NORTHWEST MOUNTED
SHOOTERS
BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
The
Northwest Mounted shooting organization is a non-profit organization as
specified by the Office of the Secretary of State for the State of
The
Officers and Board of Directors following the guidelines as set forth in the
following articles shall administer the affairs of the association.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of
the organization shall be Northwest Mounted Shooters, and may be referred to as
NWMS, or NMS.
ARTICLE 11
BUSINESS
ADDRESS
The
business address of the Northwest Mounted Shooters shall be:
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Eligibility
in the Northwest Mounted Shooters shall be extended to all persons of good
character who would like to become members of an organization dedicated to
preserving the cowboy lifestyle. Potential members will be allowed to practice with the club up to three
times, after which time they must join the club to participate in any NWMS
activity.
Membership
in the Northwest Mounted Shooters shall consist of three classes.
A.
Individual
membership will consist of all persons wishing to
participate as a competitor in NWMS matches regardless of age or gender. Any competitor under the age of 18 must have
a signed parental consent form on file with the Secretary of the organization
or match.
B.
Family
Membership will consist of immediate family members living under the same roof together.
C.
Honorary
Membershipshall be voted
upon by the Officers and Board of Directors, in the interest of the betterment
of NWMS. These members shall not have to
pay dues, but will be given life long membership to NWMS.
D.
Day
Membership will consist of all persons wishing to participate as a competitor in any NWMS
match/jackpot, regardless of age or gender, for one day only.
All members
shall be required to complete a NWMS liability waiver annually. The Secretary of NWMS shall be required to
keep such waiver on file.
Dues amounts shall be determined by a majority
vote of the General Membership. An
increase of dues can only occur after careful consideration by the Officers and
Board of Directors and presented to and voted upon by the general membership at
a General Membership meeting.
Any member
(30) days or longer past due with dues, shall not be eligible to compete in
NWMS sanctioned matches or exhibitions.
Insurance
premiums covering spectators, as per CMSA/NWMS policy, shall be included in the
cost of the dues for Individual and Family Memberships. No individual or equine insurance is implied
in either the CMSA or NWMS insurance policies.
The
resignation, suspension, expulsion, and reinstatement of members shall be as
follows:
ARTICLE IV
CLOTHING
REQUIREMENTS
All
competitive members of NWMS will be required to wear “Traditional, Classic,
Recognizable Western Cowboy” style clothing as described in the Cowboy Mounted
Shooting Association current Rule Book, during all sanctioned matches and
exhibitions. Promotional logos on clothing and tack shall not be allowed in any
NWMS sanctioned match or exhibition. The
only exclusion for Promotional Logos is: “The Pro-Class Logo Vest”. A Pro-Class
Competitor while competing in the Pro-Class Event shall be allowed to wear a
“Traditional Western Cowboy Style Vest or a Traditional Western Cowboy Style
long sleeved shirt as stated in the dress requirements. Either may be decorated with CMSA and/or
sponsor logos”. Such Pro-Class Logo Vest
may be worn only while competing in the Pro-Class event.
ARTICLE V
ARMS,
AMMUNITION, TACK AND HORSES
Firearms:
Fixed sight
single action revolvers of .45 caliber, designed prior to 1898 or reproductions
thereof, shall be allowed in NWMS sanctioned matches and exhibitions.
Examples:
Colt Single Action Army or Bisley Model, Smith & Wesson Scholfield,
Russian, or Remington Models 1875 & 1890, their reproductions and Ruger
Vaqueros. Also included are shotguns and
rifles.
Holsters:
All
holsters shall be of leather construction and shall retain the contestant’s
firearms throughout the strenuous range of motion required in mounted
competition. Holsters shall conform to
the historic Old West design. Pistols
shall be returned to holsters, which would be limited to belted holsters,
pommel, cantle, and/or shoulder holsters.
