Membership

Dues are $10 for individuals and $15 for households, or $100 for an individual life membership. Business memberships are $150, collected annually non-prorated for the period of April 1 – March 31.  New memberships between November 1 and March 31 are valid through March 31 of the following year. Additional donations are gratefully accepted to support FP programs.  Membership includes a subscription to the club newsletter The Fairbanks Paddler and access to club-sponsored trips.  Business members get a free ad in the newsletter and are allowed a modest amount of advertising over the Paddlers’ listserver.

Join or renew online here. Alternately, download a PDF membership form Membership Form (3589 downloads) , print it and mail it along with a check to Fairbanks Paddlers, PO Box 83329, Fairbanks, AK 99708-3329.

Fairbanks Paddlers By-Laws

Last Revised: October 2003

Article 1: Mission

The Fairbanks Paddlers is a group of non-motorized boaters dedicated to having fun and being safe on Alaska’s waters.

Article 2: Purpose

The Fairbanks Paddlers has been formed: (1) To protect public access to and navigation of rivers, water bodies, and waterways in Alaska by canoes, kayaks, rafts, and other non-motorized craft of all kinds, (2) to support the conservation of the quality of Alaskan waters, and of the shoreline environment, and in-stream flow reservations of enough water quantity for boating, (3) to encourage water safety on rivers and lakes through training, instruction, and the assimilation and dissemination of information pertaining to waters of Alaska, (4) to encourage boaters to progress in their skill level and help others to progress, in hopes of maintaining a sufficient pool of available and willing paddlers to ensure a members’ opportunity to boat with others whenever he wishes, and (5) to have fun.

Article 3: Membership

3.1 There shall be three types of Club membership. An Individual membership shall cover one person. A Household membership shall include two or more people sharing a household. A Business membership shall carry the name of a business. Each membership shall receive one copy of printed Club publications

3.2 Individual members, and each person included in a Household membership, who is at least 14 years of age, shall have the right to one vote and to hold a seat on the Board of Directors.

3.3 All memberships run April 1 through March 31. New memberships received between Nov 1 and March 31 shall run until the following March 31.

Article 4: Board of Directors

The business of the Club shall be managed by a board of directors, subject to the restrictions of these bylaws and the statutes of the State of Alaska.

4.1 Number and Tenure. The number of directors shall be nine. Directors shall serve staggered two-year terms without compensation, and may be removed for cause. Upon adoption of these bylaws, five directors shall be elected to two-year terms and four directors to one-year terms. Directors shall be determined by majority vote of the membership at the annual meeting.

4.2 Term Limit. No director shall serve more than three consecutive two-year terms in office. In the case of a director originally elected to a term of less than two years such term shall not be counted in applying this three-term rule.

4.3 Vacancies. The remaining directors shall elect a replacement as soon as possible. The new director shall serve the remainder of the term of the vacated seat.

4.4 Quorum. A quorum is a majority of the current board of directors.

4.5 Conduct of Business. The business and affairs of the Club shall be managed and controlled by a board of directors. They shall act in accordance with these bylaws, with decisions made by members at the annual meetings, and with Alaska State Statutes. Announcements of board meetings shall be posted on the website or list-server at least 10 days prior to the meeting. A quorum must be present and a majority of the board members present must concur, in order for the board to act. For specific matters, however, it may conduct discussion and voting by email, phone, or fax, if it is not practical to schedule a meeting. Actions taken by vote outside of a regular meeting shall be included in the minutes of the next regular board meeting.

Article 5: Officers

The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the Board at each Annual Board Meeting to be held as soon as possible after the membership annual meeting. The Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers of the Club have the power to execute contracts and other obligations in the name of the Club after approval in concept by the Board.

5.1 President. The president shall serve as the Club’s chair. The president shall have general supervision of the business of the Club with the powers that are reasonably necessary to carry out the responsibilities.

5.2 Vice-President. The vice-president shall, in the absence of the president, assume the presidency.

5.3 Treasurer. The treasurer shall have oversight of the funds of the Club and shall keep full, timely and accurate records of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Club. A full accounting of transactions and the financial status of the Club shall be presented at each Board and membership meeting.

5.4. Secretary. The secretary shall be responsible for recording all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, publication of all approved minutes in the Club newsletter, maintenance of the membership roster, collection and distribution of club mail, and notification of members of upcoming board and membership meetings.

Article 6: Committees

6.1 Executive Committee. The Officers of the Board shall constitute the Executive Committee. A unanimous vote of the Executive Committee may act on behalf of the board when a vote of the full Board is not possible, except it may not fill board vacancies, expend more than 10% of the Club funds, or incur debt. The president shall serve as chair.

6.2 Standing Committees. The Standing Committees of the Club shall include the Safety Committee, Conservation Committee, Newsletter Committee, Activities Committee, and Nominating Committee. The Board may appoint additional standing committees or adhoc committees, as it deems necessary. Committees other than the Executive Committee may include Club members other than the board members, but must include at least one board member. Each committee shall have only those duties as designated by the board and consistent with the bylaws.

Article 7: Membership Meetings

7.1 The Annual Membership Meeting shall be held between September 1 and November 30. Election of new directors shall be conducted at this meeting. Notice of the meeting shall be made at least fourteen days prior to the meeting.

7.2 With approval of the board, the President may call special meetings of the membership.

7.3 The President may conduct meetings informally, but if in the President’s judgment more structure is necessary, the President shall conduct the meetings according to the current Robert’s Rules of Order, simplified version.

Article 8: Disposition of Assets Upon Dissolution

Upon dissolution or disbanding of the Club, all assets shall be distributed to a nonprofit organization involved in non-motorized boating education in Alaska. The Club shall be considered disbanded if for12 consecutive months none of the following occur: a meeting of the board with a quorum present; any organized club activity; publication of a Club newsletter.

Article 9: Amendments

The power to alter, amend or repeal these bylaws or adopt new bylaws shall be vested in the Membership. Such action may be taken at the Annual Meeting, or a special meeting, when written notice of the proposed changes are given at least 14 days prior to the meeting, and with a two-thirds majority vote of those attending.