Eureka!

WELCOME TO EUREKA!

TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC.

 

We are a non-profit organization whose purposes are:

• To provide fellowship among all members.

• To encourage fellowship with other organizations with similar interest.

• To be of service to the community, including law enforcement agencies and historical societies.

• To promote proper search and recovery techniques.

• To preserve our heritage.

• To leave any property (public or private) in as good or better condition.

• To promote goodwill and understanding with all property owners, overseers and caretakers.

• To lobby for or against any pending legislation that would affect our hobby.

​​

EUREKA! HISTORY

Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club was started in January, 1973, by metal detecting shop owner Gene Kotlan.  He wanted to bring together people in the Denver area who were interested in the hobby.  The club has evolved over the years into more of a social organization that encourages ethical detecting practices, historical research and community involvement.

 

Members look forward to monthly meetings where they share information, display recent finds and gain new techniques or knowledge.  Diverse and interesting, monthly hunts take place as competitions for members, and often guests, to “show their stuff” in a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship.

 

While the primary goal of the club is to encourage enjoyment of the hobby among its members, Eureka! also has provided support to the community through Physical Evidence Recovery and Historical Artifact Recovery Teams and charitable contributions to several non‐profit organizations.

 

The Club is a non‐profit organization and relies heavily on the volunteer participation of its members to sustain its active status.  If you want a fun club, become active. Get involved!

 

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• Attending the Club’s monthly meetings and outings.

• The option of attending the Club’s board meetings.

• Chances to enter your best finds each month at the club meetings and receive prizes if they win.

•  A chance to enter your winning Finds of the Month in the Finds of the Year competition.

• The ability to vote for Find of the Month, Find of the Year, and the Gene Kotlan Award.

• Attending scheduled club hunts. This includes sites not readily available to the general public but involving prearranged permission.

• Participating in the Eureka! Physical Evidence Recovery Team.

• Participating in the Eureka! Historical Artifact Recovery Team.

• A monthly newsletter.

• Notification of special events in metal detecting/treasure hunting offered by other clubs in the area.

• The benefits of any other club member’s knowledge and experience in the hobby.

• Fellowship with the club members who share a love for and an interest in metal detecting as a hobby.

• The Club represents a forum in which you can work to promote and preserve the hobby.

​​

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF A MEMBER

 

• Members are required to abide by the Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics and Bylaws of the Club.

• Members should attend as many meetings and outings as possible.

• Members should be willing to serve on a committee if asked.

• Members are encouraged to participate in events.

• Members are encouraged to promote fellowship within the Club, with other organizations of similar interests and with the community.

• Members, if eligible, are encouraged to run for any elective office.

• Members in violation of the Club’s bylaws are subject to disciplinary action, as determined by the Executive Board.

 

MEMBERSHIP DUES AND VOTING RIGHTS

 

Currently, annual membership dues for age 18 and older are $33 for single membership, $42 for a family membership.  Family memberships are those with two adults and/or a single parent with any children under the age of eighteen residing in one household in a domestic situation.

 

Each person with a single membership will have one vote.  Each adult (person over the age of 18) in a family membership will have one vote.  Junior memberships are for individuals under the age of eighteen and shall have voting privileges for Finds of the Month and Finds of the Year.  Renewal time for memberships is in April each year.  Members who have not renewed by the May meeting are excluded from further club activities. Payment can be made by cash or by check made payable to the Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club, Inc. Payment is made to the Club Treasurer.

 

Any new member joining the Club after the May meeting can pay pro-rated dues.  Membership dues are set by the Executive Board.  Dues, from current members, received after the April general meeting will incur a $5 late fee.

 

Dues are used for the ongoing month‐to‐month and year‐to‐year operation of the Club.

 

GUESTS

 

Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend in the future as a member.  A guest may attend two Club general meetings before he or she decides to join.  He or she must then make the decision and pay the amount of dues required if they wish to participate in the Club.

 

HUNT ETIQUETTE

 

• Don’t hunt too close to another hunter.

• Always get permission to hunt private property.

