CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS FOR THE SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI
DOG TRAINING CLUB, INC.
Name and Objective
Membership
Meetings and Voting
Directors and Officers
Club Year, Annual Meeting,
Elections
Committees
Discipline
Dissolution
Amendments
Order of Business
Miscellaneous
CONSTITUTION
Article 1.
Section 1.
The name of the club is to be the SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI DOG
TRAINING CLUB, INC.
Section 2.
The objects of the Club shall be:
(a) To further the advancement of all breeds
of purebred dogs.
(b) To conduct obedience classes,
obedience trials, and other performance events and sanctioned matches under the
rules of the American Kennel Club.
(c) To devote all profits accruing to
the Club to the above purposes or to make specified bequests to such charitable
or civic organizations as shall be approved by a majority vote of those in
attendance and voting at the club meeting, and under no circumstances to pay a
salary, fee, commission or dividend to any member for duties performed in
accomplishing the above objects.
Section 3.
The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time
revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects.
BYLAWS
Article I
Section 1. Eligibility
There shall be four types of membership open to all persons who
are in good standing with The American Kennel Club, and who subscribe to the
purpose of this Club:
(a) Regular membership for persons 18 years of age and
older.
(b) Junior membership for persons under 18 years of age.
Persons under 18 years of age may not vote, and may not be eligible to hold
office of any kind.
(c) Family membership is for members residing in the same
household.
(d) Life time membership to SMDTC. It
is non-refundable and nontransferable.
The cost is $300. (6/98)
Section 2. Dues
The amount of dues for all categories will be established by a 2/3
majority vote at a regular Club meeting after the proposed change was published
in the Newsletter two times. Annual dues are due by April 1st. Individuals
submitting the applications for membership after January 1st will have dues
paid through the next fiscal year.
Any member whose dues are not paid for the current year may not
vote. During the month of February the Membership Chair shall cause each member
to be notified of dues for the coming 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 Bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel
Club. The application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the
applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two Club members. Dues
payment shall accompany the application.
All applications are to be filed with the Membership Chairperson
and each application is to be read at the first meeting of the Club following
its receipt. At the next Club meeting the applications will be voted upon and
affirmative votes of 3/4 of the members present and voting shall be required to
elect the applicant.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may
not reapply within six months after such rejections.
Section 4. Termination
of membership
Membership may be terminated as follows:
(a) By resignation.
Any member may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary, but
no member may resign when in debt to the Club.
(b)
By
lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated
if such member's dues remain unpaid thirty (30) days after the first of the
fiscal year. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting if
his/her dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting
(c)
By
expulsion. A membership may be terminated by the expulsion as provided in
Article VI of the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 5. Reinstatement.
An individual, whose membership lapsed, or who resigned without
duress, may be reinstated at any time by payment of dues.
Article II
Section 1. Club Meetings.
Meetings of the Club shall be held in, or within twenty-five miles
of the city of Springfield, Missouri. There will be at least six (6) Club
meetings per year, the date, hour and place may be designated by the Board of
Directors.
(a)
The
secretary shall cause written or electronic notice of each meeting to be sent
at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum of such meetings
shall be 20 members (3/02) in good standing.
(b)
Section 2. Special Meetings.
Special Club meetings may be called by the President, or by a
majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any
regular or special meeting of the Board, or 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, or within twenty-five miles of the City
of Springfield, Missouri at such an hour and place as may be designated by the
person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings, but in no case may
the meeting be scheduled in excess of 30 days from the date of the request.
(a)
Written
or electronic notice of such meetings shall be sent by the Secretary at least
five days and not more than fifteen days prior to the date of the meeting and
no other Club business than that for which the meeting was called may be
transacted thereat. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20 members (3/02) in
good standing.
Section 3. Board Meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in, or within
twenty-five miles of the city of Springfield, Missouri, on alternate months
beginning with February, the date, hour and place as may be designated by the
Board. There will be a least 6 Board meetings per year. A quorum for all Board
meetings will consist of 2 Officers and 2 Directors. If any Officer or Director
misses
either three (3) Board Meetings or three (3) General Membership
meetings in a club calendar year (March through February), that individual will
be removed from the Board, and they will be replaced as specified in the Bylaws
(03/02). Any member in good standing may attend a board meeting unless a
special closed meeting is called.
Members may contact the President to be placed on the agenda if they
wish to speak to 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 written request signed by at
least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in or
within 25 miles of the City of Springfield, Missouri, at such place,
date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized therein to call
such meeting.
(a) Written notice of such meeting shall be made by the
Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 10 days prior to the date or or electronic notice shall be filed at 1east 3 days and not
more than 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.
Section 5 Voting.
Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current
year shall be entitled to one vote on any matter. Proxy voting will not be
permitted at any Club meeting or election.
Article III
Section 1. Board
of Directors
The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President,
Secretary, Treasurer, and three (3) Directors, all of whom shall be members in
good standing, and all of whom shall be elected for a two year term at the
Club's Annual Meeting as provided in Article IV, and shall serve for not more
than two consecutive terms, in any one position, or until their successors are
elected.
The Training Director, who is appointed by the President and
approved by the Board, shall also be a voting member of the Board. General
management of the Club's business 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 it's
meetings.
(a) 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 the President and in addition to those
particularly specified in these Bylaws.
(b)
The
Vice-President shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President
in the event of the President's absence, death, or incapacity. This officer
will also have responsibilities as assigned in the Yearbook.
(c) The Secretary
shall keep a record of all meetings and activities of the Club, Board of
Directors, and all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. At
the termination of service, the secretary shall turn over to the newly elected
Secretary all records in this regard. The Secretary shall have charge of all
correspondence, notifying members of meetings, and shall handle promptly and
efficiently all detail work and correspondence designated by the officers of
the Club or the Board of Directors. In addition, the Secretary shall carry out
such other duties as are prescribed in the Constitution and Bylaws and Yearbook.
