By-Laws

BY-LAWS OF THE DURANGO GUN CLUB

As amended April 15, 2014

ARTICLE I Name

The name of the organization shall be THE DURANGO GUN CLUB.

ARTICLE II Object

The object of the this organization shall be the encouragement of organized shotgun, rifle, pistol and archery shooting among the citizens of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA who are residents of our community, with a view toward a better knowledge on the part of such citizens on the safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship.  It shall be our further object and purpose to provide for the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

ARTICLE III Membership

Any citizen of the United States of America or an Alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residency in the United States and is 18 years of age or older may become a member of this organization who’s application is approved by a majority vote of the Executive Committee after subscribing to the following pledge and upon payment of the usual initiation fee and membership dues.  Additionally, as a condition of membership it shall be the responsibility of each member to provide voluntary service to the club by serving on committees and/or work details that are called for during the year.

The Durango Gun Club and the NRA Pledge

I CERTIFY that I am a citizen of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and that I am not a member of any organization or group which has as any part of its program, the attempt to overthrow the Government of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA or any of its political sub-divisions by force or violence; that I have never been convicted of a crime of violence, and if admitted to the membership, I will faithfully endeavor to fulfill the obligation of good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

Classifications of Membership

(a)                Type I.  A Type I membership shall be a membership issued to a successful applicant who is a U.S. citizen and is at least 18 years old as of the date of application upon payment of the initiation fee and membership dues for the current year.

(b)               Type II.  A Type II membership shall be designated as a Life Membership and shall be issued to any member with 25 years of membership in the Durango Gun Club upon application and approval of the Executive Committee.  Annual dues shall be waived for Life Membership.

(c)                Type III.  A Type III membership shall be designated as an Honorary Membership and may be granted to any person eligible for a Class I membership upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.  Honorary Memberships shall expire at the end of the year in which such membership is granted and thereafter may be granted for a one-year period upon recommendation of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IV Dues

(a)                Initiation Fee.  An initiation fee of $20.00 shall be submitted with each application for membership in The Durango Gun Club.

(b)               Lead Mitigation Fee.  Each member shall be assessed an annual Lead Mitigation Fee in the amount of $5.00.  This fee is to be put into a Restricted Reserve Fund to fund lead mitigation.  The fee is in addition to the regular dues collected from each member.

(c)                Dues Continuing Members.  The annual membership dues to the club shall be $50.00 plus the $5.00 Lead Mitigation Fee for a total of $55.00 payable on or before January 1 of each year.  If the dues are not paid within a 90-day grace period the membership is automatically terminated.  To renew said membership, the individual must present a completed application form at a regular monthly meeting.  The acceptance or rejection of said application will require a two-thirds majority vote of attending members. 

(d)               Dues New Members.  The annual membership dues to the club, that are due upon approval of the membership, are on a prorated basis during the year in which a new member joins the club.  The prorated schedule is as follows:  The dues are $55.00 when joining in January through March, $45.00 when joining in April through June, and $35.00 when joining in July through September.  If a new member joins during October through December the dues are $55.00 for which the member shall be considered paid for the rest of the current year as well as for the next full year.  Each dues level includes the annual mitigation fee of $5.00. 

(e)                No member of the club in arrears shall be eligible to vote or to enjoy any of the privileges or benefits of this organization.

(f)                The payment of dues for officers serving in the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Range/Safety Officer and Publicity Officer shall be waived during the period said incumbents hold office.  The waiver shall continue for the next three successive years after the officer completes the term or terms in office.

ARTICLE V Meetings

(a)                Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of the club shall be held during the regular December meeting.  The election of Officers will occur on even number years during the annual meeting.  Additionally, new combinations for both the in-door and outdoor range will be determined which would be reset to take effect on February 1^st of the following year.  If the annual meeting shall not take place at the time designated, it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter and the officers shall hold over until their successors are elected.

(b)               Regular Meeting.  The regular business meeting of the club for transaction of ordinary business shall be held each month at such time and place as may be fixed by the Executive Committee.  During the September meeting of each year the amount to be charged for annual dues and initiation fees, which will take effect in the next calendar year, will be discussed.  The members present at the October meeting will vote on the proposed fee changes.  The results will be reported to the membership in the following newsletter.

(c)                Special Meetings.  A special meeting of the club maybe held at any time upon the call of the President or upon the call of the Executive Committee, or upon demand in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by not less than 20% of the members entitled to vote.  Notice of the time, place and object of any special meeting shall be given all officers and members in good standing in writing by United States mail not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the holding of the meeting.  The Executive Committee shall fix the place of such special meeting.

