CONSTITUTION OF THE
MANATEE KENNEL CLUB. INC.
ARTICLE I - NAME AND
OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1: The name of this organization shall be
the MANATEE KENNEL CLUB, INC. Pursuant to the
general corporation
laws of the State of
SECTION 2: This club is one which does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit to the members and no
part of its net earnings thereof shall inure to the benefit of any member or another
individual.
SECTION 3: The objects of the
Club shall
be:
(a) to encourage, educate and promote quality in the breeding of quality
pure-bred
Dogs,
to encourage, support and conduct dog shows and exhibitions, to
emphasize
the value of pure-breeding, to promote legislation for the benefit of
purebred
dogs and their owners.
(b) to do all
in its power to protect and advance the interests of pre-bred dogs, to
Encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows.
(c) to do all in its power to protect pure-bred dogs and eliminate
indiscriminate
Breeding,
puppy mills and importing and exporting litter lots of purebred dogs
To promote spaying and neutering.
(d) to discourage false advertising, claims, and statements pertaining to purebred
Dogs.
(e) to abide by the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club at all times.
BY-LAWS OF THE MANATEE KENNEL CLUB.
INC. ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1: Any person, at
least 18 years of age, who is in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribes to the objectives of this organization,
must either
attend two meetings and work on two (2) projects, is then eligible to make application for
membership in this organization. A member in good standing will enjoy all privileges of
the club, including voting and holding office.
SECTION 2: Honorary membership
may be extended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors to persons meeting the
qualifications for fall membership and who have rendered an outstanding service to
this club. Honorary membership is usually conferred in recognition of long term
(20-25 years) or outstanding service to the club. Honorary members may not
vote or hold
office
and pay
no
dues. They may maintain active/voting status upon payment of dues. 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 immoderate area..
SECTION 3: Applicants for membership shall
fill out an official
form. Applicants attend two (2) meetings, verifiable in the club minutes, within six (6) months, prior to the date of
application and have worked on or scheduled to work on two projects. The application
shall be forwarded
to
the corresponding
secretary who will submit it to the membership chair for investigation; they
in turn will submit it to the Board of Directors.
While the board may make recommendations
on membership applications, final say on all applications should come from the members
themselves. Election to membership shall be by secret ballot by a 2/3 majority of
the club members present and voting. The corresponding secretary will notify the applicant that they
should not attend this meeting that their application will be voted upon. In
order for members to have voting privileges and be able to vote at annual meeting, and also be listed
in any breed referral directory, they must have attended at least two meetings and/or
worked on two verifiable club projects.
ARTICLE II – DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1: 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:
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 $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 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: 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 be majority vote of those present 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 fellow members at the
ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation, immediately after
the Board has reached a decision, its rending 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 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 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 own behalf if he wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the
proposed expulsion. A two-thirds 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.
SECTION 5:
Should any member resign or be expelled, no dues or portion of dues will be returned.
ARTICLE III - DUES
SECTION 1:
Annual dues shall be a reasonable fee determined by officers for each member payable at the time of application
of membership and by Annual Meeting. Members are in default after last day of
February. Persons becoming members of this club within 5 months of the end of the club
year shall be entitled to membership for the following year without additional dues.
SECTION 2:
Initiation Fee shall be a reasonable one-time fee determined by officers for each member payable at the time of
application of membership.
SECTION 3: Honorary members pay no dues and have no votes.
SECTION 4: For
all members, the fiscal year shall be from March 1st to and including the last day of
February.
SECTION 1: In
December the
Board shall
appoint a
Nominating
Committee consisting of (5) five members and (1) one alternate, not more than (2) two of whom may be a member of the
Board. The committee shall meet and report their nomination's to the Secretary after
securing the consent of each nominee. The Secretary shall, at least two weeks prior to the
February meeting,
notify each member in writing of the committee's slate. Additional nominations may be made at the
February meeting but under no circumstances may nominations be made at the Annual
Meeting. There will be no proxy/vote.
