WCLSC Bylaws
Last Revised June 21, 2019
Article I: NAME
The name of the Corporation shall be Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc.
Article II: PURPOSE – The chartered purpose of the League shall be:
Article II, Section 1.
To educate the public to preserve and protect natural resources; to promote the multiple use and public access to lands and waters; to promote and perpetuate fishing, hunting, trapping, firearms ownership, the shooting sports, and compatible and related forms of outdoor recreation; to foster good sportsmanship in the safe enjoyment of these great natural heritages.
Article II, Section 2.
To preserve and protect open space; to encourage wildlife and forestry management; to ensure clean, safe, pollution-free land and waters.
Article II, Section 3.
To practice conservation and preservation; to promote awareness of the environment through education.
Article II, Section 4.
To offer advice to local, state and federal governing agencies dealing with the subjects of conservation and wildlife management and other subjects of our concern pertaining to fishing, hunting, trapping, target shooting and the land-owning public.
Article III: MEMBERSHIP
Article III, Section 1.
The Membership of the League shall consist of such clubs and associations as are in keeping with its purpose and comply with these League Bylaws. The use of the term ‘member club(s)’ in these Bylaws shall infer the inclusion of ‘member organization(s)’ and ‘member association(s)’.
Article III, Section 2.
Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. does not discriminate against any person or organization because of gender, race, creed, color, disability, ethnicity or national origin.
Article III, Section 3.
An application for membership shall be submitted in writing and accompanied by the annual dues. The application will be reviewed at any monthly meeting and voted on by the League membership attending the next regular meeting. The applying club must be accepted by at least a two-thirds vote of member clubs present.
Article III, Section 4.
Dues shall be set annually for the upcoming fiscal year at the June meeting by a two-thirds vote of member clubs present, providing written notice incorporating the substance of the proposed dues change is mailed to member clubs, associations and delegates not less than twenty nor more than sixty days in advance. Dues are payable at the annual meeting in September. Any member club with delinquent dues will be mailed delinquent dues notices. A member club with dues in arrears for six months may be removed from membership by two-thirds vote of member clubs present.
Article III, Section 5.
Each member club shall file annually in September, a questionnaire listing names and addresses of officers or delegates designated to cooperate with the League, average number of members, time and place of meetings, and such other information as may be required from time to time by the League.
Article III, Section 6.
Each member club shall appoint or elect one head delegate and as many as three alternate delegates to represent their club and may be represented at meetings by all four delegates but shall have only one vote.
Article III, Section 7.
A delegate can vote for only one member club.
Article III, Section 8.
All past Presidents of the League shall be honorary delegates without voting powers unless he or she is a member club's delegate or alternate delegate.
Article III, Section 9.
Each member club should be represented at meetings by their delegates to vote and speak for their respective clubs.
Article IV: ELECTION PROCESS
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 1.
The following officers shall be elected at the annual meeting held in September of each year: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and eleven Directors. Together, these officers and directors shall constitute the Board of Directors.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 2.
A Nomination Committee consisting of three delegates is elected at the Annual Meeting held in September of each year.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 3.
The names of candidates for office and elected committees of the Corporation shall be placed into nomination by delegates of member clubs in good standing at the June meeting.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 4.
No nomination for the position of any officer of the Corporation shall be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting unless written nomination papers giving the names of such nominees are filed with this Corporation's Recording Secretary not later than ten days prior to the Annual Meeting and are signed by not less than seven delegates representing seven member clubs in good standing.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 5.
A delegate may represent only one member club.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 1.
Officers listed in Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 1 shall be elected from among the delegates by majority ballot at the Annual Meeting and shall serve until their successors take office.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 2.
The President may fill vacancies by appointment subject to approval by the membership at the next regular meeting.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 3.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to remove any Officer who has missed three consecutive meetings of the League without properly notifying the President of his/her proposed absence.
