Constitution and By-Laws

Of the

Goshen Horse-Thief Detectives

 

Organized January 16, 1892
Chartered February 3, 1900

Amended and Adopted October 30, 2008

Amended May 1, 2010

 

Constitution

Article I

Section 1

This Organization shall be known as the Goshen Horse-Thief Detectives.

Section 2

It shall have for its object the recovery of stolen Horses, Mules, Cattle, Hogs, Sheep, Buggies, Harnesses and Tack.

Section 3.

It shall use all reasonable means in its power to bring to justice all persons who may steal any protected property from any of its members or residents of Goshen Township, Ohio.

Article II

Section 1

The Officers shall be One Captain and Six Lieutenants, a Secretary and Treasurer.

 

Article III

Section 1.

The Captain shall have general command of the Company when in active service and shall establish his/her headquarters residency at Goshen and shall have power to appoint of the members to the temporary command of a section of the Company and shall preside at all the meetings.

Section 2.

The Lieutenants shall have command under the Captain and under each other in the order of rank and shall fill the office of each other in the case of disability or absence in the order of their rank  which shall be determined by vote of the meeting at their election. Lieutenants shall be elected by members from their respective divisions as defined in the By-Laws. In the event of the absence of the Captain, the senior Lieutenant shall preside at meetings on his/her behalf.

Section 3

The Treasurer shall have the custody of the funds and shall pay out money only on the order of the acting Captain for all debt approved by the Executive Board, countersigned by the Secretary. He/She shall render a report at each annual meeting, said report to be preserved among the papers of the Secretary.

Section 4

The Secretary shall keep a true record of the proceedings of the Company, preserve all the books and papers related thereto, notify each member of the annual meetings and all called special meetings, notify each member of any arrears in dues, if any, and attend to all the duties  appertaining to his/her office.

 

Section 5

The Secretary shall receive no compensation for his services the amount to be fixed by the company at the annual meeting. However, the membership may approve, by general vote, waiving the annual dues.

 

Article IV

Section 1

The officers shall be elected annually on the second Saturday in January  pursuant to the terms outlined in the By-Laws, to serve one year or until their successors are elected

 

Article V

Section 1

Five Officers Seven members shall form a quorum at any regular or called special Board meeting for the transaction of any business.

Section 2

In the absence of the proper officers, officers pro tem may be elected by the meeting.

Section 3

Special Called meetings shall be held only on the order of the Captain, or in his absence, to the next highest officer present. by a majority of the Lieutenants and shall have no power to amend or alter the Constitution or By-Laws.

 

Article VI

Section 1

Any person 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, may become a member of the Company by a majority vote in his favor at any regular meeting by paying the annual dues as established from time to time in the By-Laws to the Secretary $1.00  as initiation membership fee.

 

Article VII

Section 1

The Captain, Lieutenants, Secretary and Treasurer shall form an Executive Committee.

Section 2

The Executive Committee shall have power to prescribe and order the details of action in particular emergencies: to offer rewards for stolen property or for thieves, and when they may think advisable to levy an equal tax on the members of the Company as often as it may be necessary to pay it’s indebtedness. And to pursue any course of action which further advances the goals of the Company.

Section 3

There shall be one regular meeting of the Executive Committee, the meeting to be held within 30 days from the day of election, at such hour and place as shall be designated by the Executive Committee.

Section 4

The Executive Committee shall meet on the order of the Captain, whenever, in his/her judgment, it may be necessary.

 

Article VIII

Section 1

Every member shall hold himself, or an acceptable substitute with a good riding horse. in readiness at all times for twelve hour service (not including return) on one hours notice, for which he shall make no charges. Further service than this shall be paid for by the Company at the rate of $1 per day and necessary expenses for man and horse.

 

Article IX

Section 1

The annual dues for each member shall be established by the Executive Committee from time to time and shall be made part of the By-Laws twenty-five cents ($.25).

Section 2

A fine of fifty cents shall be paid by each member absent from the annual meeting of each year.

Section 3

If any member should fail to pay his dues to the Secretary within 3 months from the annual meeting, his name shall be dropped from the rolls and he shall no longer be considered a member.

 

Article X

Section 1

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting.

 

 

By-Laws

 

Article I

Section 1

Designation of Officers

Captain – The Captain shall be elected at the annual meeting by majority vote of all members present and in good standing.

Lieutenants (6) shall be elected (1 per Division) by all members present at the annual meeting from their respective Divisions as follows:

North West Division- Located in Goshen Township bounded by State Highways 28 (North side) and 48 (West side)

North East Division- Located in Goshen Township bounded by State Highways 28 (North side) and 48 (East side)

South West Division- Located in Goshen Township bounded by State Highway 28 (South side) and Goshen Rd. (West side)

South East Division- in Goshen Township bounded by State Highway 28 (South side) and Goshen Rd. (East side)

Mounted Division- Consisting of all members who own horses and who have participated in at least one sanctioned event with their mount. The regulations regarding event participation shall be established to ensure the safety of all riders, spectators and horses. These regulations shall be adopted and strictly followed by all Mounted Division members.

 
Outlaw Division- All remaining members who do not otherwise qualify in a category above.

 
Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by the membership at large at the annual meeting and shall serve without compensation unless otherwise specified by this Constitution and By-Laws

 

Section 2

Dues:

Annual Dues are as follows:

Active member

(Participates in Uniform in 1 event annually)            $5

Non participant in events         $10

Mounted-                               $5 regardless of residency

Wagon/Carriage                     $5 regardless of residency

 

Section 3

Uniform

The parade uniform shall be determined by a vote of the membership at large and shall not be modified except by vote of 2/3^rd of the general membership at the annual meeting.

Those members marching/riding in parades shall comply with wearing the parade uniform and shall always keep the uniform in a condition that positively reflects their pride in the organization.

 

Section 4

Fundraising

Should the membership decide to participate in fundraising, a majority vote of the membership shall decide how excess funds shall be donated. Under no circumstance shall any proceeds be donated to any political party, candidate or political committee.