OLD
BRIDGE RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, INC.
NRA
# C005529H
Amended
By-Laws
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
March
2001
Article
2: Offices
Article 3: Purposes
Article
4: Limitations & Dissolution
Article
5: Trustees
Article 6: Trustee Powers
Article
7: Officers
Article
8: Membership
Article
9: Membership Dues
Article
10: Initiation Fees
Article
11: Proxies
Article
12: Meetings
Article
13: Order of Business
Article
14: Quorum
Article
15: Amendments
Article
16: Repeal
Article
17: Chairman's’ Committee
Article
18: Executive Committee
Article
19: Standing Committees
Article 20: Suspension or Expulsion
Article
21: Resignation of Members
Article
22: Compliance with Law
Article
23: National Board for the
Promotion of
Rifle Practice
Article
24: Guest Policy
OLD BRIDGE RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB, INC.
A
NEW JERSEY NON-PROFIT CORPORATION
PO
Box 586 Old Bridge, NJ 08857
phone
(908) 360-1987
NRA
# C005529H
A
M E N D E D B Y - L A W S
Acceptance
Date:
September 27, 1991
Revision
1:
August 12, 1992
2:
July 14, 1993
3:
February 10, 1994
4:
April 15, 1994
5:
July 15, 1994
6:
November 8, 1994
7:
July 7, 1998
8:
January, 1999
9: March 8, 2001
ARTICLE 1:
ORGANIZATION
1.1
The name of the corporation is OLD BRIDGE RIFLE and PISTOL CLUB, Inc.
1.2
The corporation shall have a seal.
1.3
The accounting year of the corporation shall commence on January 1 and
end on December 31 of each year.
ARTICLE 2:
OFFICES
2.1
PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The
principal office of this corporation in the State of New Jersey shall be located
at 21 Throckmorton Ave, Eatontown,
NJ 07724.
2.2
OTHER OFFICES. The
corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the county of
Monmouth, State of New Jersey, as the board of trustees may from time to time
determine.
ARTICLE 3:
PURPOSES
3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
As
stated in the certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended, to take and
hold by bequest, devise, gift, grant, purchase, lease, or otherwise any
property, real, personal, tangible or intangible, or any undivided interest
therein, without limitation as to the amount or value: to sell, convey or
otherwise dispose of any such property and to invest, reinvest or deal with the
principal or the income thereof in such a manner as, in the judgement of the
trustees, will best promote the purposes of the corporation;
To
encourage organized rifle, pistol, air gun, black powder and shotgun shooting
among citizens of the United States of America resident in our community, with a
view towards a better knowledge on the part of such citizens of the safe
handling and proper use and care of recreational firearms, as well as improved
marksmanship. It shall be our
further object and purpose to forward the development of those characteristics
of honesty, good fellowship, self discipline, team play, self reliance and
courtesy which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of
true patriotism.
To
cooperate with individuals, groups (public and private) and governmental
organizations to the aforesaid ends and in the foregoing activities.
To
collect, solicit and otherwise raise money from private and public, domestic and
foreign sources and distribute and expend it for the furtherance of the purposes
contained herein.
To
do any other act or thing incidental to or connected with the foregoing or in
advancement thereof, but not for the pecuniary profit or the financial gain of
its directors or officers except as may be permitted by law.
The
corporation shall have all the powers provided for nonprofit corporations by the
laws of the State of New Jersey, but such powers shall be used only in the
furtherance of the purposes set forth herein.
The
enumeration of the aforesaid purposes and powers shall not be deemed to limit or
restrict the general powers of the corporation, and the enjoyment and exercise
thereof, as conferred by the laws of the State of New Jersey upon nonprofit
corporations.
ARTICLE 4:
LIMITATIONS AND DISSOLUTION
4.1
PECUNIARY PROFIT. The
corporation is not organized for pecuniary profit or financial gain and no part
of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any
officer, director, trustee, member or employee of the corporation, and no
individual shall receive or be entitled to receive any pecuniary profit,
emoluments or reward from the operations thereof, except reasonable compensation
for services rendered to it in connection with purposes, or as may otherwise be
provided for by law.
