CONSTITUTION

 

 

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

 

Section 1.

In order to improve, aid and encourage competency in the art and practice of falconry among interested persons, we do hereby associate ourselves as an organization to be known as the Florida Hawking Fraternity.

 

Section 2.

We further declare that our purpose is to provide communication among and disseminate information to interested Members; to promote scientific study of the raptorial species, their care, welfare and training; to promote conservation of birds of prey and an appreciation of their value in nature and in wildlife conservation programs; to urge maintenance of falconry as a legal field sport; and to continue traditions which will aid, perpetuate and further the welfare of falconry and the raptors it employs.

 

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

 

Section 1.

Regular Membership status is open to individuals who are Florida residents; who hold a current Florida falconry permit and hunting license; are over 14 years of age and of good character.

 

Section 2.

Associate Membership status is open to individuals who are nonresidents or who do not possess a current Florida falconry permit or hunting license; are over 10 years of age and of good character.

 

Section 3.

            Affiliate Membership status is open to any worthy organization having purposes complimentary or similar to those of the Florida Hawking Fraternity.

 

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATIONAL AURTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

 

Section 1.

            Authority for the operation and management of the Florida Hawking Fraternity shall rest ultimately in the Regular Membership.  This authority normally shall be exercised by delegation, through the Bylaws, to a Board, made up of a President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Directors, which shall be the policymaking body of the Fraternity, in conformity with the Bylaws.  The Board shall delegate authority of the operation and management of the Fraternity to a President, who shall function as Presiding Officer of the Board.

 

Section 2.

            The President shall be responsible only to the Board as an entity, and not to individual Members thereof.  Individual Directors shall be responsible both to the Board as a whole and to the Regular Membership.

 

Section 3.

            The Bylaws shall provide for the exercise of final authority by the Regular Membership in proscribing procedures for Regular Membership Meetings.  They shall provide for their mandatory submission of any matter to the Regular Membership for vote by mail in response to actions of a “Committee of the whole” at such meeting, or to petitions from a representative Member or percentage of the Regular Members at any time.  Such matters shall include, but not be limited to, removal of Officers or Directors, proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, and dissolution of the Fraternity.  Similarly, the Bylaws shall provide for removal from office any Officer or Director of the Fraternity by the Board, as well as for referral of any matter by the Board to the Regular Membership for a vote by mail.

 

ARTICLE IV: DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND COMMITTEES

 

Section 1.

            The Board shall consist of Officers and Directors, all of whom shall be Regular Members.

 

Section 2.

            Officers of the Florida Hawking Fraternity shall consist of a President, Secretary/Treasurer and three Regional Directors to provide for the efficient executive, administrative and financial management of the Fraternity.

 

Section 3.

            The President may appoint such standing or ad hoc committees as he considers necessary for the proper functioning of the Fraternity.

 

Section 4.

            No Director, Officer, or Member of a committee of this Fraternity shall receive compensation of any kind from Fraternity funds or assets for services rendered, except for the payment of legitimate expenses approved by the Board.

 

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

 

Section 1.

            A business meeting of the Regular Membership, either in person, by mail, e-mail or phone shall be held at least once every year.  Proxy voting shall not be permitted.  Voting by mail or e-mail shall be permitted.  Quorums and percentages of vote shall be as prescribed in the Bylaws.

 

Section 2.

            A business meeting of the Board, either in person, by mail, e-mail or phone shall be held at least twice a year.  Voting by mail and e-mail shall be permitted.  Quorums and percentages of votes shall be as prescribed in the Bylaws.  Proxy voting shall not be permitted at Board Meetings.

 

ARTICLE VI: BYLAWS

 

Section 1.

            Consistent with the provisions of this Constitution, the Regular Membership shall establish and maintain Bylaws governing the management and operation of the Fraternity.

 

 

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.

            Proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted by the Board in writing to all Regular Members, not less than 20 days prior to a vote.

 

Section 2.

            This Constitution may be amended by affirmative vote of a quorum of the Regular Members who make timely response to such purposed amendments, whether in person, by mail or by e-mail.

 

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

 

Section 1.

            In the same manner as provided for amending this Constitution, the Regular Membership may terminate this Fraternity.  Upon dissolution, no member of any category shall receive assets of the Fraternity.

 

 

BYLAWS

 

 

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

 

Section 1: Membership Categories and Criteria

 

a.      Regular Membership status is open to individuals who are Florida residents, who hold a current Florida falconry permit and hunting license; are over 14 years of age and are of good character.  Completion of the Board approved application/renewal form accompanied by dues must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer by January 1st annually.  Current Florida falconry permits and hunting licenses must be presented to the Secretary for verification and logging if applying/renewing in person.  Copies of current Florida falconry permits and hunting licenses must be provided if applying/renewing by mail.  Copies of permits and licenses will be returned upon request.

