OF THE MISSOURI FALCONERS ASSOCIATION
APRIL 13, 2012
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1.
Membership Categories and Criteria
A. REGULAR MEMBERSHIP is open to residents of the State of Missouri, 12 years of age or older, who have and hold a valid resident Falconry license, or Raptor Propagation permit.
B. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any person 12 years or older, and all non-resident falconers and breeders.
C. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP shall be open to any reputable organization, local, regional, national, or international, having objectives and purposes similar to or allied with those of this Club.
Section 2.
Admission to Membership
A. Admission to all categories of membership shall be within the discretion of the Officers as specified in the Bylaws. For admission of any person or organization, the concurrence of a majority vote of the Officers shall be required.
B. Applicants shall submit a membership application and the current dues prior to acceptance. The application shall include the applicant’s full name, mailing address, email address if any, and phone number. The application shall also provide space for a brief statement of the applicant’s falconry experience, and shall provide a statement over the applicant’s signature indicating the applicant will abide by and support the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.
Section 3.
Number and Duration of Memberships
A. There shall be no restriction as to the number of memberships in the Association.
B. Upon the timely payment of the prescribed annual dues, all categories of membership shall extend from calendar year to calendar year without interruption, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with these By-Laws.
Section 4.
Dues
A. Annual dues for all categories of memberships shall be established by the Officers and approved by a mail vote of the Regular Membership. A simple majority vote of the timely responses in the affirmative shall be required to establish the amount of annual dues for each membership category.
B. Dues shall be payable to the Treasurer of the Club at the time of application for membership, or in case of renewal, from August to August yearly.
C. Advance payment for successive years may be accepted, provided that if such membership is terminated prior to the end of such paid-up period, no refund is permitted. Further, dues shall not be apportionable for any part of a calendar year, either upon admission or termination of such membership.
Section 5.
Termination or Suspension of Membership
A. Any category of membership may be terminated by resignation or death of a Member, or upon dissolution of the Club.
B. Any category of membership will automatically terminate if not renewed by payment of annual dues on or before February 28th annually.
C. Regular Membership may be suspended by the Officers if, in the sole judgment of the Officers, such Member has violated the rules, regulations or By-Laws of the club, or the State and Federal Regulations covering Falconry or Raptor breeding., or if in the sole judgment of the Officers such members’ status, motives, or activities are prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. Such suspension shall be imposed only by unanimous vote of the Officers; provided that a statement of the grounds for such action shall be sent by certified mail to the Member at his/her address of record, at least 30 days prior to the action of the Officers; and provided further, that the member may, prior to that date, submit to the Officers any matter of explanation, defense, mitigation, or extenuation. The Officers may not, however, take any action against a Member, while legal action is pending against that Member. Terminations of Regular Membership for any of the grounds described require timely mail responses in the affirmative by the Regular Membership. The provisions of this paragraph are not applicable to the Officers. They must first be removed from office as hereinafter prescribed prior to any suspension or termination of Regular Membership status. While in a suspended status, a Regular Member may not hold any office, nor be entitled to vote.
Section 6.
Mailing Address, Email Address, and Phone Number
A. It shall be the sole responsibility of each Member to maintain a current addresses and phone number on file with the Secretary and/or Treasurer of the Club at all times. Such addresses and phone number shall be used for all purposes within the Club including mailings and determination of residence for voting and election qualifications. This information shall remain confidential to all other purposes except at the written permission of the individual member.
Section 7.
Privileges of Membership
A. Regular Members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club, including the right to vote and serve as an Officer.
B. Associate and Affiliate Members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Club, except the right to vote and hold office within the Club.