• Cover all holes and remove all trash found.  No one wants to keep digging up the trash over and over, again.

• Use headphones.  You’ll find those deeper older targets plus you won’t annoy others.  (And they are required at all Eureka! Club hunts!)

• Leave an area in as good or better condition than you found it.

• Always be courteous.

 

TREASURE HUNTERS CODE OF ETHICS

 

• Respect the rights and property of others.

• Observe all laws, whether national, state, or local.  Aid law enforcement officials whenever possible.

• Never destroy priceless historical or archaeological treasures.

• Leave the land and vegetation as it was, fill in all holes.

• Remove all trash and litter when you leave.

• All treasure hunters may be judged by the example you set.  Always conduct yourself with courtesy and consideration of others.

 

CLUB ACTIVITIES

 

MEETINGS

Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club, unless otherwise notified, meets on the second Friday of each month, at the Clements Community Center.  Meetings start at 7:30 p.m.  The business portion of the meeting may include minutes of the previous meeting, treasure’s report, old business, new business and introduction of new members and guests.  A program is usually offered each month and could include a speaker, a demonstration or another presentation of interest to the members.

 

During the break, members are given the opportunity to vote for Finds of the Month, view any show and tell finds, and socialize.  Refreshments brought by members are usually available.  After the break and the conclusion of any business not finished in the first half of the meeting, prizes are awarded for Finds of the Month, membership attendance, and regular monthly drawings.

 

MONTHLY DRAWINGS

At each meeting there is an opportunity to participate in several drawings.  Money generated by these drawings is used to support the Club, improve the number and quality of member’s activities and to benefit the community.  The Membership Attendance Drawing is only open to members in good standing who are present at the time of the drawing.  All other drawings are open to both members and guests.

 

In the past, funds raised in the drawings have been donated to organizations such as the Children’s Crusade, The Glendale Community Center Family Organization, The American Red Cross, The A.L.I.E. Foundation, Step Thirteen and various Armed Forces support groups.

 

FINDS OF THE MONTH

Every month at the Eureka! Meeting, a prize is awarded to the member whose entry is voted the best find since the previous month’s meeting in each of the following five categories:

• Gold: natural gold (flakes, nuggets, wire), stamped karat alloy content, or obvious custom alloy item, except gold coins which are entered in the Coin Category.

Gold found by prospecting must be taken from one (1) location during a period of not more than one (1) day.

• Jewelry: objects of metal often set with gems and worn for personal adornment, except jewelry qualifying for the Gold category.

• Coin: a piece of metal issued by a governmental authority as money.

• Token: a piece resembling a coin issued by some person or entity, not of a governmental authority (with exception of tax tokens), that could be redeemed for services or specified items.  Advertising, or other tokens with no stated redeemable value are entered in the Artifact Category.

• Artifact: simple object showing human workmanship or modification, and all other items that do not meet the criteria for other categories.

 

Gold plated, gold filled or gold inlay items will not be considered eligible for the Gold Category, and will be placed in the Jewelry, Coin, Token, or Artifact Category as appropriate.  A designated board member will settle any disputes as to category.

 

Each member is encouraged to enter his or her best finds in any or all of the categories.  It is not necessary for a metal detector to have been used to locate the find.  It is, however, necessary for the item entered to be in the “spirit of the find”.  Nothing found by purchasing items (including from thrift, pawn, or antique stores), cleaning out your storage areas, bartering, or items gifted to you, may be entered.  Planted items found at club hunts are not eligible. 

 

There are no restrictions as to the location of the find. (This allows for your vacation finds to be entered.) However, each find you enter must have been found between the days after the last meeting through the current meeting date.

 

Items found that are detained by a governmental authority may be entered with a photograph of the item.

 

At the meeting, a table is set up for logging and displaying the Find of the Month entries.   A club member will attend to the table to hand out entry forms and to log your entry in the appropriate category.  Only forms provided by the Club are allowed for entering Find of the Month.  An additional display of a single 8.5” x 11” piece of paper is permitted.  Your entry is judged on its own merit.  All members are asked to be extremely careful when viewing these finds.  Some are quite valuable and fragile.  They can lose their value if damaged.  All entries must be submitted by the time the meeting is called to order at 7:30 p.m.  Plan accordingly to arrive in plenty of time to enter your find(s).  The club member running the Finds Table will settle any disputes.