4.2
DISSOLUTION. Any
merger or dissolution shall be according to the laws of the State of New Jersey.
Any
undistributed assets shall be distributed to one or more domestic or foreign
corporations engaged in activities substantially similar to those of the
dissolving corporation.
ARTICLE 5:
TRUSTEES
5.1
NUMBER. The
authorized number of trustees of this corporation shall be nine (9).
5.2
QUALIFICATIONS OF TRUSTEES. Trustees must be
citizens of the United States and are required to be active members
of the corporation.
5.3
INITIAL ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE. The trustees shall be
elected by the eligible members by a plurality vote.
Elections shall be held annually.
There
shall be three (3) classes of trustees, known as A, B and C, with three (3)
trustees in each class.
5.3.1
Trustee term of office shall be three (3) years
5.3.2
Initial terms beginning January 1, 1992 shall be as follows:
Class
A one
(1) year
Class
B
two (2) years
Class
C
three (3) years
5.3.3
Subsequent terms for all classes of trustees would begin in following
years and would be for a three (3) year term of office, with one (1) class of
three being elected anew each year.
5.3.4
RESIGNATIONS: Any
Trustee may resign with written or verbal notice to the corporation.
Resignation will be effective upon receipt thereof or at a subsequent
time as shall be specified in the notice of resignation.
The President will be notified of any verbal resignations within 24 hours
of such resignation. The entire Trustee Board will be notified within
72 hours of such resignation.
5.4.1
SUBSEQUENT ANNUAL ELECTIONS. Trustee elections shall be conducted
in the following manner:
Three
(3) months prior to the election, a nominating committee consisting of not less
than three (3) persons shall be appointed by the President.
This committee shall nominate at least three (3) qualified persons as
trustees for any given class which is up for election.
Three
(3) months prior to the election, an election committee shall be appointed by
the President from alternate classes of trustees not up for election, said
committee to manage the election.
5.4.2
The Nominating Committee will report the slate of nominees at the regular
meeting preceding the annual meeting
5.5 NOMINATION BY PETITION.
A signed petition consisting of at least one third (1/3) of eligible
voting members shall nominate that individual for trustee, and will place that
individual's name on the ballot. The
signed petition must be submitted to the election committee thirty (30) days
prior to the election.
5.6 REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEES.
Whenever a vacancy exists in the board of trustees, whether by death,
resignation, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by election by a majority
of the members at a regular or special meeting.
Any person elected to fill the vacancy of a trustee shall have the same
qualifications as were required of the trustee whose office was vacated.
Any
trustee may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority of the active
members at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose.
At any such meeting, any vacancy caused by the removal may be filled as
stated above.
Any
person elected to fill a vacancy in the board of trustees shall hold office for
the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office, subject to the power of
removal stated above.
5.7 COMPENSATION.
No member of the board of trustees shall receive compensation from the
corporation, other than credit for the payment of the Club's annual dues.
This provision shall not prohibit the reimbursement of reasonable expenses
appropriately sustained by any trustee on behalf of the corporation, as may be
approved by the board of trustees.
5.8 LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES.
The trustees of this corporation shall not be personally liable for its debts,
liabilities or other obligations, and additionally shall have such limited
liability as is specified in the certificate of incorporation, as it may be
amended and/or N.J.S. Title 15A.
ARTICLE 6:
TRUSTEE POWERS
6.1 Except
as otherwise provided for in the certificate of incorporation, as it may be
amended, or by law, the powers of this corporation shall be exercised, its
properties controlled, and its affairs conducted by the board of trustees, which
may, however, delegate the performance of any duties or the exercise of any
powers to such officers and agents as the board may, from time to time, by
resolution designate.
ARTICLE 7:
OFFICERS
7.1
The officers of this corporation, who constitute the Executive
Committee, shall be:
President
Vice
President
Financial
Secretary
Recording
Secretary
Corresponding
Secretary
Treasurer
7.2
QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS.
