VALLEY SPRINGS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB

 

 INCORPORATED

 

GROSVENORDALE, CONNECTICUT

 

 
 
BY-LAWS

Valley Springs ByLaws 2023 Amended.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AS AMENDED DECEMBER 14, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

The name of this organization shall be Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club, Incorporated. Said club shall be located in Grosvenordale, Connecticut.

 

ARTICLE II – OBJECTS

Section 1.

 

To promote and encourage interest and skill in the sports of hunting and fishing.

 

Section 2.

 

To support and take an active part in the conservation of the woodlands.

 

Section 3.

 

To support and take active part in preventing the pollution of all streams, lakes, ponds and other bodies of water.

 

Section 4.

 

To foster good fellowship among the members of the organization by maintaining recreational facilities.

 

Section 5.

 

To sponsor and support those activities and events which stimulate good will and enjoyment among sportsmen.

 

Section 6.

 

To promote good sportsmanship among the membership and the community.

 

Section 7.

 

To cooperate with all persons, organizations and all government agencies in the furtherance of these objectives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS

Section 1. President

 

The president shall preside at all the meetings of the membership and at all the meetings of the Board of Directors. He or she shall appoint a chairman for each permanent committee unless otherwise provided for in the By-laws. He or she may appoint special committees that he or she deems necessary. He or she shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees except the nominating committee. He or she shall be responsible for the enforcement of all By-laws and other legally adopted rules and regulations of the organization. Said president shall also be responsible for the enforcement of town ordinances, state laws, federal laws and regulations of the state agencies, which apply to the operation of the organization. Said president shall have all those powers which are usually vested in this office.

 

Section 2. Vice-president

 

In the absence of the president or his inability to serve, the vice-president shall perform all duties otherwise performed by the president.

 

Section 3. Financial Secretary

 

The financial secretary shall keep a record of all members and he or she shall collect all dues. He or she shall receive and keep in his custody a permanent file of all applications for membership in the organization, provided such applications have been proposed and signed by a member in good standing. Any application for membership on file for three or more years and any application submitted by a former member shall be purged. Said financial secretary shall perform such other duties as may be required by any By-law or as directed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4. Secretary

 

The secretary shall call meetings as directed by the president and the Board of Directors or in accordance with any By-laws. He or she shall record and preserve the minutes of all meetings, and include a record of attendance of all officers present. He or she shall also provide a form at all meetings of the membership on which shall be recorded the names of all members in attendance, and shall maintain this form as part of the minutes. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be required by the By-laws, or the Board of Directors. The secretary shall cause any documents, so classified, to be placed in a safety deposit box in a bank or banks selected by the Board of Directors. Keys to said safety deposit box shall be issued only to said secretary and to one other member selected by the Board of Directors. (Amended 1995, 2002)

 

 

 

Section 5 Treasurer

 

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys in behalf of the organization and to deposit same in a bank or banks selected or approved by the Board of Directors. He or she shall disburse funds only when such disbursements are duly authorized. All checks over $2,000.00 issued in the name of the organization shall be co-signed by a member in good standing, selected by the Board of Directors. Said treasurer shall follow accepted accounting procedures in carrying out the duties of his office. He or she shall submit a report to the membership at the January meeting regarding the financial condition of the organization. He or she shall also render brief financial statements at each monthly meeting. He or she shall surrender all account books and documents concerned with his office whenever requested to do so in accordance with the By-laws or by the Board of Directors, House Committee or by a vote of the membership. A bond shall be furnished by said treasurer in the amount established by the Board of Directors. The cost of this bond shall be paid by the organization. In consideration for the faithful execution of his or her duties, the treasurer will receive a stipend of $1200 per year payable at the December meeting. The treasurer shall attend the monthly membership and Directors meetings or arrange for an alternate to give the monthly treasurer report. (Amended 1991, 2019).

