Constitution and Bylaws of Oregon Trail Havanese Club
OREGON TRAIL HAVANESE CLUB CONSTITUTION
SECTION 1 The name of the club shall be the OREGON TRAIL HAVANESE CLUB, and shall work towards affiliation with the HAVANESE CLUB OF AMERICA and the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB.
SECTION 2 The objects and purposes of the Club shall be:
a) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred HAVANESE dogs, and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;
b) To encourage and 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 Havanese shall be judged;
c) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition and conduct sanctioned matches at dog shows, obedience trials, agility trials, etc. under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club;
d) To promote education about the Havanese breed;
e) To support past, present and future breeders, exhibitors and pet owners.
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 shall adhere to and may revise such bylaws as necessary to fulfill the objectives of the Club.
BYLAWS ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1
Eligibility There shall be four types of membership open to persons who are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club and Code of Ethics of this Club.
Membership types are:
Regular (Individual): persons over 18 years of age with full voting rights and able to hold office.
Must own or co-own at least one Havanese dog. Entitled to one vote.
A Regular membership includes Juniors that reside with the member, but the Juniors are not entitled to vote or hold office.
To renew, members must attend at least 2 meetings per year.
Constitution and Bylaws of Oregon Trail Havanese Club
Household:
Up to two (2) adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office. Must own or co-own at least one Havanese dog. A Household membership includes Juniors in that household, but the Juniors are not entitled to vote or hold office.
To renew, voting members must attend at least 2 meetings per year.
Juniors:
persons under the age of 18, unable to hold office and with no voting rights. Junior members may apply to become Regular members upon reaching 18 years of age.
Associate:
persons over the age of 18 years of age, unable to hold office and with no voting rights. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders, pet owners, and exhibitors in Oregon and Southwestern Washington.
SECTION 2 - Dues Membership dues, not to exceed $75.00 per year, shall be set by the Board of Directors at no later than April 1st of each year. Dues shall be payable on or before the 1st day of June of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of April the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year. This statement will be mailed 1st class U.S. Postal Service to the member’s last known address of record.
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 the rules of the American Kennel Club. At a minimum the application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of one member 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 General meeting of the club following its receipt. At the next General club meeting attended by the applicant, 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. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within six (6) 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. 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 30 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) By expulsion: A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.
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ARTICLE II MEETINGS AND VOTING SECTION 1
- Club Meetings Meetings of the club shall be held at least six (6) times annually within the Oregon and SW Washington area at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or transmitted electronically by the Secretary or Board appointed designee at least ten (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 petition signed by at least five (5) Club members in good standing. Such meetings shall be held within Oregon and SW Washington at such place, date and time designated by the persons(s) authorized to call such meetings. Written notice shall be mailed or electronically transmitted to each member by the Secretary at least five (5) business days and not more than twenty (20) business days prior to the date of the meeting, and said . The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other club business shall be conducted at this meeting. The quorum for said meeting shall be twenty (20%) of the members in good standing.
SECTION 3 - Board Meetings Meetings of the board of directors shall be held approximately each month with at least six meetings per year within the Oregon and SW Washington area at such time and place as may be designated by the board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or electronically transmitted 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 (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held within the Oregon and SW Washington area at such place, date, and time as may be designated by the person(s) authorized to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed or electronically transmitted by the Secretary at least five (5) and not more than ten (10) days prior to such meeting. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business shall be conducted at this meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be the majority of the Board.
SECTION 5 - Voting Each Regular and Household 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 pursuant to the voting rights stated in Article I Section 1. Proxy voting will NOT be permitted at any Club meeting or Election.
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ARTICLE III DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1 - Board of Directors The Board shall be comprised of the officers, all of whom must be adult members in good standing, who shall be elected for a two year term, and three (3) Directors, all of whom must be adult members in good standing, and who shall be elected for a one year term 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 and Treasurer, shall serve in their respective positions both at Board and Club meetings. a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and Board meetings and shall exercise the duties of his office 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, 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 such 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 on 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 offices of Secretary and the Treasurer may be held by the same person, in which case the Board shall be comprised of six (6) persons.
SECTION 3 - Vacancies Any vacancies occurring on the Board or other 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 creation of such vacancy, or at a special Board meeting called solely 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, VOTING, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1 - Club Year The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of June and end on the last day of May. 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.
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SECTION 2 - Annual Membership Meeting The annual Membership Meeting shall be held in June, at which the 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 immediately upon conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to their 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 (3) nominated candidates for the other Director 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. During the month of April, the board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members in good standing and two alternate members in good standing, not more than one of whom may be a member of the board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committeemen and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairman for the committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before May 1st. a) The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and positions on the Board and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing or electronically. b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall, at least two (2) weeks before the June meeting, notify each member in writing or electronically of the candidates so nominated. 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 this meeting, the proposer 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 with the exception of Secretary/Treasure, pursuant to Article III section 2,e. d) Nominations cannot be made in any manner other than as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE V COMMITTEES
SECTION 1 - The Board may appoint each year, standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as specialty shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership, and other fields which may be well served by committees. Such committees shall be appointed by and subject to the authority of the Board.
SECTION 2 - Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board by written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors as replacement. ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE SECTION 1 - American Kennel Club Suspension Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club shall automatically be suspended from membership in this club for a like period of time.