Ammunition:
All
ammunition used at NWMS sanctioned events shall be provided by a certified
approved CMSA (Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association) provider for all pistols,
rifles and shotguns, excluding NWMS practices and clinics. This approved ammunition shall consistently
burst properly inflated helium grade balloons from a distance of not less than
10 feet and not more than 20 feet. No
live ammunition will be permitted at any NWMS sanctioned events. No competitor is to have live ammunition on
their person or in their cartridge belts or saddlebags. Dummy ammunition with
inert or fired primers may be used in a cartridge belt. Failure to follow this rule will result in
disqualification from the event.
Tack:
Traditional
leather tack and equipment is more representative of the Old West, and is an
enhancement to the sport. Competitors
are encouraged to use “period” saddles of early western design. However, you may use any saddle of western
design as long as it is constructed of leather and is in safe condition. Headstalls, reins and tie downs should also
be of leather construction. Modern neoprene
and fleece lined cinches, nylon latigos and off billets; as well as neoprene skid,
rundown, and bell boots while not encouraged, are allowed as long as they are of neutral earth
tones and do not blatantly change the overall traditional appearance of the
competitors rig.
Equines:
All NWMS
competitions are open to all breeds of horses and mules, registered and
unregistered. Riders are expected to
compete with mounts that are healthy and in good physical condition.
Competitors need a well-trained horse that is under control while negotiating a
course of fire with one hand on the reins while shooting with the other. No abuse of animals shall be allowed. This will be a Match Director call, done with
a warning first. If disregarded,
expulsion from the match or exhibition shall follow.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
The number
of Directors for the NWMS Board shall consist of 9 individuals, including
officers. The specific duties of the
Officers and Directors are as follows:
President: The President will
preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and General Membership. He/she shall prepare the agenda for the
meetings. He/she will vote only as a “tie-breaking”
vote during Board of Directors meetings, only. The President, within the limits
of the law, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, shall act as the
official spokesperson of the Board of Directors and General Membership. He/she will be in direct communication with
all board members and committee chairs regarding any and all NWMS business or
decisions. In addition, he/she shall have the authority to sign all official
papers as required for the ongoing business of the Board of Directors, and
General Membership.
Vice President: The Vice President
is a voting member of the Board of Directors. The Vice President, as authorized
by the Board of Directors, shall have the power to perform all duties of the
President in case of a temporary absence of the President, or if the President
is unable to fulfill his/her term, the Vice President will assume all duties of
the President until the end of such term.
Secretary: The Secretary is a voting
member of the Board of Directors. The
Secretary shall keep all the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors
and General Membership. He/she will
respond to all correspondence as directed by the President, Board of Directors
and General membership. He/she will keep
an up to date list of the General Membership and will assist in any other
business as directed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary and Treasurer will jointly be responsible for the
non-profit status reporting as specified by the State and Federal Tax filing
requirements.
Treasurer: The Treasurer is a voting member of the Board
of Directors. He/she shall record all gifts, donations, and
financial transactions of the Board of Directors and General Membership in an
accepted bookkeeping method.
The
Treasurer shall provide current financial reports at each regularly scheduled
Board of Director and General Membership meetings as well as a yearly financial
statement. All financial records will be
available to the Board of Directors upon request. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the
NWMS in such bank or banks as designated by the Board of Directors. The financial records will be subject to a
yearly independent audit as directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer and Secretary will jointly be
responsible for the non-profit status reporting as specified by the State and Federal
Tax filing requirements.
Director Position 1: This position is a voting member of the Board
of Directors, and shall be responsible for the Sponsorship Committee.
Director Position 2: This position is a voting member of the Board
of Directors, and shall be responsible for the Marketing Committee.
Director Position 3: This position is a voting member of the Board
of Directors, and shall be responsible for the Practice and Clinic Committee.
Director Position 4: This position is a voting member of the Board
of Directors, and shall be responsible for the Range Master Committee.
