Bylaws

BY-LAWS OF THE BERKELEY COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA, INC.

Article I Membership and Dues

Section 1: The annual membership dues shall be equal to and in addition to National and State dues. When the National or State raise their dues, the increase shall take effect when dues come due. The Chapter dues shall increase equally.

All membership dues MUST be paid or postmarked no later than December 31st. Any member whose dues are delinquent will forfeit their membership and privileges. Dues should be mailed to:

Berkeley County Chapter of the IWLA

P.O. Box 1212

Martinsburg, WV 25402-1212

Section 2: Dates set by the National Executive board each year may determine the fiscal year for new members in regard to Section 1 or the Board of Directors, if it chooses, may set the dates it desires.

Section 3: Members shall be designated as "Chapter" members only as defined in the State and National Constitution and By-Laws of the League.

Section 4: All members whose dues are paid and who are in good standing shall be deemed active members.

Section 5: Only active members shall be eligible to hold office, vote at meetings, or otherwise enjoy the privileges of the organization.

Section 6: Any member, who by their conduct violates the ethics or any of the rules of the Chapter or of the National Organization, may be expelled from membership by a majority vote of the active membership present at the regular General Membership meeting, provided the accused has been given at least sixty

(60) days notice of the proposed action, and is given an opportunity to be heard before the membership. All charges must be supported by an affidavit.

Section 7: Any member whose connection with this Chapter shall be severed by resignation, death, expulsion, or otherwise shall forfeit all interest to any funds or

property belonging to this Chapter and all rights to the use of the Izaak Walton name, emblem, and other insignia.

Section 8: Any member suspended for other than delinquent dues shall be reinstated by recommendation of the Board of Directors and approval by the General Membership. If accepted, at the time of reinstatement, the member must pay the initiation donation and that year's current dues.

Article II Meetings

Section 1: Regular meetings of the Berkeley County Chapter shall be held, if possible, at the Chapter property, on the first (1st) Thursday of each month. The actual date, place, and time shall be set each month by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Special meetings of the Berkeley County Chapter may be called at any time by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors, or not less than one- fifth (1/5) of the active members, by mailing a written or printed notice stating the time and place of such meeting at least ten (10) days before the time of such meeting.

Article III

Board of Directors

Section 1: The Board shall meet at least once each month. The Board, itself, shall set the time and place at the regular meeting.

Section 2: The majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business.

Section 3: Special meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the President or at the request of a majority of the members of the Board. Special meetings shall be held on not less than twenty-four (24) hour verbal or written notice.

Section 4: At the discretion of the Board, any Committee chair may meet with the Board in a joint session.

Article IV Officers

Section 1: The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Chapter. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Chapter and the

Board of Directors, and to perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office.

Section 2: The First Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties of the President and such other duties as shall be assigned to him/her by the Board or the President.

Section 3: The Second Vice President shall, in the absence of the President and First Vice President, perform the duties of the President and such other duties as shall be assigned to him/her by the Board or the President.

Section 4: The Secretary shall keep an accurate record in permanent form of all business transactions, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President. Upon his/her retirement from office, he/she shall turn over to his/her successor all records and other properties in his/her possession belonging to the Chapter. This shall be completed no later than the conclusion of the General Membership meeting of the month of retirement.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record in permanent form of all financial transactions and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. He/she shall submit a monthly account of expenses to the Chapter, and at such other times as requested by the Board of Directors. Upon his/her retirement from office, he/she shall turn over to his/her successor all funds, records, and other properties in his/her possession belonging to the Chapter. This shall be completed no later than the conclusion of the General Membership meeting of the month of retirement.

Section 6: The Financial Secretary shall be entitled to receive all money owing to the Chapter. He/she shall deposit such money in a manner hereafter prescribed. He/she shall keep an accurate record in permanent form of all transactions and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Financial Secretary shall chair the Financial Committee. He/she shall submit a monthly report of income to the Chapter and at other times requested by the Board of Directors.

Section 7: The duties of all other officers and agents shall be such as determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 8: The position of any Officer or Director, who is absent from two (2) meetings of the Board of Directors without a valid excuse, will be declared vacant

by the vote of the majority of the Board of Directors present at any regular or special meeting.

Article V Committees

Section 1: The President, with the consent and approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint such standing and special committees as the Board of Directors shall direct. The President shall be an ex-officer member, without vote, of all committees.

Section 2: All committee projects are to be approved by the Board of Directors.

Article VI Finances

Section 1: The fiscal year of the Chapter shall begin on the first (1st) day of January and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December in each year.

Section 2: All funds of the Chapter shall be deposited by the Financial Secretary, in the name of the Chapter, in such banks as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 3: All disbursements shall be by two (2) signature checks, signed by the Treasurer and/or such person as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 4: A thorough audit shall be made at the request of the Financial Committee and/or once a year by a committee designated by the Board of Directors and submitted at a regular meeting of the Chapter. The committee shall be a standing committee of at least three (3) members in good standing who are not officers. The Financial Secretary shall chair the Financial Committee. The members of the Financial Committee shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 5: The Treasurer shall give bond, the amount of which shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and the cost of such bond shall be borne by the Chapter.

Article VII Rules

Section 1: The latest addition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all proceedings of the Chapter and all meetings of its Board and Committee, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution or By-laws. Section 2: No contributions shall be solicited at any meeting of the Chapter unless approved by the General Membership.

Section 3: Revenue from sources other than dues may be raised as recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the Chapter.

Section 4: It shall be the Chapter's policy to make no contributions to other charitable organizations. Members should contribute to worthy causes as individuals.

Section 5: Upon receiving notification of the death of a member or immediate family member, a sympathy card shall be sent to the surviving family member. At a date in the spring, set by the Board of Directors, a memorial service will be held for all members deceased within that year. A tree will be planted in memory of those members. A post, with a plaque listing those member's names, shall be placed beside the tree.

Section 6: Each new member shall be given, free, an Izaak Walton League lapel pin and decal.

Article VIII Scholarship Fund

Section 1: The Berkeley County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League shall award two (2) scholarships each year totaling two thousand dollars ($2000.00).

Section 2: This fund will be awarded to two (2) students at one thousand dollars ($1000.00) per student each year by the Berkeley County Izaak Walton League Scholarship Committee. Eligible applicants will reside in Berkeley County or be a child of a Berkeley County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League member and pursue the study of some branch of conservation in a school above the high school level. In the event there is only one or no qualified applicants in any year, the unused funds will not be disbursed.

Section 3: During any year the scholarship is used, one-half (1/2) of the funds will be paid during the first (1st) semester, and the remaining half (1/2) held to be paid during the second (2nd) semester.

Article IX Amendments

These By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or special meeting of the members called for that purpose, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote for the total authorized vote there at.

The above By-laws was adopted on the 14th day of February 1945 and last amended during the month of September 2024