As approved by the General Membership at the GSSA Annual Meeting:
GEORGIA SPORT SHOOTING ASSOCIATION, INC. By Laws
Article I – Name, Purpose, and Objectives
SECTION 1. NAME. This corporation shall be known as the Georgia Sport Shooting Association, Inc., and shall hereinafter be referred to as the Association or GSSA.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES. The Association shall be a non-profit membership corporation with specific purposes and objectives set forth in its Articles of Incorporation and shall pursue such other objectives, not inconsistent with its Articles of Incorporation as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The purpose of GSSA is to promote the shooting sports in Georgia, to educate others about the competitive shooting sports, to serve as the state organization for the National Rifle Association, to sanction state competitions according the rules and regulations of the National Rifle Association, to generally promote the competitive spirit, to foster good citizenship and to promote patriotism to country and state.
SECTION 3. GSSA FOUNDATION, INC. One of the Association’s purposes and objective will be to financially support the GSSA Foundation, Inc., a tax exempt charity organized under the laws of this State and tax exempt under the United States Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3). The primary purpose of the GSSA Foundation is to provide grants to persons and organizations that advance, support or participate in the competitive shooting sports. GSSA Foundation will also provide scholarships to deserving students with the highest character and morals, regardless of race, national origin or religion. The Board of Directors for the Georgia Sport Shooting Association, Inc. shall serve as Board of Directors for GSSA Foundation, Inc.
Article II – Membership
SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP. Membership shall be open to all citizens of the United States who are natural persons of good reputation and good moral character, who subscribe to the purposes and objectives of the Association, are not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law and who meet the additional requirements for the type membership for which making application. Associate Club Memberships shall be available to those organizations that subscribe to the purposes and objectives of the Association and meet additional requirements as set forth in Section 2(f).
SECTION 2. TYPES. Membership shall consist of six types: (a) Annual, (b) Junior, (c) Family, (d) Life, (e) Nonresident, and (f) Associate Club.
(a) Annual. Annual membership shall be open to any resident of the State of Georgia who is a natural person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of application, who shall make application on the prescribed forms, and pay the required dues. After approval, the Secretary shall issue a membership card, which shall expire one year from the date of issuance unless renewed. Annual members shall have all rights and privileges of membership, including voting rights, receipt of Association publications, right to hold any office for which eligible, and such additional rights and privileges of membership, which may hereafter accrue, except those reserved to life members, patron and benefactor members.
(b) Junior. Junior membership shall be open to any resident of the State of Georgia who is a natural person below the age of twenty-one through December 31, of the calendar year in which his or her twentieth birthday occurs. A person seeking membership as a Junior shall make application in the same manner as for annual members. Such membership shall entitle the member to all privileges and rights of annual membership except voting and the holding of elected office. Applicants that meet the criteria of Junior members, have National Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty Status, and receive support may not be a Junior member.
(c) Family. Family membership shall be open to all persons who are dependent members of either an annual, life or greater member’s household (temporary absence for school or military service shall not disqualify one from family membership), and who shall make application for membership in the manner prescribed for annual members. Such membership shall entitle only the adult member whose name is on the application to vote or hold office and only one copy of Association publications shall be sent to each such household.
(d) Life. Life memberships are no longer available. All current Life members, Patron members and Benefactor members shall retain their current status. Said members shall be entitled to all the benefits accruing to an annual member and shall enjoy such special recognition and benefits accruing to life members as may be determined from time to time by the Association. Current Life members may still upgrade their membership to Patron or Benefactor Life Members.
(e) Non-resident. Non-resident membership shall be open to all persons who meet the qualifications for annual membership other than residency in the State of Georgia, and who make application in the prescribed manner. Such members shall not be eligible to vote or hold any office.