(d)               Quorum.  Two or more officers of the club and two-thirds of the members of the club present who are entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

ARTICLE VI Officers

(a)                The Executive Officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Executive Range/Safety Officer and the Publicity Officer, who acting together shall constitute the Executive Committee.  They shall hold offices for two years or until their successors are elected.

(b)               The Executive Committee shall have general supervision and control of all activities of the club.

(c)                Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at such time and place as the Committee may determine.  Special meetings may be held at any time on the call of the President or on demand, in writing to the Secretary, by three members of the committee.

(d)               Three members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

(e)                Resignation of any officer may be accepted by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

(f)                A vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a majority vote of the members of the club at any regular meeting.  However, if more than one vacancy exists, a special meeting of the club shall be called and new officers shall be elected to fill the vacancies until the date of the next annual meeting as provided in Article V, paragraph (a).

ARTICLE VII Duties of Officers

(a)                President.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee.  He shall be a member ex officio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform all such other duties as usually pertains to his office.

(b)               Vice President.  The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or at the President’s request and shall be membership coordinator.

(c)                Secretary/Treasurer.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required of the club by the National Rifle Association and by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship.  He shall notify the members of the special and annual meetings as required by Article V.  He shall keep a true record of all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the club and have the custody of the books and papers of the club.  He shall be responsible for re-affiliating the club annually with the National Rifle Association.  All applications for membership in the club shall be given to the Secretary/Treasurer.  He shall be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues and shall deposit all amounts collected and/or received into the bank account approved by the Executive Committee.  Such money shall be withdrawn by check signed by the Secretary/Treasurer and/or President for the payment of such bills that accrue to the Durango Gun Club.  He shall be responsible for maintaining proper signature cards evidencing proper signatures, as may be approved by the Executive Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all his transactions and render a detailed report, with vouchers, at any meeting of the Executive Committee when requested and an annual report to the club at the annual meeting.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible for monitoring the NRA Recruiting Program.  He shall be responsible for getting the completed NRA application and correct fees from new Club Members and sending the completed applications and fees to the NRA.  The first copy (white) of the form is sent to the NRA, the second copy (yellow) is retained by the Club and the third copy (pink) is given to the individual.

(d)               Executive Range/Safety Officer.  The Executive Range/Safety Officer shall be responsible for all club equipment and all shooting activities at all club facilities.  He shall be responsible for the scheduling of all events and shall oversee all sub-committees using any club facilities.

(e)                Publicity Officer.  The duties of the Publicity Officer shall be the publication of activities of The Durango Gun Club as widely as possible through the available news media and shall be responsible for producing the club newsletter and distributing to all Class I members.

ARTICLE VIII Suspension or Expulsion

(a)                Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members in good standing present at any special meeting called for the purpose.  No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing shall have been given to the officer of the reasons for his removal and of the time and place of the special meeting at which such ballot on his removal is to be taken.  At such special meeting, the officer shall be given a full hearing.

(b)               Any member may be suspended or expelled from the club for any cause deemed sufficient by the Executive Committee by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the committee present at any regular of special meeting.  No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice, in writing, shall have been given to the member of the charges preferred and of the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which such charges will be considered.  At such meeting the member under charge will be considered.  At such meeting the member under charge will be accorded a full hearing.

(c)                Charges against any officer or member may be preferred 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 Executive Committee to hear the charges.  The Secretary will give at least fifteen days notice of the meeting to each member of the Executive Committee and to the accuser and to the accused, which notice shall be in writing and will include a true copy of the charges and of supporting affidavits and exhibits.

(d)               Any member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full membership of the organization.  Such appeal shall be made to the Secretary, in writing, who will notify the President.  The President will call a special meeting of the organization for the purpose of acting on the appeal.  The Secretary shall give at least fifteen days notice, in writing, to all members of the club in good standing, stating the date, time, place and reason for such special meeting.  At the meeting of the full club, the Secretary will read the original charges, the supporting affidavits and will read or display the accompanying exhibits, and will read the minutes of the special meeting of the Executive Committee at which the charges were heard and action taken.  A full hearing will be given the accuser and the accused.  A vote will be taken by ballot of the members in good standing present and a two-thirds vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive Committee.

(e)                Any official or member of the club who has been suspended or expelled by the National Rifle Association shall automatically stand suspended or expelled from this organization immediately upon receipt of official notice by the Secretary of the club from the Secretary of the National Rifle Association.

ARTICLE IX Match Rules

All rifle, revolver or pistol competitions held by the club will be governed by the rules and regulations of the National Rifle Association, approved by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship and the Secretary of the Army.

ARTICLE X Amendments

Any amendment to these by-laws must be submitted to the National Rifle Association for its approval; and, if such is given, it may be presented at any meeting of the club after notice has been sent to each member by United States mail at least ten days previously.  A two-thirds vote of the members present will be necessary to pass such amendment.