LOUISIANA TAXIDERMISTS ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
ADOPTED 09-28-84
NOTE: Some of the articles are in the process of being updated for the 2024 Competition. These changes are not yet depicted below.
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of this organization shall be Louisiana Taxidermists Association sometimes referred to as L.T.A., a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
- To promote the high standards in the art of taxidermy, and to strive to produce high-quality work with the exchange of ideas among taxidermists.
- To foster understanding in the general public about the field of taxidermy and other related outdoor sports industries.
- To assist members of the L.T.A. and the general public in their understanding of the Federal and State fish and game laws.
- To monitor state legislative action that could affect the field of taxidermy and related outdoor sports.
- It will be the object of the L.T.A. to assist, in any way possible, the conservation of all our natural resources for future generations.
- To engage in such other civic, charitable, educational, and business activities that the L.T.A. shall deem necessary.
ARTICLE III
REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
- MEMBER DEFINITION
A person who has paid his/her general membership dues in full and is ethically pursuing the practice of taxidermy, whether full or part-time. (Rev. 2-14-98) - CLASSES OF MEMBERS
PROFESSIONAL – A professional taxidermist is a person who is practicing taxidermy and is receiving remuneration for his/her work.
ASSOCIATE – A person who is involved in fields related to taxidermy.
MEMBERS VOTING RIGHTS
Each active member in attendance shall have the right to vote on all matters affecting the operations of the L.T.A., which shall be properly presented for their consideration at duly constituted meetings of the L.T.A. Each primary member and/or spouse in attendance shall have one vote each. (Rev. 2-14-98)
DUES
The association membership dues shall be from January 1 through December 31. The general membership dues shall be $60.00 per member, spouse, and children under the age of 18. Members age 19 shall pay dues of $60.00. If 18 and receiving compensation for taxidermy work you must pay the membership dues.
AFFILIATION
The L.T.A. is an affiliate of the N.T.A.
ETHICAL STANDARDS
All members are required to maintain ethical practices adopted by the L.T.A. Members not in compliance with the by-laws of the L.T.A. will be submitted, upon investigation, to the general membership for a vote of expulsion.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Any person shall be eligible, with Board action, to become an Honorary Member, but shall have no rights or privileges of any character by reason thereof.
ARTICLE IV
ELECTIVE AND APPOINTED OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
The elective officers of the association shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven (7) Board Members.
The President shall be the chief executive of the L.T.A. He/She shall preside at all L.T.A. meetings and shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the membership. Historian, Parliamentarian, and Public Relations Person shall be appointed annually by the President.
The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the Presidency in the absence of the President and shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the association.
The Secretary shall have custody of all other property and records of the L.T.A. except as specified. He/She shall take accurate minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as all membership meetings. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be specified from time to time by the association. All records of the Secretary are the property of the L.T.A. and should be retained for a minimum of five (5) years. All records shall be passed on to the incoming Secretary. (Rev. 2-14-98)
The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds of the association. He/She shall deposit all assets in the name and to the credit of the L.T.A., He/She shall disburse the funds of the L.T.A., take proper vouchers therefrom, and render to the L.T.A. such reports as they shall prescribe. The Treasurer shall be bonded for the faithful performance of his/her duties. All books, records, and vouchers of the L.T.A. shall be open to the inspection of any member. The Treasurer shall, at least once a year, and whenever requested by the association, render a full and entailed account of all receipts and expenditures, and submit a schedule showing the financial status of the L.T.A. and any changes, if any, since the last report. All records of the Treasurer are the property of the L.T.A. and should be retained for a minimum of five (5) years. All records shall be passed on to the incoming Treasurer. (Rev. 2-14-98)
The Board shall consist of seven (7) Board Members; six (6) by-elections and the seventh shall be the immediate past President of the association.
The Board Members shall be direct Representatives of the membership at all Board of Director meetings. They shall be appointed by the President to chair Committees and to assist in the assimilation of material for the association. They shall keep abreast of changes occurring in the industry.
Any officer or board member who fails to attend two (2) consecutive meetings, will be reviewed for possible removal from their position on the Board. (Rev. 2-14-98)
ARTICLE V
INCUMBENT PRESIDENT
The incumbent President shall automatically become a member of the Board of Directors for the duration of the new President’s term.
ARTICLE VI
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
- It is required that a nominee for the office of President be on the residing Board of Directors, or have served on the Board in the past and is a member in good standing, at the time of his/her nomination.
- Nominations and elections will be held during the time the competition room is open for viewing and people's choice award voting has begun each year. The new board members will be announced at the award banquet.
ARTICLE VII
TERM OF OFFICERS
The term of officers of the L.T.A. shall be for two (2) years, with the President/Treasurer alternating with the Secretary/Vice-President, commencing at the time of elections at the Award Banquet until the following election. Board members shall hold office for a term of two (2) years with alternating terms commending at the time of elections at the Award Banquet until the following elections. Three board members shall run each year alternating terms. (Rev. 2-14-98)
ARTICLE VIII
REMOVAL
Any officer or board member of the association may be removed at any time, with just cause, through a Special Meeting called by the President, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the membership present. Notification will be made through the President.
ARTICLE IX
VACANCIES
Any vacancy in any office of the association may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by a majority vote of the association present at a meeting. If such vacancy occurs between meetings, the President or (if the vacancy occurs in the office of President) the Vice-President may appoint a successor to serve in such office until the next meeting of the association. If any officer is absent or unable to perform his/her duties, the association may delegate his/her powers and duties, during the period of such absence or disability, to another person. Said powers and duties shall be carried out by the appointee until the next meeting of the association.
ARTICLE X
RESIGNATION
Any officer or board member may resign his/her office at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Secretary. The resignation shall become effective upon the date specified therein, or if no date is specified, upon receipt thereof by the Secretary. Acceptance shall not be necessary to render the resignation effective.
ARTICLE XI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of four (4) officers and seven (7) board members. The property, business, and affairs of the L.T.A. shall be under the direction and control of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII
MEETINGS
- MEETING DATES
There will be a minimum of three (3) meetings per year; Spring, Summer, and Fall. Special meetings may be called by the President when deemed necessary. - MEETING PLACE
The meeting shall be held at such a place and hour as the Board of Directors shall determine. (Rev. 2-14-98) - COMPETITION
The annual competition for the members of the L.T.A. shall be held at such a place and time as the Board of Directors shall determine. Competitions shall be governed by competition rules set by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XIII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the L.T.A. shall be from the first day of January through the last day of December of each year.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS
By-laws may be amended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the membership present at any regularly scheduled meeting or special membership meeting called by the President. Notification in writing must be presented to the membership at least 30 days before the meeting. (Rev. 2-14-98)
ARTICLE XV
MEMBERSHIP LIST
A list of the members shall be mailed to all L.T.A. members once a year.
ARTICLE XVI
LIMIT OF LIABILITY
No member shall be allowed to sue its organization or its officers for any reason.
ARTICLE XVII
The computer program designed by Joseph A. Knight is the sole property of Joseph A. Knight. He will allow the Louisiana Taxidermy Association the use of it, never to be sold, shared or copied by the Louisiana Taxidermy Association.
REVISED: 02-26-24
REVISED: 04-10-21
REVISED: 02-14-98
REVISED: 09-10-94
REVISED: 09-11-93
REVISED: 02-15-92
REVISED: 04-07-89