To download a pdf of the by-laws, click here: By-laws_amended_05.03.2022_Final.pdf

 

BY-LAWS OF THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA RIFLE AND PISTOL CLUB, INC. AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

DATE: 5/3/2022

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this organization shall be “The Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc.”  The Club was organized under the original charter issued the 12^th day of May 1947 and the Articles of Incorporation were recorded at the Courthouse, Parish of Calcasieu, State of Louisiana, on the seventh day of June 1947.  The Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc. is a Louisiana Non-Profit Corporation under 501 (C) (7) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

These By-Laws amend and supersede all previously dated By-Laws of the Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be the encouragement of organized rifle and pistol shooting among the citizens of the United States, residents of our community, with a view toward a better knowledge on the part of such citizens of the safe handling and proper care of firearms as well as improved marksmanship.  It shall be our further purpose to encourage and support the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play and self-reliance, which are essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

This organization is further organized 

• to promote sportsmanship among its members, and the general public.
• to promote marksmanship with firearms among its membership, and the general public.
• to foster programs to educate its members and the general public in the safe, proper, and responsible use of firearms.
• to arrange for the holding of meetings relative to and contests involving the use of firearms.
• to provide facilities for the carrying out of the above purposes.

ARTICLE IV

MEMBERSHIP

Any citizen of the United States, eighteen (18) years of age or older may become a member of the Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc. on the vote of the Executive Committee after subscribing to the NRA pledge and a completed range safety checklist and on payment of the initiation fee and dues.

No individual shall be a member of this club who is not a member of the National Rifle Association of America “NRA”.  All members shall furnish at least annually to the Club Treasurer evidence showing that they are a current member of the NRA.  No person shall become or remain a member of this Club if this person is prohibited by law to own and/or possess firearms.

                                                            

For the purpose of designating Charter members, the club will consider those individuals who have joined with the club on or prior to the second Monday in May 1962 as having such status.  After May 14, 1962 (the second Monday of May), individuals desiring to become members of the Club shall have their names presented and recommended by a member of the Club in good standing.

When voting on new members, a one hundred percent (100%) affirmative vote of the Executive Committee shall be required for the admission of the new members as well as a 100% affirmative vote of the members in good standing at the Meeting.  One negative vote by a member of the Executive Committee shall constitute non-acceptance, provided the negative voting individual can give just cause.  Two or more negative votes shall constitute non-acceptance.  The Executive Committee may establish rules and procedures for the admission of new members.

  The current maximum number of members in the Club is 450 members.  When the Club meets this number, the Club Treasurer will be responsible for keeping a waiting list numbered in the order received and held until the membership drops below 450 members.  A completed Application, with sponsoring member and Applicant signatures will be required to get a number on the waiting list.  No Applicant is guaranteed membership until all requirements of membership are met.  The maximum number of Club members can be changed with a one hundred (100%) percent affirmative vote of the Executive Committee.     

ARTICLE V

DUES

Annual Club dues are payable in May and shall be paid not later than June 1 each year in the amount to be determined by the Executive Committee.    Every January meeting the President is to appoint a Dues Committee.  Their purpose is to recommend to the Club the dues for the next year.  The committee is to consist of two Officers and two members in good standing.  The committee will report to the Executive Committee in writing at the March Club meeting.  The Executive Committee and members in good standing present will vote at the April Club meeting and the dues will become effective for all memberships and renewals for the upcoming year, to align with June 1, the beginning of the Club’s fiscal year. Required NRA annual membership runs separately according to when you join, pay and renew with the NRA.

New members joining throughout the year must pay an additional Initiation Fee of one-half the current annual membership amount.  Annual dues will be pro-rated on a 1/12^th or monthly basis for new members on the first partial year of a new membership.    All new members will pay dues and fees upon the acceptance by the Executive Committee.

No member of the Club in arrears shall be considered a member in good standing and will be ineligible to vote or to enjoy any other of the privileges or benefits offered by this Club.

