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Article I – Name
The name of the organization shall be “Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.” as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation received and approved by the Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland October 3, 1973, which is hereby made a part of these By-Laws. (Amended February 16, 1977)
Article II – Objectives
The objectives of this organization to which all members shall subscribe are as follows:
Section 1. Encouragement of a universal and adequate appreciation of America’s soil, woods, waters, air, and wildlife. (Amended February 16, 1977)
Section 2. Development of greater opportunities for outdoor recreation as essential in the up building of character and physique
Section 3. Eradication of pollution from all waters to safeguard public health and conserve natural resources.
Section 4. Protection and extension of forests, and reforestation of waste and unproductive lands.
Section 5. Restoration of areas unwisely drained for agricultural purposes, and opposition to indiscriminate drainage without public benefits.
Section 6. Better protection for wildlife resources, and the establishment of refuges for game, fish, and wild birds.
Section 7. Establishment and operation of fish hatcheries to supplement the natural supply of fish. (Adopted August 16, 1972)
Section 8. More biological experiment stations to investigate conservation problems and to train workers for the conservation field.
Section 9. Restriction of the sale and interstate shipment of game and game fishes except under license.
Section 10. Strict enforcement of all conservation laws, respect for the property of others and strenuous opposition to unsportsmanlike practices.
Section 11. The teaching of nature study and the principles of conservation sentiment.
Section 12. Cooperation with all public officials, organizations, and individuals in accord with the objectives of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Article III – Membership
Section 1. Membership in this Chapter shall be confined to persons of good reputation who subscribe to the objectives of this organization and agree to abide by its rules and regulations. The number of members shall be prescribed by the Board of Governors, subject to ratification by the membership. (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended February 16, 1977)
Section 2.a Any person may become a Probationary Member upon completion of the following steps. First, the applicant shall attend two regular monthly meetings of the Chapter. Second, the applicant shall file with the Membership Secretary a properly completed application for membership which shall be signed by three (3) Chapter Members in good standing, each of whom shall have been a member for more than one (1) year, one of whom shall be on the Board of Governors, and another of whom shall be over twenty-one (21) years of age. Third, the Membership Secretary shall submit the completed application to the Board of Governors at its next regular monthly meeting. Fourth, the Board of Governors shall review the application and make its recommendation to the Chapter Membership at the following regular monthly meeting of the Chapter. Fifth, the applicant may be accepted for Probationary Membership by affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and constituting a quorum. Sixth, after being properly sworn in, an accepted applicant shall become a Probationary Member upon payment of the appropriate amounts of monies as prescribed in Article VIII of these By-Laws. (Adopted August 16, 1972; amended February 16, 1977, January 19, 1983, February 21, 1991, and July 1992, September 2006)
Section 2.b During the year following acceptance, the Probationary Member must perform a minimum of two (2) workdays (excluding the serving of any range duty) for one or more of the Chapter Committees or activities. Each workday shall constitute eight (8) hours, need not be contiguous, and may be completed at various times throughout the probationary year. The Probationary Member will be provided a list of all committee chairs and contact information. The Probationary Member may contact the committee chair responsible for their area of interest to arrange for work activities or projects. Probationary Members may also volunteer at any of the other chapter activities or workdays. Probationary Members will be provided a sign-off letter which must be completed and turned in to the Membership Committee as evidence of completion of this requirement. Probationary Members shall complete their probation after one year upon providing evidence of having performed the two (2) workdays specified above in addition to being in compliance with all the provisions of these By-Laws. These workday requirements are mandatory and are required for a Probationary Member to continue their chapter membership. (Adopted August 16, 1972; amended February 16, 1977, January 19, 1983, February 21, 1991, and July 1992, September 2006)
Section 3. When a member’s dues are delinquent one (1) month, that person shall be dropped from the Chapter membership roll and may be reinstated in accordance with Article VIII, Section 4 of these By-Laws. No member shall be entitled to vote or hold office unless the members current dues are paid. (Adopted October 20, 1971; amended February 16, 1977, September 2006)
Article IV – Officers and Board of Governors
Section 1. The officers of the Chapter shall be a President, a First Vice President, a Second Vice President, a Treasurer, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Membership Secretary. (Adopted April 15, 1979; amended August 15, 1979)
Section 2. In addition to the Officers, the Chapter shall have five (5) Board Members. (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended July 1988)
Section 3. The Officers and Board Members shall serve for a period of one year or until their successors are elected and installed. (Adopted July 15, 1970)
Section 4. The Board of Governors shall consist of twelve (12) members including the President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, the Treasurer, the Recording Secretary, the Corresponding Secretary, the Membership Secretary, and the five Board Members. A majority of the Board of Governors at all times shall be residents of the State of Maryland. Seven (7) members of the Board of Governors shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business unless otherwise specified in these By-Laws. The immediate Past President shall be a member of the Board and have the power to vote. (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended August 15, 1979, and July 1988)
Section 5. Board members shall be required to regularly attend the normally scheduled monthly meetings where chapter business is conducted. Failure to meet the above requirement, without adequate reason, may subject an officer or member of the Board of Governors to removal from that office. Removal from office will be initiated by a written statement from any chapter member in good standing, filed with the Recording Secretary or the President. The Board of Governors will act on the written statement at the next Board of Governors’ meeting. The Board of Governors’ recommendation relating to the filed statement, will be presented at the following regular monthly meeting and acted upon as directed by the general membership present at that meeting. In the event that a majority of members present at the meeting vote to remove the officer or board member, a suitable replacement will be selected under the provisions set forth in Article IV, Section 6 of these By-Laws. (Adopted January 17, 1990).