 

Annually and not later than the March membership meeting each year, the Treasurer will develop an annual budget reflecting projected revenue, fixed operating costs, and budgeted expenditures for new and ongoing projects.  The Treasurer will report to the board of directors and the membership no less than quarterly on the status and financial condition of the club in summary form which will include; revenue, expenses and assets for the fiscal year, on a year over year, year to date and actual vs. budget basis.  Any new projects in excess of $5,000.00 will require a prior written proposal to include the scope, initial cost, expected completion date and other details as may be required by the Treasurer before submission for approval by the membership or the board of directors.

(Adopted 2017)

 

 

 

Section 6. Eligibility for Office

 

Any member is good standing shall be considered eligible for office.

 

Section 7. Term of Office

 

All officers, except the office of treasurer, shall take office when elected at the annual meeting and shall hold office until the next annual meeting following their election, or until their successors are duly elected, unless removed from office in accordance with the By-laws.

 

 

Section 7a.

 

The newly elected treasurer will assume all of his responsibilities following the January meeting, the outgoing treasurer will use the month between the annual meeting and the January meeting to acquaint the newly elected treasurer with all the duties and responsibilities of that office.

 

 

 

Section 8. Unexcused Absences

 

The unexcused absence of any officer from three consecutive meetings shall automatically vacate his office. This includes the elected members of the House Committee and appointed committee chairman. The secretary shall monitor and report to the President, about the status of any officers in relations to unexcused absences. (Amended 1994, 1995, 1997)

 

Section 9. Retirement from office

 

Upon retirement from office, each officer shall turn over to his successor, or to the president, all funds, books of account, ledgers, papers, records and any other club property in his possession.

 

Section 10. Vacancies

 

In case of a vacancy in the office of the vice president, financial secretary, secretary or treasurer, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors. In the case of a vacancy in the office of the president, it shall be filled by the vice president. If there is a vacancy in both the offices of the president and vice president, both offices shall be filled in the same manner as other vacancies. In filling vacancies for un-expired terms, a president who has served more than half of a term is considered to have served a full term in office. In the event that a vacancy occurs on the House Committee, the House Committee, by a majority vote of its members, may recommend a replacement to fill out the vacant term to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will then vote on this recommendation and a simple majority vote of those Board members present will pass this recommendation. (Amended 1989)

 

 

ARTICLE IV – PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY COMMITTEES

 

The following thirteen committees shall be known as the permanent committees of the organization.

 

 

Section 1. Membership Committee

 

Said committee shall include the officers of the organization, permanent committee chairmen and all members of the House Committee. The Financial Secretary shall be the permanent chairman. Said committee shall have sole authority in filling vacancies in the membership. Vacancies may be filled as soon as they occur.

 

Section 2. House Committee

 

Said committee shall consist of five active members of the organization. Said active members shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall elect a chairman. Said committee shall be responsible for the efficient management, upkeep and maintenance of the clubhouse and all other permanent buildings, including all equipment contained therein. Said committee shall grant permission for use of the club facilities, such permission to be granted in strict accordance with the By-laws. Said committee may at any time examine or audit any account of the organization or engage the services of a certified public accountant or other qualified persons to perform such examination or audit. (Adopted 1968)

 

Section 3. Legal and By-laws Committee

 

Section 4. Special Events Committee

 

Section 5. Fish and Game Committee

 

Section 6. Historical Committee (Adopted 2001)

 

Section 7. Kitchen Committee

 

Section 8. Grounds Committee

 

Section 9. Trap Committee

 

Section 9a. Rifle and Pistol Range Committee (Amended 1995)

 

Section 9b. Archery Committee (Adopted 2001)

 

Section 10. Softball Committee (Amended 1986.  Removed as a permanent committee 2019).

 

Section 11. Horseshoe Pit Committee

 

Section 11A.  Website/Social Media Committee (Adopted 2017)

 

The website/social media chairperson shall be responsible for keeping the website and social media platforms up to date and in the best interests of the club.  The chairperson of this committee will enjoy all rights and privileges afforded to all other permanent committee chairmen.

