GREERS FERRY WALLEYE CLUB BYLAWS
These bylaws once dated and signed supersede any previous bylaws of
the Greers Ferry Walleye Club
ARTICLE I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Greers Ferry Walleye Club
Inc; hereinafter referred to in this document as GFWC.
ARTICLE II – Purpose
The GFWC is organized to operate exclusively for charitable purposes,
including but not limited to; a community organization focused on
walleye fishing in Central Arkansas covering Greers Ferry Lake and its
tributaries, with an emphasis on education, sharing information, and
partnering with state federal and media organizations to improve walleye
fishing within Greers Ferry Lake. The organization is a change agent for
fishery improvement with targeted projects and activities.
ARTICLE III – Membership
We desire a strong body of actively participating members. We want to
recruit active members who share in our vision and objectives.
SECTION 1. Regular membership is open to all those of good moral
character, who express a genuine interest in our purpose, without
discrimination, as defined by U.S. statutes.
SECTION 2. Application for membership shall be completed on a form
approved by the Board of Directors for this purpose, filled out and
forwarded with the annual or prorated dues payment to the Treasurer,
who shall acknowledge and record the application. The new member,
spouse and family members defined in Article 4 shall receive a
membership name tag for use during membership meetings.
SECTION 3. The renewal of membership entails only the payment of
annual dues as outlined in Article IV.
SECTION 4. Guests are welcome and allowed to attend two
membership meetings free of charge. If a non-member desires to attend
a third meeting, they must join the club and pay their dues at or before
that time. Guests are not eligible to vote in any club election or
resolution should one take place.
SECTION 5. Honorary Members: Members who exemplified
themselves through outstanding service to the GFWC over the years
shall, at the discretion of the Board of Coordinators, be granted honorary
club membership with all membership fees waived for a period specified
by the board.
SECTION 6. Under no circumstance will GFWC funds be used to
benefit club members in any capacity; moreover, in the event the GFWC
is dissolved all GFWC assets will be distributed to all surviving GFWC
members on an equal pro-rata basis.
ARTICLE IV – Dues
Annual membership dues shall be determined by the GFWC Board of
Directors no later than the November Board meeting for the next
calendar year.
Annual individual or family membership dues shall be paid by the end of
the membership meeting in January for the rest of the same year. Family
is defined as: children under 18 years of age and/or a spouse living at the
GFWC member’s residence.
Grandparents that are members may bring grandchildren to scheduled
events or activities if their names are recorded below the grandparent on
the sign-up sheet and any special requirements for the event have been
met.
ARTICLE V – Board of Directors
SECTION 1. All Board members not Officers of GFWC shall be
considered Directors at Large. The number of Directors at large shall
never be less than four.
SECTION 2. Directors shall be members elected by the membership
who have accepted additional responsibility to promote the mission and
goals of the GFWC. The GFWC is committed to a policy of fair
representation on the Board of Directors, which does not discriminate
based on race, physical handicap, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation,
or age.
SECTION 3. During the September Board of Directors meeting the
Board shall prepare a slate of prospective board members. This slate of
proposed directors shall be presented to the members for vote at the
October membership meeting for approval. GFWC directors will be
elected by a majority vote of the members present. Should the slate of
directors not be approved by the members, the GFWC President shall
call a meeting of all existing directors within two weeks, the purpose of
which will be to prepare a new slate of directors to be presented to the
members at the next membership meeting. This action shall be repeated
until a slate is approved by a majority of members present.
SECTION 4. All directors shall be elected for a period of two years
which shall begin on the first board meeting of the following calendar
year. Fifty (50%) percent of the Board of Directors shall be up for
election every other year to provide continuity.
SECTION 5. When a director resigns, is removed, or can no longer
serve, the Board may elect a director to serve for the duration of the
unexpired term.
SECTION 6. Any Director may be removed from the Board of Directors
by an affirmative vote of the majority of Directors present at an official
meeting of the Board. The Director involved will be given an
opportunity to be present and to be heard at the meeting at which his or
her removal is considered.
SECTION 7. Directors serve on a completely voluntary basis. They do
not receive any compensation or renumeration for their time or services,
however, they shall be reimbursed for any expenses encountered in the
performance of their duties such as purchasing refreshments, door
prizes, postage, trophies, etc. provided a receipt/ invoice is submitted to
the Treasurer for payment. Expense renumeration requests more than
$100 shall require Board of Coordinators approval.