Section 6. In the event that a vacancy is created by the death, resignation, or removal from office of any elected officer of the Chapter, or in the event that a vacancy is created by the addition of an elective office of the Chapter, the vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by ballot by the Board of Governors. A majority vote of the entire Board of Governors shall be necessary. Any such election shall become effective upon ratification by the Chapter at the next regular monthly meeting of the Chapter following such action and member so elected shall serve until the next annual election of the Chapter. (Adopted July 15, 1970; renumbered January 17, 1990 – formerly Section 5
Article V – Powers and Duties of Officers and Board of Governors
Section 1. President. The President shall preside at all meetings, shall chair the Advance Planning and Finance Committee, and shall review the accounts of the Land Acquisition Fund, as provided for in Article IX, Section 2 of these By-Laws. The President shall be ex-officio member of all other standing committees, shall appoint all committees not otherwise provided for in these By-Laws or otherwise provided and ordered by affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a monthly dinner meeting or Board of Governors meeting. The President shall coordinate and oversee all Chapter activities and operations, shall take the required measures to maintain order at all Chapter functions, and shall perform all duties ordinarily pertaining to the office of president of similar organizations. (Amended September 18, 1985, June 19, 1996)
Section 2. First Vice President. All of the duties of the President shall devolve upon the First Vice President during the absence or inability to act of the President, and it shall be the duty of the First Vice President to assist the President in the discharge of all his official duties when requested by the President. The First Vice President shall also chair the Operations and Conservation Committee. (Adopted April 15, 1959; amended September 18, 1985)
Section 3. Second Vice President. The Second Vice President shall assume all the duties of the First Vice President, when the First Vice President is absent or otherwise unable to perform his duties, or when the First Vice President assumes the duties of the President. The Second Vice President shall also chair the Recreation Committee. (Adopted April 15, 1959; amended September 18, 1985)
Section 4-a. Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings in a manner as required by Maryland Corporate regulations; shall preserve all reports filed with him; and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of Governors. At the expiration of his term of office he shall turn over to his successor all books and records belonging to the Chapter that he may have in his possession or under his control. (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended August 15, 1979) Section
4-b. Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary shall attend to all correspondence, shall timely notify each member of any and all meetings, shall preserve all reports filed with him, shall chair the Public Relations and Education Committee, and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of Governors. He shall be the custodian of the Corporate Seal and shall affix same to all papers and documents as may be required. He shall exercise all the powers and duties ordinarily performed by a secretary. At the expiration of his term of office, he shall turn over to his successor the Corporate Seal and all books and records belonging to the Chapter that he may have in his possession or under his control. (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended August 15, 1979; and September 18, 1985) Section
4.c Membership Secretary. The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for recording the current membership enrollment, to advise the designated mailing list printer of changes and additions, to maintain other necessary correspondence, relative to the membership roster with the National Headquarters and with other agencies, officers, and members as necessitated by his duties. In addition, the Membership Secretary shall accept applications for new memberships in accordance with Article III of the By-Laws and collect annual dues, initiation fees, and charges, as cited in Article VIII of the By-Laws, for remittance to the Treasurer. The Membership Secretary shall be Chairman of the Membership Committee. (Adopted April 15, 1959; renumbered August 15, 1979 – formerly Section 6)
Section 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the money and the funds of the Chapter and shall deposit same in some insured bank to be drawn by checks signed by the Treasurer and shall give bond in penalty in an amount to be fixed from time to time by the Board of Governors. The Chapter shall pay the fee for any such bond. He shall have authority to collect money for the Chapter. At the expiration of his term of office he shall turn over to his successor all money, funds, books, records and property belonging to the Chapter that he may have in his possession or under his control. The accounts and records of the Treasurer shall be subject to an internal review each year by a special committee of two (2) to be appointed by the President. The Treasurer shall publish reports listing the assets and present value of the Land Acquisition Fund, as provided for in Article IX, Section 2 of these By-Laws. (Adopted July 15, 1970. Amended June 19, 1996, and October 2003.)
