DUTCHESS COUNTY PISTOL ASSOCIATION, INC. Organized 1937 Incorporated August 1945 (As Amended May 1994)
Article I Article II Article ill Article IV Article V Article VI Article vn Article VIII Article IX Article X Article XI Name Purposes Membership Dues DCPA Meetings and Rules of Order Board of Directors Officers Duties of Officers Suspension or Expulsion Competition Amendments
The name of the corporation is the DUTCHESS COUNTY PISTOL ASSOCIATION, INe. Hereinafter it is referred to as the DCP A. The National Rifle Association of America is hereinafter referred to as the NRA. The:purposes for which the DCPA is formed are as follows: To promote the shooting sports, and to teach safe shooting practices; to engage in shooting sports competition on DCP A ranges, and to send teams to engage in such competition elsewhere..to purchase;.. sell., lease, or mortgage real estate for DCP A purposes.
(a) Regular Member. Any citizen of the United States who is authorized by pennit or by authority of office to possess a pistol is eligible for DCP A membership, except that not more than 25% of the members shall reside outside of Dutchess County.. (b) Junior Member. Junior membership is limited to those persons who are under the legal age to possess a pistol pennit. (c) Honorary Member. Honorary membership is limited to those persons who have made outstanding contributions to DCP A welfare or to the shooting sports. They shall be elected by a majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee. Honorary members may also be regular members if they so qualify. (d) Life Member. No member shall be elected to life membership at a time when more than 20% of the DCPA regular members are life members. Life membership shall be offered to regular members on the basis of their seniority in DCPA, and subject to a one-time payment ofan assessment; from the date of that payment onward no further dues are required of the life member:' The amount of that life-membership assessment is set annually by the Board of Directors. A member declining life membership on a given occasion may request consideration for life membership at future openings. (e) Non-Citizen Member. A citizen of a nation other than the United States may become a member of the DCP A under Category (a) or (b) herein, upon the fulfillment of any condition for membership within said Category. Non-citizen memberships shall
be subject to termination or suspension by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee if good cause exists for such termination. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to, a proclamation of the President of the United States or by action of the Congress declaring a state of war or active military hostilities between the United States and the nation of which such member shall be a citizen. Such suspension, expulsion or termination shall not be subject to the benefits set forth in ARTICLE IX herein. Non-citizen members shall not have the right to vote or hold office -inthedcpa Jpledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and tothe Republic for which it stands. IcertifY that Iam a citizen of the United States and that Iam not a member of any organization or group pledged to, or working for, a program aimed at the destruction of our present system of government established by the Constitution of the United States. All members in good standing shall have the privileges of using DCP A facilities wider the regulations and directions issued by the proper authorities. All members in good standing shall have the privilege of competing for places on the various teams which will represent the DCPA in official inter-club competition, and may participate in all scheduled shooting activities conducted by the
DCP A Regular and life members constitute the voting members of. the DCPA Voting members in good standing shall have voice in meetings, are eligible for election to office, and have the vote in all matters pertaining to DCP A activities and welfare except for administrative matters delegated by these bylaws for action by the Executive Committee, special committees or the Board of Directors. All members in good standing may participate in approved or registered matches at DCP A ranges, provided that they meet the requirements of the NRA and of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. Facilities will be provided for practice at the ranges any time during regular posted shooting hours when there is no conflict with scheduled shooting activities or with work being done for range improvement or maintenance. All members in good standing shall have the privilege of the floor at all meetings of the Association, but the privileges of the ballot and of election to DCPA office are restricted to persons holding either regular or life membership. Junior members in good standing may participate in shooting activities with the approval of a parent or guardian. It shall be the duty of all members to Conduct themselves at all times in a manner becoming to true sportspersons and good citizens; to observe the safety rules and regulations established by the DCPA and the NRA to assist DCPA officers in maintaining proper order, discipline, safe conduct and fair play; and promptly to report to such officers any infractions which may endanger any person, property or good repute of the DCP A or its members. No member shall be considered to be in good standing who is more than 3 months in arrears in the payment of dues or in work assessment, or who has by proper action of the officers of the
DCP A or ofthe NRA been suspended from the privileges of plembership. Any member in arrears for I year's dues shall be dropped from the rolls and membership shall terminate. Any member in arrears for 6 months of that member's work assessment shall be dropped from members:lip, and cannot be reinstated in any class of membership before full payment ofthe arrears. Upon application and payment of initiation fees, and after a majority vote of the Executive Committee, any eligible person may become l;l DCP A member. Appropriate cards of membership shall be issued to each member. (b) The annual dues and monetary compensation for unfulfilled work assessment shall be payable on June First of each year. Dues for newly enrolled members will be prorated to June First by quarter.
