SoCal Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association. Inc.

 BYLAWS

‑ Revised June, 2009

ARTICLE I ‑ STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The object of the association shall be to encourage and participate in the sport of cowboy mounted shooting and to provide an outlet for those persons wishing to compete in said sport. We shall abide by the rules set forth in the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association (CMSA) Rulebook.  We will encourage organized shooting of single action .45 caliber pistols of the type available prior to 1900 among citizens of the United States. It shall be our further object and purpose to forward the development of those characteristics necessary to promote good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism. We will strive to increase and promote our knowledge of horses in order to increase our horsemanship skills on all levels. We will take a view toward  better knowledge of the safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship The further intention of the organization is to provide an atmosphere and social climate conducive to riding, camping and other similar events where the members dress and conduct themselves in a fashion that promotes our western heritage. The Board of Directors will adhere to the guidelines set forth in the following articles shall administer the affairs of the association.

 ARTICLE II‑ NAME

The name of the organization shall be SoCal COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (SoCal CMSA ‑ herein referred to as "the Club"). The SoCal CMSA is recognized as an official Club by our National Affiliate organization, the Cowboy Mounted Shooters Association (CMSA) and we endorse all CMSA functions as well as abide by all CMSA rules as set forth in the rulebook.

ARTICLE III- MEMBERSHIP

1.      MEMBERSHIP ‑ in SoCal CMSA shall consist of three (3) classes.

A.     A ‑ Active ‑ which will be all persons wishing to participate in the SoCal CMSA matches as competitors regardless of age or gender. Any rider under the age of 18 years may compete only with a signed parental consent form. Only active members over the age of 18 years who have been club members in good standing for a minimum of 6 months will be allowed to vote on Club issues.

B.     B ‑ Associate ‑ that will be all persons wishing to participate in the activities as non‑riding participants and/or support staff at the SoCal CMSA matches (does not have a vote on Club issues).

C.     C‑ Family – same as “Active” - which will be immediate family members in the same household. This shall include the spouse and any children under the age of 18 years.

2. ELIGIBILITY in SoCal CMSA shall be extended to all persons of good character who would like to become members of an organization and who pledges to promote the preservation of the cowboy lifestyle as defined by the CMSA.

3.      All SoCal CMSA Active/Family members must also be members of the CMSA and are encouraged to participate in its functions.

4.      DUES – All SoCal CMSA dues are paid on the calendar year beginning January 1^st of each year.  The dues for membership shall be determined by the board of directors on an annual basis.

5.      RESIGNATION, SUSPENSION, EXPULSION AND REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERS:

A.   Resignation – A member in good standing may resign at any time to any member of the Board of Directors. Members’ resignation will not be cause for a refund of membership dues.

B.   Suspension – A majority vote of the Board of Directors may immediately put any member on suspension that has;

1.      Has caused personal injury or committed an act that may cause injury to themselves, another person, property or livestock

2.      Has committed actions that have or are likely to bring discredit to mounted shooting, SoCal CMSA or CMSA.

3.      Has conducted themselves in a manner unbecoming the SoCal CMSA.

4.      Has been abusive or treated their horse in any otherwise inhumane fashion.

5.      Has acted in an unsafe manner when dealing with firearms.

6.      Refuses a directive of a SoCal CMSA board member, official or designated range master acting for the safe and efficient conduct of SoCal CMSA events or is unreasonably disruptive to the efficient operation and enjoyment of SoCal CMSA events by its participants.

C.   Suspension/Expulsion – Any member placed on suspension or expelled by the board of directors, will not be allowed to participate in any club activities until after their 90 day waiting period and reinstatement by the board of directors.

D.   Expulsion – A member may be expelled from SoCal CMSA with a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors for violation listed in Article III, 5B, #1-6 inclusive.

E.    Reinstatement – Any member suspended or expelled from the SoCal CMSA may, after a period of ninety (90) days, must appear before the Board of Directors to request a reversal of the Board of Directors decision concerning their membership status. The Board of Director’s reply to such a request will be in writing by mail only.

F.    Complaints – Any member witnessing recurring violations of general safety practices of SoCal CMSA or CMSA rules and/or Bylaws by another member may submit a signed complaint to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV- CLOTHING

1.      COSTUME – All members of SoCal CMSA will be required to wear clothing reminiscent of the Old West outlined by the CMSA rulebook while competing in sanctioned matches, events and exhibitions.

2.      NON-COMPLIANCE –Any member not complying with section I of Article IV may be requested to not participate in a match or exhibition at the discretion of the match director or Board of Directors. In keeping with this theme, if any member shows up for an Awards Presentation out of costume, any/all awards may be forfeited.

3.      ASSISTANCE – Any member or prospective member so wishing may have a seasoned member assigned by the Board of Directors to help them accumulate the necessary clothing and equipment to comply with Section 1 above.

