© 2008
MASKGI By-Laws

Article I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the:
Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors (MASKGI)

Article II. Purpose

The purpose of this organization shall be:
  1. To promote safe and reponsible sea kayaking along the coast of Maine.
  2. To practice and promote low impact travel and camping techniques.
  3. To advance the general welfare of the sea kayaking industry in Maine.
  4. To participate for the purpose of mutual benefit in an information exchange with all national, state, and local affiliated associations as approved by the Board.
  5. To encourage a high appreciation of the objectives and responsibilities of sea kayaking business owners, guides and instructors by providing safe, and enjoyable opportunities for members of the general public to learn and develop the sport of sea kayaking.
  6. To promote the enactment and enforcement of local, state and federal laws beneficial to the sea kayaking industry in Maine.
  7. To encourage members to work together and exchange information for the benefit of the sea kayaking industry in Maine.
  8. To encourage members to continue their education in technical skills and knowledge of sea kayaking.
  9. To adopt and advocate a Code of Ethics to maintain high professional standards and sound business methods among its members for the best interests of the industry, natural resources and public.

Article III. Membership

1.     Application for membership is open to all sea kayak guides and instructors or businesses employing sea kayak guides and instructors operating in Maine. All individual members must sign and abide by the Code of Ethics and operating guidelines published by the Maine Assocition of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors. Business members must sign and abide by the Code of Ethics and operating guidelines published by the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors.

Active members must have an approved membership form on file with the Secretary Treasurer and have paid their dues.

MASKGI is an Equal Opportunity Association and does not limit its membership based upon sex, race, creed, color, national origin, age, or physical or mental handicap.

The Association may refuse membership to any applicant and may, by 2/3 vote, suspend or revoke any membership for due cause. A member under suspension is not entitled to any rights or privilieges of this Association.

2.     Voting Memberships. An applicant may be eligible to become a voting member upon the following qualifications:

a. Agrees to abide by the MASKGI written guidelines and Code of Ethics
b. offers sea kayak instruction or guided trips and tours to the general public in Maine in accordance to Maine State Law.

2.     Non-Voting Memberships:

a. Associate Memberships. Any group, association, club, agency, business, commission, individual or other legal entity in allied trades who does not qualify as a voting member may be considered as an Associate Member.
b. Honorary Memberships. Standing Honorary Memberships may be awarded to any group, association, club, agency, commission, individual or other legal entity's contribution to the furtherance of sea kayaking in Maine.

2. Individual membership in the Association is not transferable. However, the vote of a voting member may be cast at any meeting by designated representative of the voting member's organization.

Article IV. Dues and Finances

Membership dues may be established on an annual basis by the Voting Members.

1. Nonpayment of Dues. Upon a vote of the Voting Members, nonpayment of dues for a period of sixty days after the due date shall be adequate cause of suspension of membership.
2. Deposit. All monies received by the Association shall be deposited to an Association account in a financial institution by resolution of the Voting Members.

Article V. Officers, Directors and Duties Thereof

The elected officers of this Association shall at a minimum be a President and a Secretary Treasurer, and may be a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

1. President - The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Association and, subject to the control of the Voting Members, shall supervise and control the management of the Association. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings and shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Voting Members. The office of President must be occupied by a Voting Member.

2. Vice President - The Vice President shall, in the absence or disability of the President, have the power to perform the duties of said office. In addition, the Vice President shall perform such other powers that shall be prescribed by the President or the Voting Members. The office of Vice President must be occupied by a Voting Member.

3. Secretary - The Secretary is to keep accurate records of the acts and proceedings of all meetings. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, all notices required by law and by these Bylaws. The Secretary shall sign such instruments as may require the Secretary's signature, shall maintain a record of Members of the Association, showing the name and address of each such Member, and shall perform all duties incident to the offic of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President or the Voting Members.

4. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds and securities belongin to the Association and shall receive, deposit or disburse the same under the direction of the Voting Members. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of the finances of the Associatin in books especially provided for that purpose. The Treasurer shall prepare a true statement of the Association's assests and liabilities at the close of each calendar year and shall regularly report to the Voting Members with respect to the finances of the Association. The Treasurer shall also prepare and file all reports and returns required by Federal, State or Local law, and shall generally perform all other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President or the Voting Members. All books are to be audited prior to installation of new Officers.

5. Board of Directors - The Voting Members may vote to create a Board of Directors, its duties and responsibilities.

1. Term of Office
The Voting Members may vote to create a Board of Directors, its duties and responsibilities.
a. The term of office of each officer shall be one year from the date of election.
b. No person may be elected to the same office for more than two consecutive terms. (revised January 17th, 2008, to three consecutive terms)
c. Elected officers are required to attend all meetings. Three unexcused absences will revoke the elected position. The Voting Members will appoint a member of the Association to fill this position until the next general election.
d. Voting Members reserve the right to suspend or revoke an elected Officer for due causes.

1. Responsibilities - An Executive Committee, composed of the current officers shall be responsible to the voting Members for conducting the ordinary business of the Association. This responsibility will include the formulation of plans and policies. Desisions made by the Executive Committee shall be made on the basis of a majority vote. The President or a Voting Member appointed by the Executive Committee may represent the Association as directed by the Executive Committee.

2. Conducting Business - The business of the Association shall be conducted on the basis of a majority vote by a quorum at an Association meeting. A quorum shall consist of at least 2 Officers and 5 Voting Members.
An Association meeting shall require at least 10 days advance notification of all its members.

3. Succession in Office - In the event of the death, resignation, retirement, removal or disqualification of the President, the Vice President shall succeed to the office of the President. If neither the President nor the Vice President are able to serve as President for any of the above foregoing reasons, then the Secretary shall assume the office of President. If the Secretary should likewise be unable to serve for any of the foregoing reasons, then the Treasurer shall succeed to the office of President. The officers so designated to succeed to the office of president shall serve until such time as a new President is elected by the Voting Members at any annual, regular or special meeting.

Article VI. Elections

Officers shall be elected at an Association Meeting and officers so elected will assume their duties at the following Association Meeting.

Article VII. Committees

Standing and special committees may be created by vote at an Association Meeting or eliminated by the Executive Committee with the approval of the Voting Members. Each committee must have a minimum of 2 Voting Members.

Article VIII. Limitation of Liability

The Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors (MASKGI)shall not be liable for any acts, expenditures or commitments of individuals, unless such acts, expenditures, or commitments shall have been approved by the Association and duly recorded by the records of the Association.

Article IX. Amendments

The Bylaws may be amended at an Association Meeting. Proposed changes to Bylaws must be sent to all members at least 30 days prior to the next Association Meeting for review and discussion.

Article X. Dissolution of Assets

In the event the Association dissolves, which it may do by a majority vote of its Voting Members, any assets remaining after payment of debts and legal fees will be distributed to members in ratios according to their current calendar year contributions/dues.