(f) Associate Club. Club membership shall be open to any duly organized, recognized and fully operational club, association or non-profit corporation that are a resident of the State of Georgia, which subscribe to the purposes and objectives of the Association, makes application and tenders the required dues. Such membership shall be for a period of one year. Clubs shall not be eligible to vote or hold any office. Clubs may designate one person as a delegate to address the Association at the annual meeting of the Association and to give a report on the status and news of their Club. All reports and commentary shall be limited in time as set by the President and reports shall be informational only.
SECTION 3. DUES. The Board of Directors will propose the annual amount for membership dues for each class of member for the coming year. Any proposed changes must be published in the newsletter at least 30 days prior to the annual meeting. The changes must be approved by a majority of voting members present and voting at the annual meeting. The Board of Directors, upon affirmative vote by a majority of the Board, shall have the authority to levy an assessment on the membership for special purposes. The total of all such assessments during any calendar year may not exceed 50% of the annual membership dues during that year. Life members shall be assessed in the same monetary amount as the assessments against annual members. Junior, Non-resident and Associate Club members shall not be assessed.
SECTION 4. VOTING. Only Annual, eligible Family Member or Life members in good standing and present at any meeting of the Association who have been a member for at least one year shall be eligible to vote. Each such member in good standing may only cast one vote. All votes must be cast in person by the members exercising his or her right to vote at a meeting of the Association. No votes may be cast by proxy, absentee ballot or by email. No member shall be entitled to cast any vote if indebted to the Association for dues or assessments.
SECTION 5. TERMINATION. Annual membership shall automatically terminate upon expiration, unless renewed prior to termination. Membership shall terminate automatically with respect to any member who under state or federal law loses the right to possess a firearm. Payment of annual dues within a six-month grace- period following termination shall reinstate the member from the original expiration date with voting rights restored. The member may not hold office during the grace period. Any member who fails to renew within six months of expiration date will be deleted from the GSSA roster and will have to reapply for membership. The member will lose his or her right to vote and hold office until he or she has again been a member for one year. A member may be expelled from the Association for cause upon affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Board. A member may be suspended from the Association upon affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. No vote for suspension or expulsion shall be taken unless fifteen days written notice by certified mail shall has been provided to the member by the Secretary. Such notice shall inform the member of the charges against him or her and shall include a copy of all documents relevant to the charges. The notice shall also state the time and place of the meeting, the member’s right to appear and be heard and the right to present evidence and examine witnesses. Charges may be preferred against a member by any member in good standing, but must be in writing, shall be specific, and the charges shall be presented to the Board of Directors for hearing. A suspended member may be reinstated by vote of a majority of the Board. He or she will not be eligible to vote or hold office for the duration of his or her suspension.
Article III – Meetings
SECTION 1. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on a Saturday in September or October of each year as determined by the Board at the previous Annual Meeting. The place of the Annual meeting shall be at a place designated by the President, subject to Board approval and notice of the Annual Meeting shall be provided to the membership at least thirty days prior to the annual meeting date. Such notice may be provided by email and by posting on the Association web page. If the annual meeting cannot be held at the appointed time due to a lack of a quorum, the Secretary will send out notices, at least thirty days in advance of a new meeting date and time, to take place within three months after the originally scheduled annual meeting. Current Officers and Directors will continue to serve until elections are held. The purpose of the annual meeting shall be to elect officers and directors, receive reports, conduct regular business, and for any other business properly brought before the Association. The minutes of the annual meeting and a notice containing the results of the election and email contact information for the officers and directors shall be placed on the Association official website within fifteen days of the Annual meeting and must be included in the official journal of the Association.
SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Association may be held at any time, either upon call of the President, upon call of two-thirds of the Board of Directors, or upon written demand by not less that twenty-five members of the Association, or ten percent of the membership, whichever is greater. The demand shall state the purpose and object of such meeting. Written notice of time, place, and purpose of any special meeting shall be posted on the Association’s website and emailed to all members by the Secretary not less than fifteen days prior to the date of the meeting. The place of any meeting shall be at a place centrally located within the state, designated by the President, subject to change by vote of two-thirds of the board of Directors.
