CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I -- NAME and OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The name of the club shall be Pacific Northwest Herding Club.
Section 2. The objectives of the club shall be:
A. To further the advancement of all herding breeds with all herding styles
B. To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of herding tests and trials and encourage sportsmanlike conduct at such events
C. To conduct herding tests and trials under the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club
D. To disseminate knowledge, conduct classes in and promote the training of purebred dogs
E. To encourage the training of judges.
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 bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I -- MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility.
There shall be one type of membership (regular) open to all persons 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purpose of this club. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the exhibitors in the Pacific Northwest, with special emphasis in the Battle Ground, WA (greater Portland, OR) area.
Section 2. Dues.
Membership dues shall not exceed $50 per year, payable on or before the first day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of November, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing 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 the constitution and bylaws and rules of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two 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 Secretary 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 two-thirds of the members present and voting by secret ballot at that meeting 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 rejection.
Section 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated by one of the following reasons:
A. 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. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the club and must be paid in full prior to resignation.
B. Lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the fiscal year. However, the Board may grant an additional 30 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. Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsions provided in Article VI of these bylaws.
ARTICLE II -- MEETINGS AND VOTING
Section 1. General Meetings
General meetings of the club shall be held each year within the Pacific Northwest but usually around Battle Ground, Washington, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20 percent 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 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 petitions signed by five members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meetings can be via online technology or be held “face-to-face” in the greater Battle Ground, Washington 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 sent by the Secretary at least five days and not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other club business may be transacted. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.
Section 3. Board Meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held every two months by phone, in person or by email. If in person, the meetings shall be near Battle Ground, Washington, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent 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 written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held near Battle Ground, Washington at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be sent by the Secretary at least five days and not more than 10 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. The quorum for such a 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/she 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 officers and two other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing and 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, Treasurer, and Past President shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be hold by the same person.
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 President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.
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 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; shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, 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 in these bylaws.
D. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the club. Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the board, in the name of the club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.
E. The Past President shall be a Board member to provide historical information for a smooth transition outgoing and incoming Board members.
ARTICLE IV -- THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
Section 1. Club Year
The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of July and end on the last day of June. 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 annual meeting.
Section 2. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of June, at which time officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office on July 1st. Each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office prior to July 1st.
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 receive 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. Prior to the month of April, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of who may be a member of the current Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee persons and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairperson for the committee and it shall be that person’s duty to convene the committee.
A. The committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each office and position 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 notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated prior to May 1st.C. Additional nominations may be made at the June meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at the meeting, the propose shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position.
ARTICLE V -- COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees
The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as events, 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. Examples of standing committees include:
A. Public Education
B. Herding Clinics and; SeminarsC. Stock Handling Clinics and; Seminars
Section 2. Special Committees
Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects.
Section 3. 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 who services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI -- DISCIPLINE
Section 1. Suspension
Any 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. Charges
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $25, 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 for a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks nor more than six 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 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.
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 his/her fellow members at the ensuing club meeting which considers the Board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding 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 recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his/her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board’s finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf if he/she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-third 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 VII -- AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Proposed Amendments
Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 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 embers with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote 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 two-thirds secret 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 sent 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 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, not 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 IX -- PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1.
The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order” 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.