Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc.
Constitution and By-Laws
Amended March 24, 2022
Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be the Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc.
Article II – Corporation
This corporation shall be continued in perpetuity.
Article III – Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote sportsmen’s events and contest; to operate a gun club; to promote and hold shooting contests; to encourage active participation in all things connected with fish and game association work, for the betterment of the same; to encourage sportsmanship by hunters and fishermen; to do such things as are necessary to increase fish and game in Shelby County, Ohio; to uphold the highest standards and principles of good sportsmanship in fishing, hunting and wildlife preservation and conservation; to promote youth activities in the areas of hunting, fishing, trapping, shooting and archery, therefore providing recruitment and retention of the future generation of Newport Sportsmen Club, and to do whatever is necessary for community betterment.
Article IV – Membership
Section 1. Membership in the Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc. shall be open to all persons who are interested in the organization and willing to uphold the purposes of the organization. Membership shall be effective when the applicant submits an application for membership; is sponsored and accompanied at a regular meeting by a member in good standing; has no past felony offenses; is approved by the majority of members at a regular monthly meeting and after the initial dues and annual dues are paid.
Section 2. There shall be the following types of members:
(a.) Annual Members. All persons who have been accepted for membership by the members of the Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc. and pay the following dues:
i. For the first year of membership, an initiation fee of $20.00 and annual dues of $20.00.
ii. For each year thereafter, annual dues of $20.00 per year.
1. Annual dues shall be payable in advance for the calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. A new member joining on or after August 1 shall be considered a member through December 31 of the following year.
iii. Changes in the rate of annual and life membership dues may be presented during the annual meeting and must be approved by 2/3 majority of the members attending the meeting.
(b.) Charter Members (prior to August 1, 1971). All persons who were accepted for membership in this organization prior to August 1, 1971, and who paid lifetime dues for $5.00 as then required. No further annual dues shall be required of such members.
(c.) Life Members (after March 24, 1978). All persons who have beenaccepted for membership by the membership and pay annual dues for two full consecutive years shall become lifetime members upon payment of lifetime dues of $200.00. No further annual dues shall be required of such members.
(d.) Military Service. Any United States military veteran, active duty, retired, or honorably discharged shall receive a 50% discount on annual or life membership dues.
Section 3. Failure of members to pay annual dues by April 1 of any year are deemed delinquent and may constitute grounds for removal from the membership roll of this organization, and must follow Article IV, Section 2, Sub-section (a.) for reinstatement as an annual member.
Section 4. Any member 16 years of age, or older, in good standing for at least 6 months shall have the right to vote and participate in meetings.
Section 5. Any member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Secretary which shall be effective upon its acceptance by the Board of Trustees.
Section 6. All organization programs and events are available to members on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or military veteran status.
Article V – Board of Directors
Section 1. Nine (9) Board of Directors shall consist of:
-Officers:
– President
– Vice President
– Secretary
– Treasurer
– Trustees: Five (5)
Section 2. Terms on the Board of Directors shall be as follows:
(a.) The President’s position is a two-year term. The President will be elected during the annual meeting of the odd calendar years.
(b.) The Vice President position is a two-year term. The Vice President will be elected during the annual meeting of the even calendar years.
(c.) The Secretary’s position is a two-year term. The Secretary will be elected during the annual meeting of the odd calendar years.
(d.) The Treasurer’s position is a two-year term. The Treasurer will be elected during the annual meeting of the even calendar years.
(e.) The Trustees positions are two-year terms. Three (3) Trustee positions will be elected during the annual meeting of the odd calendar years. Two (2) Trustee positions will be elected during the annual meeting of the even calendar years.
Section 3. The Officers and Trustees of this organization shall be elected at the annual meeting as provided by Section 2 of Article V, by the general membership from nominations submitted at the January meeting by the general membership. Only exception is the Treasurer’s position, which is nominated by the Board of Directors.
Section 4. No member shall be nominated for a director’s position without being a member in good standing for 2 consecutive years prior to the nomination and at least 18 years of age, or older.
Section 5. Any vacancy occurring among the Board of Directors shall be filled by an appointment made by the Board of Directors. Such Officers or Trustees shall serve until the next annual meeting.
