Founded November 2004

Official Bylaws

11/21/04 (Revised 2/11/06)

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Northern Illinois Outlaws Inc. an affiliate member of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA). We endorse all CMSA functions.

Article II. Objective

The purpose of this club shall be to participate in the sport of cowboy mounted shooting, encourage safe handling of firearms and to help educate all individuals of all aspects of this sport including good horsemanship. We will abide by the rules set forth by the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Associations rulebook. We will promote good sportsmanship, and will provide a social climate conductive to riding, camping and events where the members dress and conduct themselves in a fashion that promotes our western heritage. The club officers will follow the guidelines set forth in the following articles, and shall administer the affairs of this club.

Article III. Membership

Anyone may become a member upon submission of completed application and payment of dues. All memberships except reciprocal memberships shall be for a calendar year running from January 1st through December 31st and shall not be prorated.

(A) Associate Member: May not shoot, but may ride in non-shooting activities and receive newsletters. May not vote or run for office.

(B) Annual Member: All benefits of associate members may vote at club meetings and run for officer or board positions. Only annual members are eligible for the titles of Northern Illinois Champion, Reserve Champion, Lady Champion, or Junior Champion. Annual memberships shall be on a calendar year basis only, not prorated.

(C) Family Member: May include husband, wife, and an unlimited number of dependent children. All benefits of annual members. Each family membership shall have up to two adult votes. All family members are eligible for Champion titles. Family memberships shall be on a calendar year basis only, not prorated.

(D) Non-Northern Illinois Outlaw Member: Any member in good standing of another CMSA affiliated club will be permitted to participate in any Northern Illinois Outlaw activities, including practice shoots, cookouts, camps, banquets and any other club activity.

(e) Refusal of Membership: Northern Illinois Outlaws reserves the right to refuse an application for the membership to any person who has shown undesirable characteristics, poor sportsmanship, or behavior, and would not make a good representative of Northern Illinois Outlaws or cowboy mounted shooting in general. The refused applicant can appeal the refusal for membership before the Northern Illinois Outlaws Board of Directors by submitting a written appeal which will call for a meeting of the Board. The applicant must then appear before a quorum of directors to answer any question given to him/her and provide verbal explanations. The Board of Directors will then have the right to discuss among themselves before rendering their final decision. The decision will be announced within 24 hours of that meeting.

(f) Suspension and/or Expulsion of Members

Club officers have the right to put suspension on any member that has through his or her actions:

1) Has caused or has the potential to cause personal injury to themselves, another person, property or livestock.

2) Has shown their actions to appear to be of undesirable character.

3) Has conducted themselves in an unbecoming manner of Northern Illinois Outlaws.

4) Has mistreated or been abusive to their horse in any inhumane fashion.

5) Has acted in an unsafe manner in the handling of their firearms.

Article IV. Meetings

There shall be regular meetings, one at each of the CMSA qualifier matches of the year.

(A) Regular meetings. The regular business meetings of the club for the transaction of ordinary business shall be held at the CMSA qualifier matches at a time fixed by the President.

(B) Annual meeting. The annual meeting of the club shall be held at the last CMSA qualifier match of the year at a time fixed by the President. If the annual meeting does not take place at the time fixed, it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter, and the officers/directors shall be retained until their successors have been elected.

(C) Special meeting. A special meeting of the club may be held at any time upon the call of the President or upon the call of two members of the Executive Committee, or upon the request in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by not less than 20 percent 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 email or writing by United States 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 executive committee.

(D) Quorum. Twenty percent of the members of the club entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.

Article V. Officers & Directors (Executive Committee)

(A) The board shall have at least 5 directors. The nominations for directors shall be accepted up until the time of the vote. The four directors shall be elected by a majority vote of the members entitled to vote, present at the annual meeting of the club. They shall hold office for two-year terms until their successors are elected. Terms shall be staggered, three expiring one year and three the next. The newly elected directors shall take office January 1st following the election.

(B) The officers of this club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The existing Executive committee shall elect the officers by majority vote at an executive committee meeting following the annual meeting. The new officers shall be chosen from the ranks of the newly elected board. They shall hold office for one-year terms until their successors are elected. The newly elected officers shall take office January 1st following the election.

(C) The officers and the Board constitute the Executive committee.

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

(E) Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at such time and place as the President may determine including meetings via email. Meetings may be held at any time on the request, in writing, to the Secretary by two members of the Committee.

(F) A majority of the members of the Executive Committee which shall include two officers shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Committee. At all executive meetings the Secretary or a substitute shall keep minutes and deliver to the members of the executive committee.

(G) A vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee. However, if more than one vacancy exists, new members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the next regular or special club meeting.

(H) A majority vote is required to accept the resignation of a member of the Executive Committee. Failure to attend three consecutive Committee meetings will be considered a request to resign.

(I) All directors and officers must be annual or annual family members in good standing with dues fully paid.

Article VI. Duties of Officers

(A) President. The President shall preside at meetings of the club and of the Executive Committee. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform all such other duties as usually pertain to this office.

(B) Vice President. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence or at the request of the President.

(C) Secretary. The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required of the club by affiliated organizations. The Secretary shall file all necessary reports required by the State and Federal government. The secretary shall notify all members of the Executive Committee of meetings. The Secretary shall keep a true record of all the meetings of the club and have the custody of the books and papers of the club, except the Treasurer's books of account. The Secretary shall be responsible for re-affiliating the club annually with organizations approved by the executive committee.

(D) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the club and place the same in such bank or banks as may be approved by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all 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 its annual meeting.

(E) Directors. They shall supervise club activities, collect dues, and record all fund transactions as required by the Treasurer.

Article VII. Dues

(A) The amount of dues are set by the Executive committee and must be approved by a majority vote of the membership at a regular club meeting.

(B) No member of the club in arrears shall be eligible to vote or enjoy the privileges and benefits offered by the club.

Article VIII. Suspension or Expulsion

(A) Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed by a two thirds vote of members in good standing present at any meeting. No vote of suspension or removal may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing, from the Executive committee shall have been given. This notice shall inform the accused of the reasons for charges. At such meeting the accused 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. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the Committee present is required. No vote on expulsion or suspension may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing has been given to the accused, stating the charges preferred and the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which such charges will be considered. At each meeting the accused under charges will be accorded a full hearing.

(C) Charges against any member of the Executive Committee or any club 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 all members of the Executive committee, the accuser, and the supporting affidavits and exhibits.

(D) Any member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full membership of the club at the next regular meeting. At this meeting of the club, the Secretary will present the evidence 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 to the accuser and accused. A vote will be taken by secret ballot of the members in good standing present and a two thirds vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive Committee.

Article IX. Match Rules

Competitions held by the club will normally be governed by the rules and regulations laid down by the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association.

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

The rules contained in the current edition of the Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.

Article XI. Amendments

Any proposed amendments to these by-laws may be introduced by the Executive Committee. They must be acted upon by the club membership at a regular meeting, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed to all voting members at least 30 days prior to the meeting. A two thirds vote of the members present are required to pass the amendment.

Article XII. Dissolution

In the event this club is dissolved, all property shall be sold and all assets remaining after settlement of all outstanding indebtedness shall be distributed to the St. Judes Children's Research Hospitals.