BY-LAWS OF THE MANHEIM SPORTSMEN'S ASSOC. INC.
Welcome to the Manheim Sportsmen’s Association, Inc. The Officers and Board of Directors are pleased to have you with us and we hope that your membership in our Association will be long, safe and beneficial. You are encouraged to contact any member of the Board or various committees should you have any questions.
The rules, regulations, and by-laws set forth in this booklet have been established to help
ensure the safe and proper operation of your Association. This information will be reviewed in your formal orientation. If you should have any questions or need further clarification, the orientation session will give you the opportunity to discuss your concerns with a representative of the Association. However, if you have any further questions you may ask any Officer, Director or committee chair of the Association. A list of the Board of Directors is posted in the clubhouse. It would also be helpful for you to keep a record of the Association’s phone numbers in case you need information or an emergency.
Adherence to the rules of the Association is a requirement of membership. It is your duty to bring any violation of the by-laws, rules and regulations or generally accepted safety practices to the attention of the appropriate committee or the board of directors.
The Association and the Board of Directors have a zero tolerance policy regarding gun safety violations on the premises.
Manheim Sportsmen’s Association is your Association. We depend on volunteers to keep the Association functioning. With your help we will remain one of the premier Associations in this area. Again, welcome and thank you for joining our Association.
Officers and Board of Directors
Manheim Sportsmen’s Association, Inc.
Table of Contents
Rules and Regulations
I. MEMBERSHIP
All new applicants for membership must thoroughly read the application and any related
papers, including the rules and regulations.
All members are encouraged to join the National Rifle Association. Membership applications
for the NRA are available through the Association.
Dues are payable to the Membership Secretary from September 1st through December 31st.
Prompt payment is urged.
II: GENERAL RULES
FUNDAMENTAL RULES FOR SAFE GUN HANDLING
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
RULES FOR USING AND STORING A GUN
- Know your target and what is beyond.
- Know how to use the gun safely.
- Be sure your gun is safe to operate.
- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
- Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
- Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
- Store guns so they are inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
- Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions
All firearms are to be carried unloaded while on Association grounds. Exception: Law Enforcement Officers licensed to carry firearms and club members who are permitted to carry a concealed firearm. Those subject to these exceptions may carry handguns loaded, but the handgun shall be holstered, except when on the firing line. Away from the firing lines, firearms shall be holstered or cased. Any infraction to this rule must be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.
All members are required to have a valid, signed membership card while on Association property. Anyone not having a properly validated membership card will be required to leave the Association grounds.
All members and their guests are required to sign-in upon arrival in the facility they will be using and sign-out upon departure. Members are required to provide all appropriate information on the sign-in sheet.
When a member brings a guest (or guests) to the Association, he/she shall have the guest(s) sign-in upon arrival in the facility and sign out at departure. The word “guest” should follow their name. In addition, the guest pass or passes must be left in the sign-in book.
Guests may not make use of any Association facilities unless accompanied by a member. Members are limited to two (2) guests per visit to the Association. Exception: Shoots open to the public.
Member’s Association access cards are for the use of members only. Allowing access to the facilities, via your card, by unauthorized personnel will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.
Guest passes are available from the Board of Directors and facility Chairpersons for the cost of $5.00 each. Only two (2) guests may accompany a member per visit. Members bringing guests on Association grounds are responsible for their actions and must provide close supervision to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Family members under the age of 16 are not permitted on the grounds unless accompanied by a parent.
When you have finished using the Association facilities, clean up the area, all trash must be discarded into the proper containers.
All members are responsible for safety. If you observe another person engaged in unsafe activities, show him/her the correct way. If there is a safety violation, contact a Board Member and report the incident. Remember, you or someone else could be injured!
During a sanctioned Association event, the range in use will be closed to all other activities until the scheduled events have been concluded.
When a regular or special event is scheduled by any Committee, all other ranges may be closed if Board approval is granted.
The speed limit on the driveways is 15 MPH. The speed limit around the Clubhouse and in the parking areas is 5 MPH.
There is to be no parking along the driveway or in any manner which may be considered a
hazard to others entering or leaving the Association grounds. Please observe and obey NO
PARKING and HANDICAPPED PARKING signs.
Nothing is to be removed or borrowed from the Association without the permission of the Board of Directors. Also, no items are to be deposited at the Association unless approved by the Board of Directors.
Use of tractors and special equipment is limited to those who have been properly approved by the Board of Directors.
Vandalism, negligence, or unauthorized use of Association facilities is to be reported at once to the Board of Directors. A list of emergency telephone numbers hangs at the Clubhouse entrance and by the sign-in sheets.
