Charter, May 2002

Article I: Name and Purpose

The registered name of this organization shall be the Texas Hawking Association. The Association shall be dedicated to the preservation of and competency in the art and practice of falconry.

The purpose of the Texas Hawking Association shall be to:

                • encourage and promote the wise conservation of raptors

                • ensure that individuals participating in falconry conduct themselves legally and in accordance with traditionally high ethical standards of the art

                • extend to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cooperation, assistance, and recommendations for effective establishment of programs affecting raptors and falconry in Texas

                • provide communication and information to licensed falconers, club members, and interested persons.

Article II: Membership

Any Texas resident possessing a valid Texas falconry permit may become a regular member of the Association. Any interested person not possessing a valid falconry permit may become an associate member of the Association.

Article III: Board of Directors and Officers

The Association shall have the following: a board of three directors consisting of a northern director, a southern director, and a director at large.

The Association shall also have three officers: a president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer.

The board shall have full responsibility and supervision of the affairs of the Association. The three directors shall each be elected from the regular membership of the Association.

The dividing line between the northern and southern directorates shall be a line passing through Van Horn in the west and Nacogdoches in the east. Any city on this line shall be considered in the southern directorate. (Click here for Directorate Map)

All regular members shall be permitted to vote for the director of their directorate, and the director at large.

The president and secretary/treasurer, shall be elected from the regular membership by the regular members. The vice president shall be appointed by the president from the regular membership.

Article IV: Meetings

A joint business meeting and field meet will be held annually. Association business will be discussed and voted upon as deemed necessary by the officers, directors, and/or the regular members. Proxy voting by the regular membership shall not be allowed, but voting by mail shall be permitted. The board of directors shall meet at least once per year, and as often as deemed necessary by the  officers and/or directors.

Article V: By-Laws

The regular membership shall establish and maintain by-laws governing the management and operation of the Association, consistent with the provisions of this charter.

Article VI: Amendments

A. Proposed amendments to this charter shall be submitted in writing to the regular membership not less than thirty days prior to voting.

B. Amendments to the charter shall take effect after an affirmative vote by a simple majority of the regular membership.

C. Amendments to the by-laws will be handled through the board of directors, for their approval.

Article VII: Dissolution

The existence of this Association may be terminated in the same manner as amendments. The assets of the Texas Hawking Association shall be disposed of as deemed by the Regular Membership.

By-Laws, July 2007

Article I: Membership and Dues

1. Eligibility

Any person shall be eligible to apply for membership in the Texas Hawking Association by submitting a completed application along with their membership dues to the secretary/treasurer. Membership classification shall be assigned by the secretary/treasurer in accordance with the provisions detailed hereinafter.

2. Membership Year

Membership shall be a period from January First through December Thirty-first.  Membership shall take effect upon the receipt of dues. Membership dues received after September First shall apply to the succeeding year's membership, effective January First.

Article II: Membership Classification

1. Regular Membership - Regular membership is available to Texas residents possessing a valid Texas falconry permit.

2. Associate Membership - Associate membership shall be available to all others.

3. Honorary Membership – Honorary membership may be awarded by the directors.

4. Classification Change

   1. A member may request, in writing, a change of classification status if their qualifications change.

   2. Any regular member who moves out of the state and does not maintain Texas residency shall be transferred to associate status.

   3. Regular members may be transferred to associate member status, after a unanimous vote of the board of directors, if a member has been charged with breaking a wildlife related law.

Article III: Privileges of Membership

1. Regular members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the Association, including the right to vote, to serve as director, and to hold office or a position of appointment.

2. Associate members shall be entitled to all rights and privileges of the association, except the right to vote, serve as director, or hold office. Associate members may be appointed by the board of directors to positions of special interest.

3. Honorary members have the same rights as associate members.  Regular members who are awarded honorary membership retain the rights of regular membership.

Article IV: Membership Termination

1. Membership may be terminated by resignation.

2. Membership shall be terminated if not renewed by February First.

3. Membership may be terminated by a unanimous vote of the board of directors, if a member is convicted of breaking a wildlife related law.

4. A member may apply to rejoin the association one year after termination by the board of directors.

Article V: Membership Dues

1. Membership Dues for Regular or Associate members shall be a minimum of $25 per year, or any fraction of the year.

2. Membership Dues shall be payable to the secretary/treasurer, Texas Hawking Association, at the time of application to the Association.

