Beaver County Detecting Club Beaver County, Pennsylvania
By-Laws Revised: September 2018
ARTICLE I – NAME AND LOCATION Section 1 The name of the organization shall be “Beaver County Detecting Club”, referred to herein as BCDC.
Section 2 The BCDC business shall be conducted in Beaver County, Pennsylvania and when authorized by the membership, elsewhere, within and outside the State of Pennsylvania, according to the By-laws of the BCDC.
ARTICLE II –PURPOSE Section 1 To provide an organization for individuals interested in metal detecting and archeology.
Section 2 To promote education and knowledge of metal detecting and archeology techniques, expand awareness and knowledge of local and state history in relation to metal detecting.
Section 3 The BCDC shall be a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES Section 1 Any person interested in metal detecting, treasure hunting, relics and artifacts, may be eligible for membership by application and payment of proper dues.
Section 2 Membership Dues: Shall be per Person (single) or per Family for each year of membership. Persons joining on or after July 1st shall have their dues prorated to 50% of the annual fee. New members joining after October 31st shall pay full dues for the following year. Family Plan includes an individual and spouse and their immediate children ages 12 through 17. Membership dues for the year shall be waived for active charter members and active club officers, i.e., President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Section 3 Active membership shall be limited to persons 18 years of age or older. Members must be in good standing in the club for a period of six months before being eligible to serve as officers of the club.
Section 4 Membership dues shall be payable from October 1st to January 1st of each year. If dues are not paid by January 31st the person will be subject to removal from the active membership roster and will lose all rights of membership. Dues may be paid by check and mailed to the Membership Committee Chairperson, the club Treasurer or may be paid by cash at any club meeting. A membership card shall then be issued.
Section 5 Termination of membership for conduct prejudicial to the welfare and prestige of the BCDC may be made by a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee must first receive a written complaint, then investigate the charges including providing the accused an opportunity to testify. The member will be notified of the decision of the Executive Committee which shall be by secret ballot. The decision of the Executive Committee may be appealed by the accused to the general membership. The member will be notified of the final results of the appeal and the membership roster will be adjusted accordingly. No further appeals will be allowed.
Section 6 The club from time to time may sponsor annual “seeded” hunts, typically one in the spring (around June) and the other in the fall (around October). The BCDC shall fund these “seeded” hunts from monies taken in from the monthly fund raising activities, from member donations and from the assessed hunt fee. A minimum standard hunt fee of $50.00 (subject to change) shall apply to participate in any such “seeded hunt” sponsored by the BCDC. Club members may earn a “credit” by participating in the monthly fund raising activities of the club and/or by making donations to the club sponsored hunt. A “credit” of $1.00 (one dollar) will be given for every $1.00 (one dollar) spent by the member on fund raising activities and/or member donations to the BCDC seeded hunt, subject to a maximum total credit of $30.00 per hunt and shall be applied as a reduction to the standard hunt fee. Credit for donations of “silver or gold” coins shall be based on the current spot/melt value of the coin(s) donated as shown by Coinflation. The value for donations of other than coins shall be based on a reasonable estimate of value made by the President and Treasurer (subject to a maximum credit of $30.00). Credits earned from January through May shall be applied as a reduction to the cost of the Spring Hunt. Credits earned from June through September shall be applied as a reduction to the cost of the Fall Hunt. Members who cannot attend the Spring Hunt, for any reason whatsoever, may carry over all credits earned (subject to a maximum total credit of $30.00 for application to the Fall Hunt. All credits earned in one calendar year must be used on that years “seeded” hunts and cannot be carried over to subsequent years. At year-end, all member credit balances will be reduced to zero with no carry-over to subsequent years.
ARTICLE IV – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1 The Executive Committee shall meet at least once each year or as needed. The Executive Committee shall consist of the president, the vice president, the treasurer and 2 active charter members. If charter members are not available, members will be appointed by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is a separate entity, which the President works under and answers to.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS AND DUTIES Section 1 The officers of this club shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. No one person shall be permitted to hold more than two offices simultaneously in any given year.
