Bylaws to bring folks together at their station.
Minnesota Trappers Association
President and Vice President Election By-Laws and Information
Leistico’s Legal Corner...
Minnesota Trappers Association - Election By-Laws and Information for President and Vice President election conduct:
The MTA BY-LAWS, ARTICLE III requires the President and Vice Present will be elected for a two-year term and the elections will be held on odd numbered years. As 2021 is an odd numbered year, this is an election year for the position of MTA President and Vice President. Neither the current President nor Vice President are running for reelection, and as I write this, no one has been nominated or volunteered to run for these positions. As such, there is no notice in this MTA Newsletter of candidates for consideration. When there are candidates, the election takes place at the Summer Convention. Although there are no candidates currently, there is no deadline in the MTA By-Laws for when a candidate can be nominated or when volunteers must notice that they are seeking or are running for election to these positions. Therefore, if someone is nominated or volunteers to run for either President of Vice President before this year’s Summer Convention, the election will take place at this year’s Summer Convention. I really hope qualified individuals step up to seek to fill these positions. It is not possible to overstate the importance of the MTA in protecting trapping in the state and nationwide. The position of President is in many ways the face of the MTA. It can be a hard position, but there are many to help. The Board of Directors, the Vice President, and many competent and dedicated volunteers are all here to assist. I have worked with many MTA Presidents and will continue to do so into the future. We need these positions filled.
If no one is nominated or volunteers, there will be a vacancy in the position of President and Vice President. Article V of the MTA By-Laws allows if any vacancy exist in “any of the offices”, the position may be filled by the Board of Directors. Therefore, if no one is elected to these positions, the Board of Directors will appoint a President and Vice President. Again, I think it very important that qualified individuals step up and run for these positions. If you think you might be interested, please contact me by email at gleistico@rinkenoonan.com, and we can discuss the support you will have in these important positions.
The Summer Convention will take place in Barnum Minnesota on July 29 through July 31, 2021. Please see the MTA website. You should all come as it is a really good time to meet and talk with other trappers. There will be a write-in box at the MTA booth for all members to submit a vote for President and Vice President. The vote box will be open until the general membership meeting is completed on July 31, 2021. To be President or Vice President, you need to be 18 years or older and a member of the MTA. You should and must be dedicated to trapping. You will be supported by many.
Gary R. Leistico
Attorney