TEXAS SPORTING CLAYS ASSOCIATION
BY LAWS
(Revised June 2004)
 

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the corporation shall be the TEXAS SPORTING CLAYS ASSOCIATION, INC.  (Hereinafter referred to as “TSCA”) and is incorporated pursuant to the provisions of the Nonprofit Corporation Code.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the TSCA shall be as follows:

(a)  The promotion, governance and encouragement of organized sporting clay shooting among residents of the State of Texas;

(b)  To increase among Texas members the knowledge of the safe handling and proper care of firearms, as well as improved shotgun marksmanship; and

(c)  To forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play and self-reliance which are essentials of good sportsmanship and the found of true patriotism.

ARTICLE III – OFFICES

(a)  The principal office of the TSCA shall be located at the address of the Secretary.  Other offices for the transaction of business shall be located at such places as the Board of Directors designates. 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

(a)  The elected officers of TSCA shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and eight (8) directors to be known as “State-at-Large Directors”.

(b)  The terms of office shall be as follows:  President - two years, Vice-President - two years, Secretary – two years, Treasurer - two years, and State-at-Large Directors - two years  and two non-voting ex-officio members consisting of the immediate past president of the TSCA and a representative from the Texas NSCA delegates.

(c)  Officers shall be limited to (2) two year terms for a total of four years of service in the capacity of an officer.  Directors shall have no term limit.

(d)  The office of the President, Treasurer and four directors will be elected in years ending in even numbers.  The office of the Vice-President, Secretary and four directors will be elected in years ending in odd numbers.

(e)  The office of Officers and “State-at-Large” Directors will occur a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the Annual State Tournament.  The newly elected Board of Directors will take office Effective the first day after the conclusion of the Annual State Tournament.

(f)  The election of Officers and “State-at-Large” Directors will be by mail ballot to each TSCA member in good standing.

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

(a)  President:

The President shall preside at all Board of Directors’ meetings of the TSCA, and is empowered to execute all contracts and legal instruments, and have general charge and supervision of all the affairs of the TSCA and shall be a member of all committees.  If the President is unable to preside, the Vice-President shall preside in his place and if both the President and Vice-President are unable to preside, the Secretary shall preside over any said meeting.

(b)  Vice-President:

The Vice-President shall have the responsibility for the general promotion of clay shooting.  He/she shall aid any new group in the organization or any clay shooting club under the auspices of the TSCA and the National Sporting Clays Association (hereinafter referred to as “NSCA”).

(c)  Treasurer:

(1)  As Treasurer, he/she shall be the custodian of all monies, trophies, securities and vouchers of the TSCA and shall preserve the receipts of monies paid out.  He/She is authorized to receive all funds due the TSCA and to place such funds in any bank or banks as the Treasurer shall desire and is hereby authorized to make routine disbursements in furtherance of the course and scope of the objectives of the TSCA, subject to the ratification and approval of the Board of Directors at their next meeting.  The Treasurer shall make no extraordinary disbursements without the express authorization by vote of the TSCA membership at the Annual State Meeting or by order of the Board of Directors.

(2)  While an interim accounting of monies received and routine disbursements made is required to be approved at each meeting of the Board of Directors, a detailed report of all monies received and distributed by the Treasurer shall be made at the Annual State Meeting.

(3)  The Treasurer shall approve and submit proposed shoot date to the NSCA.

(4)  The Treasurer shall furnish bond in the sum of $10,000.00 at the discretion of the Board of Directors; the expense of which shall be paid by the TSCA.

(d)  Secretary:

The Secretary shall keep all minutes of all TSCA meetings.  He/She shall issue all notices, bid packages, and shall perform such other duties as the President of the Board of Directors may require.

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The duties of the State-at-Large Directors shall be to act as a liaison between the membership-at-large and the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(a)  The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and eight State-at-Large Directors, where the total membership of the board optimally should be four range owners and four shooters and two non-voting ex-officio members consisting of the immediate past president of the TSCA and a representative from the Texas NSCA delegates.

(b)  Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to one vote at all meetings of the Board, the Annual State Meeting and any special meetings.  Vote by proxy shall be according to the provisions of Article XV herein only.

(c)  The Board of Directors shall have general charge of the affairs of the TSCA and may properly assume such other duties as are not specially assigned to or performed by any committees as may in their judgment be necessary. 

