Constitution & Bylaws
Adopted January 29, 1920.
Updates were approved on July 12, 2024, by the Tribe and ratified by the Tribal Council on
October 13, 2024.
KONNE -YAUT INDIANS
TRAPSHOOTING ASSOCIATION, INC.
FOUNDED JANUARY 29, 1920
(Incorporated under the Laws of Pennsylvania)
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the tribe shall be the Konne-Yaut Indians.
(Note: At the time the organization was incorporated, the name was changed to KONNE-YAUT INDIANS TRAPSHOOTING ASSOCIATION, INC.)
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE AND GOALS
The Konne-Yaut Indians Trapshooting Association has established as its purpose to support, encourage, promote and foster the sport of trapshooting. Therefore, the goals of this Association shall be to develop and advance the principles of good fellowship and true sportsmanship among its members and friends.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in the tribe shall consist of any and all persons who have qualified for election by the Tribal Council and who have complied with the rules and regulations of the By-Laws.
Classification: The members of this Association shall be classified as follows:
Active Members
Life Members
Junior Members
Associate Members
Honorary Members
Section 2. Active Member. An individual at least eighteen (18) years of age, who is a patron of trapshooting, shall be classified as an active member upon application and approval by the Tribal Council. Active Members may participate in the deliberations and voting of the Tribe and shall be eligible for election or appointment to any office or agency of this Association, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws.
Section 3. Life Member. An individual who has been an active member in good standing for thirty (30) consecutive years and has attained the age of seventy (70) years shall be classified as a life member upon application and approval by the Tribal Council. Life Members may participate in the deliberations and voting of the Tribe and shall be eligible for election or appointment to any office or agency of this Association, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws.
Section 4. Junior Member. An individual less than eighteen (18) years of age, who is a patron of trapshooting and a family member of an active, or life member in good standing shall be classified as a junior member upon application and approval by the Tribal Council. When a Junior member reaches the age of eighteen (18), they may, if they so desire, file with the Chief Scribe an application for membership in the Tribe, together with the prevailing fees. All such applications shall be given first consideration. Such applications must be voted upon, however, in the same manner as other applications for membership.
Section 5. Associate Member. A family member of an active, life, or deceased member of the Association, and any non-shooting supporter of trapshooting shall be classified as an associate member upon application and approval by the Tribal Council.
Section 6. Honorary Member. An individual who is not eligible for active membership but has made significant and worthwhile contributions to the sport of trapshooting or its advancement may be elected as an honorary member of this Association by the members of the tribe.
Section 7. The right to vote, eligibility to hold office and all assets and property of the tribe are vested only in the active and life members in good standing.
Section 8. The Konne-Yaut Indians Trapshooting Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
The officers of this tribe shall be a High Chief, a First Vice Chief, a Second Vice Chief, a Chief Scribe, a Chief of Wampum, and fifteen Executive Chiefs who shall constitute the Tribal Council. The office of Chief Scribe and Keeper of the Wampum may be held by the same person. No member of the tribe shall be eligible to hold office until he has been a member in good standing for a minimum of three years. The Tribal Council shall have sole responsibility for the management of all of the affairs of the tribe, including its Tournaments.
ARTICLE V
AMENDMENTS
This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of those active members present at any regular or special Pow-Wow, provided notice of such amendment, signed by fifteen (15) members, is specified in the call for the Pow-Wow and every active member is notified by mail at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the Pow-Wow.
BY-LAWS
(As Amended in 1952, 1953, 1957, 1959, 1965, 1968,
1974, 1997, 2007, 2024)
ARTICLE I
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business at all Pow-Wows shall be as follows:
Call to order
Roll Call and confirmation of quorum
Reading of Minutes from the preceding Pow-Wow
Reading of Minutes from the past year’s meeting(s) of the Tribal Council
Reading of Communications
Report of the High Chief
Report of the Chief Scribe
Report of Chief of Wampum
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Election of Officers
Election of New Members
Adjournment
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS
Section 1. This tribe shall hold an annual Pow-Wow at its annual Tournament at such place, either within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as may be determined by the Tribal Council. The annual Tournament shall be held on the second full weekend of JULY.
Section 2. A special Pow-Wow of the tribe may be called at any time by the High Chief.
Section 3. The Tribal Council shall meet at such time and place, either within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as may be determined by the High Chief.
Section 4. The High Chief shall have the power to submit applications for membership or any other question he deems necessary to the Tribal Council for a vote by mail, telephone conference, or other electronic communication media. The result of such vote shall be as binding as if taken at a regular Pow-Wow of the Tribal Council.
Section 5. A special Pow-Wow of the Tribal Council shall be called by the High Chief or the Chief Scribe upon the request of twelve members of the Tribal Council.
ARTICLE III
ELECTIONS
Section 1. Every two (2) years at the annual Pow-Wow of the tribe there shall be elected a High Chief, a First Vice Chief, a Second Vice Chief, a Chief Scribe and a Keeper of the Wampum, who shall hold their office for two (2) years or until their successors are elected. The offices of Chief Scribe and Keeper of the Wampum may be held by the same person.