It is required that all persons use both eye and ear protection on all firing ranges.
Association members shall not engage in shooting activities if under the influence of judgment
impairing medication or similar substances. Alcoholic beverages shall not be consumed on the Association’s property.
No hunting or trapping is permitted on the Association grounds unless authorized by the Board of Directors.
Pets are permitted on the Association grounds. Owners are responsible to clean up after their pets.
III: CLUBHOUSE RULES
NO ONE shall handle, un-holster, or un-case guns in the main clubhouse lounge.
Exceptions:
Association organized events with board officer or committee approval
Trap Committee events
Association sponsored programs
No unconcealed firearms shall be in evidence during general Association meetings and during board meetings.
Chairs and tables may not be borrowed without permission of the Board of Directors.
If you are the last to leave the clubhouse, turn off the lights. Check all doors to be sure they are securely closed and locked. Familiarize yourself with the light switch box and the various door locks.
It is the responsibility of all club members to clean up any debris left in the clubhouse. Please empty all trash cans.
REMEMBER - it is everyone's responsibility and a requirement of this club to adhere to these provisions.
IV: ARCHERY RULES
Do not shoot at anything other than sanctioned targets provided by the Association.
When looking for lost arrows, one member of your party must remain in front of the target or a bow must be placed in front of the target until the search is completed.
The use of broadheads is permitted on specified targets only.
All crossbows must be un-cocked at all times except when on the firing line.
Do not litter on the archery course.
Any infraction of these rules must be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors.
V: TRAP RULES
All shotguns are to be carried open and empty while on Association grounds; away from the firing lines all firearms will be open and empty. Any infraction to the above must be brought to the attention of the Trap Committee and to the Board of Directors.
Firearms having Damascus, laminated or twist steel barrels are prohibited.
NO high brass or loads exceeding 3 drams are permitted.
Shells having larger than No. 7-1/2 shot are prohibited.
Buckshot, pumpkin balls or slugs are not permitted on the trap field.
Guns shall be pointed in a safe direction at all times.
When a squad is on the firing line, no one will be permitted to point birds (clay pigeons) with a gun while standing off to either side or behind the squad.
Only one round will be loaded at a time.
No shooter will shoulder a gun until it is his/her turn to shoot.
Shooters will not start to move to their next station until all shooters have finished firing.
Shooters will not start to leave the firing line until all shooters have finished firing.
Shooters will not move from station to station with a round in their guns. Guns will be empty
with the action open every time a shooter moves.
In the event a Cease Fire is called, all shooters will unload at once and hold their positions until told to resume firing.
Shells that do not fire are not to be left on the ground or thrown into trash containers. They
must be removed from the Association grounds or discarded into properly marked containers.
ATA rules will apply to organized Trap shoots.
Eye and ear protection must be used.
Range hours will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday –Saturday and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Sundays.
VI: INDOOR PISTOL RANGE RULES
All members and their guests are required to sign-in upon arrival and sign-out upon departure. Members and guests are required to provide all appropriate information on the Range Sign-in Sheet.
Membership cards shall be displayed when shooting. They may be placed in the lower right or left hand corner of the stall.
All firearms are to be carried unloaded while on Association grounds. Exceptions: Law Enforcement Officers licensed to carry firearms and club members who are licensed to carry a concealed firearm. Those subject to these exceptions may carry handguns loaded, but the handgun shall be holstered, except when on the firing line. Away from the firing lines, firearms will be cased or holstered. Any infraction of this rule must be brought to the attention of the Pistol Committee and to the Board of Directors.
It is required that all persons use both eye and ear protection on the range while the shooting of
firearms is in progress.
Only paper targets may be used.
Do not handle any firearms while anyone is forward of the firing line. Before anyone moves
forward of the firing line, all firearms must be benched with cylinders open and empty, or actions open with magazines out and ejection port up. Tubular magazine rifles must, in addition to having the action open, have the inner magazine tube partially extracted
from the outer tube.
Indoor range qualifications are held on the Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
No drawing from the holster is allowed.
Exceptions
Tactical practice and shoots provided a NRA Certified Range Safety Officer accompanies the shooter through the course.
All shooting is from the shooting stalls. Exceptions: Tactical practice and shoots when shooter is accompanied by a NRA Certified Range Safety Officer or an individual who wishes to engage multiple targets at closer range, who has been properly orientated by the Indoor Range Chairperson. Targets are to be shot no closer than 7 yards and between lanes 3 & 7 only and from a stationary position.
