BYLAWS OF THE WASHINGTON ARMS COLLECTORS
PREAMBLE
Washington Arms Collectors, a non-profit corporation, hereinafter abbreviated “W.A.C.” or the “corporation,”
provides a forum for collectors of arms and their accouterments to exchange these objects and information about
them in a setting of fellowship and camaraderie, in order to foster research, education and publication
concerning arms and their relationship to history. The corporation also seeks to broaden the interest of the
general public in arms collecting. The
corporation fosters the collection, possession and ownership of such objects, consistent with all applicable
federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations.
In the pursuit of these activities it is the legal responsibility of each member of W.A.C. to know the limitations of
applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. W.A.C. demands that its members obey the laws applicable to
arms and their accouterments, and all bylaws and rules of W.A.C., at all organization functions. Infractions of
laws, ordinances, corporate bylaws, or rules, by any member at any W.A.C. function may be penalized by action
of the Board of Directors or its delegate with sanctions including, but not limited to, expulsion from the function or
forfeiture of membership in the corporation.
ARTICLE I. OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
A. The corporation shall have five offices as follows:
1. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the W.A.C. and the Chairman of the Board of Directors
(BoD). He or she shall preside at all meetings of the BoD and of the members and shall perform such other
duties as ordinarily inure to his or her office. The President shall have such other powers and perform such other
duties as the BoD may from time to time determine. He or she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of
the corporation except the Election Committee.
2. The Vice-President shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the President in the absence of the
President and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as the BoD or the President may
from time to time determine. He or she shall also be Vice Chairman of the BoD.
3. Unless determined otherwise by unanimous vote of the BoD, the offices of Secretary and Treasurer shall be
occupied by different individuals.
a. The Secretary shall attend and keep minutes of all meetings of the BoD and of the members. When noting
approval of previous meetings’ minutes, the dates of such previous meetings shall be included in the minutes.
The Secretary shall prepare official corporate notices and reports, including of elections and meetings, and shall
perform such other functions not inconsistent with these Bylaws as the BoD may from time to time determine.
The Secretary shall maintain permanent files of minutes and shall maintain files of official reports as required by
the BoD. The Secretary shall maintain an ongoing database of club policies and rules as created by the BoD,
and shall update the same as new policies and rules are added and old ones rescinded or changed. The
Secretary shall also maintain the official copy of all procedures manuals developed by Officers, Directors and
various committees at the Corporate office for review by any member of W.A.C. The Secretary shall be the
Registered Agent of the Corporation. The address of the corporation shall be as determined by the BoD.
b. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer in charge of the finances and investments of the
Corporation. The Treasurer or Treasurer’s designee shall receive all funds paid to the Corporation and shall
deposit them in a bank or banks designated by the BoD. The Treasurer or Treasurer’s designee shall make
payments through pre-numbered checks signed in a manner designated by the BoD for expenditures approved
by the BoD, Officers, or others having BoD authority to make such approvals. The Treasurer or Treasurer’s
designee shall keep journals, ledgers and other books of account as required in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and sound business practice. The Treasurer or Treasurer’s designee shall
prepare current financial statements monthly, including of all designated accounts, and distribute same to the
BoD at each regular BoD meeting. Such statements shall also be made available for inspection by any member
upon request. The Treasurer may invest Building Fund Accounts in FDIC-insured bank instruments and/or in
corporate or municipal debt instruments that are insured by an insurer rated AAA or better by the Best Insurance
Ratings Service. All other Corporation bank accounts shall be federally insured, and no balance at any one bank
shall exceed insured limits. A nominal petty cash fund may be maintained in an amount determined by the BoD
and the Treasurer. The Treasurer shall document all disbursements therefrom by receipt.
c. The Treasurer shall maintain accurate records of W.A.C. business transactions including inventories of assets
costing over such dollar amounts as determined by the BoD, and shall supervise the bookkeeper. Financial and
other records retention policies shall be determined by the BoD, in accordance with applicable laws and good
management practice. Such policies shall be implemented by the Operations Committee in conjunction with the
Treasurer, as applicable. The Treasurer shall cooperate with the Audit, Building Fund, and Finance Committees
in developing and maintaining accounting procedures, budget development and financial reporting. The
Treasurer shall chair the Finance Committee.
