BY-LAWS of The Michigan Taxidermist Association
By-Laws
Michigan Taxidermist Association
ARTICLE I: NAME, PURPOSE, AND USE OF REVENUE
SECTION 1: NAME
Name of the Association shall be the Michigan Taxidermist Association, hereinafter referred to as the MTA.
SECTION II: PURPOSE
(a) Provide educational training and learning opportunities about the Art of Taxidermy and related fields to its members and non-members through outreach efforts and methods thereby facilitating higher industry standards.
(b) Promote high standards in the art of taxidermy through competitions and educational training seminars and improving work quality to higher commercial and competition standards.
(c) Promote the learning, understanding, and acquisition of new methods, techniques, and procedures to improve taxidermy product standards using training seminars, workshops, presentations, and other media conducted and prepared by recognized knowledgeable professionals in the taxidermy industry.
(d) Provide educational opportunities to the public about the field of taxidermy using competitions, training seminars, workshops, presentations, and other media at public venues.
(e) Provide educational training seminars, workshops, presentations, and other media opportunities prepared and conducted by state and federal regulatory and legal specialists to assist the members and non-members in their understanding of the Federal and State Fish and Game Laws.
(f) It will be the goal of the MTA to assist in the conservation of all our natural resources for the future generations.
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(g) To engage in such other civic, charitable, educational, and business activities that the MTA shall deem appropriate.
SECTION III. USE OF REVENUE AND USE OF REVENUE FOR LAWFUL PURPOSE
(a) Use of Revenue: All funds and assets of the MTA shall be used only for purposes that are consistent with the purposes of the MTA and for actual administrative expenses in conducting the affairs of the MTA under the direction and with the approval of the Board of Directors.
(b) Use of Revenue for Lawful Purpose: Revenues of the MTA shall not be used for the benefit of any individual or member of the MTA except to further the lawful purpose of the MTA.
ARTICLE II MEMBERS
SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP DEFINED
(a) A membership is defined as a member, their spouse or a named significant other, and children under age 19, who have paid their current dues for the current year as prescribed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION II. MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) All members that provide taxidermy services for pay, are expected to have the applicable permits and licenses as required from State and Federal Authorities.
SECTION III: VOTING PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS
(a) Two adult members in good standing in accordance to ArticleV, SectionIV, Code of Conduct, voting individually of each other, per family, shall have the right to vote on matters affecting the operations of the MTA, which will be properly presented for their consideration at duly constituted membership meetings of the MTA.
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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SECTION 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND GENERAL BOARD MEMBERS
(a) The board of Directors shall consist of Principal Officers and General Board Members.
(b) The Principal Officers of the Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
(c) General Board Member positions are limited to a maximum of ten (10) per year. SECTION II. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
(a) President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and General Board Members shall be elected annually by the Membership by ballot vote during the annual MTA convention Membership meeting.
(b) Officers and General Board Members shall hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
(c) General Board Member positions are limited to a maximum of ten (10) per year.
(d) Terms shall be served yearly from election at annual MTA convention Membership meeting until election at following year’s annual MTA convention Membership meeting.
ARTICLE IV. PRINCIPAL OFFICERS
SECTION I. PRESIDENT
(a) The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the MTA.
(b) Shall preside at all MTA meetings and shall perform other duties as may be specified from time to time by the Membership.
(c) Shall assign duties to other officers, board members, and members as deemed appropriate.
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(d) The President and Treasurer will rectify hard copies of the financial records provided by financial institutions at the end of year and before the annual report is published.
SECTION II. VICE-PRESIDENT
(a) The Vice President shall assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the President or the Membership.
(b) Shall oversee responsibilities of the Competition Chairperson.
(1) Shall contact and obtain services of appropriate judges for the MTA competition. (2) Shall present and secure judges agreements and W-9 form from all paid judges. (3) Shall maintain and update competition rules, divisions, and categories. Updates
and changes to be presented to the Board of Directors for approval by vote. (4) Shall oversee scheduling of seminars, vendors, and show activities.
SECTION III. SECRETARY
(a) The Secretary shall take accurate minutes of all meetings of the Officer / Board Members as well as General Membership Meetings.
