Bylaws

Article I - PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association is to preserve and protect Hancock Lake and its surroundings, and to enhance the water quality, fishery, boating safety and aesthetic values of Hancock Lake, as a public recreational facility for today and for future generations.

Article II - STATUS AND LIMITATIONS

To carry out the program of the Association and to make effective representations on behalf of its members, the Association shall be organized as a non-profit, non-stock corporation under chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes. (Sections of the Statutes are cited throughout these Bylaws.) No asset of the Association shall benefit any one officer or member. The Association shall not participate in partisan political activity.

Article III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Eligibility: Membership in the Association shall be open to any individual adult, family, business, or organization, which for at least one month each year resides on or within one mile of Hancock Lake, or owns real estate on or within one mile of Hancock Lake, and subscribes to the purpose of the Association. [Sec.181.0601]

Section 2 - Dues: Dues shall be $20 , payable on or before the Annual Meeting. [Sec. 181.0613]

Section 3 - A member in good standing is a member that has paid his/her annual dues for the current year and meets the membership requirements of Article III, Section 1.

Article IV - VOTING

Section 1 - Voting: Any individual member in good standing may cast only one vote on any question called to a vote. [Sec. 181.0721]

Section 2 - Casting Ballots: Voting for Board of Directors and adoption of the budget will be conducted by mail ballot after presentation at the Annual Meeting. [Sec. 181.0708 (1)]

Section 3 - Voting by mail: [Sec. 181.0708 (1)]

a. Mail Balloting Permitted. The Board may put any question to the members for ballot by mail. Notification shall state whether the vote is to be advisory or binding, shall include a full explanation of the question, and shall specify a cutoff date for receipt of responses. The deadline date shall be not less than 30 days of the official notification of the request for vote by mail. The postmark shall determine the official notification date. [Sec. 181.0708]

b. Quorum Required for Mail Balloting. Questions submitted for mail balloting should not be decided unless responses are received from the same number of members required for a quorum at a regularly convened meeting. Each member shall be entitled to the same number of votes on each question, as the member would have had in a regularly convened meeting. The majority required deciding the question in the affirmative shall be the same, as that required at a regularly convened meeting of the members. If no quorum the questions will tabled. [Sec. 181.0708 (3)]

c. Certification of Results of Mail Ballots. The Board shall certify the results of each mail ballot. Certification shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting at which certification was made. Members shall be notified of the results not more than 60 days following the deadline date for receipt of responses.

Section 4 - Referenda: The Board of Directors may at any time solicit reactions from members through a mail survey. The Board resolution authorizing the referendum shall indicate whether the results shall be considered advisory or a binding on the board.

Article V - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1 - Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the Association shall be held in the vicinity of Hancock Lake on the second Saturday of June at 9 am, or a place and time set at the last Annual Meeting, with a general meeting to follow. The agenda of the annual meeting shall include nominations of board members and presentation of proposed budget. [Sec. 181.0701]

Section 2 - Special Meetings: A special meeting of the Association may be called at any time by the President, by majority vote of the Board of Directors, or by written request of a quorum of the members. The agenda of a special meeting may include any items properly brought before an annual meeting. Only those matters described in the notice shall be discussed at the meeting. [Sec. 181..0702]

Section 3 - Informational Meeting or Social Event: The Association may sponsor a variety of meetings and events designed to provide educational, recreational, or social opportunities for its members and their guests. It may also sponsor fund-raising activities. If business is to be conducted at such events, the notice requirement for special meetings must be met.

Section 4 - Notification: Every annual or special meeting must be preceded by notice to paid members and members from the preceding year that have not yet renewed their membership. Notification may be by hand delivery or by mail at least 30 days, but not more than 50 days, prior to annual meetings and at least 15 days, but not more than 50 days, prior to special meetings. The notice shall summarize any proposed changes in the Bylaws, shall highlight any proposals to dissolve the Association, and shall include a description of the matter or matters for which the meeting was called. [Sec. 181.0705]

Section 5 - Quorum: No formal business may be conducted at membership meetings unless at least one-tenth of the members in good standing, or 15 members, whichever is greater, are present. [Sec. 181.0722]

Section 6 - Procedure: Roberts Rules of Order, in the current revised edition, shall be in force at the meetings of the Association, of the Board of Directors, and of the Association committees unless required otherwise by Wisconsin Statues or these Bylaws. Non-members of the Association may be recognized to speak at Association function at the discretion of the presiding officer who shall also serve as parliamentarian.

Article VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 - Authority: Subject to directives of annual and special meetings and these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have authority over the activities and assets of the Association. [Sec. 181.0801]

Section 2 - Composition: The Board of Directors shall include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three at-large directors, [Sec. 181.0803]

Section 3 - Elections: The Board of Directors shall nominate one or more members for each vacant position on the Board. Additional nominations of members, present at the annual meeting and willing to serve, shall be taken from the floor. All elections for the Board shall be conducted by secret, written official mail ballot. [Sec. 181.0804].

Section 4 - Terms of Office: Directors are elected for two-year terms. Their terms shall expire after the annual meeting or upon the election of new Directors, whichever occurs later. The terms of office of President, Vice-President, and one at-large director expire in even-numbered years. The terms of office of Secretary, Treasurer, and two at-large directors expire in odd-numbered years. [Sec. 181.0805]

Section 5 - Board Meetings: The new Board shall meet within 60 days of the annual meeting and at least one other time prior to the next annual meeting. Regular meetings shall be held at places, dates, and times established by the Board. Special meetings may be held on the call of the President or any three Directors after at least 24 hours notice by telephone, mail, or personal contact. Four directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The meetings shall be open to the members. Decisions shall be made by majority vote of directors present, with the President voting only to break ties. Between meetings, the President may solicit decisions from the Board through written communications. [Sec. 181.0820; Sec. 181.0824]

Section 6 - Vacancies: Any board or committee member may be removed from his/her position by a majority vote at a Special meeting convened for that matter. [Sec. 181.0808; Sec. 181.0811]

Section 7 - Compensation: Directors shall not be compensated for their time and effort. The Board may authorize officers, directors, and committee members to be paid actual and necessary expenses incurred while on Association business.