(d) The Treasurer shall collect and
receive all monies due the Club, or belonging to the Club, and shall receipt
thereof. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank satisfactory to the
Board, in the name of the Club. The
books shall, at all times be open to inspection by the Board, and the Treasurer
shall report to them at each meeting the condition of the Club's finances,
including all balances. At the Annual Meeting of the Club, the Treasurer
shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous
fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such an 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 filled until the term of that position has expired, by a
majority vote of all the members of the Board 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.
Article IV
THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
Section 1. Club
Year
The Club's fiscal year shall begin on tile first day of April and
ends on the last day of March.
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 Annul Meeting.
Section 2. Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of March at which
Officers and Directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written
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 his successor in office, all properties
and Records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
Section 3. Elections
The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for
each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other
positions on the Board who received the greatest number of votes for such
positions shall be declared elected.
Section 4. Nominations
No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been
nominated. During the month of November, the Board 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. The Secretary shall immediately notify the
committeemen and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a
Chairperson for the Committee and it shall be the Chairperson's duty to call a
committee meeting, which shall be held before December 15th.
(a) The committee
shall nominate one candidate for each office. In even numbered years, the
committee shall nominate a President, Treasurer, and one Director and in
odd-numbered years, Vice-President, Secretary, and two Directors. After
securing the consent of each person so nominated, the committee shall
immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing or
electronically.
(b) Upon receipt of
the Nominating Committee's report the Secretary shall, before February 15th,
cause each member to be notified in writing of the candidates so nominated.
(c) Additional
nominations may be made at the February meeting by any member in attendance
provided that the person so nominated doesn't decline when their name is
proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate signifies his
willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one
position.
(d) Nominations
cannot be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner, other than as provided in
this Section.
Article V
Section 1 Appointments.
At its first meeting of each fiscal year, the President shall
appoint one or more of the following committee chairpersons and such members
deemed appropriate. Such appointments shall be subject to prior approval by the
Board of Directors.
(a) Training
Director: it shall be the duty of the Training Director to direct the training
program. The Training Director shall have the responsibility to appoint
instructors at any time in accordance with the guidelines approved by the
training committee, the Board or the general membership. The Training Director
works with a Training Committee and is the Chair of that committee.
(b) Events Committees: Each event
committee shall consist of a Chair and Committee members and shall be in direct
charge of and responsible for all phases of the Club's sanctioned match and
obedience trials, agility trials and tracking tests subject however, to the
final authority of the Board.
(c) Budget Committee: The Budget Committee shall consist of
three members, one of whom must be a member of the Board. The Committee will
prepare a budget prior to the Annual Meeting, which will be placed in the
Newsletter published before the meeting. Club members at the annual meeting
will vote on the budget. The Chair of the Budget will always be aware of the
Club's financial position so that the Chair can advise the Board on large
expenditures. This committee will be responsible for the yearly audit of our
books.
(d) Publicity Committee: The Publicity
Committee shall consist of a Chair who will be responsible for all publicity,
newspaper, radio, TV, etc., which will assist the Club in obtaining its
objectives.
(e) Membership Committee: The Membership
Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and other members. The Chairperson will be responsible for processing
applications for new members and keeping records.
(f) Such committees shall always be
subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be
appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Board to aid it on
particular projects. The President shall serve as ex-officio member of the
various committees.
(g) Committee reports may be given by
the Committee Chair at any business meeting of the Club and any Board of
Directors meeting by invitation of the President either in person, or in
writing if the Chair is unable to attend the meeting. Committee reports are
defined as a Report of Intention, Report of Progress, and/or any other report
necessary to keep the Board informed at all times.
Section 2. Committee Terminations.
Any committee member appointed 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
Section 1. American
Kennel Club Suspension
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American
Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of the Club
for the like period of time.
Section 2. Charges.
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged
misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club. Written charges with
specifications are 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 following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of
the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting, and
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.
If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct, which would be
prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it must refuse to entertain
jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix
a date of a hearing by the Board not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (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 her/his own defense and bring witnesses if wished.
(a) In the event the
$10.00 is forfeited under this section, the person whose alleged misconduct has
been cleared shall have no further recourse.
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
equally in this regard. Should the charges be sustained after the hearing of
all the evidence and testimony presented by the Complainant and Defendant, the
Board may, by a majority vote of those present, suspend the Defendant from all
privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the
hearing. If the Board deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend
to the membership that the penalty is expulsion. In such case, however, the
suspension shall not restrict the Defendant’s right to appear before her 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 who, in
turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and the 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 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's findings and recommen-dations,
and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his or her own
behalf if he or she wishes. Those
members in good standing present at the meeting shall then vote by secret
written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those present
and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not
so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand. The period for expulsion must be
stated in the Board’s recommendation.
ARTICLE VII
Section 1. Dissolution.
The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of
not less than two-thirds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the
Club other than for 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 VIII
Section 1. Amendments.
Amendments of the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the
Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by
twenty 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 for
a vote within three months of the date when the Secretary receives the
petition.
Section 2.
The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of
the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the
purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in two successive
monthly newsletters mailed prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE IX
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:
Roll Call
Introduction of Guests
Minutes of the last meeting
Report of the President
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Election of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)
Election of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
Section 2.
At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise
directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of the minutes of the last meeting
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
ARTICLE X
Section 1.
Anything not covered in the Constitution and Bylaws or the Yearbook shall be covered by Robert's Rules of Order.
Section 2.
Interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws shall be made by the
Board of Directors.
This document last updated 12/14/2006 06:50:17 PM -0800 by nancyschanda@missouristate.edu.