Constitution and By-Laws
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 standard 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.