IHLA to have State Chapters!

[IHLA_Chairman]

The IHLA is going to have State Chapters in every State that we have Members. If anyone is interested in sitting on the Board of Directors of a State Chapter, please e-mail [email protected] for more information. ALL Members in good standing of the IHLA are eligible to participate. If you are not a Member and want to sit on the Board in your State, you will be required to join the IHLA.

We are doing this to have a more localized presence to assist Members as well as a way to solicit local funding. More people are willing to donate locally rather than support something that might not directly benefit them locally.

Thanks, John MacEwan - Chairman, IHLA

 

[IHLA_Chairman]

Here is some further information:

I.H.L.A. Inc. State Chapter Information Packet 1A

Purpose and Intent


The purpose and intent of this “first draft” information packet is to explain the reasoning and operational guidelines of how the State Chapter Program might work. This initial publication will include an application for interested persons to complete and return via electronic transmission or postal mail. We will address such initial issues as logistics, procedures, timelines, contacts and responsibilities. We understand that in no way can this initial publication cover all of the bases when it comes to every facet of operating a State Chapter. It is merely a starting point to give those interested a basic idea of what the next steps will be. It will be broken down into topics and then further into topic points. After completely reading all of the information contained in this publication, questions may be sent to [email protected]. Please reference the topic name and topic point if applicable when you send questions. Because of the huge response we have received concerning this new program, please allow us sufficient time to answer your questions. We may choose to answer frequent questions in the next informational packet that we anticipate publishing in early October. Note: This is only a first draft and has not been ratified by the BOD.


Additionally, other information sources such as the official IHLA web site at http://www.hunt4land.org and our bulletin board should be checked. We have been trying to update the site at least weekly. Because each State Chapter will be in charge of it’s own success by how it operates, we encourage all interested persons to send us comments, suggestions, complaints and even praise if you believe it will help the organization achieve our ultimate goal of saving hunting land for future generations.
Logistics – Each State Chapter will need the following initially:

• Mailing Address (May be any Board Members Home Address)
• Phone Number (May be any Board Members Home Phone)
• Web Site (Example – http://pa.hunt4land.org would be the site for PA)
• E-Mail Address (Example – [email protected] would be for PA)
• Method for Mailing to Members (Stamps.com through IHLA HQ)
• Bank Account in your State (Using IHLA Tax Number)
• Online Credit Card Acceptance (Through IHLA Pay Pal)

The only cost involved is the postage plan at $4.99/month plus the cost of printed postage. Each State Chapter will be responsible for raising it’s own funds. Funding sources include *Memberships, +Grants and +Private Donations from within your State. The National Headquarters may choose to assist Chapters financially if there is sufficient need and funds are available. For the most part though, Chapters are to be self-sustaining.

The IHLA will provide each State Chapter with web space and a Chapter e-mail address on our server and has already secured web and e-mail addresses for each State. All Chapters are expected to sign up for their own Stamps.com account using either the banner at the Events page of the IHLA Main web site or by using the promotional code C-42G5-K2D when signing up.

A Bank Account must be opened by each Chapter using the Tax ID of the IHLA Inc. Each Chapter Treasurer will be required to sign a personal guarantee that funds will be used for official Chapter expenditures approved by the Chapter Board. Any expenditures used for personal benefit will result in immediate criminal charges and any other recourse permitted by law.

A Pay Pal account must also be obtained by each State Chapter. Chapters are expected to sign up for their own Pay Pal (www.paypal.com) account using the banner at the Events page of the IHLA Main web site. Account will require users personal information. IHLA Tax ID can only be used for National account. National HQ shall be granted access to State Accounts for auditing purposes only.

*Portions of Memberships go to National as explained below
+3% of all grants and donations go to the National Headquarters for operational costs.

Procedures – The following initial procedures will be implemented by each State Chapter.

• How Can Someone Sign Up for their State Board
• Weekly Meeting Schedule
• Chapter Board of Directors Named
• Press Release for Each Chapter
• Each Chapter must forward minutes of meetings to HQ weekly
• Each President must send HQ a weekly activity report
• Rest of State Board must contact President weekly with updates
• National Board Members may NOT hold State Board Seats
• A Land Committee Made up of State Board Members needs formed
Any Member of the IHLA can sign up to hold a State Chapter Board Seat. There will be a short application at the end of this packet that is to be used to apply for consideration.

