By-Laws for the Idaho Trappers Association
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Idaho Trappers Association, Inc. (ITA).
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
A. To preserve trapping in the state of Idaho.
B. To provide information which will allow Association members to engage in the sport of responsible trapping.
C. To promote trapper and trap line safety.
D. To encourage the practice of good sportsmanship and compliance with local, state, and federal game laws.
E. To support wildlife conservation programs and to assist wildlife management programs in Idaho.
F. To strengthen landowner/trapper cooperation and understanding.
G. To increase knowledge and practice of trapping skills; marksmanship; and other outdoor recreation skills that is harmonious with the sport of trapping.
H. To cooperate with other organizations that share the objectives stated in paragraph (A) through (G).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Any citizen of the United States may become a member of this association after payment of the usual initiation fee and dues. All officers of the Idaho Trappers Association must be a resident of the state of Idaho and must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Association members shall subscribe to the Idaho Trappers Association Trapper Code of Ethics as follows:
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors of this association shall be President, Vice-President, NTA Director, Secretary/Treasurer and (5) Directors, all with voting rights, who shall serve without pay.
Section 2. There will be (5) five Directors which shall be considered Directors at large and may be from any region or area in the state of Idaho. Any Idaho Trappers Association member in good standing may nominate such Directors. Individuals nominated for election to the board of directors must be approved by the current voting board members. Each Director shall serve a two-year term.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall have general control over all the officers and committees, as well as management of all affairs and funds. It shall approve any officers, when elections are not hereinafter provided for, and shall, at its discretion, designate such employees as shall be retained, determine amount of their expenses, and otherwise supervise the physical operation of this association.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the association and its Board of Directors to serve ex-officio as a member of all committees, except the Nomination Committee, and to perform such other activities as ordinarily pertains to the office.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside in the absence of the President at any public or private meeting in representation of the association, and over meetings of the association and its Board of Directors. The Vice-President shall be particularly charged with developing the membership strength of the Association, with frequent reports to the President.
Section 6. The Secretary shall be nominated by the President, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate records, in the permanent form, of all business transacted, and to perform other such duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. The Secretary shall provide to each director, within forty-five (45) days following the Annual Meeting a complete record upon the condition of membership and finances, the minutes of the meetings, and other pertinent material. The Secretary shall be prepared to deliver, at any general meeting, a report upon the condition of the association, minutes of the previous meetings, and other pertinent information.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the President, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies accruing to the Association, to deposit them in a suitable bank, banks, or credit unions, and to account for same at general meetings, or at any other time on request of the Board of Directors. Upon retirement from office, the Treasurer shall relinquish to the successor or to the President, all funds and properties in his/her possession belonging to the Association. The Treasurer shall discharge all other duties as shall ordinarily pertain to the office of Treasurer.
Section 8. Board of Directors shall not receive any fee, salary, or other remuneration from the association, excepting they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of Association business. Mileage allowances shall not exceed the current IRS mileage rate. All mileage reimbursements must have prior approval by the Board of Directors
ARTICLE V
FINANCES
Section 1. There shall be a General Fund for the Association with all monies being deposited by the Treasurer and/or a delegate in such bank, banks, or credit unions, which are federally insured, as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. All disbursements from the General Fund of the association shall be numbered checks. All checks shall require two (2) signatures from any combination of the President, Vice-President, or Treasurer. All disbursements must have been ordered by the Board of Directors, except however, that the President, Treasurer, and Secretary may together, approve a bill covering for current expenses.
Section 3. The President shall prepare an annual budget to be submitted to the Board of Directors, such budget to be subject to amendments by the Board and to become effective with its approval.
Section 4. Any individual having charge or control of funds belonging to the Idaho Trappers Association may invest such funds in stocks, mutual funds, bonds or other interest bearing funds or accounts as approved by 100% of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Membership dues shall be $15.50 annually for Regular Membership without magazine subscription, $25.50 with magazine subscription and $43.50 for membership with both magazines. Family Membership dues shall be $20.50 without magazine subscription; and $30.50 with magazine subscription. Lifetime membership shall be $250.00 without magazine subscription; and $500.00 with magazine subscription.
ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Election Oversight Committee shall consist of a minimum of two (2) members. This committee shall receive nominations from the membership for the office of President, Vice-President, NTA Director and Directors. All nominations must be postmarked by the US mail, no later than 1 April. Email nominations will be accepted by the Committee.