 

Entries for Find of the Month remain displayed through break time to allow all members a chance to view and vote.  Voting is by members only!  Immediately after the break, votes are tallied and the winners are announced. All ties will be broken by the President.  All winning finds become eligible entries in the Finds of the Year.

 

FINDS OF THE YEAR

All winning entries from Find of the Month from January through December are automatically entered into Find of the Year.  Voting for this award takes place at the January meeting with all entries displayed.  The winner in each of the five categories is announced and awarded at the Annual Potluck Dinner and Awards Presentation held in February.

 

HUNTS

The Eureka! Club attempts to schedule at least one organized hunt (or activity) each month during the year. Organized hunts are most often held in town, and open to members only.  However, there are occasionally hunts open to invited guests or to registered participants and these hunts may be either in town or at an out-of‐town site.  Club hunts are most often on the Sunday following the meeting, but the availability of sites, holidays, and other activities allow for these hunts to be scheduled at any time, day or evening.  A board member or volunteer serves as Huntmaster for these hunts.  The Huntmaster selects the location, does research on the site if needed and provides maps and other details at the meetings.  Information on the hunts, if available, is also found in the newsletter.  Usually a fee is charged for these hunts, and the fee is based on the value of the items to be planted and the prizes to be won at the hunt.

 

The Club has a Hunt Coordinator to organize scheduling of hunts and to assist members who would like to host a hunt, but feel they need the support of a more experienced Huntmaster.  If there is no Hunt Coordinator, the President will step in.

 

EUREKA! HUNT RULES

• Hunt fields are off limits until the hunt begins.

• Observers must remain outside the perimeter of the hunt field at all times.

• One hunter/one detector (pinpointer probe excluded) is the standard rule defining a hunter/entrant.  Two people can’t share a detector, unless it is an instructional hunt that specifically calls for one detector to be used by more than one person.  Anyone with special needs who requires assistance should consult with the Huntmaster prior to the hunt.

• Headphones must be used.

• Every hunter must have a bag or trash pouch for properly disposing of unwanted items and litter that is encountered.

• All holes MUST be properly filled; failure to do so will result in ONE and only one warning with ANY repeated offense resulting in a disqualification and ejection from the hunt in progress (NO REFUNDS).

• Proper recovery tools appropriate to the area being hunted must be used.  On grassy public hunting areas, no targets will be buried deeper than 1” to 2”.

• Screwdrivers or probes are usually all that is required to recover targets.

• Cheating of any sort, or discourteous or aggressive behavior will be grounds for immediate disqualification and ejection from the hunt in progress (NO REFUNDS).

 

GUIDELINES FOR HUNTMASTERS

• The purposes of Eureka! hunts are entertainment, camaraderie, and education.

• Huntmasters should coordinate the type (member only or invitational), style, location, time, date and alternate weather date with the Hunt Coordinator.

• A Hunt Flyer and Sign Up Sheet provided by the Huntmaster should be available at the club meeting preceding the hunt, with information about the hunt: date and time (including a “rain” date), location, brief description of what will be planted, especially if there is a theme, type (members only or invitational), special rules (partner hunt, cut‐off date, maximum participants, etc.), cost, and the Huntmaster’s contact info. Utilizing the Sign Up Sheet will give a preliminary idea as to the number of people who will be attending.  Usually there is no limit.

• The Huntmaster is responsible for keeping track of coins and targets to be planted and their costs.  A Club Hunt Checklist (available from the Secretary) needs to be filled out and supplied to the Treasurer (at the next Board Meeting following the Hunt) for record keeping and any reimbursements.  Coins from the Club’s stock are available to use for hunts; contact the President regarding.

• In “member only” hunts, only members included in single or family membership can participate.

