YSC Club 2024 Bylaws
York Sportsman’s Club, Inc.
2883 Craig Road P.O. Box 132 Piffard, NY 14533
1. The club’s name is York Sportsman’s Club, Inc. Hereafter referred to as YSC.
2. A. YSC MEMBERSHIP ABBREVIATIONS & QUOTA’S
i. JA= Junior Applicant age 12-17 Actively seeking to become JM
ii. JM=Junior Member age 12-17 Eligible 18yr old JM, if approved, becomes a RM
iii. RW=Reg Waiting App age 18+ NONACTIVE waiting to become active
iv. RA=Reg Active App age 18+ Actively seeking to become RM (see note#1)
v. RM=Reg Member age 18+ RM quota is limited to 150 members (see note #2)
vi. SM=Senior Member age 18+ Min 62+ RM (5yrs) to apply for SM (2010/06M)
Note#1: Eligible 18 yr. old JM will have priority over RA for RM. The BOARD has the right to freeze REGULAR Waiting RW list when deemed necessary.
Note#2: If needed, RM limit can be increased to accommodate eligible JM becoming a RM. RM quota to return to normal RM quota (150), as openings exist.
2. B. YSC MEMBERSHIP TERMS:
i. GENERAL membership shall be defined as all REGULAR members plus all SENIOR members.
ii. Club membership shall be defined as all REGULAR, SENIOR, & JUNIOR members.
iii. The term “BOARD” & “Board of Directors” shall represent the same group (see 23a Board Detail).
iv. Club official shall be defined as one of six Elected (Officers:4, Chairmen:2) RM/SM.
v. BOARD member shall be defined as one of six Elected GENERAL BOARD Members.
vi. CLUB FUNCTION is any money-making event(s) or any other event determined acceptable by BOARD.
3. All applications for membership must be mailed to YSC with appropriate application fee. The date of the postmark will determine applicant order for membership. Handing in an application to Club will NOT be accepted. Should Club receive more than one application postmarked the same day, a straw vote will decide application order. All applications will be placed on file. Applications on the NON-ACTIVE list may NOT accumulate points as do ACTIVE applicants (see BYLAW 16).
4. The GENERAL Meeting of the club shall be held on the first Thursday of each month. In case a GENERAL Meeting falls on a legal holiday, the GENERAL Meeting shall be postponed for one week. Board Meetings shall be held one week before the General Meeting or as advised.
5. A. Club Business; Fifteen GENERAL (RM/SM) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Club business.
B. Six (6) Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Board business.
6. General meeting: When a General Meeting is called to order, the order of business shall be:
a. Reading of minutes e. Communications
b. Treasures Report f. Old Business
c. Report of standing committees g. New Business
d. Report of Board of Directors h. Adjournment
7. A. All club business shall be ruled by PLURALITY (greatest number) vote unless otherwise defined of all GENERAL members present.
B. All Board business shall be ruled by PLURALITY vote unless otherwise defined by consent from all BOARD members present.
Note: PLURALITY: The most votes win.
Note: Assuming quorum, as long as the “Y” votes exceed the “N” votes, the motion passes.
Note: Abstentions need not be asked, as they will not count in the vote.
8. BYLAWS
a. No BYLAW shall be suspended unless by a two-thirds consent of all GENERAL members present.
b. OPEN BYLAW change requests are scheduled for the February BOARD & March GENERAL meetings.
c. All BYLAW revisions must first be studied by the BYLAW Committee and discussed at a regular Board Meeting, before being presented to the GENERAL membership.
d. Requests for BYLAW revisions will be accepted ONLY at the OPEN BYLAW meeting. Once revision requests are reviewed by BYLAW Committee and presented to the Board, revisions will be read at next (e.g., March) General meeting and voted on no earlier than the following (e.g., April) General Meeting.
e. During the OPEN Bylaw period, if any GENERAL meeting(s) is/are not held (e.g., no quorum) or if any additional OPEN BYLAW committee meetings are needed, voting on revisions will take place at the next/later GENERAL meeting.
f. BYLAW revisions, once passed, unless otherwise specified, will take effect at the next ANNUAL meeting (October).
9. A specific GENERAL meeting may be called upon request by: A) Chairman of the Board of Directors, B) Five (5) Board members, or C) Upon Written request by at least ten percent (10%) of the GENERAL membership. It will be the duty of the Secretary (or designee) to notify all twelve (12) BOARD members of said Special GENERAL Meeting and to post a notice of said Special GENERAL Meeting at the Clubhouse.
10. Membership; First year REGULAR members (Oct 01 – Sept 30) will be held on probation. Only GENERAL (RM/SM) members in good standing for one year can hold office (probation time does not count). No CLUB member may hold more than one elected position. No CLUB member shall hold office unless his/her membership is paid. No CLUB member may renew membership unless all outstanding debts are paid.