(b) Publish notice of all future meetings and minutes of past meetings as necessary.
(c) Maintain a current portable file system, which among other things will include all records of correspondence and follow-up, of printed or digital communications.
(d) Responsible for all correspondence to the membership and non-membership as necessary.
(e) Shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the President or Membership.
SECTION IV. TREASURER
(a) The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds, donations, and monies of the MTA.
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(b) Perform financial duties of all other property and records as specified in the current minutes.
(c) Be responsible for accurate records of all receipts and disbursements of the MTA in financial books to be maintained for that purpose.
(d) Will deposit all assets in the name and to the credit of the MTA.
(e) Will open all books, records, and vouchers for inspection by MTA members and the public via a written request, printed or email copy of books to be made available within 30 days of request.
(f) Will render two (2) books exact copies, one for the Treasurer and one for the President with a full and detailed account of all receipts and expenditures and on trimester basis to all Officer Board Members showing the financial status of the MTA.
(g) A monthly statement will be sent to the President, to accurately forecast financial planning.
(h) Will reimburse expenses for Officers / Board Members providing such expense reports submitted are supported with propeir receipts or true copies thereof.
[I]Expense reimbursements as needed are subject to review at each Board Meeting and may require prior approval as deemed necessary for the Membership at the next available meeting.
SECTION V. MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
(a) The Membership Coordinator shall have custody of Membership records and is expected to be at all Membership meetings.
(b) The Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining the MTA official up to date membership records on a meeting by meeting basis as close to possible with records currently available.
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(c) Maintained membership records to include the member’s name (as defined in effective by-laws), business name (if provided by the member), mailing address, phone number, and email as provided by the member.
(d) The record for each member shall reflect whether or not the member’s membership fee is paid in full (including the amount) for the current year.
(e) Upon receipt of a member’s renewal or new membership, and after the member’s information has been recorded, the Coordinator shall deposit collected dues into the MTA Treasury.
(f) Membership records shall be maintained in a spreadsheet format that can be easily provided for the MTA purposes by The Officers and Board of Directors.
(g) Membership Coordinator is to be appointed to this position by the President of the MTA and is not an officer or elected position.
SECTION VI. BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
A Board Member shall be defined as a person who represents the MTA and serves the organization's purpose. A Board Member is to be elected by General Membership or appointed by the President.
(a) Board Members shall attend all Board and Membership meetings. Board Members may miss one meeting per annual term. Board Member’s missing more than two meetings may be subject to removal by vote, from the Board of Directors.
(b) Board Members shall assume and perform duties designated by the MTA officers / Board, and or Members.
ARTICLE V. REMOVAL AND VACANCIES
SECTION I. REMOVAL OF AN OFFICER OR GENERAL BOARD MEMBER
(a) An officer or General Board member may be removed by the President or by a majority Vote of the Board of Directors present at the duly noted meeting with just cause and subject to a majority vote of the General Membership at the next meeting.
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SECTION II. RESIGNATION
(a) Any Officer or General Board Member may resign their position by written notice to the President. The resignation shall become effective on the date specified, or if no date is specified, upon receipt by the President.
(b) Acceptance of resignation shall not be necessary to render the resignation effective.
(c) An Officer or Board Member that does not fulfill their one (1) year obligation of elected service will not be eligible for an Officer / Board Member position by vote or appointment to that position in the next election.
● Under extenuating circumstances a board member that has resigned may be eligible for next election with a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors.
SECTION III. VACANCIES
(a) Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by appointment by the President and shall hold office until the next election.
SECTION IV. CODE OF CONDUCT AS A MTA MEMBER, I:
(a) Will abide by the State and Federal laws concerning my profession. (b) Will deal with my customers and colleagues, courteously, helpfully and honestly. (c) Will not accept work if it is beyond my ability to represent the species. (d) Will do my part to conserve, promote and support wildlife and their habitat.
(e) Will constantly find ways to upgrade my talents and methods of taxidermy and share this knowledge with other members by seminars, etc. in the interest of upgrading and promoting the Art of Taxidermy.
(f) Will support the MTA and the professionalism it stands for and encourage others into the membership.