Section 6. Board of Governors. The duties of the Board of Governors shall be as follows. (Renumbered August 15, 1979 – Formerly Section 7)
All expenditures shall be authorized in the annual budget as proposed by the budget committee, approved by the Board of Governors, and ratified by the general membership or otherwise approved at any regular meeting. (Adopted February 16, 1977)
The Board of Governors shall make and authorize the execution of all contracts, which in their judgment they deem necessary and proper for the best interest of the Chapter.
The Board of Governors shall make such rules and regulations for the use of the Chapter House, grounds, and property and for the admission of guests that they deem proper for the best interest of the Chapter. A copy of such rules and regulations, together with any amendments thereto, shall be turned over to the Chapter House and Furnishing Committee, whose duty it shall be to post the same at all times upon the bulletin board in the Chapter House. (Amended February 16, 1977)
The Board of Governors shall control the expenses and liabilities of the Chapter and shall take appropriate action to protect the property of the Chapter.
The Board of Governors shall review applications for membership in the Chapter and make recommendations thereon as provided in Article III, Section 2. (Adopted August 16, 1972)
The Board of Governors shall review and act upon applications from retired members for reduced Chapter dues as provided for in Article VIII, Section 4. (Adopted August 16, 1972)
The Board of Governors shall perform all other duties not inconsistent with these By-Laws. (Formerly sub-Section 5)
Article VI – Nominations and Elections
Section 1. The President shall appoint an election committee in March of each year to develop a slate of candidate chapter officers and perform other duties as prescribed herein related to the election of chapter officers and members of the Board of Governors. This election committee shall consist of five regular active chapter members, only one of whom shall be on the current Board of Governors. The committee shall nominate one or more of the active regular members of the chapter for the Officers and Board of Governors. A list of these nominations shall be posted in the Chapter House prior to the May monthly meeting and published in the May Newsletter to the chapter members. (Amended February 16, 1977, June 16, 1983, September 18, 1985, August 20, 1986, December 20, 1989, and February 21, 1991)
Section 2. Any ten (10) or more active regular members of the Chapter, may nominate an active member or members to any or all of the offices or positions on the Board of Governors. Petitions of nominations, with the candidate’s name and signed by the ten (10) active Chapter members, must be presented to the President during the May monthly meeting. Acceptance of the nomination by the candidate, either verbal or written must accompany the petition. (Amended February 16, 1977, June 16, 1983, September 18, 1985, December 20, 1989, and February 21, 1991)
Section 3. Election of Chapter Officials shall be held during a portion of the June monthly meeting of each year that is specially set aside for this purpose. The Immediate Past President shall preside over the election proceedings, assisted by the election committee, which shall be carried out by written, sequentially numbered ballots. Ballots shall be counted, and votes tallied by the election committee and verified by the Immediate Past President who shall announce the results. Hand vote may be used in lieu of written ballots if approved by 3/4 of the members present. A majority vote of the members present shall be necessary to elect any individual to office. (Adopted April 1, 1966; amended June 16, 1983, August 20, 1986, and December 20, 1989)
Section 4. The installation of chapter officials shall be carried out during a specially set aside portion of the August monthly meeting immediately following the election. The Immediate Past President shall conduct the installation ceremony. The terms of office of those installed will begin on September 1 of the current year and continue through August 31 of the following year. (Adopted August 20, 1986; amended December 20, 1989)
Article VII – Meetings
Regular monthly meetings of the Chapter shall be held on the third Wednesday of each month with the provision that a special meeting may be called by the written request of ten (10) members within ten (10) days of the receipt by the Secretary of such written request. Further the President or the Board of Governors may call special meetings from time to time, to be set for a date not earlier than five (5) days from the mailing of notices thereof.
