Bylaws

I. Name:

A.  The official name of this organization is The Fellowship of Christian Sportsmen (FCS).

II. Statement of Purpose:

A.  FCS is a non-denominational, non-political, non-profit sportsmen’s organization, founded in Austin, Texas in 1988 by a group of Christian sportsmen.  FCS is a religion organization that has not applied for tax exempt status because our gross receipts do not exceed $5,000 annually.  FCS is a ministry to the hunting and fishing world.  We exist to:

1. Share the joy and experience of hunting, shooting, and fishing with other Christian Sportsmen.
2. Encourage Christian fellowship opportunities for people who like to hunt, shoot, and fish.
3. Challenge men and women to establish and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Encourage serving the Lord Jesus.
5. Encourage fellowship in a local church.

III. Membership:

A.  FCS membership is not required in order to participate in FCS events.

B.  FCS adult membership is available to men and women, 18 years old and older, without regard to race, national origin, age, denominational preference, or political persuasion.

C.  FCS adult members shall consist of those men and women who have:

1. Expressed a desire to be an FCS adult member by completing an FCS Adult Membership Application (the address to send your application and dues check is located on the application) and have paid at least a one-year FCS adult membership due.  The FCS Adult Membership Application only needs to be completed once (it does not need to be completed when a member renews his or her membership).

Membership due options include:

• One-year membership/membership renewal – $20.00
• Two-year membership/membership renewal – $35.00 (a 13% discount)
• Three-year membership/membership renewal – $50.00 (a 17% discount)
• Five-year membership/membership renewal – $80.00 (a 20% discount)
• Lifetime membership – $300 (equivalent to 15 one-year membership renewals)

New and renewing FCS adult members do not receive an FCS Gear membership benefit; however, they can purchase FCS Gear at any time.

D.    A directory of members will be maintained by the FCS officers.

E.    Current FCS adult membership benefits:

All supporting FCS adult members receive:

• Quarterly newsletter, Annual Calendar, and Annual Membership directory (for members who do not have web access).

All supporting FCS adult members have the following rights:

• Make amendment proposals to the FCS Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget;
• Participate in all supporting FCS member discussions and votes; and
• Check out (borrow) FCS equipment items, videos, and books.

Supporting FCS adult members will have their articles, business directory information, classified ads, hunting and fishing stories, jokes, links, members’ profiles, pictures, poems, product and service reviews and recommendations, recipes, safety tips, and useful information for sportsmen submissions posted on the FCS website.

All FCS adult members will have their Bible study, devotional, praise, and prayer request submissions posted on the FCS website.

Submissions from prospective FCS adult members (men and women who are not FCS adult members) will not be posted on the FCS website.

F.    All youth who do not have a parent, guardian, or conservator who is a FCS member are required to complete a FCS Youth Membership Application prior to participation in FCS activities.  However, they do not pay a membership due.  FCS youth membership begins when we receive an applicant’s FCS Youth Membership Application.  All FCS youth members must secure parental, guardian, or conservator permission in order to purchase FCS Gear.  A youth’s FCS youth membership expires when he or she turns 18 years old.  On that date, he or she will need to submit a FCS Adult Membership Application and dues check in order to become a supporting FCS adult member.

G.    A prospective FCS adult member (a man or woman who has never attended a FCS event) will receive e-mails and/or a one-time mail out of materials at his or her request or the request of an FCS adult or FCS youth member. After a prospective FCS adult member has been sent a mail out of materials he or she will be removed from the mailing list and not reinstated unless he or she becomes an FCS adult member.  A prospective FCS adult member will also not be granted FCS adult membership benefits until he or she becomes a supporting FCS adult member.

H.    Future supporting FCS adult members (men or women who at one time were supporting FCS adult members but who have not renewed their memberships) become supporting FCS adult members upon receipt of a membership renewal due.  FCS adult members will not be granted FCS adult membership benefits (with the exception of FCS e-mails) until they renew their FCS adult memberships.

I.    FCS adult members and FCS youth members may be removed from FCS membership at their own request, by failure to renew their memberships (adult members only), or as is determined necessary by a unanimous vote of the FCS executive officers (presidents, vice presidents, and the membership director) who cast a vote.

IV. Officers:

A.  Officer positions shall consist of a president and such other positions that are deemed necessary by a majority vote of the supporting FCS adult members.  All FCS officers are expected to set the example for the FCS membership by following the bylaws and through attendance at FCS events.  All FCS officers are expected to participate in scheduling, planning, and promoting all FCS meetings and events.  All FCS Officers will serve two year terms.  Officer Elections will be held no later than the month before the expiration of the present officer’s terms.  All FCS officers are expected to be current in their membership dues.

