CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1.
The name of the Club shall be: The Central California Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
SECTION 2.
The objectives of the club shall be:
a) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred Labrador
Retrievers and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection; additionally, the CCLRC that puppies will not be sold wholesale, or by other means to retail outlets:
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 Labrador Retrievers shall be judged;
c) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest in the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience trials, and hunt tests;
d) To conduct sanctioned matches and licensed specialty shows, obedience trials and hunt tests and any other event for which the club is eligible under the rules and regulations 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 revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1.
ELIGIBILITY:
There shall be two types of membership, open to all persons eighteen years of age or older who are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.
(1) Individual/Regular, enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office
and
(2) Household/Dual, two adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office.
Members in good standing are eligible to vote and hold office. It is the intention of the club that members show a desire to help and become active in the club, this would include but not be limited to helping at multiple club events and attending meetings. 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 not exceed $20.00 per year for Individual members and $25.00 per year for Household members, payable on or before the first day of January of each year. No member whose dues are not paid for the current year may vote, or compete for any club special award. During the month of November the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. Amount of annual dues must be reviewed not less than every five (5) years.
SECTION 3.
ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP:
Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the board. The applicant agrees to abide by this constitution and bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The Application shall state the name, address and occupation of the applicant and 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 board or club following its receipt. At the next club or board meeting, the application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present, and voting by secret ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. The submitting of an application does not guarantee membership it the club.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection.
SECTION 4.
TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
Membership 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. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the club and must be paid in full prior to resignation.
b) By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid sixty (60) days after the first day of the fiscal year, January through December, however, the board may grant an additional thirty (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) By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.
ARTICLE II MEETINGS AND VOTING
SECTION 1.
CLUB MEETINGS: Regular meetings of the club shall be held once each month or at least six (6) times a year in the greater Fresno, California area 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 ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20 percent (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 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 (5) members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in Fresno, at such date, hour and place 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 (5) 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 percent (20%) of the members in good standing.
SECTION 3.
BOARD MEETINGS: Meetings of the board of directors shall be held in Fresno, at least six (6) times a year at such date, time 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 five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meeting shall be a majority of the board. Voting at board meetings is limited to one vote per officer or board member. In any event where the board determines that it is not feasible to physically meet, meetings of the board meetings may be held telephonically, by conference call.
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 in Fresno, 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 feast five (5) days and not more than ten (10) days prior to the data 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 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 General meeting of the club at which that member is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election. Board members and officers will have one vote each at General and board meetings.
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The board shall be comprised of the officers and at least four (4) 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. However,no two members within the same family membership may serve on the board or hold office during the same year term. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the board of directors.
SECTION 2.
OFFICERS: The Club’s officers, consisting of 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. At no time shall any officer receive any Compensation for the performance of any club duties.
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 by these 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; have charge of the correspondence including, but not limited to: writing letters, receiving letters, and reporting on them at meetings. The Secretary shall 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, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc., and carry out such other duties as are prescribed by these bylaws.
d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. They shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the board, in the name of the Club. The financial records shall at all times be open to inspection of the board, and a report shall be given to the board at every meeting on the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting the Treasurer shall render an account 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 offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person, in which case the board shall be comprised of at least seven (7) persons.
SECTION 3.
VACANCIES:
Any vacancies occurring in 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 board 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.
THE CLUB YEAR: The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December.
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 May at which the officers for the ensuing year shall be elected. Ballots shall be sent to all members in good standing by the Secretary immediately following the close of nominations for officers and board members at the April meeting, and these ballots shall be the only accepted method of voting, however, if, at the close of nominations for officers and board members at the April meeting, the slate of officers and board members would be considered to be unopposed, then no ballots need be sent to members in good standing and the nominated officers and board members will be considered elected. The new officers 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 10 business days from the April meeting.
SECTION 3.
ELECTIONS:
The nominated candidate in a club election receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The four (4) nominated candidates for other positions on the board who received the greatest number of voles 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. During the month of March the board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) club members and two (2) alternates. Not more than one (1) of the total committee of (5) shall be a member of the board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee and the alternates of their selection. The board shall name a chairperson for the committee and it shall be that chairperson’s duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held April 1.
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1.a) The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and one candidate for each of the 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.
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2.b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall at least two weeks before the April meeting notify each club member of the candidates so nominated.
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3.c) Additional nominations may be made at the April meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when that member’s name is proposed; and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, that member’s proposor shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying that member’s willingness to be a candidate. No person may 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 cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other
than as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE V 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, hunt tests, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other areas 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 for 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 these persons whose service has been terminated.
ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1.
AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION: Any member who is suspended from any of 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 individual member may prefer charges against another individual member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest or the club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary, together with a deposit of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), 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 on 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 which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the club or the breed. If the board considers that the charges do not allege conduct, which would 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 three (3) weeks or 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 accused 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, 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 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 meeting or a special meeting of the club to be held within sixty (60) days, but no 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/her 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/her own behalf if he/she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret written 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 VII AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.
Amendments to the constitution and bylaws 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 by 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 2/3 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 VII 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 good standing. 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 IX ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1.
At the meetings of the club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Roll Call/Sign In
Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of President
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Nomination of officers and board (at 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 majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Call to order of board Meeting Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
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.