(d)  The Board of Directors shall have the authority to conduct investigations or hearings relative to any complaint against any shooter who, or any club, which, in the opinion of the Board is guilty of un-sportsmanlike conduct, or any prejudicial acts that are detrimental to the best interest of the TSCA and to take such action, as the Board deems appropriate.

(e)  The Board of Directors shall have full charge of all matters covered in the Constitution and By-Laws, including special meetings, and any and all other business that is reasonably presumed to fall within the powers or duties of the Board.

(f)  A vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors even if there is less than a quorum of the Board of Directors.  The filling of a vacancy on the Board must be properly noticed as an agenda item, before it can be properly considered or voted upon.  The Board of Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of the Board of Directors by the membership-at-large.

ARTICLE VII - CLUB MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(a)  Membership:

Any gun club in the State of Texas, having at least one sporting clays course or NSCA approved five-stand sporting clay range shall be eligible for membership in the TSCA, provided said club is a concurrent member in good standing of the NSCA and shall, at all times, follow the Rules and Regulations of the NSCA.  The membership and shooting year is from January 1 to December 31 of each year.  Memberships are granted solely on an annual basis.

Upon application, payment of the prescribed dues, if applicable, and subsequent vote of approval by the Board of Directors, any club within the State of Texas may become a member and shall enjoy all privileges of the TSCA.

(b)  Responsibilities:

(1)  Any member club holding a registered shoot is required to determine that no shooter

participates before showing his or her NSCA card and, if applicable, TSCA membership card, in addition to paying the fees and/or dues as described in Articles IX and X herein.  Any club failing to ascertain that any resident participating in a registered shoot is a current TSCA member may be responsible for the shooter’s annual dues, if any, and may be billed by the TSCA.

(2)  It shall be the host club’s responsibility to forward all monies due to the TSCA to the Treasurer within fifteen days following completion of the shoot.  Host clubs not complying with this fifteen (15) day requirement shall be assessed a penalty of $25.00 per month, until paid.

(3)  It shall be the host clubs responsibility to notify the Treasurer of the TSCA of any scheduled shoots that are cancelled.  The cancellation must be in written form by letter, facsimile (fax) or electronic mail (e-mail) as soon as possible but no later than fifteen (15) days after the scheduled date of the shoot.

(4)  The President of the TSCA shall have the authority to impose a restriction of a club’s standing in the TSCA for further registered shoots until said club makes payment to the Treasurer to put the club in good standing with the TSCA.

ARTICLE VIII - INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

(a)  Any resident of the State of Texas shall be eligible for membership in the TSCA, provided said resident is a current member in good standing with the NSCA and is not restricted from owning or operating firearm under any state or federal laws.  The term “resident” is defined as a person who has resided in the State of Texas for not less than the immediately preceding ninety-day period.

(b)  Any member in good standing shall have the privilege of discussing or speaking on any subject at any annual or special meeting of the TSCA.  Any member in good standing is entitled to one vote on the election of officers at the Annual State Meeting.

ARTICLE IX - ANNUAL DUES:

(a)  Club Affiliation Dues:

Club affiliation dues, if applicable with the TSCA, shall be made annually.  The annual dues, in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors, are payable in advance.  Only those clubs, which have paid their annual dues, shall be considered in good standing.  Payment of annual dues shall be made to the Treasurer and are due and payable by December 31st of the preceding year for which registration is requested.

(b)  Individual Membership Dues:

The TSCA reserves the right to set dues on an annual basis.  The annual dues are payable in advance and only those residents who have paid their annual dues shall be considered in good standing.  Payment of annual dues shall be made to the Treasurer and are due and payable prior to registration of targets for target year.

ARTICLE X - FEES:

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(a)  Each registered shooter shall be charged a State fee of one cent ($.01) per target for registration of targets with the TSCA.  The aforementioned fee is in addition to any applicable NSCA fees charged, and includes both resident and non-resident shooters participating in a registered shoot in the State of Texas.

