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Constitution

ARTICLE I
NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Manteno Sportsmen's Club.

ARTICLE II
OBJECT

To operate as a private club on a non-profit basis; to cooperate with (not necessarily affiliate with) Federal and State organizations for better hunting and fishing and general conservation; to promote better general community relations.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP, DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. Each membership will be entitled to one vote. Eligibility of this vote will be determined by the first name on the membership. Any eligibility of voting member, when such is challenged of in doubt, will be determined by the Executive Board¹.

Section 2. Any dependent child under the age of 21 and still in school may be covered under their parents' membership. Any person(s) not included in a family membership, or any persons(s) who are not an invited guest under Section 6 of Article III, are trespassing if on Club property, and may be prosecuted for such acts. This section to be in full force unless the Club is being used for public events, at which time these public events will be governed by Club officials.²

Section 3. All payments for memberships are due January 1st of each year. Any member who does not pay their dues by March 1 (postmark date) will be assessed a $25 late fee. Membership dues not paid by April 1 (postmark date) will be assessed a $50 late fee. After May 1st of each year, all memberships not renewed are considered delinquent. A delinquent membership will lose all club privileges including, but not limited to,

until membership dues and late fees are paid in full.

Family memberships are $230 per year in 2001 and $250 per year in 2002. Single memberships are $180 per year in 2001 and $200 per year in 2002. New members will be assessed a $100 initiation fee in addition to their annual dues. The only new memberships that will not be assessed an initiation fee will be sons and daughters previously included in a family membership who, due to age or not being enrolled in school, must obtain their own membership. Returning servicemen who are sons or daughters of members will be given one (1) year free membership. Membership dues, late fees and initiation fees will remain at the year 2002 rate unless a change is made in accordance to Section 16 of the by-laws³

Section 4. New memberships shall be issued at the discretion of the Executive Board and in such numbers as may be determined by the Executive Board. No new membership shall be issued except upon recognition by at least one (1) Club member in good standing.

Section 5. The Officers and Executive Board reserve the right to cancel any membership, without refund, due to cause such as breaking Club rules.

Section 6. Members are permitted to bring up to 6 guests, 4 times per year, per membership; provided the member registered all guests with the gatekeeper or authorized representative of the Club, prior to allowing entry of the guests.

Section 7. The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the membership list and for the accounting of membership dues.

Section 8. A gold card will be issued to members at age 65. The member must have been a paying member the 3 years prior to turning 65 by June of that year.⁴

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. On the first Friday of November each year, an Executive Board shall be elected. Said Board shall be composed of seven (7) members. Each year, three Board members will be elected for a two (2) year term. The retiring President will automatically become a member of the Executive Board for 1 year. The Executive Board shall meet within 1 week of the elections for the purpose of selecting its chairman and to prepare nominations for officers to be elected at the regular December meeting. The Board shall propose at least one candidate for each office. If a member of the Executive Board is elected an officer, or if the President is reelected to an office, an immediate election will take place to fill the vacancy left on the Board.⁵

Section 2. To be eligible to be elected to the Executive Board, a member must have been an active voting member for two (2) years immediately preceding the election. An active voting member is one who attends six (6) or more meetings a year. If there are no eligible nominees available, the Executive Board may waive the eligibility requirements for that election in order to fill a vacant position.⁶

Section 3. To be eligible to be elected an Officer, a member must have served at least one (1) year on the Executive Board. If there are no eligible nominees available, the Executive Board may waive the eligibility requirements for that election in order to fill a vacant position. After completing a term, an Officer elected under these circumstances is considered eligible for future Officer elections.⁷

Section 4. Officers of the Club shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Sergeant-At-Arms. No Officer of the Club shall hold two (2) offices during a term of office.

Section 5. The term of office for Officers shall be for one (1) year. Elected Officers shall take office automatically at the first regular meeting in January.

Section 6. The Officers and Executive Board of the Club are hereby authorized to do any and all things necessary to safeguard the real estate interest of the organization.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular Club Meetings shall be held on the first (1st) Friday of every month. If it falls on a holiday, regular meeting will be scheduled on the following Friday. Special meetings will be called at the discretion of the President and the Executive Board by notices published in the local newspapers. Such notice shall be published to insure sufficient notice before said special meeting.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall hold regular meetings within the week prior to the Club's regular meeting; the purpose being to discuss and make necessary recommendations concerning all business to be brought before the floor at the regular Club meeting.