Section 2. The name of the nominated member, along with that person's letter or email of acceptance will be approved by the Board as to the member’s “good standing” with the Association. Upon approval by the Board, the nominating committee shall prepare a ballot to be mailed through the US Postal Service, at a date no later than the 20th of April to each current member for voting. Family ballots may be mailed together in one (1) envelope. The marked ballots will be returned to the nomination committee chairpersons, with a postmark of no later than 15 May. The ballots shall be counted, and confirmed by the nominating committee, no later than 31 May. The candidate for each position must receive a fifty-one percent (51%) majority of the ballots returned.
Section 3. The newly elected officers shall take office at the Annual Convention.
Section 4. Regular, Life, Family, and Out of State Members, and new members with paid membership applications received by an ITA Officer or Director postmarked or received, not later than 31 March shall have ITA voting privileges. Honorary members do not have ITA voting privileges.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint any committees as deemed necessary.
Section 2. The President may appoint, subject to the Board’s approval, such standing committees as Membership, Education, Budget & Finances, Constitution & By-Laws, Publicity, Annual Meeting, Awards, Internal Affairs, Auditing, and Elections.
Section 3. It shall be the privilege of any member to attend and take apart in discussions with any standing committee, with the exception of the election oversight committee.
ARTICLE VIII
RULES
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Rev.) shall govern all meetings, except when the Board moves to suspend the rules.
ARTICLE IX
COOPERATION
Section 1. The ITA shall cooperate with all other conservation organizations or agencies, private and public, federal, state, and local, in matters of mutual interest which do not conflict with the objectives of this organization.
ARTICLE X
REMOVAL OR SEVERANCE
Section 1. The vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors will be necessary to remove a Director or member from office prior to expiration from term for which Director has been elected. Any request for removal must be through due process. Fifteen days (15) notice in writing shall be given listing the time and place of special meeting at which such ballot on his/her removal is to be taken. At such meetings the officer or member shall be given a full hearing if requested.
Section 2. Charges against any officer or member may be made by any member in good standing. 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 will immediately notify the President. The President will call a meeting of the Board of Directors to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least fifteen (15) days’ notice
NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Idaho Trappers Association, Inc. (ITA).
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
A. To preserve trapping in the state of Idaho.
B. To provide information which will allow Association members to engage in the sport of responsible trapping.
C. To promote trapper and trap line safety.
D. To encourage the practice of good sportsmanship and compliance with local, state, and federal game laws.
E. To support wildlife conservation programs and to assist wildlife management programs in Idaho.
F. To strengthen landowner/trapper cooperation and understanding.
G. To increase knowledge and practice of trapping skills; marksmanship; and other outdoor recreation skills that is harmonious with the sport of trapping.
H. To cooperate with other organizations that share the objectives stated in paragraph (A) through (G).
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Any citizen of the United States may become a member of this association after payment of the usual initiation fee and dues. All officers of the Idaho Trappers Association must be a resident of the state of Idaho and must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Association members shall subscribe to the Idaho Trappers Association Trapper Code of Ethics as follows:
- I shall consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking their permission, and so conducting myself that I may be welcome in the future.
- I shall obey the rules of safe trapping and safe gun handling and shall insist that others who trap with me do the same.
- I shall obey all game laws and regulations, and will insist that my companions do likewise.
- I shall not tamper with the traps of another trapper.
- I shall avoid setting traps in areas where domestic animals may be caught and release and notify the rightful owners of domestic pets or proper authorities when possible.
- Upon request, I shall assist farmers and landowners with predator problems.
- I shall check my traps as required by law.
- I shall dispose of animal carcasses properly.
- I shall aide new trappers when possible.
- I shall strive to maintain a good relationship with other sportsmen.
- I shall support conservation efforts that will assure good trapping for future generations of America.
- I shall pass on to younger trapper’s attitudes and skills essential to be a true sportsman.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors of this association shall be President, Vice-President, NTA Director, Secretary/Treasurer and (5) Directors, all with voting rights, who shall serve without pay.
Section 2. There will be (5) five Directors which shall be considered Directors at large and may be from any region or area in the state of Idaho. Any Idaho Trappers Association member in good standing may nominate such Directors. Individuals nominated for election to the board of directors must be approved by the current voting board members. Each Director shall serve a two-year term.
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall have general control over all the officers and committees, as well as management of all affairs and funds. It shall approve any officers, when elections are not hereinafter provided for, and shall, at its discretion, designate such employees as shall be retained, determine amount of their expenses, and otherwise supervise the physical operation of this association.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the association and its Board of Directors to serve ex-officio as a member of all committees, except the Nomination Committee, and to perform such other activities as ordinarily pertains to the office.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to preside in the absence of the President at any public or private meeting in representation of the association, and over meetings of the association and its Board of Directors. The Vice-President shall be particularly charged with developing the membership strength of the Association, with frequent reports to the President.