Officers must be trustees.
7.3
TERMS OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
The
officers shall be elected by plurality vote of the trustees.
Officers shall hold their office for one (1) year. Each
officer shall hold office until his/her successor has been duly elected.
Elections for officers shall be held at the discretion of the board of
trustees.
7.4
REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Any
officer may be removed, with or without cause, by a majority vote of the
Trustees at any regular or special meeting. The removal of an officer
without cause shall be without prejudice to that officer's contract rights, if
any. Election of an officer shall
not of itself create contract rights.
Any
officer may resign with written or verbal notice to the corporation.
Resignation will be effective upon receipt thereof or at a subsequent
time as shall be specified in the notice of resignation.
The President will be notified of any verbal resignations within 24 hours
of such resignation. The entire
Trustee Board will be notified within 72 hours of such resignation.
7.5
VACANCIES
A
vacancy in any office whether due to death, resignation, removal,
disqualification, or otherwise, may be filled by a plurality vote of the board
of trustees at any regular or special meeting.
7.6
PRESIDENT
The
President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall
exercise general supervision and control over all activities of the corporation.
The President shall:
Preside
at all meetings of members and trustees;
Sign,
with the Recording Secretary, Treasurer, or other officer duly authorized by the
board of trustees, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments
the execution of which has been authorized by the board of trustees, except in
cases where the signing and execution of such instruments has been expressly
delegated by the board of trustees by these by-laws, or to some other officer or
agent of the corporation by law;
Perform
all other duties generally incident to the office of chairman and such other
duties as may be prescribed by the board of trustees;
Appoint
all committees, temporary or permanent;
See
all books, reports, and certificates, as required by law, are properly kept or filed, and
Shall
be one of the officers who may sign the checks or drafts of the corporation.
7.7
VICE PRESIDENT
The
vice president shall, in the event of the absence or inability of the President
to exercise his office, become acting President of the corporation with all the
rights, privileges and powers as if he had been duly elected President.
7.8
TREASURER
If
so required by the board of trustees, the Treasurer shall:
Give
a bond for the faithful discharge of the treasurer's duties in such a sum and
with such surety or sureties as the board of trustees may deem appropriate;
Have
charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the
corporation;
Promptly
perform all duties generally incidental to the office of treasurer and such
other duties as may from time to time be assigned the treasurer by the President
or by the board of trustees;
There
shall be an annual audit of corporate finances.
Shall
produce a monthly written account
of the finances of the corporation which shall be submitted for examination to
the trustees and members at regular or special meetings and such report shall be
recorded in the minutes of such meeting.
No
corporate funds shall be expended or corporate obligations or indebtedness
incurred without approval of the board of trustees.
7.9
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
The
Secretary shall:
be
the sole receiver of all monies coming to the corporation;
keep
an accurate and legible record of all such monies received, in a bound journal
book;
deposit
all monies so received in banking institutions so designated by the corporation.
Each deposit shall be accompanied by two (2) deposit slips, with the
duplicate being stamped by the bank and returned to the treasurer;
notify
all members whose dues are three (3) months
in arrears, and if their dues are not received within thirty (30) days of date
of notice, shall notify the member that his or her membership is suspended.
7.10
RECORDING SECRETARY
The
recording secretary shall:
keep
an accurate record of the minutes in a book of all proceedings of regular and
special meetings;
attach
all written reports of committees to minutes;
attach
the copy of the first reading of a proposed amendment to the minutes of that
meeting;
maintain
the master copy of the corporation by laws and upon passage of a new amendment,
shall enter and record it, in precise wording, in the designated place
for amendments;
sign
any legal papers which require the signature of the Secretary with the approval
of the board of trustees;
be
responsible for the letters of incorporation and the club seal.
7.11
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
The
Secretary:
shall
conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and
forwarding of all reports required of the club by the National Rifle Association
and by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship;
shall
handle any other club correspondence;
shall
notify all members of special and annual meetings as required;
shall
maintain an accurate record of all attendance at regular and special meetings of
the club and record the exact date of the start of each member's probationary
period
shall
prepare all membership cards of the Club;
shall
exhibit to any trustee or member, or any person or agency authorized by law to
inspect them, at all reasonable times, and on demand, these bylaws, the
certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended, the minutes of any meeting,
list of officers, and the other records of the corporation.