Article VIII – Initiation Fees, Dues, Charges
Section 1. Initiation Fee. In addition to the yearly dues as defined below, a non-returnable initiation fee equal to one full year Chapter dues for an Individual Membership, shall be paid by each applicant upon acceptance to Probationary Membership, except that no initiation fee shall be required of a Probationary Member who qualifies as a Student or Youth member. A husband/wife joining as a Family Membership shall pay a single non-returnable initiation fee equal to one full year Chapter dues for an Individual Membership upon acceptance to Probationary Membership. (Amended April 1962, August 1972, May 1979, August 1988, November 1992 and October 2003, September 2006)
Section 2. Dues. The yearly dues for membership in this Chapter shall be as set by a majority vote at any regular monthly meeting of the Chapter members, a quorum being present, provided a written statement of the dues to be proposed shall be contained in the notice of the meeting. The yearly dues shall be payable on or before January 1 of each year and shall include the annual National Membership dues and the annual Maryland State Division dues — (Adopted February 17, 1971; amended October 1972 and February 16, 1977, September 2006)
Probationary Members who join after June 30th of any calendar year will pay one half of the annual chapter, national and state division dues. (Adopted February 21, 1991, and Amended October 2003, September 2006)
Section 3. Membership requirement – All chapter members are required to provide no less than six (6) hours of volunteer chapter work per year to maintain their chapter membership. Youth, Student, Associate and Probationary Members are exempt from this requirement. Family Members are only required to provide one six-hour work requirement. (Adopted September 2006)
Section 3.a. Members who for medical, health, or distance from the chapter reasons feel they cannot meet this requirement may apply for a permanent exemption from this requirement. This application must be made in writing and must be addressed to the Membership Committee. Members granted a permanent exemption will not be assessed the additional annual fee and do not need to apply annually for this exemption. Members who are in a situation (temporary medical condition, caring for elderly parents, working multiple jobs) that prevents them from meeting this requirement may apply for a temporary exemption. Requests for temporary exemptions must be made in writing on an annual basis and must be addressed to the Membership Committee. Membership Committee decisions for permanent and temporary exemptions may be appealed to the Board of Governors. (Adopted September 2006, Amended June 2008)
Section 3.b. Members who are not exempt and who do not complete the required minimum of six hours of volunteer chapter work must pay an additional yearly fee of $50.00 to maintain their chapter membership. This fee will be added to the membership dues renewal notice and will become applicable for the following membership year. Members who do not complete their required volunteer work time or do not pay the additional yearly fee will be dropped from the Chapter membership roll. (Adopted September 2006)
Section 4. Renewal of Membership Fee. In addition to the current dues, a non-returnable renewal of membership fee shall be paid by each former Chapter member upon reacceptance to membership as follows: (a) for a lapse of less than one year beyond the cut-off date, an amount equal to one-quarter (1/4) of the annual Chapter Dues; (b) for a lapse of more than one year but not more than two years an amount equal to one half (1/2) of the annual Chapter Dues; and (c) for a lapse of two years or more, an amount equal to the initiation fee for new members. Provided, however, that no such fee shall be required of any former member whose lapse of membership was due to removal of his residence to more than fifty (50) miles from the chapter house, and then only if he has applied for reinstatement within six (6) months of his return to the area specified. (Amended December 19, 1973, and July 18, 1990, September 2006)
Section 5. Individual Member: This is an individual membership for an adult. One membership card is issued. This membership has one vote. (Adopted October 2003, Amended September 2006)
Section 6. Retired Member: A member, upon attainment of age sixty-five (65) and retirement from active gainful employment or business and having been a member in good standing for the preceding five (5) years, may apply to the Board of Governors for reduced Chapter dues. Chapter dues for such Retired Members shall be one-fourth (1/4) of the annual dues of Individual Members exclusive of National and State Division dues and shall be rounded to the nearest dollar. (Adopted August 16, 1972 – Amended October 2003, September 2006)
Section 7. Student Member: This is a membership for a full-time student as defined by the membership rules and regulations of the National IWLA. One membership card is issued, and the Student Member has the same voting privileges of an Individual Member. The student’s full-time status is also determined by conformity with the then current membership regulations of the National IWLA as pertain to a Student Membership. (Adopted October 2003, September 2006)