11. Elections; The election of Club Officials and BOARD members will take place at the Annual Meeting (first Thursday of October). Nominations will be accepted at the August and September Meetings. All nominees must accept nomination at August or September meetings. No write-in votes will be allowed.
12. Resignation
a. In case of a resignation/loss of Club Official: Board of Directors will meet and appoint a GENERAL member to carry out duties until next Annual Meeting.
b. In case of a resignation/loss of BOARD member: Board of Directors will meet and appoint a GENERAL member to carry out duties until next Annual Meeting when a new GENERAL member will be elected to fill out the remaining (original) term.
13. Dues; Dues must be paid PRIOR to the close of the September Board Meeting. Any outstanding debts/fines must be paid prior to renewing membership. Annual Dues (includes Abbey Land rights) will be accepted at the August and September GENERAL and BOARD Meetings. There will be one additional weekend-date in September…scheduled for Dues payment. Date to be announced by Membership Chairman.
14. Auditing; The Auditing Committee (consisting of a minimum of three (3) Club Officials and/or BOARD members) shall audit the books each September prior to the Annual GENERAL Meeting. The Treasurer shall bring the books to this meeting and be available to answer questions but will not be part of the committee. Report of Auditing Committee to be recorded in BOARD minutes and summary given to the GENERAL membership.
15. Membership Requirements; Each CLUB Member/Applicant will be responsible to fulfill requirements as set forth in BYLAW 18 (Military/College exemptions, see BYLAW 18b). Each CLUB Member/Applicant will be fined (see BYLAW #25 for fee) if NOT completing the requirements as set forth in BYLAW 18. For 1st Year REGULAR member, failure to complete requirements (see BYLAW18) will result in termination of membership.
16. Applicants
a. All applicants (Regular/Junior) must be sponsored by a GENERAL (RM/SM) club member with a minimum of one-year membership in good standing. Upon an opening in the REGULAR/JUNIOR membership, a NON-ACTIVE applicant will be notified to meet with the Board of Directors to be interviewed (October or November Board Meeting) prior to being accepted as an ACTIVE applicant. Persons on the ACTIVE applicant list can attend meetings, club functions or use the club if accompanied by a GENERAL member, but will not be able to vote or have free access to the Club Property and Abbey.
b. JUNIOR ACTIVE applicants need to fulfill requirements as set forth in BYLAW 18 prior to becoming eligible for JUNIOR membership. It shall the choice of the BOARD if a JUNIOR applicant needs to appear before the BOARD for an interview prior to being recommended (or not) to the GENERAL membership for voting the ACTIVE JUNIOR applicant into YSC as a JUNIOR member.
c. REGULAR ACTIVE applicants (starting Dec 1st) will need to fulfill requirements as set forth in BYLAW 18 prior to July Board Meeting to be eligible to become a REGULAR member.
d. GENERAL members having concerns with an ACTIVE REGULAR applicant can inform a Board Member of said concern any time prior to the July Board Meeting. BOARD will make recommendation on making the ACTIVE REGULAR applicant a 1st Year REGULAR member at the July Board Meeting.
e. Once voting occurs (1st Club Meeting after July Board Meeting), 1st Year REGULAR member will NOT be allowed free Club access or access to land patrolled by YSC until Membership card becomes active (October).
f. GENERAL members having concerns with a 1st year REGULAR member can inform a Board Member of said concern during member’s probationary period. BOARD to make decision on continuation of membership.
g. Special or Hardship cases will be decided at the discretion of the BOARD.
h. The ACTIVE REGULAR/JUNIOR applicant(s) should attend the meeting in which the GENERAL membership votes on the applicant(s). However, at actual time of voting, applicant(s) will be asked to step outside.
i. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring GENERAL member to make sure that the Membership Chairman is notified that he/she worked at any function. A GENERAL member may sponsor only one (1) REGULAR applicant per year. There is no limit on the number of JUNIOR applicants that a GENERAL member may sponsor.
17. Junior Membership;
a. JUNIOR membership will be restricted to dependents of GENERAL (RM/SM) unless the Board of Directors grants special consideration.
b. JUNIOR members must be of legal NYSDEC hunting age to be a member of YSC.
c. JUNIOR members will NOT have free access to Clubhouse. JUNIOR members will not be allowed any quests on land patrolled by YSC. JUNIOR members must be accompanied by a GENERAL (RM/SM) on land patrolled by YSC.
d. 18-year-old JUNIOR members in good standing (fulfilled requirements set forth in BYLAW 18) will have priority over ACTIVE REGULAR applicants on becoming a REGULAR member. If there are no vacancies in the REGULAR membership, REGULAR membership quota can be increased to allow the 18-year-old JM to become a RM.
e. NO JUNIOR membership BYLAW/Book of Rules shall override YSC BYLAWS/Book of Rules.