ARTICLE 8:
MEMBERSHIP
8.1
Classes of membership shall be: Active, Senior, Junior, Honorary,
Probationary, Family and College Associate.
8.2
An Active member is a citizen at least 18 years of age, who is a member
of the N.R.A., has a State of New Jersey Firearms Purchaser Identification Card
or similar documentation from his or her resident State or regular Law
Enforcement identification who has been elected to Active membership, from
Probationary membership by a majority of the active membership present and
voting at a regular meeting.
8.2.1
To maintain Active Membership the following is necessary:
8.2.1a
A member must be current in all dues and assessment payments and must
have been issued a current membership card
8.2.1b
A member must contribute a minimum of twelve (12) hours of useful work
between December 16 of the previous calendar year and December 15 of the current
calendar year. This work
will be as designated by the Executive Committee.
An assessment may be levied at the discretion of the Executive Committee
for non-performance.
8.2.1c
To maintain eligibility for voting, a member must meet the requirements
of 8.2.1a. Probationary Members become eligible to vote after being voted into
full membership status
8.3
A Senior member is any member over the age of sixty five (65) years, who
otherwise meets the requirements of 8.2.1a.
8.4
A Junior member is a member under the age of eighteen (18) years.
8.5
An Honorary member is any citizen of the United States who has shown
outstanding interest in the shooting sports and activities and whose name has
been proposed by the board of trustees
for Honorary membership. A 2/3 vote
of the membership present at a regular meeting of the corporation will be needed
for election to the position of Honorary member.
Honorary
members shall pay no dues.
8.6
Any citizen of the United States 18 years or older may apply to the
membership committee for admission to the corporation as a Probationary member.
Probationary
members shall meet the following requirements:
1.
Have a current NRA membership card or pending application.
2.
Have a State of New Jersey Firearms
Purchaser Identification Card or a resident state equivalent or a regular Law
Enforcement Identification Card.
3.
Payment of the initiation fee.
4.
Probationary Members will complete all activity and financial obligations within
six (6) months of the date of application.
Should
the Probationary Member require additional time, upon written request to the
Membership Chairman and the Board of Trustees, a maximum of six (6) month
extension may be granted.
Full
membership status may be withheld from a Probationary Member if his or her
obligations are not met within a twelve (12) month period from date of
application. In such event the
initiation fee will be forfeited and dues will be returned on a pro-rata basis
from date of application.
Probationary
members will serve a minimum of six (6) months prior to being eligible to
election to full Active membership.
Probationary
members shall have all rights, privileges
and responsibilities of Active members except they shall not be eligible to vote,
hold elected office, nor shall they be permitted to bring guests.
The
Membership Committee, after a satisfactory investigation of the prospective
member, shall recommend, at a regular meeting of the corporation, the acceptance
of the new member as a Probationary member.
There
being no objections from the floor, the President shall direct the Secretary to
issue a Probationary membership card to the new Probationary member.
If
there is an objection from the floor, the
members present will discuss the application of the prospective Probationary
member, and will vote for acceptance or rejection of the application.
A simple majority of affirmative votes will be required for election.
8.7
A Family member is the spouse or significant other of an Active, Senior
or Probationary member.
Dependent
children or minors who are under the legal guardianship of a currently Active,
Senior or Probationary member are also considered family members.
They must fulfill the following requirements:
1.
twenty three (23) years of age or younger.
2.
living at home or full time student having a current student identification card
at the time of application.
8.8
A College Associate member is between the ages of 18 and 23 years and
enrolled as a full time student at a university or other Institution of higher
learning beyond High School level.
College
Associate members will have the same duties and responsibilities as Active
members including, but not limited to:
1.
NRA Membership with or without magazine privileges
2.