4. The office of Immediate Past President (IPP) shall be occupied by the president immediately preceding the
current incumbent.
B. Related Provisions:
1. The President, Vice-President and Secretary shall be elected by the membership to serve a term of two years.
Such officers may be removed only by a recall election (Art. VII.A), unless they cease to be members in good
standing subject to expulsion or suspension as described in Article VII.B.1.a and 2.a. The Treasurer shall be
appointed by the BoD to serve a term of one (1) year at the pleasure of the BoD. Removal of the Treasurer prior
to the end of his or her term shall require the vote of at least five directors. In respect of the President and Vice-
President, the two-year terms shall not become effective until the incumbents at the time this change is approved
have vacated their present offices.
2. All nominees for positions as club officers (except for Treasurer) shall have been members in good standing
continuously for at least three years at the time of their nomination to office.
3. Upon vacancy in the office of President, the Vice-President shall become President and serve the balance of
the term for which his/her predecessor was elected. Upon a vacancy in any other office other than the IPP, the
President shall nominate a successor who shall, upon confirmation by a 2/3 majority of the directors present and
voting, serve the remainder of that term.
4. Neither the President nor Vice-President shall be compensated. The Secretary may be compensated as
determined by the Board. The Treasurer shall receive such compensation as shall be determined by the BoD.
5. The President shall hire, with the approval of a majority of the BoD, a Director
of Operations who shall be responsible for hiring/firing/management of club
employees and operation of the club office and membership gatherings. The Editor
of the Club Journal shall be hired by the President with the approval of a
majority of the BoD.
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. The Board of Directors shall consist of nine (9) members of the corporation, each of whom shall have been a
member in good standing continuously for at least three years at the time of nomination. Directors shall be
classified in three (3) classes, three (3) Directors per class, with one class elected each year to serve three (3)
year terms.
B. The BoD shall determine all questions of policy and governance of the corporation, with the power to approve
all salaries of the employees of the corporation, to require such bonds as they deem proper, and to determine,
consistent with the terms of Article I, the powers and duties of the officers. The BoD shall assign responsibility for
keeping the membership rolls, and determine responsibilities and lines of authority for all W.A.C. employees.
C. In the event of a vacancy on the BoD, such vacancy shall be filled, but only until the next annual election, by a
nominee of the President, subject to ratification by a majority vote of the directors present and voting. At the next
following election, the membership shall elect director for the balance, if any, of the unexpired term. The person
appointed under this paragraph may be a candidate for the BoD in said election.
D. In the event a petition from the membership as provided in Article III, Section C.4, Article VII, Section A.1, or
Article VIII, is filed with the BoD, the BoD shall deliver such petition to the Election Committee within 7 calendar
days of such filing.
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
A. Meetings of the BoD
1. Regular meetings of the BoD shall be held on a schedule to be determined by the BoD.
2. Special Meetings:
a. Special meetings of the BoD may be held on 48 hours notice upon the call of the President or on the
electronic, written or telephonic petition of five (5) members of the BoD stating the reason for the meeting. Any
such meeting shall be restricted to those items enumerated in the notice.
b. The President upon the request of a committee chairperson or five BoD members may request consideration
of and votes regarding time sensitive matters without advance notice. Voting may be taken electronically.
c. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall have the authority to call for meetings and votes as
described in paragraphs a. and b, above. If both those officers are unavailable, the Secretary shall have the
authority to call for meetings and votes as described in paragraphs a. and b, above.
3. Five (5) directors shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting. Once a quorum has been
established, a meeting may continue in the absence of a quorum as long as four (4) directors remain present.
4. The President shall chair all meetings of the BoD; in his or her absence, the Vice-President. If neither
President nor Vice-President shall be present, the directors present shall by majority vote appoint the Secretary
or one of their number to chair the meeting. In such case, the Secretary shall have no vote. The President shall
not vote on any resolutions or motions, except to break a tie vote among the directors present. The same shall
be true if the Vice-President shall chair the meeting; however, if chaired by a director pursuant to the terms of the
second sentence of this paragraph, said director shall not forfeit his or her right to vote.
