Bylaws of the USR&PA

Adopted July 1995

AMENDED BY-LAWS

UTAH STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION

 

 

Article I

 

Objectives

 

The objectives of this Association shall be:

 

1.         To encourage organized, competitive, rifle and pistol shooting among United States citizen residing in the State of Utah; to raise the general proficiency in the use of small arms to a high standard; to educate citizens in the safe handling and proper care of firearms; to develop the characteristics of honesty, self-discipline, team cooperation, self-reliance, and good fellowship, which are the basic foundation of good sportsmanship and patriotism.

 

2.         To plan, sponsor, and direct an annual State Championship Tournament to determine the Utah State Champion in each aspect of competitive shooting as requested by the Board of Trustees.

 

3.         To foster the organization of senior rifle and pistol clubs and junior rifle and pistol clubs and other shooting sports organizations; to organize training programs to improve marksmanship; and to encourage club sponsorship of, and member participation in, International/Olympic Type shooting.

 

4.         To sponsor intelligent firearms and archery legislation before legislative committees, public bodies, and other organizations.

 

5.         To oppose vigorously any proposed legislation designed to deprive law abiding citizens of the lawful use of any legal weapon.

 

6.         To encourage and promote companionship, close coordination, mutual understanding, and cooperation between all organizations interested in the lawful use of firearms and archery equipment, including, but not limited to, such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America, gun collectors’ associations, archery clubs, pistol clubs, bench rest shooting clubs, police shooting clubs, silhouette shooting clubs, military marksmanship units, and organizations interested in muzzle loading weapons.

 

7.         To encourage hunting and wildlife management.

 

8.         To encourage member clubs to promote marksmanship training through National Rifle Association (“NRA”) Certified Rifle and Pistol Coach and Instructor Marksmanship Programs.

 

9.         To plan, affiliate with, and participate in activities organized by the Department of the Army, Office of Civilian Marksmanship.

 

Article II

 

Offices

 

1.         Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and agent of the Association shall be located in the City and County of Salt Lake, State of Utah. The Association may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Utah, as the Governing Board may determine from time to time.

 

2.         Change of Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and agent may be changed at any time by the Governing Board without amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, in accordance with Utah Code Ann. (1953), Section 16-6-25.2.

 

 

Article III

 

Association Membership

 

1.         Eligibility Requirements. Membership in this Association is open to all citizens of the United States who are of good character. No club, person, or business firm who is or who has been a member of any organization opposed to the principles of the Government of the United States of America shall be eligible for membership in this Association.

 

2.         Membership in this Association shall be by Clubs, Individuals, and Business Firms, as follows:

 

a.         Club Membership. Only clubs affiliated and currently in good standing with the NRA are eligible for membership in this Association.

 

b.         Individual Membership. Individual memberships shall be in the following categories:

 

(1)       Senior Memberships (21 years and older).

 

(a)       Annual Membership

(b)       Three-year Membership

(c)       Five-year Membership

(d)       Life Membership

(e)       Honorary Life Membership

 

(2)       Junior Membership (under 21 years of age).

 

c.         Business Membership. Business memberships shall be available as follows:

 

(1)       Annual Business Membership

(2)       Five-year Business Membership

 

 

(3)       Life Business Membership

 

Business Members shall be presented with a Certificate of Membership suitable for display in the business establishment.

 

3.         Term of Membership. All memberships, except life, shall be for one, three, or five years, on a 12-,

36-, or 60-consecutive months basis, respectively, with membership fees due and payable on or before the first day of the anniversary month. All memberships for which the appropriate renewal fee is not paid shall become delinquent on the last day of the second month following the expiration date, and such memberships in the Association shall terminate on that date. New memberships for which fees are received after the 15th day of a month shall become effective on the first day of the following month.

 

4.         Honorary Life Membership.

 

a. Member of the Association. Honorary Life Membership may be conferred, by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees, on a member of the Association as a reward for extraordinary and outstanding service to the Association. Recipients shall pay no membership fees and will be presented with an appropriate brassard showing Life Membership in the Association.

 

b. Past Presidents. All Past Presidents of the Association shall be granted Life Membership. They shall be relieved of paying membership fees and will be presented with a Life Membership Brassard.