Article V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Article V, Section 1: Elected Officers
Article V, Section 1, Subsection A: President
Article V, Section 1, Subsection B: Vice President
Article V, Section 1, Subsection C: Recording Secretary/Clerk of the Corporation
Article V, Section 1, Subsection D: Corresponding Secretary
Article V, Section 1, Subsection E: Treasurer
Article V, Section 1, Subsection F: Assistant Treasurer
Article V, Section 1, Subsection G: Directors
Article V, Section 2. Nomination Committee
Article V, Section 3. Appointed Standing Committees
The following standing committee chairs are appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors.
Article V, Section 4. Appointed Special Committees
Article VI: MEETINGS
Article VI, Section 1.
Alcoholic beverages may not be exposed or consumed in the meeting room by League delegates or guests during a meeting.
Article VI, Section 2.
Article VI, Section 3.
Special meetings may be called by the President or a quorum of the Board of Directors.
Article VI, Section 4.
All meetings shall be held at such places as may be selected by the President having due regard for the geographical distribution of member clubs.
Article VI, Section 4.
Notice of all regular meetings shall be published in League mailings posted on such media so as to be available to delegates, Officers and committee chairs of the League at least seven days in advance.
Article VI, Section 5.
Delegates from nine member clubs shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Article VI, Section 6.
A copy of the minutes of every meeting shall be sent to each member club, delegates and Officers of the League not later than two weeks after such meeting.
Article VI, Section 7
Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held on the call of the President or a quorum of the Board of Directors with a seven day notice, unless in a case of an emergency, or at any League meeting without special notice. The Officers of the Corporation shall act in the same capacity for the Board of Directors and seven shall be a quorum. All other details of their meetings may be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Article VII: FUNDS AND FISCAL YEAR
Article VII, Section 1.
All funds received by the League in the regular course of business shall be collected by the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer who shall issue a receipt from a duplicate book before depositing the funds received into the League’s accounts at an appropriate financial institution.
Article VII, Section 2.
Expenditures of the League shall be paid by the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or other individual authorized by the Board of Directors. Payment of expenses for which appropriations have been made at a League meeting may be paid without unnecessary delay.
Article VII, Section 3.
The fiscal year of the League shall be from September 1st to August 31st inclusive.
Article VII, Section 4.
The Audit Committee is to review the records of the Recording Secretary and the Treasurer quarterly during the months of December, March, and June and audited annually before the Annual Meeting in September. The annual financial statement will be made available upon request.
Article VII, Section 5.
The financial transactions of the League are segregated and maintained by funds which, except for the permanent funds listed below, may be opened or closed as deemed necessary by the Treasurer or the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Article VIII, Section 1.
The parliamentary rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern any League meetings except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Article VIII, Section 2.
A roll call vote shall be taken on any question where opposition has been evident.
Article VIII, Section 3.
A mail vote on any question requiring such action may be ordered by the President or two other directors, but shall not become valid until ten days after such ballot has been mailed to each member club or until a majority of the member clubs has been recorded.
Article VIII, Section 4.
Any motion shall be referred to the member clubs for their vote, if one-third of the member clubs voting on a roll call shall oppose its passage, provided a similar question has not been decided by the League within the interval since the third previous meeting. Any motion so referred to the member clubs shall be accompanied by an adequate written explanation and shall be voted on by roll call at the next League meeting without debate.
Article VIII, Section 5.
The decision of the League on proposed legislation shall be determined by the highest body of which the time available permits a vote to be taken; the member clubs being the highest authority, followed in descending order by the League delegates in meeting assembled, the Board of Directors and the Legislation Committee.
Article VIII, Section 6.
Any member club which cannot be represented at a meeting may authorize the Recording Secretary or the President to cast one vote on a specific question by proxy. This proxy vote will be valid only during the designated monthly meeting and such vote shall be of the same effect as if cast by a delegate of the member club in person. This proxy vote policy does not pertain to survey questionnaires.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT
These Bylaws may be amended by at least two-thirds affirmative vote at the June meeting providing written notice incorporating the substance of the proposed amendment is mailed to member clubs and delegates not less than twenty nor more than sixty days in advance.
