BY LAWS OF THE LAKE ANDRUSIA WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

 

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the Lake Andrusia Watershed Association.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section 1. The Association shall promote and maintain the environmental, economic, recreational, fishing, and wildlife protection of the Lake Andrusia Watershed.

Section 2. The Association shall work in conjunction with federal, state, county, township, tribal, and local organizations (public and private), to maintain the quality of the watershed.

Section 3. The Association shall provide educational resources relating to the protection and quality of the Lake Andrusia Watershed area and its wildlife.

Section 4. The Association shall inform the general membership of concerns relating to the purposes of the Association.

Section 5. The Association shall be a non-profit, non-stock organization.

 

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership shall be open to all interested parties who share a concern for the purposes of the Association.

 

ARTICLE IV: DUES

Section 1. Membership Dues

A. Membership dues shall be recommended annually by the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Annual Dues

A. Annual dues shall be submitted by the Board to be approved by the general membership at each annual meeting of the Association.

B. The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30. Annual dues shall be due in July and payable no later than August 31 of the current fiscal year to remain a voting member in good standing with the Association.

 

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Board Role, Size, Compensation. The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Association. The Board shall consist of six elected directors, each of which must be a riparian landowner on Lake Andrusia, the Mississippi River between Cass Lake and Lake Andrusia, or the Mississippi River between Big Wolf Lake and Lake Andrusia. Three directors shall be designated by the elected Board as officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer. Chairpersons of standing committees shall serve as members of the Board and must be riparian landowners on Lake Andrusia, the Mississippi River between Cass Lake and Lake Andrusia, or the Mississippi River between Big Wolf Lake and Lake Andrusia. The outgoing Chairperson may serve as an ex-officio member of the Board for one year. The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses.

 

Section 2. Meetings. The Board shall meet at least twice annually at an agreed upon time and place.

Section 3. Board Elections. Election of new directors or election of current directors to a second term will occur as the first item of business at the annual meeting of the association.

Section 4. Term of Office.

A. Directors shall serve a term of one (1) to three (3) years. They shall be elected at the annual meeting by a simple majority of those present, including proxy votes, and are eligible for re-election.

B. In case of a vacancy on the Board, the Board of Directors may appoint a replacement to serve out the term.

Section 5. Quorum. A quorum consists of at least a simple majority of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed.

Section 6. Officers and Duties. There shall be three (3) officers of the Board consisting of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary/ Treasurer. Their duties are as follows:

A. The Chairperson shall preside at all annual, board, and special meetings of the Association and shall represent the Association at official functions.

B. The Vice Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, fulfill the duties of the Chairperson. Further, the Vice Chairperson shall fulfill other duties as designated by the Chairperson, the Board, or the general membership.

C. The Secretary/Treasurer shall record and maintain minutes of all annual, Board, and special meetings of the Association and shall manage all routine correspondence of the Association. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also maintain all revenues of the Association and shall disburse expenditures as designated by the Board or the general membership. The Secretary/Treasurer shall present a yearly report of income and expenditures at the annual meeting of the Association.

E. Board members shall fulfill all duties as directed by the Chairperson, Board of Directors, or the general membership.

 

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board may create committees as needed. The Board Chairperson appoints all committee chairs. Committee Chairpersons shall serve as members of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The three officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and By Laws, the Executive Committee shall have all of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, subject to the direction and control of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

Section 1. The Association shall meet annually, with the date and place set by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The Board of Directors shall meet prior to the annual meeting to set the agenda.

Section 3. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VIII: ADDRESS

Section 1. The address of the Association shall be 1707 Crosby Court S.E. #7, Bemidji, Minnesota, 56601.

 

ARTICLE IX: VOTING

Section 1. Each paid membership is entitled to one (1) vote.

Section 2. Proxy votes, in writing, shall be allowed.

 

ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1. All meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors shall be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order, unless otherwise specified by these By Laws.

 

ARTICLE XI: SUSPENSION OF THE BY LAWS

Section 1. These By Laws may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the majority present and voting.

 

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS TO THE BY LAWS

Section 1. These By Laws may be amended when necessary by a two-thirds majority of the membership present and voting. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent out with regular Board announcements.

 

These By Laws were approved as amended at the annual meeting of the Lake Andrusia Watershed Association on December 11 of 2002

 

 

 

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