 

b.      Associate Membership status is open to any individuals who are nonresidents or who do not possess a current Florida falconry permit or hunting license; are over 10 years of age and of good character.  Completion of the Board approved application/renewal form accompanied by dues must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer by January 1st annually.

 

c.       Affiliate Membership status is open to any worthy organization having purposes complimentary or similar to those of the Florida Hawking Fraternity.  Completion of the Board approved application/renewal form accompanied by dues must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer by January 1st annually. (2007-criteria)

 

Section 2: Membership Admission

 

a.      Admission to Membership shall lie within the discretion of the Officers and Directors.  For the admission of any person or organization to Membership, a concurrence of a majority of the Board shall be required.  In the event of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote.

 

b.      Applicants for Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership shall, prior to acceptance, submit a Board approved application/renewal form and tender current dues.  The application/renewal shall include the applicant’s mailing address, which shall be used for all purposes. (2007-application/renewal form)

 

Section 3: Number and Duration of Membership

 

a.      Number: Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership shall be without restriction as to number.

 

b.      Duration: 1. Upon timely payment of annual dues, Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership shall extend from January 1st through December 31st without interruption, unless otherwise terminated.  2. A Regular, Associate or Affiliated Member who fails to renew on a timely basis may be readmitted to Membership without reapplication if the dues for the current year are paid at anytime prior to March 1st of the same year.

 

Section 4: Privileges of Membership

 

a.      Regular Members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Fraternity,      including the rights to vote, to serve as a Director and hold office by serving as either President or Secretary/Treasurer.

 

b.      Associate and Affiliated Members (as for natural persons) shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of the Fraternity under these Bylaws, except the rights to vote, to serve as a Director or to hold office.

 

Section 5: Dues

 

a.      Annual dues for Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership shall be established in amounts recommended by the Directors and approved by a quorum vote of the Regular Membership in a vote by mail (presently $30 for Regular Members and $25 for Associate and Affiliate Members). (2007-dues)

 

b.      Dues shall be payable to the Florida Hawking Fraternity and sent to the Treasurer at the time of submission of the application/renewal form.

 

c.       Dues shall not be prorated for any part of a calendar year, either upon admission to or termination from Membership.

 

Section 6: Mailing Address

 

a.      It shall be the responsibility of each Member to maintain a current mailing address on file with the Fraternity at all times.  Such address shall be used for all purposes within the Fraternity, including mailing of Fraternity publications and determination of residence for voting and election qualification.  Members choosing to include correspondence by e-mail in addition to regular mailings when possible must also maintain a current e-mail address with the Fraternity. (2001,2002-e-mail address)

 

Section 7: Termination or Suspension of Membership

 

a.      Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership may be terminated by non-registration or death of the Member.

 

b.      Associate or Affiliated Membership may be terminated for such cause and in such manner as, in the sole judgment of the Officers and Directors, is in the best interest of the Fraternity.

 

c.       Regular, Associate and Affiliated Membership will terminate automatically if not renewed by payment of prescribed annual dues on or before March 1st annually.

 

d.      Regular Membership may be suspended or terminated by the Officers and Directors if, in the sole judgment of the Board, such Member has violated the Constitution, Bylaws, rules or regulations of the Fraternity, or if, in the sole judgment of the Board, such Member’s status, activities or motives are prejudicial to the best interests of the Fraternity.  Such suspension or termination shall be imposed only by affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors, provided that a statement of the grounds for such action be sent by certified mail, postage paid, to such Member at his address on file with the Fraternity at least 30 days prior to suspension or termination action is taken by the Board; and, provide further that such statement shall advise the Member of the scheduled date of Board action and that he may, prior to that date, submit to the Board for its considerations, any matters in explanation, defense, extenuation, or mitigation.  Actions by the Board with respect to suspension or termination shall be final shall not be subject to ratification by or appeal to the Regular Membership.

 

ARTICLE II: DIRECTORS

 

Section 1: Appointment, Qualifications and Terms

 

a.      Appointment: All Directors shall be appointed by the President of the Fraternity within their region from the Regular Membership for a term of two years; beginning January 1st and expiring December 31st of the following year regardless of the time of appointment.

 

b.      Qualifications: Directors must meet Membership and residence qualifications as follows:

1.      Membership: Directors must be Regular Members of this Fraternity and have held Membership therein for a minimum of 365 consecutive days immediately preceding their assumption of office.

2.      Residence: Directors must be residents of the regions from which appointed.  Residence, for the purpose of Director Qualification, shall be the mailing address furnished by the individual and maintained on file by the Fraternity for all purposes.