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(g) Will not participate in use of profanity / verbal abuse of another Member / Board member at any time; this conduct will result in review of member’s good standing by the Ethics Committee.
(h) Any complaints received by the Board will be directed to the Ethics Committee (President, Vice President, Appointed Board member and appointed member) and will be investigated impartially with results presented at the next available officer / board meeting. Complaints may originate from other members or the public or both. Depending on the seriousness of the complaint, officers / board may elect to have member(s) in question present for their defense. Membership may be subject to revocation by unanimous vote of officers / board if the facts presented clearly show willful violation of the Code of Conduct by an MTA member. Violations of minor nature which appear frequent and habitual during a calendar year may be subjected to the above willful violation procedure, but no less than an official reprimand. It is the intent of the Association to promote and upgrade the Art of Taxidermy, both as an art and a profession.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
Section 1. OFFICER MEETINGS
(a) The Officer / Board meeting shall be held the day of the General Membership Meeting.
(b) Officers may meet in person or virtually from time to time as deemed appropriate and necessary.
SECTION II. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
(a) The General Membership shall meet in person or virtually for at least three (3) Membership meetings to be held in the summer, winter, and at the MTA convention Membership meeting.
SECTION III. MTA CONVENTION / COMPETITION
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(a) This convention shall be at least a two (2) day exhibition / competition meeting for the MTA members.
(b) The exhibition portion of this convention shall be open to the public.
(c) The annual election of the Board of Directors shall take place at the time of this convention.
(d) This competition / convention shall be held at a designated location. SECTION IV. SPECIAL MEETINGS
(a) Special meetings may be called at any time the Officers / Board deem necessary. The membership shall be notified at least seven (7) days if the meeting is a virtual meeting, and at least fourteen (14) days if the meeting is to be in person. The notice shall specify date, place, and time of meeting and the purpose(s) for which it is to convene.
(b) Emergency Board Meeting may be called by the President or Vice President, under extreme circumstances, with 24 hours notification to all Board Members and Membership. Meeting may be in person or by electronic means as deemed appropriate.
SECTION V. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING
(a) Any action required to be at a meeting of the general membership or Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a written consent stating the action so taken, shall be signed by all the members, or Board Members as the case may be, who are entitled to vote with the respect thereof.
(b) Verification of consent may be made via phone, email, or in person to the President. SECTION VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ACTION AND QUORUM (a) Board of Directors Action will require a ⅔ quorum of the Board of Directors. SECTION VII. UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
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(a) If any meeting cannot take place due to unforeseen circumstances and out of the MTA’s control, the Board of Directors shall decide an appropriate action.
ARTICLE VII FISCAL YEAR
(a) Fiscal year of the MTA shall be January 1 to December 31.
ARTICLE VIII. DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1. RESOLUTION TO DISSOLVE
(a) A Resolution to Dissolve the MTA and wind up its affairs shall be initiated by Resolution of the Board of Directors recommending such Dissolution and directing that the question be submitted to a vote of the General Membership. The Resolution of Dissolution shall thereafter be adopted by vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the General Membership of the MTA present at this meeting, duly convened for that purpose, pursuant to a written notice stating such purpose. Upon adoption of such Resolution by the General Membership, the MTA shall cease to conduct its business, except insofar as may be necessary for termination thereof. It shall immediately cause a Notice of the Proposed Dissolution to be mailed via United States Postal Service to each of its creditors and shall proceed to collect its assets and distribute them to another nonprofit organization as determined by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
(a) These By-laws may be amended and adopted by majority vote of the MTA present at a General Membership Meeting, the substance of the Amendment(s) having been stated at the General Membership meeting or throughout the course of the year in a Notice to the General Membership.
(b) These By-laws must be reviewed every five years and/or revised by the Board of Directors as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
History of Actions taken on By-laws:
Revised 11-05-2006
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Approved 03-18-2007
Revised 01-27-2008
Revised 12-05-2010
Draft Revision 08-09-11 for 501(c)(3)
02-09-14 Final Revision for 501(c)(3) approved by membership
Revised 03-14-2021
Draft revision for updated bylaws 1-10-24
Revised 02-17-2024 approved by membership
