Passed 9/19/91
Amended September 2000

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1: In order to improve, aid, and encourage competence in the art and practice of falconry among interested persons, we do hereby associate ourselves as a non profit fraternal organization known as the “Great Lakes Falconers’ Association”, established in 1956, incorporated March 10, 1976.

Section 2: We further declare that our purpose is to provide communication among and to disseminate information to all members on a timely basis; to promote scientific study of the raptorial species, their care, welfare, and training; to promote conservation of the birds of prey and an appreciation of their value in nature; to endeavor to persevere for the continuance of falconry as a legal field sport: and to establish the highest standards and traditions which will aid, perpetuate, and further the welfare of falconry and the raptors it employs.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Any interested person of good moral character, 14 years of age or older may become a member of the Association.

ARTICLE III: ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY

Section 1: Authority for the operation and management of the Great Lakes Falconers’ Association shall rest ultimately with the voting membership. This authority shall normally be exercised by delegation through the Bylaws, to the Board, which shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) or more Directors.

Section 2: No Director, Officer, or member of a committee of this Association shall receive any compensation of any kind from Association funds or assets for services rendered, except for payment of legitimate expenses approved by the Board.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Section 1: A General meeting of the membership shall be held at least twice each year Proxy voting may be permitted, and voting by mail shall be permitted.

Section 2: A business meeting of the board shall be held at least once every quarter. Voting by mail shall be permitted. Proxy voting shall not be permitted at board meetings.

Section 3: Decisions, policies, and actions at both General and Board meetings shall be determined by a simple majority of the responding members.

ARTICLE V: BYLAWS

Section 1: Consistent with the provisions of this Constitution, the membership shall establish and maintain Bylaws governing and operation of the Great Lakes Falconers’ Association.

ARTICLE VI: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted by the Board in writing to all voting members, not less than 30 days prior to vote.

Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by affirmative vote of 2/3rds of the voting membership who make timely response to such proposed amendment, either by mail or in person.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Members shall be entitled to all rights of the Great Lakes Falconers’ Association, but only members holding a current Illinois falconry license may vote, hold office, or serve as a Director.

Section 2: The S (Senior) Class is a classification of club distinction only, and applies to GLFA members only. It shall hold no additional rights or privileges. Qualification for the distinction of “S” class shall be continuous involvement in falconry for forty (40) years or more.

ARTICLE II: DUES

Section 1: Dues shall be set by the Board and shall be ratified by a simple majority vote of responding members.

Section 2: Dues shall be payable upon receipt of notice. Annual membership runs from January 1 to December 31. Dues shall not be apportionable for any part of a calendar year, either upon admission or termination of membership. Dues shall be payable to the Treasurer of the “Great Lakes Falconers’ Association” at the time of submission of application for membership, or in the case of renewals, no latter than March 15.

ARTICLE III: MAILING ADDRESS

Section 1: It shall be the responsibility of each member to maintain a current mailing address on file with the Secretary at all times.

ARTICLE IV: TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership may be terminated by the Board for the following, but not limited to, reasons:

1. Death of a member.
2. Dissolution of the Association.
3. Non payment of prescribed annual dues.
4. Violation of Bylaws, rules, or regulations of the Association.
5. A member’s activities, status, or motives are prejudicial to the best interest of the Association.

Section 2: Such Suspension or termination shall be imposed only by affirmative vote of 75% of the Board, provided that a statement for grounds of suspension or termination shall be sent by certified mail, postage paid, to such member at his address on file with the Association, at least 30 days before suspension or termination action is taken by the Board; and provided further that such statement shall advise the member of the scheduled date of Board action; that he may, prior to that date, submit to the Board for its consideration any matters in explanation, defense, extenuation, or mitigation. Actions by the Board with respect suspension or termination shall be final and shall not be subject to ratification by, or appeal to the membership. The provisions of this subparagraph are not applicable to the Officers and Directors of this Association. Officers and Directors must first be removed from office or Directorship as hereinafter prescribed prior to any suspension or termination of membership status. While in a suspended status, a member shall not be entitled to vote, serve as a Director, or hold office.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 1: Officers and Directors shall be elected for a two-year term by a majority vote of the membership. The President, Secretary, and one half of the Directors shall be elected on even numbered years. The Vice President, Treasurer, and one half of the Directors shall be elected on odd numbered years.

Section 2: All Officers with the exception of Secretary and Treasurer shall serve no more than three (3) consecutive terms in office. Each term being two (2) years in length. After vacating an office for one (1) term (two years) can again run for, and hold the same office again. An Officer/Director can run for, and hold an office of different distinction without waiting two (2) years.