ARTICLE X: DISPOSAL OF ASSETS
Article X, Section 1
No part of the assets or net earnings of this Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member, Officer or Director, provided, however, that payments of reasonable compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred may be made.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph A
This Corporation may dissolve and wind up its affairs upon the adoption of a resolution to do so by the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held at which a quorum was present by a vote of the majority of Directors in office and according to the plan for distribution of its assets adopted by this Corporation in the same manner.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph B
All liabilities and obligations of the Corporation shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph C
Assets held by the Corporation upon condition requiring return transfer or conveyance, which condition occurs by reason of the dissolution, shall be returned, transferred, or conveyed in accordance with such requirements.
Article X- Section 2, Paragraph D
The remaining assets shall be transferred or conveyed to one or more domestic organizations having substantially similar powers and objective and engaged in activities substantially similar to those of this Corporation.
Article X, Section 3
Article XI: ACTIVITIES OF THE LEAGUE
Article XI, Section 1.
Activities of the League shall include an Annual Appreciation Banquet and other programs approved by the Board of Directors.
Article XI, Section 2.
The purpose of the Annual Appreciation Banquet is to show appreciation to appropriate legislators, Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife personnel, certain land-owning authorities and other deemed worthy of thanks by the League.
Article XI, Section 3.
At each Annual Appreciation banquet the following awards may be presented:
The League was formally organized September 1, 1929 as the League of Worcester County Rod and Gun Clubs and incorporated on Aug 24, 1932, its name being changed to Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. on October 20, 1934. Bylaws adopted September 1, 1929 and revised March 1934, May 1935, April 1, 1941, May 15, 1942, December 20, 1946, February 17, 1950, March 21, 1952, January 27, 1961, February 18, 1963, September 21, 1990, June 18, 1993, June 20, 1997, June 16, 2006 and last revise
The name of the Corporation shall be Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc.
Article II: PURPOSE – The chartered purpose of the League shall be:
Article II, Section 1.
To educate the public to preserve and protect natural resources; to promote the multiple use and public access to lands and waters; to promote and perpetuate fishing, hunting, trapping, firearms ownership, the shooting sports, and compatible and related forms of outdoor recreation; to foster good sportsmanship in the safe enjoyment of these great natural heritages.
Article II, Section 2.
To preserve and protect open space; to encourage wildlife and forestry management; to ensure clean, safe, pollution-free land and waters.
Article II, Section 3.
To practice conservation and preservation; to promote awareness of the environment through education.
Article II, Section 4.
To offer advice to local, state and federal governing agencies dealing with the subjects of conservation and wildlife management and other subjects of our concern pertaining to fishing, hunting, trapping, target shooting and the land-owning public.
Article III: MEMBERSHIP
Article III, Section 1.
The Membership of the League shall consist of such clubs and associations as are in keeping with its purpose and comply with these League Bylaws. The use of the term ‘member club(s)’ in these Bylaws shall infer the inclusion of ‘member organization(s)’ and ‘member association(s)’.
Article III, Section 2.
Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. does not discriminate against any person or organization because of gender, race, creed, color, disability, ethnicity or national origin.
Article III, Section 3.
An application for membership shall be submitted in writing and accompanied by the annual dues. The application will be reviewed at any monthly meeting and voted on by the League membership attending the next regular meeting. The applying club must be accepted by at least a two-thirds vote of member clubs present.
Article III, Section 4.
Dues shall be set annually for the upcoming fiscal year at the June meeting by a two-thirds vote of member clubs present, providing written notice incorporating the substance of the proposed dues change is mailed to member clubs, associations and delegates not less than twenty nor more than sixty days in advance. Dues are payable at the annual meeting in September. Any member club with delinquent dues will be mailed delinquent dues notices. A member club with dues in arrears for six months may be removed from membership by two-thirds vote of member clubs present.
Article III, Section 5.
Each member club shall file annually in September, a questionnaire listing names and addresses of officers or delegates designated to cooperate with the League, average number of members, time and place of meetings, and such other information as may be required from time to time by the League.
Article III, Section 6.
Each member club shall appoint or elect one head delegate and as many as three alternate delegates to represent their club and may be represented at meetings by all four delegates but shall have only one vote.
