Please Note: The following is intended for information purposes only. The official and binding copy of the Long Island Flyrodders' By-Laws resides with the Secretary of the Club.

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section I: Name

This Club shall be called "The Long Island Flyrodders".

Section II: Purpose

To stimulate interest in fly fishing as a major sport. To improve our skills as fly fishers. To enjoy the fellowship of other fly fishers. To exchange techniques and ideas. To encourage our youth in the love of this great recreation.

Article II: Membership

Section I: Number of Members

This Club shall consist of at least fifteen (15) full members.

A. If less than fifteen (15) members exist, all Club assets shall be donated to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center.

Section II: Requirements for membership

To become a Club member a prospective member must:

A. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in membership.

B. Pay an initiation fee equal to one year's dues.

C. Full membership will then be awarded and membership credentials presented.

Section III: Dues

A. The three (3) categories of dues shall be Individual, Junior (under 18 years) and Family (husband, wife, children...one vote).

B. Annual dues in each category shall be determined by the Board of Directors (BOD). Dues shall be paid at the January meeting or earlier, but in no event, later than March 31st.

C. A temporary dispensation from penalty from late dues may be granted by unanimous approval of the Board of Directors. This special waiver shall only be granted to those members who notify the Board of Directors thirty (30) days prior to the dues payment deadline.

D. If dues are not paid in accordance with the rules set forth, then a member shall lose all membership privileges.

E. Past Presidents and Elected Officers are exempt from annual dues.

Section IV: Honorary Memberships

Honorary, non voting, non dues paying memberships may be awarded by a majority vote of the Executive Board. There shall be two (2) types of Honorary members:

A. An Honorary Membership to be extended to an individual who extended some form of service to the Club. This membership shall be for a period of one (1) year.

B. An Honorary Life Membership to be extended to an individual based upon the advancement of the purpose of this Club.

Article III: Officers, Elections, Vacancies and Eligibility

Section I: Officers and Duties

A. President

Shall:

1. Preside over all meetings and direct all official business.

2. Supervise all Club functions in the absence of the Committee Chairman.

3. Call Executive Board meetings and preside as Chairman.

4. Ensure that these By-Laws are followed.

5. Advocate a growing membership.

6. Write a monthly message and solicit articles for The Flyrodder.

7. Introduce speakers, guests and presentations at meetings.

8. Introduce forthcoming events.

B. Vice President

Shall:

1. Act as meeting Program Director, and can select a Program Committee for assistance.

2. Assist the President in his duties and preside in the President's absence.

3. Assume the office of the President for the balance of the term in the event of a presidential resignation.

C. Secretary

Shall:

1. Maintain accurate minutes of all meetings.

2. Conduct all official Club correspondence, except dues notices.

3. Produce reports on past meetings when requested.

4. Write and distribute Club press releases to the media prior to a Club sponsored event only as approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

5. Act as an official Club representative in soliciting donations from manufacturers for fund raising opportunities.

D. Treasurer

Shall:

1. Maintain accurate financial records and report, if requested, at the Board of Directors' meetings.

2. Keep a record of all Club assets. He/she shall secure and record a periodic list of items such as books, videos, etc. from the proper committees.

3. Maintain a record of membership dues.

4. Maintain a record of items purchased or otherwise obtained for the purposes of fund raising or prizes.

5. Keep a record of advertisers in The Flyrodder and send a reminder when payment is due.

6. Submit an annual financial report at the January general meeting. The Board of Directors shall audit the Treasurer's records annually.

7. Be one (1) of the approved signatures on Long Island Flyrodders' checks. (All other signatures shall be approved by the Board of Directors)

Section II: Elections

A. Nominations shall be made at the January general meeting and election of Officers and Board Members shall be held at the February general meeting with further nominations from the floor.

Section III: Eligibility to vote

A. In order to be eligible to vote, a member shall have complied with Article II, Section III A and B.

Section IV: Elected Officers, Term of Office

A. The term of office shall be one (1) year commencing with the February meeting date and terminating following the next election.

Section V: Vacancies

A. In the event of presidential resignation or inability to complete the term of office, the Vice President shall assume the office of President.

B. If the Vice President declines the higher office, nominations and elections by the general membership, shall be held at the earliest possible time to fill the vacant office.

C. Any other office vacated shall be filled through nomination and election, by the general membership, at the earliest possible time.