SECTION 2:
Elections may be by secret ballot if there is more than one nominee. When there are more
than two
candidates, and no candidate has received a majority of the votes cast, a
ballot will be held immediately, limiting candidates to those who received the two largest
pluralities. A majority vote shall elect. Newly elected officers shall take office
immediately.
SECTION 3: No
person shall
hold office unless he or she has been a member for at least one (1) year
ideally.
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS AND THEIR DUTIES
SECTION 1:
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the Officers, the immediate Past President, and
five other
persons; all of whom shall be members in good standing.
SECTION 2: The Directors shall be elected to a three-year term.
SECTION 3:
The Directors shall be responsible for reviewing the requested operating budgets of the Standing Committees, Ad Hoc
committees, and of the
Show Committees,
and
shall make recommendations for modification of budgets, where appropriate.
SECTION 4:
General management of the club's affairs not covered specifically elsewhere in the
Constitution and By-Laws shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5: The specific duties of the Board of Directors
shall be
as follows:
(a) to act on applications for membership.
(b) to act upon appointments of the President for Chairman of Standing Committees,
except for Judges and Show Chairman.
(c) to approve where funds are to be deposited.
(d) to fill vacancies occurring in any elective office.
(e) to approve a slate of judges to be presented to the membership for final
approval.
(f) to approve official forms of the club.
(g) to hear
and determine complaints.
(h) to approve budgets.
SECTION 6: The
Board of Directors
may declare a vacancy in any office for failure to attend meetings without proper excuse, or for failure to perform
the respective duties of the office.
SECTION 7:
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held monthly at a separate time, but
prior to the regular meeting of the club that month.
SECTION 8:
Special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or
by
written request of five (5) members of the Board with a least seven (7) days written notice to all Board Members.
SECTION 9: Seven (7) members shall constitute a
quorum for a meeting of the Board.
SECTION 10: The
resignation of an officer or director of the club shall be submitted to the Board of Directors through the office of
the President The resignation shall become effective six (6) full days preceding the day of
the next regular meeting and the resignation will not become effective until this
provision can be satisfied. The resignation may be withdrawn before it becomes
effective the first time it is presented, but not on being presented a second time for
the same position.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
SECTION 1: The Officers of the club shall be the
President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Recording Secretary,
Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
SECTION 2: Duties of
Officers
(a) President shall:
1. preside over all meetings of the club and all Board
of Directors meetings.
2. appoint all committee chairmen, except Judges and
Show Chairman, with
approval to the
Board of Directors.
3. be ex-officio member of all committees with the exception of the
Nomination
Committee.
4. have general supervision of
the
work of
the
Club.
5.
appoint a parliamentarian.
6.
appoint special committees as deemed necessary subject to the approval of
the Board of Directors.
7.
sign and make all contracts and agreements in the name of club,
providing
the Board of Directors has
authorized such official action.
8.
appoint delegates to any association subject to the approval of the
Board of
Directors.
(b) Vice
Presidents (First and Second)
1. First Vice
President: During the absence or inability of the President to perform
his/her duties or exercise his/her powers as set forth herein; the same shall
be
performed
and exercised by the First Vice President; When so acting; he/she
shall have all the powers and be subject to all the responsibilities hereby
given to
or
imposed upon the President.
2.
Second Vice President shall be Chairman of the Program
and Education
Committee
and be responsible for all programs and classes.
(c) Recording Secretary shall:
1.
record minutes of all meetings.
2.
send notices and reports of meetings to the Chairman of
the Newsletter
committee.
(d) Corresponding Secretary shall:
1. notify all
applicants for membership of acceptance or rejection; and when
accepted the secretary shall forward membership card and copy of the
Constitution
and Bylaws to each new member.
2.
maintain a list of all members, their addresses,
telephone numbers, and the
breed in which they are interested, and list to all members by August 1.
3.
be custodian of and maintain a complete and orderly file
of all club records
and
correspondence.
4.
conduct all correspondence of the Club.
5.
present at regular meetings all correspondence received.
