1. Purpose

The purpose of the American Canoe Association Ohio-Penn Division (Division) shall be to promote Canoesport and its safety concerns and to support the purpose of the American Canoe Association (ACA) on the local level.

The membership of the Division shall be that of the ACA within the boundaries of the Division. Members of the ACA who live outside of these boundaries, may join the Division upon request.

3. Boundaries

The Division shall encompass the state of Ohio and a western portion of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

4. Meetings
1. Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Membership shall take place in the last third of the year and shall serve as an opportunity to hear current concerns in Canoesport, and to conduct the annual business of the Division. At the business meeting, there shall be a report on all Division affairs, an opportunity for the membership to discuss issues, as well as an opportunity to make nominations from the floor, and to propose amendments to these Bylaws. There shall be at least one month’s notice of the Annual Meeting and this notice will be mailed to all divisional members. The quorum shall be the majority of the board and any number of the general membership. Proxies will be accepted. The Board and committees may meet from time to time. The quorum for these meetings shall be the majority of the board and no proxies shall be allowed.

5. Governance

The Division shall be managed by a Board of Officers, which shall be elected by the membership every two years and which shall work in cooperation with members serving on various committees in an appointed capacity.

1. The Board

The Board shall consist of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Instruction Chair, Safety Chair and Conservation Chair. The Division Chair shall speak for the Division in matters involving other organizations and the national structure of the ACA, supervise the various affairs of the Division, preside at meetings, and make appointments as indicated below. The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair in the above duties, and take over those duties in the absence of the Chair or in the event that the Chair should be vacated. The Secretary shall keep the records of the Division and assist the above officers of their duties. The Treasurer shall supervise the financial affairs of the Division, and assist the above officer in their duties. The terms of the Board shall be two calendar years with a provision to be re-elected.

2. Activity Committees

There shall be any number of activity committees that the membership approves by vote at the Annual Meeting. Each activity committee shall nominate its chair and other officers. In the absence of a nominee, the Board may appoint committee officers. Activity committee representatives shall be appointed by the Chair in consultation with those participating in the activity with the approval of the Board. Terms shall be for two years, which shall coincide with the term of the Board, or as Bylaws shall provide.

3. Standing Committees

The Chair shall appoint with the approval of the Board, Instruction, Safety and Conservation Standing Committees. Terms shall be for two years, which shall coincide with the term of the Board, or as Bylaws shall provide.

4. Ad Hoc Committees

The Chair may appoint with the approval of the Board, Ad Hoc Committees to address temporary matters of concern, or to accomplish specific tasks, which are not of an on-going nature. Terms shall be for no more than one year, which shall coincide with the term of the Chair. These positions may be re-appointed.

6. Elections

Voting on candidates for office, as well as voting on all other matters, shall be at the Annual Meeting. Written proxies will be accepted from eligible members of the Division.

7. Resignation and Removal from Office and Vacancies

Any member of any body or committee within the Division may resign with reason at any time, or be removed for cause. Members of all committees and bodies other than the Board may be removed for cause by majority votes of the Board. Members of the Board may also be removed for cause, however, a majority of the Board shall bring charges and the charges, along with the response of the members, shall be referred to the membership for a vote by mail ballot or other means. A two-thirds majority of those voting shall be necessary for removal. Any member, who may be removed for cause, shall have a fair opportunity to respond to charges. The Board shall fill all vacancies for the remainder of the term.

8. Grievance

Any member may grieve any act of any official or body within the Division. The grievance shall be filed within 45 days of the event, or the most recent denial of the grievance, and shall be heard within three months. Grievances shall proceed in the first instance to the local committee or body, in the second to the Divisional Board, and in the third to the national organization.

 

9. Amendments

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed to the Board for its recommendation, be submitted to the membership and discussed at the Annual Meeting and may be voted by the membership through mail ballot or otherwise. Amendments may be proposed at the Annual Meeting by members, however, such proposed amendments shall receive the approval of at least a majority of the members in attendance, in order to be placed on the ballot. Those voting shall require approval by a two-thirds majority. Such amendments shall become active upon approval by the National Board of Directors.

10. Enactment
1. Terms

Currently elected officials shall complete their terms.

2. Approval

A two-thirds majority of those in attendance at the Annual Meeting shall be necessary for approval of these Bylaws. The Bylaws shall become final upon approval by the National organization. In the event that there should be any interim, it shall function as a tentative plan.