Constitution Of San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club **************************************************** Preamble

Transcription

1 Constitution Of San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club **************************************************** Preamble **************************************************** The San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club, recognizing the need for an organization of Treasure Hunting enthusiasts do hereby prescribe and uphold the following principles: All Treasure hunting is a rewarding and beneficial hobby to be shared by any individual or family. All Treasure Hunters share a common responsibility to themselves, and to the Treasure Hunting fraternity, to respect the rights of all landowners and public officials in the preservation and protection of their property against trespass or undue damage through carelessness on the part of Treasure Hunters or other individuals. Service to Historic Societies, law enforcement agencies and charitable organizations, is an integral part of a Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics. In furtherance of these aims, the San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club does hereby establish the organization for the purpose of inspiring those standards of attainment and neighborly conduct, and it shall be the endeavor of the members who may be called upon to preside and govern this organization, to enforce the precepts of this organization, by every responsible means within their power, and they and all members of this organization shall exemplify those principles by conduct as well as enforcement in order that the club may bring honor to itself and the world may be convinced of the sincerity of our purpose.

2 Article 1 Name The name of this organization shall be: San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club Article 2 Membership Membership in this organization shall be open to any person interested in the hobby of Treasure Hunting and each person, upon payment of non-refundable Annual Dues, shall be given a membership card. Memberships shall be classified as follows: 1. Active - Active members shall be those who have paid yearly dues. 2. Honorary - Honorary members shall be those who have shown outstanding service to the club and the Treasure Hunting fraternity. These members shall be accepted by a two-thirds vote of the active members present. Honorary members will have no voting privileges. Any member may be expelled from this organization after due hearing against any member and following a two-thirds vote favoring expulsion by the total active membership. Article 3 - Government - Officers 1. The elected officers of this organization shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Hunt Director. 2. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Hunt Director, shall be elected by a majority vote of the active membership present for a term of one year. 3. If there is a single nominee for any office, the election for that office shall be by a show of hands vote. 4. No person shall serve in any office for more than two consecutive years unless by the unanimous decision of the active membership present. 5. Appointed/Volunteer officers of this organization shall be Webmaster, Historian, Librarian and Refreshments.

3 Article 3 Government (continued) Section D Section E The duties of the officers of this organization shall be set forth in the by-laws hereof. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers and all the appointed/volunteer officers. In the event that an elected or appointed/volunteer officer shall fail to attend three consecutive meetings of the club without good cause, then that office shall become vacant, and the Executive Committee shall appoint a successor to serve for the remainder of the term. By-Laws, not consistent with this Constitution and in furtherance of the purposes thereof, shall be promulgated. The By-Laws shall be approved or amended by a twothirds vote of the active members present. Article 4 Amendments This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the active membership. Proxy votes are acceptable only by registered mail.

4 ********************************************************** By - Laws Of San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club ********************************************************** Article 1 Meetings Meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of each month. Exceptions for good cause may be made to the President who may change the meeting time of individual meetings by giving notice on the preceding Thursday or before provided a suitable meeting place has been arranged. The President or Executive Committee may call special meetings on a one week notice provided a suitable meeting place has been arranged. The quorum required for the transaction of business shall be the majority of all active members present. Article 2 - Officers Duties of the Officers shall be as follows: President: A. The President appoints all non-elective officers and all standing committees as may be deemed necessary to conduct the business of the club. B. The President is empowered to call special meetings of the club and Executive Committee when necessary. C. The President is responsible for enforcement of the Constitution and By-Laws of the club. D. The President will preside at all meetings. In his/her absence the Vice President will preside. E. The President shall sign all bills, contracts, and other instruments.

5 Article 2 - Officers (continued) Vice-President: Secretary: Treasurer: A. The Vice-President will assist the President and shall act in the place of the President in his/her absence. B. The Vice-President will facilitate Find of the Month voting and the Sign-In Drawing for awarding of prizes. A. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings and functions of the club. B. The Secretary shall send all notices and such correspondence that shall become necessary for the business of the organization and will keep a file of all correspondence. C. The Secretary will maintain an up to date mailing list of all members. A. The Treasurer shall keep accurate financial records. B. The Treasurer will collect all payments and pay all debts incurred by the club. C. The Treasurer will deposit all funds in a bank in the name of the club; report conditions of the treasury at regular meetings and during January submit the records for auditing purposes. D. The Treasurer will assist the Secretary with the maintenance of an up to date mailing list of all members. Hunt Director: A. The Hunt Director shall research any place of interest for a club hunt. B. The Hunt Director shall be responsible for securing permits or permission for hunt sites. C. The Hunt Director shall establish rules and prizes for a club hunt. D. The Hunt Director shall maintain accurate records of all raffle money received and spent for monthly prizes, seeded hunts and Christmas Party giveaways and shall provide such records for audit upon request by the President. Article 3 - Elections 1. Elections shall be held once each year, not later than the regular December meeting. 2. Notice of elections shall be given by the President two meetings before the election.

6 Article 3 - Elections (continued) Section D The nomination committee shall consist of three active members to be appointed by the Executive Committee during the month of October. The nomination committee shall present a slate of officers at the November meeting. Voting shall be by secret ballot, and in the same order as the officers are named in Article 3,, Part 1 of the Constitution. If there is a single nominee for any office, the election for that office shall be by a show of hands vote. Article 4 - Finances 1. Dues are payable annually in January. 2. Memberships available are Individual or Family (one or both parents and children up to 18 years of age living at home) and Honorary. 3. Dues may be changed by a majority vote of the active members present at any regular meeting. Dues may be paid during the months of December, January and February. If monthly meetings are held in a facility requiring payment of a membership fee, prorated dues for new members cannot be offered. If monthly meetings are held in a facility with a flat rate monthly charge, new member dues may be discounted as follows: January thru June No Discount July thru September 15 Percent Discount October thru December 25 Percent Discount

7 Article 5 - Amendments Amendments to this Constitution may be amended or added to at any regular (not special) club meeting by a 2/3's vote of the active members present. Notice of any proposed changes shall be given at least one month before such changes may be voted on. Article 6 - Basic Policies A. This organization shall be nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and nonprofit. B. Members are encouraged, but not required to display at least once per year at a regular scheduled meeting. C. Roberts Rules of Order Revised shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable. D. This organization shall exchange information, ideas and techniques among members and organizations with similar interests. E. This organization shall offer free advice to members on problems of the treasure hunter and promote the characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline and teamwork, and above all good sportsmanship and love of country. F. Any item found by a member, but withheld by a governing entity for inspection or appraising, then released back to the member at a later date, should be displayed as soon as possible at a regular scheduled meeting. G. All club minutes taken by the Secretary will be held for three years, then submitted to the Historian and added to the club archive.

8 ********************************************************* San Antonio Area Metal Detector Club Code of Ethics ********************************************************** 1. All treasure hunters will be judged by the example you set. Always conduct yourself with courtesy and consideration for others. 2. Observe all laws, whether National, State, or Local. 3. Respect the rights of others. Always obtain permission to hunt on private property. (It is not necessary when hunting on public land where permission is automatic.) 4. Leave the land and vegetation as it was. Fill in all holes and replace sod if any was removed. 5. Remove all trash and litter when you leave. Never leave a pull-tab or piece of trash in the hole you dug. Remove it and dispose of it properly. 6. Aid law enforcement officials and historic societies whenever possible. 7. Never destroy priceless historical or archeological treasures. When practical, donate relics to local museums or civic organizations. Do this in your name and in the name of your club.