5. All meetings of the BoD shall be conducted pursuant to the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order, except as
otherwise provided in these bylaws. Any member of the BoD may call for a recorded, roll-call vote. All officers as
defined in Article I shall have voice and the power to make and second motions at all meetings of the BoD.
Committee motions do not require a second; all other motions made by officers or directors as individuals shall
require a second before discussion.
6. Proxy votes by directors absent from the meeting shall not be allowed.
7. All regular meetings of the BoD shall be open to attendance by all corporation members in good standing,
who shall have no voice, except as the presiding officer may in his or her discretion recognize individual persons
to speak. By a two-thirds vote of the directors present the BoD may resolve to enter executive session,
attendance at which shall be limited to officers, directors, the corporation’s legal counsel and such other persons
as a two-thirds majority of the directors present shall invite to attend. Proceedings of executive sessions shall be
confidential.
8. Regular and Special Meetings of the BoD may be conducted via a secure dial in
phone/video conference system in order to facilitate meetings during inclement
weather or to allow a quorum when BoD members are traveling or otherwise unable to
physically attend.
B. Meetings of Committees:
1. Committees shall meet from time to time at the call of the chairman. The chairman, or in his or her absence,
the vice-chairman shall preside. The person presiding shall be entitled to vote on all committee business.
2. Committee meetings held in conjunction with member gatherings shall be open to all corporation members in
good standing, who shall not be entitled to voice except upon recognition of the chair. A committee by a simple
majority vote of the members present may enter into executive session, at which only committee members, other
directors and officers, and persons designated by the chair may attend.
C. Gatherings of the Membership:
1. The corporation shall endeavor to sponsor gatherings of members at least twelve (12) times annually
(approximately monthly), at which the members shall be permitted to buy, sell, trade and exchange lawfully
owned arms and accessories pursuant to applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and club rules.
2. A meeting of members may be convened at any such gathering upon the call of the President, or, in his or her
absence, the Vice-President. In the absence of both, a meeting may be convened by a director delegated to do
so by a vote of no fewer than five (5) directors. That person authorized to call a meeting under this paragraph
shall preside.
3. The annual meeting of members shall be held during November each year at the time and place of the largest
November gathering in connection with nominations for club offices. The President shall preside, or in his or her
absence, the Vice-President. If both those officers are unavailable, the Secretary may preside.
4. Special meetings of members may be held upon the written call of the President or five (5) members of the
BoD, or upon the written petition of one hundred (100) members in good standing filed with the BoD.
5. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to issue notice of such gatherings, and of the annual meeting and all
special meetings, including all agenda items, to all members in good standing, which shall be mailed to each
member at the member’s last known address at least seven (7) days prior to the date of the gathering or
meeting. Preferred contact addresses for members may be electronic (email), or
physical (postal mail); in the absence of a declared member preference for a
contact address, postal mail will be used.
6. At any meeting of members convened at any gathering as defined in paragraph 1 hereof, and at the annual
and any special meeting, one hundred (100) members shall constitute a quorum.
7. The conduct of all meetings of members shall be according to the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order,
except as otherwise provided in these bylaws.
8. Unless otherwise determined, meetings of members held at membership gatherings as defined in paragraph 1
hereof shall be convened at 12:00 noon on the second day of such gathering, if a two (2) day gathering.
9. The BoD shall have authority to promulgate rules for the conduct of members and any guests at all
membership gatherings, including rules for exhibit of items for sale, trade or display, as well as the penalties for
violation of these rules, which may include expulsion or suspension from membership or expulsion from
gatherings. Such rules shall be promulgated from time to time to the membership in the Club Journal.
ARTICLE IV. COMMITTEES
A. Standing Committees.
1. There shall be the following standing committees
Building Fund
Bylaws
Display and awards
Education and Training
Elections
Finance and Audit
Legislative
Public Affairs
Publications
Special Projects
Vendor Liaison
2. Except for the Elections Committee, the President shall appoint each year the members of each committee
from among the members of the corporation in good standing, and shall designate the chairman, and vice-
chairman as appropriate, of each committee. Committee chairpersons shall have been members of W.A.C. for
not less than one year prior to their appointments, unless otherwise approved by the BoD.