All exterior pistol range doors must be closed while shooting
Ammunition Permitted:
All standard velocity pistol cartridges
Rifle: All .22 caliber rimfire, 5 mm rimfire and lead air gun
Ammunition Prohibited:
Magnum loads, +P, +P+ and shot shells
Pistols using rifle ammunition are not permitted in the indoor range along with any fully automatic firearm.
Cartridges which do not fire are not to be left on the floor or thrown into trash containers. They are to be removed from the Association grounds or discarded into properly marked containers.
When finished shooting on the indoor range, make sure all brass is cleaned up and that the
entire floor is swept down range. Leave exhaust fans on while sweeping. Check all exit doors, make sure they are secure and make sure all range lights are out and heating turned down to 45 degrees.
Range hours will be from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM Monday through Saturdays and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sundays.
VII: OUTDOOR 25 YARD RANGE
All members and their guests are required to sign-in upon arrival and sign-out upon departure. Members and guests are required to provide all appropriate information on the Range Sign-in Sheet.
Membership cards shall be displayed when shooting. They may be placed in the lower right or left hand corner of the stall or in the clips provided on the board located near the Range Sign-In Book.
It is required that all persons shall use both eye and ear protection on the range while the shooting of firearms is in progress.
Only paper targets may be used. Even if you are a competitive shooter, items such as
bowling pins or steel targets may not be used.
Exception
Club sponsored events with the prior approval, per
event, by the Executive Officers and Board Members
Targets will be placed in a manner so that the frames cannot be damaged by the shooter.
Multiple loading of handguns and/or rifles is prohibited. Only one firearm, per stall, shall be loaded at any time.
“Fast draw” shooting is prohibited.
All shooting is from the stalls or ground and underneath the roofed area.
This range is limited to pistol cartridges only. Pistols using rifle ammunition and any type of shot shell are not permitted.
Shotgun patterning is not permitted on this range.
Do not handle firearms when anyone is forward of the firing line. When anyone is forward of
the firing line, all firearms must be cased, holstered, or benched with cylinders open and empty, or actions open with magazines out and ejection port up. Tubular magazine rifles must, in addition to having the action open, have the inner magazine tube partially extracted from the outer tube.
Cartridges that do not fire are not to be left on the ground, or thrown into trash containers. They are to be removed from the Association grounds or discarded into properly marked containers.
When finished shooting, pick up all discarded brass and place in the appropriate container. Place trash and unusable target support cardboard, in the trash container. All targets are to be removed from the target support cardboard and discarded.
Range hours will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturdays and from 12:00 PM through 6:00 PM Sundays.
VII: OUTDOOR RIFLE RANGE
All members and their guests are required to sign-in upon arrival and sign-out upon departure. Members and guests are required to provide all appropriate information on the Range Sign-in Sheet.
Membership cards shall be displayed when shooting. Cards may be placed in the lower right or left hand corner of the bench or in the clips provided on the board located near the Range Sign-In Book.
It is required that all persons shall use both eye and ear protection on the range while the shooting of firearms is in progress.
Only paper targets may be used. Even if you are a competitive shooter, items such as
bowling pins or steel targets may not be used on the premise.
All shooting is from the bench, stalls or ground and underneath the roofed area. Anyone discharging a firearm in front of the roofed area is subject to expulsion.
Shotgun patterning is permitted on this range only. The shotgun patterning board must be used. Do not use the 50, 100 & 200 yard targets.
Targets will be placed in a manner so that the frames cannot be damaged by the shooter.
Multiple loading of rifles and/or shotguns is prohibited. Only one firearm, per bench, shall be loaded at any time.
Do not handle firearms when anyone is forward of the firing line. When anyone is forward of
the firing line, all firearms must be cased, holstered, or benched with cylinders open and empty, or actions open with magazines out and ejection port up. Tubular magazine rifles must, in addition to having the action open, have the inner magazine tube partially extracted from the outer tube.
Cartridges that do not fire are not to be left on the ground, or thrown into trash containers. They are to be removed from the Association grounds or discarded into properly marked containers. All targets are to be removed from the target support cardboard and discarded.
When finished shooting, pick up all discarded brass and place in the appropriate container. Place trash and unusable target support cardboard, in the trash container.
Range hours will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturdays and from 12:00 PM through 6:00 PM Sundays.
Manheim Sportsmen’s Association, Inc.