Article III, Section 7.
A delegate can vote for only one member club.
Article III, Section 8.
All past Presidents of the League shall be honorary delegates without voting powers unless he or she is a member club's delegate or alternate delegate.
Article III, Section 9.
Each member club should be represented at meetings by their delegates to vote and speak for their respective clubs.
Article IV: ELECTION PROCESS
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 1.
The following officers shall be elected at the annual meeting held in September of each year: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and eleven Directors. Together, these officers and directors shall constitute the Board of Directors.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 2.
A Nomination Committee consisting of three delegates is elected at the Annual Meeting held in September of each year.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 3.
The names of candidates for office and elected committees of the Corporation shall be placed into nomination by delegates of member clubs in good standing at the June meeting.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 4.
No nomination for the position of any officer of the Corporation shall be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting unless written nomination papers giving the names of such nominees are filed with this Corporation's Recording Secretary not later than ten days prior to the Annual Meeting and are signed by not less than seven delegates representing seven member clubs in good standing.
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 5.
A delegate may represent only one member club.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 1.
Officers listed in Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 1 shall be elected from among the delegates by majority ballot at the Annual Meeting and shall serve until their successors take office.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 2.
The President may fill vacancies by appointment subject to approval by the membership at the next regular meeting.
Article IV, Section 2, Paragraph 3.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to remove any Officer who has missed three consecutive meetings of the League without properly notifying the President of his/her proposed absence.
Article V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
Article V, Section 1: Elected Officers
Article V, Section 1, Subsection A: President
- The President shall preside over regular meetings of the League, preserve order and decorum and is responsible for the enforcement of the Charter and Bylaws of the League.
- The President is an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nomination Committee.
- The President may not be elected to a fourth consecutive term.
- The President and Recording Secretary shall sign all contracts and official documents as may be required by law and/or by the action of the League or the Board of Directors.
- The President shall have the power to call meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee with a week’s notice except in case of an emergency.
- The President may be assigned other duties by a majority vote of the League.
- The following are appointed by the President:
- The County Coordinator whose duties are to recommend the names of all District Directors to the President for his or her approval prior to appointment and to oversee duties of the District Directors.
- The District Coordinators responsibility will be to make contact on a regular basis with each club in his/her area or district. Their duties will include: to oversee and motivate the various delegates from each club in their area: assist in coordinating the activities of member clubs and the League; to monitor local press coverage for the League; to notify the County Coordinator of any problems that clubs in his/her area may be experiencing. The District Coordinators will be a communications link between member clubs, club delegates and the League.
- Other membership committees may be appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors (see Article V, Sections 3 and 4).
Article V, Section 1, Subsection B: Vice President
- The Vice President shall render assistance to the President as may be required and takes the place of the President in his/her absence.
- The Vice President shall act as parliamentarian and at all times shall have a copy of Roberts Rules of Order in his/her possession.
- The Vice President shall be assigned duties by the President.
- The Vice President is the coordinator of standing committees including the Bylaws Committee and the Land Committee. Other committees may be appointed by the Vice President with approval of the Board of Directors.
Article V, Section 1, Subsection C: Recording Secretary/Clerk of the Corporation
- The Recording Secretary/Clerk of the Corporation shall keep accurate minutes to all meetings including attendance and shall record them into the League's permanent record book.
- The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record of League membership.
- The Recording Secretary shall receive and record committee reports.
- The Recording Secretary must also sign all contracts and official documents along with the President, as required by law and/or by the action of the League or the Board of Directors.
Article V, Section 1, Subsection D: Corresponding Secretary
- The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for all communication from the League to member clubs and to write and send out League letters that may be necessary.
- The Corresponding Secretary shall work closely with the other Officers in keeping the communication link open to member clubs and shall post League updates and other information on appropriate social media outlets with approval of member clubs or the Board of Directors.
Article V, Section 1, Subsection E: Treasurer
- The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining an accurate record of income and expenses and must present a report of receipts and payments in writing for every member club at each monthly meeting. Copies will be retained by the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Recording Secretary and the President.