3. Elections Committee:
a. The Elections Committee Chairperson shall be elected by the membership. The names of all candidates for
the Elections Committee shall appear on each annual ballot for the election of officers and directors. All
candidates shall automatically become members of the Committee. The membership shall be instructed to vote
for one name among the candidates for the Elections Committee to be the Chairperson. The candidate receiving
the highest number of votes shall be the Chairperson. Candidates not elected as Chairperson shall be members
of the Committee, and if the elected Chairperson is unable to serve, the candidate receiving the next-highest
number of votes shall become the Chairperson. In event that no candidate is able to serve at an election, the
President shall appoint the Chairperson. In addition to the committee members described above, the President
shall appoint one director to serve on the Elections Committee, who is not a candidate for any position and
whose term extends beyond the current election.
b. The Committee shall request and supervise volunteers from the membership to assist with the ballot
verification and vote tallying during club elections. No member of the Elections Committee may run for office
while a member of the committee.
c. The Committee shall supervise all elections held by the W.A.C. during the twelve (12) months next following
its election. The Committee or its designee shall, among other functions, design each ballot and safeguard its
printing and distribution. Additionally, the Committee shall control the ballot boxes, receive and count the ballots,
and announce all results. The Committee shall preserve all ballots returned in each election during its term of
office for ninety (90) days
following the resolution of such election, at which time the ballots shall be destroyed.
d. In the event a petition from the membership is received as provided for in Article III, Section C.4, Article VII,
section A.1, and Article VIII, the Committee shall verify that the required number of valid signatures by members
in good standing are on the petition. Upon verification of a sufficient number of valid signatures, the Committee
shall certify to the BoD that the petition is valid. The Election Committee’s certification process shall be
completed within 30 days of the date the petition is received from the BoD.
4. The Bylaws Committee shall occasionally or as requested by the BoD, review
club Bylaws, policies, procedures and Rules of the Road to ensure that such
regulations are current and reflect the desires of the membership and the BoD.
Bylaw changes proposed by the BoD shall be approved by a majority of the
membership at either a general or special election before taking effect. Rules of
the Road shall be adopted by the BoD as deemed necessary and shall take effect only
after publication in the club journal. In the event that a membership petition to
amend the Bylaws is submitted to the BoD as provided in Article VIII, the Bylaws
Committee shall immediately review the proposed change and assist the BoD in
developing the Board's position regarding such amendments(s).
5. The Finance and Audit Committee shall prepare, with the assistance of other standing committees, as
appropriate, an annual budget, which shall be presented to the BoD for approval not later than its March
meeting, to cover the ensuing fiscal year beginning the following July 1st. The Finance and Audit Committee
shall review the books of account and records at least quarterly with the Treasurer and shall report to the BoD
the results of these reviews, and explain any discrepancies or exceptions which it may note. The Finance and
Audit Committee shall interview and recommend to the BoD a Public Accounting firm to conduct the reviews or
audits as scheduled by the BoD as elsewhere provided in these ByLaws (Article X.D). At least one member of
the Finance and Audit Committee shall be a person knowledgeable and experienced in accountancy.
a. The Finance and Audit Committee shall review all revenues and expenses monthly, comparing same with the
budget, and report to the BoD the results of such reviews, explaining any discrepancies or exceptions which they
may note. At least one member of the Finance and Audit Committee shall be a person trained and skilled in
financial and budgetary long-range planning.
b. Requests for all off-budget expenditures in excess of $1000 in any month must first be presented to the
Finance and Audit Committee, which shall report to the BoD concerning the effect of the request, prior to BoD
approval.
6. The Publications Committee shall be responsible for publication of the Club Journal, but not for other printing
jobs as may be needed by the club office, other committees, etc.
a. The committee shall interview applicants for employment as Editor of the Club Journal and make
recommendations to the BoD regarding the hiring or removal of the Editor. It shall have not less than three
members, one of whom shall be the Editor of the Club Journal. The Editor shall be a voting member of the
committee. The Editor shall be an at-will employee of the BoD, and appointment and removal of the Editor shall
be the sole responsibility of the BoD.
b. The Editor of the Club Journal shall determine the editorial content of the journal, except for the Secretary’s
official notices, reports by the President and other club officials, rules of the road and such other material as may
be determined by the BoD.
c. The committee shall review the content of each issue of the Club Journal, and if any material therein is
deemed libelous or scandalous, the Committee shall have the power to instruct the Editor not to publish such
material. In such a case, the Editor shall have the right to appeal the Committee’s ruling to the BoD for its
decision.
d. There shall be no editorials, bylined articles or other journalism about W.A.C. election candidates other than
the candidates’ own statements, nor any paid W.A.C. political advertisements, in any issue of the Club Journal.
