CASART By-Laws

By-Laws of Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team, Inc.
A Not-For-Profit Corporation

Article I - Office
The principal office of the Corporation shall be at the residence of the Team President. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places within the State of New York as the Board may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may so require.

Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this Corporation is to provide a search and rescue team to assist and aid New York State (NYS) Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Rangers in search and rescue operations.

Article III - Membership
1. The Corporation shall have six (6) types of membership:
a. Administrative Member - must be at least 18 years old and is not required to be certified in a search and rescue specialty.
b. Active Field Member - must be at least 18 years old and be certified in Basic Wildlands Search Skills.
c. Professional Member - an individual who voluntarily contributes their professional services for the betterment of the Corporation may be awarded this membership by a plurality of the votes cast at any regular membership meeting.
d. Honorary Member - Organizations and Non-member individuals who have benefited the search and rescue community may be awarded this membership by a plurality of the votes cast at any regular membership meeting.
e. Life Member - Administrative and Active Field Members who have been members for ten (10) ten years or more may be awarded this membership by a plurality of the votes cast at any regular membership meeting, but may not attend training sessions or activations.
f. Associate Member - member affiliated with CASART that will assist in activities, support and organizational procedures, but not be active in field searches. Fund raising, political and DEC liaison are examples. This is a non-voting membership.
2. All membership dues, assessments or other charges shall be set by the Board of Directors.
3. A member is considered to be in good standing when:
a. Dues, Initiation fee and assessments and/or other charges are current.
b. Compliant with all CASART Policies Ethics and Procedures.
c. Field Members are expected to attend at least one mock search and rescue drill per year, attempt to attend other training sessions and participate in as many Search and Rescue missions as possible or at least one (1) per year.
d. Actively support the mission of CASART which is to provide a search and rescue team to assist and aid New York State (NYS) Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers in their search and rescue operations.
e. Fulfillment of all requirements, present and future, as set forth by the Board of Directors.
4. Each Administrative, Active Field and Life Member in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of said members.
5. The Board of Directors, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors, may warn, suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing in accordance with Policies, Ethics and Procedures.
6. Any member may resign at any time by filing a written resignation with the Secretary.

Article IV - Board of Directors
1. The general affairs of the Corporation shall be managed for the membership by its Board of Directors. The number of Directors shall be eight (8) and must be members of the Corporation in good standing. The eight (8) seats on the Board will be President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Field Officer and Assistant Field Officer, Training Officer and a Director at Large by virtue of their election to such positions.
2. The number of Directors may be increased or decreased by an amendment to these By-Laws.
3. Newly created Directorships resulting from an increase in the number of Directors or vacancies occurring on the Board for any reason shall be filled and elected by the membership of the Corporation upon the same conditions and in the same manner as the Officers.
4. Any or all Directors may be removed with cause after an appropriate hearing in accordance with Policies, Ethics and Procedures, by a vote of the members in the same manner as removal of an Officer. A Director so removed shall also vacate his/her position as an Officer, if any.
5. A Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, which shall be effective upon receipt by the Board.
6. A majority of the entire Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business or for any specified item of business.
7. Each Director shall have only one (1) vote.
8. Unless otherwise set forth, an act of the Board shall be determined by a majority vote of the Directors present at the time of a vote, provided a quorum is present.
9. The Board shall hold its meetings at the office of the Corporation or at such other place as the Board may determine.
10. A regular annual meeting of the newly elected Board shall be held immediately following the Annual Membership Meeting.
11. A Special Meeting of the Board shall be held upon notice to the Directors and may be called by the President or by written request of a minimum of four (4) Directors upon five (5) days notice to each Director.
12. The Board by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the Directors present at the time of a vote, provided a quorum is present, shall designate standing and temporary committees from members of the Corporation, determine the number of members and the chair of the committee and may likewise dissolve any and all such committees.

Article V - Officers
1. The Officers of the corporation to be elected by the members shall be as follows:
a. President
b. Vice President
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Field Officer
f. Assistant Field Officer
g. Training Officer
h. Director at Large
2. At each Annual Membership Meeting, the membership shall elect the Officers by a plurality of the votes cast and the Officers shall hold office until the next Annual Membership Meeting.
3. Any Officer so elected may be removed with cause during his/her term after an appropriate hearing in accordance with Policies, Ethics and Procedures, by a majority vote of the members, provided there is a quorum present and further provided that the requirements for calling said meeting as set forth in "Article IX" have been met in full. An Officer so removed shall be required to vacate his/her Board seat as well.
4. In the event of death, resignation or removal of an Officer, the Board, at its discretion, may appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term.
5. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation who shall preside over all meetings of the members and of the Board. He/she shall be charged with the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.
6. The Vice-President shall have all the powers and functions of the President in his/her absence. The Vice-President shall perform such duties as the Board and/or President shall prescribe.
7. The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation and shall deposit said funds in the name of the Corporation in such bank or trust company as the Directors may choose. When authorized by the Board, he/she shall sign and execute all contracts in the name of the Corporation, as well as all checks, drafts, notes and orders for the payment of money. He/she at all reasonable times shall exhibit the books and accounts of the Corporation to any Director, upon request, or to any member, upon written application, at the office of the Corporation or a mutually agreed upon location within a reasonable amount of time. At the end of each fiscal year, he/she shall prepare and submit a financial statement of the accounts of the Corporation to the Board.
8. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the members of the Corporation. He/she shall have custody of the seal of the corporation and shall affix and attest the same to documents duly authorized by the Board. He/she shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices of the Corporation and shall keep a membership roll containing the names of all members of the Corporation showing their place of residence, telephone number, email address (if available) and certifications.
9. The Field Officer shall have such duties as from time to time are prescribed by the Board.
10. The Assistant Field Officer shall have such duties as from time to time are prescribed by the Board.
Approved 10/28/06