 

5.         Membership Lists. Membership lists of the Association are confidential to the Board of Trustees in the conduct of Association business. Such lists of members will not be made public except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

 

Article IV

 

Fiscal year

 

The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December in each year.

 

 

Article V

 

Fees

 

Association Membership, Individual Membership, and Business Membership fees shall be established and fixed periodically by resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees. (7-12-95)

 

 

Article VI

 

Meetings

 

1.         Annual Meetings. There shall be an annual meeting of the Association during the month of January in each year for receiving the annual reports of officers, trustees, and committees, and the transaction of other business as may come before the meeting. The date of such meeting shall be fixed by the Board of Trustees.

 

2.         Special Meetings. Meetings of the Association membership may be held at any time upon call of the President, or upon call of the Board of Trustees or upon receipt of demand, submitted in writing by twenty (20) individual members, or by the appropriate officers of three (3) Senior Member Clubs in good standing, addressed to the President, stating the purpose of the requested meeting. A petition for a special membership meeting shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Trustees at the next regular Board meeting for the purpose of setting the date, time, and place of the Special Meeting, which shall be within sixty (60) days thereafter.

 

3.         Notice. Notice of membership meetings, stating the date, time, place, and the purpose for which the meeting has been called, shall be given in writing by the Secretary of the Association in the Newsletter or by special notice mailed, postage prepaid, to all members in good standing not less than ten (10) days prior to the date set for the meeting.

 

4.         Quorum. The members present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the Association.

 

 

Article VII

 

Voting

 

1.         Eligibility to Vote. Voting on Association business shall be restricted to the following:

 

a.         Senior Members. Each Senior Member in good standing and in attendance at membership meetings shall at the time of the balloting be entitled to cast one (1) vote on each matter of Association business requiring a vote.

 

b.         Senior Clubs. Each Senior Member Club in good standing with the Association and

represented at membership meetings shall be entitled to cast one (1) vote per each 25 senior club members but not more than five (5) total votes per senior club on each matter of Association business requiring a vote. Said ballot shall be cast by one (1) of the three principal officers of the club. (7-12-95)

 

c.         Junior Affiliates. Junior Clubs and Junior Members shall have no voting rights on Association business.

 

 

 

 

 

d.         Business Memberships. A Business Membership in good standing and represented at membership meetings shall be entitled to cast one vote on each matter of Association business requiring a vote.

 

e.         Proxies. Proxy balloting shall be permitted at all membership meetings. Such proxy shall be in the following form:

 

“I, _____________ do hereby appoint __________________

   (member by name)                         (proxy holder)

my proxy at the ____________ meeting of the Utah State

(date)

Rifle & Pistol Association, or any adjournment thereof.

 

________________    ___________

                        Member’s Signature   Date

 

f.          Annual Election. The annual election may be conducted at a membership meeting or through balloting by mail. Eligibility to vote shall at all times be controlled by this Article.

 

 

Article VIII

 

Board of Trustees

 

1.         The Board of Trustees of the Association shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than twelve (12) members as determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees. Until further notice, the number of directors is set at twelve (12). Each trustee shall be duly elected from the Individual Senior Membership of the Association. Each member of the Board of Trustees shall maintain his membership in the Association throughout his term of office.

 

2.         Term of Office. Trustees shall be elected for a three-year term. One-third (1/3) of the Board shall be elected each year to serve a three-year term of office. Board memberships vacated during the year shall be filled by majority vote of the Board for the remainder of the unexpired term.

 

3.         Nomination of Candidates for Board of Trustees. Nominations shall be made in compliance with the following:

 

a.         Notice of Vacancy. The Secretary shall advise the Association membership in October of the number of vacancies on the Board to be filled, this notice shall name the Trustees whose terms expire, and call for nominations in accordance with these By-laws. This notice may be by means of the Association Newsletter or by special bulletin.

 

b.         Nominating Petitions. Nominating petitions are to be prepared and submitted as follows:

 

(1)       Initiation of Petitions. Petitions may be initiated by the officers of a Senior Member Club, or by ten (10) Individual Senior Members in good standing, or by a Life Member. A short biographical sketch of the nominee shall accompany each petition.