Article VII - OFFICERS

Section 1 - President: The President shall preside over all membership meetings and Board meetings. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association, responsible for day-to-day administration of the affairs of the Association and supervision of any employees or contractors. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees. [Sec. 181.0841]

Section 2 - Vice-President: The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President should that office become vacant and shall preside at meetings when the President is unable to attend. The Vice-President shall arrange for the educational segment of the annual meeting and carry out other assignments at the request of the President. [Sec. 181.0841]

Section 3 - Secretary: The Secretary shall maintain the official records of the Association, as well as an archive. The Secretary shall record and distribute the minutes of member meetings and Board meetings. The Secretary shall maintain a current record of the names and addresses of members entitled to vote and shall send out notices of membership meetings. The Secretary shall prepare publicity for the Association and shall prepare the Association newsletter or solicit an editor to carry out the task. The Secretary shall serve on the Membership Committee. [Sec. 181.0841]

Section 4 - Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the Association. The Treasure and one other designated board member shall sign all checks. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial statement for the annual meeting and shall be responsible for presentation of the proposed budget to the annual meeting. The Treasurer shall serve on the Finance Committee. [Sec. 181.0841]

Section 5 - MULTIPLE OFFICE HOLDING: The same person may hold the offices of Vice President and Treasurer or the offices of Secretary and Treasurer. [Sec. 181.0840]

Section 6 - Other Officers: Other officers may be appointed by the President, with concurrence of the Board. A legal counsel, an executive secretary, or such other assistant officers as are deemed necessary need not be members of the Association.

Article VIII - COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Composition: All committees will be comprised of at least three members in good standing, appointed by the board for a term of two years.

Section 2 - Membership Committee: The Membership Committee shall initiate a plan to recruit new members and offer suggestions to the Board on retention of members.

Section 3 - Hospitality Committee: After receiving Board approval, shall organize and publicize social events to be sponsored by the Association.

Section 4 - Finance Committee: The Finance Committee shall recommend fund-raising activities to the Board and, after receiving Board approval, shall organize such activities. The Finance Committee shall also annually audit the financial records of the Association.

Section 5 - Land Used Committee: The Land Use Committee shall represent the Association at local public hearings and informational meetings relating to zoning, sanitation codes, subdivision ordinances, pollution sources, and changes in land use which might affect water quality. The Land Use Committee shall offer proposals to the Board regarding land use issues.

Section 6 - Boating Safety Committee: The Boating Safety Committee shall represent the Association at local public hearings and informational meetings relating to water safety patrols, lake use ordinances, and obstacles to navigation. The Boating Safety Committee shall offer proposals to the Board regarding water use issues.

Section 7 - Fishing and Water Quality Committee: The Fishing and Water Quality Committee shall represent the Association at Department of Natural Resources hearings and at local meetings relating to in-lake water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and water levels. The Committee shall offer proposals to the Board regarding water quality monitoring and ecological management of the fishery.

Section 8 - The Aquatic Plant and Algae Committee: The Aquatic Plant and Algae Control Committee shall represent the Association at Department of Natural Resources hearings and at local meetings relating to the control of nuisance plants and to the protection of desirable vegetation. The Committee shall offer proposals to the Board for a vegetation management plan and may be delegated responsibility to implement such a plan.

Section 9 - Other Committees: The President may appoint such other committees as are deemed necessary to support the efforts of the Board.

Article IX - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1 - Indemnification of Officers and Directors: As provided by Wisconsin law, the Association shall indemnify any officer, director, employee, or agent who was or may be involved in legal proceedings by virtue of his or her good faith actions on behalf of the Association. [Sec. 181.0872(13)]

Section 2 - Fiscal Year: The records and accounts of the Association shall be maintained on a calendar year basis.

Section 3 - Accounts and Investments: Funds of the Association shall be promptly deposited at a financial institution designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Funds not needed for current operations shall be deposited in investment accounts or certificates as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Article X - ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws and any amendments thereto, may be adopted at any annual or special meeting of the Association by a two-thirds vote of members entitled to vote. Amendments to the Bylaws must be summarized in the notice for the annual meeting at which the amendments are to be voted on by mail-in ballot. [Sec. 181.1002; Sec. 181.1021]

Article XI - DISSOLUTION

The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds affirmative vote of all directors, may recommend that the Association be dissolved and the question of such dissolution be submitted to a vote at a subsequent meeting of members. Notice of the meeting shall highlight the question of dissolution. At the meeting, a two-thirds affirmative vote of members present and entitled to vote shall be required to approve a resolution of dissolution. Such a resolution shall direct the Board of Directors to prepare a dissolution plan for subsequent approval by the members as provided under Wisconsin law. Dissolution of the Association shall not be final until the members, by majority vote, shall have approved the dissolution plan, either at a meeting or by a binding mail referendum. [Sec. 181.1401; Sec. 181.1403]

CERTIFICATION

These Bylaws were adopted by vote of _____ yes and _____ no by mail-balloting held this _____ day of _________, 2007.

These Bylaws were amended by vote of _____yes and _____no by mail-balloting held this ______ day of _________, 2020

______________________________

Secretary

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