berrien kennel club constitution

7/28/2019 Berrien Kennel Club Constitution

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BERRIEN KENNEL CLUB, INC.BERRIEN COUNTY MICHIGAN

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Section 1:The name of this organization shall be the Berrien Kennel Club, Incorporated.

Section 2:The objectives of this Club shall be:

to advance the best interests of the dog and dog fancier in all matters;

to strive for the better care and control of all dogs;

to encourage and support dog shows and obedience trials under the rules

of the American Kennel Club;

to emphasize the value of pure breeding; to create an appreciation on the part of the public of the value of purebred

dogs;

and to foster and maintain among our members cooperation, friendship,

and good sportsmanship.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE IMembership and Dues

Section 1: EligibilityA. Regular Membership shall be open to all persons eighteen (18) years of age and

older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribeto the purposes and Code of Ethics of this Club.

B. Junior Membership, without the right to vote or hold office, shall be open to allpersons up to eighteen (18) years of age who are in good standing with theAmerican Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes and Code of Ethics ofthis Club.

C. Honorary Membership may be bestowed on worthy person by a majority vote ofthe Club at its regular meeting. Honorary Membership shall be for one (1) year.Such members are entitled to participation in the Clubs activities with the

exception of the power to vote or to hold office.D. Life Membership may be bestowed on worthy person with twenty (20) years ofconsecutive membership by a majority vote of the Board of Directors and amajority vote of members present at a regular meeting. Such persons areentitled to participation in all Club activities.

E. Affiliate Membership may be available to persons who are unable to attendregular meetings, for reasons of serious disability or employment. Such personsare entitled to participation in Club activities with the exception of the power tohold office or vote.

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F. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Clubs primarypurpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediatearea.

G. There shall be no restriction of membership with regard to race, creed, color ornational origin.

Section 2: DUESA. Annual Membership Dues shall be set by the Board of Directors, subject to

membership approval and shall not exceed $20.00 per person. All member duesare due at the January meeting.

B. There shall be no initiation fee.C. Dues shall be prorated on a quarterly basis for new members.

Section 3: ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIPA. 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 thisConstitution and By-Laws, the Code of Ethics of the Club, and the rules of theAmerican Kennel Club.

B. Each application shall be filed with the Membership Chairperson and eachapplication is to be read at the first regular meeting of the Club following itsreceipt if the applicant is present. Subsequent readings shall take place duringeach regular meeting at which the applicant is present, until there has been atotal of three (3) readings within no more than six (6) consecutive meetings. Ifthree (3) readings are not complete within six (6) regular meeti9ngs, theapplicant must reapply.

C. If any member shall have cause to keep the applicant from membership in theClub, he or she shall present a written reason for said exclusion to the RecordingSecretary by the second (2) reading. If written reasons for the exclusion of anyapplicant are received, the written reasons shall be turned over to the Board forreview. If the Board determination is unfavorable, the applicant shall be notified

by the Board and given the reason for rejection of membership application.D. If no written reasons for exclusion of the applicant are received, a vote by the

general membership, when the applicant is present, shall be taken at the time ofthe third reading. An affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the memberspresent and voting shall be required to elect the applicant to membership.

E. When applying for an Affiliate Membership, application will be made on theregular application form, and returned to any Board member by mail or in person,for three (3) required readings and subsequent voting.

F. Applicants for membership to the Club may not reapply within six (6) monthsafter such rejections.

Section 4: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIPA. By resignation: Any member may resign from the Club upon written notice to the

Corresponding Secretary. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club andthey become incurred on the first (1st) day of each fiscal year.

B. By lapsing: A membership will be considered as lapsed and automaticallyterminated if such members dues remain unpaid as of March first (1st), of thecurrent fiscal year. Thirty (30) days after the first (1st) day of the fiscal year amember shall be notified, by individual mailing (including electronic mail), if hisor her dues are delinquent. The Board of Directors may grant an additional

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ninety (90) days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In nocase, may a person whose dues are unpaid as of the date of the meeting byentitled to vote.

