In March 2000, the current format of our By-Laws was adopted to facilitate the transition from Charter By-Laws. This process aimed to update our governing procedures and more clearly define the responsibilities of the Executive Officers and Board of Directors in the administration of the Association.
Over the past 25 years, these By-Laws have undergone 23 rounds of amendments to address ambiguities and evolving policy needs, the most recent of which occurred in May 2023. In the time since, significant societal changes have occurred, most notably a shift in the culture of volunteerism, which has had a profound impact on the operational capacity of our organization.
As members of the Board of Directors and Executive Officers of the North Side Sportsmen’s Association, we approach the responsibility of governing the Association with the utmost seriousness, striving to fulfill our duties in a professional and democratic manner.
Upon thorough review, we have determined that the current structure—operating with two distinct governing bodies—has become increasingly time-consuming and inefficiently repetitive. Each body holds its own mandatory monthly meeting, often involving discussion and voting on the same issues, resulting in unnecessary duplication of effort. Furthermore, the daily operations and activities that make our club a vibrant community rely heavily on a small group of dedicated committee chairpersons and their members, alongside the two governing bodies.
To address these concerns, Neil McFadden volunteered to form a committee to review the existing By-Laws and propose solutions. After months of diligent work by the committee and extensive debate among Board Members, we have developed these proposed amendments. Our objective is to create a governing system that is more efficient, accountable, and transparent, while preserving the original intent and as much of the original language as possible.
Formal Review and Adoption Process
In preparation for the formal adoption process, which requires three formal readings per our bylaws before a vote can take place, a full review of these proposed amendments was presented at the October General Membership Meeting.
NOTICE: Given the substantial nature of the changes being proposed, a full, word-for-word reading will not be conducted at the upcoming three mandatory membership meetings. Instead, the complete amendment document has been provided to all members in advance for thorough review. The first of these three formal readings will take place at the November 4th General Membership meeting and will serve as dedicated forums for discussion, questions, and clarification of the proposed changes, ensuring every member is fully informed before the final vote is brought forth.
Document Breakdown
The following documents provide an outline comparison of the existing By-Laws and the proposed amendment draft, followed by a summary of the proposed changes and an explanation of their anticipated impact on the Association’s efficiency, accountability, and transparency. A redlined draft of the full proposed document is also included, detailing all suggested deletions and additions.
Questions? email info@northsidesportsmen.com