 

(2)       Disposition of Petitions.

 

(a)       Nominating petitions, accompanied by the biographical sketches, are to be submitted to the Secretary of the Association on or before November 30th, after which date nominating petitions will not be accepted.

 

(b)       On December 1st the Secretary will turn over to the chairman of the Election Committee the nominating petitions and sketches which have been received in proper form. The Committee will then prepare the ballot, conduct the election by mail or by membership meeting, and render its report of the election to the President of the Association.

 

(c)       Ballots and tally sheets may be destroyed three months after the closing date for balloting.

 

4.         Duties of the Board of Trustees. The Board shall act as the executive body of the Association for, but not limited to, the following:

 

a.         To establish all policies for the Association.

 

b.         To schedule NRA matches and State Championship tournaments.

 

c.         To determine, procure, and distribute awards for tournaments in sub-paragraph “b” above.

 

d.         To procure, store and distribute DCM firearms and ammunition.

 

e.         To enforce Association and NRA policies, rules, and regulations.

 

f.          To appoint Associate Trustees as deemed necessary. Associate Trustees shall have all the privileges of elected Trustees, with the exception of voting privileges at Board Meetings.

 

g.         To elect Association Officers annually.

 

h.         To appoint committees as needed. Until further notice, the following standing committees are hereby established: High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Pistol, Practical/Action (IPSC), Black Powder, Silhouette, Legislation, Range Development, Elections, and Newsletter. (1-17-96)

 

5.         Termination of Board Membership. Board membership may be terminated as follows:

 

a.         Automatic Removal. Any Trustee absenting himself from three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled Board Meetings without a valid excuse approved by a majority vote of the Board Members present may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board Members present at the time the vote is taken.

 

b.         Personal Resignation. Any Trustee may terminate his Board Membership by submitting a written resignation to the President.

 

c.         For Cause. Any Trustee may be removed from office for cause, after a fair hearing before the Board, in accordance with Article IX hereof

 

6.         Board of Trustee Meetings.

 

a.         Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Association’s Governing Board of Trustees shall be held as determined from time to time by the Board. Until further notice, such meetings shall be held every other month at such place and time as the Board shall fix. No further notice of Regular meetings is required to be given.

 

b.         Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Association’s Governing Board of Trustees will be held upon call of the President, or the officer acting in his absence, or on written request of a majority of the Board. Notice of Special meetings shall be given at least two days in advance of the meeting.

 

c.         Quorum. A majority of Board members present shall constitute a quorum to transact Association business.

 

 

Article IX

 

Association Officers and Duties

 

1.         Association Officers. At the first meeting of the Board of Trustees following the annual election of Board Members, the Board shall elect from its membership a President, a Vice-President, and an Executive Officer. A Secretary, and/or Treasurer, shall be elected by the Board from its membership or from the Individual membership. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by one person. When elected, this officer(s) shall have all the privileges of an elected Board Member. If the Secretary and/or Treasurer is (are) not already a member of the Board, the Board membership shall be increased by 1 or 2 positions, as appropriate. The elected officers shall serve as the Executive Committee for the Board of Trustees. This Executive Committee shall act for the Board at any time and in any capacity designated by the Board. Such actions will be subject to review by the Board at its next regular meeting.

 

2.         Duties of Officers. Each Officer shall serve until the Officer’s successor has been duly elected or appointed and installed. At the termination of the Officer’s term of office each officer shall turn over to the Association all property, monies, and records in his possession belonging to the Association, in accordance with instructions from the Board of trustees. Their specific duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

 

a.         President. The President shall:

 

(1)       Preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, and at all Association Membership Meetings.

 

(2)       Appoint, and be an ex-officio member of, all Standing and Special Committees.

 

(3)       Perform all the normal duties of the President of an organization, and such other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Trustees.

 

b.         Vice-President. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all the duties of the President. The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Board of Trustees.

 

c.         Secretary. The Secretary’s duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(1)       Transacting all official correspondence for the Board of Trustees and for the Association.

 

(2)       Keeping an accurate record, in permanent form, of all business transacted at meetings of the Board of Trustees and Association membership.

 

(3)       Maintaining a surety bond in favor of the Association, when so requested by the Board of Trustees. Fees for such bond shall be paid by the Association.