 

Section 12. Nominating Committee

 

The nominating committee shall not be a permanent committee. Said committee shall be elected at any monthly meeting held between January 1 and September 15 and shall consist of not less than five nor more than seven members, including the chairman. No officer shall serve on this committee. At the monthly November meeting, said committee shall submit in writing a proposed slate of officers who, in their opinion, should serve for the forthcoming year. No other nominations will be accepted at this meeting. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the nomination and election of any member in good standing to any office at the annual election, except as prohibited by Article III, Section 6, of the By-laws.

 

Section 13. Committee Members

 

Committee chairmen shall appoint not less than two members to their respective committees, unless such appointments are contrary to any By-law. All committee chairmen shall present to the president, in writing and no longer than one month after being appointed chairman, a list of committee members. (Amended 1995)

 

Section 14. Meetings

 

Committee meetings may be called by the President, the Committee Chairman or by petition of three or more committee members.

 

Section 15. Quorum

 

A majority of the members of any committee, shall constitute a quorum except the membership committee, when electing new members, shall have a quorum of eleven m

 

Section 16. Powers to make rules and regulations

 

All committees must make reasonable rules and regulations governing all matters concerned with their specific responsibilities which are in the interest of the organization and do not conflict with any rules, regulations or procedures adopted at any meeting of the membership or with any By-Law.  Exception to this may be any rule, regulation or procedure established by the House Committee; these House Committee rules, regulations or procedures can only be overridden by a vote of the membership at a special or monthly meeting.  All such rules and regulations shall be in writing and posted in the clubhouse.  All rules and regulations proposed by the respective committees (exception House Committee) must be first submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.  Emergency rules and regulations are permitted under emergency circumstances; however, they are subject to cancellation by the Board of Directors upon review of the action taken, for ratification.  All committee rules and regulations shall be reviewed each January by said committee chairperson and by the Board of Directors.  Only those rules and regulations deemed temporary or unnecessary shall be expunged by the Board of Directors.  Each committee shall explain, in writing, to the Board of Directors any rule or regulation changed or deleted from the previous year.  (Amended 1987, 1988, 2016).

 

Section 17. Term of office

 

The terms of all committee chairmen and all committee members shall expire on the election of the next president.

 

Section 18. The Dane Picard Scholarship Committee

 

The Dane Picard and designated scholarship committee(s) shall disperse scholarship funds to selected, qualified individual candidate(s) in the name of Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club.  Funds dispersed shall be from non-VSSC funds.  Scholarship specifics shall be defined by the appointed scholarship committee.  (Adopted 2014)

 

ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. Members

 

The Board of Directors shall consist of all the elected officers, all Permanent Committee Chairmen, the House Committee and the immediate past President, who shall only serve the first year of the term of the incoming President. In the event that a permanent Committee Chairman cannot attend a Board of Directors meeting, he or she can appoint a member of his committee who will present the committee report to the Board; said appointee will enjoy all voting rights and all other rights accorded the Chairman whom he is representing and will count towards a quorum count. (Amended 1988, 2007, 2008, 2017.)

 

Section 2. Duties of the Board of Directors

Said Board shall perform all duties and functions as provided in the By-laws. It shall also be the duty of the Board of Directors as individuals, and as a group, to enforce all By-laws and all authorized rules and regulations of the organization.

 

Section 3. Meetings

Said Board shall meet at the call of the President or at such times as may be expedient to a majority of the members.

 

Section 4. Quorum

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be seven members.

 

Section 5. Emergency Situations

It shall be the duty of the said Board to act in emergencies not otherwise provided for in the By-laws. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of the membership, said Board may take whatever emergency action deemed necessary. Any action taken by the Board of Directors inn accordance with the provisions of this section shall be subject to ratification by majority vote at the next monthly or special meeting.

