CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Names and Objects
SECTION 1. The name of the Corporation shall be the Furniture City Kennel Club, Inc. hereinafter referred to as the Club.
SECTION 2. The objects of the Club shall be:
(a) to further the advancement of all breeds of purebred dogs.
(b) to conduct dog shows and sanctioned matches 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 objects.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Membership
SECTION 1. There shall be 3 classifications of membership, open to all persons
who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who
subscribe to the purposes of this Club.
(a) Adult Membership – age 18 and over
(b) Junior Membership – under 18 years of age with no
voting rights and shall not be eligible to hold elective
office.
(c) Lifetime membership – individuals who have been
members, 20 years plus in good standing and have
contributed generously of themselves to the club. This status would be conferred by a vote of the Board and would be announced at the annual meeting. 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. Lifetime members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.
SECTION 2. Dues - Membership dues not to exceed $50.00 per year per person. The actual amount will be recommended periodically by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership. Dues will be payable by October 1 of each year. The Treasurer shall notify members by mail 30 days prior to the dues payable date. Dues not paid by January 1 are considered lapsed. Lapsed membership may be restored by submission of a written request to the Board of Directors with full payment of dues attached. 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 application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members. 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 Club meeting, the application will be voted upon and it shall require the affirmative votes of ¾ of the members present and voting at that meeting to elect the applicant.
Applications for membership who have been rejected by the Club may re-apply within six months after such rejection.
SECTION 4. 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 first 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 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 constitution and by-laws.
ARTICLE II
Meetings
SECTION 1. Club Meetings - Meetings of the club shall be held within the greater High Point area with an hour and place as designated by the President. Meetings will be held not less than six times per year. No business shall be transacted at any meeting without a quorum present, a quorum consisting of 20% of the members in good standing. Written or email notices of each such meeting shall be mailed at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting by the Secretary
SECTION 2. Special Club 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, 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 within the greater High Point Area, at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written or email notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five 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 a majority of the Board.
SECTION 3. Board Meetings - Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held within the greater High Point area 6 times a year, or as needed, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Meetings will be held not less than six times per year. No business shall be transacted at any Board meeting without a quorum present, a quorum consisting of 20% of the Board. Notice of each such meeting shall be given to each Board member by the Secretary, by mail, or email, at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting.
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 meeting shall be held within the greater High Point area, at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Notice of such meeting shall be given by the Secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. This notice may be in the form of mail or email. A quorum for such meeting 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 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 shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. All of whom shall be elected for one year terms, three other persons who shall be elected beginning with the annual meeting in October, on a rotation basis, one for a three year term, one for a two year term, and one for a one year term as provided in Article III . Beginning with the year 1973 and for each year thereafter, one person shall be elected for a three year term.
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.
(a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and 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 constitution and by-laws.
(b) The Vice President shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President in case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.
(c) The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. He shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, five (5) days before a person’s dues are 90 days overdue, he shall be notified by mail and if not received in five (5) days, he shall be considered lapsed, 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 are prescribed by these constitution and by-laws.
(d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club and receipt thereof. He shall deposit the same in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the Club. His books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and he shall report to them at every meeting and condition of the Club’s finances and every item or receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting he shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. Approval of all expenditures is needed by the Secretary or Treasurer before said expenditures. Treasurer’s books shall be turned over, at intervals specified by the Board, to an auditing committee of 3 members appointed by the Board of Directors.
(e) AKC Delegate shall represent the club at all AKC delegate meetings and all other such duties that are pertinent to that position. The person for this position shall be selected by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership. The AKC Delegate position shall run for a term of 3 years.
(f) The offices of Treasurer and Secretary may be held by the same person in which case the Board shall be comprised of the officers and four other persons.
SECTION 3. Vacancies – Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the offices 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 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 the first (1st) day of October and end the thirtieth (30th) day of September. The Club’s official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meting 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 October at which directors and officers for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot, from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 (a) 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 thirty (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 the position on the Board who receives the greatest number of votes for such position 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 July the Board shall select a nominating committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom shall be a member of the Board. The secretary shall immediately notify the committee and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairman for the Committee.
(a) The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office (and for Delegate who may but need not be an officer or director of the Club), and one (1) candidate for the other position on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the secretary shall before (August) 15th notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
(b) Additional nominations may be made at the September meeting by any member n attendance provided that the person nominated does not decline when his name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his proposer shall present to the secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his willingness to be a candidate, except for the position of Delegate). No person may be a candidate for more than one (1) position, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be only from among those members who have not accepted a nomination of the Nominating Committee.
(c) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in Section 4 Article IV.
ARTICLE V
Committees
SECTION 1. At its first or second meeting of each official year, the Board shall appoint the following committees:
(a) The show Committee, consisting of not less than five (5) members, which committee will be in the direct charge of and responsible for all phases of the Club’s sanctioned matches and Dog Shows, subject however, to the final authority of the Board.
(b) Such other committees as are considered desirable.
SECTION 2. 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 service has been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
Discipline
SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension - Any member who is suspended from the privileged 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 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 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 may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of 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 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 six (6) months from the date of the hearing. And, if it is deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty to be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s 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 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 followed a Board hearing and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 4 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club to be held within sixty (60) days but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, thought no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board’s findings and invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf if he wishes. The meeting shall then vote by secret ballot (written) on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board’s suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
SECTION 1. Amendments to the constitution and by-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty percent (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 by the Secretary for a vote within three (3) months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
SECTION 2. The constitution and by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 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 the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
SECTION 3. No amendment to the constitution and by-laws 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. Dissolution – The Club may be dissolved at any time by written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof not 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 nonprofit 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:
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:
ARTICLE X
Parliamentary Authority
SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, new Revised” shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any other special rules of order the club may adopt.
ARTICLE XI
Email Notification for Board Meetings and General Club Meetings
SECTION 1. Email may be used for notification of club meetings and board members notification of board meetings provided that:
The member or board member has signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication. Such authorization, which is revocable, will also release the club from any liability should the notification be received late or not received by the member or board member due to circumstances beyond the club’s control. A copy of the minutes of the meeting must be sent to Club Relations at the American Kennel Club.
AMENDED OCTOBER 6, 1972
ARTICLE II – Section 1,4
ARTICLE III – Section 1,2,3,4
ARTICLE IV – Section 1,2,3
ARTICLE V – Section 4,5
ARTICLE VIII – Section 3
ARTICLE X – Section 1,2
AMENDED JULY 27,1973
ARTICLE I – Section 4 added
ARTICLE II – Section 1b, 2
ARTICLE III – Section 3
ARTICLE IV – Section 4
ARTICLE V – Section 3 deleted
ARTICLE VII – Section 2
AMENDED FEBRUARY 19, 2007
ARTICLE I – Section 1,2
ARTICLE II – Section 1,2,3,4
ARTICLE III – Section 2 add e,f
ARTICLE IV – Section 4
ARTICLE V – Section 1- delete b
ARTICLE IX – Section 1, 2
ARTICLE X – add ARTICLE X
ARTICLE XI – add ARTICLE XI