Section 8. Youth Member: This is a membership for a Child as defined by the membership rules and regulations of the National IWLA. One membership card is issued, and the Youth Member has no voting privileges. (Adopted October 2003 Amended September 2006)
Section 9. Associate Member: An Associate Membership is available to any member in good standing for three years or more who upon moving his residence 100 or more miles from the Chapter House may apply to the Board of Governors for reduced chapter dues. Chapter dues for such Associate Members shall be one-sixth (1/6) of the annual dues of Individual Members exclusive of National, State Division dues, and shall be rounded to the nearest dollar. (Adopted June 19, 1985, Amended October 2003)
Section 10. Family Member: Family Membership is a membership of two adults and their dependents (up to age 18) living in the same household. Each adult person will receive a membership card and have the same voting privileges as that of an Individual Membership. Upon request, membership cards (nonvoting) are available for dependents. Dues will be 1½ times the Individual Membership yearly dues. Existing members may convert to Family Membership by submitting 1½ times the yearly fee of their existing membership category, at membership renewal time. Both adults must qualify under the same category of membership (e.g.: Retired, Associate) to convert to Family Membership. No additional fees will apply. (Adopted August 1988, Amended October 2003, September 2006)
Section 11. Life and Life Benefactor: member may become a Life, Family Life, Life Benefactor, or Family Life Benefactor upon an appropriate single payment to the national treasurer. Upon completion of the payment, the member shall not be required to pay annual dues to the national organization. The member will have to pay division and chapter dues. (Adopted October 2003, Amended September 2006)
Article IX – Gifts, Donations, or Contributions
Section 1. Any gifts, donations, or contributions given to the Chapter, in any form whatsoever, either by a member, or non-member, upon declaration that same is a gift, donation, or contribution, and upon acceptance by an officer, or member, or action by the membership or Board of Governors, shall become the sole property of the Chapter and shall not be removed or transferred or retracted or destroyed, by any officer, committee chairman, member or employee of the Chapter, without specific consent of a majority of the Board of Governors, except such properties in the form of equipment or machinery that may be removed for a reasonable length of time for repair or adjustment, but only upon consent of the committee chairman involved or upon necessary approval by a majority of the Board of Governors. Furthermore, any gift, donation, or contribution given to, or accepted by, the Chapter prior to the acceptance of this Resolution by the Membership for inclusion in the By-Laws, shall remain the sole property of the Chapter. (Adopted April 15, 1959)
Section 2. Establishment of a Land Acquisition Fund (Adopted June 19, 1996).
(i) A fund shall be established for the purchase of real estate. This fund shall be maintained as a segregated account, and donations to this Fund, and the income derived there from, shall be used exclusively for the purchase of real estate and for costs normally associated with the purchase of real estate, such as, but not limited to, appraisal fees, settlement fees, attorney’s fees, and taxes for newly acquired land.
(ii) (a) The Fund shall be administered by the Advance Planning and Finance Committee.
(b) The accounts shall be reviewed by the Chapter President. The Chapter Treasurer shall publish detailed and complete reports listing the assets and present value of the Fund at all scheduled meetings of the Advance Planning and Finance Committee.
(c) The Fund shall be subject to an internal review annually by an Internal Review Committee of two or more members nominated by and approved by the Board of Governors. (Amended October 2003)
(d) The Advance Planning and Finance Committee shall transfer the full value of the assets of the Land Fund annually by January 31 into the B-CC IWLA Legacy Foundation, Inc. The funds will be returned to the B-CC IWLA Chapter by request of the presiding Chapter President and a majority vote of the current Board of Governors for the purchase of real estate. (Amended April 19, 2017)
(iii) Real estate purchases shall require the approval of the Board of Governors, and the General Membership at a regular monthly meeting, with previous notice given.
(iv) Real estate purchased with this fund need not be physically contiguous to currently owned Chapter property.
(v) This By-Law establishing the Fund can be modified or terminated in keeping with Article XIV of the current By-Laws.
Section 3. Establishment of a Capital Fund (Adopted 15 May 2013).
(i) A Capital fund separately accounted for as the Near-Term Capital Fund and Long-Term Capital Fund shall be established for the purchase, repair, and replacement of capital assets in the near-term and long-term. This fund shall be maintained as a segregated accrual account and shall be used exclusively for the purchase, replacement, and repair of capital assets, such as equipment; tangible property used in the operations of the Chapter including devices, machines, tools, and vehicles; as well as buildings, roads, structures, and outdoor shooting ranges’ lead reclamation; including costs associated with but not limited to, appraisal fees and installation fees as necessary.