SECTION 8. The express intention of the GFWC and its membership is
that no Director shall have any legal liability because of actions or
events that occur involving the GFWC.
SECTION 9. Directors at Large shall be assigned or take responsibility
for any of the following GFWC duties including, but not limited to:
• Event Activities
• Information/Technology
• Name Tags
• Setup/Tear Down
• Audio/Visual
• Advertising/Media
• Oxygen/Temperature Collection, Door Prizes, Membership, other
activities as needed.
SECTION 10. To be eligible for nomination to the Board of
Directors or an Officer, a member must:
(a) Have been a member for at least three months. (b) Have attended
most of the membership meetings for the previous year. (c) Have shown
an active interest in all club activities.
ARTICLE IV – Meeting of the Board of Directors
SECTION 1. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors will be held
each year for the purpose of ratifying/recognizing new Directors elected
by the membership. In addition to its annual meeting, the Board of
Directors will hold regular meetings at such place as may be designated
in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 2. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called
at any time by the President of the GFWC or in his or her absence by the
Vice-President or upon the receipt of a request signed by three or more
Directors to the President (or Vice-President in President’s absence).
SECTION 3. Notice of special purpose Board meetings shall be emailed
at least three days prior to the day such meeting is to be held. Only the
published purpose may be discussed or voted on at this meeting. Any
Director of the GFWC may make written waiver of notice before or at
the meeting. The waiver will be filed with the person who has been
designed to act as the secretary of the meeting; this person will enter it in
the record of the meeting. Appearance at a meeting is deemed a waiver
unless the Director attends for the express purpose of asserting the
illegality of the meeting.
SECTION 4. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, each director
present will be entitled to cast one vote on any motion coming before the
meeting. The presence of a majority of the elected Board members will
constitute a quorum at any meeting.
SECTION 5. At a meeting at which there is a quorum present, a simple
majority affirmative vote of the Directors present is required to pass a
motion before the Board.
SECTION 6. Proxy voting will not be permitted.
ARTICLE VII – Officers
SECTION 1. The number of Officers of the GFWC shall never be less
than four.
SECTION 2. Officers shall be Directors in good standing, elected by the
Board of Directors, who have accepted leadership responsibilities to
ensure the success of the GFWC. The Officers will be nominated by the
GFWC President subsequent Officers will be elected for 2 years by the
Board of Directors
SECTION 3. Elections of Officers shall occur at the October Board of
Director’s meeting. Before elections occur, any Director willing to serve
on as an Officer where a term is up or vacancy, shall submit their name.
GFWC Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Directors
present. If there is not a quorum during the election or if an Officer
vacancy still exists, the GFWC President shall call a special meeting of
all existing Directors within two weeks, the purpose of which will be to
gather a quorum of Directors and elect an Officer(s). This action shall be
repeated until all Officers positions are filled.
SECTION 4. All Officers shall be elected for a period of two years
which shall begin on the first board meeting of the following calendar
year at the January meeting.
SECTION 5. When an Officer resigns, is removed, or can no longer
serve, during the next Board of Directors meeting, there shall be
discussion and if supported, an election of a Director to serve as the
Officer vacancy for the duration of the unexpired term.
SECTION 6. Any Officer may be removed by an affirmative vote of the
majority of Directors present at an official meeting of the Board. The
Officer involved will be given an opportunity to be present and to be
heard at the meeting at which his or her removal is considered.
SECTION 7. Officers serve on a completely voluntary basis. They do
not receive any compensation or renumeration for their time or services,
however, they shall be reimbursed for any expenses encountered in the
performance of their duties such as purchasing refreshments, door
prizes, postage, trophies, etc. provided a receipt/invoice is submitted to
the Treasurer for payment. Expense renumeration requests more than
$100 shall require the GFWC Presidents approval.
SECTION 8. The express intention of the GFWC Board and its
membership is that no Officer shall have any legal liability because of
actions or events that occur involving the GFWC.
SECTION 9. A general outline of their responsibilities, in addition to
overall corporate governance, are as follows:
• President – Preside over all meetings and supervise the affairs of
the organization. He/she shall act as the official representative of
the club and sign all official documents. He/she is the single point
for all strategic issues of the GFWC.
• Vice President – Assist the President and perform the duties of the
President in his/her absence. Chair all special committee meetings
formed at the request of the President. Responsible for all
fundraising activities.