 

Section 6. Committee Regulations

Said Board may amend any regulation established by any committee with the exception of the House Committee (Art. IV, Sect. 16), which if finds arbitrary, unreasonable, unnecessary restrictive or is not in the best interest of the organization. (Amended 1988, 1989)

 

Section 7. Advisors to the President and Membership

It shall be the duty of said Board to advise the president and the membership on any matter deemed necessary.

 

Section 8. Disciplinary Powers

Any member may be reprimanded, suspended or expelled from the organization for just cause, after a hearing, by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors present. Charges against any member must be filed in writing with the secretary by a member in good standing. The House Committee may bring charges against any person for violations of any House Committee regulation, by a unanimous vote of its members. A copy of all charges must be sent to the accused at his last known address by registered mail at least ten days before the scheduled hearing. Any member, who prefers charges against another member and fails to testify against such member, when so notified, shall be automatically expelled from the organization. Spokesmen from the House Committee shall be in attendance at the disciplinary hearing if the charges were brought by the House Committee.

 

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Number of Members

 

Membership in Valley Springs Club shall not exceed two hundred and seventy five (275) members. The provisions of this section shall not apply to life members. (Amended 1975, 2014, 2019, 2023).

 

Section 2. Life-Time Members

 

Lifetime members shall be those who attain such status prior to December 31, 1996. Lifetime members shall also include any member in good standing with ten (10) consecutive years of current membership who is not less than 65 years of age.  Life-time members shall be exempt from any working hours required under Section 4 for Qualification of Membership. (Amended 1996, 1998, 2015).

 

Section 3. Charter Members

 

Charter members shall be all those who were members during the year 1951.

 

Section 4. Qualifications for Membership

 

Any person having attained his 18th birthday and of good moral character is eligible for membership in Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club. All applicants must be sponsored by a minimum of two members in good standing who shall attest to the good moral character of the applicant on a form provided for the financial secretary.  All new members admitted after January 1st of any year shall be required to work five (5) hours in their first year of membership on function preparation/clean-up as directed by the House Committee.  These hours are to be recorded by the financial secretary and are not subject to any buy-out.  Any new member not completing these required hours shall be dropped from membership.

 

In addition, all new and current members shall work ten (10) hours per year on club assignments as determined by the Board of Directors. All members must complete five (5) work hours of the ten (10) required on club assignments.  The Board of Directors may allow the option to buy the remaining five (5) hours at a cost of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars per hour.  Membership hour slips or payment of hours must be in the possession of the financial secretary by the drop of the gavel at the start of the scheduled December monthly meeting.  Any member dropped from the membership for failure to complete the hourly work requirements or the option to buy their hours provided in this By-Law may not re-apply for membership for a period of five (5) years.  The annual meeting shall be the start of the new year for recording work hours.  The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may grant exceptions to the provision of working hours of this By-Law.  All members of the Board of Directors are exempt from the 10 hour work requirement.  Each should be able to demonstrate to the entire Board of Directors at its November meeting that they have done a reasonable job in their position.  (Amended 1972, 1973, 1978, 1987, 1988, 1997, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023).

 

Section 5. Members serving in the Armed Service

 

Any member entering military service is exempt from the payment of dues for the period of his first enlistment in active service, not to exceed 4 years, except when called to active service for a state of emergency.

 

Section 6. Initiation Fee

 

At the filing of an application for membership, a non-refundable application fee must accompany the completed application form. The amount of this fee shall be fifty ($50.00) dollars. This application fee shall be paid by check or money order made payable to the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club and marked “for deposit only”. (Amended 1994, 1996)

 

Section 7. Membership Dues

 

