by laws

 BY-LAWS THE FRESHWATER FISHING CLUB THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA   March 2019

ARTICLE I.

NAME The name of the club shall be THE FRESHWATER FISHING CLUB,  hereinafter called “Club”. 

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose and objectives of the Club as a non-profit membership  organization are to bring together residents of The Villages who want to go  fishing and to provide a venue to go fishing. In addition, the Club will  endeavor to : 

1. Develop and improve skills in freshwater fishing and related activities. 

2. Be a source of information and instruction. 

3. Promote conservation ethics with regard to “catch and release” of game  fish. 

4. Create an awareness of the state of natural habitat that surrounds us. 

5. Become active and informative to correct abuses. 6. Be socially involved with others who share our common interests. 

7. To actively support State and Federal legislation of regulations that  serve to protect or improve our natural resources. 

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP The Club shall recognize one class of membership: Active Membership,  available to any resident of The Villages. An Active Member may: 

1. Hold an elected office and committee chairs. 

2. Vote for issues brought before the membership. The annual membership dues will be determined by the Board of Directors  and will be payable to the Membership Chairman in advance of becoming a  member. Beginning with the January 2020 meeting, annual membership dues must be paid no later than the January meeting. Failure to pay by the  January meeting will result in loss of membership status. That person will  have to re-apply via the email waiting list fwfmemberwaitinglist@gmail.com 

Club membership will be held to 300 active members. 

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

SECTION 1. OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS 

1. Officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice President,  Secretary, and Treasurer 

2. Officers must be Active Members in good standing 3. Officers shall be elected annually at the regular meeting in May.  Their term commences with the next membership meeting. 

4. The Board of Directors shall consist of the Club Officers and six  (6) additional Active Members elected by the general  membership. The term of Board Members is 2 years. The past  President will remain a member of the Board for one (1) year  after their tenure as President. 

SECTION 2. DUTIES 

1. The President shall preside of all meetings, exercise supervision  of all activities, and have the authority to appoint all  committees. 

2. The Vice President shall assist the President in supervising  activities of the Club and preside at meetings in the absence of  the President. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the  President if the office becomes vacant for any reason. 

3. The Secretary shall be the recording officer of the Club and  Board of Directors. Minutes are to be made available to the Club  Webmaster for posting on the website. 

4. The Treasurer will deposit funds received by the Club into the  Club checking account, as designated by the Board. The  Treasurer will provide a detailed financial report of receipts and  expenditures and the financial status of the Club at each  general meeting. The Treasurer will make available a summary  report at each general membership meeting of income, expenses,  and available cash balance. Fishing trip accounting shall be  completed at the conclusion of all trip activity and include  receipts, expenses, and prizes and the reported to the Treasurer. 

5. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for monitoring  operating income and expenses for the Club and for determining  financial support for the specific projects and programs to the  extent that funds are available. 

SECTION 3. VACANCIES The Board of Directors shall fill all vacancies of elected officers  until the next general election. In the event the Office of the  President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall assume the  office until the new President is elected. 

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS 1. Regular membership meetings will be held at the date, time and  location as determined by the Board. 2. Board meetings will be held as requested by the President. Six (6)  members shall constitute a quorum. 

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES 

1. The President shall determine what Committees would be helpful to  the Board in the performance of the Boards duties, and shall specify  the duties of each such Committee. 

2. The President shall appoint the Committee Chairman 

3. The Chairman of a Committee shall enlist help from the general  membership as required to carry out his duties. 

4. Traditional committees include: • Fishing – Plan and implement regular fishing trips • Program – Provide programs for regular meetings • Membership – Maintain the Club roster and collect dues at  meetings • Tournament – Plan and implement tournaments on The  Villages property 

ARTICLE VII. LIABILITY The Freshwater Fishing Club, along with its officers, directors, employees,  and related entities assumes no liability for injuries to individuals or damage  to property that occurs during any activity for event sponsored, supported, organized, undertaken, or related to the Club. Participants in any activity or  event sponsored, supported, organized, undertaken, or related to the Club do  so at their own risk, assume all liability or any damages, costs, or fees  resulting directly or indirectly from such participation, and agree to  indemnify, release, and hold harmless the Club and its officers, directors,  employees, and related entities from and against any and all claims,  demands, suits, or proceedings arising from or related to any and all Club  activities or events. 

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS Amendments to the by-laws are to be proposed by the Board and approved at  any regular membership meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, provided the  amendment has been published on the website and notice given by email two  weeks in advance of the membership meeting. 

ARTICLE IX. CESSATION In the event the Club has not met for three (3) consecutive months, excepting  the summer hiatus, an attempt shall be taken to contact all active members  to meet at a time and place selected by the President within ten (10) days of  the notice to determine if the Club should be dissolved. A majority vote will  determine cessation. If the Club is dissolved, the status of accounts of the  Club must be determined and all funds remaining shall be disposed of at the  direction of the Board. Any article of value will be auctioned to the members  present and funds deposited in the Clubs account.