Constitution and By-Laws
Of The
Merchantville Fishing Club
Section 1 This organization shall be known as the “Merchantville Fishing Club”
Section 2 The purpose of the Merchantville Fishing Club shall be to promote the greater interest, and good sportsmanship among fisherman. As well as promoting a more friendly and harmonious relationship between landowners and tenants with fisherman to cooperate with the several departments or bureaus of the state of New Jersey or its subdivisions. In the enforcement of laws for the protection and/or propagation of fish; or for control, preservation and stocking of such natural resources that will help improve fishing and to propose to these departments or bureaus such legislation as may be deemed necessary in the interest of fisherman.
Section 3 As this club was formed for the perpetuation of the sport of fishing in all of its legitimate phases, it is hereby made a part of our by-laws that any member found guilty of violating the fishing laws of the state or maliciously destroying or damaging property, real or personal, shall be deemed unworthy of membership in this organization and their name removed from the roll at any stated meeting by majority vote of the members present entitled to vote and voting a member dropped from the roll may appeal charges before the members in any regular or special meeting.
Section 1 The officers of the Merchantville Fishing Club shall be:
A President
A Vice-President
A Secretary
A Treasurer
A Recording Secretary
There shall be in addition to the officers, three (3) trustees.
Section 2 A nominating committee for all officers shall be appointed by the president in October of each year. The committee is to report back at the November meeting with a proposed state of candidates for the offices. Nominations for these offices may be made from the floor in December. The election of officers shall take place in January, with the successful candidates assuming office immediately.
Section 3 An officer or trustee may be selected to succeed themselves providing they have been regularly nominated and elected by ballot of the majority members present entitled to vote and voting.
Section 4 The duties of the president shall be to preside at all meetings of the club, preserver order, appoint committees or tellers or representatives as may be required and perform any other duties pertaining to the office. The president shall be and exofficio member of all committees.
Section 5 The vice president shall perform the duties of the president in the absence of the president.
Section 6 The recording secretary shall make proper records of all procedures of each meeting of the club.
Section 7 The secretary shall conduct all of the club’s official correspondence. The secretary shall carefully preserve all papers, records and documents of the club and keep a roll of members, report delinquents and perform any other duties required by the office. The secretary shall promptly turn over to the succeeding secretary any and all records and property belonging to the club.
Section 8 The treasurer shall have custody of all the funds of the club. The treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all recipients and disbursements and report the same at each regular meeting. The treasurer shall give a receipt for all money submitted to the club. When approved by a majority vote of the members present and entitled to vote and voting at regular meeting, orders drawn upon the club shall be paid by the treasurer by check properly signed by the treasurer and the president of the club. An audit shall be made annually by the trustees. Upon retirement from office, the treasurer shall promptly turn over to the succeeding treasurer any and all records and property belonging to the club.
Section 9 Trustees shall hold one annual meeting following the regular January meeting and before the February meeting and conduct an annual audit and to review the club’s programs as proposed by the president for the coming year. They shall assist in the operation of the club. Trustees meetings may be called by the president at any time.
Section 1 The regular meeting of the Merchantville Fishing Club shall be held on the second Monday of each Month at 8:00 pm.
Section 2 A quorum for a regular meeting shall consist of ten (10) members in good standing.
Section 3 A special meeting may be called by the president upon written request of ten (10) members in good standing and by giving seven (7) days notice of the same to all members.
Section 4 Order of Business
Call to order
Reading and approval of the previous meeting minutes
Secretary’s report and approval of the same
Election of new members
Treasurer’s report and approval of the same
Communications
Officers and Committees report
Old Business
New business
Payment of bills
Announcements
Suggestions for the good of the club and members reports
Adjournment
Section 1 Any person seventeen (17) years of age or over interested in fishing and of good moral character shall be eligible for active membership in the Merchantville Fishing Club. Any individual sixteen (16) years of age or under shall be eligible for junior membership.
Section 2 Application for membership shall be presented to the members, at a regular meeting of the club and referred to the secretary, who shall present it for approval by a majority vote of members in good standing at the next meeting.
Section 3 Honorary membership may be conferred on an individual for services rendered or various other reasons by the unanimous vote of the members in good standing entitled to vote at a regular meeting of the club.
Section 4 A junior member is not entitled to vote on matters of the club. Anyone reaching seventeen (17) years of age after January 1st shall be a junior member for that year. Sponsoring members shall be responsible for junior members at all times.
Section 1 The annual dues for membership shall be payable in advance and shall be due on the date of the regular meeting in January of each year. The amount due shall be proposed by the trustees annually in November and voted upon at the next regular meeting. And a majority vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present in good standing entitled to vote and voting will be required to pass the amount proposed.
Section 2 Members having reached seventy years (70) of age and having been a member for ten (10) years will be carried as active-life member and payment of dues shall be suspended. Any member for thirty five (35) consecutive years will have his dues suspended.
Section 1 Every member present in good standing shall be entitled to nominate a member in good standing for any office.
Section 2 A member in good standing is a person who has attended three (3) meetings in the previous twelve (12) months and whose duties are paid.
Section 3 Every member present in good standing shall be entitled to vote by ballot for any
Section 4 The president shall appoint a judge and two (2) tellers to take charge of the election of the officers.
Section 5 In the event of the death of an officer, the president shall appoint a member in good standing to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term of such office.
Section 1 Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by a member in good standing at a regular meeting and voted upon at the next regular meeting. A majority vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present in good standing is required to pass the proposed amendment.
Section 1 The Merchantville Fishing Club tournament rules and regulations apply to all members. These rules and regulations are available as a separate document. The procedure for amendments to the rules and regulations is the same as for amendments to the by-laws in Article VII.
February 14, 2000