(c) Dues for regular and junior members shall be levied each year. In addition each member will agree to donate in person or by proxy either a specified assessment of work hours for the upkeep, maintenance, and improvements of the DCP A facilities, or a specified monetary compensation for unfulfilled work hours. The dues, hours of work assessment, and hourly dollar rate of unfulfilled work shall be decided each year by the Board of Directors, and will be specified to DCP A members when they receive their dues statements. The Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Officer and honorary members shall be exempt from both work assessment and dues. No work assessment will be required of persons who have been members for at least 15 years. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to waive individual work assessments and/or dues as it deems appropriate. (d) Ad hoc operating assessments may be levied by the Board of Directors as seen fit. All DCP A meetings will be conducted according to Roberts' Rules of Order.
(a) Annual Meeting. Each year the DCPA Annual Meeting shall be held on the last Friday of October at 8:00 p.m. If the Annual Meeting cannot take place at the time specified then it shall be held as soon as feasible thereafter, and incumbent Directors shall remain in office until their successors shall have been elected. (b) Regular Meetings. Each regular DCP A business meeting shall be held on the last Friday of the month at 8:00 p.m. unless it is rescheduled by the Executive Committee. (c) Special Meetings. A special meeting of the DCPA may be called for at any time by the Board of Directors, by the President, or by the Executive Committee. Such a meeting can be called also via a written demand signed by at least 20% of the voting membership, and stating the purpose of the proposed meeting. The place of such a special meeting shall be fixed by the Executive Committee, or by the President if the Executive Committee fails to act. Notice of the time, place and purpose of the special meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary to all members in good standing not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the rneeting. (d) Quorum. Twenty (20) voting members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at any DCP A meeting.
1 (a) The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President and six other members to be elected for a term of 3 years from the ; membership eligible to hold such office. The terms shall be staggered so that two expire each year. (b) The term of each Director shall commence immediately upon election, and the term of office of each Director shall end upon the election of his successor. (c) Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of voting members present at the time of balloting by a show of hands. A written ballot may be stipulated by the President or by a written request of ten or more membersv 1 Section 2. Powers of Board of Directors J (a) The Board of Directors may do any and all things the members - themselves might or could do under the provisions of the laws pertaining to corporations or the laws authorizing the incorporation ofthedcpa.
(b) The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the DCP A. Any vacancy on the Board may be filled by a majority vote of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board. {a) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President to be held within 30 days after the annual DCP A meeting. Notice of the time and place of the annual meeting of the Board will be mailed to each Director at least ten days before the meeting occurs. At this meeting the DCP A officers for the ensuing year shall be elected, and other business may also be transacted. (b) Special Meetings. A special meeting of the Board may be called by its chair whenever that individual deems it necessary. It can be called also in the event that a written request, signed by at least 4 Directors and stating the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, is mailed by the Secretary to each Director at least 10 days before the meeting.. (a) The DCPA officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Membership Officer, Treasurer, Chief Instructor, Executive Office, Match Officer, and Legislative Officer. The
officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. They shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its annual meeting, and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected. (b) The President may not hold office for more than four consecutive years. Election for any term beyond two years requires the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. (c) The Executive Committee shall have general supervision and control of all DCP A activities. (d) Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held regularly, not less frequently than once per month at such time and place as the Committee shall determine. Special meetings may be held at any time on the call of the President, or on demand in writing to the Secretary by six members of the Committee. (e) Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. (t) Vacancies in the Executive Committee shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee. If more than two vacancies exist, a special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be called, and new officers elected to fill the unexpired terms.
The President shall preside at all DCPA and Executive Committee meetings, shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special committees including t~e Board of Directors, and shall perform all other duties as usually pertain to this office. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of or at the request of the President. The Vice President -ShaIlalso perform any duties as directed by the President. The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required by the NRA or by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship; shall notify all members about regular, special and annual meetings as required in Article V; shall keep a true record of all meetings of the DCP A and of the Executive Committee; and shall have the custody of all DCPA books and papers except for the Treasurer's books of account.
