Constitution
Of the
Northwest Bearded Collie Club of Puget Sound
ARTICLE I: Name and Objective
Section 1:
The name of the organization shall be the
Northwest Bearded Collie Club of Puget Sound.
Section 2: The objectives of the Club shall be:
1. To encourage and promote health, quality, and
responsible breeding and ownership of purebred Bearded Collies. To further this
objective, the club adopts and urges members to adhere to the Code of Ethics
and Guidelines published by the Bearded Collie Club of America.
2. To do all possible to bring their natural qualities to
perfection;
3. To urge members and breeders to accept the stafndard of
the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club;
4. To do all in its power to protect and advance the
interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike conduct at dog shows and
trials;
5. To retain the original capabilities of the Bearded
Collie by encouraging training and competition in herding, obedience, agility, and tracking.
6. To educate the public about the history, standard,
care, and training of the Bearded Collie;
7. To promote a vehicle for rescue and placement of lost,
abandoned, or unwanted Bearded Collies and
8. To conduct licensed specialty shows and trials under
the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.
Section 3:
The Club shall not be conducted, managed or operated for profit and no part of
any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall
inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
Section 4: The
members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws
as may be required to carry out these objectives.
Section 5: Nothing herein contained shall be construed to make
this organization a partnership or to make any member, officer, or director of
this organization personally responsible or liable under partnership law or
otherwise for the acts, debts, defaults, or liabilities of any character
what-so-ever of any other member of the organization.
By-Laws
Of the
Northwest Bearded Collie Club of Puget Sound
ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Eligibility.
There
shall be three types of membership open to all persons who are in good standing
with the American Kennel Club.
Individual
membership is open to all persons eighteen (18) years of age or older who are
in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the
purposes of this Club. Ownership of a Bearded Collie is not necessary for
membership.
Household
memberships are open to two persons 18 years of age living in the same
household who are in good standing with the American Kennel club and who
subscribe to the purposes of this Club. Each member of the household
membership is entitled to a separate vote. Ownership of a Bearded Collie is not
necessary for membership.
Associate
membership is open to all persons eighteen (18) years of age or older who are
in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the
purposes of this Club. This is an optional choice without voting privileges or
the right to hold office. Ownership of a Bearded Collie is not necessary for
membership.
Limited
memberships are non-voting and non-participating in any privileges of the Club
membership other than those designated by the specified membership. A limited
membership shall be designated as a subscriber or a competitor. These
categories may be expanded by a vote of the Board of Directors as needed. Dues
will be determined at the same time and manner as the other memberships in the
Club.
While
membership is to be unrestricted as to the residence, the Club's primary
purpose is to be a representative of the breeders, exhibitors and fanciers in
its immediate area.
Section 2: Dues.
Membership
dues shall be established by the Board of Directors as a standing rule and
shall include rates for individual membership,
household
membership, or associate membership Members residing in a country other than
the United States of America may be charged higher dues to compensate for the
increased postage required to mail minutes and flyers for other club
activities, and will be encouraged to
apply for Associate Membership. During the month of April, the treasurer shall
send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year. Dues are payable
on or before the first day of June. No member may vote whose dues are not paid
for the current year.
Section 3: Election to Membership.
Each
applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of
Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these
Constitution and By-Laws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The
applicant shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and
shall carry the endorsement of two (2) members in good standing. Accompanying
the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the
current year. All applications are to be filed with the treasurer and each
application is to be read at the first meeting following its receipt. At the
next meeting, the application shall be reread and voted on by the members
present. Affirmative votes by ¾ of the members present and voting by secret
ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. The applicant
shall not be present during the voting process. Applicants who have been
rejected by the Club may not re-apply within six (6) months after such
rejection.
Section 4: Termination of Membership.
Membership may be terminated:
1. By resignation. Any member in good standing may
resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. But no member may
resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the
Club and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.
2. By lapsing. A membership shall be considered as
lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days
after the first day of each fiscal year. However, the Board may grant an
additional 90 days grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In
no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting whose dues are
unpaid as of the date of the meeting.
3. By expulsion. Any membership may be terminated by
expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.
ARTICLE II: Meetings,
Notices, Voting and Minutes
Section 1: Club Meetings.
Club
meetings shall be held a minimum of six times a year. The time of all
regularly scheduled meetings shall be decided at the beginning of each Club
year by the Board of Directors. The meeting place shall be within the Greater
Seattle area at a location designated by the Board of Directors. Written
notice of any change in place, date, or hour shall be provided by the Secretary
at least 10 days prior to the date of meeting. The quorum for such meetings
shall be 20% of the members in good standing.
Section 2: Special Club Meetings.
Special
Club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote at any
regular or special meeting of the board and shall be called by the Secretary
upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good
standing. Such special meetings shall be held in the Greater Seattle area at
such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons
authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall
be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 15 days prior to
the date of the meeting and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting
and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a
meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.
Section 3: Board Meetings.
Meetings
of the Board of Directors shall be held a minimum of six times a year in
the Greater Seattle area at a time and place as may be designated by the
Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at
least five days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a
meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 4: Special Board Meetings.
Special
meetings of the Board may be called by the President and shall be called by the
Secretary upon receipt of a request by at least three members of the Board.
Such special meetings shall be held in the Greater Seattle area at such place,
date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such
meetings. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary at
least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the
purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted thereat. A
quorum for such meetings shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 5: Voting.
Each
member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be
entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which he/she is present. A
maximum of two votes shall be entitled for each household membership.
Associate membership shall exclude the right to vote. Proxy voting will not be
permitted at any Club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III: Directors
and Officers
Section 1: Board of Directors.
The
Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
and Immediate Past President whose voting status is the same as all other board
members, and four other persons, all of whom shall be elected for one year
terms at the Club's annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve
until their successors are elected. General management of the Club's affairs
shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Officers.