ARTICLE XI - ANNUAL STATE TOURNAMENT:

(a)  The Annual State Tournament will be awarded by the TSCA Board of Directors according to the criteria set for the upcoming year.  The Board of Directors will select the host club and at least one alternate to host the State Shoot one year in advance.  Member clubs interested in hosting the State Shoot shall be required to submit an Annual State Shoot Proposal/Bid outlining the costs, services, accommodations, prizes and other pertinent information for the Board’s review and consideration.  Any Proposal/Bid must be received by the Secretary of the TSCA at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual State Shoot meeting.

(b)  Any member club in good standing in the State of Texas that is capable of setting at least two courses may submit its proposal to the TSCA Board of Directors for consideration.  To be chosen, a host club must clearly identify its ability to promote sporting clays to the members of the TSCA and advance the purposes and values of the TSCA and NSCA.

(c)  In the event the club scheduled to host the Annual State Tournament elects not to hold the tournament or otherwise cannot fulfill the obligations set forth in its proposal, the alternate club shall be granted the right of first refusal to hold the Annual State Tournament.  If the alternate club elects not to hold the Annual State Tournament or otherwise cannot fulfill the obligations required to host the State Tournament, the TSCA Board of Directors shall award the year’s Annual State Tournament, in their sole and absolute discretion.

(d)  The club that accepts the Texas State Tournament will withdraw from the Zone 6 Shoot bid process if said club is bidding on both shoots in the same calendar year, unless said club is the only club to bid on the Zone 6 Shoot.

ARTICLE XII - TOURNAMENT RULES:

(a)  The latest revised rules of the NSCA shall govern all tournaments sanctioned by the TSCA.

ARTICLE XIII - Tournament Scheduling:

(a)  Any member club desiring to register a tournament with the NSCA shall make its application through the Treasure of the TSCA in order that the date of said may be recorded by the Treasure and the records of the TSCA be kept up to date.

(b)  Shoot dates at a range owners meeting.  Dates will be selected by the following process:

(1)  Clubs will pick in order of descending number of registered targets for a period of time as close to the target year as possible for the Treasurer.

(2)  Each club shall get one pick per round.  All member clubs may have one two-day pick.  They will remain in rotation with the other clubs for that round.  All picks may not be changed until the conclusion of the meeting and then only if all clubs concerned agree to the change.

(3)  Dates will be approved provided they meet the zone exclusion rule and any other rule as agreed upon by range owners and/or the TSCA

Board of Directors.  Individual clubs may waive the zone exclusion rule on a case by case basis approved by the Treasurer.

(c)  If a club chooses a shoot date and then cancels that shoot, written notification to the TSCA Treasurer and the NSCA is required.  It is the sole responsibility of the club to notify the shooters that the tournament has been cancelled.

(d)  No member of the TSCA Board of Directors may act as an agent for any range for the selection of shoot dates.

(e)  Range owners or their authorized representative must be present at the range owners shoot selections meeting to participate in the shoot selection proceedings.

ARTICLE XIV - ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS:

(a)  The Annual State Meeting of the TSCA shall be held during the Annual State Tournament.  Notice of the ASM shall be printed in the Annual State Championship Program.

(b)  Special meetings of the TSCA may be called at any time by the President or by written request of any two elected officers or directors of the TSCA.  Notice of any special meetings and the purpose thereof shall be set out for the membership at least ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting.  Posting of notice of special meeting dates shall be by facsimile (fax), mail, electronic mail (e-mail), or on the authorized website of the TSCA.  No business shall be transacted at such meeting except as specified in the notice.

ARTICLE XV - QUORUM:

A quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of the officers and directors then serving the TSCA, either in person or by proxy.  A quorum for the transaction of business requiring the vote of the membership shall be a simple majority of those members present at any such meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE XVI - VOTING BY PROXY:

(a)  Any member of the Board of Directors may be represented by written proxy in the event they are unable to attend any regular or called meeting.  Members must submit by letter, facsimile (fax) or electronic mail (e-mail) the proxy form provided by the Secretary of the TSCA.  This form must be returned to the Secretary prior to the meeting.  In the event that the absent members proxy is not able to attend the meeting, the absent members proxy vote will not be recognized.

(b)  The TSCA President may secure a vote on any resolution pertaining to TSCA business, except amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, by securing a vote from the members of the Board of Directors by letter, facsimile (fax) or electronic mail (e-mail) to the Secretary for counting, filing and safe keeping.  The vote shall be counted and the Board of Directors shall be notified within ten (10) days after the vote has been called for.