NJ Firearms ID card or the equivalent from their own State of residence
3.
Normal Club safety and firearms training programs
College
Associate members will NOT have the following privileges:
1.
Bringing of
guests
2.
Voting
3.
Holding
elected office within the Club
4. Open
and unsupervised use of Club facilities
5. Combination
to any of the locked areas of the Club
6.
Electronic access card for the Indoor Range
College
Associate members will pay dues at the rate of
$75.00 per calendar year
Club
Initiation Fees will be temporarily waived for the College Associate member for
a period extending 6 months after his or her graduation from school or
discontinuation of full time studies. At
that point the College Associate member will have the option of becoming an
Active member of the Club and will pay the normal
initiation fee.
ARTICLE 9:
MEMBERSHIP DUES
9.1
Dues shall be paid annually. Dues
are due in total at the first meeting of the corporation in January.
The amount of the dues shall be as determined by the board of trustees
and as announced at a regular meeting of the corporation.
9.2
All financial obligations are to be met by February 15 of each year by
every member after which time unpaid members will be considered as being
suspended, removed from the data base, and their electronic cards deactivated.
After
that time, upon payment in full of all obligations a member may be reinstated at
the pleasure of the Trustees, with appropriate privileges limited to the
remainder of the calendar year. No
prorating of obligations will be done. A
late fee will be imposed on all such members.
9.3
In cases of extenuating circumstances the Executive Committee, if
notified in writing, may authorize alternative provisions for payment.
9.4
Senior membership dues shall be at 50% of the rate of Active membership.
9.5
Each Family member's dues, shall be at 60% of the rate of the Active
members.
ARTICLE 10:
INITIATION FEES
10.1
The initiation fee shall be as prescribed by the board of trustees.
10.2
Arrangements for partial payment of the initiation fee are possible at
the discretion of the board of trustees.
10.3
Initiation fees are WAIVED for the following:
1.
Family members as defined in Paragraph 8.7.
2.
Persons who, at the time of their eighteenth (18 th.) birthday, are currently
active Junior members of the Old Bridge Rifle & Pistol Club, and who apply
within three months of their eighteenth (18 th.) birthday.
3.
persons leaving the Club in good standing and reapplying for membership.
ARTICLE 11:
PROXIES
Proxy
voting shall be allowed for trustees and members.
A proxy must be in writing identifying the parties and their intentions.
A proxy shall be submitted to the chair at the beginning of any meeting.
The chair shall announce all proxies at the beginning of the meeting.
ARTICLE 12:
MEETINGS
12.1
Regular meetings of the membership shall be on the first Thursday of the
month unless a holiday interferes with that date, in which case the meeting will
be held on the second Thursday of that month.
12.2
The regular meeting of the Corporation held in March shall be the annual
meeting, unless the Board of Trustees shall change the month by giving three (3)
months notice to the General Membership prior to initiating the change.
Elections for Trustees and annual reports including the budget report
shall occur at the annual meeting
12.3
Special meetings of the corporation may be called by the President or by
petition consisting of a written request signed by twenty (20) eligible voting
members and shall be called at the request in writing of any two members of the
board of trustees.
No
other business but that specified in the notice of meeting may be transacted at
such special meeting without the unanimous consent of all present at such
meeting.
ARTICLE 13:
ORDER OF BUSINESS
13.1
Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority at all
meetings of members and at all meetings of the board of trustees.
13.2
The ORDER OF CLUB BUSINESS shall be as determined by the President
ARTICLE 14:
QUORUM
14.1
TRUSTEES. A quorum of trustees shall consist of five (5) or more
trustees in order to conduct trustee business.
14.2
MEMBERS. A quorum of members
shall be at least 10% of the total members eligible to vote on the corporation
rolls at the time of the meeting.
ARTICLE 15:
AMENDMENTS
15.1
Subject to the limitations of
the certificate of
15.2
incorporation,
as it may be amended, these bylaws, and New Jersey State Title 15A concerning
corporate action that must be authorized or approved by the members of this
corporation may be amended, repealed, or added to, or new bylaws may be adopted,
by a resolution of the board of trustees.