The
Club's officers consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the
Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.
1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
Club and of the Board and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant
to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these
bylaws.
2. The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise
the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or
incapacity.
3. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of
the Club and Board and all matters of which the Club shall order a record. The
Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notifying members of
meetings, notifying new members of their election to membership, notifying
officers and directors of their election to office and carrying out such other
duties as are prescribed in these bylaws.
4. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due
or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank
account designated by the Board in the name of the Club. The books shall at
all times be open to inspection of the Board and the Treasurer shall report to
them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of
receipt of payment not before reported. At the first meeting of the new Club
year, the Treasurer shall render an account of all moneys received and expended
during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer may be bonded in such amount as
the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 3: Vacancies.
Any
vacancies occurring on the Board or among the officers during the year shall be
f1lled until the next annual election by a majority vote of all the then
members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of
such vacancy or at a Special Board Meeting called for that purpose; except that
a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled automatically by the
Vice President; the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be
filled by the Board.
ARTICLE IV: The Club
Year, Annual Meeting and Elections
Section 1: Club Year.
The
official year shall begin on the 1st day of June and end on the 31st
day of May.
Section 2: Annual Meeting.
The
annual meeting shall be held each year in April at a time and place selected by
the Board of Directors. At this meeting the Officers and Board of Directors
for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret written ballot from those
nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. New officers shall
take office at the first meeting of the official year and each retiring officer
shall turn over to his or her successor in office all properties and records
relating to the office on or before the first meeting of the Club year.
Section 3: Elections.
The
nominated candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes
shall be declared elected. The four nominated candidates for other position on
the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be
declared elected. Ballots shall be counted and provided for as described in
Section 4 of this Article.
Section 4: Nominations.
No
person may be a candidate in the Club election who has not been nominated in
accordance with the Bylaws. The Board shall select a Nominating Committee on
or before January 1st. The committee shall consist of one Board member and two
non-Board members. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee. The
Board shall name a chairman of the committee and it shall be his/her duty to
call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before February 1st.
1. The committee shall nominate one candidate for each
office and four candidates for the other four positions on the Board and after
securing the consent of each person so nominated shall immediately report their
nominations to the Secretary in writing.
2. Upon receipt of the nominating committee's report the
Secretary shall, before February 15, notify each member in writing of the
candidates so nominated.
3. Additional nominations of eligible members may be made
at the meeting previous to the annual meeting by any member in attendance
provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is
proposed and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in
attendance at this meeting his/her proposer shall present to the Secretary a
written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to
be a candidate. No person shall be a candidate for more than one position.
4. If no additional nominations are received the slate
submitted by the nominating committee shall automatically be elected.
5. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in
any other manner other than as provided in this section.
ARTICLE V: Committees
Section 1: Formation and Appointment.
Each
year the Board may appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club
in such matters as specialty shows, matches, obedience trials, trophies, annual
prizes, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees.
Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular
projects.
Section 2: Appointment Termination.
Any
committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full
membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee and the Board may
appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI: Discipline
Section 1: American Kennel Club Suspension.
Any
member who is suspended or terminated from the privileges of the American
Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this club
for a like period.
Section 2: Charges.
Any
member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial
to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications
must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of
$10.00, which shall be forfeited if the Board following a hearing does not
sustain such charges. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges
to each member of the Board or present them at the next Board meeting. The
Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if
proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club
or breed. It may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains
jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not
less than 3 weeks or more than 6 weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall
promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail
together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may
personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses and evidence if
he/she wishes.
Section 3: Board Hearing.
The
Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the
hearing but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that
regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and
testimony presented by complainant and defendant the Board may, by a majority
vote of those present, reprimand or suspend the defendant from all privileges
of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing.
Suspension includes suspension of voting privileges, officer position, board
membership, and club activities including meetings and events. If it seems
that the punishment is insufficient, the board may recommend that the
punishment be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the
defendants right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club
meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the
Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and
filed with the Secretary. The Secretary in turn, shall notify each of the
parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.
Section 4: Expulsion.
Expulsion
of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the Club
following a Board hearing and upon the Board's recommendation as provided in
Section 3 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special
meeting of the Club to be held within 60 days, but not earlier than 30 days
after the date of the Board's findings and recommendation and shall invite the
defendant, if present, to speak on his own behalf, if he so wishes. The Club
members at the meeting shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed
expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be
necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not voted, the Board's suspension shall
stand.
Article VII: Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws
Section 1:
Amendments to the Constitution and/or Bylaws may be proposed by written
petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty (20) percent of the
membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be
promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the
members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary within three months
of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
Section 2: The
Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3rd vote of the members present
and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided
the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and
mailed to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
Article VIII: Dissolution
Section 1: The
club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than
2/3rds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club other than
for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or by operation of law, none
of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Club
shall be distributed to any members of the Club, but after payments of the
debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable
organization for the benefit of dogs, selected by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX: Order of
Business
Section 1: Members Meetings
At
meetings of the Club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature
of the meeting may permit shall be as follows:
1.
Call to order
2.
Roll Call
3.
Minutes of the last meeting
4.
President’s report
5.
Secretary’s report
6.
Treasurer’s report
7.
Report of committees
8.
Election (annual meeting)
9.
Unfinished Business
10. Election of new members
11. Adjournment
Section 2: Board Meetings
At
meetings of the Board the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a
majority of those present, shall be as follows:
1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Minutes of the last meeting
4. Report of the Secretary
5. Report of the Treasurer
6. Report of committees
7. Unfinished business
8. New business
9. Adjournment
ARTICLE X: Parliamentary
Authority
Section 1: The
rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly
Revised” shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in
which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any other special rules
of order the club may adopt.