(ii) The moneys for the Near-Term Capital Fund will be derived directly from and in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the Chapter’s Annual Revenues collected. The moneys for the Long-Term Capital Fund will be derived from a $20.00 dues increase for the Individual Membership Type together with pro-rata adjusted dues increase of all other Membership Types, beginning in the Chapter Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
(iii) The Capital Fund shall be administered by the Advance Planning and Finance Committee (AP&FC).
a. The accounts shall be reviewed monthly by the Chapter President and the Advance Planning and Finance Committee. The Chapter Treasurer shall publish detailed and complete reports listing the assets and present value of both the Near-Term Fund and Long-Term Fund at all scheduled meetings.
b. A Capital Fund Unfunded Requirements List (UFRL) will be established to prioritize capital expenditures.
i. A Point of Contact (POC) will be identified to receive all submissions for consideration under the Capital Fund UFRL. Submissions must be made in writing by either a Committee Chairman or Board Member to the AP&FC justifying the proposed expenditure.
ii. The Capital Fund UFRL will be presented by a representative of the AP&FC to the Board of Governors (BOG) for final prioritization/ approval at any board meeting or sooner based on urgency of need.
iii. The Capital Fund UFRL will be reprioritized as new capital requirements are approved by the BOG.
(iv) This By-Law establishing the Capital Fund can be modified or terminated in keeping with Article XIV of the current By-Laws. (Adopted 15 May 2013, Amended on 18 August 2021)
Article X – Suspension and Expulsion
A member may be sanctioned by suspension or suspended with recommendation for expulsion when the Board of Governors has reason to believe that the charges against the member can be satisfactorily proved. Any member in good standing can request official sanction against any chapter member by delivering a signed, written petition to the President at least one week prior to a scheduled Board of Governors meeting to have it considered in closed session. If two board members find that the request is in order, the President will call an ad hoc closed session within 30 days to be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order where the accusing member must show just cause for sanction; the accused member may attend this session. After reviewing the facts and circumstances regarding the accusation(s), the Board of Governors is then required to entertain a motion to suspend the accused member for a period of sixty (60) days. Approval of a motion to suspend will require a majority vote of the board members present (quorum being met), and if this vote fails, the accusation(s) against the member are dropped. During the suspension period, the accused member must have the right to redress before a Board of Governors meeting or in an ad hoc closed session; the accusing member may or may not attend this session, at the sole discretion of the Board of Governors. Before the 60-day suspension period expires, the Board of Governors may vote to extend the suspension for a successive 60-day period (not to exceed a total period of 360 days); if this motion fails to pass by a majority vote, the accusation(s) are dropped. A suspended member may request an appearance before the Board of Governors only once during a 60-day suspension period.
During any 60-day suspension period, a majority of the Board of Governors may vote only once to begin expulsion proceedings. The Board must give the suspended member written notice of the pending expulsion vote, postmarked at least 14 days before the vote is scheduled. The vote to expel a member must be held in an ad hoc closed session, and it requires a 4/5ths majority of the board members present (quorum being met) to pass. Any other member in good standing may call for a vote to rescind an expulsion decision by requesting a motion for rescission at a monthly general membership (dinner) meeting within 60 days of the expulsion. If a vote for rescission is passed (by majority vote; quorum required), it must be followed by a second general membership vote at the next regularly scheduled general membership (dinner) meeting. The membership will be notified of the second vote by notice in the newsletter. The second vote to rescind will require a majority vote (quorum required) of the voting members in attendance. The result of the second vote to rescind will be posted in the next newsletter. A member expelled from the chapter will not be allowed to reapply for chapter membership sooner than five (5) years after expulsion. (Adopted July 15, 1970, Amended October 2003)
Article XI – Committees
Section 1. There shall be five standing committees, which will be responsible to the President, Board of Governors, and Chapter, for establishing, coordinating, and implementing chapter operations and activities. These committees shall be an Advance Planning and Finance Committee, Operations and Conservation Committee, Recreation Committee, Public Relations and Education Committee, and Membership Committee. The efforts of these committees shall be in keeping with the policies and goals of the chapter. The President shall appoint a member in good standing to fill any Committee Chairperson vacancies.
