Persons, firms, corporations, associations, partnerships, or estates interested in the commercial, industrial, recreational, economic and civic progress of the Grand Marais area shall be eligible for active membership. Active members shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges including the right to vote. Firms, corporations, associations, and estates shall be entitled to designate a representative (alternates) to act in their behalf. Upon application by any of the above, applicant shall be accepted by the Board upon a two-thirds vote thereof.

There shall be two (2) classes of membership, consisting of active members and associate members.

Active members to pay dues set by guidelines and are entitled to vote and hold office.

Associate members can make a donation at any time at no set dollar amount and have privileges for one year like an active member except voting and holding office. Minutes are available upon request.

Each active member shall have one (1) vote on all matters requiring a vote by the members. In good standing, the member shall be entitled to appoint one (1) voting representative in their absence. Such representative to cast the one (1) vote from the member in any poll or election.

Annual membership dues shall be at such rates as set by the active members, due and payable by July 1st.

Upon acceptance, new members will be briefed on the dues requirement and given a copy of the by-laws. Notification of meetings, minutes, and other materials will be provided to members as necessary. Members must attend a minimum of ½ the general meetings of the Association and participate in at least 1 fund raising activity per year in order to maintain a status of "Good Standing" with the Association. Failure to maintain such status shall result in revocation of voting privileges until such time as their status is returned to "Good Standing".

Resignation: Any member of the association may resign by giving the Board of Directors a written notice of intent to resign, and the resignation shall be effective thirty (30) days after notice.

The annual meeting of the membership, to include all active members in good standing, shall be held on the first Monday of June to conduct election of officers, acceptance of budgets, and other business as necessary. Officers and Board of Directors shall be obligated to attend. The majority of active members in attendance shall determine all votes.

Any officer may call special meetings as necessary with twenty-four (24) hour notice of such meetings given to all Active members in "Good Standing".

Regular meetings of the active members shall be held monthly during the months of September through May. The place of the each meeting will be determined and notification to the members shall be made at the meeting prior.

The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the Association and 2 to 4 Trustees as appointed by the membership of the Association.

Election of officers, as listed in Sections 3 through 6, shall be conducted at the annual meeting in June of each year and shall be elected to serve a term of one (1) year beginning July 1st.

The President shall have the authority and responsibility to preside over all meetings of the Association, shall be listed as the Grant Sponsor on all DNR filings, and to appoint any member to help with the necessary operations of the Association. The President shall also have the authority and responsibility to act as a representative of the Association in all legal matters.

The Vice President shall have the authority and responsibility to function in every capacity as granted to the President in their absence, for any reason. The Vice-President shall also have the authority and responsibility to assume the position of the President in the event that the President is unable to perform and to appoint a member of the Executive Board to fill the vacancy of the Vice-President, until the next annual meeting of the membership.

The Secretary shall be present at all meetings and shall record the minutes and actions of the active membership. The Secretary shall also handle all matters of correspondence for the association.

The Treasurer shall preside over all meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President. The Treasurer shall be responsible for paying the bills of the Association, invoicing customers, receiving payments, depositing funds and such other needs as they relate to the finances of the Association. The Treasurer shall be responsible for monthly Treasurer’s reports, including income and expense transactions.

Funding of the Association shall be derived through grants from the Department of Natural Resources, fund raising activities, donations, and membership dues. Consideration of other funding sources shall require approval by resolution of the Board of Directors, including bank financing, grant applications, and sale of assets. Disbursement of funds shall require the signature of two (2) elected officers. No funds shall be distributed for purposes other than those provided for in the budget and amendments thereof. The Treasurer shall be authorized to make disbursements as provided for in the budget without additional approval.

Treasurer shall provide an end of season report at the May meeting to include but not limited to Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement, Budget, Overall Operational Summary, etc... The treasurer shall also have the authority and responsibility to perform and sign such filings as required by the IRS, the State of Michigan, and other governmental and regulatory bodies without further approval of the Association, its Officers or Board of Directors.