BY-LAWS OF THE BRULE-ST. CROIX CHAPTER
OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I - Purpose
The
major purposes of the Brule-St. Croix Chapter of the North Country Trail
Association are to build, maintain and promote the North Country National Scenic
Trail between
In meeting this purpose, the Chapter also seeks to:
1. Promote and exchange outdoor educational information relating to but not limited to personal safety and skills, resource use and management and increased individual activities promoting good health;
2. Promote preservation and conservation of our natural resources;
3. Promote responsible outdoor activities; and
4. Unite persons interested in outdoor activities, by promoting fellowship through outdoor activity.
These activities will be promoted through participation and informational, educational and training sessions aimed at increasing individual safety, enjoyment and personal skills.
The principal office of the Chapter shall be the address of the current Chair, or as determined by the Chapter Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III - Membership
Chapter members shall be defined as any member of the North Country Trail Association in good standing who elects to participate in or support the Chapter. Classes of membership, admission, dues, restrictions and other related policies shall match current definitions set forth in the By-Laws and policies of the North Country Trail Association.
ARTICLE IV – Meetings of Members
A quorum for all membership meetings shall be three members. Proper and effective votes at membership meetings shall be carried by simple majority of those members present.
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Meetings of the Chapter members are held at least twice a year, at a location and time determined by the Chair.
A special meeting may be called by the Chair and one other officer or by not less than 1/10 of the members.
The annual meeting will be the fall meeting, for the purpose of electing officers and Board Members and for the transaction of such other business as comes before the meeting. If the election of Officers is not held on the designated annual meeting date, it shall be held at a special meeting.
ARTICLE V - Board of Directors
The Chapter’s Board of Directors shall consist of all members in good standing present at a regular or special meeting.
Section 2: Function
The Board of Directors shall determine policies, nominate a slate of officers, and function in any other manner deemed advisable by formal action of the Board. Chapter meetings are also considered to be Board meetings. A quorum shall be three Board members.
Directors as such shall not receive any stated compensations for their services as Board Members, but by resolution of the Board of Directors, expenses of office, including but not limited to travel, phone, and mailings may be allowed; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving the Chapter or the Association as a whole in any other capacity and receiving compensation thereof.
ARTICLE V - Officers
The elected Officers of the Chapter shall consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Treasurer and a Secretary. Officers shall be elected from the pool of current Chapter members and once elected as an Officer also shall continue to serve on the Board of Directors with regular voting authority.
Each Officer shall serve for a term of two years. No Officer may serve more than three consecutive terms in the same position. Each Officer shall hold office until a successor shall have been elected and duly qualified. Officer positions shall come up for election in staggered years, to prevent all Officer positions from coming up for election in the same year. The initial sequence will be established as follows: 2000 - Vice Chair, Secretary; 2001 - Chair, Treasurer.
Nominations for Officer positions up for election shall be made from the floor at the annual general membership meeting, following the election of Board members.
The Officers shall be elected by a simple majority vote of those members present. In the case of no candidate receiving a simple majority, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be dropped and an additional vote taken for the remaining candidates. In the event of vacancies between elections, the Chair (or in case of the chair being vacant, the Vice Chair) shall nominate a member for the vacancy and this person shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Officers shall begin their tenure immediately following their election.
The Chair shall preside at all meetings, direct the activities of the Chapter, and act as spokesperson for the Chapter. The Chair and/or Board may appoint or remove as necessary ad hoc committees with agreement of each other. The Chair is a voting member of all standing or special committees.
The Vice Chair shall assist the Chair conducting functions of the Chapter, and substitute for the Chair in the event of his/her absence.
The Secretary shall be responsible for the following:
1. maintain a written permanent record of Board of Director meetings which shall be reviewed and approved at the next Board meeting.
2. submit the minutes of the Board meeting and provide copies at the monthly meeting
3. correspondence relating to club activities.
4. custodian of all properties and titles thereof other than the monies of the Chapter.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the following:
1. serve as liaison to the national office of the NCTA in all issues regarding Chapter finances.
2. forward all Chapter revenues and related documentation to the national office of the NCTA for deposit to the Chapter’s account.
3. review, approve for payment where appropriate, and submit all bills and expenses to the national office of the NCTA for payment.
4. submit a financial report at each meeting.
ARTICLE VI - Committees
The Chairperson shall be responsible for all activities of the Committee, and shall be nominated by the Chair and elected by the other officers of the Chapter’s Board of Directors. The following shall be standing committees of the Chapter:
1. Trails Outings/National Trails Day
2. Publicity
3. Trail Work
4. Membership
Ad hoc committees and their chairs shall be appointed/removed by the Chair of the Chapter as deemed necessary to fulfill the purposes and functions of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII - Finances
Section 1: Annual Budget
Before the first chapter meeting of each calendar year, the Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for the Chapter. This budget shall be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. Approval of the budget, or any portion of that budget, at any meeting authorizes the appropriate Committees to expend Chapter funds as specified in all approved portions of that budget. All subsequent expenditures shall be authorized by the Board.
Section 2: Expenditure of Funds
Documentation of expenditures and subsequent reimbursement shall follow procedures established by the national office of the North Country Trail Association. In all cases the NCTA office shall be notified by the Chapter Treasurer that he or she has approved an expenditure prior to the office making any payment from Chapter funds.
Any request for funds to be used by an outside organization must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors, who will vote upon the request. The request will show how these funds will be spent.
Chapter funds beyond those specified in the annual budget, may only be expended when the majority of Board of Directors authorizes payment of reasonable compensation for services rendered or expenses incurred in supporting the goals of the Chapter.
Section 3: Dues
Dues are paid to the national office, which
transfers a portion to the Chapter’s account, with the amount being at the
discretion of the NCTA national Board of Directors.
Section 4: Other Revenues
All other revenues collected by the Chapter are forwarded to the national office of the NCTA for credit to the Chapter’s account.
ARTICLE IX – Fiscal Year
The Fiscal year of the Chapter shall match that of the national Association.
ARTICLE X - Amendments
Amendments to the By-laws may be adopted at any Chapter meeting by a 2/3 majority of the members present.
Proposed amendments to the By-laws may be submitted in writing by any member of the Chapter. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Chair, and shall be presented to the Board for review and circulated to the membership at least one month but not more than 90 days prior to the meeting at which the proposed amendment. The proposed amendment shall become effective when seconded and approved by a 2/3 majority of those members present at a meeting.
ADOPTED AT THE CHAPTER MEETING OF APRIL 13TH, 2000
/s/ Suzanne Boley, Secretary
/s/ Peter Nordgren, Chair
Amendment 1: Article 1 is
amended to delete "west boundary of the
Adopted April 22, 2006