- The Treasurer shall pay all expenses through the League's checking account.
- The Treasurer shall pay only the League's bills authorized by the membership or the Board of Directors.
- The Treasurer shall receive and record all income and give a numbered duplicate receipt from the League's receipt book for all income received and must deposit the entire amount into the League's checking or savings account within one week.
- The Treasurer must submit a yearly financial statement at the Annual Meeting.
Article V, Section 1, Subsection F: Assistant Treasurer
- The Assistant Treasurer shall render assistance to the Treasurer as may be required and acts for the Treasurer in his/her absence.
Article V, Section 1, Subsection G: Directors
- The Directors shall be chosen maintaining as fair a geographical representation as possible to serve with the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, forming the Board of Directors.
- The Board shall have power to conduct necessary business of the Corporation not otherwise specifically reserved or assigned including interpretation of the Bylaws and shall devise ways and means of carrying out the Chartered purpose of the League.
- The Board shall oversee the timely preparation and submission of any forms or reports concerning the League’s status or activities that may be required by law, including tax information, returns, corporate filings, etc.
- The Board shall be assigned duties by the membership.
- The Board shall investigate, abate or report to the League any grievance of member clubs.
- The Board shall appoint Honorary Directors; individuals so selected shall be those who have served the League with distinction and are thus honored. This select group is to serve an unlimited term and is to be an advisory panel on call of the Board of Directors without voting privileges.
- The Board shall hold a meeting between the annual September meeting and the monthly October meeting and elect the following to carry out the mandates of the League:
- A Chairman of the Board whose duty is to report the Boards’ action to the membership at the next regular meeting.
- An Education Chair to promote education and to establish and maintain communication with schools, libraries, sportspeople and the public; to submit articles pertaining to education to the Leagues Publication Committee and to recommend to the membership projects deserving funding by the Four Point Action Fund. The Chair will appoint his/her own committee.
- A Legislation Chair to establish and maintain communication with state and federal legislators; to provide accurate advice to legislators and foster a working relationship between sportspeople and legislators; to submit articles pertaining to legislation to the League’s Publication Committee and recommends to the membership projects deserving funding by the Four Point Action Fund. The Chair will appoint his/her own committee.
- A Conservation Chair to maintain and/or improve the environment and habitat; to maintain communication between sportspeople and the environmental agencies; to submit articles pertaining to conservation to the League’s Publication Committee and to recommend to the membership projects deserving funding by the Four Point Action Fund. The Chair will appoint his/her own committee.
- A Public Relations Chair to establish and maintain communication between sportspeople and the general public; to submit articles pertaining to public relations to the League’s Publication Committee and to recommend to the membership projects deserving funding by the Four Point Action Fund. The Chair will appoint his/her own committee.
- A Publication Committee Chair to regularly prepare, print and distribute the League’s official publication, The Sportsmen’s News. The Chair of the Publication Committee will select members of his/her own committee.
- An Audit Committee consisting of three members.
Article V, Section 2. Nomination Committee
- The Nomination Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and is to serve until its successor is elected at the following Annual Meeting.
- The Nomination Committee at the monthly meeting regularly preceding the Annual Meeting shall nominate candidates for each elective office, maintaining a fair geographical representation, and may suggest agents for other major activities at the proper times. This Committee, consisting of three active delegates, shall select their own chairperson.
Article V, Section 3. Appointed Standing Committees
The following standing committee chairs are appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors.
- Land Committee
- The Chair of the Land Committee is appointed to increase the real property assets of the League and maintain them in a proper manner.
- The Chair of the Land Committee may select members of his/her committee.
- Bylaw Committee
- The Chair of the Bylaw Committee shall accept suggestions, review and make recommendations as to new bylaws and amendments.
- All new proposed changes must be signed by the person submitting the change.
- The Chair will select members of his/her committee.
Article V, Section 4. Appointed Special Committees
- Special committees shall be appointed to undertake projects when there is a sufficient amount of volunteers to successfully accomplish the task.