18. Membership Requirements;
a. YSC MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS (July BOARD meeting to July BOARD meeting);
i. KEY: Y=Required, N=Not Required, OPT=Optional, 0-12 = Required # of times needed.
YSC MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS (Detail)
1. JUNIOR applicants need to accumulate 6 pts by either: (Attending a GENERAL or JUNIOR meeting = 1 pt) or (working at a Club Function = 2 pts) or (helping with the Club weekly cleaning = 1 pt) prior to becoming eligible for JUNIOR membership.
2. JUNIOR members need to accumulate 12 pts by either: (Attending a GENERAL or JUNIOR meeting = 1 pt) or (working at a Club Function = 2 pts) or (helping with the Club weekly cleaning = 1 pt) prior to becoming eligible for REGULAR membership. JM no longer need to be a JM for two years since we no longer carry 18 yr. old JM to age of 21. JM only needs to earn a total of twelve (12) points between ages 12 – 17.
3. REGULAR applicants will need to (work a minimum of four club functions with no buy-out) and (perform a minimum of two weekly cleanings) and (attend a minimum of two GENERAL meetings) plus (pay for any outstanding debt to YSC) prior to July Board Meeting to be eligible for RM. PS: Known as the “422 Plan”.
4. JM àRM: 1st Year RM need to: (work two club functions) and (perform one weekly clean-up) and (sell/pay for tickets mailed to member) and (pay for any outstanding debt to YSC) to remain eligible for RM.
5. RAàRM: 1st Year RM needs to: (work two club functions with no buy-out) and (perform a minimum of two weekly cleanings) and (attend a minimum of two GENERAL meetings) and (sell/buy tickets mailed to member) plus (pay for any outstanding debt to YSC) prior to September Board Meeting. PS: Known as the “222 Plan”.
6. REGULAR members need to: (work two club functions) and (perform one weekly cleanup) and (sell/pay for tickets mailed to member) and (pay for any outstanding debt to YSC) to remain eligible for RM.
7. A REGULAR (RM) Member needs to be a minimum of 62 years old and a REGULAR (RM) Member for five (5) years prior to being eligible for SENIOR membership.
8. Senior (SM) Members will be responsible to (sell/buy one (1) ticket for each raffle mailed to member) plus (pay for any outstanding debt to YSC) to remain eligible for SM.
Note: Special or Hardship cases are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
b. YSC MEMBERSHIP EXEMPTIONS (July BOARD meeting):
i. KEY: Y=Required, N=Not Required, 0-12=Required number of times needed.
YSC MEMBERSHIP EXEMPTIONS (Detail)
1. Upon notification to the BOARD, a CLUB member may request a deferment from dues, cleanup, work functions and/or ticket requirements while in active military service.
2. Upon notification to the BOARD, a CLUB member may request deferment from cleanup, work functions and/or ticket requirements while in College (Full-Time).
3. Exemptions are based on members (typically 17-25) who either attend College “Full-Time” or while on “Active Duty” in the Military. YSC wishes to extend the option to these groups to be able to defer membership requirements each year as needed. However, it is the responsibility of the person requesting deferment to give notice (ASAP) to the BOARD so that your membership requirements can be suspended/canceled/postponed. Failure to notify BOARD (ASAP) may result in having requested deferments NOT being granted by BOARD.
NOTE: Special or hardship cases are at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
19. Violations; Any CLUB member can be dropped from the membership for INTENTIONALLY violating the following;
a. Theft or destruction of Club Property (or anyone’s property) while on Club Property or land patrolled by the Club.
b. Violation of any Federal, State, Civil or DEC laws, while on Club Property or land patrolled by the Club.
c. Misconduct in regards to the best interests of the Club. To include but not limited to the following:
i. Fighting: Any Club member fighting or any CLUB member causing a fight or any CLUB member involved in a fight: A) on Club property or land patrolled by YSC, B) at any Club related event, or C) anytime when representing YSC will automatically lose all Club “privileges” and will leave any office held for one (1) year from the date of infraction.
ii. Conduct: Members at CLUB Meetings to respect Officials and other CLUB members. When a member is recognized by the body as having the floor, some respect and consideration is to be given to that member. One warning will be given, second offense, CLUB member will be asked to leave, third offense, CLUB member will appear before the Board of Directors.
iii. Drugs: Anyone using or distributing illegal drugs: A) on Club Property or land patrolled by YSC, B) at any Club related event, or C) at any time when representing YSC will be asked to leave such lands or functions immediately. If the offender is a YSC member, that CLUB member will automatically lose membership.
iv. Abbey Rules: Any CLUB member violating any of the YSC Abbey Rules will have their Abbey Land Usage rights revoked for one (1) year from the date of infraction.
v. Drinking: Any CLUB member who is under the drinking age and is caught drinking alcoholic beverages: A) on Club Property or land patrolled by YSC, B) at any Club related event, or C) anytime when representing YSC will automatically lose membership.
vi. Drinking: Any CLUB member that allows a minor (under the age of 21) to consume alcohol while: A) on Club Property or land patrolled by YSC, B) at any Club related event, or C) at any time when representing YSC will automatically lose membership.
