Bylaws

Bylaws amended December 17, 2011.

You can also download the bylaws as a PDF (90K): Bylaws.

Contents

• Article I. Name
• Article II. Object
• Article III. Membership
• Article IV. Dues
• Article V. Meetings
• Article VI. Officers
• Article VII. Powers and Duties of Officers
• Article VIII. Suspension or Expulsion
• Article IX. Real Property of the Club and Dissolution of the Club
• Article X. Amendments

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Pima Pistol Club, Inc.

Article II. Object

The Purpose of this organization shall be the encouragement of organized shooting among citizens of the United States and the state of Arizona, with an emphasis to increase the knowledge of our citizens in the safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship. It shall be our further purpose to promote the development of the characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, teamwork and self-reliance, which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

Any legal resident of the United States, 18 years of age or older, and who may lawfully possess a firearm, may become a member of the organization upon vote of the Board of Directors, after subscribing to the following pledge and on payment of the usual dues.

Membership Pledge

I certify that I am a citizen of good repute, of the United States of America; that I am not a member of any organization or group having as its purpose the overthrow by force and violence of the Government of the United States, or any of its' political subdivisions; that I have never been convicted of a crime of violence, and that, if admitted to membership, I will fulfill the obligations of good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

Section 2. Types of Membership

(a) Associate member

Associate membership shall be open to any person eligible (Article III, Section I) upon payment of required dues and a vote of the Board of Directors. Associate members shall have all rights and privileges of membership, except: (1) voting rights, and (2) the right to hold office. Upon completion of twelve consecutive months of membership in good standing, associate members may be considered for Regular membership, subject to available openings and a vote of the Board of Directors.

The spouse (and children under 18 years of age), of an associate member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the primary associate member.

b) Regular members

Regular membership shall be open to any person eligible (Article III, Section 1) upon payment of required dues, and on another vote of the Board of Directors, after having been an Associate Member in good standing for at least 12 months. Regular members shall have all rights and privileges of membership and such additional rights and privileges as may hereafter accrue. Additionally, regular members shall have the right to vote and hold office. The spouse of a regular member shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the primary member, except the right to vote. Children (under 18 years of age) shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the primary regular member except the right to vote and hold office. The maximum number of primary regular members shall be 300.

(c) Life members

Life members shall have all rights and privileges of a regular member. Existing life memberships will be honored; however, no new life membership will be available.

Article IV. Dues

The dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, and can only be changed by a vote of the Board. Annual dues shall cover the calendar year from January 1st to December 31st. Any new member joining PPC after March of any given year shall have the dues prorated for the remainder of the year. There shall be a thirty-day grace period of renewal of membership. No member shall be eligible to enjoy the privileges and benefits of membership, while in arrears, over the thirty-day grace period. If payment of dues is in arrears, over thirty days, but less than ninety days, that member’s privileges and benefits shall immediately be reinstated upon receipt of the full years dues, in the amount due at the time of membership lapse. If membership has lapsed for a period of over ninety days, a member may rejoin the club as a new associate member, without penalty, subject to terms of Article III.

Article V. Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meetings

The annual meeting of the club shall be held in December of each year, on the designated regular meeting day and time, for the purpose of annual election of officers, by the Regular (voting) members. If the annual meeting shall not take place on the normal date, it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter, and the officers shall hold over until their successors have been elected. Nominations for elective office shall be closed at the end of the regular meeting preceding the annual meeting, unless approved by the setting Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

Section 2. Regular Meeting

The regular membership meeting of the club shall be held once a month on a scheduled and publicized date, time, and location, to be established by the Board. Regular meetings shall be open to all members, both Associate and Regular as well as family members, however; only members of the Board of Directors will be eligible to vote at regular meetings. Regular members may vote only at Annual and Special meetings. Officers will make all motions at meetings and vote on same. Regular members may submit a motion in writing to any officer or board member, or recommend any topic for consideration to the same. Board members shall bring up such motions at the next scheduled meeting, and if seconded will be considered by the Board. A brief overview of the scheduled agenda for regular meetings shall be published in the newsletter, at least one week prior to the date of the scheduled meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings

A special meeting of the club may be called at any time upon the call of the President, upon the call of the majority of the Board of Directors, or upon demand in writing. If a special meeting is called by written demand, the document shall state the object of the proposed meeting and shall be signed by a quorum of the Regular members (see Section 5 of this article). Notice of the time, place, and object of the special meeting shall be given to all officers and members in good standing, in accordance with Section 6 of this article, not less than seven days prior to the date set for said meeting. The Board of Directors shall set the place of such meeting.