• Additional rules for a particular hunt are to be given by the Huntmaster at the orientation prior to the hunt.

• The Huntmaster is responsible for writing a Hunt Report and providing photos of the hunt to the Newsletter Editor before that month’s deadline.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

HART (Historical Artifact Recovery Team)

The Historical Artifact Recovery Team was formed in 1999 to provide assistance to historical societies and museums on a local, county, state or national scope. Those who sign up may be called upon to help recover artifacts for known or suspected historical locations. Participation in the team may mean either detecting an area or placing pin flags at target locations or full recovery of targets.  Typically, all targets recovered will be given to the institution that we are assisting.  Areas may be rough, a long distance away, small or very large.  The representative of the institution in charge will determine the size of the HART team needed and the qualifications of the team members.  A participant must be a club member for one year prior to joining HART.

 

PERT (Physical Evidence Recovery Team)

The Eureka! Physical Evidence Team was founded in 1993.  This group of members works with various law enforcement agencies in Colorado, frequently in ongoing investigations.  They assist in searching areas specified by the agency in charge and in the recovery of items as requested, closely adhering to rules relating to chain of possession.  The members of this team must be aware of the importance of the evidence they encounter, as well as, the confidential nature of their discoveries.  Often, the absence of targets is as important as the presence of them, and this team is called upon to eliminate areas under investigation.  As with HART, the agency in charge determines the number of participants needed and specific skills, such as water hunting, that would be required.  A participant must be a club member for one year prior to joining PERT.

 

ANNUAL POTLUCK & AWARDS PRESENTATION

 

The February club meeting is the Annual Potluck and Awards Presentation.  Special presentations are given for Find of the Year, the Gene Kotlan Award, the Dan Sprouse Award, and the Charles A. Johnston Award.

 

FINDS OF THE YEAR ‐ the winners of Coin, Jewelry, Token, Artifact and Gold categories for the past year were selected by a membership vote at the preceding January meeting.

 

THE DAN SPROUSE MEMORIAL AWARD (also known as the President’s Award) – this award is presented by the President to the club member he feels helped him the most during the preceding year.

 

THE GENE KOTLAN AWARD ‐ the winner was selected by general membership secret ballot vote at the preceding December club meeting.  The recipient is chosen on the basis of the fellow club member who has contributed the most for the good of the club during the preceding year.  Since the votes are tallied by an outside source, the winner is not known to anyone in the club until presentation of the awards at the February meeting.

 

THE CHARLES A. JOHNSTON AWARD (also known as the Member of the Year Award) ‐ this member is chosen by the Board Members and presented to the non‐board club member who has persistently and unselfishly volunteered his or her time, materials and services to the club during preceding year.

 

WHO ARE GENE KOTLAN, DAN SPROUSE AND CHARLES A. JOHNSTON?

 

Gene Kotlan was one of the original founders of the Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club, Inc. in January of 1973. He was a local metal detector dealer who sponsored the initiation of the Club.  Gene died of a heart attack while metal detecting.

 

Dan Sprouse was an enthusiastic Eureka! Member and Club President for two years.  He wore out a White’s 6‐ DB detector, and  after only 2 ½ years in the hobby, passed a count of 50,000 coins retrieved.  Dan died of cancer midway through his second term as President.

 

Charles A. Johnston was one of the organizers of the Club.  He always found something “good” or interesting whenever he searched and shared his interest in history by involving the Club with various historical society searches.  He died in September, 1991.

 

OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

 

The Eureka! Club Officers, elected for a two year term, are:

 

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Newsletter Editor

 

The Club also has a Board of Directors.  This consists of seven elected members in addition to the above officers.  The term of office for each member of the Executive Board shall be two years.  Three members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for two years.  On odd year elections, the remaining four members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for two years on even year elections.  Officers and board members are elected at the December meeting.

 

BOARD MEETING

Board meetings are open to all members.  Members are welcome and encouraged to attend and become involved.  Board meetings are held in a variety of locations as selected by the board members.  Locations and time of the next meeting are announced at the regular meeting, distributed by email and, if possible, published in the previous newsletter.