- Members of special committees are appointed by the President and are subject to approval by the Board of Directors or the delegates at any meeting.
- Members of 4-Point Action special committees are appointed by the Board of Directors.
Article VI: MEETINGS
Article VI, Section 1.
Alcoholic beverages may not be exposed or consumed in the meeting room by League delegates or guests during a meeting.
Article VI, Section 2.
- The Annual Meeting of the League shall be called promptly at 8:00 PM on the third Friday of September.
- Regular meetings shall be called on the third Friday of each month promptly at 8:00 PM.
- The regular monthly meeting may be suspended in July and August.
- All meetings should adjourn at or about 10:00 PM. If meeting business is to go beyond 10:30 PM, a motion to continue and a two-thirds affirmative vote are necessary to proceed with the meeting.
Article VI, Section 3.
Special meetings may be called by the President or a quorum of the Board of Directors.
Article VI, Section 4.
All meetings shall be held at such places as may be selected by the President having due regard for the geographical distribution of member clubs.
Article VI, Section 4.
Notice of all regular meetings shall be published in League mailings posted on such media so as to be available to delegates, Officers and committee chairs of the League at least seven days in advance.
Article VI, Section 5.
Delegates from nine member clubs shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.
Article VI, Section 6.
A copy of the minutes of every meeting shall be sent to each member club, delegates and Officers of the League not later than two weeks after such meeting.
Article VI, Section 7
Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held on the call of the President or a quorum of the Board of Directors with a seven day notice, unless in a case of an emergency, or at any League meeting without special notice. The Officers of the Corporation shall act in the same capacity for the Board of Directors and seven shall be a quorum. All other details of their meetings may be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Article VII: FUNDS AND FISCAL YEAR
Article VII, Section 1.
All funds received by the League in the regular course of business shall be collected by the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer who shall issue a receipt from a duplicate book before depositing the funds received into the League’s accounts at an appropriate financial institution.
Article VII, Section 2.
Expenditures of the League shall be paid by the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or other individual authorized by the Board of Directors. Payment of expenses for which appropriations have been made at a League meeting may be paid without unnecessary delay.
Article VII, Section 3.
The fiscal year of the League shall be from September 1st to August 31st inclusive.
Article VII, Section 4.
The Audit Committee is to review the records of the Recording Secretary and the Treasurer quarterly during the months of December, March, and June and audited annually before the Annual Meeting in September. The annual financial statement will be made available upon request.
Article VII, Section 5.
The financial transactions of the League are segregated and maintained by funds which, except for the permanent funds listed below, may be opened or closed as deemed necessary by the Treasurer or the Board of Directors.
- The Four-Point Action Fund, used to promote Education, Conservation, Public Relations, and Legislation favorable to the Sportsmen and Sportswomen of Worcester County
- The Reach the Public Fund, used to provide voters with information concerning State-wide or local ballot questions
- The Sportsmen’s Fund, used to assist member clubs as needed.
- The General Fund, for any financial transactions not applicable to any of the aforementioned funds.
ARTICLE VIII: PARLIAMENTARY RULES
Article VIII, Section 1.
The parliamentary rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order (Revised) shall govern any League meetings except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Article VIII, Section 2.
A roll call vote shall be taken on any question where opposition has been evident.
Article VIII, Section 3.
A mail vote on any question requiring such action may be ordered by the President or two other directors, but shall not become valid until ten days after such ballot has been mailed to each member club or until a majority of the member clubs has been recorded.
Article VIII, Section 4.
Any motion shall be referred to the member clubs for their vote, if one-third of the member clubs voting on a roll call shall oppose its passage, provided a similar question has not been decided by the League within the interval since the third previous meeting. Any motion so referred to the member clubs shall be accompanied by an adequate written explanation and shall be voted on by roll call at the next League meeting without debate.
Article VIII, Section 5.
The decision of the League on proposed legislation shall be determined by the highest body of which the time available permits a vote to be taken; the member clubs being the highest authority, followed in descending order by the League delegates in meeting assembled, the Board of Directors and the Legislation Committee.
