CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS The Texas Gun Collectors Association

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1 [Proposed Revision XXAugust 2008] CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS The Texas Gun Collectors Association ARTICLE I - Name The name of this organization shall be the Texas Gun Collectors Association (TGCA). ARTICLE II - Objectives To establish in Texas a permanent organization for the mutual benefit of its members and to promote friendship among [Editor s note: deleted text follows: promotion of friendship among and the mutual benefit of] persons interested in the collection, preservation and use of all types of arms and their accessories; to arrange and hold meetings for the display and exchange of arms and useful information for the membership; to publicize and oppose unfair arms legislation; and to uphold and promote the highest ethical standards in all activities pertaining to the Association. Above all, the Texas Gun Collector's Association supports the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. ARTICLE III - Membership Section 1. Membership is to be obtained by application on a standard form for that purpose furnished by the Association. Applications must be accompanied by the initial fees, including one full year's dues and must be endorsed by a member in good standing having personal knowledge of the applicant. The completed form will be forwarded to the Secretary, who will submit the application to the Board of Directors for their approval, and then issue a membership card [Editor s note: deleted text: issue a membership card, and then submit the application to the Board of Directors for their approval. Having been approved by the Board of Directors, a person of at least 18 years of age, having no criminal record, and who has an interest in the collecting, preservation, use or study of any type of firearm or accessories pertaining to firearms, is acceptable. Section 2. Associate memberships may be extended to minors aged 12 to 18 under the same regulation set forth in Section 1. Associate members shall have all the rights, privileges, and benefits of any other member; including the right to vote, except that any purchase of a firearm at a meeting must be made in compliance with current laws pertaining to firearms. The sponsor of an Associate member is responsible for instructing the minor in proper procedures for handling items in the meetings. Section 3. Honorary membership, having all the privileges of regular membership except the right to vote, may be granted to: (a). A gun collector association or official. (b). Any person who has rendered outstanding service to the Texas Gun Collectors Association. (c). Any person recognized as an authority on guns, gun collecting, gun literature, or related fields. (d). Any institution of higher learning or museum. Honorary membership may be granted by recommendation of the President and with the approval of the Board of Directors.

2 Section 4. Once a person has applied for membership in The Texas Gun Collectors Association and has been rejected by the Board of Directors, the applicant cannot re-apply for membership within a period of one year from date of application. Further, the applicant [Ed note: deleted text: he or she] may not attend any meetings in any capacity, nor enjoy any privileges of the Association at any time, as guest, visitor, or in any capacity. Section 5. Life memberships are limited to 225 and are available to those meeting the requirements outlined in Article III, Section 1 [Ed note: deleted text: Section 1, Article III], with the additional requirement that the life member applicant shall have been a regular member for at least ONE (1) YEAR before approval for a lifetime membership. The life membership fee is [Ed note: deleted text: of] $1,000.00, subject to change by the Board of Directors [Ed note: deleted text: Officers and Board], which payment can be made in a single lump sum or paid over a three year period. ARTICLE IV Officers Section 1. The officers shall be President, Executive Vice President, Vice President/Show Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms, each of whom shall perform the duties usually pertaining to their respective offices. Section 2. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the association, shall preside at all meetings, appoint such committee chairmen as deemed desirable by the Board of Directors, serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee, and shall have general executive charge and management of the association in the ordinary course of its business. The President may agree upon and execute all contracts and other obligations in the name of the association, subject to the concurrence of the Board of Directors. The president shall oversee the work assigned to all Directors and committees and assure it is accomplished timely and well. Section 3. The Executive Vice president shall, in the absence of the President, perform all duties of the President and also such other duties as may be assigned by the President and/or the Board of Directors. The Executive Vice President is to be automatically nominated for President at the end of the term of the previous President, unless otherwise determined by the nominating committee. Section 4. Vice President/Show Chairman. The [Ed note: deleted text: Vice President will serve as] Vice President/Show Chairman is responsible for the arrangements of the meeting, dealings with the hotel or facility where the meeting is held, rental of the tables, and other duties related to the management of the two annual meetings. The Vice President/Show Chairman will coordinate these activities with the President, Board of Directors, and the Officers of the Association. The Vice President/Show Chairman shall make all reasonable attempts to secure arrangements and reservations for a minimum of 2 years (4 shows) in advance. Section 5. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings and notify the members of the time and place thereof, giving at least 10 days notice to the membership of any regular or special meeting. The Secretary [Ed note: deleted text: He or she] shall conduct all correspondence at the direction of the Board of Directors and keep all records. The Secretary [Ed Note: deleted text: He] shall issue membership cards, collect all dues and report all receipts to the Treasurer. [Ed Note: deleted text: or other funds paid into the Association for whatsoever reason.] Section 6. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all financial transactions and give a report at the annual meeting and submit [Ed note: deleted text: his] records for annual audit as requested by the