                 

First time new members in the months of February, March and April may choose to pay for an additional upcoming year of membership in addition to their current pro-rated current year dues and Initiation Fee upon approval of the Executive Committee.  If the upcoming year dues are increased, the first-time new member who has paid in advance for the upcoming year will have to pay the difference no later than June 1 of the upcoming membership year.

ARTICLE VI

NEW RANGE FUND

There is an annual New Range Fund assessment of twenty dollars ($20) due and payable with each annual membership fee.  This assessment cannot be amended or discontinued without a two-thirds majority vote of the membership present at a by-law vote Meeting and 100% Executive Committee approval. Any changes to the New Range Fund will take effect for all memberships and renewals for the upcoming year, to align with June 1, the beginning of the Club’s fiscal year.

Purpose: To provide funds for the future to purchase or develop new land or lease new land or repair our current property because of any adverse development that makes it impractical or impossible to use our current Range in Holmwood.

Accounting: The initiation fee for new members and the New Range Fund proceeds and balance will be maintained separately in the books.  The Executive Committee will decide if, how and when the money is to be invested in low-risk interest bearing investments.  The Treasurer will maintain the Fund according to its special rules and purpose.                                      

Use:  The initiation fee and New Range Fund proceeds may only be used for the purposes described above.  Executive Committee approval will be required in a natural disaster or emergency such as hurricane recovery.  Under more normal circumstances, 100% Executive Committee approval and, time permitting, 2/3rds majority approval of the members in good standing at a regular monthly meeting will be required to approve the use of the money in this Fund and only for its designated purposes.

Dissolution:  The Fund would be dissolved only if the Club was dissolved or if it was used for its specified purpose.  Dissolution of the balance on dissolution of the Club would be according to applicable laws for 501 (C) (7) non-profit corporations.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS

ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting of the Club shall be held on the first Tuesday of May of each year. If the Annual Meeting shall not take place within a reasonable time thereafter, the Officers shall hold over until their successors shall have been elected.

REGULAR MEETINGS:  The regular meetings of the Club shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month at such time and place as may be fixed by the Executive Committee.

SPECIAL MEETINGS:  A special meeting of the Club may be held at any time upon the call of the President or upon the call of the Executive Committee, or upon demand in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, which has been signed by no less than 20% of the members entitled to vote.  Notice of the time and place and object of the proposed meeting shall be sent to all Officers and Club members in good standing in writing by United States mail, telephone, E-Mail, or any other electronic communication, or such method as may be approved by the Executive Committee.  The place of such special meeting shall be fixed by the group calling the meeting and must be announced in the meeting notice.

QUORUM:  At all meetings, the members in good standing attending the meeting shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII

OFFICERS

                  (a) The Officers and directors of this Club shall be and consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Chief Range Officer and three other Range Officers, all of whom shall be active members of the club.  No member shall hold more than one office at any one time.  The Officers shall be elected by the majority vote of those present at the April Club Meeting, unless temporarily appointed to fill a vacancy until an election can be held.

                   (b) The Officers named in the above part (a) shall constitute the Executive Committee and shall hold office for one year or until they are re-elected, or their successors are elected.

                   (c) To hold the office of President or Treasurer, the member must have been a Club member for 3 years or more in good standing and to be elected President must have 1 (one)year service on the Executive Committee.

                   (d) The Executive Committee shall have general supervision and control of all the activities of the Club and may as it elects submit items to the Club membership for vote and approval.

                   (e) 50% plus one members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

                   (f)  Resignation of any officer may be accepted by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

                  (g) A vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee.  However, if more than one vacancy exists, a special meeting of the Club shall

be called and new Officers shall be elected to fill the vacancies until the date of the next Annual Club Meeting as provided in part (a) above.                                                     

                   (h) Every January, a Nominating Committee will be appointed by the President to present a recommended slate of Officers.  This Committee will consist of three members in good standing who have a    general knowledge of the entire membership.  They will report in writing at the March Meeting, the meeting attendees will vote at the April Meeting on the new Officers and the new Officers will take office at the May Meeting.

                   (i) Officers will serve dues free.

                   (j) The Executive Committee may conduct its meetings in person, or under any other method for conducting of meetings as approved by the Louisiana Law for Corporations.