C. By Expulsion: A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided inArticle VI of these By-Laws.

Section 5: MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDINGA. A member shall be deemed to be in good standing unless under suspension by

this Club or the American Kennel Club, or otherwise notified by an official letterfrom the Board of Directors.

B. The Board of Directors may deny a member good standing for an appropriateperiod of time concurrent with the following:

1. Violations of the Code of Ethics: or2. Refusing or being extremely delinquent to return Club property or to pay

money owed to the Club.

ARTICLE II

Meetings and Voting

Section 1: CLUB MEETINGSA. Meetings of the Club shall be held in Berrien County on a monthly basis, at a time

and place recommended by the Board of Directors, and approved by a majority ofthe membership present at a regular club meeting.

B. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed (includes electronic mail) by theSecretary at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum forsuch meetings shall be twenty (20) percent of the members in good standing.

Section 2: SPECIAL CLUB MEETINGSSpecial Club meetings may be called at any time by the President, or by a

majority vote of the Board of Directors, or upon presentation of a written signedrequest of twenty (20) percent of the members in good standing. Such meetingshall be held in Berrien County at a time and place designated by the person orpersons who called the meeting. Written notice of such a meeting shall bemailed (includes electronic mail) by the Corresponding Secretary at least five (5)days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting. Thenotice shall state clearly the purpose of the meeting and no other business shallbe transacted. The quorum for such a meeting shall be twenty (20) percent ofthe members in good standing.

Section 3: BOARD MEETINGSThe Board of Directors shall meet once a month on a day established by the

Board, at a time and place determined by the Board. Written notice of each suchmeeting shall be mailed (includes electronic mail) by the CorrespondingSecretary at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum forsuch a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

Section 4: SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGSSpecial meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, or

shall be called by

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shall keep an up-to-date record of the Club policies and procedures. He or sheshall keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses and shall carryout such other duties as are prescribed by these By-Laws.

E. The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notifymembers of meetings and carry out such other duties as are prescribed by theseBy-Laws. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the Corresponding

Secretary shall assume his or her duties.F. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club.

He or she shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board, in the nameof the Club. His or her books shall be at all times open to inspection of the Boardand he or she shall report at every meeting the condition of the Clubs financesand every item or receipt or payment not before reported; and at theJanuarymeeting he or she shall render an account of all moneys received and expendedduring the previous Official year. He or she shall give the CorrespondingSecretary a list of members whose dues are delinquent. The Treasurers booksshall be audited within thirty (30) days after the annual meeting. The Treasurershall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.

G. The President shall appoint a Parliamentarian from the membership to serve

during the Presidents term.

Section 3: VACANCIESA. Any vacancies occurring on the Board (per Article VI, Paragraph 5), or among the

officers during the year, shall be filled until the next annual election by a majorityvote of all the then members of the Board at its first regular meeting followingthe creation or such a vacancy, or at a special Board meeting called for thatpurpose. A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the Vice-President and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filledby the Board.

ARTICLE IVThe Club Year, Annual Meetings and Elections

Section 1: CLUB YEARThe Clubs fiscal year shall begin on the first (1st) day of January and end on the

thirty-first (31st)day of December. The Clubs Official Year shall begin immediately at the

conclusion of theAnnual Meeting and shall continue through the election of the next Annual

Meeting.

Section 2: ANNUAL MEETINGThe Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of November at which Officers and

Directors forthe ensuing year shall be elected by secret written ballot from among those

nominated inaccordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon

theconclusion of the meeting and each retiring Officer shall turn over to his or her

successor all

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properties and records relating to that office by January first (1st).

Section 3: ELECTIONSThe nominated candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for each office

shall bedeclared elected.

Section 4: NOMINATIONSA. No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated.

Prior to the month of April, the President , with Board approval, shall select aNominating Committee consisting of three (3) members and two (2) alternates,not more than one (1) of whom shall be a member of the Board. TheCorresponding Secretary shall immediately notify the Committee and alternatesof their selection. The President shall name a Chairman for the Committee and itshall be his or her duty to call a Committee meeting which shall be held on orbefore July first (1st).

B. The Committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office and for the one(1) Director vacancy on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person

so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the RecordingSecretary in writing.

C. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committees report, the Corresponding Secretaryshall, before September first (1st) notify each member in writing (may beelectronic) of the candidates so nominated.

D. Additional nominations may be made at the October meeting by any member inattendance provided that the person so nominated accepts when his or her nameis proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not inattendance at this meeting, his or her proposer shall present to the RecordingSecretary a written station from the proposed candidate signifying his or herwillingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one(1) position, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may

be made only from among those members who have not accepted a nominationof the Nominating Committee.

E. Nominations cannot be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner other thanas provided in this Section.

ARTICLE VIDiscipline

Section 1: AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSIONAny member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club

automatically

shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.

Section 2: CHARGESAny member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct

prejudicial to the best interests of the Club; or alleged violations of the Code of Ethics.Written charges with specifications

must be filed in duplicate with the Recording Secretary together with a deposit of$10.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following ahearing. The Corresponding

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the Club following aBoard hearing and upon the Boards recommendation as provided in Section 3 of

this Article. SuchProceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club to be held within

sixty (60) days, butno earlier than thirty (30) days, after the date of the Boards recommendation. The

defendant shallhave the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf, though no evidence shall

be taken at thismeeting. The President shall read the charges and the Boards findings and

recommendations, andshall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his or her own behalf if he or she

wishes. Themembers shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion.

B. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and eligible to vote at the meeting shall benecessary forexpulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Boards suspension shall stand.

Section 5: DISCIPLINE OF BOARD MEMBERS FOR ABSENTEEISMIf a Board member shall miss three (3) consecutive regular meetings, or shall miss

five (5) regular Boardmeetings within any twelve (12) month period without, in the opinion of the Board,

good and sufficientreasons, his or her office shall be declared vacant. The vacancy shall be filled as

provided in Article III,Section 3 of these By-Laws. Such good and sufficient reasons shall be submitted,

in writing, to thePresident. Any Board member so terminated shall be notified of this action by the

Corresponding\Secretary.

ARTICLE VIIAmendments

Section 1:Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of

Directors or bywritten petition addressed to the Corresponding Secretary signed by twenty (20)

percent of themembership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be

promply considered

by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members withrecommendations of the Board

by the Secretary for a vote within three (3) months of the date when the petitionwas received by the

Corresponding Secretary.

Section 2:The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the

members present

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and voting at any regular meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposedamendments have

been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed (may be electronic) to eachmember at least

two (2) weeks prior to the date if the meeting.

ARTICLE IXFinances

Section 1: PERSONAL LIABILITYExcept for payment of dues, no Officer or Director (past or present), nor any Club

member shall bepersonally liable for any past or present debt or obligation of the club except as

specified in Section 2of this Article.

Section 2: Club Debt

Authorized expenditures shall be those necessary and consistent with the purposeof this organization.

No member may incur debt for the Club without approval by the Board of Directorsand a majority vote

of the membership.

Section 3:No person shall use the name, mailing list, or official insignia of the club for any

purpose other thanclub business or activities.

ARTICLE XDissolution

Section 1:The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than

two-thirds (2/3) ofthe members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary or

involuntary or byoperation of law, none of the property of the Club or any proceeds thereof nor

any assets of theClub shall be distributed to any members of the Club. After payment of the debts

of the Club, itsProperty and assets shall be given to a charitable organization, for the benefit of

dogs, as selectedby the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIOrder of Business

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Section 1:At meetings of the Club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature

of the meeting maypermit, shall be as follows:

Roll Call

Minutes of Last MeetingReport of PresidentReport of SecretaryReport of TreasurerReport of CommitteesElection of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)Election of New Members*Unfinished BusinessNew BusinessAdjournment

*This should come after the Election of Officers and Board, if taken up at the

Annual Meeting.

Section 2:At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by

majority vote ofthose present, shall be as follows:

Reading of Minutes of Last MeetingReport of SecretaryReport of TreasurerReport of CommitteesUnfinished BusinessNew Business

Adjournment

As approved and accepted on November 15, 1998Revised on November 19, 1996Revised and adopted June 18, 2013

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berrien kennel club constitution

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