Membership dues shall be one hundred and fifty dollars per year ($150.00) dollars per year payable prior to the drop of the gavel at the start of the scheduled February monthly meeting. If the February monthly meeting is held, dues will no longer be accepted after adjournment. In the event that no February meeting is held, for whatever reason, dues must be in the possession of the financial secretary by 9:00 p.m. of the evening of the scheduled February monthly meeting. Anyone who does not meet these deadlines shall be automatically dropped from the membership. Any member dropped from the membership for failure to pay their annual membership dues provided in this By-Law may not re-apply for membership for a period of five (5) years. The provisions of this section shall not apply to lifetime members. Dues shall be paid by check or money order made payable to the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club and marked “for deposit only”. A new member shall pay his dues within 30 days of notification of acceptance or forfeit initiation fee. New members accepted only between the July monthly meeting and the Annual December meeting shall be assessed Dues equal to ½ the annual amount. (As adopted 1969, Amended 1979, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2023)

 

Section 8. Special Assessment Prohibited

 

No special assessments shall be levied on any member, nor shall any member be required to donate to any cause whatsoever. The provision of the section shall not apply to fees in exchange for hours required in the year. (Amended 1998)

 

 

Section 9. Sponsorship Committee

 

The President, at the request of the membership Chairman, will appoint a three-man committee to seek information from the sponsor or sponsors about their applicant. It is the responsibility of this committee to notify all applicants of the rules of the club, provide them with a copy of the By-laws and stress the hourly obligations each member must complete. This appointed committee will not have the authority to make recommendation to the membership committee. (Amended 1977, 1987)

 

 

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

 

Section 1. Monthly Meetings

 

Monthly meetings shall be held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Amended 1979, 1985, 2022).

 

Section 2. Annual Meeting

 

The annual meeting shall be held during the month of December of each year. Officers for the forthcoming year shall be elected at this meeting.  Any candidate for office that is nominated from the floor during the election must be present to accept said nomination.  (Amended 2022).

 

Section 3. Special Meetings

 

Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the president or by five or more members of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4. Notice of Meetings

 

Notice for the annual meeting and any special meeting will be sent to each member’s email on file with the Financial Secretary and also posted on social media at least five days prior to said meeting. Notice of each monthly meeting shall be posted in the clubhouse at least fourteen days prior to the day of the said meeting.  (Amended 2022).

 

Section 5. Quorum

 

Fifteen members in attendance at any monthly meeting, special meeting or the annual meeting shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 6. Guest

 

Guest may attend any meeting of the membership at the invitation of members in good standing or as official guests of the organization.

 

 

 

Section 7. Expiration of Regulations Passed at any Meeting

 

All regulations should be reviewed each January. Only those regulations deemed temporary or unnecessary shall be expunged. (Amended 1987)

 

 

 

 

 

Section 8. Parliamentary Procedure

 

The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” shall govern the organization in all cases to which they are applicable and in all cases which are not inconsistent with any By-law. (Amended 1984)

 

Section 9. Order of Business

 

Call to order

 

The Pledge of Allegiance

 

Moment of Silence for all Deceased Members

 

Reading of the Minutes of Previous Meeting

 

Reports of Officers

 

Committee Reports

 

Correspondence and Announcements

 

Unfinished Business

 

New Business

 

Elections

 

Adjournment

 

Any provision of this section may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of the membership present.  (Amended 2021).

 

 

Section 10. Politics Prohibited

 

The advancement of any political candidate, political party or political agenda is prohibited at any regular meeting of the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club. (Adopted 2014)

 

 

 
             ARTICLE VIII – FINANCES AND PROPERTY

 

Section 1. Conveyance of Certain Club Properties is prohibited

 

All land, bodies of water and permanent buildings owner by the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club shall remain forever property of the club.

 

Section 1a. All money raised on Club property belongs to the club

 

All money raised in the Club’s’ name by Members or Committees belongs to the Club and must be turned over to the Treasurer with a full accounting of expenses and revenues within 14 days. In no case may money raised on Club property or in the Club’s name be spent without an appropriation first being passed at a membership meeting. This By-law will not affect the Board of Directors ability to authorize spending for emergencies nor the operating budget of the Club. (As adopted 1995 and amended 2003.)