Section 3: The President shall be the principal officer of the Association. The President shall call and preside at all meetings of the membership, he shall be specifically responsible for the enforcement of rules, regulations and Bylaws of the Association. He shall be responsible for the planning and presentation of all matters requiring action by the membership, and the expeditious process in of such matters to a conclusion. In absence of a Treasurer, the President is authorized to sign checks drawn on all the funds of the Association.

Section 4: The Vice President, in absence of the President, or in the event of his death, disability, or inability to act, as confirmed by the Board, shall perform all acts and duties of the President. He shall assist the President as required, and shall perform such other and further duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President.

Section 5: The Secretary shall;

1. Give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Association.
2. Keep minutes and/or other records of all meetings of the Association, and mail agendas to the membership in conjunction with meeting notices.
3. Keep records of all actions taken by Officers of the Association.
4. Conduct correspondence of behalf of the Association, and maintain records of such correspondence, and maintain records of other such official correspondence of the Association as may be furnished by the officers.
5. Obtain from the Treasurer and keep in the Club files an accurate, complete list of the membership of the Association.
6. Maintain a complete file of all Association publications.

Section 6: The Treasurer shall;

1. Serve as custodian of all Association funds and property keep a strict accounting of all receipts and expenditures.
2. Collect and receive all monies due the Association from whatever source.
3. Pay only such expenditures as have been authorized by the Officers and Directors.
4. Deposit all Association funds in a suitable checking account, protected by FDIC; insure the signature card on file with the bank bears the signatures of the Treasurer and the President, and insure that the account is also restricted that the signature of either the Treasurer or the President shall be require on all checks drawn thereon.
5. Insure that expenditures do not exceed cash on deposit, and advise status of same.
6. Maintain full and complete financial records of the Association, and upon 10 days notice from Officers and Directors submit a balance sheet itemizing receipts and expenditures since the last audit and showing the current cash balance.
7. Generate and maintain an accurate, complete list of members, including addresses and phone numbers, and routinely provide such a list to the Secretary; and issue membership cards as requested.

Section 7: Directors shall serve as acting members of the Board and act as liaison between the membership and the Board. Each Director shall be responsible for approximately 24 members.

Section 8: Any Officer or Director may be removed from office by the Affirmative vote of 2/3rds of the responding membership. Voting will be conducted by mail.

Section 9: The Board of the Great Lakes Falconers’ Association shall be empowered to promulgate those administrative rules and regulations which may be required for the day operation of the Association.

ARTICLE VI: ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS (passed 10/19995)

Section 1: Newsletter;

1. The internal information publication of Great Lakes Falconers’ Association (GLFA) shall be entitled the GAUNTLET. The title was adopted by the Board April 1990 and first published in March 1990.

Section 2: The Editor;

1. Shall be Recommended and approved by the Board of Directors.
2. Shall be a Regular voting member in good standing.
3. Shall be responsible for its content, publication and distribution.
4. Shall solicit newsworthy material from within or outside the membership.
5. Shall establish deadlines for submissions, production and distribution.
6. Shall maintain a current membership list and labeling system in coordination with the Associations membership secretary.
7. Shall maintain a current and complete file of all GAUNTLET’s.
8. Shall be entitled to a reproduction copy of any and all GAUNTLET’s which he/she has produced.

Section 3: Publication and Distribution:

1. Six issues shall be published annually unless the Board determines the frequency shall be more or less.
2. The Gauntlet shall be distributed to all current members of this Association.

Section 4: Peer Review;

1. The Editor shall submit to the Peer Review Committee (Editor, President and one Board member) a draft prior to publication or distribution. In absence of one of the three the Editor shall seek draft review from another Board member.
2. The peer review committee shall review the draft and respond to the Editor within 5 days. If no response is received by the Editor, the draft shall be assumed acceptable for publication.
3. These peer review provisions shall apply to all publications, including Hawk Chalk club reports.

Section 5: Content;

1. Nothing in any section shall imply or state that censorship of any material in the GAUNTLET is encouraged or acceptable, except when material submitted will intentionally or knowingly injure an individual, the sport, or raptors.
2. All submissions, letter and articles shall contain author’s names, (no anonymous material will be published), and a notice shall be published in the GAUNTLET stating “Unless otherwise indicated, articles are written by the Editor”.

Section 6: Reproduction;

1. No one shall reproduce the GAUNTLET or any part thereof for any reason without consent from the Board. If permission is granted, a by-line of author credit and source reference shall accompany the reproduction.
2. Nothing in this section shall prevent an author of an article which has been published in the GAUNTLET from using that article in any manner they desire.

Section 7: The GLFA Brochure;

1. The Association pamphlet, produced in 1988, revised in 1995, shall be made available to the public for educational purposes and the promotion of GLFA interests.
2. No individual or organization shall use or reproduce the GLFA brochure or parts thereof for self-promotion or personal financial gain unless a written explanation of its use is submitted for Board review and the Board authorizes such use.