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall meet at least twice each year. Any Officer shall have the power to call a special meeting upon the notice of the other Directors.
Section 7. Five (5) of the Directors shall constitute a quorum of any meeting of we Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned.
Article VI – Duties and Powers of the Officers and Trustees
Section: 1: The executive power of this organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors who shall have charge of the affairs and funds of the organization and shall have the power and authority to do and perform all acts and functions in accordance with these By-Laws.
Section 2: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. As the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The President shall render an annual report to the members of the organization at the annual meeting and shall perform all other duties incident to the office of President.
Section 3: The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice President shall also oversee the activities of all standing committees.
Section 4: The Treasurer shall be the Chief Fiscal Officer of the organization. The Treasurer shall receive all funds paid to the organization and shall deposit such funds in the name of the organization in such banks as the Board of Directors may designate. The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept in a suitable form, detailed accounts of the assets, liabilities, receipts, and disbursements of the organization. The books shall be open at all times for examination by the Board of Directors and the members of the organization. The Treasurer shall provide a monthly report at the regular monthly meeting and prepare an annual report to the members of the organization at the annual meeting. An annual review of the finances will be conducted by an impartial third party every year. The Treasurer shall pay all bills for the organization that have been pre-approved by the Board of Directors, based on expenditures in the prior year’s annual report. Any new expenditure greater than $1000.00 shall be presented for approval by the Board of Directors. Any new expenditure greater than $5,000.00 shall be presented for approval by the general membership at the regular monthly meeting.
Section 5: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all regular membership meetings of the organization, as well as meetings among the Board of Directors. A copy of all such minutes shall be given to the Board of Directors. The records shall be kept open at all reasonable times for inspection by any member or the organization. The Secretary shall also keep an accurate record of the membership and notify members when to pay their annual dues. In the absence of the Secretary at any meeting, a temporary Secretary shall be appointed by the President. In the absence of the President and Vice President, the secretary shall act as President of the organization.
Section 6: Trustees shall be members and participate on standing committees and perform such duties as directed by the President or Vice President.
Section 7: The Board of Directors are not to be held liable for any claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, damages or liabilities, including attorney fees for personal injury, property damage, accidents, illnesses, death, or any incidental damages that may arise from any member or non-member’s use of the facilities or equipment or from any member or non-member’s participation in activities sponsored by the Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc.
Article VII – Committees
Section 1: Any Officer shall have the power to appoint such committees from the Board of Directors and members of the organization as he/she shall deem necessary with the approval of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Committee chairmen, as appointed by Board of Directors, shall report on the activities of their committee at the regular monthly membership meeting and in such manner as the President may designate.
Article VIII – Meetings
Section 1: During the year, there shall be a regular membership meeting on the fourth Thursday of every month.
a. Except for November and December, in which the meeting will be held on the third Thursday.
Section 2: The regular membership meetings shall be held at the Newport Sportsmen Club located at 5801 Rangeline Rd. Houston, OH starting at 8:00PM unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 3: The annual meeting of the organization shall be held on the fourth Thursday of each February for the election and installation of officers for the next year and such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including annual reports of the President and Treasurer.
Section 4: An Officer or a quorum (5) of the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the general membership for the transaction of business. Notice of any special meeting shall be given to all members of the general membership of the organization at least three days before the date of said meeting by notification via current club communication methods in the local media.
Section 5: Eleven members in good standing shall constitute a quorum of any general membership meeting of this organization. In the absence of a quorum, the meeting shall be adjourned.
Article IX – Fiscal Year
Section 1: The fiscal year of this organization shall commence on the first day of January and shall end on the 31st day of December.
Article X – Amendments
Section 1: These By-Laws may be altered, repealed, or amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing present and voting at the annual meeting, held in February.
Article XI – Approval and Adoption
Section 1: These By-Laws shall be effective immediately upon affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing of the organization present and voting.
Certification
We hereby certify that the within By-Laws were adopted at the annual meeting of the Newport Sportsmen Club, Inc., held on the 24th day of March 2022, upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present in good standing and voting.