BY-LAWS
OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA TRAPPERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

CONSTITUTION

NAME

The name of this organization shall be the North Carolina Trappers Association, Inc. (NCTA)

OBJECTIVES

1. To provide information which will allow Association members to engage in the sport of responsible trapping.
2. To promote trapper and trapline safety.
3. To encourage the practice of good sportsmanship and compliance with local, state, and federal game laws.
4. To support wildlife conservation programs and to assist wildlife management programs in North Carolina.
5. To strengthen landowner/trapper cooperation and understanding.
6. To increase knowledge and practice of trapping skills; marksmanship; and other outdoor recreation skills that are harmonious with the sport of trapping.
7. To cooperate with other organizations which share the objectives stated in paragraphs (A) through (F).

Any citizen of the United States may become a member of this association after (1)truthfully subscribing to the following pledge and (2) payment of the usual initiation fee and dues. All officers must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.

The North Carolina Trappers Association pledge is as follows:

I certify that I am a citizen of good repute in the United States of America; that I am not a member of any organization or group having as its purpose or one of its purposes the overthrow by force or violence of the government of the United States or any state therein; that I have never been convicted of a crime of violence; and that, if admitted to membership, I will fulfill the obligations of good sportsmanship and good citizenship.

Association members shall also subscribe to the NCTA's Trapper Code of Ethics as follows:

1. I shall consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking their permission, and so conducting myself that I may be welcome in the future.
2. I shall obey the rules of safe trapping and safe gun handling and shall courteously but firmly insist that others who trap with me do the same.
3. I shall obey all game laws and regulations, and will insist that my companions do likewise.
4. I shall not tamper with the traps of another trapper or infringe on his/her territory without his/her consent.
5. I shall avoid setting traps in areas where domestic animals may be caught.
6. I shall assist farmers and landowners with beaver problems and/or predators.
7. I shall check my traps as required by law.
8. I shall dispose of animal carcasses properly.
9. I shall support and aid new trappers.
10. I shall strive to maintain a good relationship with other sportsmen.
11. I shall support conservation efforts which will assure good trapping for future generations of America.
12. I shall pass on to younger trappers attitudes and skills essential to be a true sportsman.

1. The member's annual dues to the Association shall be $20.00 payable no later than the first day of the month of which membership expires. Junior member's (under 16) dues shall be $10.00. Life-time membership shall be $250.00 with a $50.00 minimum down payment and the remaining balance shall be paid within twelve (12) months in monthly installments of $25.00 per month. Two other options which are available do not include subscription to the Trapper and Predator Caller magazine: (1)supporter youth ($5.00) and (2) supporter ($10.00).
2. No member of the Association whose dues are in arrears shall be eligible to vote or enjoy any other of the privileges or benefits offered by the association.

MEETING

(A) Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the Saturday of the weekend of the annual convention - either the last weekend in September, or the first weekend in October. If the annual shall not be held or take place at the time fixed, it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter, and the officers shall hold over until their successors shall have been elected.

(B) Regular Meetings: The regular business meeting of the Board of Directors for the transaction of ordinary business shall be held at least quarterly and announced by the President.

(C) Special Meetings: A special meeting of the association may be held at any time upon the call of the President, or upon the call of the Board of Directors, or upon demand in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) of the members entitled to vote. Notice of the time, place, and object of any special meeting shall be given to all officers and members in good standing in writing by U.S. mail not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the holding of the meeting. The place of such special meeting shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(D) Quorum: One fifth (1/5) of the membership of the association entitled to vote must be present to constitute a quorum at any meeting. No action on behalf of the association at any meeting whether annual, regular, or special, shall be taken without a quorum present.

 

ARTICLE VI

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The Association shall be managed by the Board of Directors of not less than nine (9) and not more than eighteen (18) members, which consists of two members from each district. The Board of Directors shall be elected annually by the members present at the annual meeting. The Board of Directors shall also elect a president vice-president, secretary, treasurer, general organizer, and a membership secretary. Officers shall be able to hold office for an unlimited term as if re-elected by the Board of Directors.
2. There shall be four (4) directors at large positions on the Board of Directors and they shall be appointed by the President and shall have no voting power. They shall be re-appointed annually.
3. The Board of Directors shall have general supervision and control of all the activities of the Association. The Board of Directors shall make agreements with other organizations and individuals to carry out the objective of the Association.
4. Resignation of any officer or board member may be accepted by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.
5. A vacancy of any officer or board member may be filled by the President pending a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.
6.  

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

(A) President: The President shall preside at all meeting of the association and the Board of Directors. He/She shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special meetings and shall perform all other duties as usual pertaining to the office.

(B) Vice-President: The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her request.

(C) Secretary: The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required of the Association. He/She shall notify the members of the Board of Directors of all meetings and shall notify the members of special and annual meetings as required by Article V. He/She shall keep a true record of all meetings and have the custody of all books and papers of the Association except the Treasurer's books of account. He/She shall be responsible for re-affiliating the Association with its affiliated associations.

(D) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Association and place the same in such a bank or banks as may be approved by the board of directors. Such money shall be drawn by check signed by the Treasurer and for the payment of such bills as shall have been approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all his/her transactions and render a detailed report with vouchers at any meeting of the Board of Directors when requested; and shall prepare an annual report to the Association members at the annual meeting.

(E) Membership Secretary: The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for collection of all dues and shall remit them to the Treasurer, taking his/her proper receipt therefrom. He/She shall maintain an accurate roster of members by county of resident, and shall schedule renewal times at to prevent total membership expiration on any such date and time. He/She shall perform any other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.

(F) General Organizer: The General Organizer shall direct or appoint additional organizers to direct the Annual Convention and other Association activities. He/She shall be responsible for enforcing association safety regulations, compliance with game laws, the N.C.T.A. Code of Ethics, and observance of agreements made with landowners or other organizations.

 

ARTICLE VIII

SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

1. Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in good standing present at any meeting called for this purpose. No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless fifteen (15) days notice in writing shall have been given to the officer of the reasons for his/her removal and the time and place of the special meeting at which such ballot on his/her removal is to be taken. At such meeting the officer shall be given a full hearing.
2. Any member may be suspended or expelled from the Association for any cause deemed sufficient by the Board of Directors by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Board at any regular or special meeting. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen (15) 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 Board of Directors at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting the member under charges shall be accorded a full hearing.
3. 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 Board of Directors to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least fifteen (15) days notice of the meeting to each member of the Board of Directors 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 the supporting affidavits and exhibits.
4. Any member suspended or expelled by the Board of Directors may appeal to the full membership of the Association. Such appeal shall be made in writing to the Secretary, who will notify the President. The President will call a special meeting of the Association for the purpose of acting on the appeal. The Secretary shall give at least fifteen (15) days notice to all members of the Association in good standing, stating the date, time, place, and reason for such special meeting. At the meeting of the full membership, 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 Board of Directors at which the charges were heard and action taken. A full hearing will be given to the accuser and the accused. A vote will be taken by ballot of the members in good standing present and a two-thirds (2/3) vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Board of Directors.
5. Any official member of the Association who has been suspended or expelled shall automatically stand suspended from all affiliated associations of the N.C.T.A. Such associations shall be notified in writing within fifteen (15) days of such suspension by the Secretary.

AMENDMENTS

Any proposed amendments to these By-Laws may be introduced by any member of the Association at any regular meeting or special meeting called for that purpose; and such proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors thirty (30) days prior to said meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present shall be necessary to pass or reject. Any member shall be provided with a copy of the By-Laws upon request.