 

NEWSLETTER

The Club’s newsletter is called “SOUNDOFF”.  Each month, a newsletter is posted to the Eureka! website.  The newsletter contains information about Club events, hunts, general meetings minutes and other items.

 

ADVERTISING IN THE NEWSLETTER

You do not need to be a member to have your business card published in the Club’s newsletter.  Prices for business card advertising are prorated by size.  Normal business card size (2” x 3.5”) cost $6.00 per month, ¼ page, $12 per month , ½ page, $24 per month, full‐page, $48.  Advertisers are encouraged to take out ads for 12 months and receive a 3-month discount.  No other discounts apply.  The Treasurer must receive any required payments for commercial ads prior to their inclusion.

  

EUREKA! LOGO ITEMS

Items bearing the Eureka! name such as embroidered patches or hats are periodically available.  The items can be obtained from the Club Treasurer, while available.  Each member receives a name badge identifying him or her as a member of the Club.  Badges are included with paid membership with replacement badges at a cost of $5.00.

 

METAL DETECTING BASICS

 

RECOVERING TARGETS

Here are a few tips for recovering targets from grassy areas either by the probe method or digging a plug.

 

• Cut a slice in the middle and pry back from the side to see the target, and then push both sides back down.

• Sometimes you can make just one cut and ply back a little to get the target and tamp back in place.

• With deeper targets, you may have to make a bigger opening so the dirt does not fall back in while looking for the target.  Fill the hole back in, in the same manner as above.  As you get better at finding your targets, whether they are deep or shallow, you will find the best method for your conditions.

• Digging plugs should be carefully made in a half round plug that has a hinge so as to easily be pushed back in the hole and tamped down.

• If you are in a park and the ground is dry and the target is deep, pass it up.  There are a lot more targets out there that are a lot easier to dig.

 

 CLEANING COINS

Put dirty coins in a container and cover with salt and vinegar.  Put the lid on and shake/swirl it occasionally. After a half an hour, drain off the liquid, rinse with clean water and the coins will come out clean.

 

For extremely difficult to clean coins, tumble the coins in a rock tumbler following the instructions with the rock tumbler.

 

When cleaning brass, use a name brand of catsup, brush on and let it sit for about 20‐30 minutes.  Rinse with clean water and the items come out shiny.

 

Put dirty coins in a glass jar and cover with a liquid calcium deposit cleaner.  Put the lid on and shake it occasionally.  After one half hour or longer, drain off the liquid (it is reusable), rinse with water and the coins will come out super clean, (Tony van Roon, Royal City Metal Detecting Club).

 

For difficult to clean coins and coins that are almost unreadable, soak them in pure virgin olive oil for four to six weeks.  Herb Gale, Gale's Metal Detectors, says that vegetable oil just doesn't cut it.  Wash with a bit of dish soap.  Rinse with warm water.

 

Always use 'acid‐free' material to preserve your coins. Other material will tarnish your valuable coins over time.

 

ASKING PERMISSION

Always ask official permission to gain access to an owner's property.  Eureka! Treasure Hunters Club, Inc. provides business cards to its members that they can bring along and give to property owners to show that they belong to a responsible club.  Included, are our code of ethics all Club members follow.

  

MORE TIPS

• Bring drinking water and sunscreen.

• Wear gloves to protect your hands (especially  from unexpected sharp objects).  There are many types of gloves that work well including gardening, mechanic’s and surgical gloves.

• Wear at least a two compartment pouch (one for trash, the other for items to keep).

• Don't forget the insect repellent when detecting in the fields, near wooded areas, or near lakes.  Mosquitoes, black flies, horse flies, ticks or worse can ruin your day in a hurry!  Repellants that contain DEET are quite effective.

• Bring any type of camera.

• Round plastic bottles, the kind from vitamins and antacid tablets, make good coin collection containers.

• It is standard operating procedure to bring spare batteries with you on all your field trips.

• Carry a portable compound magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe.  You can identify coins and other small items that should be separated and protected because of their value.