3 Board of Directors. All bills/invoices shall be submitted to the Treasurer for payment. [Ed note: deleted text: He shall submit all bills for advertising] and [Ed Note: deleted text: He] may be required to furnish a surety bond in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors, the premium for which will be paid by the Association. Section 7. Sergeant-at-Arms. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be in charge of conduct, exhibit rules, security and safety of the meetings and shows. The Sergeant-at-Arms [Ed Note: deleted text: He] will form and head a [Ed Note: deleted text: head the] committee to check and eliminate items from the meetings that are not in keeping with the By-Laws and Policies and Procedures of TGCA. [Ed Note: deleted text: by-laws]. ARTICLE V Board of Directors Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the six regularly elected Officers (each serving a term of two years), six elected Directors (each serving staggered terms of three years), and the Immediate Past President (serving a term of two years), making a total of thirteen. The Directors elected at the annual meeting (Spring Meeting) shall be elected for staggered terms so that the term of office of two directors will expire annually thereafter. The two directors elected or re-elected annually thereafter shall each be elected for a term of three years. [Ed note: deleted text: It is also recommended that at least one other former president serve on the board so that there can be some continuity from the experience of these Officers.] All Officers and Directors must be current and/or Life Members of TGCA in good standing. Section 2. Honorary Directors, drawn from in-state or out-of-state members who have contributed materially to the Association, may be named or removed by the Board of Directors at any regular Directors meeting. Honorary Directors may sit in on meetings upon invitation of the Board and advise on matters under discussion but may not vote. Section 3. The rules concerning Directors Emeritus are identical to the rules regarding Honorary Directors covered in Section 2. Section 4. The Board of Directors shall determine all questions of policy and it shall in all respects be the governing body of the Association. The Board shall meet on the call of the President or upon the call of the majority of the Board members. Board of Directors meetings may be held electronically, including but not limited to, by [Ed Note: deleted text: means of] telephone or computer. Whether meetings are [Ed Note: deleted text: If] held in person or otherwise, a quorum shall be a mimimum of five members of the Board of Directors present. [Ed Note: deleted text: electronic, telephonic or similar means.through For the purpose of an official meeting a quorum shall be five directors.] Section 5. In the event of the ineligibility, resignation or death of an Officer or Director, his or her position shall be filled for the remainder of the current year by vote of the remaining members of the Board. A permanent successor for the balance of the unexpired term shall be elected at the next annual meeting. ARTICLE VI - Elections Section 1. Elections of directors and officers shall be held at the annual meeting which will be the first meeting held after January 1st of each year (the Spring Meeting).

4 Section 2. Nominations shall be made for the offices of Director, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President/Show Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms by a nominating committee named by the President. The officers shall thereupon be elected by a majority vote of the membership present at the meeting. The newly elected Officers take office immediately at the conclusion of the election. The Officers (other than Directors whose terms shall be governed by Article V) shall hold office for a term of two years. ARTICLE VII - Quorum A quorum for a regular or special meeting of the membership shall be [Ed Note: deleted text: ten percent of] the members present in good standing, and no less than five members of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE VIII - Rules of Order The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern this Association and its meetings in all cases to [Ed Note: deleted text: in] which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and any special rules of order that the Texas Gun Collectors Association may adopt. [Ed Note: deleted text: in agreement with these by-laws or the special rules of the Texas Gun Collectors Association.] ARTICLE IX - Publications The Board of Directors is empowered to periodically publish an official journal to be known as "The Texas Gun Collector; which will be distributed to all members in good standing, and to the general public under such terms as the Board of Directors may authorize or prescribe. The purpose of the official journal is to inform the membership of the acts of the Association and the Board of Directors; to disseminate the information and news of general value to the gun collecting hobby; and to promote research in the field of collector's firearms. The editorial policy, business policy, and advertising rates shall be established by the Board of Directors and executed through a Magazine Editor, appointed [Ed Note: deleted text: Journal Committee (non-voting) elected] by the Board of Directors. The appointment of the Magazine Editor [Ed Note: deleted text: election of the Journal Committee Chairman] shall take place at the first meeting of the Board of Directors following their annual election (the Spring Meeting). No article or editorial of a controversial nature shall be published without the approval of the Board of Directors. [Ed note: deleted text: The mailing of the magazine to any member will not be discontinued until the member has been previously notified by the Secretary.] ARTICLE X -Suspension or Expulsion