B.  The FCS President will be in charge of all of the FCS chapters.  When circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting, the FCS President is responsible to secure a replacement officer to lead the meeting (in the following order of preference: Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, a Chapter President, or a Chapter Vice President).  The FCS President is expected to attend at least one of each of the other chapters in the Austin area meetings a year.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead all Officer and FCS meetings.  Responsible to obtain a substitute leader for Officer or FCS meetings when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending.
2. Responsible to ensure that the other Chapter President(s) and the FCS officers in his or her own Chapter (if he or she is also a Chapter President) fulfill their job descriptions.
3. Responsible to fulfill the other Chapter President(s) and the FCS officers in his or her own Chapter (if he or she is also a Chapter President) job descriptions in their absence.
4. Responsible to ensure that all supporting FCS members are given an opportunity to ponder and discuss amendment proposals to the Bylaws and/or Statement of Faith and all officers are given an opportunity to ponder and discuss the proposed Annual Calendar of Events and Annual Fiscal Year Budget for a minimum of one week before a vote on the proposal is scheduled to be held.  Discussions can be held by e-mail, mail, phone, or in person.
5. Responsible to ensure that votes on bi-annual and called officer elections and on amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget (supporting FCS adult members can vote on Bylaw and Statement of Faith votes, but the officers vote on the Annual Calendar of Events and the Annual Fiscal Year Budget) take place and the results are tabulated and reported to the supporting FCS adult members within seven days of the vote.  An attempt must be made to obtain votes from all supporting FCS adult members or FCS officers (as applicable) via e-mail, mail, phone proxy, or in person.  All supporting FCS adult members or FCS officers must be given, at a minimum, one week to respond to all votes (if possible).  Any candidate approved by a majority vote or any proposal approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the supporting FCS adult members or FCS officers (as applicable) who cast a vote shall constitute as an official FCS action.  If there is a tie during an officer election a runoff election must be held.  The FCS officers can, in situations where it is impossible, due to time constraints, to hold a minimum one week discussion by the supporting FCS adult members followed by a minimum one week vote of the supporting FCS adult members, make Executive Decisions (officer only votes).  The FCS President must attempt to obtain votes from the FCS officers as soon as possible in order to make an Executive Decision.  Any Executive Decision can later be overturned by a two-thirds majority vote of the supporting FCS adult members who cast a vote (a supporting FCS adult member would have to propose a full vote on the Executive Decision).

C:  The Vice President (Events) is responsible to notify the FCS President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a scheduled FCS meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS meetings in the absence of the FCS President (as delegated).
2. Responsible to develop a proposed FCS Annual Calendar of Events and submit it to the FCS President no later than the first day of November each year.
3. Responsible to communicate to the FCS President when he or she has made a change to the FCS Calendar a minimum of one week prior to the day of the event (with the exception of rain outs, cancellations due to lack of game or participants, etc.).
4. Responsible to enter FCS events into the FCS Calendar on the FCS website a minimum of one week prior to the day of the event.
5. Responsible to enter FCS events into the FCS Calendar on the FCS website within seven days of an event’s approval.
6. Responsible to notify the FCS President that a new event(s) has been entered into the FCS Calendar on the FCS website.
7. Responsible to lead FCS events.  Responsible to obtain a responsible party (leader) for FCS events that he or she is not able to attend.
8. Responsible to ensure that the FCS Annual Calendar of Events is implemented.  Will plan events far enough in advance to ensure maximum participation (obtain adequate information, make reservations, collect outfitter/guide fees and submit them by the due date, plan carpools, plan motel room pairings, etc.).  If not able to attend an outing he or she can delegate some tasks to the leader that he or she obtains by mutual agreement.

D:  The Vice President (Ministries) is responsible to notify the FCS President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a scheduled FCS meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS meetings in the absence of the FCS President (as delegated).
2. Responsible to lead devotionals or Bible studies at FCS Meetings and Dove Retreats.  Responsible to obtain a responsible party (Bible study leader) for FCS Meetings and Dove Retreats that he or she is not able to attend.
3. Responsible to plan and lead at least an Annual FCS Ministry Project.  Responsible to obtain a responsible party (leader) for ministry projects that he or she is not able to attend.
4. Responsible to contact individuals who have posted a prayer request on the FCS website that have a specific event scheduled (e.g., surgery, medical tests, medical examination) within seven days of the event to determine their status.  Will notify the Webmaster of needed changes to the Prayer Requests and Praises Webpage.
5. Responsible to contact all other individuals who have posted a prayer request on the FCS website on at least a quarterly basis to determine their status.  Will notify the Webmaster of needed changes.
6. Responsible to contact FCS members who have volunteered to be prayer warriors to remind them to pray for an upcoming event (e.g., surgery, medical tests, medical examination) before the event occurs.