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SECTION 2 - Charges Any member may prefer charge(s) against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club or the breed. Written charge(s) with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $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 of the Board or present them at a Board meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charge(s), 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 charge(s), it shall fix a date for a 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 charge(s) to the accused member via 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 they so choose.
SECTION 3 - Board Hearing The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether or not counsel may attend the hearing, however 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 (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/expulsion 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 penalties, 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 three (3) 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 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 so desired. 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.
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ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1 - Amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty (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 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 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 mailed to each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
SECTION 3 - All Standing Rules shall be maintained by the Secretary in a separate file and shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1 - 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 member(s) of the club, but after payments of the debts of the club its property and assets shall be given to Havanese Rescue, Inc.
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: Roll Call Minutes of last meeting Report of President Report of Secretary Report of Treasurer Committee Reports Election of Officers and Board (annual meeting) Election and installation of new members Unfinished business New Business Adjournment
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SECTION 2 - At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows: Reading of minutes of last meeting Report of Secretary Report of Treasurer Committee reports 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.
SECTION 2 - Dues
Membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors at no later than April 1 of each year. Dues shall
be payable on or before the 1st day of June of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid
for the current year. During the month of April the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of
dues for the forthcoming year. This statement will be mailed 1 st class U.S. Postal Service to the member's last known address of record.
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 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 one member 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 attended by the applicant, 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.
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:
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 m embership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if
such member*s dues remain unpaid 30 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) 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
Meetings of the club shall be held at least a minimum of six (6) times annually within the Oregon and SW
Washington area at such hour and place as may be designated by the board of directors. Written notice of
each such meeting shall be mailed or transmitted electronically by the Secretary at least ten (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 petition signed by at least five (5) Club members in good standing. Such
meetings shall be held within Oregon and SW Washington at such place, date and time designated by the
person(s) authorized to call such meetings. W ritten notice shall be mailed or electronically transm itted to
each member by the Secretary at least five (5) business days and not more than twenty (20) business
days prior to the meeting. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other club business shall
be conducted at this meeting. The quorum for said meeting shall be twenty (20%) of the members in good
standing.
SECTION 3 - Board Meetings
Meetings of the board of directors shall be held approximately each month, with ten meetings per year
within the Oregon and SW Washington area at such hour and place as may be designated by the board.
Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or electronically transmitted 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 (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall
be held within the Oregon and SW Washington area at such place, date and time as may be designated
by the person(s) authorized to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed or
electronically transmitted by the Secretary at least five (5) and not more than ten (10) days prior to such
meeting. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business shall be conducted at this meeting. The quorum for such meeting shall be the majority of the Board.
SECTION 5 - Voting
Each Regular and Family member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be
entitled to vote at any meeting of the club at which he/she is present pursuant to the voting rights stated in Article I Section 1.
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 three (3) Directors, all of whom are in good standing,
and shall be elected for a one year term 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 and Treasurer shall serve in
their respective positions both at Board and Club meetings.
a) The President shall preside at all Club and Board meetings and shall exercise the duties of
his office 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; 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 other
such 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 on 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 office of Secretary and the Treasurer may be held by the same person, in which case
the Board shall be comprised of six (6) persons.
SECTION 3 - Vacancies
Any vacancies occurring on the Board or other 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
creation of such vacancy, or at a special Board meeting called solely 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, Voting, Nominations, Elections
SECTION 1 - Club Year
The club*s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of June and end on the last day of May.
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 Membership Meeting:
The Annual Membership Meeting shall be in June, at which the officers and directors for the ensuring year
shall be elected by secret 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 their 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 (3) nominated candidates for the Director 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. During the month of April,
the board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more
than one of whom may be a member of the board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the
committeemen and alternates of their selection. The board shall name a chairman for the committee and
it shall be such person*s duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before May 1 st
a) The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and 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, at least two
weeks before the June meeting, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
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 this meeting, the proposer 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.
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 appoint each year, standing committees to advance work of the club in
such matters as specialty shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields
which may be well served by committees. Such committees shall be appointed by and subject to the
authority of the Board.
SECTION 2
Any committee appointm ent may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership
of the Board by written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors as replacement.
ARTICLE VI
Discipline
SECTION 1 - American Kennel Club Suspension
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club shall automatically be
suspended from membership in this club for a like period of time.
SECTION 2 - Charges
Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best
interests of the club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the
Secretary together with a deposit of $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
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 m ay 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 nor more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charge(s) to the accused member via 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 they so choose.
SECTION 3 - Board Hearing
The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether or not counsel may attend the hearing,
however 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 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/expulsion 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, it*s 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 penalties, 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 three (3) of this article. Such
proceeding 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 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 so desired. 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 VII
Amendments
SECTION 1
Amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics may be proposed by the Board of Directors
or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty (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 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 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 mailed to each member at least two (2)
weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
SECTION 3.
All Standing Rules shall be maintained by the Secretary in a separate file and shall be perpetual.
ARTICLE VIII
Dissolution
SECTION 1
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 member(s) of the club but after payments of the debts of the
club its property and assets shall be given to Havanese Rescue, Inc.
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:
Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting
Report of President
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Committee reports
Election of Officers and Board (annual meeting) -Election
and installation 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:
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Report of Secretary
Report of treasurer
Committee reports
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.
Adopted: June 25, 2005
