BYLAWS
ARTICLE I Membership
Section 1
Eligibility: Membership shall be open to all persons, 18 years of age or over, who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club. Life Memberships may be granted to deserving, long standing members at the discretion of the Board of Directors and with confirmation by 2/3 vote of themembership present at any regular meeting. Life Members shall retain full membership rights and privileges. Junior memberships are available for those persons under 18 years of age. Those holding a Junior membership are not eligible to vote or to hold office. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders, exhibitors and dog enthusiasts in its immediate area.
Section 2
Dues: Individual membership dues shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, said dues not to exceed $50.00, and shall be payable on or before January 1 of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. New members who pay after July 1 shall pay one half full dues. No further dues are required of Life Members. Junior membership dues shall be at a reduced rate, said dues to be set by the Board of Directors.
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 Bylaws and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address and occupation of the applicant. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application is to be read at the first meeting of the Club following receipt. At the next meeting, the application will be entered for the second reading, and then the application will be voted on by secret written ballot. Affirmative votes of 2/3rds of the members present and voting at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection.
Section 4
Member in Good Standing: A member in good standing is one who has no monies owed to the Club and has had no disciplinary action taken by either the club or the AKC.
Section 5
Termination of Membership: Memberships may be terminated:
(a) 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. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the club and must be paid in full prior to resignation.
(b) By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the Board of Directors may grant an additional 90 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person, whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting, be entitled to vote at that club meeting.
(c) By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE II Meetings and Voting
Section 1 Meetings
Club Meetings: Meetings of the Club shall be held within the greater Mankato, Minnesota, area on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, excluding the months of July and December, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting will be incorporated into the club newsletter and shall be mailed, or e-mailed to those who have signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication, at least 7 days prior to the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members in good standing.
Section 2 Special Meetings
Special Club Meetings: Special Club meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, 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 within the greater Mankato, Minnesota 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, or e-mailed to those who have signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication, 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
The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within the greater Mankato, Minnesota area on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in which a regular Club meeting is held, at a place and for a length of time to be decided by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each such meeting will be incorporated into the club newsletter and shall be mailed, or e-mailed to those who have signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication, at least 5 days prior to the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4 Special Board Meetings
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board of Directors. Such special meeting shall be held within the greater Mankato, Minnesota area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed, or e-mailed to those who have signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication, by the Secretary at
least 8 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 a meeting shall be a majority of the Board of Directors.
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 is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III Directors and Officers
Section 1 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, all of whom shall be members in good standing, shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected to one year terms, and five other directors who shall be elected to two year terms alternating years (two will be elected in even years and three will be elected in odd numbered years), at the Club’s annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected to the Board of Directors. 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 of Directors and its meetings.
(a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these Bylaws.
(b) The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise powers of the President in case of the President’s absence, incapacity, or death.
(c) The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Directors and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. The Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, and carry out such other duties as needed.
(d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank approved by the Board of Directors, in the name of the Club, and the books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall report to the Board of Directors at every meeting of the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the annual meeting the Treasurer shall render the account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.
(e) An AKC Delegate will be elected by the Club as its representative at AKC meetings. A member may serve as an officer or board member as well as AKC Delegate. Unless elected as an officer or board member, the AKC Delegate would be a non-voting member of the board.
Section 3 Vacancies
Any vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors or among the offices during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term of office by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting following the creation of such a vacancy, or at a Special Board Meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV The Club Year, Annual Meeting, Elections
Section 1 Club Year
The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31. The Club’s official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.
Section 2 Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of November at which officers, delegate to The American Kennel Club, and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
Section 3 Nominations
No person shall be a candidate who has not been nominated and who has not paid all financial obligations due and owing the Club. Also, to be eligible the candidate must have attended 2/3rds of the regularly scheduled meetings, except under extenuating circumstances approved by the Board of Directors. During the month of July the Board of Directors shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board of Directors. The committee and the alternates shall be immediately notified of their selection. The Board of Directors shall name a chairperson for the committee and it shall be the chairperson’s duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before August 1.
(a) The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each officer position, and for delegate to the AKC, and candidates for the other positions open on the Board of Directors, and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.
(b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall submit the report for publication in the September Club newsletter.
(c) Additional nominations may be made at the October meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed. It is further provided that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written willingness of the nominee to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position except for the position of delegate, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be made only from those members who have not accepted a nomination of the Nominating Committee.
(d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.
Section 4 Elections
. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected.
ARTICLE V Committees
Section 1
The Board of Directors may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as dog shows, obedience, rally and agility 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 of Directors. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board of Directors to aid it on particular projects.
Section 2
The standing committees may include but are not limited to: Show, Advertising, Education, Hospitality, Match, Membership, Nominating, Program, Public Relations and Training Committees.
Section 3
Any committee appointments may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board of Directors upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board of Directors may appoint successors to these persons whose services have terminated.
ARTICLE VI Discipline
Section 1
American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who is suspended from any 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. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $10.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board of Directors following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board of Directors or present them at a Board Meeting, and the Board of Directors shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board of Directors considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board of Directors entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board of Directors 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 assurance that the defendant may personally appear in their own defense and bring witnesses if they
desire.
Section 3 Board Hearing.
The Board of Directors shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both, complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in this regard. Should the charges be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board of Directors may by a majority vote of those present suspend or reprimand the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such cases, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board of Directors’ recommendation. Immediately after the Board of Directors 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 of Directors’ 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 of Directors’ hearing and upon the Board of Directors’ 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 of Directors’ recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board of Directors’ finding and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak if desired. The members shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A twothirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board of Directors’ suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE VII Amendments
Section 1
Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20% 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 of Directors by the Secretary for a vote 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 two-thirds secret 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, or e-mailed to those who have signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication, to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Section 3 No amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws that is adopted by the Club shall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.
ARTICLE VIII Dissolution
Section 1
The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the club, other than for the purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary 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 payment 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
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:
Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of President
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Election of Officers and Board of Directors (at annual meeting)
Election of New Members
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment
Section 2
At meetings of the Board of Directors, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New business
Adjournment
ARTICLE X Parliamentary Authority
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 rules the club may adopt.
AKC APPROVED 2008 CONSTITUTION