 

 

 

Section 2. Right of Way over Club Property is prohibited

 

The organization shall not grant any right of way or any other easement from in, upon or over any land owned by the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club. This By-law shall not apply to a right to pass and re-pass as part of a parcel leased by Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club as approved by a vote of the membership at two consecutive meetings. (Amended 2010)

 

Section 3. Donations of Club Funds Prohibited

 

Donations of club funds to any charity or solicitation for any cause is prohibited. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the House Committee from granting permission to any local organization to place collection containers in the club house for any worthy cause or exclude our own committees and various club funds from receiving approved financial aid. (As amended 1978, 1987)

Section 3a. Rocco’s Fund

The President, upon his election, will appoint a three-member committee to administer Rocco’s Fund. The purpose of the Rocco’s Fund committee shall be to see that cards are sent when a member is ill, and in the case of extended sickness of more than two weeks, an appropriate gift will be sent. The committee will also see to the proper remembrance for a deceased member and member’s spouse. The committee will also accept other duties of this nature as approved by the President or the Board of Directors. The activities of Rocco’s Fund shall be financed by donations and will begin on January 1, 1979. (Adopted 1978)

 

Section 4. Certain Appropriations in Excess of Two Thousand Dollars.

 

 Any motion or resolution made at a meeting to appropriate or spend less than $2,000.00 shall be voted on at that meeting.  If the vote is unanimous, the action is considered passed and no other voted is needed.  If anyone objects to the expenditure, a second meeting will be needed to pass the expenditure by a simple majority. In addition, any motion or resolution made at any meeting to appropriate or spend equal to or in excess of $2500 shall be voted on by paper ballot. Nothing in this section shall apply to appropriations and expenditures, authorizing the payment of routine or necessary expenses of the organization, or any appropriation, which in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is considered to be of an emergency nature. Also, appropriations made by the Chairman of the Fish and Game Committee, for the stocking of fish or birds, for the membership and or club sanctioned events, need only go through one meeting. This includes the normal expenses for care and feeding of such livestock. (Amended 1987, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2014)

 

Section 5. Procedure for Disposing of Certain Club Properties

 

Any motion or resolution made at any meeting to sell, give away or otherwise permanently convey any club personal property, not prohibited by any By-law, which is valued at more than ten dollars shall not be voted on until the next monthly meeting. (Amended 1987)

 

Section 6. Use of Club Facilities by the General Public is Prohibited

 

(Deleted 2003).

 

Section 7. Members Not to be Compensated for Personal Services

 

No officer and no member shall receive a salary or otherwise be compensated for any personal services rendered in behalf of the organization. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the Treasurer, the permittee or bartenders as determined by the House Committee or the awarding of hours for services rendered. (Amended 1987, 1991)

 

Section 8. Fish and Game Committee Must Present a Budget

 

The Chairman or an appointed representative of the Fish and Game Committee must present a budget to the Board of Directors, at one of their meetings, before the end of March each year. This budget will include all of the expenses needed to ensure that the Club property is adequately stocked with fish and game during the coming year. The Board of Directors, when presented with this budget, may make changes or veto it entirely by a 2/3-majority vote, otherwise it will be considered passed as presented. This budget, if passed, will immediately become part of the normal operating expenses of the Club and the expenses associated with it will be paid by the Treasurer in the same manner as the electric light bill, insurance premium and other operating expenses.

This By-law in no way restricts the rights of the members to appropriate money for any purpose it deems necessary, nor does it prevent the members from voting down any expense or appropriation at any membership meeting. The purpose of the By-law is to preserve the intent of the founding members—that VSSC will always be a place where our kids can learn to hunt and fish and respect the out of doors. (As adopted 1995)

 

Section 9. Smoking/Vaping

 

No Smoking or Vaping shall be permitted in the Club House. (As adopted 2023)

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX – RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP

 

Section 1. Spouse of Club Member Not Considered a Guest

 

The spouse of any member in good standing shall not be considered a guest for purpose of the general statutes of the State of Connecticut and regulations of the State Liquor Control Commission. (Amended 2004, 2016).