Section 2 President: a. The President shall be the chief executive officer and shall supervise the affairs of the BCDC and the activities of the officers. b. The President shall perform all duties incident to the office and such other duties as may be required by the BCDC By-laws, or which may be prescribed from time to time by the Executive Committee. c. The President shall have the general supervision of the BCDC, shall see that all orders and resolutions are carried into effect, that all officers, committees, and individuals perform their assigned duties as provided for by the By-laws, by orders, or by resolution. d. The President shall work under the Executive Committee. e. The President shall preside over all BCDC meetings. f. The President shall appoint all standing and special committees, during a meeting, with the approval of the membership, and shall be considered an ex-officio member of all such committee. g. The President shall sign all contracts along with the signature of the Treasurer.
Section 3 Vice President (VP): a. The VP shall be vested with the powers of the President in that officer’s absence or inability to perform his duty and shall automatically become President if there is a vacancy in that position during the term. b. The VP shall assist other club officers when needed in performing club duties. c. The VP shall perform such other duties as may be assigned or delegated by the Executive Committees or the President.
Section 4 Secretary: a. The Secretary shall keep an up to date record and minutes of all club meetings, including meetings of the Executive Committee. b. The Secretary shall dispatch all correspondence as needed and shall keep a record of such correspondence to and from the BCDC. c. The Secretary have on file an account of all attendance at meetings. d. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be assigned or delegated by the Executive Committee or the President.
Section 5 Treasurer: a. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate records of all receipts and disbursements. b. Receive, and give receipt for, monies due and payable to BCDC from any source. c. Keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of BCDC’s properties and business transactions, including accounts of assets , liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses. d. Shall deposit or cause to be deposited money in a bank or savings and loan approved by the Steering Committee. e. Shall maintain a roster of all paid members. f. Shall receive statements and make payment of bills. g. Any check written from the BCDC Account and payable to the personal name of the Treasurer must be signed by the President. h. Any checks written from the BCDC Account for an amount over $500 must be signed by the President and Treasurer.
ARTICLE VI – ELECTION OF OFFICERS Section 1 The President at or prior to the September meeting shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three members in good standing.
Section 2 The Nominating Committee shall present nominations for officers for the upcoming year at the October meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor at the October meeting and prior to the vote at the November meeting.
Section 3 Any active member in good standing with greater than six months active membership shall be eligible to hold an office. A majority vote, by ballot or show of hands at the November meeting, shall be sufficient to elect or retain officers.
Section 4 Officers shall be installed or re-instated at the December club meeting for the following year.
Section 5 A term of office shall be for one year, from January 1st to December 31st. No member shall hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.
Section 6 Retiring officers shall turn over to their successors all records pertaining to their office at the December meeting.
Section 7 Vacancies in any elected office during the term (with the exception of the President) shall be filled immediately at the next regularly scheduled club meeting. A majority show of hands by those present shall be sufficient to install new officer(s) for the remainder of the term.
Section 8 In the event of a vacant officer’s position that cannot immediately be filled, the Executive Committee may temporarily appoint someone to fill that position until a successor can be voted upon by the general membership. (This could include the officer that just vacated that position even though it may exceed his or her two-year term limit.)
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS AND QUORUM Section 1 Regular meetings shall be held once each month unless circumstances prevent its occurrence. a. Regular meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month unless otherwise decided by a majority vote of the membership or unless rescheduled due to extenuating circumstances. b. The time for the regular meetings shall be 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise decided by a majority vote of the membership. c. Special meetings shall be held at the designated meeting place as decided by a majority vote of the membership.
Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the President or by the Executive Committee.
Section 3 Twenty five percent (25%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE- VIII – AMENDMENTS Section 1 These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting, by a two-thirds vote of those members present. Notice of amendments or revisions shall be submitted via email to all members in good standing ten (10) days prior to such vote being held. The email shall contain the current wording in the By-Laws and the wording of the proposed change. A discussion of the proposed change will precede the voting. If the proposed change passes, a footnote will be added to the By-Laws indicating the date the change was made.
Section 2 The Executive Committee, on a yearly basis, shall review the By-laws for potential revisions.
Section 3 In the event of the dissolution of the BCDC, all its assets and funds shall be given to a non-profit organization(s) voted on by the membership.
Original November 2007 Revised August 2011 Revised January 2013 Revised March 2017 Revised September 2018