(Revised. 04/09/2025)
ARTICLE 1: NAME and PURPOSE
Section 1 The name of this corporation shall be the Sno-Bees, Inc. hereinafter referred to as “the Club”. “The Club” shall be an affiliate member of the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers hereinafter referred to as VAST and the Washington County Snowmobile Club, Inc.
Section 2 Subject to the articles of incorporation, the objectives of “the club” shall be:
a.) To maintain and enhance snowmobile trails in Vermont as public facilities for the recreational use of the general public without charge in furtherance of the public policy of the state to encourage the development and maintenance of snowmobile trails and thereby also to reduce the burdens of government;
b.) to actively seek and support the preservation and protection of our natural environment;
c.) to promote the development of recreational areas within the state for the use of snowmobiles by the general public;
d.) to render public service in case of emergency and/or disaster and thereby also to reduce the burdens of government; and
e.) to teach and encourage the safe, courteous, lawful, and responsible use of snowmobiles.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 Eligibility
Membership in ”the club” shall be open to individuals 16 years of age or older who are interested in snowmobiling; such membership subject to the following procedure:
a) Applicant shall complete membership form with signature indicating the willingness to comply with “the club” and VAST rules and regulations;
b) This application shall be made on the on-line VAST website or any method approved by VAST.
Section 2 Membership Continuation:
Each member shall be expected to participate in trail marking or improvement projects, fund-raising etc. as designated by “the club.” Members shall be contacted by Trail Trustees or designee to schedule work assignment and time/date.
Section 3 Membership Classifications:
a) Single – individual only.
b) Child – an individual under age 16 whose parent or guardian has a “club” membership and VAST trail pass are entitled to “club” privileges with exception of voting.
c) Associate – an individual, upon submitting verification of membership in another club plus VAST, may submit an application subject to conditions of Section 1; an individual who does not belong to VAST but wants to support “the club” (such as a skier or walker who uses “the club” trails), such member will not have voting rights in “the club”.
d) Lifetime- A person who has been a continuous member for over 20 years and has distinguished themselves in furthering the cause of “the club” may be awarded a lifetime membership upon submission of a nomination and review by the Board of Directors with a subsequent vote by a majority of members at a regular meeting. Club membership fees collected by VAST will be reimbursed to the lifetime member by “the club”.
Section 4 Term of Membership:
Membership period shall be from December 1 through November 30.
ARTICLE III: MANAGEMENT
Section 1 The management of “the club” shall be vested in the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairperson, Trails Coordinator, Trailmaster, Webmaster) and Directors. Directors, not to exceed nine (9), shall be elected at the annual meeting and will include the immediate Past President. All Officers and Directors are voting members of the Board and must have a current full or Associate membership in “the club”.
Section 2 All members of the Board of Directors shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of such board.
ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS, TRAIL TRUSTEES, AND AUDITORS
Section 1 The President shall preside at all meetings of “the club” and its Board of Directors; shall appoint all committee chairs; shall be a member ex-officio of all committees and shall carry on those other responsibilities assigned to him by these by- laws and by the Board of Directors.
Section 2 During the absence of the President; the Vice-President shall perform the duties and have the same powers of the President.
Section 3 The Secretary shall record and file, on “the club” website and “the club’s” computer, all minutes of regular or special meetings, maintain files of permanent records plus receive records of other officers and/or committees for reference filing in a system and method as prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Section 4 The Treasurer shall maintain all accounts of “the club”, recorded on “the club’s” computer, and be custodian of its funds. The Treasurer shall keep all funds in a financial institution approved by the Board of Directors and in the name of “the club,” subject to withdrawal by signed checks and in such manner as may from time to time be approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of “the club” under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer will be responsible in seeing that the annual tax return is completed and filed; responsible in seeing that the bi-annual Secretary of State form is filed.
Section 5 The Membership Chairperson shall keep records of all members in “the club”, shall be the liaison between “the club” and VAST; will assist members with questions about how to complete membership applications and pay dues.
Section 6 The Trails Coordinator shall coordinate the implementation of the “club” trails program including landowner relations, signing, and trail maintenance; shall work with the Trailmaster in coordinating grooming routes and schedules; shall be responsible for managing the grooming contract, and shall be responsible for the VAST grant-in-aid documentation for trail repair and construction projects, and equipment.
Section 7 The Trailmaster shall be responsible for repair and maintenance of all equipment related to grooming operations and trail maintenance, shall be responsible for grooming operations, and shall act as trail liaison with adjoining clubs.
Section 8 The Webmaster shall be responsible for the planning, development, and maintenance of “the club’s” website, Facebook page, and all other electronic social media systems.
Section 9 The Trail Trustees shall be responsible for the trail maintenance, signing, and landowner relations for their designated section(s) of trail.
Section 10 The Auditors shall be responsible for the examination of “the club’s” financial accounts and records on the fiscal year basis and at such other times as requested by the Board of Directors.
Section 11 Vacancies in any elective office may be filled by the Board of Directors or by the members at any meeting of “the club” at which a quorum is present. The successor so chosen shall serve for the unexpired term.
ARTICLE VI: FISCAL YEAR
Section 1 The fiscal year of “the club” shall be from May 1 thru April 30.
ARTICLE VII: DUES
Section 1 Annual dues of “the club” shall be recommended by the Board of Directors and voted on at the annual meeting by two thirds (2/3) vote of members present.
Section 2 Dues are payable December 1st at beginning of membership term.
ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS
Section 1 The annual meeting shall be held at the call of the Board of Directors-not before March 1st and no later than April 30th.
Section 2 Regular meetings shall be held on the second Wednesday at 7 PM of each month with a minimum of six meetings held each year; such meetings to commence no later than October and cease no earlier than April.
Section 3 Special meetings of the membership of “the club” may be called by the Board of Directors or upon request of 20 members with 10 days written/electronic notice – such notice to indicate purpose of meeting, place, date and hour.
ARTICLE IX: DISCIPLINE
Section 1 All members of “the club” shall abide by the by-laws and objectives of “the club.” Members shall operate only legally registered machines. Reports of alleged violations or conduct prejudicial to the best interest of “the club” shall be submitted in writing by the complainant to the Board of Directors who will review and, if alleged complaint seems of a credible nature, may present it to the general membership with recommendation for disciplinary action, suspension or expulsion. Such action by membership will require two thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present at such meeting or hearing. Notice of the charges must be sent in writing to person or persons who are in alleged violations at least two weeks prior to the date set for action by the membership; defendant having the right to present a defense in person at such meeting.
ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be amended at the annual meeting of “the club” by a majority of members attending such meeting provided the membership had been advised of the proposed amendments by mail/electronic message at least 15 days prior to such meeting.
ARTICLE XI: LIQUIDATION
Section 1
Upon dissolution, assets shall be distributed as required by the articles of incorporation and applicable law.