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ARTICLE I
Name and Objectives
Section 1. The name of the Club shall be "The Chow Chow Club of Greater New York,
Inc."
Section 2. The objectives of the Club shall be:
(A) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred Chow Chows and to do all
possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.
(B) To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the
American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Chow Chow shall be
judged.
(C) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of the Breed by encouraging
sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and obedience trials.
(D) To conduct sanctioned and licensed Specialty shows and obedience trials under the
rules of the American Kennel Club.
Section 3. The Club shall not be conducted 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.
ARTICLE II
Membership
Section 1. Eligibility - There shall be two types of membership.
(A) Regular Membership - Open to all persons eighteen years of age and older who are in
good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this
Club.
(B) Junior Membership - Open to all persons under eighteen years of age who own and
regularly handle or train a Chow Chow. Reduced fees and dues are provided for this type of
membership, which offers all Club benefits and participation except voice in Club
management and eligibility to vote or hold elective office.
While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to
be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area.
Section 2. Dues - Membership dues shall be $20.00 for individuals and $5.00 for junior
membership per year, payable on or before the last day of September of each year. During
the month of July the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the
ensuing year.
Section 3. Election to Membership - Each applicant to membership shall apply on a form as
approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to
abide by this Constitution and By-Laws 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 members in good standing not residing in the same household.
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 its receipt. At the next meeting the application
will be voted upon, and 3/4 of the members present and voting at that meeting shall be
required to elect that applicant.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six
months after such rejection.
Section 4. Member in Good Standing - A member who is considered in good standing shall be
one who has paid dues and is also in good standing with the American Kennel Club.
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. Dues
obligations are considered a debt to the Club and they become incurred on the 1st day of
each fiscal year.
(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 of the fiscal year; however, the
Board may grant an additional 90 days of 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 that meeting.
(C) By expulsion - A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VII
of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE III
Meeting and Voting
Section 1. Club Meetings - Meetings of the Club shall be held within the Greater New York
City Area on the date and at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 14
days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be at least 10%
of the members in good standing.
The Club shall meet at least six times per year.
Section 2. Special Club Meetings - Special Club meetings may be called by the President,
or a majority vote of the Members of the Board, and shall be called by the Secretary upon
written receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing.
Such special meetings shall be held within the Greater New York City Area at such date,
place 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 no other Club
business shall be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be at least 10%
of the members in good standing.
Section 3. Board Meetings - Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within the
Greater New York City Area in each year, on such date, hour and place as may be designated
by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary
at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be a
majority of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors shall meet at least 6 times per year.
Section 4. Special Board Meetings - Special meetings of the Board may be called by any
Board Member and written notice shall be sent by the Secretary upon receipt of a written
request signed by at least three members of the board. Such special meetings shall be held
within the greater New York City area at such date, place and hour as may be designated by
the person authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall
be mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days and not more than 14 days prior to the date of
the meeting, or telegraphic notice shall be filed at least 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 Club business shall be transacted thereat. The 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 IV
Directors and Officers
Section 1. Board of Directors - General management of the Club's affairs shall be
entrusted to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three other persons, all of whom
shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for two year terms and
shall serve until their successors are elected. The Board of Directors shall meet
immediately following the Annual Meeting and whenever it is deemed necessary, or on
request of the President, to act on any business requiring their attention. By a majority
vote of the whole, the Board shall have full authority to act on any matter whose urgency
does not permit awaiting action by the membership. Any such emergency action shall be
fully substantiated and reported to the membership at the next regular meeting.
Section 2. Officers - The Club's officers, 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.
(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, in
addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws. The President shall appoint all
committees except those otherwise provided for; and shall be a member ex-officio of all
committees except the Nominating Committee, entitled to a vote only in the event of a
deadlock.
(B) The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in
case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.
(C) The Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence and is responsible for
notification of members of meetings, notification of new members of their election to
membership, to furnish each new member with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws and to
notify Officers and Directors of their election to office. He/She shall keep a record of
all meetings of the Club and the Board and of all matters of which a record shall be
ordered by the Club. He/She shall keep a roll of the members' names and addresses, shall
keep on file all membership agreements and applications, and shall carry out such duties
are prescribed in these By-Laws.
(D) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club.
He/She shall deposit same in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the Club.
His/Her books shall, at all times, be open to the inspection of the Board and he/she shall
report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of
receipt or payment not before reported.
Section 3. Vacancies - Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the Officers during
the year shall be filled 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 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 V
The Club Year, Elections
Section 1. Club Year - The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of November and
end on the last day of October.
Section 2. Annual Meetings - During an Election Year, the Annual Meeting shall be held in
the month of January at which Officers and Directors for the ensuing two year term 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 conclusion of the election and
each retiring officer shall turn over to his/her 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 three other nominated candidates for the other
positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall
be declared elected.
Section 4. Nominations - No person shall be a candidate in a Club election who has not
been nominated. During the month of March, the Board shall elect a Nominating Committee
consisting of 3 members and 2 alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the
Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee-men and alternates of their
election. The Board shall name a Chairman for the Committee and it shall be his duty to
call a Committee meeting, which shall be held on or before April 1st.
(A) The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office, and 5 candidates for the 3
other positions on the Board, 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, before May
15th ( two weeks after the Nominating Committee Meeting), notify each member in writing of
the candidates so nominated.
(C) Additional nominations shall be made at the June meeting by any member in good
standing, 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 submit 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, and the additional nominations
which are provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have not
accepted a nomination of the Nominating Committee.
(D) Nominations can not be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner other than as
provided in this section.
ARTICLE VI
Committees
Section 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the
Club in such matters as Specialty Shows, Obedience Trials, Education, 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. Any committee 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 VII
Discipline
Section 1. American Kennel Club Supervision - Any person 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. Charges - Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct
prejudicial to best interest 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 forfeit 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 or the Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which
could be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Breed, it may 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 3 weeks nor 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 own defense and bring witnesses if he 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, suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than 6
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 case, the
suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before the 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 shall, in turn, 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 no earlier than 30 days after the date
of the Board's recommendation of expulsion.
The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence
shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's
findings and recommendations and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his
own behalf if he wishes. The members 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 so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of
Directors or by written petition of any member in good standing at any meeting, addressed
to the Secretary and signed by at least 10% of the members in good standing. Any proposal
to amend must be published in the Club Newsletter with the date of voting specified at
least 6 weeks prior to the vote.
Section 2. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the members
present and in good standing at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose,
provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and
mailed to each member at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
ARTICLE IX
Dissolution
Section 1. Dissolution - The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of
not less than 2/3 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 X
Order of Business
Section 1. At meetings of the Club, the order of business so far as the character and
nature of the meeting shall permit, shall be as follows:
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
REPORT OF PRESIDENT
REPORT OF SECRETARY
REPORT OF TREASURER
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD ( 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 a
majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
ROLL CALL
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
REPORT OF PRESIDENT
REPORT OF SECRETARY
REPORT OF TREASURER
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
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Last revision : January, 1994
© 1997 The Chow Chow Club of Greater New York, Inc.
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