Constitution & By-Laws

CONSTITUTION

Article I

Name
Section 1. The name of the Association shall be the "Bayou State Bowhunters Association". The term Association when used hereinafter shall be defined to mean the "Bayou State Bowhunters Association."

Article II

Purpose and Objectives

Purpose
The exclusive purpose of the Association shall be educational - within the meaning of Section 501 (C)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Association shall develop and maintain an educational forum to teach and promote the wise and safe use of our natural resources, the conservation of wildlife and marine resources and the preservation of their natural habitats. Theses purposes shall be accomplished solely by volunteers of the Association.

Objectives
Section 1. To establish a statewide organization to foster, expand, strengthen and develop the sport of bowhunting and bowfishing.

Section 2. To develop the spirit of good fellowship among all archers and encourage the use of bow in hunting all legal game to include fowl, fish, animals and reptiles.

Section 3. To instill in bowhunters a responsible attitude and to assist them to adopt and follow an acceptable behavior toward people, wildlife and the environment in which they hunt and recreate.

Section 4. To cooperate with and assist the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in teaching the International Bowhunting Education Program to the bowhunters in the State of Louisiana. .

Section 5. To coordinate and cooperate with state and federal wildlife and conservation agencies in securing better hunting seasons and privileges for bowhunters.

Section 6. To cooperate with all local, state and federal conservation organizations in furthering the propagation of wild game; the acquisition of more wildlife habitants and the progressive improvement of game conservation.

Section 7. To act as a coordinating organization for conservation and environmental issues, as well as statewide bowhunting activities, through affiliation with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation.

Section 8. To maintain a non-profit status while furthering it's objectives. Moneys and property accrued by the Association shall not benefit any individual member for personal gain. All monies accrued shall be utilized to maintain the operation of the Association.

Article III

Provision

The Bayou State Bowhunters Association shall not pursue any purposes or carry on any activities not permitted to be pursued or carried on under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law. No part of the net earnings of the Bayou State Bowhunters Association may insure to the benefit of any individual in any way that is contrary to the provisions of Section 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any code or act.

Article IV

Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the Association, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, or corresponding Section of any future Federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the Federal, state or local government for public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas, of the country in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes.

Article V

Membership

Section 1. Membership to the Association shall be open to all persons interested in the sport of bowhunting, and bowfishing, and membership shall be granted upon completion of application and payment of dues, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The Association shall not discriminate by race, sex or national origin.

Section 3. The Association Board of Directors may suspend or expel any member for conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Association. Expelled members shall not be reinstated without approval of the Board of Directors.

Article VI

Officers

Section 1. The elected officers of the Association shall consist of Association Director, Bowhunting Director, Secretary/Treasurer, Membership Director, and two (2) Association Advisors.

Section 2. Education Director and Public Relations Director are appointed by the Association Director and approved by elected officers.

Section3. The Board of Directors shall consist of elected officers and appointed officers.

Section 4. Senior Advisor is permanent and lifetime appointment by the Board of Directors.

Section 5. The term of the elected officers shall be one (1) year, except for that of the Association Director and the Bowhunting Director, who upon completion of their elected term, shall be installed in an Association Advisor position for one (1) year, except in the event of the Association Director or the Bowhunting Director be elected for consecutive years. In that event, the Association Advisor for that position shall remain as a voting member on the Board of Directors until such time as Association Director or the Bowhunting Director for that position be replaced. The Association Advisors are to provide guidance and assistance to the newly elected Association Director and Bowhunting Director as required.

Section 6. The Board of Directors shall control all monies and property of the Association and shall manage the activities and policies of the Association.

Section 7. Vacancies occurring among elected officers shall be filled by an Area Advisor for the remainder of the unexpired term, with the exception of the Association Director position, whose duties shall be carried out by the Bowhunting Director. Vacancies shall be filled, at the termination of the unexpired term, by nomination and majority vote.

Article VII

District and Area Advisors

Section 1. District and Area Advisors shall be selected from the ranks of the membership by the Board of Directors and appointed to coordinate area functions with the Association Directors.

Section 2. Area Advisors shall promote membership, participate in Association activities, Louisiana Wildlife Federation activities or any other programs concerning bowhunting and bowfishing.

Article VIII

Meetings

Section 1. The Association shall meet annually, the time and place to be decided by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors, present at the annual meetings, shall constitute a quorum.

Article IX

Annual Louisiana Wildlife
Federation Meetings

Section 1. Members of the Association shall be encouraged to attend the annual Louisiana Wildlife Federation meetings. The Association Director and the Bowhunting Director shall select a committee to attend the Louisiana Wildlife Federation meetings. The Association Director shall be chairman of the committee. The Louisiana Wildlife Federation Directors shall be comprised of said committee and shall be responsible for decisions regarding Louisiana Wildlife Federation issues.

Article X

Amendments- Revisions

Section 1. This constitution may be amended and/or revised by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the elected officers, at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Amendments and/or revisions at any Association meeting shall require an affirmative, two thirds vote of the Board of Directors, provided written notices of the proposed changes have been received by the Association at least thirty days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Article XI

The existence of this Association is to be perpetual