 

Section 2: Board Meetings

 

a.      The Officers and Directors shall meet, either in person or by use of mail, e-mail or phone, upon the call of the President at any time, but not less then twice each year.  The President shall preside over all Board meetings, except as otherwise prescribed in these Bylaws. (2002-e-mail vote)

 

b.      A quorum as such will not be required, but, unless otherwise prescribed herein, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board and President, in person or in writing, shall be required for an action on any matter.  The President, as Presiding Officer, shall be entitled to vote only to break a tie among the remainder of the Board or to permit action on a matter in which Officers and Directors voted affirmatively.

 

c.       If the Board meets in person, written notice shall be mailed to each Board Member not less than 20 days prior to such meeting.

 

Section 3: Termination and Removal of Directors or Officers

 

a.      With the approval of the Board, an Officer or Director may resign.  The additional acts or omissions shall be equivalent to resignation and approval of the Board shall not be required:

1.      Termination of Regular Membership

2.      Failure to make timely responses to Board meetings by mail or in person.

 

b.      In the event of a vacancy by any manner other than by expiration of a term, the President shall appoint a replacement with a majority confirmation of the remaining members of the Board.

 

c.       The Officers or Directors may be removed from office by petition and vote of the Regular Membership in the same manner as prescribed in ARTICLE II, Section 4b of these Bylaws.

 

Section 4: Submission to Membership

 

a.      Within the direction of the Board, any matter may be submitted to the Regular Membership for a vote by mail.  In such event, the Board shall be bound by the resulting vote of the Regular Membership upon the issues submitted.

 

b.      Upon written petition of the Board, of ten percent (10%) of the Regular Members, any matter, including but not limited to, proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws, shall be submitted to the Regular Membership for a vote by mail.  The Board shall be bound by the resulting vote of the Regular Membership.

 

c.       Within 15 days following receipt of such petition, the Board shall submit the matter to the Regular Membership for a vote.  The manner of submission and voting on all matters shall comply with the rules pertaining to Membership Meetings by mail set forth in ARTICLE IV, Section 2 of these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE III: PRESIDENT & SECRETARY

 

Section 1: Appointment and Tenure

 

a.      The President shall be elected by the Regular Membership for a term of two calendar years, beginning on January 1st and expiring on December 31st of the following year.

 

b.      The President shall be responsible for the prompt appointment of officers to fill any vacant positions.  In the event the office of President shall be vacant at any time, or if the Board be called to vote upon removal of the President from office, the Director senior in age shall function as Presiding Officer until a new President has been elected.

 

c.       There shall be no appointment, approval of appointment or removal of any Director or Treasurer without a majority vote of the Board.

 

d.      The Secretary/Treasurer of the Fraternity shall be elected by the Regular Membership, with the approval of the existing Directors, to serve two calendar years, expiring on December 31st of the second year.

 

e.      The President and Secretary/Treasurer shall serve offset terms, to insure that there is one experienced Officer in office that shall assist the new Officer in protocol. (2005,2007)

 

f.        The President shall not hold any other office in the Fraternity during his tenure.

 

g.      A majority (over 50%) of all votes cast for President or Secretary/Treasurer shall be required for election to that position.  If no candidate receives a majority, a special election between the two candidates receiving the most votes shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible.

 

h.      In the event only one candidate is nominated for the office of President or Secretary/Treasurer, the election shall be considered waived by the Regular Membership and the sole nominee will assume office on January 1st, following the nomination process.

 

Section 2: Duties

 

a.      The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the Directors of the Fraternity.  He shall be responsible for the planning and presentation of all matters requiring action by the Board or Regular Membership, and shall conduct Fraternity business in accord with policies set by the Board, and shall perform such further acts and duties as may be prescribed by the Board.

 

b.      The Secretary/Treasurer shall:

1.      Give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the Regular Membership.

2.      Keep minutes and/or records of all meetings of the Regular Membership, including meetings in person or by mail.

3.      Keep records of all actions taken by the Board.

4.      Maintain a complete Fraternity file of all publications.

5.      Maintain all Fraternity files and records, including financial, which are necessary for the conduct of Fraternity affairs, and Membership lists, complete with addresses and telephone numbers of current Members in all categories.

6.      Serve as custodian of all Fraternity funds and property, and keep a strict accounting of all receipts and expenditures.

7.      Collect and receive all monies due the Fraternity from whatever source, deposit these funds in a suitable checking and/or savings account protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (FDIC) or similarly insured organization.

 

ARTICLE IV: REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING

 

Section 1: Regular Meetings

                    

a.      Time and Place: The Regular Membership shall meet physically once a year, upon call of the President.  Such meeting shall be termed a “Regular Meeting”.  This may be transacted during the course of a field meet or summer picnic.