ARTICLE XVII - AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS:

The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws may be amended as follows:

(a) Any member in good standing may propose an amendment to the TSCA By-Laws to be presented to the

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membership for vote by providing a petition containing actual signatures and corresponding NSCA membership number, for verification, of TSCA members in good standing equal to a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the current state membership as certified by the NSCA.

(b) By a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the TSCA, the Board of Directors may propose an amendment to the TSCA By-Laws to be presented to the membership for vote.

(c) By procedures outlined above, proposed amendment(s) shall be submitted to the Secretary of the TSCA at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual State Meeting.  The Secretary of the TSCA will notify each member of the Board of Directors within ten (10) days after submission of the proposed amendment(s), stating exactly what amendment(s) in the Articles of Incorporation and/or By-Laws are contemplated.

(d) The proposed amendment(s) will be presented to the membership by ballot, within sixty (60) days of presentation to and validation by the Secretary of the TSCA and a majority vote will be govern the decision to pass or defeat the proposed amendment(s) and that the vote to pass or defeat the proposed amendments(s) will be effective immediately at the close of voting.

(e) Voting on proposed amendment(s) by the membership-at-large, as directed by the Board of Directors of the TSCA, will be conducted for a minimum of fifteen (15) days to maximum of thirty (30) days after ballots are presented to the membership.

(f) The voting deadline will be clearly marked and visible on each ballot presented to the membership.

(g) Certification of the results of all voting by the membership will be by the President of the TSCA and all records will be kept for a minimum of three (3) years and made available to any member of the TSCA in good standing, upon request.

(h) Results of all voting shall be written into the minutes of the next meeting of the Board of Directors with the actual count of members voting for and members voting against the proposed amendment(s) shown.

ARTICLE XVIII - ORDER OF BUSINESS:

(a)  The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows:

1.       Roll Call and seating of Board Members.

2.       Reading of Minutes (at the Annual State Meeting reading of the previous Annual Meeting shall be read.).

3.       Public Forum (limited to 15 minutes).

4.       Reports of Officers.

5.       Reports of Committees.

6.       Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.

7.       Unfinished business.

8.       Election of Officers (Annual State Meeting only).

9.       Awarding next Annual State Tournament (Annual State Meeting only).

10.    New business.

11.    Executive Session.

12.    Adjournment.

ARTICLE XIX - STATE TEAMS:

(a)  The NSCA will annually select an NSCA All-State Team from Texas according to the NSCA Rules & Regulations in effect at the time of the selection.

ARTICLE XX - REFEREES:

(a)  The TSCA will follow the guidelines and requirements of the NSCA regarding the use of referees at registered and sanctioned TSCA shoots.

ARTICLE XXI - SHOOT PARTICIPATION:

(a)  Any shooter in good standing with the NSCA and, if applicable, the TSCA and not in violation of TSCA or NSCA rules or regulations or any state or federal laws as described in Article VIII herein shall be allowed to come upon the grounds of any member club holding a registered open shoot and participate in the shoot, if he/she so desires.  Any member club finding it necessary to deviate from the Article of the By-Laws shall obtain written permission, in advance, from the President of the TSCA.

(b)  The TSCA adopts and incorporates the Penalties/Suspension provisions of the NSCA Rules & Regulations, both current and amended from time to time.  Any club who disallows participation by a member shooter in a sanctioned shoot must notify the Secretary of the TSCA in writing.

ARTICLE XXII - PENALTIES/SUSPENSIONS:

(a)  The TSCA adopts and incorporates the Penalties/Suspension provisions of the NSCA Rules & Regulations, both current and as amended from time to time by the NSCA.

(b)  The TSCA Board of Directors reserves the right to impose Penalties and/or Suspensions on any member club or member after hearings or investigations of any complaint received and the Board finds those acts to be prejudicial or detrimental to the best interests of the TSCA and its members, including but not limited to, unsportsmanlike conduct.

(c)  All complaints, penalties and/or suspensions against member clubs and/or member shooters will be addressed by executive session to protect the privacy of said parties involved.

(d)  All complaints against a member club or a member shooter must be in writing and sent to the Secretary of the TSCA before any further action is instigated by the TSCA.

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