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ARTICLE V – ARMS and AMMUNITION

1.      FIREARMS – All firearms shall be of .45 caliber. All firearms shall be of single action design and manufactured previous to 1900 or like reproductions as specified in the CMSA rulebook.

2.      AMMUNITION – All ammunition at SoCal CMSA events shall be provided by the Club. Ammunition used in the competition is only allowed in the loading area, staging area and the arena.  No live ammunition will be permitted at SoCal CMSA events.

3.      DISPLAY AMMUNITION – Contestants are to have no live ammunition on their person or in their cartridge belts or saddlebags. Dummy ammunition with fired primers or without primers may be used in cartridge belts. Failure to follow this rule will result in disqualification from the match/event.

ARTICLE Vl – OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.      NUMBER OF DIRECTORS – The SoCal CMSA Board of Directors will consist of no less than four (4) individuals including Officers.

2.      SPECIFIED DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A.     President – The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He/She shall prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Board. He/She may appoint necessary committees to carry out the Board’s programs. The President, within the limits of the law, and at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall act from time to time as the representative of the Board and the Club.  In addition, he/she shall have the authority to sign all papers required for the ongoing business of the Board and the Club.  In the case of the President’s inability to act, the Vice President shall be the immediate successor.  The President is responsible for maintaining contact with the Corporation Commission and other regulatory agencies necessary for the Club’s activities.

B.     Vice President – The Vice President shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her. The Vice President, as authorized by the Board, shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the President in case of temporary absence of the President.  In the case of the Vice‑Presidents’ temporary inability to act, the Board of Directors shall declare the office vacant and said board shall choose a successor.

C.     Secretary – The Secretary shall record the minutes of all Board Meetings.  He/She shall be responsible for supplying information for the chairman of the newsletters and gathering information for and writing of the articles for publication. He/She shall also keep the local media up to date regarding dates of matches, meetings, practices, as well as supply them with articles about our matches, etc.  He/She shall also be responsible for keeping the webmaster current and up to date.

D.     Treasurer – The Treasurer shall record all gifts, donations, and financial transactions of the Board in an accepted bookkeeping method. The Treasurer shall provide current financial reports at each regularly scheduled meeting and a yearly financial statement. All financial records will be available to the Board upon request. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Association in such bank or banks as designated by the Board. He/She shall also collect fees at SoCal CMSA events.  He/She shall also collect and record all dues received by the membership committee.  The Treasurer will prepare or cause to be prepared, all returns and reports required by taxing entities such as Federal income taxes and sales tax.

E.      Directors – Shall be assigned duties as deemed necessary by the President or the Board of Directors. All directors are required to accept and reliably execute the duties necessary for club activities as assigned.

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 ARTICLE VII ‑ ELECTION and TENURE

1.      ELECTIONS ‑ The election of Directors shall take place during the January General Membership Meeting.  Members will be notified in writing at least 30 days in advance.

2.      METHOD OF ELECTIONS ‑ The President shall appoint a nominating committee who shall submit nominations for the available positions. The slate of nominees will be presented at the January Board of Directors/General Membership Meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor and the general membership shall vote on all the nominees at that time.  The use of signed absentee ballots is permissible.

3.      TERM OF OFFICE ‑ The term of office for all Directors/Officers shall be for approximately two (2) years and shall begin on the date of their election.  A Director/Officer may be re‑elected to the same position or another Board position as often as the membership re‑elects them.  

4.      VACANCIES ‑ The Nominating Committee shall place before the Board the names of individuals to be considered for any vacant director position. The replacement shall be decided by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The elected individual shall then serve the remainder of the year of the vacated position.

5.      DISMISSAL – Any Officer or Board of Director may be dismissed by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors on the following grounds:

a.       Unapproved absence from three board activities in a row (i.e. board meetings, events, etc.)

b.      Repeated failure to adequately and reliably perform their assigned duties.

c.       Any action which is subject to suspension under the terms of Article III, 5B, #1-6 inclusive.

d.      Conduct which is detrimental to the mission of the Club.

  ARTICLE VIII ‑ QUALIFICATION OF BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS

1.      PRESIDENT - Must be an active, adult member of SoCal CMSA in good standing.

2.      OTHER OFFICERS AND BOARD of DIRECTORS – Any Board member must be an active,  adult member of SoCal CMSA in good standing and

 ARTICLE IX ‑ EMERGENCY CLAUSE

1. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ‑ These by‑laws may be temporarily altered in full or in part when the Board of Directors decides an emergency exists. This action must be deemed a temporarily expedient to best serve the interest of all the members of the SoCal CMSA.

2. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of any business of SoCal CMSA, which is not otherwise listed in these by‑laws.