Section 2. At the annual Pow-Wow of the tribe there shall be elected five (5) Executive Chiefs, who shall serve for three (3) years, followed by a two (2) year term, followed by a one (1) year term.
ARTICLE IV
APPLICATION AND ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Applications for active memberships shall be made in writing, signed by the applicant and endorsed by two active members of the tribe as proposer and seconder. Applications shall be accompanied by the prevailing fees forwarded to the Chief Scribe.
Section 2. Applications for junior and associate membership shall be made by application as provided and signed by two active members endorsing such application and forwarded to the Chief Scribe.
Section 3. Election of Members
A listing of all prospective members must be submitted to the membership of the Tribe no less than fifteen (15) days prior to the annual Pow-Wow.
A two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the membership present at the annual Pow-Wow is required to elect a new member.
If a prospective candidate for membership is in dispute, a written ballot will be required to determine the election. A two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the membership present at the annual Pow-Wow will be required to elect.
Section 4. Application for Change in Membership Status
Active to Life Membership. Applications for life membership shall be submitted to the Tribal Council, which will certify the applicant’s eligibility for a change in status. The new membership status will become effective at the start of the next dues cycle.
Junior to Active Membership. Applications from junior to active membership status shall be submitted to Tribal Council, which will certify the applicant’s eligibility for a change in status. The new membership status will become effective at the start of the next dues cycle.
ARTICLE V
DUES
Section 1. The annual dues of members shall be the prevailing amount as determined by the Tribal Council. Dues notices shall be mailed by the Tribe by January 1 of the current year.
Section 2. Dues paid between March1 and March 31 of the current year will be at the prevailing rate. Dues paid between April 1 and April 30 of the current year will include a $10 penalty. Dues for the current year must be paid no later than the start of the annual Pow-Wow. Non-payment of dues by the designated deadline will result in ineligibility for Tournament trophies. The delinquent individual may still participate in the shoot if desired, but will be designated as an inactive member and, as such, be ineligible for trophies until dues are made current.
Section 3. No active, associate, or junior member shall be qualified to shoot for trophies unless he is in good standing with his current dues fully paid.
Section 4.
Active Member dues shall be assessed in the amount prescribed by the Tribal Council.
Life Member dues shall be fifty percent (50%) of the dues assessed for active members.
Junior Member dues shall be fifty percent (50%) of the dues assessed for active members.
Associate Members shall be exempt from payment of dues.
Honorary Members shall be exempt from payment of dues.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The High Chief shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the tribe and shall preside at all Pow-Wows of the tribe and Tribal Council and shall call such Pow-Wows as he deems necessary. He shall appoint all standing and special committees unless otherwise ordered by the Tribal Council, and he shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He shall execute all contracts and other legal documents and shall have general charge and supervision over all business and activities of the tribe, except for those duties which the Constitution and By-Laws impose upon the Tribal Council.
Section 2. The First Vice Chief shall perform the duties of the High Chief in the absence of the High Chief and shall also be the chairman of the program and tournament committee.
Section 3. The Second Vice Chief shall perform the duties of the High Chief in the absence of the High Chief and the First Vice Chief.
Section 4. The Chief Scribe shall conduct the official correspondence of the tribe at the discretion and approval of the High Chief, keep minutes of all Pow-Wows of the tribe members of their indebtedness. He shall collect all moneys, keep an accurate account of same and turn over to the Keeper of the Wampum all moneys received and render a detailed statement at the annual Pow-Wow of the tribe.
Section 5. The Keeper of the Wampum, shall keep all funds in the name of the tribe and deposit same in a bank designated or approved by the Tribal Council. He shall pay all indebtedness of the tribe, and if by check, countersigned by the High Chief. He shall keep proper vouchers of all expenditures and include them with the annual report. He shall submit at the annual Pow-Wow of the Tribal Council and the tribe a detailed report covering the financial transactions of the tribe for the preceding fiscal year.
ARTICLE VII
COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS
The Chief Scribe shall be the only officer who may receive compensation for his services. His salary shall be fixed by the Tribal Council. Normal expenses of the Chief Scribe on behalf of the Tribe shall be approved by the High Chief. Expenses incurred by any other officer or committee on behalf of the tribe must have the approval of the Tribal Council.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. At the first Pow-Wow of the Tribal Council after the annual election, the High Chief shall appoint the following committees: Membership, Program and Tournament, Auditing, Nominating, Grievance, Ceremonial and Initiation, Banquet, Classification, Wine and Cheese and Fellowship Tribal party.
Section 2. The Membership Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Tribal Council whose duty it shall be to pass on applications for membership in the tribe. Each application must have the approval of not less than two members of the committee. When so approved the application shall be forwarded to the Chief Scribe who shall present the same to the Tribal Council.
Section 3. The Program and Tournament Committee shall consist of not less than five (5) active members of the tribe, three of whom must be members of the Tribal Council. The Chief Scribe shall be one of the members. It shall be the duty of this committee to arrange the programs of all tournaments held by the tribe.
Section 4. The Auditing Committee shall consist of two (2) active members of the tribe, one of whom shall be a member of the Tribal Council. The duties of this committee shall be to audit the financial accounts of the tribe and certify as to the correctness of the same.