 

b.      Quorum: At a Regular Meeting, a quorum shall consist of the total number of the Regular Members in good standing, represented in person, or by written ballot sent by mail or e-mail for voting on specific subjects previously made known to the Regular Membership.  A majority vote of the quorum shall control.

 

c.Notice: Written notice of Regular Meetings of the Regular Membership, to include time, place and general nature of the business to be transacted shall be given each Regular Member not less than 30 days prior to such meeting.

 

d.      Voting: The Officers and Directors shall, when appropriate for specific subjects, provide for voting by mail and e-mail at Regular Meetings. (2002-e-mail voting)

 

Section 2: Membership Meetings by Mail

 

a.      Mail Vote: Any voting by mail, in which ballots are provided to the entire Regular Membership in good standing, shall be equivalent to a Membership Meeting on the subjects concerned.

 

b.      E-mail Vote: Any voting by e-mail, in which ballots are provided to the entire Regular Membership in good standing, shall be equivalent to a Membership Meeting on the subjects concerned.  E-mail votes will only be considered valid when originated from a Member’s e-mail address on file with the Fraternity. (2002-e-mail voting)

 

c.Quorum: For the purpose of meetings held by mail and e-mail, a quorum, as such, shall not be required.  Except as provided for establishment of dues and geographic regions, amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Fraternity, a majority (over 50%) of the votes cast by the Regular Members responding in a timely fashion to a vote by mail and e-mail shall control.

 

d.      Notice: Full notice of all issues involved in a vote by mail, including a ballot on which to record the vote, shall be mailed to each Regular Member at his mailing address on file with the Secretary/Treasurer not less than 20 days prior to the effective date for counting the ballots.  E-mail ballots shall be provided in addition to the paper ballots to all Regular Members who keep a current e-mail address on file with the Fraternity.

 

ARTICLE V: FRATERNITY PUBLICATIONS

 

Section 1: Editors of Fraternity Publications

 

a.      The Editor of Fraternity publications shall be appointed by the President from the Regular Membership, with the approval of the Board, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

b.      Such Editor shall compile, publish and distribute Fraternity publications in conformity with operational, editorial and financial policies determined by the Board.

 

Section 2: The Newsletter

                    

a.      The official newsletter of the Florida Hawking Fraternity shall be known as TALEFEATHERS.  The purpose of the newsletter is to inform the readership of Member activities, disseminate information pertinent to the ethical practice of falconry and to keep Members up to date on legislative events affecting the sport.

 

b.      The newsletter shall be published at least once annually, or as frequently as material is made available to the Editor, within fund limitations prescribed by the Board and shall be distributed as follows:

1.      To all Membership categories of the Florida Hawking Fraternity, without any charge in addition to prescribed dues, if any.

2.      To Institutional Subscribers, i.e., to any appropriate public or private institution having purposes complimentary or similar to those of this Fraternity.

3.      As determined by the Board to be in the best interest of the Fraternity.

 

Section 3: Webmaster of the Fraternity

 

a.      The Webmaster of the Fraternity website shall be appointed by the President from the Regular Membership, with the approval of the Board, to serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

b.      Such Webmaster shall prepare/maintain a website that has a positive reflection on the Fraternity, appropriate in public or private, with a purpose complimentary or similar to those of this Fraternity, in the form of an unpublished URL (closed to the public).  This unpublished URL will be approved by the Board with a majority vote before publishing it to the internet for public viewing. (2000-website).

 

Section 4: Paid Advertising

                       

a.             Advertisements published within TALEFEATHERS or on the Fraternity’s website will go towards offsetting or prorating the costs of pay to hunt field meet sites. (2001-paid advertisement)

 

b.             The Board shall authorize all advertisements, information and promotions before being submitted for publishing in TALEFEATHERS or on the Fraternity’s website.  These promotional pieces shall have a positive reflection on the Fraternity with purposes complimentary or similar to those of this Fraternity.

 

Section 5: Other Advertising

 

a.   The Board shall authorize the publication of certain informational, promotional or publicity matter for distribution within or outside the Membership, in TALEFEATHERS or on the Fraternity’s website when such action is clearly in the best interest of the Fraternity.

 

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

 

Section 1: Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws

 

                     a.   The Constitution and/or these Bylaws may be amended only at a meeting by mail of the Regular Membership, provided written notice of such meeting, the proposed amendment, the contents thereof, and a ballot shall be mailed to each Regular Member in good standing at his address on file with the Fraternity, not less than 20 days prior to the date fixed for counting ballots.  Affirmative vote of a quorum of the Regular Members responding in a timely fashion to a vote by mail shall be required for amendment.