15.2
Amendments shall take effect at the close of the meeting at which they
are adopted by the board of trustees.
ARTICLE 16:
REPEAL
Any
prior existing bylaws of the corporation, not provided in this amended version,
are hereby repealed.
ARTICLE 17: CHAIRMANS
COMMITTEE
There
shall be a Chairmans Committee composed of the Chairmen of the following
standing committees: Rifle, Pistol,
Shotgun, Junior, Ways and Means, and Building.
The
President of the corporation shall be an additional member of the Chairmans
Committee and shall appoint a Chairman from within the Committee.
The
Chairmans Committee shall be in charge of all range scheduling, and shall have
control over all organized League activity of the corporation.
Any
action of the Chairmans Committee shall be subject to review and veto by the
Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 18:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The
Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the President.
Four
(4) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.
It
shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to hear all complaints brought
against members which shall be laid before them by the Recording Secretary and
render a decision thereon as hereinafter provided.
The
Executive Committee may drop from the roll any or all delinquent members as
shall be reported by the Financial Secretary and may also reinstate such
members.
They
shall have general authority over all committees and shall make appropriations
for the use of committees. They may
remove any member of any committee or of the Chairmans Committee for what the
majority of the Executive Committee feels to be proper cause.
They
shall at least once a year have the corporation accounts audited.
ARTICLE 19:
STANDING COMMITTEES
The
standing committees shall consist of:
Rifle
Committee (s)
Pistol
Committee (s)
Shotgun
Committee (s)
Junior
Activities Committee
Membership
Committee
Publicity
Committee
Legislative
Action Committee
Building
Committee
Others
as appointed by the President
ARTICLE 20:
SUSPENSION or EXPULSION
Upon
submission of a signed accusation to the Executive Committee, any member may be
suspended or expelled from the corporation, with or without cause, by the
Executive Committee by a plurality affirmative vote of the members of the
Committee present at any regular or special meeting.
No
vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen (15) days
notice in writing shall have been given to the member in question of the charges
preferred and of the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at
which such charges will be considered. At
such meeting the member will be accorded a full hearing.
Any
member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full
membership of the corporation. Such
appeal shall be made in writing to the Recording Secretary who will then notify
the President.
The
President may call a special meeting of the corporation for the purpose of
acting on the appeal.
The
Recording Secretary shall give at least fifteen days notice in writing to all
Active members of the Corporation in good standing, stating the date, time,
place, and reason for such special meeting.
At
this meeting the Recording Secretary will read the original charges, the
supporting affidavits, and will read or display the accompanying exhibits 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 ballot of the Active members in good standing present and
a two thirds (2/3) vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive
Committee.
ARTICLE 21:
RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS
Resignation
must be in writing and presented to the Recording Secretary.
A
member resigning or otherwise ceasing to be a member of the Corporation,
forfeits all interest in the Corporation.
ARTICLE 22:
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW
All
Federal, State and Local laws, ordinances and regulations must be observed at
all times.
The
Club will reimburse any Trustee for any insurance deductible paid by any Trustee
while in the performance of their duties.
ARTICLE 23:
NATIONAL BOARD FOR THE PROMOTION OF RIFLE PRACTICE
23.1
Old Bridge Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. is organized in accordance with
the rules prescribed by the National Board For The Promotion of Rifle Practice.
23.2
The Corporation Charter and, annually, a list of members and officers,
shall be submitted to the Superintendent of State Police in order to qualify for
exemption under chapters 39 and 58 of New Jersey's Firearms and Weapons Laws.
ARTICLE 24:
GUEST POLICY
Full
Members may bring up to three (3) guests at any one time to Club facilities.
No
guest may be invited, nor may they use Club facilities more than three (3) times
in any one year.
Guests
are the direct responsibility of the host member.
As such, it is the member's responsibility to insure that guests follow
all Club By-Laws, Policies, and Safety Rules. It is suggested that Article 22 be
consulted here.
Robert
C. Jerome
TRUSTEE
March 8, 2001