E.  The Chapter President is responsible to notify his or her Chapter Vice President or the FCS Treasurer (in that order) when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a scheduled meeting of his or her chapter.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead his or her chapters Officer and Chapter meetings.  Responsible to obtain a substitute leader for officer or chapter meetings when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending.
2. Responsible to distribute an agenda of his or her chapters Officer meetings to all of his or her chapters officers seven days prior to all of his or her chapters Officer meetings.
3. Responsible to communicate to the FCS President when his or her chapter has scheduled a Chapter event or changed a Chapter event a minimum of one week prior to the day of the event.
4. Responsible to ensure that the minutes of all of his or her chapters Chapter meetings and chapters Officer meetings are recorded.
5. Responsible to ensure that FCS literature is distributed to all guests at his or her chapters Chapter meetings.
6. Responsible to ensure that the other officers in his or her chapter fulfill their job descriptions.

F.  The Chapter Vice President is responsible to notify the Chapter President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a scheduled meeting of his or her chapter.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead his or her chapters Officer and Chapter meetings in the absence of his or her chapters Chapter President (as delegated).
2. Responsible to enter his or her chapter’s events into the FCS Calendar on the FCS website a minimum of one week prior to the day of the event.
3. Responsible to notify the FCS President that a new event(s) has been entered in the FCS Calendar on the FCS website.
4. Responsible to complete assignments as delegated by his or her chapters Chapter President.

G.  The FCS Treasurer is responsible to notify the FCS President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a FCS meeting or a meeting of the FCS chapter that he or she usually attends.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS Officer meetings in the absence of the FCS President, Chapter Presidents, and Chapter Vice Presidents (as delegated by the FCS President).
2. Responsible to lead FCS Meetings (as delegated by the FCS President).  Responsible to lead his or her chapters Officer and Chapter meetings in the absence of the Chapter President and Chapter Vice President (as delegated by the Chapter President).
3. Responsible to deposit FCS funds promptly.
4. Responsible to pay debts promptly.
5. Responsible to promptly balance the FCS check register on a monthly basis with the bank statement.  Responsible to submit a report of this reconciliation to the President.

H.  The FCS Secretary/Chapter Secretary is responsible to notify the Chapter President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead his or her chapters Officer and Chapter meetings in the absence of his or her chapters Chapter President and Chapter Vice President (as delegated).
2. Responsible to record the minutes of all FCS officer, FCS meetings, and his or her chapters meetings and to write a report on all of the events that he or she attends.  Responsible to submit his or her chapters meeting minutes and event reports to the FCS President and his or her chapters President within seven days of the event.
3. Responsible to produce, print, photocopy, and mail quarterly newsletters and flyers pertaining to FCS events (as requested by the President) to supporting FCS adult members who do not have e-mail addresses or web access (and others as requested by the President).
4. Responsible to print or e-mail sign up sheets for events, Dove Retreat logs, and other documents at the request of the president.
5. Responsible to distribute an agenda of FCS officer meetings (as supplied by the President) to all FCS officers at least one week prior to all FCS officer meetings.
6. Responsible to ensure that FCS literature is distributed to all guests at FCS events that he or she attends.
7. Responsible to ensure that ballot surveys are distributed to all supporting FCS adult members at least one week prior to Bi-annual and called elections via e-mail and mail or phone proxy (for supporting members who do not have e-mail addresses).

I.  The Membership Director is responsible notify the Chapter President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS Officer meetings in the absence of the FCS President, Chapter Presidents, and Chapter Vice Presidents (as delegated by the FCS President).
2. Responsible to send all new members a “Welcome to FCS” e-mail or letter (for those members who do not have e-mail).
3. Responsible to mail new and renewing members their membership benefits.
4. Responsible to be the contact person for general questions about FCS from new members and to answer questions promptly.
5. Responsible to remind supporting members that their memberships are about to expire and encourage them to renew their memberships.
6. Responsible to participate in FCS promotions at churches, sporting goods stores, etc.