Section 5. The Nominating Committee shall consist of active Past High Chiefs. The Chairman of this committee will be held by the most recent outgoing High Chief. The duties of the committee shall be to nominate candidates for office at the annual meeting.
Section 6. The Grievance Committee shall consist of seven (7) members who have been members of the tribe for at least five years, shall be appointed each year by the Tribal Council. Said committee shall hear all complaints made against any Indian who has been charged with conduct unbecoming a member of the Tribe, and said committee shall have power to expel any member from the tribe if five (5) or more members of the committee find that the offending Indian has flagrantly conducted himself in a manner unbecoming a gentleman and sportsman, provided, however, that any member, whom the committee has expelled, shall have the right of appeal to the membership, at an annual Pow-Wow, for a reversal of the Grievance Committee’s ruling.
Section 7. The Ceremonial and Initiation Committee. The chairman of this committee will be the Chief Medicine Man. The number of members of this committee will be determined by the Chief Medicine Man. It is the responsibility of this committee to imitate the palefaces during the initiation ceremony, set up the teepee, banner, totem pole and Indian prior to the start of the annual Pow-Wow, at the site of the Pow-Wow. The memorial ceremony on Sunday of the Annual Pow-Wow will be presided over by the Chief Medicine Man. At the conclusion of the Annual Pow-Wow all items will be placed back in the trailer and the trailer will be removed and placed in storage at the expense of the Konne-Yaut Indians.
Section 8. The Banquet Committee is responsible for all necessary arrangements for the annual banquet. The chairman will determine the number of members to serve on this committee.
Section 9. The Classification Committee shall be responsible for classification of all active members participating in the Annual Pow-Wow. All current ATA Rules will be followed pertaining to class and yardage. The Chairman will determine the number of members to serve on this committee. Responsibility will also include daily squadding during the Pow-Wow.
Section 10. The Wine and Cheese Committee is responsible for the wine and cheese party. The Chairman of this committee will determine the number of members that are to serve on this committee.
Section 11. The Fellowship Tribal Party Committee is responsible for all necessary arrangements for FTP to be held on a designated date. Chairman will determine number of committee members.
Section 12. In the event of a vacancy being created in any committee, by reason of death or resignation, the High Chief shall promptly appoint a new member to fill such vacancy.
ARTICLE IX
SHOOTING RULES
The trapshooting rules as adopted by the Amateur Trapshooting Association shall govern all tournaments held by this tribe.
ARTICLE X
INSIGNIA
The Insignia or emblem shall be an appropriate Indian Head, bearing the name of the tribe.
ARTICLE XI
LIMITATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Change in Membership Status for Non-Payment of Dues.
Any dues-paying member whose dues have not been paid by the beginning of the annual Pow-Wow meeting of the current year will be considered delinquent in the payment of dues, and that individual’s membership status will be declared inactive.
Section 2. Reinstatement.
Reinstatement of membership status may be secured upon payment of dues of this Association for the current year, provided that the dues delinquency has not exceeded three (3) consecutive years. In the event that the dues delinquency has exceeded three (3) consecutive years, reinstatement of membership status may be secured upon payment of dues of this Association for the current year, in addition to a renewal fee as set by the Tribal Council. Inactive members will have only one (1) opportunity to attain reinstatement. In either instance, once membership has been reinstated, re-initiation into the Tribe will not be required.
ARTICLE XII
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of this tribe shall start on January 1 and end on December 31.
ARTICLE XIII
SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS
These By-Laws may be suspended at any regular or special meeting of the Tribal Council, or at a Pow-Wow of the tribe upon the vote of seventy-five (75%) percent of those present.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed by a majority vote of at least seventy-five (75%) percent of the members present at any regular or special Pow-Wow duly convened after notice to the Tribal Council and the members for that purpose.
ARTICLE XV
INITIATIONS – MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications for Trophy Shooting
Section 1. Prior to the Annual Tournament and Pow-Wow each year, the High Chief shall send to the members of the Tribe a list containing the names and addresses of all applicants for membership. This list shall be placed in the mail not later than the 15th day of the month of June. Members desiring to express their disapproval of any applicant or applicants must do so in writing addressed to the High Chief, and mailed to him on or before the 1st day of July.
Section 2. No applicant who has been accepted for membership shall be a full-fledged Indian until after he has been initiated. Notice shall be given to all such applicants regarding the time and place where initiation ceremonies will be held.
Section 3. In the year in which applicants are initiated, they shall shoot as Palefaces.
ARTICLE XVI
The directors of the Konne-Yaut Indians Trapshooting Association, Inc. shall not be personally liable for monetary damages as such for any action taken, or any failure to take action, unless:
The director has breached or failed to perform the duties of his office under Section 8363 (relating to standard of care and justifiable reliance); and
The breach or failure to perform constituted self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness.
Exception:
The responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any criminal statute; or
The liability of a director for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state or federal law.
This by-law is passed pursuant to Act 145 Session of 1986 Pennsylvania Legislature, 42 Pa. C.S.A. Section 8361, et seq., as amended specifically Section 8364.