The Membership Officer shall be responsible for the collection of all fees, dues and assessments, remitting the same to the Treasurer who will properly receipt therefor; shall be responsible for notifying DCP A members at least one month in advance of monies due to the DCPA at the beginning of the next fiscal year; shall issue membership cards to both new and old members upon their payment offees and dues; and shall issue access to range facilities to those fulfilling the requirements for such access. All applications for DCPA membership shall be made to the Membership Officer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all DCPA funds, and shall place those funds in such banks as are approved by the Executive Committee. Checks for the withdrawal of such funds may be signed only by the Treasurer, the President, or any other officer or Board chairperson approved by the Executive Committee, and then only for the payment of bills that have been approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all transactions, and shall render a detailed report with vouchers at any meeting of the Executive Committee when requested, and shall render a detailed annual report to the DCP Aat its annual meeting. The Chief Instructor shall have charge of all DCPA small arms instruction; shall appoint and appropriately empower assistant
instructors; but shall contract no bills without the authorization of the Executive Committee. The Executive Officer shall oversee the upkeep of the DCPA facilities; shall have the authority to appoint and appropriately empower assistants; but shall contract no bills without the authorization of the Executive Committee. The Match Officer shall act as representative for the match directors who will be in charge ofthe DCPA ranges during their authorized competitions. The Legislative Officer shall be charged with reporting and monitoring any legislative actions on a local; State, and national 'level that may have effect on the activities or affairs of the DCPA. (a) Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Directors or of the voting members in good standing present at a
special meeting called for this purpose. At least fifteen days' notice in writing must be given to an officer before a vote concerning that officer's possible removal. This notice must specify the reasons for which the officer's removal is to be considered, and must state the date, time, and place of the meeting. Such a vote will occur only after the accused officer is given a full hearing concerning the charges alleged in the notice. No additional charges may be presented or considered during this meeting without the expressed consent of the accused. (b) Any member may be suspended or expelled from the DCP A for any cause deemed sufficient by the Executive Committee and upon a two-thirds vote of the Committee members during a regular or special meeting of the Committee. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen days' notice in writing shall have been given to the member for whom such action is considered. This notice shall specify the charges preferred, and the time and date and place of the meeting at which the charges will be considered. The accused member will have a right to a full hearing on the written charges before any vote is taken. No new charges may be introduced or considered at this meeting without the expressed consent of the accused. (c) Charges against any officer or member may be preferred by any member in good standing. They must be presented in writing, must clearly state the relevant purported facts, and must be accompanied by all affidavits or exhibits which are to be used in their support. Such charges and supporting documents will be filed with the Secretary, who will immediately notify the President. The President will call a meeting of the Executive Committee to hear the charges.
The Secretary will give at least fifteen days notice of the meeting to each member of the Executive Committee, to the accused, and to,the accuser. This notice shall be in writing, and will include a true,copy of the charges and of the supporting affidavits and exhibits. :(d) Any member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full DCPA membership. Such appeal shall be made to the Secretary in writing, and the Secretary shall!lotif}' the President. The President will then call a special DCP A ;meeting for the purpose of acting on the appeal. The Secretary,Shall give at least fifteen days' notice in writing to all members in <good standing of the date, time, place, and reason for the meeting. A.t this DCP A meeting the Secretary will read the original charges, the supporting affidavits, and will read the minutes of the special.meeting of the Executive Committee at which the charges were :heard and action taken. A full hearing will be given the accuser and the accused. A vote will be taken by secret ballot of the voting members in good standing present at the meeting, and a two-thirds vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive Committee. (e) All testimony at hearings on charges against officers or members shall be under oath. The President or other presiding officer will \;wear the witnesses who give verbal testimony. Affidavits or depositions sworn before a Notary Public or other person authorized by law to give oaths in court proceedings shall be acceptable as evidence.
All shooting competitions held by the DCPA shall be governed by the rules and regulations laid down by the NRA, by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, or by any other governing body as recognized by the DCP A. Amendments to these bylaws may be introduced by any voting DCP A member in good standing at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose of considering amendments. Any such proposed changes will be evaluated by a committee appointed by the President and by the Board of Directors prior to sending a notice, of intent to amend, to each DCPA member by United States mail at least ten days prior to another regular or special meeting called to consider the amendment for approval. Upon their acceptance by the DCPA membership, proposed amendments must be submitted to the NRA for approval except as they pertain to that portion of the dues and fees retained by the DCP A.