SECTION 3. QUORUM. A quorum of twelve members, in good standing with the Association and who are eligible to vote, shall be necessary to conduct business at any annual or special meeting. If there is a lack of quorum at an annual or special meeting, the Board of Directors may change the quorum requirement so that business may be conducted. Such a change will require a 2/3 majority vote in favor of modifying the quorum with all members of the Board of Directors voting. The quorum requirement can only be modified for one meeting per year, with quorum reverting back to eighteen members at the adjournment of the meeting.
SECTION 4. PARLIMENTARY PROCEDURE. All meetings required or authorized by these bylaws shall be held within the boundaries of the State of Georgia and shall be governed by the latest edition of Roberts’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR).
(a) Parliamentarian. The Board of Directors will appoint a Board member to serve as parliamentarian at all meetings of the general membership, committees and Board of Directors meetings. The parliamentarian will advise the President on any dispute or clarification concerning a rule of parliamentary procedure and the President shall make a decision based on that advice. Any further dispute or disagreement with the President’s parliamentary decision shall be handled according to the provisions contained in RONR. The President or his or her designee will serve as parliamentarian in the event that the appointed parliamentarian is unavailable or unable to attend a meeting.
Article IV – Board of Directors
SECTION 1. GENERAL. The Association shall be managed by a Board of Directors, who shall have charge of all the affairs and property of the Association, except as may be otherwise designated herein.
SECTION 2. NUMBER, QUALIFICATION. The Board shall consist of three Directors from each of the three federal judicial districts in the State of Georgia and three Directors elected at-large, for a total of twelve Directors. Each Director shall be either an Annual, Life, or the eligible Family member of the Association in good standing, eligible to vote and be a current NRA member.
SECTION 3. SELECTION, TENURE. Only those members eligible to vote under Article II, Section 4 and present at the annual meeting of the Association are eligible to elect any director. Directors shall serve a term of three years.
(a) District Directors. There will be nine District Directors. Three directors will be elected from each of the three federal judicial districts in Georgia to wit: the Northern District of Georgia, the Middle District of Georgia and the Southern District of Georgia. Terms will be staggered. The purpose of staggering elections of Directors is to ensure election of directors each year at the annual meeting. Initially, one director from each district will be elected to serve a term of one year, with subsequent terms of three years. One director from each district will be elected for to serve a term of two years, with subsequent terms of three years. One director from each district will be elected to serve a term of three years with subsequent terms of three years. Following the initial election of Directors, all subsequent elections will be for a period of three-year terms. Members residing in a federal judicial district may vote only for persons seeking election in that member’s federal judicial district of residence. In other words, a person residing in the Northern District of Georgia may not vote for a person seeking election as a Director that resides in the Middle or Southern Districts. A person that lives in one federal judicial district, but works in another federal judicial district, may only vote for a Director that lives in the federal judicial district where that member lives, not where he or she works. Where a person lives shall be that person’s legal county of residency according to Georgia law.
(b) Directors At-Large. There will be three (3) Directors elected at-large by the membership. Terms will be staggered. The purpose of staggering elections of Directors is to ensure election of directors each year at the annual meeting. Initially, one director will be elected at-large to serve a term of one year, with subsequent terms of three years. A second director will be elected at-large to serve a term of two years, with subsequent terms of three years. A third director will be elected at-large to serve a term of three years with subsequent terms of three years. Following the initial election of At- large Directors, all subsequent elections will be for a period of three-year terms.
(c) All Directors shall be eligible to succeed themselves for one additional term and shall not be eligible for election to additional terms as a Director unless the Director has not been a Director for at least one term, following serving two consecutive terms. Directors who have missed two consecutive annual meetings will not be eligible to run for election nor continue to hold their seat, even if no one runs against them
(d) Nominations of Directors.