Section 4. Executive Meeting

Executive meetings of the Board of Directors may be scheduled on a regular basis by vote of the Board, or may be called at any time by the President, provided at least two thirds of the Board of Directors have been notified of the time, place, and purpose of the meeting, by any means acceptable to those directors, Section 6 of this article notwithstanding. A quorum of the Board (see section 5 of this article) must be present for any vote at an Executive meeting to be valid.

Section 5. Quorum

One-half of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any regular or executive meeting, provided either the President or Vice President is present. In addition, 10 % of the Regular members shall constitute a voting quorum at any annual or special meeting. Members may only attend, and vote, at meetings in person.

Section 6. Notice of Meetings

When the law or these bylaws require that a member receive notice of a meeting, unless otherwise specified by a specific bylaw, that notice may be delivered by any of the following methods.

(a) U.S. Mail addressed to the member's mailing address as listed in the club's records.

(b) Electronic mail, if the member has provided the secretary with an electronic mail address.

Section 7. Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all club meetings.

Article VI. Officers

Section 1. Description

The officers of this club shall be President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, and eight Directors, one of whom may be the Ex-Officio Past President (ex-officio term is one year only). The above-mentioned officers shall constitute the Board of Directors. One director's position shall be reserved for each organized activity. Prior to the election of officers by Regular membership, each activity must select and present their representative to the Board at the regular November meeting, or forfeit their representative position on the Board.

The definition of organized activity shall be: A group of ten or more persons regularly meeting, on a scheduled basis of at least twelve times a year, shooting or performing an activity on club property, for which income is generated for the club by their specific activity. In the event that more activities exist than available Directors positions, the number of Directors shall be increased to fill the required positions. Each person on the Board shall be limited to one vote, regardless of position.

 Section 2. Vacancies

A vacancy of any officer may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Board. If more than one vacancy exists among the officers, a special meeting of the club shall be called (Article V, Section 3) and replacement officers shall be elected by a vote of Regular membership present at that special meeting.

Section 3. Conflict of Interest

Any officer or director, who receives compensation from the Corporation, shall not be entitled to vote on any matter during the time he or she is receiving such compensation.

Article VII. Powers and Duties of Officers

Section 1. Overview

The Board of Directors shall be responsible to the general membership for the overall operation and control of the club.

Section 2. President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the Board of Directors. The President may appoint committees as he/she sees fit and shall do so, if instructed by the Board. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform all other duties as usually pertain to that office.

Section 3. Vice-president

The Vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in his absence or at his request.

Section 4. Secretary

The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence of the club. The Secretary shall keep a true record of all meetings of the Board of Directors, annual meetings and special meetings. He/she shall have custody of the books and papers of the club, except the Treasurer's books of account. All applications for membership in the club shall be made to the Secretary. He/she shall be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues and shall remit the same to the Treasurer.

Section 5. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the club and place the same in such bank, or banks as may be approved by the Board of Directors. Such money shall only be withdrawn by check and signed by the Treasurer, and for payment of such bills as shall have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all his transactions and render a detailed report, with vouchers, when requested by the Board and at the annual meeting.

Section 6. Directors

Directors shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and the club. They shall make themselves knowledgeable of the activities of the club. They shall make themselves available to the general membership for assistance as may be necessary and shall act in the general best interests of the club.

