Ohio Waterfowl Association

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE OHIO WATERFOWL ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE 1 NAME

Sec. 1 The name of this organization shall be the Ohio Waterfowl Association sometimes referred to hereinafter as the Association.

Sec. 2 It shall be composed of waterfowl hunters, sportsmen, conservationists, and any others that are interested in preserving our wetlands and the perpetuation of our waterfowl.

Sec. 3 The Association shall cooperate with other conservation organizations to further the objectives of the Association.

ARTICLE 2 MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Ohio Waterfowl Association shall be:

To promote Ohio's waterfowling heritage through education, example and advocacy for all waterfowl enthusiasts in order to conserve our waterfowl resources and ensure that our children's children can enjoy what we love and share today.

ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES

Sec. 1 The Ohio Waterfowl Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or any corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Sec. 2 No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c)(2) of The Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Sec. 3 Upon the dissolution of the organization assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principle office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE 4 OBJECTIVES

Sec. 1 The objectives of the Ohio Waterfowl Association shall be as follows:

A. To assist and promote the perpetuation of migratory birds and their habitat in order to provide for more and better bird hunting and recreation for Ohio hunters.

B. To assist and cooperate with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and any and all other agencies, associations and outdoor organizations whose goals and objectives are similar to our Association's.

C. To conduct educational programs related to waterfowl, our hunting heritage and conservation and resource enhancement for our youth and hunters of all ages.

D. To represent waterfowl hunters in the state of Ohio and ensure that duck hunter dollars are invested in Ohio's duck hunting future.

E. To promote and maintain relations with landowners and work with them to provide habitat conducive to increasing nest success and brood survival.

F. To cooperate with law enforcement agencies by promoting respect for and compliance with game laws and regulations.

ARTICLE 5 POWERS

Sec. 1 The powers of the Ohio Waterfowl Association shall be:

A. To direct, manage, supervise, and control the property and funds of the Association.

B. To establish an educational program to aid waterfowlers, both youth and adult, in pursing their elected sport by such means as are directed by the Association, such as waterfowl identification guide and/or instructions, safety programs, aids to good sportsmanship, and other related information.

C. To implement or aid in any and all projects that will benefit waterfowl.

D. To prepare and issue publications relating to the works of the Association.

Sec. 2 The work or projects of the association shall not be conducted for private gain.

ARTICLE 6 MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1 Application shall be in writing and signed by the applicant upon forms provided by the Association.

A. Such applications shall constitute the applicant's agreement to accept and be bound by the Constitution, all rules, and all regulations of the Association.

B. Any waterfowler or sportsman is welcome to apply for membership in the Association, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed.

C. All applicants shall have attained the age of eighteen (18) years for full membership with voting privileges.

1. A Junior membership in the Association will be offered to all those wanting to be considered for membership that are under the age of eighteen (18).

Sec. 2 The applicant shall pay to the Ohio Waterfowl Association the annual membership dues, the year to run from January 1 to December 31st of the calendar year.

A. Memberships shall be revoked for non-payment of annual dues after sixty (60) days, have elapsed since being sent a notice of such delinquency.

B. Members in good standing shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Association.

C. Any member serving honorably in any branch of the armed services shall be held as a member in good standing during his tour of active duty.

D. Membership dues are $20.00 for new members, $20.00 for membership renewal, and $10.00 for youth membership.

E. Honorary Membership can be bestowed on any individual at a regular association meeting as long as said application is nominated by a member in good standing and receives two-thirds approval by those members voting at the meeting.

ARTICLE 7 MEETINGS

Sec. 1 There shall be two regularly scheduled meetings of the Ohio Waterfowl Association.

A.1 The Winter Meeting will be held the third Saturday in February, and;

A.2 The Summer Meeting will be held on a flexible date in August.

B. Said meetings are subject to change if they conflict with important dates.

Sec. 2 A program shall be planned, so as to insure that members can anticipate an interesting and informative program for all meetings of the Association.

Sec. 3 Special meetings of the Association can be called by the majority of the Executive Committee or on petition of one-fourth (1/4) of the members in good standing of the Association.

Sec. 4 The Executive Committee shall meet before regular meetings, when needed.

A. Special meetings of the Executive Committee can be called by the President at any time.

Sec. 5 Association meetings shall be open to members and guests.

Sec. 6 All business meetings shall be conducted following parliamentary rules as set by Roberts Rule of Order. Meetings shall follow a set agenda composed by the Executive Committee that follows the guidelines of Roberts Rule of Order.

ARTICLE 8 MANAGEMENT

Sec. 1 The management of the Ohio Waterfowl Association shall be vested in a Board of Directors, composed of the President, Northern Ohio Vice President, and Southern Ohio Vice President

A. This Board of Directors shall be the ad interim administrative body of the association between general membership meetings and will be empowered to transact all business and manage all property and funds as well as supervise all activities of the Association.

ARTICLE 9 OFFICERS

Sec. 1 The officers of the Association shall be a President, Northern Ohio Vice President, Southern Ohio Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Media Relations Officer, and Membership Chairman. Those seven officers shall make up the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2 The specific powers and duties of the President shall be as follows:

A. The President shall preside over all the meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee and enforce the laws and regulations of the Association.

B. The President shall have the power to appoint committees whenever deemed necessary.

Sec. 3 The specific powers and duties of the two Vice Presidents shall be as follows:

A. To assist the President in the enforcement of the Associations rules and regulations.

B. To perform the duties of the President in his absence.

C. To oversee all standing and ad hoc committees.

D. To oversee activities that promotes the Association in their regions of the state of Ohio.

Sec. 4 The specific powers and duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:

A. To keep accurate minutes of each meeting, keep accurate membership records, conduct the official correspondence of the Association, and to keep all records and documents relating to the Association.