(1) Nominations for election as a District Director to the Board of Directors by a member who is present at the annual meeting may only be made by such a member who is in good standing, eligible to vote and resides in the federal judicial district in which the nominee resides. Nominations for election to the Board of a member who is not present must be made by a member who is present at the annual meeting, in good standing, eligible to vote, who resides in the nominee’s federal judicial district and can show written permission and approval by the nominee of their nomination, signed by the nominee. Notwithstanding the requirement of the nominee’s signed approval of nomination for election to the Board of Directors approval by the nominee, who cannot be present at the annual meeting, may be made by the nominee’s email or by the nominee’s electronic messaging stating that he or she approves of the nomination, with the nominee/member’s name typed at the end of the email or electronic message. The nominee in any election for a District Director must be a GSSA and NRA member in good standing, eligible to vote and reside in the federal judicial district for district director where he or she is seeking election
(2) Nominations for election as a Director At-Large to the Board may be made by any member
who is in good standing, eligible to vote and is in attendance at the annual meeting. Nominations for election to the Board of a member who is not present must be made by a member who is present at the annual meeting, in good standing, eligible to vote, who can show written permission and approval by the nominee of their nomination, signed by the nominee. Notwithstanding the requirement of the nominee’s signed approval of nomination for election to the Board of Directors approval by the nominee, who cannot be present at the annual meeting, may be made by the nominee’s email stating that he or she approves of the nomination, with the nominee/member’s name typed at the end of the email. The nominee in any election for a Director At-Large Director must be a GSSA and NRA member in good standing, and eligible to vote.
(e) Disqualification. If a person unqualified for the position at the time of the election is elected to the Board, he or she will forfeit his or her position immediately upon discovery of the error and the person with the next highest vote count from the original election will take the position. (Paying dues after the election is not acceptable.)
SECTION 4. MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after the Annual meeting of the Association, and the Board may conduct such additional meetings of the Board throughout the year, as it may deem necessary. Each director shall be entitled to not less than fifteen days’ notice of any Board meeting. Meetings may be called by the President or on demand by one-fourth of the members of the Board. Meetings are to be located within the state at a place designated by the President, subject to Board approval. Emergency Board meetings may be held entirely by telephonic conference call with the same quorum requirements as the regular board meeting. The minutes of this meeting will be emailed to all Board members within fifteen days of any meeting and the Board of Directors will approve or submit corrections to the minutes by email within five days. Minutes will be approved and/or amended at subsequent meetings.
(a) Participation. Except as required by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, Directors may participate in a regular or special meeting through the use of any means of communication, including in person, internet video meeting or by telephonic conference call. For the purposes of these Bylaws, appearance by telephonic conference call shall be considered appearing “in person.” Email may be used to build consensus or to ask questions, however email voting is not allowed by these Bylaws.
SECTION 5. QUORUM. A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board.
SECTION 6. REMOVAL. A Director may be removed for cause by affirmative vote of three-fourths of the entire Board, if fifteen days written notice of the specific charges, the time and the place of meeting, the opportunity to appear and be heard, and the right to present evidence and examine witnesses, was given to the Director.
SECTION 7. VACANCIES. Should a vacancy occur on the Board for any reason, the Board may, at any meeting, elect a member otherwise qualified under Section 3 above, to serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term if office.
SECTION 8. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to hire an Executive Director to carry on all business of the Association, as may be delegated to such office by the Board of Directors and to provide the Executive Director with such facilities and staff as may be required to carry out his or her duties.
SECTION 9. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be from January 1 to December 31 of each year, unless changed by amendment to these Bylaws.
Article V – Officers
SECTION 1. NUMBER. The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall be duly elected and qualified Directors and shall hold such office for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. No person may hold more than one office at one time, unless considered necessary and approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. ELECTION. The officers shall be elected by majority vote of the Directors at their annual meeting and shall be installed immediately upon election.
SECTION 3. DUTIES.