ARTICLE II
AFFILIATION
Section 1. THE MISSOURI FALCONERS ASSOCIATION shall maintain an affiliation with The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) unless and until said affiliation is denied by a vote of a majority of the regular membership. In the event that less than the majority of the Club are members of NAF A, then the Officers shall canvas the membership and determine which MFA Members are not members of NAFA. Having made that determination, the Officers shall contact all non-NAF A members and encourage them to join NAF A. In the event they are unable to encourage enough members of NAF A, then the Officers shall authorize the payment of NAF A dues so that the Club remains affiliated with NAF A.
ARTICLE III
THE OFFICERS
Section 1.
Electorate, Qualifications and Terms of Office
A. Electorate. The officers of the Club shall be elected from the Regular Membership, by the Regular Membership as follows:
B. Qualifications
1. A nominee for any office must be a resident of the State of Missouri and must hold a current and valid Missouri falconry license and/or a Raptor Propagation Permit and further be a current member in good standing in the MISSOURI FALCONERS ASSOCIATION.
C. Terms of office shall be as follows: The officers of MFA will be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and such officers with duties as the Officers prescribes such as Area Directors.
1. The term of the President shall be one year from the date of election. The President shall be on the ballot for re-election each year.
2. The term of the Vice President shall be one year from the date of election. The Vice President shall be on the ballot for re-election each year.
3. The term of the Treasurer shall be one year from the date of election. The Treasurer shall be on the ballot for re-election each year.
4. The term of the Secretary shall be one year from the date of election. The Secretary shall be on the ballot for re-election each year.
The term of the Area Directors shall be one year from the date of election. Each Area Director shall be on the ballot for re-election each year.
Section 2.
Election of Officers
A. The Officers shall have general authority to plan for and supervise the election of Officers. Voting rules and procedures to be promulgated by the Officers shall, among other matters:
1. Provide to all Regular Members timely notice of both nomination and elections and further provide all Regular Members reasonable opportunity to nominate and vote for Club Officers;
2. Insure, with all reasonable effort, that at least two qualified candidates are nominated for each position to be filled, and that each nominee is willing to accept the responsibilities if elected. Active competition for election is encouraged;
3. Insure that nominations and elections are conducted in a fair and equitable manner;
4. Any member in good standing with the Membership that would like to serve as an Officer for the Club may do so by submitting such desire in writing to the President for ratification and voting by the Regular Membership. Such desire should be presented at a time to be set by the officers but that the time will not exceed 11 months from the past election.
Section 3.
Officers Meetings
A. The Officers shall meet, either in person or mail, upon the call of the President at any time but not less than once each year.
Section 4.
Termination and Removal of Officers
A. With the approval of the Officers, an Officer may resign. The following acts or omissions shall be equivalent to resignation and approval of the Officers shall not be required:
1. Termination of Regular Membership in the MISSOURI FALCONERS ASSOCIATION.
2. Failure to make timely response to meetings of the Officers as stated in these By-Laws.
A. Any Officer may be removed from office upon written petition signed by two thirds of the Regular Membership or upon recommendation by the other Officers and approved by the affirmative vote of two thirds of the Regular Membership who timely respond. Within 15 days following receipt of such petition the Officers shall submit the petition to the Regular Membership for vote by mail. Notice and ballot shall be mailed to each Regular Member not less than 15 days prior to the last day upon which votes will be accepted.
B. In the event vacancies of the Officers should occur in any manner other than by expiration of term, the remaining Officers, by majority vote, shall fill such vacancy from the Regular Membership, provided that such temporary appointment shall continue only until the next regularly scheduled election, at which time the vacancy shall be filled by normal election process.
Section 5.
Submission to the Regular Membership
A. Within the discretion of the Officers, any matter may be submitted to the Regular Membership for vote by mail or electronic vote. In such event, the Officers shall be bound by the resulting vote of the Regular Membership upon the issue submitted.
B. Upon written petition of 25% of the Regular Membership any matter including, but not limited to proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, shall be submitted to the Regular Membership for mail vote. The Officers shall be bound by vote results.