Sec. 5 The specific powers and duties of the Treasurer shall be as follows:

A. The Treasurer shall account for all moneys of the Association and shall take charge and deposit the funds in the name of the Association in such bank or institution that is designated by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall pay all bills as directed by the Executive Committee. The Treasurer may be bonded, at the direction of the Executive Committee, at the expense of the Association. The Treasurer shall report a financial condition of the Association at each Association meeting. No disbursements of funds shall be made without the specific approval of the President and one Vice President.

Sec. 6 The specific powers and duties of the Media Relations Officer shall be as follows:

A. It shall be the responsibility of the Media Relations Officer to inform the membership and the general public of the activities of the Association through any of the following manners: the Association's website, newsletters if necessary, press releases and news articles for the media.

Sec. 7 The specific powers and duties of the Membership Chairman shall be as follows:

A. It shall be the responsibility of the Membership Chairman to oversee and conduct activities involved with recruiting and retaining membership all across Ohio.

Sec. 8 No elected officer or other member in good standing shall receive any fees, salaries, or other reimbursement from the association, excepting that, as the Executive Committee shall decide, certain actual expenses may be reimbursed.

Sec. 9 Any officer shall be dischargeable for cause, provided that he shall have been given at least two (2) weeks (14 days) advance notice of the date of the hearing before the Association. A majority vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the membership of the Association present at the meeting shall be required to depose any officer.

Sec. 10 In any and all cases where subjects are not covered in the Constitution or By-Laws, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to act, excepting, that it may not go contrarily to the mandates of the general membership.

Sec. 11 Officer Elections

A. Officers will be elected at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Association in the calendar year and said officers will serve a two year term. Any member, in good standing, may run for an office. Officer candidates can declare their running for such office or may be nominated from the floor at the meeting.

1. Notices for the Annual Meeting shall be sent preceding the date of said meeting.

2. All members in good standing shall be eligible to vote in any election held by the Association.

3. Members must be present at the time of an election in order to cast a ballot.

4. All voting in any election of the Association shall be by written secret ballot except in these uncontested cases which will be decided by acclamation.

5. No member shall be permitted to cast the ballot of an absent member.

6. No quorum of the Association shall be necessary in the event of an election of officers.

7. Nominees for all offices shall be members in good standing and of known good moral character.

B. At the Annual Meeting, nominations for all officers shall be made from the floor and the names of all persons, so nominated, shall be placed on a ballot, with the exception of those nominees that notify the Secretary of their intention to withdraw from the vote for said office.

C. At the Annual Meeting of the Association, the Secretary shall have a true and complete list of those members in good standing for the use of the balloting committees in holding the election.

ARTICLE 10 COMMITTEES

Sec. 1 The President shall creaite and appoint committees that the Association shall deem desirable.

ARTICLE 11 SEVERANCE

Sec. 1 Any member of the Association may be removed for cause, provided that the charges be made known to him at least two (2) weeks in advance of a hearing before the Executive Committee and provided further that at least two-thirds (2/3) of the votes of the present members are received favoring such removal.

A. Any member, so removed, shall forfeit all rights in any funds or property, belonging to the Association, and the use of the name of the organization shall thereafter be denied him.

Article 12 AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1 This Constitution can be amended at a regular or special meeting of the Association by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those members in good standing attending said meeting.

A. A notice of the intention to change the Constitution shall be sent to all members fifteen days ahead of time, complete with the time and place of the meeting.

B. In the event of an emergency, the Board of Directors may change, temporarily, and in the best interest of the association, ARTICLE 5, of the Constitution, concerning meetings.

The following Amendments were added to the Constitution of the Ohio Waterfowl Association:

Two Amendments to the OWA Constitution were proposed at the June 17th, 2006 Meeting and voted on and approved at the September 24th, 2006 meeting.

AMENDMENT #1

To change Article 9 Section 1

From:
The officers of the Association shall be a President, Western Vice President, Eastern Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Media Relations Officer, and Membership Chairman. Those seven officers shall make up the Executive Committee.

To:
The officers of the Association shall be a President, Northern Vice President, Southern Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Media Relations Officer, and Membership Chairman. Those seven officers shall make up the Executive Committee.

By incorporation, all references to Eastern Vice President and Western Vice President will be changed to Northern Vice President and Southern Vice President.

AMENDMENT #2

Add to Article 9 Section 3:

E. The boundary between those that serve as Northern Vice President and Southern Vice President shall be the boundary of the north and south waterfowl hunting zones used by the Ohio Division of Wildlife for the waterfowl season of 2005-2006. Those living in counties where the boundary line passes through may serve as the Southern Vice President despite living north of the actual boundary line. Elected Vice Presidents must reside in the regions that they are elected to serve.

Amendment to the OWA Constitution regarding meeting dates was proposed at the June 17th, 2007 Meeting and posted for comment in the Summer 2007 Member Newsletter. The Amendment was voted on and approved at the September 22nd, 2007 meeting.

AMENDMENT #3

Change ARTICLE 7 MEETINGS - Section 1.

From:
Sec. 1 There shall be two regularly scheduled meetings of the Ohio Waterfowl Association.

A. The meetings will be held the third Sunday in February and June.

To:
Sec. 1 There shall be two regularly scheduled meetings of the Ohio Waterfowl Association;

A.1 The Winter Meeting will be held the third Saturday in February, and;

A.2 The Summer Meeting will be held on a flexible date in August.