 

(4)       Performing such other duties as the Board by resolution may designate.

 

d.         Treasurer.

 

(1)       Duties. The treasurer’s duties shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(a)       Receiving all funds due the Association, and keeping a true record thereof.

 

(b)       Depositing such funds in a bank or banks as approved by the Board.

 

(c)       Paying bills due and payable, as approved by the President or the Board.

 

(d)       Making a fmancial report at each meeting of the Board or as directed by the President or the Board.

 

(e)       Maintaining a surety bond in favor of the Association, when so requested by the Board. Fees for such bond shall be paid by the Association.

 

 

 (2)      Audit. The treasurer’s records shall be audited annually and at such other times as may be directed by the President or the Board.

 

e.         Executive Officer. The Executive Officer is charged with arranging for and conducting all matches and tournaments sponsored or authorized by the Association. The Executive Officer’s specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

(1)       Coordinating the activities of all Standing or Special Committees in the setting up of shooting programs.

 

(2)       Overseeing, supervising and directing all scheduled matches and tournaments.

 

(3)       Overseeing, supervising and directing all educational activities engaged in by the Association.

 

Article X

 

Order of Business

 

The following shall be the order of business for all Association meetings, unless changed by a majority vote of those present and entitled to vote:

 

1.         Call to Order.

2.         Reading and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.

3.         Reading of the Treasurer’s Report.

4.         Communications.

5.         Old Business.

6.         Reports of Standing Committees.

7.         Reports of Special Committees.

8.         New Business.

9.         For the Good of the Association.

10.       Establish date, time and place of the next meeting.

11.       Adjournment.

 

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern procedures not covered in these By-laws.

 

 

Article XI

 

Suspension, Expulsion, or Disciplinary Action

 

1.         Action. Any officer, trustee, club, business or individual member of the Association is subject to suspension or expulsion from the Association, or to reprimand or other disciplinary action, by the Board of Trustees, for unsportsmanlike or other conduct with would disqualify such member or officer for membership, but not without fair and full hearing. Charges must be filed with the Board of Trustees and heard as hereinafter specified.

 

1.         Procedure. Charges against any officer, trustee, club, business or individual member may be preferred by any member in good standing. They shall be in writing, clearly stating the facts, and accompanied by all affidavits and exhibits which are to be used at the hearing. Such charges shall be filed with the Secretary, who will immediately notify the President. The President will call a meeting of the Board of Trustees to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least fifteen (15) days’ written notice of the meeting to each member of the Board of Trustees and to the accuser and the accused. The notice to the accused shall be in writing and shall include duplicate copies of the charge and of any supporting affidavits and exhibits. The Board of Trustees may, by two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members present at the meeting, discipline the accused by admonition or reprimand, either verbal or in writing, or suspend or expel him from membership in the Association.

 

3.         Appeal. Any officer, trustee or member disciplined, suspended or expelled by the Board of Trustees may appeal to the full membership of the Association. Such appeal shall be in writing to the Secretary, who shall notify the President. The president shall call a special meeting of the Association for the purpose of acting on the appeal. The Secretary shall give at least fifteen (15) days’ notice in writing to all members in good standing, stating the date, time, place, and reason for the special meeting. This notice may be given by the Association Newsletter or by special mailing at the expense of the disciplined member. The Secretary shall read the original charges, with supporting affidavits, and will put on display any accompanying exhibits. He will read the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Trustees at which the charges were heard and action taken. Full hearing will be given the accuser and the accused. A vote will be taken by secret ballot of the members in good standing who are present, and a two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Board of Trustees.

 

4.         Automatic Action. Any officer or member of the Association who shall have been suspended or expelled by the NRA shall automatically stand suspended or expelled from this Association immediately upon receipt of official notice from the NRA by the Secretary of this Association.

 

 

Article XII

 

Matches and Tournaments

 

1.         Program Approval. All Association tournaments held or co-sponsored by member clubs must have the tournament program approved by the Executive Officer and chairman of the respective Standing Committee concerned before printing and distribution to competitors.