Past President: This position is a voting member of the Board
of Directors. If the President is
elected to a second term, this position may be nominated from the pool of
qualified NWMS General Members, for a (1) year term of office only. This position shall be responsible for the
Match Director Committee and coordinate the annual Non-Profit Status reporting
procedures.
ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES
Committees
are appointed by the President or the Board of Directors. Committee Chairs are welcome at all Board of
Director meetings, but are not required to attend such meetings. Chair positions are a non-voting position at
all Board meetings. The following are
current standing committees as appointed by the NWMS President and Board of
Directors:
Awards Committee: The Awards Chair
person is in charge of all awards for NWMS sponsored matches/jackpots, and for
end of the year awards, i.e. Rookie of the year. This position works closely with the Treasure
and Match Director.
Sponsorship
Committee: This chair person coordinates all sponsorship
correspondence, soliciting and funding for the organization. This position reports to Director Position
1on the Board of Directors.
Marketing Committee: This committee chair is a non-voting position
on the Board of Directors, and is appointed by the Board of Directors. The Marketing Chair person is in charge of
all public relations and marketing for the organization and all pre/post match
related marketing and public relations. This position reports directly to Director Position 2 on the Board of
Directors and works closely with the Match Director.
Social Functions Committee: The Social Function Chair person arranges all
NWMS social functions, including but not limited to: BBQ’s, potluck dinners, annual
Christmas party, trail rides, match concessions and any other activities as
determined by the Board of Directors. This position works closely with the Treasurer and Secretary.
Practice & Clinic Committee: The Practice & Clinic committee chair
person coordinates and oversees all practices and clinics to be sponsored by
NWMS. He/she will also provide a club
calendar of events to include all NWMS practices, clinics, matches and
exhibitions. This calendar of events may
include other CMSA sanctioned matches, both regional and other state sponsored
activities. This position reports to
Director Position 3 and works closely with the Marketing Committee chair
person.
Match Director: The Match Director will be responsible for
all facets of organizing NWMS matches and jackpots. This position follows and enforces all CMSA
and NWMS determined shoot protocol during NWMS sponsored matches and jackpots. The Match Director oversees the Range Master,
Armor, registration, office personnel and awards distribution during all NWMS
sponsored matches and jackpots. The
Match Director will also assist the Range Master with a Range Officer training
clinic as determined by the Board of Directors, once per year. This position reports to the Past-President Position
on the Board of Directors and works closely with the Range Master.
Range Master: The Range Master will maintain a safe
environment for both competitors and spectators during all NWMS sponsored
matches and jackpots. The Range Master
will oversee that the courses are selected and set-up correctly and give the
final inspection of the course before the course is engaged. The Range Master will assess any and all
penalties; and keep the match moving in a timely manner. The Range Master selects and coordinates the Range
Officers during all NWMS sponsored matches and jackpots. He/she will report directly to the Match
Director during all NWMS sponsored events. The Range Master will organize and direct the Range Officer clinic as
determined by the Board of Directors, to be held no less than one time per
year. Range Master and Officers should be over the age of 18 years of
age. This position reports directly to
Board Position 4 on the Board of Directors, and works closely with the Match
Director.
Armor: The Armor will be appointed by the Board of
Directors to oversee the Armor station during all NWMS matches. The Armor will
also be in charge of the sale of all “practice ammunition” provided by NWMS at
all NWMS practices. In addition, he/she
will oversee the distribution of all certified “match supplied” ammunition at
all NWMS sanctioned matches/jackpots. The Armor is not required to
load competitor’s firearms during competition; that is the sole responsibility
of the competitor. This position works
closely with the Match Director.
Special Committees: Special committees may be appointed for an interim term by the President
and Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTION,
TERMS OF OFFICE & QUALIFICATION OF OFFICIER & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
following is the terms, conditions and qualifications for the election of all
officers and Board of Directors.
Time of Elections: The election of
Officers and Directors shall take place during the General Membership meeting
held in December of each year.