Candidates for club
officer and director positions may place advertisements in the journal, provided
that such political ads are paid for at the regular rate as other ads, and that
publication of such ads shall be limited to the ballot issue (February) and the
Club Journal issue during the election month (March).
7. The functions of all other committees established in paragraph 1 hereof shall be as determined by the BoD.
B. Special Committees:
1. Special Committees may be established from time to time by resolution of the BoD. The membership of a
committee so established shall be as appointed by the President, but in no case shall it exceed seven (7),
except as provided in the enabling resolution.
2. A Special Committee shall expire at the earlier of the presentation to the BoD of its final report or the first
anniversary of the resolution creating the Special Committee.
ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP
A. Categories:
1. There shall be four categories of membership in W.A.C.:
a. Annual Membership.
(1) Any person twenty-one or more years of age, not a convicted felon, under indictment for a crime classified as
a felony or gross misdemeanor involving deadly force, nor convicted of or under indictment of any other offense
which would preclude the ownership or possession of a firearm, adjudicated a habitual drunkard, drug addict or
mentally incompetent, or discharged dishonorably from the armed forces of the United States, or otherwise
prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law, may, upon submission of a completed application
form accompanied by the annual dues, become an Annual Member of W.A.C.
(2) Membership shall become effective upon the submission of a properly completed application for membership
and payment of dues and any initiation fee as determined by the BoD, provided that the applicant shall have
furnished acceptable evidence that he or she is not a person disqualified from the ownership or possession of a
firearm. The term “acceptable evidence” shall be defined by BoD policy.
b. Life Membership.
(1) Any person twenty-one or more years of age, who has been a member of W.A.C. for at least twelve months,
may, upon request and submission of such dues as are determined by the BoD, become a life member of
W.A.C.
(2) Honorary life membership may be bestowed by absolute majority vote of the BoD upon such members of
W.A.C. as are determined by the BoD to have made outstanding contributions to W.A.C. Honorary life members
shall not be required to pay further dues following election to honorary life membership.
c. Associate Membership – Any person between 18 years of age and 21 years of age otherwise qualified for
annual membership may become an associate member, consistent with the requirements of subparagraph a(2)
hereof, upon submission of a completed associate membership application form, endorsed by an annual or life
member in good standing, and the dues for associate membership as determined by the BoD. The requirement
of endorsement shall be waived for a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty.
d. Spousal/Family Membership – The spouse or minor children of any member in good standing may, if
otherwise qualified, become a member in this category upon submission of the prescribed application form
properly completed together with the dues as determined by the BoD. Minor children of nonmembers may, if
otherwise qualified, be admitted to membership upon the written permission of the minor’s non-member parent
or legal guardian and upon sponsorship by an adult annual or life member in good standing, accompanied by
properly-completed application forms and payment of dues as determined by the BoD.
B. Other Membership Provisions:
1. Only annual members and life members shall be eligible to vote and to hold office; any member in good
standing may serve on committees of the W.A.C.
2. All memberships other than life memberships shall terminate 365 days from the
date of purchase, or the stated expiration date.
3. Any member may voluntarily resign his or her membership by a writing so stating delivered to the address of
record of the W.A.C. No refund shall be granted of dues previously paid.
4. All members shall wear prominently displayed on their persons, above the waist, a valid W.A.C. membership
badge with name exposed at all W.A.C. gatherings of members. New badges as part of the identification system
will include a photo of
the member.