Section 7. Encumbrances

The approval of a majority of the Board of Directors shall be required for expenditure, in excess of two hundred dollars. The approval of a majority of the Board of Directors shall be required before any personal or real property, of the club is encumbered, transferred or sold, or any contract is entered into for the encumbrance, transfer or sale of any personal or real property of the club.

Article VIII. Suspension or Expulsion

Section 1. Officers

Any officer may be removed by two-thirds vote of the regular members present at any special meeting called for this purpose. No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing shall have been given to the officer. The notice shall list the charges preferred and the time and place of the special meeting, which such ballot on removal is to be taken. At such meeting, the officer shall be given a full hearing.

Section 2. Members

Any member may be suspended or expelled from the club, for any cause deemed sufficient, by the Board of Directors, by a two-thirds affirmative vote at any scheduled meeting. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing shall have been given to the member. The notice shall list the charges preferred and the time and place of the meeting at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting, the member will be accorded a full hearing.

Section 3. Procedures

Any member in good standing may prefer charges against any officer or member. They shall be in writing clearly stating the facts relied upon, and accompanied by all affidavits or exhibits, which are to be used in their support. Such charges shall be filed with the Secretary, who shall immediately notify the President. The President shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors to hear the charges. The Secretary shall give at least fifteen days notice of the meeting to each member of the Board of Directors and to the accuser, and to the accused. Such notice shall be in writing and shall include a true copy of the charges and of the supporting affidavits and exhibits.

Section 4. Full Membership Appeal

Any member suspended or expelled by the Board of Directors may appeal to the full membership of the club. Such appeal shall be made in writing to the Secretary, who will notify the President The President shall call a special meeting of the club for the purpose of acting On the appeal The Secretary shall give at least fifteen days' notice in accordance with Article V, Section 6 to all voting members of the club, stating the date time and place and reason for the special meeting. At that special meeting, the Secretary shall read the original charges, the supporting affidavits, and shall read or display the accompanying exhibits and shall read the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors, at which the charges were heard and action taken. A full hearing will be given the accuser and the accused. A vote shall be taken by ballot, and a two-thirds vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Board of Directors.

Section 5. National Affiliation

Any official or member of the club who has been suspended or expelled by the NRA, USPSA, SASS, IDPA, or any other national or international shooting association the club may be, or may become, affiliated with, shall be suspended, and considered for expulsion by the Board of Directors, under the guideline outlined in Section 2 of this Article.

Article IX. Real Property of the Club and Dissolution of the Club

Section 1. Notice of Dissolution

The Board of Directors may lease alter, and enter into limited agreements regarding the real property of the Club, when such action is in compliance with the purpose for which this club was established as set forth in these by-laws, However, (a) The Board will not sell, trade or take any other action regarding the real property of the club unless authorized to do so by two-thirds of the voting members present at a meeting at which that subject is on the agenda and for which due notice has been given as provided in (b) below.

(b) Notice must be sent to the membership by regular United State Mail. The notice will be mailed to the most recent address for each member and will be postmarked at least fourteen calendar days and not more than twenty-one calendar days before the day of the meeting. The notice must clearly indicate the subject, the time, the date, and place of the meeting. The meeting must be held within Pima County, Arizona.

Section 2. Relocation

In the event that it becomes necessary for the club to dispose of the property on which the club carries out it's activities, then the Board must endeavor to secure another location suitable for the clubs activities. The proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the Clubs' property must be devoted to the acquisition and for improvement of another suitable location.

Section 3. Dissolution

The Club can only be dissolved with the approval of two-thirds of the voting members present at any regular or special meeting of the club, provided that notice of such possible action is given to the membership as provided in Article IX, Section lb. If the membership decides to dissolve the Club, any assets remaining after the Club has paid all its legal obligations will be donated to the National Rifle Association.

Article X. Amendments

These by-laws may be altered or amended in whole or in part, or new by-laws adopted at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose, provided a copy of the intended alteration or amendment shall be provided to the members in any notice of such meeting. Such notice will be sent in accordance with Article V, Section 6 at least forty-five days previous to the meeting. Two-thirds vote of the regular members present will be necessary for adoption of such alterations or amendments.