 

Section 2. Use of Club Facilities by Members and Guest

 

With permission of the House Committee, any individual with a signed contract may use the clubhouse and/or grounds for a private function, which may include the family and other invited guests.  This by-law is adopted in accordance with Section 30-23 of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, Revisions of 1958.  (Amended 2021).

 

Section 3. Inspection of Club Records

 

Any member may, with reasonable notice, inspect any papers, ledgers, records, documents and any other club property. (Amended 1987)

 

Section 4. Membership Privileges 

           

All members in good standing shall have the rights and privileges that are usually vested in the membership of any similar private organization.

 

 

ARTICLE X – ACTIVITIES

 

 

Section 1. Hunting in Certain Areas is Prohibited

 

Hunting, as defined by state law, is prohibited within three hundred feet of the pheasant pen, five hundred feet of the clubhouse and one hundred feet from any road used by vehicles to enter or leave the club grounds.

 

 

 

Section 2. Restrictions on Setting of Traps

 

No trap of any kind shall be set outside of any building, on club property, without the written approval of two-thirds of all the Board of Directors. Such approval to be given only after an investigation and the need for such trap has been clearly established by tangible evidence.  Once approval is granted by the board of Directors, the approved setting of traps will be conducted following the current State of Connecticut trapping laws and regulations.  All trapping must be performed by a State of Connecticut certified trapper with a current, valid trapping license.   Any member who feels that it is in the best interest of the organization to set such a trap shall submit his request in writing, giving the reason and showing the evidence why such a trap should be set.  All traps utilized must meet the laws and regulations of the current State of Connecticut trapping guidelines, which must include traps being checked every 24 hours. These restrictions shall not apply to the removal of rodents found to be adversely affecting club property.  For this purpose, rodents include, but not limited to, mice, rats, weasels, river otters, moles, muskrats, beaver, gopher, chipmunks and squirrels.  (Amended 2019).

 

Section 3. Outside Activities Open to the Public

 

No outside activities that are open to the public may be held on the club grounds beyond the horse shoe barn on Saturdays during the Fall Firearms hunting season. Under no circumstances shall any non-shooting event be help on the pistol, rifle, or trap range without first obtaining a 2/3-majoprity vote of the membership to close the range on that particular day. (Adopted 1995)

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

 

Section 1. By-laws Shall Govern the Organization

 

The By-laws shall govern the conduct, actions and procedures of the organization in all cases (Amended 1987).

 

Section 2. Proposed Amendments to the By-laws

 

Amendments to the By-laws shall be submitted to the secretary in writing before or at the November monthly meeting. The secretary shall read the proposed amendments to the membership. All proposed amendments shall be turned over to the By-laws Committee, which shall study the same and report it’s finding thereon to the annual meeting.

 

Section 3. By-laws May Be Amended Only at the Annual Meeting

 

The By-laws of the organization may be amended only by a two-thirds vote of the members present, at the annual meeting, provided the procedures as contained in Article XI, Section 2, of the By-laws have been complied with.

 

Section 4.  Posting VSSC By-Laws

 

Not later than February each year, the then current and final VSSC By-Laws will be updated and posted on the VSSC website.  Access to the current VSSC By-Laws will be open to all members and the public; the document will be downloadable, and posted in portable document format (.pdf), locked to prevent modification, adulteration or other tampering.  (Adopted 2017)

 

 

 

VALLEY SPRINGS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INCORPORATED

GROSVENORDALE, CONNECTICUT

 

 

The By-laws contained herein, as amended, were adopted at the annual meeting held on December 14, 2023;

 

 

Ryan M. Lajoie., Chairman, Legal & By-laws Committee

 
Dean Demers, President

 

 

 

Kathy Demers, Recording Secretary

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