BY-LAWS
INDIANA DIVISION
of the
UNITED STATES CANOE ASSOCIATION, INC.
(May 7, 1977)
ARTICLE I - NAME
This Association shall be called The Indiana Division of the United States Canoe Association (IN/DIV., U.S.C.A).
ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
Section A. To serve as a recognized State Division of the U.S.C.A., having jurisdiction over all activities of the Association confined within the geo-political boundaries of the State of Indiana; and to cooperate with the other Regional and/or State Divisions of the national organization sharing such geo-political boundaries.
Section B. To foster the development of a strong state organization devoted to the furtherance of the numerous purposes and goals of the national organization; and to stimulate and encourage the development of a widespread network of local clubs affiliated with the national organization; and to encourage a healthy program of inter-and intra-club activities located within these geo-political boundaries.
Section C. To encourage the growth of paddling as a recognized competitive sport, and as a beneficial, conservation-minded and safety-oriented recreation open to all persons regardless of age, sex and race.
Section D. To operate as a non-profit organization for literary, educational and athletic purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended by Section 1313 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section A. Membership within the IN/DIV of the U.S.C.A. is automatically and exclusively conferred upon U.S.C.A. members who reside within the geo-political boundaries of the State of Indiana, regardless of race, color, creed, age, sex or nationality.
Section B. Membership within the IN/DIV becomes effective upon notification of the Divisional Membership Chairman by the National Membership Chairman of payment of a given member's annual dues, or of election of Life Membership within the Association.
Section C. The classification of members shall be those adopted by the U.S.C.A.; and the rights and privileges enjoyed by each such classification shall be identical to those conferred by the U.S.C.A.
Section D. There shall be no dues or other assessments of IN/DIV members beyond the payment of annual dues to the U.S.C.A. Funding of the IN/DIV shall be by a method described in the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A. which may be supplemented by gifts, donations or assignments by its Divisional members. All funds so accrued by the Treasury of the IN/DIV shall be expended toward the furtherance of the numerous purposes and goals of the national organization, and this shall be done in a manner consistent with the limitations as required of a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE IV - DELEGATES
Section A. To be eligible to be nominated for election to the Executive Board of Delegates representing the IN/DIV within the U.S.C.A. it shall be necessary for a member to hold a governing classification within the U.S.C.A. and hold residence within the IN/DIV, and maintain good financial standing for the period of tenure.
Section B. Having determined the number of Delegates to which the IN/DIV is entitled, the National Membership Chairman shall appoint a committee to two (2) IN/DIV members to serve as a nominating committee. Nominations and elections shall be conducted annually by a method described in the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A., or, should in the IN/DIV fail to elect, then in a manner described elsewhere within the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A.
Section C. Should vacancies occur among the Delegates of the IN/DIV, these shall be filled in a manner described within the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A., that is, by election with the remaining Delegates of the IN/DIV voting.
Section D. The term of office of Delegates shall be for one (1) year, beginning October 15 and continuing through October 14 of the following year.
Section E. Elected Delegates of the IN/DIV shall serve those whom they have been elected to represent as leaders in furthering the interests, purposes and goals of the U.S.C.A., and to perform other duties and fulfil other responsibilities as are described in the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS
Section A. The Officers of the IN/DIV shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section B. To be eligible for election as a divisional officer, a member must hold a governing-status classification within the U.S.C.A., and maintain residence within the geo-political boundaries of the IN/DIV and remain in good financial standing for his period of tenure.
Section C. An election of officers of the IN/DIV shall be held annually at a Divisional Meeting on a weekend falling between November 7 and November 15. Each IN/DIV member present shall be accorded one (1) vote. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting shall be considered sufficient to elect.
Section D. The duties and responsibilities of all Officers shall be those normally associated with their respective tasks.
ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES
Section A. The Standing Committees of the IN/DIV shall be those of the U.S.C.A., vis a vis: Membership, Publications, Conservation, Cruising, Competition, Camping, Camaraderie and Safety.
Section B. The Chairman of each such committee shall be selected from among the elected Delegates in so far as is possible. Such chairman shall serve as members of their respective national committees and report directly to them. Other members of such committees within the IN/DIV shall be selected from among the membership-at-large within the IN/DIV.
Section C. Special Committees may be established as is deemed necessary and shall continue to function until their duties are discharged, or until such time as a the membership elects to disband such committee.
Section D. The rules of the U.S.C.A. shall govern the operation of all committees, whether Standing or Special in nature.
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
Section A. An annual meeting of the membership-at-large, Delegates, Officers and Committee Chairmen of the IN/DIV shall be held on a weekend falling between November 7 and November 15 at a location within the geo-political boundaries of the IN/DIV. Notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the IN/DIV Secretary at least two (2) weeks in advance of the scheduled date.
Section B. Other meetings may be held as desired following notification of all divisional members.
ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules of the IN/DIV shall be those adopted by the U.S.C.A. in all cases in which they are applicable. Should these prove insufficient then the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall prevail.
ARTICLE IX - AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the IN/DIV providing that such amendment does not conflict with any provisions contained within the By-Laws of the U.S.C.A., and providing that a written notice of such amendment has been given at least two (2) week prior notice, and when brought to vote receives a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those present.
ARTICLE X - DISSOLUTION
Should the IN/DIV fail to maintain the minimum qualifications of recognition as a separate divisional entity within the U.S.C.A., the membership, treasury and any property owned by the IN/DIV shall be returned to its original Regional Division within the structure of the U.S.C.A., or such membership, treasury and property may be attached to a contiguous state within such original division.
Should the national organization, the U.S.C.A., find cause to enact dissolution, all assets and properties of the IN/DIV shall be distributed to an organization of similar purpose which qualifies as an exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as is selected by the Executive Board of Delegates of the U.S.C.A.
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Signed:
Beverly B. LaBrant
Secretary, IN/DIV
U.S.C.A.
Jim Mack
Chairman, By-Laws Review Committee
U.S.C.A.