Article VIII, Section 6.
Any member club which cannot be represented at a meeting may authorize the Recording Secretary or the President to cast one vote on a specific question by proxy. This proxy vote will be valid only during the designated monthly meeting and such vote shall be of the same effect as if cast by a delegate of the member club in person. This proxy vote policy does not pertain to survey questionnaires.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENT
These Bylaws may be amended by at least two-thirds affirmative vote at the June meeting providing written notice incorporating the substance of the proposed amendment is mailed to member clubs and delegates not less than twenty nor more than sixty days in advance.
ARTICLE X: DISPOSAL OF ASSETS
Article X, Section 1
No part of the assets or net earnings of this Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member, Officer or Director, provided, however, that payments of reasonable compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred may be made.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph A
This Corporation may dissolve and wind up its affairs upon the adoption of a resolution to do so by the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held at which a quorum was present by a vote of the majority of Directors in office and according to the plan for distribution of its assets adopted by this Corporation in the same manner.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph B
All liabilities and obligations of the Corporation shall be paid, satisfied and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made.
Article X, Section 2, Paragraph C
Assets held by the Corporation upon condition requiring return transfer or conveyance, which condition occurs by reason of the dissolution, shall be returned, transferred, or conveyed in accordance with such requirements.
Article X- Section 2, Paragraph D
The remaining assets shall be transferred or conveyed to one or more domestic organizations having substantially similar powers and objective and engaged in activities substantially similar to those of this Corporation.
Article X, Section 3
- The Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs Inc.’s property in New Braintree is recorded on the following book and page numbers; Book 12806 page 286 and Book 4975 page 308.
- Its Conservation Restriction and Conservation Easement are recorded on Assessor’s Map and Parcel Numbers 403-60, 403-70 and 403-71. Restriction recorded June 29, 2016. Registry: Worcester County, Book 55563, Page 327, Restriction ID Number DFW1384.
- The use, sale, transfer or lease of said property shall include the condition that the land and property shall, as at present, be open for hunting, fishing and compatible outdoor recreation, and open to the public without fee, such stipulation to be included on all future deeds.
- Any changes in use, sale, transfer or lease of said property shall be in ballot (paper) form and shall require the approval by two-thirds (2/3) of the member clubs in good standing, voting after proper notice mailed not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the meeting date of action to be voted upon.
Article XI: ACTIVITIES OF THE LEAGUE
Article XI, Section 1.
Activities of the League shall include an Annual Appreciation Banquet and other programs approved by the Board of Directors.
Article XI, Section 2.
The purpose of the Annual Appreciation Banquet is to show appreciation to appropriate legislators, Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife personnel, certain land-owning authorities and other deemed worthy of thanks by the League.
Article XI, Section 3.
At each Annual Appreciation banquet the following awards may be presented:
- Legislator of the Year, presented to a legislator who has shown support of issues concerning sportsmen and sportswomen in the Massachusetts legislature
- Farmer/Landowner of the Year, in appreciation of efforts preserving land, providing wildlife habitat and recreation to sportsmen and sportswomen
- Sportsman of the Year, presented in recognition of work promoting the League for Sportsmen and Sportswomen
- Words of Wisdom Award, in recognition of efforts to inform, educate, and promote issues for sportsmen and sportswomen
- Youth Mentor Award, recognition of work providing information and education to the youth of Massachusetts
- Hall of Fame Inductee, awarded to a League delegate who has had an important impact on our sportsmen’s privileges in Massachusetts through their lifelong work for sporting issues.
The League was formally organized September 1, 1929 as the League of Worcester County Rod and Gun Clubs and incorporated on Aug 24, 1932, its name being changed to Worcester County League of Sportsmen's Clubs, Inc. on October 20, 1934. Bylaws adopted September 1, 1929 and revised March 1934, May 1935, April 1, 1941, May 15, 1942, December 20, 1946, February 17, 1950, March 21, 1952, January 27, 1961, February 18, 1963, September 21, 1990, June 18, 1993, June 20, 1997, June 16, 2006 and last revise