C. Within 15 days following receipt of such petition, the Officers shall submit the matter to the Regular Membership for mail vote. The manner of submission and voting on all matters shall comply with the rules pertaining to Membership Meetings by mail; providing that in the instances of establishment of dues, amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, and dissolution of the Association, a two-thirds majority vote of those responding shall be required, and a total response of 50% of the Regular Membership shall be required.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1.
President
A. The President shall:
1. Call and preside over all meetings of the Club.
2. Be responsible for the planning and presentation of all matters requiring action by the Regular Membership, and the expeditions processing of such matters to a conclusion; including representation to the State of Missouri Conservation Department. Serve as an ex officio member of all committees. Appoint ad hoc committees as necessary.
Section 2.
Vice President
The Vice President shall:
Call and preside over all meetings of the Club in the absence of the President.
Be responsible for the planning and presentation of all matters requiring action by the Regular Membership, and the expeditions processing of such matters to a conclusion; including representation to the State of Missouri Conservation Department in the absence of the President.
Oversee and collect reports if applicable from all committees standing and ad hoc.
Assume the office of the President in the event that the President is unable to continue for reasons of death, disability, abdication or expulsion until the completion of that term as outlined in the bylaws.
Section 3.
The Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
Serve as custodian of all Club funds and property and keep a strict account of all receipts and expenditures;
Collect and record club members’ dues.
Pay only those expenditures authorized by the Officers and which are within the unappropriated budget balances;
Deposit all Club funds in a suitable account and insure that signature cards are on file with the institution.
Prepare, record, and distribute to the Officers an annual financial report that shall be available to regular members in a manner agreed upon by the Officers.
Prepare or cause to be prepared non-profit information tax returns, and to insure that the same is timely filed with extensions if necessary. Maintain a file of all tax returns and related correspondence, including the non-profit tax memo.
Section 4.
The Secretary
A. The Secretary shall:
1. Give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the Club;
2. Keep minutes and records of all Regular Meetings and Meetings of Officers, including those conducted by mail, and record all actions of the Officers during such Meetings. Said minutes will be available at each meeting of the Officers and each meeting of the regular membership;
3. Maintain a file of all Club correspondence including correspondence to individual Officers in as much as they are related to the business and wellbeing of the club;
4. Maintain an accurate list of member’s, their address, phone numbers, email address and other pertinent contact information and assure its confidentiality except as granted in writing by each member;
5. Prepare other reports as requested by the Officers.
ARTICLE V
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Section 1
Time and Place
A. The Regular Membership may meet physically at any time and shall meet at least once each year, upon the call of the President or the President’s designee.
B. Committee of the Whole. Those present in person at a Regular Meeting shall act as a “Committee of the Whole” to draft resolutions and proposals for submission into the entire Regular Membership. A majority vote shall control.
C. Notice. Notice of Regular Meetings shall be posted on the MFA website and shall include the time, place, and general nature of business to be transacted. Notice shall be given not less than 15 days prior to such meeting.
D. Voting. The Officers shall provide for proxy voting by written authorization, at a Regular Meeting, and when appropriate for specific subjects, shall provide further for the use of written ballots by mail.
ARTICLE VI
DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. The Regular Membership made by affirmative vote, may terminate the existence of the Club immediately or at a certain future time.
Section 2. In such event, the Officers shall immediately proceed to wind up the affairs of the Club. All property and assets of the Club, including accounts receivable, if any, shall be reduced to cash or other suitable disposition made, and all outstanding debts, obligations, or liabilities shall be satisfied insofar as liquidated assets permit.
Section 3. When the above requirements have been satisfied, the Officers shall dispose of any balance of cash or real property to such organization operated for charitable, ecological, educational, or wildlife conservation purposes, which qualify under Section 501(C) (3) of the IRS code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of subsequent IRS Law in effect at the time.
Section 4. A full and general accounting of the disposition and dissolution shall be made by the Officers and all Regular Members, and notice of dissolution shall be given to all members as soon as possible after the completion of all dissolution business.