Section 3. Each January the Executive Board shall meet to inventory club property. During this same month an audit of the Club's financial books will be done by an accountant.⁸

ARTICLE VI
COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, EMPLOYERS

Section 1. All committees and paid employees shall be named or released by the President, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. If for any reason the custodian of the Club shall be released from his job, it would be the duty of the Executive Board to hold a hearing on the matter. The custodian will still report to the President.

Section 2. The Executive Board will set up and name members of a conservation commission for a three (3) year term. This commission has the authority to spend allotted conservation funds. Ten dollars ($10)⁹ of each membership dues shall be allotted to the Conservation Fund each fiscal year.

ARTICLE VII
WAGES AND REIMBURSEMENTS

Section 1. The salary for the Treasurer shall be one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500) per year; the Bar Chairman, four hundred dollars ($400) per year; and the Secretary, two hundred dollars ($200) per year.¹⁰

Section 2. The Club President will be given six hundred dollars ($600) for Club activity expenses incurred during the year.¹¹

ARTICLE VIII
PARLIAMENTARY LAW

All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order. The President or, in his absence, the Vice President, shall preside at all Club meetings, and said President or Vice President shall decide on all questions of procedure. In the absence of both President and Vice President, meetings shall be conducted by a member of the Executive Board.

By-Laws

Section 1. Members and their children shall be limited to the use of the premises owned or leased by the Club.

Section 2. Premises owned by or leased by the Club shall at all times be maintained in a clean, sanitary and wholesome state. Violation of this rule shall be grounds for summary expulsion from the premises.

Section 3. All hunting and fishing laws of the State of Illinois and the Federal Government shall be strictly enforced in, on or about the premises owned by or leased by the Club. Use of nightlines across water is forbidden. No trapping is permitted.

Section 4. On an annual basis, the Board of Directors shall review and determine prices related to the Club for the coming year. This shall include the hall rental, bar prices and other prices deemed appropriate. This will not include membership dues.¹²

Section 5. Motor vehicles shall be driven or parked only in designated areas.

Section 6. There shall be no swimming except at designated times and at designated places, notices of which shall be displayed in and about the Club's premises. No dogs or other animals shall be permitted in or about the beach, water, clubhouse, or bathhouse. No objects of any type are permitted in or about the water.

Section 7. The speed limit within the grounds is 10 miles per hour. Vehicles shall not be allowed to drive on the beach or in the water.
Section 8. Vandalism, malicious mischief, willful destruction or misuse of Club property shall be grounds for summary expulsion from the premises.

Section 9. All or any part of the Club facilities can be closed at any time at the discretion of the Officers or Executive Board members.

Section 10. Offensive, boisterous, loud, obscene, vulgar or improper language or conduct shall be grounds for summary expulsion from the premises.

Section 11. The Club Treasurer, upon notification of the death of a local member, will spend $25.00 for flowers or make a $25.00 donation to the family of the deceased.¹³

Section 12. The Club shall set aside the third (3rd) Wednesday of each month as the regular meeting night for the ladies auxiliary.

Section 13. No alcoholic beverages will be allowed into any business meeting.¹⁴

Section 14. The Boat Committee will control the boats approved for pleasure boating on the Manteno Sportsmen's Club property. All rules and regulations will be approved by the Executive Board before being posted.

Section 15. Any member may request and must be granted a ballot vote on any issue brought by the body.

Section 16. This Constitution and these By-Laws may be changed or amended from time to time by two-thirds (2/3rds) majority vote of members present at the third consecutive meeting at which such by-laws or constitutional change has been read before the members present. All amendments or changes shall be added the year adopted.

Section 17. Any Club Officer or Board Member must attend at least 75% of the club meetings annually. Failure to justify absences may result in termination of position held. This will be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The vacancy will be filled by a special appointment of the Board of Directors until the next yearly election of the position is held.¹⁵

^{1 Amended August 5, 1994
2 Amended May 6, 1994}

^{3 Amended June 1, 2001
4 Amended June 2, 1995
5 Amended December 2, 1994
6 Amended March 2, 2001
7 Amended March 2, 2001
8 Amended December 2, 1994
9 Amended May 5, 2000
10 Amended December 1, 1995
11 Amended December 1, 1995
12 Amended December 2, 1994
13 Amended May 6, 1994
14 Amended December 2, 1994
15 Amended December 2, 1994}

Amendment History

September 3, 1993 Adopted

May 6, 1994 Amended

August 5, 1994 Amended

December 2, 1994 Amended

June 2, 1995 Amended

November 4, 1995 Amended

December 1, 1995 Amended

May 5, 2000 Amended

March 2, 2001 Amended

June 1, 2001 Amended