 

2.         Sponsorship. State Association approved tournaments may be conducted by the Association or may be co-sponsored by member clubs having adequate ranges and properly trained personnel to handle the tournament. In the event two or more member clubs seek to sponsor the same event, the event sponsorship shall be rotated with the most recent club seeking sponsorship being placed at the end of the current rotation.

 

3.         Sponsorship Responsibilities. Administrative and logistical support of co-sponsoring clubs conducting Association matches and tournaments will be provided as set forth in the award agreement between the Club and the Association in accordance with Article XIII.

 

4.         Sponsorship Eligibility. To be eligible to compete in a State Association match or tournament an individual competitor must be a member of an affiliated club in good standing or an individual member of the Association. Any club which is not in good standing in the Association shall be ineligible to compete in State team competition.

 

5.         Sponsorship Deadlines. Clubs desiring to co-sponsor an Association tournament must submit their bid to the Board of Trustees four (4) months prior to the proposed date when the tournament is to be registered or approved by the NRA. The Board will consider all bids and make awards to the club or clubs in accordance with Board decisions. An individual or team competitor may qualify by paying the required fees for membership in the Association.

 

6.         Match Rules. All shooting competitions scheduled by the Association will be governed by the applicable rules and regulations prescribed by the National Rifle Association, or by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice, and shall be registered or approved wherever practicable.

 

7.         Match and Tournament Awards. Match and tournament awards shall be determined by the standing committee concerned and be approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

8.         All-Around State Champions. Each year the Board may determine the All-Around State Champions and present them with a suitable award or trophy. The rifle champion will be detennined from the scores shot at the State Gallery Rifle, State Smallbore Rifle, and the State High Power Rifle Championships. The pistol champion will be determined from the scores shot at the State Indoor Pistol and the State Outdoor Pistol Championships. To be eligible for these awards a competitor must compete in all of the respective State Championship Rifle and Pistol Tournaments. Total scores shall determine the award.

 

 

Article XIII

 

Match or Tournament Co-Sponsorship

 

Profit Sharing Percent & Responsibilities

 

The co-sponsoring club will furnish the Association Secretary five (5) copies of the tournament program, five (5) copies of the match bulletin, and a financial statement of the tournament within a reasonable time.

 

90-10   Under this co-sponsor agreement the State Association will aid in program arrangement and make NRA application for the tournament in the name of the co-sponsoring club. The co-sponsoring club will accept full and total responsibility for all aspects of the tournament and ten percent (10%) of the net profits will be remitted to the Association.

 

70-3 0  The State Association will make all program arrangements and make NRA applications to conduct the match or tournament, print and mail the programs, and print and mail the final match or tournament bulletin to participants. The co-sponsoring club will furnish awards, will pay all costs of printing and mailing of programs and bulletins, will furnish all range personnel for conducting the tournament, and assume financial responsibility for the tournament. Thirty percent (3 0%) of the net profits will be remitted to the State Association.

 

50-5 0  The State Association will make all program arrangements and make NRA application to conduct the match or tournament, print and mail all programs and bulletin of the tournament, furnish statistical office personnel, and accept financial responsibility for the tournament. The co­sponsoring club will furnish all range personnel and equipment to conduct the match or tournament under the appropriate State Association Committee Chairman. The Match or Tournament expenses will be paid by the Association with fifty percent (50%) of the net profits being remitted to co­sponsoring club.

 

Any club not meeting its full responsibility under the above agreements will have its profit share reduced and this new ratio will be decided by the Board of Trustees.

 

 

Article XIV

 

Amendments

 

Subject to the provisions of Utah Code Ann. (1953), Section 16-6-44, the power to alter, amend or repeal these By-laws is vested in the Board of Trustees, provided that a majority of the Board, acting at a regular or special meeting, shall be necessary to effect any such change.

 

Article XV

 

Indemnification

 

The Association shall indemnify any trustee, officer, or employee against expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which he is made a party by reason of being or having been such trustee, officer, or employee, except in relation to matters as to which he shall be adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct in any performance of duty. The Association may also reimburse any such party for any settlements made with third persons if it shall be found by a majority of the Board of Trustees that settlement was in the best interests of the Association. Adopted this ­­___ day of July, 1995.

 

UTAH STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION

 

 

By________

Secretary



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