5 Section 1. Any Officer or Director may be removed by TWO-THIRDS vote of the members in good standing present at any special or regular meeting called for this purpose. No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least FIFTEEN DAYS notice in writing shall have been given to the Officer or Director concerned, of the reasons for [Ed note: deleted text: his] removal and the time and place of the special or regular meeting at which such ballot on his removal is to be taken. At such special or regular meeting, the Officer shall be given a full hearing. Section 2. Any current member, whether his status is regular, associate, honorary, or life, may have his membership suspended or terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors for violations of the Association's rules or the felony conviction of the member. The Board of Directors has complete discretion with regard to the length of any suspension, the necessity of any such termination and the complete or partial reimbursement of any of the membership fees previously paid. ARTICLE XI - Dues Section 1. Each member shall pay dues each year from January 1 through December 31 following, payable on January 2 of each year in advance. The amount of membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Section 2. A new member shall pay in advance of annual dues. Section 3. No person shall be in good standing or be qualified to exercise or be entitled to receive any privileges of membership who is in default in the payment of the annual dues by thirty-one (31) days or by the first annual meeting. Section 4. Each member shall receive and shall be entitled to retain while he is a member in good standing, a membership card. ARTICLE XII - Meetings Section 1. Responsibility will rest with the Board of Directors in determining the number of regular meetings to be held annually, and in establishing the time and place of such regular meetings. Section 2. Meetings shall be open to all paid-up members of the Texas Gun Collectors Association and their immediate families [Ed Note: deleted text: and also to members in good standing in any recognized out-of-state] antique gun club or association who have not been previously suspended or expelled for cause or any reason other than non-payment of dues. Such out-of-state organization members may display, buy, and sell guns in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Texas Gun Collectors Association. Members in good standing of other Texas gun collectors clubs will be admitted upon showing their current membership card and paying the admittance fee]. Members of the public shall also be admitted as guests within times set by the Vice President/Show Chairman, and upon payment of an admission fee or presentation of a complimentary pass issued at the discretion of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE XIII Policies and Procedures Manual [Ed note: deleted text: Rules for Exhibits]

6 The Board of Directors shall establish a Policies and Procedures Manual detailing the management of the Association and describing the routine operations of its meeting, and which will include a listing of items prohibited from shows as well as a safety program for the shows. This manual, intended to be a guide for the Board of Directors in the execution of their individual and collective duties, is available to any member who is interested upon application to the Board of Directors. [Ed note: deleted text: SAFETY RULES 1. No member or other person shall, during the continuance of a meeting of this association, and upon the premises where such a meeting is held, display, or show a loaded or primed firearm or air gun, nor shall any member, or other person place any charge, whether blank or ball or empty case, in the barrel, chamber, cylinder, or magazine of any arm upon said premises during such time. 2. Neither shall any person or member bring on the premises during such time any small arms ammunition, gun powder, cartridge, bullet, shell, grenade, rocket, or any gas shall or gas container of any kind. (Sealed collectible cartridges only.) 3. At the discretion of the President, special activities, such as auctions, may be conducted if deemed of interest to the general membership. 4. The Sergeant-at-Arms may order any violating member of these safety rules or other person to immediately remove his exhibit from the premises. 5. Such violations shall be reported to the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Officers of the Association who may declare the individual, if a member, in suspension of his membership, or if a non-member bar him from exhibiting at future meetings of the Association. 6. Any person or member who has been barred or suspended may appeal to the President, who shall consider the matter in conjunction with the Directors, and either remove or modify the suspension or disbarment or sustain such penalties. The decision of the President and Board of Directors shall be final in all such matters. PERMITTED EXHIBITS All items that are exhibited or offered for sale must be approved by the Sergeant-at-Arms, must comply with all federal, state, and local laws, and must be antiques or have recognized value as collectible items. In general, the following guidelines are offered for exhibited items: 1. Small arms and weapons intended to be fired from hand or shoulder by a single individual. 2. Accessories for small arms including sighting, carrying, and cleaning equipment, supplies, ammunition, belts, boxes and kits. 3. Miscellaneous parts for small arms considered to have value as collectibles. 4. Antique edged weapons. 5. Antique bows, arrows, crossbows, and similar items. 6. Books, literature, photographs, and pictures related to the history and manufacture of collectible arms, weapons, and ammunition. 7. Other items that can be shown to have proper relationship to the TGCA activities, and for which prior approval has been obtained from the Sergeant-at-Arms.

7 PROHIBITED ITEMS 1. Stamps, coins, modern jewelry, clothing, modern automatic machine guns, and other non-forearm related items. 2. Nazi items, blow guns, items of current manufacture unrelated to antique guns. 3. Those items deemed unacceptable by the Directors of the Texas Gun Collectors Association. PENALTY FOR VIOLATION Any member of the Association or other person found exhibiting prohibited items at a meeting or on the premises of a meeting may be requested by the Sergeant-at-Arms or any Officer or Director of the Association to remove the offending items immediately. Failure to comply or repeated violations will result in suspension of membership or disbarment from meetings. Action by the President and Board of Directors shall be final.] ARTICLE XIV - Amendments Amendments to these By-Laws may be initiated by any member in good standing, but must be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing and must be approved by the Board before being placed on the agenda for a vote of the membership at a Business Meeting. Upon rejection by the Board of Directors, any amendment may be submitted to the membership for vote upon petition of 50% of the members present at any regular meeting. [Ed Note: deleted text: ATTENTION TO NEW MEMBERS The only written rule regarding minors at the TGCA show is that they may become Associate Members and shall have all rights and privileges except purchasing a firearm. However, because of the quality of antique firearms at a TGCA show, members have had an unwritten rule that children under 12 should not attend. It is hard for little people to keep from touching what they see and like. The Directors hope you will think about this. FOOTNOTES 6 August 2008 General: Revised date at top Article IV Officers: Removed the President s duties from Section 1 and included them separately as Section 2. Renumbered the following sections accordingly. Article XIV Inserted the word, "Business" before "Meeting" to clarify the process, which will be addressed in detail in the "Policies and Procedures Manual (P&PM)".