• Secretary – Prepare, sign and forward to the President for
signature’s official documents. The Secretary shall have charge of
all papers and documents of the organization. Record minutes of
all regular club meetings and Board of Director meetings. The
Treasurer’s Report will be included as an attachment to the regular
meeting minutes.
• Treasurer – Maintain accurate financial records of the club subject
to audit with minimal notice. This includes all records of monies
received and paid out. Maintain and use a club bank account.
Provide periodic oversight of the Door Prize Coordinator’s
financial records. Ensure the GFWC President and one Vice
President have signed a bank authorization card for check
signature in the event of Treasurer’s absence. Make regular
payment for incidental expenses and all expenses authorized by the
Board of Coordinators. Keep Board of Coordinators informed of
financial status. Receive club mail. Maintain an up-to-date club
mailing address and file annual IRS and State of Arkansas
documents. Purchase (or delegate purchase) of all door prizes and
handle all printing requirements (envelopes, stationary, printing
costs, etc.). Prepare and distribute monthly Board meeting,
quarterly and annual financial statements. Maintain the current
membership list and distribute to Board members handling email
and name tags as required.
ARTICLE VIII – Members Meeting
SECTION 1. Typically, there will be 10 regular club membership
meetings per year (one per month, January through October) unless an
unusual circumstance should occur as deemed by president (such as bad
weather or local/national emergency).
SECTION 2. Regular meetings shall normally be held on the third
Monday of a month at a location that is published via email, radio.
Meetings are intended to start at 6:30 P.M. but changes in both location
and time are anticipated from time to time. Changes will be approved by
the Board Directors and published to the public and membership as
previously discussed.
SECTION 3. A special purpose membership meeting may be called by
the President at any time deemed necessary, provided emailed
notification of same be given to all members at least five days prior to
such special meeting. Only the published purpose may be discussed or
voted on at this meeting.
ARTICLE IX – Miscellaneous
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent
of the GFWC to enter contracts or sign documents on behalf of the
organization. This authority can be general or limited to specific cases.
SECTION 2. The Board of Directors will designate signatories for
checks, drafts, and payment orders. Amounts over $200 require two
signatures. All documents binding the GFWC also require two
signatures.
SECTION 3. The GFWC will keep correct and complete books and
records of accounts and will also keep minutes of the proceedings of its
members, Board of Directors, and committees having any of the
authority of the Board of Directors; and it will keep at the registered or
principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members
entitled to vote. All books and records of the GFWC may be inspected
by any member of his or her agent or attorney for any proper purpose
and during any reasonable time.
SECTION 4. The fiscal year for the GFWC will be January 1st through
December 31st.
ARTICLE X – Removal of Membership
SECTION 1. A member shall be dropped from membership in the club
for the following:
1. Failure to pay dues.
2. Coming to a club meeting or club function under the influence of
alcohol or drugs to the extent of disrupting the members and said
function, that person shall be asked to leave. If this situation presents
itself two times in a one-year period, that member shall be terminated
permanently from GFWC membership.
3. Any member, who at a club meeting or club function presents total
unsportsmanlike conduct, as deemed by the club president or vice
president in the president’s absence, shall be asked to leave said
meeting or club function. If this situation presents itself two times in a
one-year period, that member’s GFWC membership will be
terminated permanently.
ARTICLE XI – Amending Bylaws
SECTION 1. A proposal to amend these Bylaws may be proposed by
any active club member, in writing, to the Board of Directors. Once
moved and if supported, will be discussed and voted on at the next
Board of Directors meeting and must pass by a 2/3 vote of all the
Directors.
SECTION 2. If passed by the Board of Directors, the proposed
amendment shall be published via e-mail and voted on at the next
regular club meeting. Passage of the amendment requires a 2/3 majority
vote of the members present.
SECTION 3. These Articles and any amendments to the Articles shall be
recorded by the Secretary and held in the archives of the club.
SECTION 4. In ARTICLE V, Sections 1 and 2, the titles of the Board of
Directors and their duties may change in the future. Because this is only
an administrative change, no amendment to the Articles is necessary,
however, any changes to these Sections must be approved by the
membership by a majority vote.
ARTICLE XII – Committees
SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall have the right to establish one of
more committees made up of current club members. Each committee
requires a defined purpose, a set timeframe, approval by the Board
majority, and at least one active board member.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Effective Date: 10/24/2025
MARTIN J SIEROCKI, President ____________________________
JAMES CHITKO, President ____________________________