Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association

Articles of Incorporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Article I - General Membership
  2. Article II – Meetings
  3. Article III - Fiscal Year
  4. Article IV - Duties of Officers & Directors
  5. Article V - Eligibility of Officers & Board of Directors
  6. Article VI - Election Procedures
  7. Article VII - Unapproved Conduct
  8. Article VIII - Dress Code
  9. Article IX - Suspended List
  10. Article X - Liability
  11. Article XI - Official Format
  12. Article XII - Amendment
  13. Artcile XIII - Books & Records
  14. Article XIV - Seal
  15. Adoption

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

Article I - General Membership

  1. Membership is open to anyone who wants to promote rodeo. Eligibility shall be left to the Board of Directors’ discretion. Membership dues are set by the GCPRA board and can be changed at any time following board action.
  2. Anyone under 18 years of age must have a release signed by parent or guardian and notarized before they can become a member.
  3. Memberships will be taken online through the Rodeo System, by the GCPRA State Secretary, or by authorized Rodeo Secretary only. Dues must be paid prior to the start of a rodeo in order for an individual to compete as a member and for monies won to count towards year end standings, as well as rodeo count. If an individual purchases a membership after they compete in event(s), but before the end of the rodeo; that rodeo will be counted in said individuals rodeo count in events competed in, but no monies won at said rodeo will count for year end standings.
  4. Honorary membership may be awarded to individuals who have done something extraordinary for the sport of rodeo. Recommendations for honorary membership must be in writing by a member in good standing and must set forth in detail the accomplishments, or efforts for the promotion of the sport of rodeo, of the person recommended for honorary membership. Honorary membership may be awarded only by action of the board at a regularly scheduled meeting. No voting power is given to honorary members.
  5. Members who resign will not receive a refund of their dues for that rodeo year, or be entitled to any awards.
  6. It is each member’s responsibility to have his/her correct address and current phone number on file with the GCPRA.
  7. GCPRA Gold Card Memberships may be awarded to individual members who have displayed exemplary actions towards the GCPRA.Gold cards are permanent memberships in the Association, which require no payment of annual membership dues and are afforded all rights of regular
  8. membership. Recommendation for gold card must be made in writing by a member in good standing and must state in detail what the person recommended has done for the GCPRA. Gold cards may only be awarded by action of the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled meeting.
  9. Permits (Non-Member 1 Rodeo pass) can be purchased to be able to compete at all GCPRA lead sanctioned rodeo’s excluding the Membership Drive Rodeo and The Finals, at the price of $25.00. Permits must be purchased online before entry will be taken.

Article II – Meetings

General membership meetings will be at least two times throughout the year. The Board will determine time and place and notice will be given to membership by one or more of the following methods: website, newsletter, postcard or notice in designated publication of the Association.. The number of members necessary to constitute a valid membership quorum shall consist of 10 percent of the total membership. At least 14 days notice of General Membership meetings will be given each member in good standing by ordinary mail to their last known address, or by one of the previously mentioned means. Regular Board of Directors meetings will be held on a regular basis on a schedule set from time to time. Special Board meetings may be called at any time and place by the President or 6 members of the Board of Directors, upon not less than 10 days notice to all board members unless fewer days notice agreed upon by majority of directors.

Article III - Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the GCPRA shall commence January 1 and end on December 31 of each year; or such other months as the Board of Directors may designate.