• A retracting key holder is handy for holding a penknife, magnifier, or other small tools used periodically.  This eliminates the need to fish for those items in your pockets, especially with dirty or muddy hands.

• When in areas open to hunting during hunting season, wear a fluorescent orange jacket and hat to avoid being mistaken.

• Read and re-read your detector manual.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Persistence pays.  The more you swing your coil, the more “luck” you will have.

• And, remember to have FUN.

 

BYLAWS

Ratified 12/8/2006 

 

Article I

Name and Motto

The name of this organization is "EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC."

The motto is "SEARCH WITH CARE."

  

Article II

Objectives

The objectives of this organization are:

• To promote fellowship among all members.

• To encourage fellowship with other organizations with similar interests.

• To be of service to the community, including law enforcement agencies and historical societies.

• To preserve our national heritage.

• To preserve and protect our environment.

• To leave any property (public or private) in as good or better condition than it was when we arrived.

• To promote good will and understanding with all property owners, overseers, and caretakers.

• To lobby for or against any pending legislation that would affect our hobby.

 

Article III

Membership

• Membership shall be open to any individual who will abide at all times by these bylaws.

• Every member should attend and participate in as many Club functions as possible.

• All members are encouraged to serve on any committees.

• All members should conduct themselves in a responsible and respectable manner.

• Any member in violation of these bylaws shall be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Executive Board, which may include probation or expulsion.

• To be in good standing, a member's dues must be paid for the current year and he must not be on probation.

• After one year's membership, any adult member in good standing shall be eligible to run for any elective office.

 

Article IV

Executive Board

The Executive Board of the EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. shall consist of:

• President

• Vice President

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Newsletter Editor

• Board of Directors (consisting of seven elected members)

 

The term of office for each member of the Executive Board shall be for two years.  Three members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a period of two (2) years on odd year elections.  The remaining four (4) members of the Board of Directors shall be elected for two (2) years on even year elections.

 

Should a position become vacant during the year, a special election shall be held at the next General Membership meeting to elect and fill the vacant position.  A simple majority vote from the members in attendance at an election meeting shall elect that nominee to office.

 

Duties of the Executive Board

President

• The President shall chair all general Club meetings.

• The President shall chair all meetings of the Executive Board.

• The President shall conduct all meetings in accordance with a basic outline found in "Robert's Rules of Order."

• The President shall have the power to call special Club and/or Executive Board meetings at any time with reasonable notice to the members involved.

• The President shall have the power to form committees and appoint chairpersons.

 

Vice President

• The Vice President shall assist the President.

• The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President or in his inability to serve, preside at all meetings and perform all duties otherwise performed by the President.

• The Vice President shall assist committees in the carrying out of their functions.

• The Vice President shall be responsible for the coordination of all refreshments for all Club functions.

• The Vice President shall be in charge of new member/guest orientation.

• The Vice President shall be responsible for the coordination of the guest speakers at general club meetings.

 

Secretary

• The Secretary shall record the minutes of all Club and Executive Board meetings.

• The Secretary shall have the power to organize and manage a notifying committee.

• The Secretary shall review all Club correspondence and coordinate responses as needed.

• The Secretary shall maintain a file of Club Correspondence.

 

Newsletter Editor

• The Editor shall notify all members of office election meetings, bylaw change meetings, and other special meetings that the President deems important to the membership.

• The Editor shall be responsible for issuing and editing of the monthly Club newsletter.

• The Editor shall be responsible for the transcription of the bylaws.

 

Treasurer

• The Treasurer shall receive all membership dues and issue membership cards.

• The Treasurer shall receive all monies and maintain records of all accounts.

• The Treasurer shall maintain all Club checking accounts.

• The Treasurer, President, or Vice President shall write and sign all checks.

• The Treasurer may purchase necessary office supplies for the operation of the Club.

• The Treasurer shall maintain a petty cash fund at all Club meetings and functions of an adequate amount to meet anticipated needs.

• The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining a current membership list.