J.  The Webmaster is responsible to notify the Chapter President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS Officer and FCS meetings in the absence of FCS President, Chapter Presidents, and Chapter Vice Presidents as delegated by the FCS President).
2. Responsible to convert website submissions from the President into htm or html and upload them to the website within seven days of receipt.
3. Responsible to notify the FCS President when submissions have been uploaded.

K.  The FCS Chaplain/Chapter Chaplain is responsible to notify the Chapter President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to preach, lead devotionals or Bible studies, etc. at FCS events and meetings as requested by the FCS President (for FCS functions) or Chapter President (for Chapter functions).
2. Responsible to lead his or her chapters Officer and Chapter meetings in the absence of the Chapter President and Chapter Vice President (as delegated by the Chapter President).

L:  The Prayer Coordinator is responsible to notify the FCS President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a scheduled FCS meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to lead FCS Officer and FCS meetings in the absence of FCS President, Chapter Presidents, and Chapter Vice Presidents (as delegated by the FCS President).
2. Responsible to contact individuals who have posted a prayer request on the FCS website that have a specific event scheduled (e.g., surgery, medical tests, medical examination) within seven days of the event to determine their status.  Will notify the Webmaster of needed changes to the Prayer Requests and Praises Webpage.
3. Responsible to contact all other individuals who have posted a prayer request on the FCS website on at least a quarterly basis to determine their status.  Will notify the Webmaster of needed changes.
4. Responsible to contact FCS members who have volunteered to be prayer warriors to remind them to pray for an upcoming event (e.g., surgery, medical tests, medical examination) before the event occurs.

M.  The Assistant to the FCS President is responsible to notify the FCS President when circumstances beyond his or her control preclude him or her from attending a meeting.  Specific expectations:

1. Responsible to contact members and guests who have placed advertisements on the Classified Ads page on at least a quarterly basis to determine their status.  Will notify the Webmaster of needed changes within seven days of learning of a needed change.
2. Responsible to conduct polls as requested by the FCS President within three days of the request.
3. Responsible to tabulate polls that he conducts and report the results to the FCS President within seven days of the termination of the poll.
4. Responsible to complete other assignments as delegated by the FCS President.

N.  Future elections for unopposed FCS officers/supporting FCS adult members (as determined by Ballot Surveys) will not be held.  An unopposed FCS officer will automatically receive another two year term.  An unopposed supporting FCS member will automatically receive the job he or she applied for.

O.  Members can vote in chapter officer elections for their chapter only.

P.  The FCS officers shall maintain an Annual Fiscal Year Budget (beginning each September the 1st).  The proposed Annual Fiscal Year Budget must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the FCS officers who cast a vote prior to implementation.  Any proposed unplanned purchase(s) of $50.00 or more must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the FCS officers who cast a vote prior to the purchase(s).

Q.  The FCS and Chapter presidents and vice presidents shall maintain an Annual FCS Calendar of Events.

V. Chapters:

A.  A minimum of two supporting FCS adult members are needed to start a chapter.  These two supporting FCS adult members must serve as officers for their local chapter (one as Chapter President and one as Chapter Vice President).  Additional approved Chapter officer positions include Chapter Secretary and Chapter Chaplin.  All Chapter officer must also be supporting FCS adult members.

B.  Each chapter will be governed by the FCS Bylaws and Statement of Faith.  Chapters may organize their own meetings and events.

VI. Meetings:

A.  Official meetings will be held according to the schedule of the Annual Calendar of Events that was approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the FCS officers who cast a vote.  The President, or a majority of the other FCS officers, or the majority of supporting FCS adult members can also call a meeting.  Attempts must be made to notify all supporting FCS adult members at least 72 hours in advance of called meetings via e-mail and mail or phone proxy (for supporting members who do not have an e-mail address).  The ranking FCS officer or most tenured member (in the event that no FCS officers are involved) is responsible to attempt to notify all supporting FCS adult members.

VII. Amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith,  Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget and Proposals to Remove Members from FCS Membership:

A.  Supporting members (only) can make amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget and/or proposals to remove FCS members from FCS membership.

B.  Amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget and/or proposals to remove members from FCS membership must be made to the FCS President and can be in written (preferably) or oral form.