Section VI: Eligibility to hold office

A. A candidate must have held full membership privileges for a minimum of six (6) months.

B. A candidate must have participated in at least six (6) general meetings in the previous twelve (12) months.

C. Prospective candidates for the office of President must have been a full member for at least one (1) year and attended at least six (6) general meetings in the previous year.

Section VII: Board of Directors

A. The Board of Directors shall consist of the current President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and nine (9) At-Large members nominated and elected by the general membership. A minimum of five (5) Board members constitute a quorum, at least two (2) of which must be At-Large members.

B. The immediate past president shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors with one (1) vote.

C. Elections of the Board of Directors shall be held at the February general meeting and shall be for a term of three (3) years commencing with the February meeting after elections and terminating at the next election. The nine At-Large members shall serve for a term of three (3) years and be staggered such that only three (3) members are elected in any annual election. In order to accomplish this, three (3) members shall be elected to three (3) year terms, three (3) for two (2) year terms and three (3) for a one (1) year term. After the start-up year, all At-Large members shall be elected for a term of three (3) years.

D. Vacancies on the Board of Directors shall be filled through nomination and election by the remaining Board of Directors at the earliest possible time.

E. The President shall call Board of Directors' meetings and preside as the Chairman.

F. The Board of Directors shall attempt to meet once a month; may meet more or less often under special conditions.

G. The Board of Directors shall establish direction for the Club and determine policy, aims and goals.

H. All decisions of the Board of Directors shall be made by majority vote.

Section VIII: Excessive Absence Resignation

Each prospective member of the Board of Directors shall be reminded by the Secretary that during each year of the three (3) year term, each director is expected to attend each of the twelve (12) monthly meetings per year. In the event a director misses three (3) meetings in any one (1) year, without obtaining prior consent for good cause, the director shall resign. On election, each member of the Board shall sign an "Excessive Absence Resignation (EAR)". The Board will designate, from time to time, a three-person committee, to be called the Resignation Acceptance Committee (RAC), none of whom shall be elected officers. The EAR will only be accepted by the RAC at such time as two out of three members of the RAC determine that the three (3) absences by an individual Board member within each Board year, February through January, were for unacceptable reasons. In the event a member of the Board cannot make a Board meeting, that member shall notify either the President or Vice-President in advance. The decision to accept a resignation shall be at the sole discretion of the RAC and shall be final. In the event a member of the RAC is under consideration for resignation-acceptance, then the other members of the Board will select a replacement.

Article IV: Amending the By-Laws

Section I:

A. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors.

B. All members shall be notified via The Flyrodder, of pending By-laws amendment(s), one (1) month prior to the general meeting where a vote on the amendment(s) will be taken.

C. Passage of amendments shall require a positive vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the full members present at the time of the vote.

D. Voting shall be by voice vote.

Article V: Membership Removal

A. Membership shall be revoked for any of the following:

1. Failure to pay dues without just cause*

2. Any action which reflects dishonor or disgrace on the Club*

3. At any general membership meeting where such a revocation is proposed, a two thirds (2/3) positive vote of the full members present shall be required.

*To be determined by the Board of Directors.

Article VI: Removal of Officers or Member of the Board of Directors

A. Officers or Board members may be removed from office by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present to vote at the general meeting following the general meeting where such a removal was proposed, for the following reasons:

1. Failure to fulfill the duties of office or as a member of the Board of Directors,

2. Any action which reflects dishonor to the Club,

3. Failure to uphold these By-Laws and

4. In the case of a member of the Board of Directors, failure to pay dues without just cause.

Proper notice shall be given to all full members, via The Flyrodder, one month in advance of the meeting at which the removal vote takes place.

Final determination of cause will be by the Board of Directors.

Article VII: Meetings

A. Club meetings shall be held monthly at a time and place to be determined by the Board of Directors.

B. All rules of the meeting are to be observed.

C. A quorum of twelve (12) full members shall be required to conduct any business, other than the program portion of the meeting. At least two (2) of those present must be members of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII: Reimbursement for expenses

A. Duly elected Club Officers and Committee Chairpersons shall be reimbursed by the Treasurer for any and all Club related expenses up to $100.00.

B. Amounts in excess of $100.00 must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Article IX: Newsletter

A. The official newsletter publication of the Long Island Flyrodders shall be called The Flyrodder.

B. The Flyrodder shall be published monthly and delivered to all full members.