3. Membership Dues shall not be pro-rated for any part of the year, either upon admission to, or at termination of membership.

Article VI: Directors: Electorates, Qualifications, and Tenure

1. Directors - The three directors shall be elected by the regular membership of the Association.

2. Qualifications - Directors must be regular members and live in the directorate they represent. If a director is elected to office and moves to another directorate, a temporary replacement shall be chosen by the board of directors, until elections can be held to fill the position.

3. Tenure - Directors shall serve terms of two years, effective on November 1^st.

4.  The northern and southern directors shall begin terms in odd numbered years. The director at large shall begin his/her term in even numbered years.

Article VII: Election of Directors

A.      The board of directors shall have general authority and responsibility to plan, schedule, and supervise the election of the directors by the regular membership.

B.       The election cycle will begin with a call for nominations published in the summer publication and distributed to all members.  Ballots will be included in the summer publication.  Completed ballots must be returned to the designated election official by October 1^st.

C.       Rules and Procedures for Voting

1. Elections shall be completed not less than thirty days prior to expiration of incumbent’s terms.

2. Regular members shall have timely notice of nominations and subsequent election.

3. The Officers and Directors will ensure that at least one qualified candidate is nominated for each directorship to be filled, and that each nominee is willing to serve if elected.

4. Elections shall be conducted in a fair and equitable manner. Voting shall be by ballot, by mail, by electronic means, or in person. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. A simple majority of all votes cast shall be required for election to any directorship.

Article VIII: Responsibilities and Authority of Directors

1. Directors shall be representatives of the regular members in their directorates and act as spokespersons and liaisons for the regular members in their directorate.

2. The board of directors shall:

1.        have full responsibility for, and supervision of the affairs of the Association

2.        have full authority to make rules and regulations for the administration of the Association consistent with the charter and by-laws

3.        be responsible to the regular membership, through the president, for the efficient operation of the Association

4.        delegate to any officer, director, or appointed position, such authority it deems appropriate.

Article IX: Termination and Removal of Members of the Board of Directors

A.      A director may resign with the approval of the board of directors.

B.       Termination of regular membership shall also serve as a resignation.

C.       A director may be removed from office by written petition of ten percent of the regular membership, or by a majority vote of the regular membership and two directors.

Article X: Officers: Election and Tenure

1. Election

The board of directors shall be responsible for the prompt election of officers to fill any vacant position. 

2. Tenure

Officers shall serve terms of two years, each term beginning November 1^st.  The president and vice-president's terms shall begin in odd-numbered years. The secretary/treasurer's term shall begin in even numbered years. 

Article XI Termination and Removal of Officers

Termination and removal of officers shall be handled in the same manner as the termination and removal of members of the board of directors.

Article XII: President’s Responsibilities

The president shall

A.      act as spokesperson for the Association,

B.       act as chairperson at business meetings,

C.       represent the board of directors,

D.      appoint a regular member as the vice-president of the Association,

E.       act as, or appoint an official liaison to the North American Falconers Association

F.       submit articles of Association news to the Hawk Chalk

G.       act as, or appoint to the position, an official liaison to the Texas Department Parks & Wildlife Department.

H.      be responsible to the regular membership for the effective operation of the Texas Hawking Association.

Article XIII: Vice President's Responsibilities

The vice president shall:

A.      assist the president with club business,

B.       prepare and distribute, to the officers and directors of the Association, a written agenda noting new and old business to be addressed by the board of directors,

C.       perform other duties assigned by the president.

Article XIV: Secretary/Treasurer's Responsibilities

The secretary treasurer shall:

A.      maintain lists of the Association members and all holders of Texas Falconry Permits,

B.       carry out elections as proscribed by the board of directors,

C.       keep notes of business transacted by the board of directors,

D.      serve the president and directors as directed,

E.       be responsible for all funds due the Association from  whatever source,

F.       pay only expenditures as authorized by the board of directors,

G.       deposit all Association funds into appropriate checking and/or savings accounts,

H.      present an annual written financial report each June to the Association,

I.         annually supply the membership a list of all members by March first,

J.        perform such duties as directed by the board of directors.

Article XV: Texas Hawking Association News

Association news will be compiled by the secretary/treasurer, or an appointed newsletter editor.