20. Any CLUB member(s) accusing any other CLUB member(s) of any violation in BYLAW 19 must notify member of the Board of Directors within seven (7) days of said violation. The Chairman of the Board (or designee) will notify both parties within fourteen (14) days from date of violation and schedule a Special BOARD Meeting for no earlier than fourteen (14) days from the date of violation. All Special Board Meetings called as a result of said offense will be closed to the CLUB membership. The ultimate action to be taken on the matter will be at the discretion of the BOARD (a report will be made to the GENERAL membership).
21. If a CLUB member has been dropped from membership and wishes to rejoin later, he/she will have to be sponsored and go through the same steps as any NEW applicant.
22. A GENERAL (RM/SM) member wishing to Rent the Club must contact the Club Rental Chairman. He/she will either give approval or may elect to bring up request at next Board Meeting for consideration. The Club may not be rented on SUNDAY or during the entire Big Game “Early/Regular/Late” Season. Club Property (e.g., Tables, Chairs, etc.) is not available for members to rent or borrow. However, the Board of Directors reserves the right to allow another organization to borrow Club Property if deemed appropriate.
23. General outline for the Board of Directors:
a. The BOARD will consist of six (6) Elected Club Officials and six (6) Board Members:
i. Four (4) elected Club Officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer.
ii. +Two (2) elected committee Chair: Membership Chairman, Trap Chairman.
iii. +Six (6) elected BOARD members. Note: Each year, three General members will be elected for a two-year term.
b. Any CLUB member may attend a BOARD Meeting (except for any Special Board Meeting called as a result of a violation to BYLAW19 (Member dropped), but can NOT actively participate in the meeting unless recognized by the BOARD. Each year, the BOARD shall elect a Chairman (one of the six (6) Elected BOARD members).
c. Board of Directors will have the following authority/responsibility:
i. Outline Club business for GENERAL Meeting.
ii. Settle all disputes.
iii. Act as the Screening Committee for CLUB Membership. Duties are to recommend to the GENERAL membership;
1. Club members to be dropped from the Club for nonpayment.
2. ACTIVE REGULAR/JUNIOR Applicants that are eligible for membership.
iv. The Board is responsible to review proposals for adding/changing/deleting BYLAWS and/or Club Rules. Board may reject proposals not in the best interest of YSC.
v. Screen, with assistance from sponsoring member, ACTIVE REGULAR/JUNIOR applicants for membership.
vi. Allowed to spend up to $500 (see BYLAW #25 for fee) per month on needs of the Club. All spending of money must be reported to GENERAL membership at next GENERAL Meeting.
vii. Board will be responsible or may appoint someone (e.g. JUNIOR ADVISOR) to notify JUNIOR members of BYLAW #17d and BYLAW #18 when appropriate.
d. When a Board Meeting is called to order, the order of business shall be:
i. Reading of minutes
ii. Treasurers Report
iii. Report of standing committees
iv. Report of Board of Directors
v. Communications
vi. Old Business
vii. New Business
viii. Adjournment
24. Committee Chairman:
a. Abbey Reps (3) 1 President +2 President appt.
b. Building Repair (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
c. BYLAWS (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
d. Cleanup (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
e. Club Rental (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
f. Federation (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
g. Grounds (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
h. JM Advisor (2) 1 Board appt. +1 Chair appt.
i. Membership (2) 1 Elected +1 Chair appt.
j. Trap League (2) 1 Elected +1 Chair appt.
25. Fees: (See BOOK of RULES#1 – CLUB FEES)
26. Chairman Duties:
a. The Event Chairman will keep a list of all members who have worked and give info to the Membership Chairman within 1 month after event.
b. The BOARD will keep a list of all members who have cleaned and give info to the Membership Chairman within 1 month after cleaning.
c. The Ticket Chairman will keep a list of all members who were mailed or have taken tickets and give info to the Membership Chairman within 1 month after event.
d. The Membership Chairman will record these CLUB members can review their requirement status at the Club House within 1 month after receiving info.
27. General Membership:
a. General Membership will maintain Book of Rules for…CLUB FEES & CLUB RULES
b. The BOARD will maintain the Book of Rules for…..CLEANUP RULES & ABBEY RULES
c. The Deer Management Committee will maintain the Book of Rules for…. DEER MANAGEMENT
28. Definitions:
a. Bylaws à Refer to procedures
b. Rules à Administrative & speak to specifics
CER Rev 3/6/25