5. Members of Arms Collectors Associations which are affiliated with the National Rifle Association of America or
recognized by the W.A.C. Board shall have the privilege of free admission to gatherings of members of W.A.C.,
provided they wear, prominently displayed, above the waist, the current membership badge of such affiliated
association on which their name is clearly visible. At W.A.C. member gatherings, members of such collectors
associations who are not themselves
members of the W.A.C. may not purchase, sell or trade cartridge firearms made after 1898 as regulated by
Federal and/or State law, or firearms of any type prohibited by law in their municipality, county, state or country
of residence.
6. Non-U.S. resident Arms Collectors who are members of a bona fide Arms Collectors Association in their
country of residence shall enjoy the privileges extended in paragraph 5 of this Article upon application in person
to the W.A.C. and proof of such membership.
ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS
A. Annual elections of officers (other than the Treasurer) and directors shall be held at the principal March
gathering. Nominations for elective office shall be received at the principal November gathering, either by the
delivery of a written nominating petition to the Secretary bearing the signatures of two (2) members in good
standing, or by a verbal nomination and second by two members in good standing, at a meeting of members
held at such gathering. No person may be a candidate for elective office without having been nominated as
provided in the preceding sentence. Nominees for elective office, except for members of the Elections
Committee, shall reside in Washington, and the Secretary shall verify nominees’ addresses with the club office
membership database.
B. A vote for any person not so nominated shall not be counted; however a write-in vote shall not invalidate the
remaining votes on any ballot which is not or otherwise invalid. Ballots initially shall be delivered by mail to
members entitled to vote. The Board of Directors shall adopt procedures for issuance of replacement ballots to
members who did not receive their ballot in the initial mailing. Ballots may be returned by mail or in person to the
Election Committee at the February or principal March gathering. All ballots must be received by the Election
Committee no later than 12:00 NOON on the Sunday of the principal March gathering. The BoD shall determine
the final date for the eligibility of new members to receive ballots.
C. Ballots for special elections, recall, and bylaw elections not in conjunction with the annual elections shall also
be delivered by mail. The BoD shall determine the final date for the eligibility of new members to receive ballots.
D. Election policies and procedures consistent with Article IV, section A.3, shall be developed and approved by
the BoD, to ensure secrecy of ballots and prevention of fraud.
ARTICLE VII. RECALL OF OFFICERS/DIRECTORS AND DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
A. Recall:
1. Any officer elected by the members or director may be removed from office for misfeasance or nonfeasance in
office upon the filing of a written charge against said officer or director, signed by 250 members in good standing
of the organization and filed with the BoD. The charges and all allegations pertaining to the petition for removal
from office shall be disclosed in an issue of the Club Journal closing not more than 60 days following certification
by the Elections
Committee.
2. In event the Elections Committee reports that a recall petition is valid, the officer or director being recalled may
be suspended from office by a vote of not less than six directors, such suspension to be effective until the
outcome of the recall election.
3. Those officers and directors so charged shall have the right to submit for publication an unedited and
uncensored rebuttal to the allegations, of any length, to be included along with the allegations for misfeasance or
nonfeasance. No other comments regarding the allegations or the rebuttal shall be published in the mailing. The
ballots shall be included in the same mailing. Ballots for the election on the recall petition shall be counted at the
first gathering to be held at least 45 days following the date of mailing of the publication containing the recall
petition, supporting and rebuttal statements, and ballot. If a simple majority of those members voting vote to
sustain said charges, the office of the officer or director so charged shall be deemed vacant.
B. Discipline of Members:
The BoD alone has the power to revoke or suspend membership. Notices of discipline shall be in writing and
may be signed by the President or Director of Operations.
1. Expulsion – Immediate expulsion with permanent membership revocation:
a. Shall result from any conviction which renders a member ineligible to possess a firearm. This provision shall
apply to all members, including officers and directors, unless his or her civil rights have been restored, including
the right to possess firearms.
b. May result from any second violation of W.A.C. rules, bylaws or BoD resolutions as such currently exist or
may hereafter be adopted or modified.
Upon restoration of civil rights as specified, a member expelled under (a) may apply in writing to the BoD for
reinstatement. After a period of one year from the effective date of the expulsion, a member expelled under (b)
may apply for reinstatement.