Constitution
ARTICLE I: NAME
Section I. The name of this Association shall be “THE MANHEIM SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION, INC.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section I. The purpose of this association is to promote safe and responsible gun ownership, firearms safety, firearms training, shooting sports, safe hunting, sportsmanship, protect and propagate game and fish, to assist in the conservation of forests and streams, to assist in the making of game and fish laws, to foster and perpetuate a feeling of good will between the general public, sportsmen, landowners and game and fish authorities.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section I. The membership of this Association shall be divided as follows: Adult, Junior, Family, Honorary and Life, as prescribed hereinafter by the by-laws.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section I. Officers of this Association shall be elected for a one year term. Any officer may run for re-election as often as he or she desires. The officers of this Association shall consist of the following: President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer.
Section II. All officers provided for in Section I shall, at the expiration of their term of office, remain in said office until their successor is elected unless officially removed from office.
Section III. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the elected officers and four (4) additional active members of the Association. Two (2) of the four (4) board members shall be elected yearly with a term of office to be two (2) years. The Board of Directors may be expanded to include two (2) junior members no younger than fourteen (14) years old to be elected for a term of one (1) year.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
Section I. Committees of this Association shall be appointed as needed by the Board of Directors Annually and their duties defined at the time of appointment.
ARTICLE VI: AUDIT
Section I. The President shall appoint, at the December meeting, a committee to audit the records of the Treasurer. This audit shall occur at the committee’s discretion between the December and the February regular meetings with a report being submitted thereafter to the membership at the February regular meeting.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section I. The regular meeting of the Association shall be held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The date of the meeting may be changed at the discretion of the board.
Section II. Board meetings will be held prior to the regular monthly meeting of the Association on a date determined by the Board of Directors.
Section III. Special meetings may be held at the request of the Board of Directors or at the request of the majority of the members present at any meeting
Section IV. A quorum to transact any business at any regular or special meeting of the Association shall consist of a minimum of eleven (11) members present.
ARTICLE VIII: FINANCE
Section I. As herein set forth by the Constitution and the By-Laws, the Board of Directors shall recommend to the members of the Association at any regular or special meeting a method by which said conditions may be established.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Section I. Amendments to this Constitution must be proposed, in writing, to the Board of Directors prior to a regular meeting. At the regular meeting, the proposed amendment must be signed by at least seven (7) members in good standing. The proposed amendment or amendments shall be carried until the next regular meeting and signed by at least seven (7) other members in good standing, and to procure adoption, must receive the votes of the majority of the members present at the second meeting.
ARTICLE X: PROPERTY
Section I. Any real estate and/or other property requiring transfer to or from the Association shall be recorded in the name of “Manheim Sportsmen’s Association, Inc.” and shall be and remain the property of the Association. It can be released or transferred only when authorized by the members of the Association at a regular or special meeting called for that purpose, and then only by a motion duly passed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members present and recorded as part of the minutes of that meeting. Such motion will be an authorization for the Treasurer, President and Recording Secretary to make such a transfer as the Association may direct.
Manheim Sportsmen’s Association, Inc.
By-Laws
ARTICLE I: NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section I. Nominations of candidates for the elective officers of the Association shall be made by a nominating committee of two (2) members appointed by the president. The committee shall present the names of the nominees at the regular meeting in November with any additional nominations from the floor. The election shall be by ballot at the regular meeting in December with any additional nominations from the floor. The candidate receiving the most votes shall be declared elected by the president. Only current members are eligible to vote.
Section II. In the event of a vacancy in any office, the Board of Directors shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of such elected office.
ARTICLE II. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section I. PRESIDENT: It shall be the duty of the President to be the presiding officer. He shall call all regular and special meetings prescribed by the Constitution and By-laws. He shall appoint all regular, special and subcommittees. He shall affix his signature to all legal documents of this Association. He shall be an Ex-officio member of all regular and special committees and attend to all other meetings and matters coming under his jurisdiction as President.
Section II. VICE-PRESIDENT: In the absence of the President at any regular or special meeting, as well as meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of regular and special committees, it shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assume the duties of the President.
Section III. RECORDING SECRETARY: The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Association's regular meetings, the Board of Directors meetings and any special meetings. He shall notify the Board of Directors of all board meetings and attend all other matters coming under his jurisdiction.
Section IV. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: The Membership Secretary shall collect all members’ membership dues and forward same to the Treasurer of the Association, taking receipt and keeping a true record of their standings. He shall attend to all other matters coming under his jurisdiction.
Section V. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all the money received and disbursed by him, showing specifically for what account collected and for what purpose expended. He shall give a detailed account of all money received and disbursed at each meeting as well as a yearly report during the first quarter of the year. He shall deposit all money belonging to the Association in the Fulton Bank of Manheim, in the name of “The Manheim Sportsmen's Association, Inc.” or any other bank, if directed so by the Association, subject to withdrawal by check of the Treasurer of the Association only when authorized, and signed by the President or Vice-President and counter-signed by the Treasurer. He shall attend to all other matters coming under his jurisdiction.