Section 6. The Secretary shall be nominated by the President, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate records, in the permanent form, of all business transacted, and to perform other such duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe. The Secretary shall provide to each director, within forty-five (45) days following the Annual Meeting a complete record upon the condition of membership and finances, the minutes of the meetings, and other pertinent material. The Secretary shall be prepared to deliver, at any general meeting, a report upon the condition of the association, minutes of the previous meetings, and other pertinent information.
Section 7. The Treasurer shall be nominated by the President, subject to approval of the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies accruing to the Association, to deposit them in a suitable bank, banks, or credit unions, and to account for same at general meetings, or at any other time on request of the Board of Directors. Upon retirement from office, the Treasurer shall relinquish to the successor or to the President, all funds and properties in his/her possession belonging to the Association. The Treasurer shall discharge all other duties as shall ordinarily pertain to the office of Treasurer.
Section 8. Board of Directors shall not receive any fee, salary, or other remuneration from the association, excepting they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of Association business. Mileage allowances shall not exceed the current IRS mileage rate. All mileage reimbursements must have prior approval by the Board of Directors
ARTICLE V
FINANCES
Section 1. There shall be a General Fund for the Association with all monies being deposited by the Treasurer and/or a delegate in such bank, banks, or credit unions, which are federally insured, as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. All disbursements from the General Fund of the association shall be numbered checks. All checks shall require two (2) signatures from any combination of the President, Vice-President, or Treasurer. All disbursements must have been ordered by the Board of Directors, except however, that the President, Treasurer, and Secretary may together, approve a bill covering for current expenses.
Section 3. The President shall prepare an annual budget to be submitted to the Board of Directors, such budget to be subject to amendments by the Board and to become effective with its approval.
Section 4. Any individual having charge or control of funds belonging to the Idaho Trappers Association may invest such funds in stocks, mutual funds, bonds or other interest bearing funds or accounts as approved by 100% of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Membership dues shall be $15.50 annually for Regular Membership without magazine subscription, $25.50 with magazine subscription and $43.50 for membership with both magazines. Family Membership dues shall be $20.50 without magazine subscription; and $30.50 with magazine subscription. Lifetime membership shall be $250.00 without magazine subscription; and $500.00 with magazine subscription.
ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Election Oversight Committee shall consist of a minimum of two (2) members. This committee shall receive nominations from the membership for the office of President, Vice-President, NTA Director and Directors. All nominations must be postmarked by the US mail, no later than 1 April. Email nominations will be accepted by the Committee.
Section 2. The name of the nominated member, along with that person's letter or email of acceptance will be approved by the Board as to the member’s “good standing” with the Association. Upon approval by the Board, the nominating committee shall prepare a ballot to be mailed through the US Postal Service, at a date no later than the 20th of April to each current member for voting. Family ballots may be mailed together in one (1) envelope. The marked ballots will be returned to the nomination committee chairpersons, with a postmark of no later than 15 May. The ballots shall be counted, and confirmed by the nominating committee, no later than 31 May. The candidate for each position must receive a fifty-one percent (51%) majority of the ballots returned.
Section 3. The newly elected officers shall take office at the Annual Convention.
Section 4. Regular, Life, Family, and Out of State Members, and new members with paid membership applications received by an ITA Officer or Director postmarked or received, not later than 31 March shall have ITA voting privileges. Honorary members do not have ITA voting privileges.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint any committees as deemed necessary.
Section 2. The President may appoint, subject to the Board’s approval, such standing committees as Membership, Education, Budget & Finances, Constitution & By-Laws, Publicity, Annual Meeting, Awards, Internal Affairs, Auditing, and Elections.
Section 3. It shall be the privilege of any member to attend and take apart in discussions with any standing committee, with the exception of the election oversight committee.
ARTICLE VIII
RULES
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Rev.) shall govern all meetings, except when the Board moves to suspend the rules.
ARTICLE IX
COOPERATION
Section 1. The ITA shall cooperate with all other conservation organizations or agencies, private and public, federal, state, and local, in matters of mutual interest which do not conflict with the objectives of this organization.
ARTICLE X
REMOVAL OR SEVERANCE
Section 1. The vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors will be necessary to remove a Director or member from office prior to expiration from term for which Director has been elected. Any request for removal must be through due process. Fifteen days (15) notice in writing shall be given listing the time and place of special meeting at which such ballot on his/her removal is to be taken. At such meetings the officer or member shall be given a full hearing if requested.
Section 2. Charges against any officer or member may be made by any member in good standing. 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 will immediately notify the President. The President will call a meeting of the Board of Directors to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least fifteen (15) days’ notice