Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Oshkosh Bird Club. It was founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on the 4th day of May in the year Nineteen Hundred Seventy.

Article II. Objectives

The purposes of this organization shall be as follows:

1. To stimulate interest in and to promote the study of birds.

2. To promote the conservation and development of natural resources, which influence bird habitat.

3. To cooperate with other organizations whose principles are in accordance with our organization.

Article III. Membership

Any person who is interested in birds may be admitted to membership, as provided by the Bylaws.

Article IV. Amendments

Amendments to this Constitution and the Bylaws must be made in writing and may be made at any regular business meeting. Voting on proposed amendments will occur at the next regular business meeting after the amendment is introduced. A two-thirds vote of those voting at the regular business meeting is necessary for adoption.

Article V. Dissolution of Organization

In the event of the dissolution of the organization, the existing funds, after all debts are paid, will be contributed to an organization or organizations designated by the membership at that time.

Adopted: May 4, 1970
Amended: March 5, 2002

BYLAWS OF THE OSHKOSH BIRD CLUB
OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN

Article I. Membership and Dues

Section 1. The fiscal year of the organization shall extend from January 1 through December 31.

Section 2. Persons included in the membership from the previous year shall pay their dues to the Treasurer no later than the March meeting and are considered members through that time.

Section 3. Annual dues shall be set according to the following schedule:

a. Family membership: $10.00 per family, including children under 18 years old.

b. Adult membership: $ 7.00 per single membership of persons 18 years and older.

c. Student membership: $3.00 per single membership of persons not included in a family membership and who are under 18 years of age.

Article II. Disbursements

Section 1. Expenditures over $20.00, other than for program presenters, must be approved by a majority vote by members at a regular meeting. Members may request that voting on an expenditure be carried over to the next regular meeting.

Section 2. Non-members presenting a program to the organization may be paid a maximum of $35.00. Members will not be paid for presenting a program.

Section 3. All disbursements will be the responsibility of the Treasurer.

Article III. Officers

Section 1. The Officers

The Officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Board Members. The Officers shall be elected to office for a two-year term and may be re-elected to succeed themselves.

Section 2. The President

The President shall preside at all regular, special and board meetings of the Oshkosh Bird Club and generally supervise the organization. The President should be familiar with parliamentary procedures and conduct the meetings according to rules set forth in "Robert's Rules of Order", amended version, except where otherwise designated by the Constitution, Bylaws and Procedures of this organization.

Section 3. The Vice President

a. The Vice President shall discharge the duties of the President in the event of the absence or disability of the President. If the office of the President is vacated, the Vice President shall hold the office of President until the next regular election meeting. If the office of the Vice President is vacated, the office will remain vacant until the next regular election meeting.

b. The Vice President will also solicit volunteers to provide treats at meetings and maintain a list of those who volunteer.

Section 4. The Secretary

a. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all regular, special and board meetings.

b. The Secretary shall maintain all correspondence.

c. If the office of the Secretary is vacated, the President shall appoint a Secretary to fill the vacancy until the next regular election meeting.

d. If the offices of the President and Vice President are both vacated, the Secretary shall call a special election at the next regular meeting.

Section 5. The Treasurer

a. The Treasurer shall maintain a bank account in the name of the Oshkosh Bird Club.

b. The Treasurer shall be responsible for payment of all bills incurred by the organization.

c. The Treasurer shall receive all monies from dues and miscellaneous income.

d. If the office of the Treasurer is vacated, the President shall appoint a successor until the next regular election meeting.

Section 6. The Board Members

The two Board Members shall assist the other officers with any functions of the organization.

Article IV Nominations and Elections

Section 1. Nominating Committee

A Nominating Committee shall consist of three members elected by the membership at the September meeting. The Nominating Committee shall announce their nominees for officers at the November meeting. All nominees shall be contacted before being placed on the ballot and must agree to perform all the duties of the office if elected.

Section 2. Elections

a. The officers shall be elected at the November business meeting and will assume their formal duties on January 1.

b. The following election procedures shall be used for each office independently:

1. All voting shall be done by written ballot, except when there is only one nominee for an office, then the election may be by voice vote.

2. The nominating committee shall present their recommendations to the membership at the November meeting.

3. The meeting then shall be opened for nominations from the floor.

4. Nominees must indicate their willingness to serve before their names are placed on the ballot.

5. The vote of a majority of the members present is necessary for the election of each officer.

6. If a majority is not obtained, a special ballot consisting of the two nominees acquiring the most votes in the first ballot shall then be voted upon.

Article V. Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings

a. Regular meetings of this organization shall be held monthly. When possible the monthly meeting shall be held on the first Tuesday of the month.

b. Regular meetings shall follow the order specified in the organization's Procedures.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President with the consent of the board at the request of any member. Notification of all members shall be at least two weeks in advance with the business to be discussed stated at the time of notification. Nothing that is not "noticed" may be discussed at the special meeting.

Section 3. Board Meetings

a. The Board shall consist of the organization's officers.

b. Board meetings shall be held at the call of the President at a time and place designated.

c. The Board shall have the authority to conduct routine business and to formulate policies and proposals for the consideration of the members.

Section 4. Quorum

At any meeting of this organization, the members present shall constitute a quorum. No voting shall be done by proxy.

Article VI Committees

Section 1. The President shall appoint all standing and special committee Chairs. The committee Chairs may appoint other committee members, with the exception of the nominating committee.

Section 2. The standing committees shall be Records, Publicity, Field Trips, Historical, Auditing, and Environment.

Section 3. The Records committee shall have the following responsibilities:

a. To compile the Christmas, May Day, and September bird counts.

b. To accumulate, screen, organize, record and interpret data submitted by the members.

c. To contribute all pertinent findings to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and other organizations.

Section 4. The Publicity Committee shall promote all of the organization's activities to the public.

Section 5. The Field Trips Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

a. To organize all field trips.

b. To maintain field trip records and maps.

c. To maintain the organization's two-way radios.

Section 6. The Historical Committee shall maintain all records of organizational activities, accomplishments, and related news of club members.

Section 7. The Auditing Committee shall audit the Treasurer's books and report to the membership at the February meeting.

Section 8. The Environment Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

a. To bring environmental issues to the attention of club members.

b. To recommend action to be taken in the name of the club when circumstances warrant.

Adopted: May 4, 1970
Amended: May 2, 1972
Amended: March 6, 1979
Amended: January 3, 1995
Amended: December 2, 1997
Amended: March 5, 2002

PROCEDURES OF THE OSHKOSH BIRD CLUB
OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN

Article I. Regular meeting order

Section 1. The order of a regular meeting shall be as follows:

1. Call to order by the President.
2. Reading of meeting minutes.
3. Treasurer's report.
4. Committee reports.
5. Old business.
6. New business.
7. Announcements.
8. Discussion of bird sightings.
9. Adjournment of the business meeting.
10. Program.
11. Refreshments.

The "Program" may precede the "Call to order by the President" if the program presenter wishes to leave early.

Article II. Planning for the next year

Section 1. In November the Officers shall begin planning for programs, field trips, etc. for the next year.

Section 2. It shall be announced at the December regular meeting what the January program and field trip will be.

Adopted: March 5, 2002