ABCS Constitution
The following is proposed as a starting point
for debate. It is a copy of the European Burmse cat club by-laws. It is probably
a template and as such is less than perfect.
Any comments will be posted in red below each section - -ed
XX CAT CLUB
CONSTITUTION,
ARTICLE I - NAME
This club is named the XX Cat Club.
ARTICLE II - NATURE AND AFFILIATION
This is a nonprofit cat club affiliated with the Cat Fanciers' Association,
Inc. (CFA). No part of the club's profits, dues, funds, or assets shall be
used to the benefit or profit of any individual(s).
ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this club are:
1.To promote, and inform people about, the CFA XX cat breed and its counterparts
in other countries.
2. To promote the welfare of all cats.
3. To promote breeding pedigreed cat to CFA standards.
4. To sponsor cat shows and exhibits.
5. To advance the interests of breeders, exhibitors, and owners of pedigreed
cats and of persons interested in the welfare and beauty of cats.
6. To promote good sportsmanship and friendship among cat fanciers.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Persons interested in the objectives of this club may apply for membership.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
This club's officers are its President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
and three
Directors. These are elected by the membership and serve as the Executive
Board, which is chaired by the President. The officers are elected by the
membership for common two-year terms beginning on the first day of
every even numbered year.
ARTICLE Vl – MEETINGS
An annual meeting shall be held at least one month prior to the CFA annual
meeting. Other meetings may be held.
ARTICLE Vll - DUES
Annual dues in the amount established in this club's by-laws are due and
payable on the fifteenth day of October of every year.
ARTCLE V - DISSOLUTION
If this dub is dissolved, its property and asset shall be distributed to
a nonprofit organization consistent with CFA policy. But, no club property
or assets shall be distributed to any club member or private individual.
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and/or its by-law’s may be amended by a two-thirds majority
vote of the club’s membership. Proposed amendment and a ballot shall be sent
to each member at least 15 days before a vote may be taken. Ballots returned
within 30 days after voting will be counted. Approved amendments will be
effective 30 days after the membership i5 informed of the results of the
voting.
XX CAT CLUB BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - MEMBERSHIP
1.1 Eligibility. Persons of good character are eligible for membership in
this dub.
1.2 Application. Upon written, sponsored application to the Secretary, approval
by the Executive Board, and payment of the first year’s dues, an applicant
shall become a member.
1.3 Founding members. Founding members are those identified in the club's
application for CFA affiliation. They can vote and hold office.
1.4 Regular Members. Regular members can vote and hold office. Candidates
must have been breeders, or owner exhibitors, of European Burmese that meet
CFA's Registration Rules. Applicants must be sponsored by two voting members,
and must:
a Have bred and registered a XX litter in the preceding
year, OR
b. Have exhibited, as the owner/co owner, at least one XX in a
CFA show in the preceding year, OR
c. Have bred and registered in CFA at least three XX litters, OR
d. Have exhibited, as the owner/co-owner, at least one XX
in at least 10 CFA shows.
1.5 Associate Members. Associate members are not eligible for ??/regular
membership. They cannot vote or hold office. Applicants must be sponsored
by one voting member.
1.6 Honorary Members. Honorary membership may be granted by a two-thirds
majority vote of a quorum of the club's membership. Honorary Members cannot
vote or hold office.
1.7 Resignation. A member may resign in writing to the Secretary. No dues
will be refunded.
ARTICLE 11 - DUES
II.1 Club Dues. Annual club dues are $12.00 per Associate Member (receives
newsletter); $20.00 per Founding/Regular Member [one vote] (receives Newsletter);
$25.00 for family Founding/Regular members [two votes] (two or more members
residing at the same address; receive one Newsletter. Also, Founding and
Regular members (individual or family) dues are an additional $10 for the
first year. Honorary members receive the Newsletter, but pay no dues. Individual
life membership is $200.00. International Members ($35.00 per year) are Associate
Members. The Treasurer will notify members, in advance, of the due date for
annual dues. Members who do not pay their dues within one month of
the due data will be re-notified Members who do not pay their dues within
30 days of re-notification will be disenrolled. Disenrolled members
who desire to resume their affiliation will be treated as new applicants.