Method of Elections: The President
shall appoint a nominating committee in October, who shall submit nominations
for officer and director positions to the President (30) thirty days prior to
the elections to be held in December. The Nomination Committee shall submit (1) one, but not more than (3)
three names for each position. The slate
of nominees will be presented at the elections in December. If there are no nominees to be presented, or
if the slate is incomplete, or if the general membership wishes to nominate a prospective
qualified nominee from the floor during the elections, they may do so.
Terms of Office: The term of office
for President and Vice President shall be (1) one year and shall begin January
1st of each year. Both the
President and Vice President shall serve
no more than (2) two consecutive terms of office, in his/her elected position
or be reelected to another office or board position for more than (1) one more term, after already serving (1)
one term of office.
Vacancies: If a vacancy occurs during the
elected officer/directors term, the nominating committee, or the President,
shall place before the board the name of an individual or individuals to be
considered to complete the vacated term of office. Other than the office of President, if he/she
is unable to fulfill his/her term, the Vice President will assume the
Presidents position and complete the current term of office.
ARTICLE IX
QUALIFICATIONS
OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
President: Must
be an NWMS member for at least (2) two years, and must have served on the Board
of Directors in one capacity or another, for (1) one year.
Vice
President: Must
be an NWMS member for (1) one year, and must have served on the Board of
Directors in one capacity or another, for (1) one year.
Directors: All Board of
Directors must have been a member of NWMS for one year.
Committee
Chairs: Must be
current members of the Northwest Mounted Shooters.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL
MEMBERSHIP & BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS
The NWMS
shall have no less than (4) four General Membership meetings per year. The Board of Directors shall have as many
meetings as deemed necessary by the President, but no less than (4) four each
year to be held (1) one each quarter. Special meetings may be called at anytime by the President or upon
request by a member of NWMS, which may involve either the General Membership or
the Board of Directors, to discuss whatever topic or special event deemed
necessary.
ARTICLE XI
BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
The By-Laws
may be amended or altered in full or in part by a majority vote of the Board of
Directors. All amendments or alterations
must be voted upon by a majority of the General membership which can be
accomplished during a General membership meeting, or by proxy vote, in order to
supersede the current By-Laws.
ARTICLE XII
MEETING RULES OF ORDER
Roberts
Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of any and all meetings held by NWMS,
which is not otherwise listed in these By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIII
DEFINITIONS
Rookie of the Year: The Rookie of the Year is an award
that is presented at the end of each competitive calendar year to an NWMS new
beginner shooter who has competed in not less than(3) three CMSA sanctioned
matches. The award will be based on a
total number of cumulative points, as published by CMSA.
Majority Vote: A majority vote means “over half”
of the voting membership of the Northwest Mounted Shooters and Board of
Directors.
Name of Northwest
Mounted Shooters: The
Northwest Mounted Shooters also known as NWMS or NMS.
Horse Hall of Fame: This award was created to honor the
Northwest Mounted Shooters organizations outstanding horses. The award is based on horses that are
outstanding above and beyond speed and agility. Nominees must be either
deceased or retired, and had many successful years competing in NWMS as a
mounted shooting horse. Nominations must
be submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee by October 1st of the
year being nominated for.
The above
By-Laws of the Northwest Mounted Shooters have been approved and adopted by the
Board of Directors and a majority number of the General Membership on this 14th
day of June, 2008.
Signed by
the Officers and Board of Directors of the Northwest Mounted Shooters:
________________________________________________________________________ President,
Terry Irwin Vice
President, Clint Peters
________________________________________________________________________ Secretary,
Jami Irwin Treasurer,
Rachel Peters
________________________________________________________________________ Board
Position One, Rusty Palmer Board
Position Two, John Bunch
________________________________________________________________________ Board
Position Three, Bob Peters Board Position Four,
__________________________________
Past
President Position, Terry Liberty
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