(e) Treasurer shall:
1. be custodian of all funds, and deposit all
receipts in a bank approved by the
Board
of Directors.
2.
keep an itemized
account of all receipts and disbursements.
3.
render a current
report at each regular meeting giving statement of receipt,
disbursements,
and balance.
4.
disburse money by check and as directed by the Board.
5.
be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall
determine.
6.
The Treasurer's accounts shall be audited quarterly.
7.
notify all members when membership fees are due for
renewal at the end of
the club year and at least 30 days before elections.
SECTION 3: Upon termination of office all Officers shall
turn over within fifteen (15) days to their successor, the complete records of the
club and all property in their possession belonging to the club.
ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES
SECTION 1:
The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in
such matters as dog shows, 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 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.
SECTION 1:
The regular meeting of this club shall be held monthly in Manatee County at a time and place recommended by the
Board of
Directors
and approved at a regular meeting of the members of the club.
SECTION 2:
Ten percent (10%) of membership in good standing shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION 3:
The Annual Meeting shall be held in March, shall be a regular monthly meeting of the
club, and election of Officers shall be the order of business.
SECTION 4: 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 ideally be held in
ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1:
The Club may be dissolved at any time upon written consent of not
less than
two-thirds (2/3) of the membership in good standing. After payment of all debts of the
Club, its property and assets may be given to a recognized club, charity or civic
organization.
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
that the club may adopt.
SECTION 1:
The Order of Business for General and Board Meetings shall be:
Roll Call
Treasurer's Report
Report of Board of Directors
Communications and Notices
Committee Reports
Unfinished
Business
Elections/Appointment of Officers, Board Members or
Committees
New Business
SECTION 2: The Order of Business may be suspended
by majority vote of the Members in attendance and voting.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENT
SECTION
1: The Constitution and By Laws may be amended
by a two-thirds (2/3)
Vote of the members in good standing, present and voting
at the regular Or special meeting called for that purpose. The proposed amendment Must be included in the notice to
members, at least fifteen (15) days Prior
to such a meeting.
BY-LAWS OF THE MANATEE KENNEL CLUB INC. (Cont.)
This Constitution and By-Laws of the Manatee Kennel Club, Inc. are hereby approved and adopted at a
regular meeting held for
that purpose at the Palmetto Federal Savings
& Loan Association Community Room in Palmetto, Florida, on Tuesday, October 14, 1969.
Attested to: Manatee Kennel Club, Inc.
__________________________
______________________
SECRETARY By: EARL D. EDGE, PRESIDENT
Article X (Meetings), Section 1 of the
Constitution and By-Laws amended and approved at a regular meeting held for that
purpose at Palmetto Federal
Savings & Loan Association Community Room in Palmetto, Florida, On May 12, 1970.
Attested to: Manatee
Kennel Club, Inc.
_____________________________ ______________________
SECRETARY By: EARL D. EDGE, PRESIDENT
All Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Manatee
Kennel Club,
Inc.
amended, re-numbered, and approved at a special meeting held for that
purpose at Hope Lutheran Church, Bradenton, Florida, on October 7, 1986.
Attested to Manatee
Kennel Club, Inc.
_____________________________
______________________
SECRETARY By: ANDREW J. RIGGSBEE, JR, PRESIDENT
All Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Manatee
Kennel Club,
Inc. amended, and
approved at a special meeting held for that purpose at
Attested to: Manatee
Kennel Club, Inc.
_____________________________ ______________________
SECRETARY By: JEAN KAUFMAN, PRESIDENT
All Articles of the Constitution and
By-Laws of the Manatee Kennel Club, Inc. amended and approved at a special meeting
held for that purpose at
Attested to: Manatee
Kennel Club, Inc.
_____________________________
______________________
SECRETARY By: JIM HAYES, PRESIDENT
All Articles of the Constitution and By-Laws of the
Manatee Kennel Club Inc., amended and approved at a special meeting held for
the purpose at
Attested to: Manatee
Kennel Club, Inc.
_____________________________
______________________
SECRETARY By: JAN WALKER, PRESIDENT