Each Chapter is expected to meet weekly. They may choose any time and day of week that suits the majority of Board Members.

All Chapters must have their schedule posted with the National HQ. A current Board of Directors list is to be sent to National HQ and updated as necessary by each ranking Board member from every Chapter as it changes. The initial set of Board seats will be filled by appointment by the National Board of Directors. After that, elections are to be held yearly in a yet to be determined manner.

Each Chapter shall submit a press release to National HQ and to local media outlets as funding permits. Getting the word out is one of the most important keys to the survival of each Chapter.

ACCURATE Minutes of ALL meetings must be forwarded to National HQ within 48 hours of each meeting. We will not be judging anyone, we simply want to be aware of goings-on at each Chapter in case we might be required to help with an issue. Don’t worry about “cleaning it up” before sending.

Each Chapter President is responsible for his/her Chapter. All Presidents MUST send a report to the Chairman of the Board of the National Headquarters of the IHLA weekly! The report is to include number of new members from prior week, number of current members, grants and/or donations received and from whom received, attendance report of weekly meeting, and ANY other issues that might be pertinent.

Each Board Member of a State Chapter MUST contact the President of the Chapter weekly via any method he/she chooses to keep President informed. One thing to remember though is that unless it is writing of some form, it may be forgotten. The President shall use this information to author his/her report to the IHLA Chairman.

National Board members who wish to hold a State Chapter Board seat would be required to give up their seat on the National Board of Directors. Once a State Board Member has fulfilled at least 1 term as a State Board member, he/she becomes eligible to hold a National Board Seat (Pending IHLA Bylaws Amendment)

A Land Committee made up of State Board Members selected by the National Board of Directors will be given certain areas of the Country to monitor for the Vice Presidents Lands East/West. Further information will be given at a later time.
Timelines – We expect the following events to take place in the timeframes listed below.

• Final State Chapter Information Packet Distributed – Mid November
• First State Chapter Setup Completely – Early December
• National Press Release Announcing State Chapters – Early January
• All States in the U.S. to have a State Chapter by June 2004
• Membership in U.S. to reach 500 by June 2004

Contacts – Please use the following e-mail addresses, phone number and postal address when contacting the IHLA National Headquarters:

E-Mail:

General Mailbox – [email protected]
Chairman of the Board – [email protected]
Questions about this Packet – [email protected]
General Chapter Questions – [email protected]

Phone:

I.H.L.A. Inc. Headquarters – 814-535-5969

Postal Address:

I.H.L.A. Inc.
John MacEwan
226 Strayer Street FL2
Johnstown, PA 15906-2035

Responsibilities – The following list of responsibilities is far from complete. It is being included here as such. ALL items are to be adhered to strictly!

• All Officers of the IHLA and it’s State Chapters MUST represent the organization in a positive, professional manner
• State Chapters are expected to have an annual Board only meeting
• State Chapters are expected to hold weekly meetings open to Members
• State Chapters are expected to grow Membership in their State yearly
• All posted rules and regulations governing the use of State Chapters must be strictly adhered to by all involved persons
• All IHLA Members must obey ALL game laws
• All State Chapters are required to submit the following amounts to the National HQ from Membership proceeds:
$ 5.00 from Associate Memberships
$10.00 from Annual Memberships
$50.00 from Life Memberships
IHLA State Chapter Board Seat Application


All fields with an * are required


*Name _____________________________ IHLA Member # ____________

*Address ___________________________________

*City ____________________ *State ____________ *Zip Code __________

*Phone (____)_____-________ *E-Mail ______________________________

*What Board Seat(s) are you interested in holding? ______________________________________________________________

What Seat(s) would you prefer not to hold? ______________________________________________________________

*Are you a Current IHLA Member? (Circle One) YES NO

Do you understand that Membership is required to hold a Board Seat?
YES NO

Would you be willing to use the following for State Chapter contact:
Circle any that Apply: Home Address Home Phone

Please list any qualifications or information below that you think we might find helpful when deciding whether or not to appoint you to the initial State Chapter Board for your State. Use back and attach extra sheets as necessary.
Signature _____________________________ Date ______________________