Section VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to meet prior to the regular meeting of the Association for the purpose of discussing and recommending that which they may deem valuable for the good of the association. They shall manage and conduct the business of the Association in the interim between meetings and examine the books and accounts of the Association. They may approve the debts or obligations of the Association before being paid by the treasurer and report all of their actions at the next regular or special meeting. Five (5) directors must be present at any meeting to make a quorum.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section I. Membership may be attained by any persons that are American-born or are naturalized citizens of the United States and of a good moral character. Membership renewal will open for the up-coming year on September 1st. Anyone not renewing a current membership by March 1st of each calendar year will be treated as a new applicant. All memberships expire on December 31st. Unless you hold a current membership for the new year, use of all facilities must cease on December 31st. New membership can be attained by making application with consent of a current member in good standing acting as a sponsor. New membership applications must be approved at one board meeting and one regular meeting. All new members shall be subject to an initiation fee and will be required to attend an orientation session before receiving their membership card. A late fee will be applied to renewals after January 1st of the new membership year. All fees are to be set by the Board of Directors and voted on by the membership before the August regular meeting.
Section II. Membership types:
Adult - 18 years of age or older
Junior - 17 years and under
Family - Those residing in the same household, only to include two (2) adults 18 years of age or older, (with the exception of high school students, full time college students up to and including 26 years of age, and members of the Military) and as well as includes all those under the age of 18. The Manheim Sportsmen's Association has the right to request proof dependent child is a full time student or in the military.
Section III. Honorary membership may be granted to any individual, at any regular or special meeting, who has performed some meritorious act in the advancing of the Association or in the interest of fishing, hunting, forestation and purification of the waters of Pennsylvania. Honorary members shall be exempt from payment of dues.
Section IV. Life membership cannot be obtained until the person applying has been a paid adult member, in good standing, of the Association for a period of not less than five years. In addition, family life membership cannot be obtained.
Section V. Any person upon reaching the age of 65 or over and has been a member for 5 of the previous 7 years is entitled to a senior life membership.
Section VI. Provisional Members are those individuals who have applied for membership to the Association and not yet fulfilled the following prerequisites:
Attend two (2) General Meetings (Proposal of New Members and Election).
Attend one (1) Orientation Meeting.
Received the approval of the membership.
ARTICLE IV: DUES
Section I. The annual dues for membership shall be determined by the members of the Association before the regular meeting in August and membership shall be available after September of the same year. Membership availability for the current year will end August 31st. Memberships expire December 31st of the year stamped.
ARTICLE V: CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
Section I. Any willful disregard for, or violation of, the Game and Fish Laws and/or any legally constituted regulation of the Association or the Judicial System, shall be just and sufficient cause for expelling a member from this Association. The members of this Association shall foster clean sportsmanship, and it shall be the duty of each member to report to the president any violations of the Game and Fish Laws and/or any constituted regulation of the Association, which may come to his notice. The Board of Directors shall have the power to prosecute any offender of legally constituted regulation as hereinafter set forth by the Association.
ARTICLE VI: EXPULSION
Section I. Any member of the Association violating any clause, section, any part of this Constitution and By-laws or any ruling of the Association is subject to expulsion.
The alleged member must be given the opportunity to be heard in his/her defense. Prior to the Board of Directors meeting (or a special meeting called for the purpose of reviewing the charges), the alleged offender must be given two (2) weeks’ notice, in writing, by certified/return receipt mail, of the charges against him/her. The notice shall also include the date, time and location of the meeting. Should the alleged offender decline to attend or neglect to appear at the meeting, the Board may proceed with the meeting.
Section II. Any person of the Association subject to expulsion may be expelled by a vote of the majority of the Board of Directors with concurrence of the members present at any regular or special meeting.
.
ARTICLE VII: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Section I. All meetings of the Association shall be conducted according to recognized parliamentary rules. A majority vote of the current members present at any regular or special meeting, when properly called, shall transact business. Anyone making use of improper language or misbehaving in any manner, at any meeting, shall be subject to expulsion from the meeting or Association.
Section II. The following shall be in the Order of Business:
• Calling of the meeting to order
• Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
• Roll call of officers
• Reading of the minutes of the regular, board and special meeting of the Association
• Report of officers:
• President
• Vice-President
• Recording Secretary
• Membership Secretary
• Treasurer
• Board Members
• Report of Committees
• Introduction of Guests
• Unfinished Business
• New Business
• Good of the Order
• Nomination, Election, and Installation of Officers
• Adjournment