(a) President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and shall exercise general executive supervision over all its affairs, subject to direction and review of the Board. He or she shall preside as chair at all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors. He or she shall be a member of the Board of Directors and a member of all regular and special committees of the Association. He or she shall perform all other duties incident to the office of President and such other specific duties as may be required and assigned to him or her by the Board, and as Chair, shall vote in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
(b) Vice President. In the absence of the President or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting, shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. He or she shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be required or assigned to him or her by the President or the Board.
(c) Secretary. The Secretary shall attend and keep minutes of all meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors. If the Secretary is unable to attend a meeting, the President may designate another Board member to act as the Secretary for the meeting where the Secretary is absent. He or she shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with these bylaws or as otherwise required, shall be custodian of all books, minutes and records of the Association (except financial records), the corporate seal and shall attest to all official documents and resolutions of the Association. He or she shall receive all applications for membership, shall be responsible for the collection of all dues, fees, and assessments and shall remit the same promptly to the Treasurer, providing proper receipt therefor. He or she shall issue such credentials and indicia of membership as may be required by these bylaws or as directed by the Board and shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate roster of all members, including their post office addresses, electronic mail addresses and such other information as the Board may require. He or she shall be responsible for all official correspondence, and shall perform all other duties of the office of Secretary or as may be required or assigned to him or her by the President or the Board. In the performance of his or her duties, he or she may employ persons and/or organizations to maintain records, prepare and mail notices and newsletters as long as the terms of such employment and rates of payment shall first be approved by the Board of Directors. Periodically, but not less than once a quarter, the Secretary shall provide complete and updated membership lists to the President and Vice President.
(d) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Association. He or she shall establish banking and investment accounts in banks, or financial institutions that are financially sound and approved by the Board of Directors, in the Association’s corporate name. Monies shall be withdrawn only by check or financial institution transfer signed or approved by the Treasurer and for payment of authorized expenditures or transfers. The Association President or Vice-President shall be named signatories on all accounts in the event of incapacitation of the Treasurer. He or she shall keep accurate books of account and fiscal records. Any expenditure, made on behalf of the Association, must be supported by vouchers or receipts. He or she shall make every effort to attend all meetings of the Board, shall make a Treasurer’s Report when such a report is required by the Board, and shall make an annual Treasurer’s Report to the Association at its annual meeting. If the Treasurer is unavailable to attend any meeting, the Treasurer shall submit a Treasurer’s Report to the President for dissemination to the Board and Members. He or she shall perform such other duties incident to the office of Treasurer and as required by these Bylaws, or assigned to the Treasurer by the President or the Board.
SECTION 4. VACANCIES. In the event of a vacancy in any office, other than President, because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the President may name a qualified member to serve as an acting officer until the vacancy is filled by action of the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the office of Vice President shall automatically succeed to the office of President and the office of Vice president shall be thereafter filled by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. REMOVAL. Any officer may be removed for cause, and the office declared vacant, by affirmative vote of three-fourths of the Board of Directors, provided that fifteen days’ notice of the reasons therefore, and of time, place, and purpose of meeting, and of the right to appear, present evidence and examine witnesses, shall be given such officer. In the event of death, incapacity, or permanent removal from the State of any officer, the office may be declared vacant by action of a majority of the members of the Board.
Article VI – Amendments
SECTION 1. BYLAWS. These bylaws may be altered or amended, in whole or in part, at an Annual Meeting as defined in Article III, Section 1 and only if the intended alteration or amendment is provided to the members in any notice of such meeting at least thirty days in advance of the meeting. Adoption of any amendment, alteration, repeal, or substitution shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the eligible members present and voting at the meeting at which such vote was taken. Notice of the action taken with regard to revision or amendment of the bylaws shall be published on the Association’s webpage and in the next issue of the official Association publication following such action. The official publication of the Association may be transmitted by email and will be published on the Association’s official webpage. The current bylaws of the Association shall be published on the Association’s web page.