The Advance Planning and Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Chapter President and include the following: Chapter First Vice President, Chapter Second Vice President, Chapter Treasurer, Constitution and By-Laws Chairperson, and the immediate Chapter past President.
The Operations and Conservation Committee shall be chaired by the Chapter First Vice President and include the following: Chairpersons of Building Maintenance, Security, Equipment Maintenance, Grounds & Roads Maintenance, Farm, Ponds and Streams, Save Our Streams, and Nature Trail. (Amended October 2003)
The Recreation Committee shall be chaired by the Chapter Second Vice President and include the following: Chairpersons of Rifle and Pistol Range, Trap and Skeet Range, Archery Range, Camp Ground.
The Public Relations and Education Committee shall be chaired by the Chapter Corresponding Secretary and include the following: Chairpersons of Hunter Safety, Firearms Safety, Conservation Education, Legislation, Information Technology (IT), and Public Relations and Programs. (Amended October 2003, Amended February 17, 2021)
The Membership Committee shall be chaired by the Membership Secretary and include up to five (5) committee members. The Membership Committee will be responsible for membership requirements in Article III – Membership, section 2.b and Article VIII, Section 3, 3.a and 3.b.(Amended September 18, 1986, and February 21, 1991, September 2006)
Section 2. The Chapter President shall appoint chairpersons for: Constitution and By-Laws, Building Maintenance, Equipment Maintenance, Grounds & Roads Maintenance, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Ponds and Streams, Nature Trail, Rifle and Pistol Range, Trap and Skeet Range, Archery Range, Camp Ground, Hunter Safety, Firearms Safety, Legislation, Public Relations & Conservation Education, Environmental Stewardship, Information Technology (IT), and other ad hoc committees as he shall deem necessary for chapter operations and to plan, coordinate, and implement special studies, programs, or events. Such studies, programs, or events shall be in keeping with the policies and goals of the Chapter. (Amended September 18, 1986, Amended October 2003, Amended May 21 2014, Amended February 17, 2021)
Article XII – Quorum
The presence of forty-five (45) members at any regular monthly meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws. (Adopted July 15, 1970)
Article XIII – Disposal of Assets
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 payment or reasonable compensation for services rendered and expenses incurred may be made
Section 2. This Chapter, incorporated under the statutes of the State of Maryland, may dissolve and wind up its affairs upon the adoption of a resolution to dissolve and wind up its affairs by the members at a regular or special meeting of the Chapter duly called and held by an affirmative vote which is (a) not less than four-fifths (4/5) of the Chapter membership at the time and (b) a majority of the members present and voting and according to the plan for the distribution of its assets as hereinafter set forth.
Section 3. The assets of this Chapter in the process of dissolution shall be applied and distributed as follows:
a. All liabilities and obligations of the Chapter shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged, or adequate provision shall be made, therefore.
b. Assets held by the Chapter 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.
c. The remaining assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc., to be held in trust for a period of not less than two years to be retransferred or reconveyed to a newly organized or reorganized Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc. For its services as trustee, the League may retain no more than five (5) per cent of the value of said assets at the time of any such retransfer or reconveyance. In the event that no new or reorganized Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chapter of the League is formed within the specified period of two (2) years the assets held in trust by the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc., shall be distributed as follows:
(1) Seventy (70) per cent of said assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Izaak Walton League of America Endowment Fund.
(2) Fifteen (15) per cent of said assets shall be transferred or conveyed to the Maryland State Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.
(3) The remaining fifteen (15) per cent of said assets shall be transferred or conveyed to and become the property of the Izaak Walton League of America, Inc.
d. No part of the assets of this Chapter shall be distributed to or inure to the benefit of any member, officer, or director of this corporation. (Adopted July 15, 1970)
Article XIV – Amendments
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed, and added to (but not to alter any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation appended hereto), at any regular monthly meeting of the Chapter members, a quorum being present, by a majority voting, providing written notice with a copy of the proposed amendment shall be contained in the notice of the meeting. Any amendments adopted by the Chapter shall be recorded by the Secretary (chronologically in a separate record book) and made part of the official record of the Constitution and By-Laws. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Chapter shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition). (Adopted July 15, 1970; amended November 1977)
Article XV – Ratification
These By-Laws and amendments thereto shall be in effect at the next regular meeting following adoption. (Adopted July 15, 1970) (Amendments as noted)