making body of the Club. The Board has legal responsibility under New York State Not for Profit Corporation Law to plan, manage, supervise, and operate the properties and affairs of the Club. No individual board member has power to act on their own or represent the Club except as outlined herein for the officers.

B) The Board of Directors shall henceforth assume the responsibility for disciplining any club member under Article IX. They shall likewise assume responsibility for disciplining any officer or board member for neglect of duty or for conduct that they judge to be harmful to the operation of the Club or Board.

C) The Board shall neither contract nor approve any bills in excess of $1,000.00 per project without prior membership approval at a regular meeting. (This does not apply to normal operating expenses such as taxes, fuel, insurance, etc.) Any individual, group, or committee shall petition the Board at a Board meeting for approval of bills in excess of per project prior to presentation to the Club at large. The Board shall audit the Treasury at the December board meeting and report to the Club at the December monthly meeting.

D) President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the Board of Directors. He shall be member ex-officio of all regular and special committees, and shall see that all committees function smoothly and for the purpose for which they were constituted; shall see that the by-laws and rules of the Club are upheld; shall inspect and announce the results of all elections; shall make appointments to fill all temporary vacancies for the remainder of their term; shall insure, to the best of his ability, the Club functions normally and without discord: shall insure that the basic purposes of the Club are followed; shall act as chief Executive Officer of the Club.

E) Vice President: The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or at his request. He shall assume the office of President should the President resign or otherwise be unable to perform his duties.

F) Secretary: The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required of the club. He shall keep true record of all meetings of the club and have the custody of the books and papers of the club, except the Treasurer's books of account. The Secretary shall record the minutes of regular monthly meetings. The minutes shall be neatly written in ink in a record book, and taken to the meetings of the club so as to be read for corrections and approved. A separate book shall be kept for each club year. Shall record the attendance of Board of Directors at regular and board meetings. Shall maintain a separate book and record board minutes.

G) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the club and place the same in such bank or banks as may be approved by the Board of Directors. Such money shall only be withdrawn by check signed by the Treasurer or Board of Directors and for the payment of such bills as shall have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all his transactions and render a detailed report with vouchers at the regular monthly meeting, and an annual report to the club shall be given. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues. An Audit may be called at any time by the Board of Directors.

H) Rang Officer: The Range Officer shall have charge of the ranges of the club, the scoring of targets, the arranging of competitions, etc. He shall contract no bills without the authorization of the Board of Directors. The Range Officer shall be a member and Chairman of the Rang Committee. All shooting event shall concur with all Federal, State, and local law.

Article VIII - Committees

A) Committees shall be limited to a maximum of five(5) members. New committees shall be formed at the annual meeting in September. The Range Officer shall be the Chairman of the Range Committee.

B) Standing committees shall consist of, but not be limited to:

-Youth Committee
-Range Committee
-Archery Committee
-Kitchen Committee
-Membership Committee
-Political Action Committee
-Wood Committee
-Posting Committee

C) No committee shall contract bills without the authorization of the Board of Directors. The holding of monies by committees is a privilege granted to such committees by the Board of Directors. All committees shall keep accurate account of all transactions and render a report at each regular monthly meeting. All remaining monies shall be remitted to the Treasurer when the yearly term of each committee has ended.

D) Committees have no power on their own to act on behalf of the club except as allowed by the Board of Directors or approved by the general membership at a regular meeting. All proposed rules, regulations, match rules, league rules, etc., shall be presented to the membership at a regular meeting for amendment or approval by a majority vote of the members present.

Article IX - Suspension or Expulsion

Any member may be suspended or expelled from the club for any cause deemed sufficient by the Board of Directors. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless written notice has been given to the member of the charges preferred and of the time and date of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting the member shall be accorded time to speak to the charges preferred.

Article X - Amendments

A) These articles may be amended, altered, or repealed at any regular meeting of the club by a two-thirds vote of the members present provided a written notice of such proposed change shall have been given to the members at least thirty(30) days before such regular meeting.

B) Rules and regulations may be proposed by any committee or individual member and enacted by a simple majority vote of members present at a regular meeting. However once enacted, it shall require a 2/3 majority vote of members present at a regular meeting to alter or repeal such action.

C) All rules and regulations in effect as of February 1991 shall remain in effect until amended or repealed. This includes but is not limited to all Range, Membership, Wood Cutting Rules, etc.

These By-laws duly voted on and adopted by the membership on February 13, 1992 do constitute the By-laws of

the Walden Sportsmen's Club, Inc. and supersede all previous By-laws.

I hereby certify that these By-laws have been adopted by this club.