2. Suspension – Suspension of membership for a period of up to one year for serious violations of W.A.C. rules,
bylaws or BoD resolutions, misconduct or persistent troublemaking may be imposed by the BoD.
a. Any member, including officers and directors, charged with a crime, conviction of which would result in
expulsion, shall be deemed not in good standing and shall be automatically suspended until the charge is
resolved.
b. Suspension of officers or directors for violations of W.A.C. Bylaws, Rules, or BoD resolutions shall require a
vote of not less than six directors. Officers or directors suspended under this section shall automatically forfeit
their offices, but may run for office again at the next election following the end of their suspension.
c. A member disciplined under paragraph 2, above, may appeal the discipline to the BoD, one time only, in
person or by a writing addressed to the BoD. Such appeal shall not lift the suspension during its pendency.
d. The decision of BoD on all discipline shall be final, absent appeal as permitted under c. In the event of appeal,
the decision thereon by the BoD shall be final.
e. In the case of suspension, the right of membership may be automatically reinstated after the suspension
period has expired; in the alternative, the BoD may require the suspended member to appear in person before
the BoD or mail a request to request reinstatement. The determination whether reinstatement shall be automatic
or shall require the suspended member to apply in person or by mail shall be stated in the resolution of
suspension.
3. Other Discipline – Expulsion of members or non-members from meetings or gatherings of the W.A.C. for
violations of W.A.C. rules, bylaws or BoD resolutions, or for misconduct or persistent troublemaking shall be at
the discretion of the Operations Committee Chairman or his designee, or by a majority of the Directors present at
members’ gatherings, or by the presiding officer at BoD meetings.
a. Letters of reprimand may be issued by the BoD at its discretion for minor infraction of W.A.C. rules, bylaws or
BoD resolutions.
4. The BoD shall have the authority to summon members to appear before it for the purpose of investigation of
possible violation of W.A.C. rules, bylaws or BoD resolutions, or other misconduct. Failure to appear upon
reasonable notice may be cause for discipline.
5. W.A.C. rules and BoD resolutions shall be published in the Club Journal not less than 30 days before they
become effective as cause for revocation or suspension of membership or other disciplinary action by the BoD.
ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENT PROCEDURE
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed upon the petition of 250 members in good standing filed with the
BoD. The BoD shall consider the proposed amendments at their next meeting following certification of the
petition by the Elections Committee and shall refer the proposed amendments to the membership together with
the Board’s recommendation. Every amendment so proposed, together with the Board’s recommendation and
supporting and rebuttal statements, shall be published in the first Club Journal prepared following the Board’s
meeting. Procedures for voting on the Bylaw amendments so proposed shall be established pursuant to Article
VI, Section C.
ARTICLE IX. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
In the event any officer or Director should be sued for acts or omissions arising out of the performance of his or
her duties or responsibilities on behalf of the W.A.C., while acting within the authority vested by the membership
or the bylaws of the W.A.C., or by the statutes of the State of Washington, the W.A.C. shall indemnify such
officer or Director for all costs and awards made against him or her as a result of such litigation, provided that, if
it is determined by a court of law that the officer or Director in so acting violated any gross misdemeanor or
felony statute, then the right of indemnification recognized in this Article shall not apply.
ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
A. No Director may receive any remuneration for services rendered to or for the benefit of W.A.C. No employee
or independent contractor may be appointed or elected to fill a vacancy as an officer or director. This paragraph
shall not prohibit the reimbursement of officers or directors for costs incurred in the performance of activities on
behalf of the corporation as authorized either prior or subsequent to incurring such costs. If approved by the
membership, the preceding changes to this section shall be effective as of the results of the February 2010
election, as reported by the Elections Committee.
B. Within sixty (60) days after the beginning of each fiscal year, each officer and Director shall file with the
Secretary a statement of financial transactions with the W.A.C. during the preceding fiscal year if the total of
such transactions exceeds $2,000, excepting only authorized reimbursements.
C. Any officer or director, who is unexcused absent from three regular meetings of the BoD, except while on
official corporate business or due to ill health, during any twelve-month period shall be deemed following the
third absence to have forfeited his or her office.
D. The financial books and records of the corporation shall be audited at least once every four years by an
independent Certified Public Accounting firm. The Board may require audits or reviews more frequently as it
deems appropriate.
Revised 11/04/2024; previous revision 05/20/2019