ART1CLE III - MEETliNGS
III.1 General Meetings may be held in person
or electronically. Except as specified otherwise, a majority vote of a quorum
of the club’s members, which must include two or more officers, is required
to transact business.
III.2 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings normally will be held quarterly
unless the membership votes to change a regular meeting.
III.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the
President at any time, who must also call a special meeting upon written
3 application by at bast three club members.
III.4 Emergency Meetings. Emergency I meetings of the Executive
Board handle business that must be b - ~d immediately. In such CASE’s, five
members of the Executive Board constitute a quorum. Emergency Meetings may
be called by the President or at the request of two members of the Executive
Board. Business at Emergency Meetings shall be limited to the business that
must be immediately transacted.
III.5 Order of Business Unless changed by a majority vote
of the attending members, the order of business at regular/special meetings
will be:
1.Approval of the minutes.
2.Secretary's Report (includes correspondence).
3.Report of the Treasurer.
4.Report of the Delegates (if applicable).
5 Report of the Committees (if applicable). ~
6. Old Business.
7. New Business.
8. Adjournment.
III.8 Meeting Conduct Where not specified in the club's
rules, meetings will be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
IV.1 President The President is the chief executive Officer,
presides over meetings, ~ appoints committees as needed, and serves as an
ex officio member of all committees.
IV.2 Vice-President The Vice President performs the President's duties when
the President is unavailable.
IV.3 Secretary. The Secretary's duties are:
-Recording and corresponding officer.
-Contact person for CFA.
-Providing club meeting minuteS.
-Promulgating prior meeting minutes at least 14 days before scheduled meetings.
-Notifying candidates elected to office.
-Maintaining the list of members' names and addresses.
-Mailing meeting notices to members at least two weeks in advance.
-Custodian of the Constitution and by-laws, and submitting club approved
amendments thereto to CFA, and keeping record copies of changes.
-Communicating the results of each election to the Secretary of CFA at least
30 days before the next annual or special meeting of the Association.
IV.4 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
-Have custody of all club monies.
-Keep auditable records of all receipts and expenditures, which shall
be open to review at any time by the Executive Board or their designated
representative(s).
-Open a bank account (or accounts) in the name of the dub and disburse
funds only according to the direction of the dub or Executive Board.
-Sign checks from the club's account(s).
-Report activities relating to the club's finances at each regular meeting.
-At the annual club meeting, present an annual report of the club's finances.
-Notify/re-notify members of the due date or dues, and of associated disenrollment.
IV.5 Directors The directors of the dub shall serve as members
of the Executive Board, and have all the rights and privileges of members
of that board as detailed in these by-laws.
ARTICLE V - DISCIPLINE
V.1 Enforcement
It is the duty of the Executive Board to enforce the clubs Constitution
and By" L~. The Executive Board may reprimand, suspend the voting or other
privileges of, or suspend or expel from membership anyone who, after a fair
hearing, is found guilty of conduct detrimental or harmful to this club or
the cat fancy, or to the welfare of cats. (Violation of a club rule and/or
a fraudulent act is detrimental to the club and the cat fancy.)
V.2 Procedure.
Any person, whether a member of this dub or not, may bring charges
against a member. All charges must be submitted to the club President in
writing, and must be signed by the accuser. Frivolous or clearly unsubstantiated
charges may be dismissed by a majority vote of the Executive Board. Otherwise,
a hearing shall be scheduled, and a copy of the charges shall be provided
to each, accused at least 30 days before the hearing date. An accused member
may have counsel, and may call witnes6es in his/her own defense. The Executive
Board may conduct a hearing itself or appoint a committee to do so. A two-thirds
majority of the Executive Board or Hearing Committee is required to affirm
the charges. The decision of the Executive Board or committee is binding
on all parties.
ARTICLE Vl - AMENDMENTS
Vl.1 These by-laws may be amended as provided for in the Constitution