Article IV - Duties of Officers & Directors

  1. President – The president shall preside at all General and Board of Director meetings of the GCPRA. It is the duty of the president to call the meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all meetings, to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to preserve order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order, (subject to appeal). In all cases where his vote would affect the results, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote.
  2. Vice President – He/She shall sit in all Board meetings and shall have a vote as one of the directors. If anything should happen that the president is unable to fulfill their duties, the board can appoint the Vice President to act as President.
  3. State Secretary – The state secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings; take the roll call and mark the absentees at Board meetings; read the minutes of previous meetings, read important correspondences, record the proceedings, not the debate; record the name of the member who introduces a motion; notify committees of their appointments and business, take charge of all documents of the Association when requests; call a meeting to order in the absence of the president or vice president; and to preside until the election of a Chairman Protium, which should take place immediately. The secretary/treasurer shall receive and bank all moneys due to the Association; and keep bookkeeping records of such funds; to pay whenever possible by checks; to pay bills from officers and committee members only when clearly authorized and when receipts for expenditures are attached; to disburse all moneys as the association may direct; to give a statement of finances as often as required; to give a complete financial report which has been audited by the Board at annual meetings. The state secretary will manage the Rodeo System and online entries. The secretary/ treasurer shall have no vote. This position shall be paid a salary as designated by the Board of Directors.
  4. Board of Directors – The legislative or rule making powers of the Association shall be held by the Board of Directors. The board shall have supervision over the business and affairs of the association with the power to make, adopt, alter or amend the rodeo rules and by-laws thereof. Each director shall have one vote at all meetings of the Board. The Board shall consist of thirteen to fifteen (13-15) members. Thereafter, the Board of Directors shall consist of the Judging Coordinator plus one person elected from the participants, cumulatively, in each of the following ten (10) events; Bareback, Tie Down Roping, Incentive Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc, Breakaway, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding and Team Roping, Incentive Team Roping, Director At Large (1-2), Marketing Director together with the President and Vice President. An event may have two individuals serving as co-directors; however, only one total vote will be counted for the event on voting issues.
  5. All officers and Board of Directors shall attend a majority of meetings and cannot miss two consecutive meetings (unless emergency situation, in which case the Board shall be notified). If an officer or director misses two consecutive meetings, the Board will then replace the delinquent officer or director by appointing a temporary replacement until the next general membership meeting can be held to elect a replacement for the remainder of t he term or in the case of a director, nomination/election can be held to replace. If no nominations are received for a position, Board will appoint a member to serve out the remainder of the term.

Article V - Eligibility of Officers & Board of Directors

  1. President – Must be a member in good standing for two years and must have served on the Board as an Event director at least two years. Term is two years. Election for president will be held on the even years.
  2. Vice President – Must be a member in good standing for two years and must have served on the Board as an Event director at least two years Term is two years. Election for vice president will be held on the odd years.
  3. Association Secretary/Treasurer – will be appointed by the Board.
  4. Senior Staff - consisting of President, Vice President and State Secretary/Treasurer must have a clean criminal record containing no felonies to be eligible to hold said positions.
  5. Board of Directors – Directors of Bull Riding, Team Roping, Barrels, Incentive Calf Roping and Saddle Bronc Riding shall be elected on even years. Directors of Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping, Incentive Team Roping and Breakaway Roping shall be elected on the odd years. Directors at Large and Marketing Director will be Board appointed, and board will review said positions annually. Directors must be a member in good standing for one year and must be an active participant in the Event for which he/she is nominated. Terms will alternate in two-year intervals. Directors of Bull Riding, Team Roping, Barrels and Saddle Bronc Riding shall be elected on even years. Directors of Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping and Breakaway Roping shall be elected on the odd years. Event directors including incentive events plus judging coordinators have authority to vote on rule changes.

Article VI - Election Procedures

The position of President will be a Board appointed vote, with nominations being made by the general membership. General membership has the right to vote for Vice President. In addition, members vote for the Directors of the events in which they participate. Nominations for officers and board of directors will be called for at least sixty (60) days prior to the Finals rodeo each year. Nominations will be made to the GCPRA office, by online submission at gcpra.net at least 30 days prior to the Finals rodeo. The nominee must notify the GCPRA office of his/her acceptance or rejection within fifteen (15) days of notification of nomination. Ballots will be posted online and available to each paid-up member, and should be completed for GCPRA office prior to deadline stated on ballot with the member’s e-signature and card number. Any ballot received after the deadline will be void.

Article VII - Unapproved Conduct

Any member or non-member will be subject to a fine, declared ineligible or both for any of the following offenses:

  1. Failure to abide by or disobedience to the Articles of Incorporation, by-laws and official rodeo rules.
  2. Any member issuing a bad check for membership or in conjunction with GCPRA approved rodeo or activity will pay the following:
    • First offense: $25.00
    • Second offense: $100.00
    • Third offense: Ineligibility for remainder of current rodeo season.
    • These penalties apply to violation within a calendar year, i.e. rodeo season.
  3. Nonpayment of entry fees. Any contestant turned into the GCPRA office for nonpayment of entry fees and found guilty as charged will pay a $50.00 fine to the GCPRA plus his/her entry fees for first offense. Fine will be $100.00 for 2nd offense, 3rd offense will result in ineligibility for the remainder of the current rodeo season. Contestant will be ineligible to compete in GCPRA sanctioned rodeos until all fees and fines have been paid.
  4. No quarreling or fighting in arena.
  5. Attempting to fix, threaten, bribe, influence or harass any GCPRA rodeo secretary, director, timer, spokesperson, official of the GCPRA, or judges at any time, in or out of the arena, or talking to any judge, timer, or rodeo secretary any time while an event is in progress and official is working the event. Violators of this rule shall be reported in writing to the GCPRA Board of Directors by the official(s) involved, by a Board member, the Arena Director, or Stock Contractor of the rodeo where the violation occurred. Fine subject to Board discretion, but not to exceed $100 for first offense, $200 fine and disqualification at rodeo where violation occurred for second offense, $200 fine and ineligibility for remainder of current rodeo season (including Finals) for third offense.
  6. Conduct, speech or appearance detrimental to the best interests of the GCPRA or sport of rodeo.
  7. All contract help (judges, timers, rodeo secretaries, announcers, pick-up men, clowns, bull fighters, etc.) while acting in their official capacity on the rodeo grounds, shall not consume alcohol or chemical substance of any kind.
  8. Any contestants and/or contract help found guilty by the Board of any of the above offenses will be subject to fines and/or penalties as determined by the Board of Directors unless fine/penalty is specifically defined herein, but in no instance will fine exceed following: $150, first offense; $250, second offense; or $250 plus ineligibility for remainder of current rodeo season for third offense.
  9. Any fine/penalty must be paid before it can be protested and appealed, or before entry into another rodeo. Protest/Appeal must be made by written notification to the GCPRA office within ten (10) days of offense and appealing member must appear before Board at one of the next two (2) regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, or the Appeal will be nullified.

Article VIII - Dress Code

Members, officials and arena help must wear cowboy hats, boots, and tucked-in, collared long-sleeved shirts (no pullovers) while in the arena during any activity of a sanctioned event including Grand Entry, performance and slack. This rule applies to any member whether or not they are competing at the event and any non-member helping a member in the course of their competition. One sleeve may be rolled up below the elbow while competing. Directors will enforce this rule at their discretion. Penalty for violation $25.00. Dress code applies in the arena, behind the chutes and on the fences of boxes.

Article IX - Suspended List

A suspended member will have his/her points withdrawn from time of infraction to the time he/she is reinstated and will not be allowed to enter a rodeo until suspension is lifted. The member will be notified by certified mail by the GCPRA office.

GCPRA secretary shall keep an up-to-date list of members and non-members who have turnout fees and/or fines/penalties and are therefore ineligible to enter GCPRA sanctioned rodeos. Turnout fees and/or fines/penalties can be paid via mail or online through the Rodeo System. Fees and/or fines will have to be paid prior to entry of next rodeo after turnout fee/fine/penalty is posted.

All turnout fees are due within five (5) days of the last performance of the rodeo in which the turnout/fine was assessed.

Turnouts and/or fines must be paid prior to entry of next rodeo or contestant with turnout and/or fine will be ineligible to enter said rodeo.

Turnouts and/or fine amounts may be increased 10% for every thirty (30) days it remains unpaid.

Article X - Liability

  1. Financial Liability. No member, officer, director, employee, agent or attorney shall be personally responsible or liable for any debts, costs or judgments imposed upon, against or incurred by the GCPRA.
  2. Injury of members. The Association assumes no responsibility for injury or damage to the person, property or stock of any owner, contestant or assistant. Each participant, by the act of paying their membership dues and/or entry fees, waives all claims against the Association for injuries they or their property may sustain.

Article XI - Official Format

All official meetings and functions of this Association shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, except in those cases in which Robert’s Rules of Order are in conflict with the Constitution, By-Laws, or Rules of the Association. The Board of Directors has the power to adopt, amend and repeal the Rules of the Association.

Article XII - Amendment

By-laws and Articles of Incorporation may be amended by one of two methods.

  1. Board Action.
  2. Quorum petition to the Board followed by mail ballot. If this method is used, all ballots are to be mailed to all members in good standing by the GCPRA office and a plurality vote of the quorum shall determine the answer to the questions. All ballots postmarked for return within ten (10) days after being mailed shall be counted.

Artcile XIII - Books & Records

The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts and shall also keep minutes of the proceeding of its members, Board of Directors, Committees that have and exercise any of the authorities of the Board of

Directors. All minutes shall be kept at the principal office together with a record giving the names and address of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any member or their agent or attorney for any proper purpose at any reasonable time with reasonable notice.

Article XIV - Seal

The Corporation shall not use an official seal.

ADOPTION AND CERTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS

The Board of Directors of Grand Canyon Pro Rodeo Association does hereby certify that the foregoing amended by-laws were unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.