 

Board of Directors

• Board Members, along with the other officers of the Club, shall comprise an Executive Board which shall aid in Club policy-making decisions.

• The Board of Directors shall represent the Club when dealing with community agencies or other clubs with mutual interest.

• The Board of Directors shall be convened for special meetings called by the President.

 

Board Meeting

• Any Executive Board member who misses three (3) Board meetings in succession may be removed from that position at the discretion of the Board.

• A special election may be held at the next general membership meeting to elect and fill any vacant position.

 

 Article V

Meetings

• The EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. shall hold a regular monthly meeting, the date and time of the meeting to be published in advance in the newsletter.

• Special Club meetings may be called by the President for reasons that are of sufficient importance to warrant the assemblage of the Club membership.  Notice shall be given to the membership as deemed reasonable for the occasion.

 

Article VI

Membership - Qualifications and Dues

The following memberships shall be available:

• Single Adult Membership - age of eighteen or older, one vote per membership.

• Family Membership - two adults and/or a single parent with any children under the age of eighteen residing in the same house in a domestic situation, one vote per legal adult.

• Junior Membership - any individual under the age of eighteen with voting rights for Finds of the Month and Finds of the Year.

• Newsletter Membership - No voting rights, no attendance rights, subscription to Club newsletter only.

• The Executive Board shall determine member dues by April of every year.

• Dues are due by the May meeting.  If members do not renew their membership, they shall be excluded from further Club activities until their dues are paid.

• No dues will be refunded.

  

Article VII

Amendments to Bylaws

• EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. Bylaws may be changed only by a quorum vote of the membership, herein defined as a simple majority of the total Club membership in attendance.

• Proposed amendments to the Club Bylaws shall be introduced in writing at any regular Club meeting by any member or officer in attendance.

• Copies of the proposed amendments must be distributed to the total Club membership by hand, by mail, or electronically, at least two weeks before the next regular meeting.

• The cost of copying and distribution of the proposed amendment shall be the responsibility of the person making the amendment proposal or Bylaws change.

 

Members Responsible for Own Safety

• All members must be responsible for the well-being and safety of their own persons and property.

• While Club officers shall attempt to point out some hazards of various outings, it shall be a foregone conclusion that all dangers cannot be foreseen and therefore each member shall assume the responsibility for known and unknown dangers for himself, his family and his property.

• Members with children shall be fully responsible for the safety and well-being the children.

 

Club Liability

• Members covenant that they shall not initiate or maintain litigation of any kind against EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. or any member or officer of EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. acting on the Club's behalf, to recover damages or to seek any other kind of relief.

• If any member initiates or maintains litigation in violation of this covenant, that member agrees to pay EUREKA! TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB, INC. for all damages, expenses, and attorney fees incurred.

• Any member who violates this covenant and initiates or maintains litigation immediately resigns his or her membership and forfeits any dues or fees that have been paid.  That member additionally relinquishes any possibility of future membership.

 

New Members

Prorated dues may be paid by any new member joining the Club.   A new member is defined as a person that has not had a paid membership for one (1) year or more.

  

Visitors

A visitor may attend two Club meetings before deciding to join.

 

Probation

• Any member, who blatantly disregards the Club's bylaws or Treasure Hunters Code of Ethics, can be put on probation.

• Any member of the Club in good standing may bring charges of misconduct against any other member of the Club.  Those making the charges must report the incident as well as present evidence to an Executive Board member within a reasonable amount of time after the alleged incident.

• The Board member shall report to the rest of the Executive Board, and the Board shall determine the course of action to be taken.  Evidence of misconduct may be, but not limited to, physical evidence, photographs, video, or an eyewitness account.

• Probation shall be at the discretion of the Board to determine duration and severity of the reprimand and shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.  Penalty may include one or more of the following, but not necessarily limited to:

• Member may not enter any finds into the Find of the Month competition.

• Member may not vote for Find of the Month.

• Member may not be eligible to hold office.

• Member may be removed from office.

• Member may not be allowed to participate in drawings.

• Members may not be allowed to participate in Club hunts.