C.  Amendment proposals to the Bylaws, Statement of Faith, Annual Calendar of Events, and/or Annual Fiscal Year Budget do not require a “second” in order to be considered.  The FCS president will present amendment proposals to the Bylaws and/or Statement of Faith to the other FCS officers for discussion.  If a two-thirds majority of the officers who cast a vote indicate that the amendment proposal to the Bylaws and/or Statement of Faith is appropriate and will be beneficial to the FCS the proposal will be presented to the supporting FCS adult members for a minimum one week discussion and a minimum one week vote.  The FCS president will present amendment proposals to the Annual Calendar of Events to the FCS vice president(s) or Chapter president and vice president(s) (as applicable) for discussion and a vote (he or she can also vote for amendment proposals regarding FCS events).  The FCS president will present amendment proposals to the Annual Fiscal Year Budget to the FCS officers for discussion and a vote.

D.  Proposals to remove members from FCS membership do not require a “second” in order to be considered.  The FCS president will present proposals to remove members from FCS membership to the FCS executive officers for discussion and a vote.  The member who has been proposed to be removed will have the right to offer testimony on his or her own behalf.  If an executive officer has been proposed to be removed he or she will have the right to offer testimony on his or her own behalf but will be excluded form executive officer discussions and votes pertaining to his or her proposed removal.  A unanimous vote of the FCS executive officers who cast a vote is required to remove a member from FCS membership.

VIII. Release of Liability Waiver:

A.  All members and guests must sign a life time FCS Release of Liability Waiver prior to participation in FCS events that involve the use of: landowners’ land and bodies of water, outfitters, guides, guns, bows, knives, other weapons, and vehicles used in hunting, shooting, and classes that involve the use of weapons (concealed handgun license, shooting, etc.); landowners’ land and bodies of water, outfitters, guides, vehicles, boats, bows, and knives used in fishing, canoeing, and kayaking; vehicles used in car racing; vehicles and trailers used in camping; and any other FCS events that involve potential hazards.  It is at the sole discretion of the FCS president as to whether an event requires participants to sign a life time FCS Release of Liability Waiver prior to participation in the event.  The FCS president shall maintain a binder of completed FCS Release of Liability Waivers.  A member or guest who refuses to sign an FCS Release of Liability Waiver will not be allowed to participate in FCS events that involve potential hazards until he or she does so.

IX. Conduct:

A.  Members agree to uphold the traditions of FCS that were established when its name was The Burp & Poot (B & P) Club.  These include:

Fellowship

1. To burp and poot at every opportunity at FCS functions (with the exception of the events that include ladies).
2. To never say excuse me when engaging in the above at FCS events.
3. To play Killer UNO.
4. To eat chili.
5. To treat Charlie Batts with respect.
6. To drink IBC root beer.
7. To sing the “Lumberjack Song” when rising at FCS overnight events.
8. To “let their hair down” and have fun.

Christian walk

1. To bear other members burdens.
2. To pray for needs within our membership body.
3. To never hunt or fish on special occasions (anniversary, wife’s or children’s birthdays, etc.).
4. To refrain from consuming alcohol, taking illegal drugs, and using profanity while on FCS events (the use of tobacco products is also strongly discouraged.
5. Couples who are not married must sleep in separate quarters on overnight events.
6. To obey all laws of the United States of America while on FCS events (this includes while traveling to and from events).

Safety and shooting practices

1. To obey the rules of safe weapon/rod handling.
2. To drive vehicles and four wheelers at leases and operate boats in a safe manner.
3. To acquire marksmanship skills that will assure clean kills.

Hunting and Fishing practices

1. To respect the property of the landowner (picking up trash and empty shells, closing gates that they open, etc.).
2. To learn the rules of the host or landowner and follow them (staying put until the agreed upon hour, for example).
3. To carry our fair share of the load.  This includes paying a fair share of gas money and other expenses and doing a fair share of chores.
4. To be unselfish in our hunting and fishing practices (permitting a new hunter first shot at a bird, assigning new hunters and anglers to the prime spots, not shooting at a bird that is heading directly for another hunter, permitting a new angler to fight the first fish on a chartered boat, etc.).
5. To never take advantage of a game bird, animal or fish (shooting at a unwounded bird on the ground or in a tree, for example).
6. To never become possessed with who can bag the most birds, shoot the largest racked deer, or catch the most fish.
7. To never shoot at unidentified furry or flying objects (UFO’s).
8. To obey all hunting and fishing regulations.  Examples of frequently violated laws include: buying your child a hunting and/or fishing license for the purpose of taking more game or fish for yourself and saying that your child bagged them, taking game or fish over the limit and giving the excess to others, and taking game or fish over the limit and eating the excess.

Last updated 5/23/11.