ARTICLE IX

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT:  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Executive Committee.  This person shall be an ex-officio member of all regular and special committees and shall perform all such duties as usually pertain to that office.

VICE-PRESIDENT:  The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in their absence or at their request.

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.  This person shall notify all members of special and annual meetings as required in Article VII.  This person shall keep a true record of all meetings and the papers of the Club, except the Treasurer’s books of account. 

TREASURER:  The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Club related to general continuing operation and shall place such funds in banks approved by the Executive Committee. General continuing operation expenses shall be paid by check or with debit card by the Officers up to a $500 (five hundred dollar) limit for expenses approved by the Executive Committee.  The President, Vice President and Treasurer will be authorized to individually sign checks for general continuing operating expenses up to a $500 (five hundred dollar) limit.  Checks for more than $500 (five hundred dollars) will require 2 (two) authorized signatures for expenses approved by the Executive Committee.  The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all transactions and render a detailed report with vouchers at monthly Meetings and an annual report to the organization at its Annual Meeting.  This person shall keep an accurate account of and be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues. Applications for membership to the Club will be made to the Treasurer who will keep the Club membership records current and accurate.

 

Match funds for matches will be handled by the Match Director of those groups on a cash and/or debit card basis as needed by the Match Director of that group.  Large major Matches (Regional, National or World Championships) may, with approval of the Executive Committee, open and maintain a checking account for those specific matches.  The appropriate Match Director is authorized to sign checks from Match Accounts.  Additionally, the Treasurer is authorized to sign in the Match Director’s stead.  Full accounting of all funds must be made in writing to the Club Treasurer as soon as practical after completion of the Match.

This person shall be responsible for reaffiliating the Club annually with the National Rifle Association.

CHIEF RANGE OFFICER:  The Chief Range Officer shall have charge of the ranges of the Club.  This person shall be the committee Chairman for all Range Committees.  This person will contract no bills larger than $200 (two hundred dollars) without the authorization of the Executive Committee.

RANGE OFFICER:  Range Officers shall have charge of the ranges of the Club.  They will contract no bills larger than $200 (two hundred dollars) without the authorization of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X

SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

Any Officer may be removed by a two-third vote of members in good standing present at any meeting called for this purpose.  No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing, by certified mail return receipt requested, shall have been given to the Officer with the reasons for their removal and of the time and place of the meeting at which such ballot on their removal is to be taken. At such meeting the Officer shall be given a full hearing.            

Any member may be suspended or expelled from the Club for any cause deemed sufficient by a 100% affirmative vote of the Executive Committee.  No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing, certified mail return receipt requested, shall have been given to the member, of the charges preferred of the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which such charges will be considered.  At such meeting the member under charges will be accorded a full hearing. Any official member of the Club who has been suspended or expelled by the National Rifle Association shall automatically stand suspended or expelled from this Club immediately upon receipt of official notice by the Secretary of this Club from the Secretary of the National Rifle Association.

           

The National Rifle Association shall be notified whenever a member of the Club is suspended or expelled showing charges and action taken.

ARTICLE XI

RANGE AND MATCH RULES

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the establishment of all range, match, and competition rules for all functions held by the Club. Primary responsibility for Range and Match activities, rules and procedures is with the Chief Range Officer.

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS OR ADDITIONS TO THE BY-LAWS

By-law amendments may be acted upon only at the May Club meeting.  Any proposed amendments to these by-laws must be introduced in writing by any member of the Club at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting in May. They must be acted upon by the Club membership at the regular May Club meeting.  A two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present at the meeting will be necessary to pass it.

I hereby certify these By-Laws have been adopted by this Club on May 3rd, 2022.

President:                    ___________________________________ Jim Ely

Vice-President:           ____________________________________Pat Prudhome

Treasurer:                   ____________________________________George Mowbray

Secretary:                   ____________________________________Jay Madison

Chief Range Officer:  ____________________________________Louis Tomme

Range Officer:            ____________________________________Mike Guillot

Range Officer:            ____________________________________Ricky Corbello

Range Officer:            ____________________________________Gary Yantis