Bylaws of Southern California Collie Club

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of this organization is Southern California Collie Club

ARTICLE 2: PURPOSES

The organization has been formed:

To encourage and promote the responsible breeding of pure-breed collies and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;
To educate members and breeders on the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club;
To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and by participating in appropriate organizations of benefit to the breed;
To conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows under the rules of the American Kennel Club;
To conduct sanctioned and licensed events for competition under the rules of the American Kennel Club.

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.

ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPAL OFFICE

The initial principal office of the Club shall be located in the County of Los Angeles, or in neighboring counties, State of California. The Officers of the Club may at any time or from time to time, change the location of the principal office from one location to another within the said counties.

ARTICLE 4: NONPARTISAN ACTIVITIES

No substantial part of the activities of the Club shall consist of the can-ying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Club shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE 5: DEDICATION ASSETS

The properties and assets of this nonprofit Club are irrevocably dedicated to charitable purposes. No part of the net earnings, properties, or assets of the Club on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual or any member, director of officer of this Club. On liquidation or dissolution, all remaining properties and assets of the Club shall be distributed and paid over to an organization dedicated to charitable purposes which has established its taxexempt status under Section 501 C(7) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE 6: MEMBERSHIP

The Club may from time to time use the term "members" to refer to persons associated with it.

Eligibility: Any person who subscribes to the purpose of the Club shall be eligible for membership after attending at least two dog related (preferably featuring collies) events.
Class of Members: There will be four types of memberships available:
1. Active Members: An active member shall be any person who has the requirements set forth in section "a" hereinabove and who has paid his/her dues.
2. Junior Members: A junior member shall be any person who is between ten and eighteen years of age, who has complies with the requirements set forth in section "a" hereinabove, and who has paid his/her dues.
3. Life Members: Life membership shall be awarded to those individuals within the Club who have rendered outstanding service in the furtherance of the purpose of the Club and who have been proposed and confirmed by a vote of the majority of the active members present and voting at any regular or special meeting. A life member will be entitled to a vote if he/she meets the requirements for active membership as set forth in section "1" hereinabove. Life members shall not pay dues.
4. Honorary Members: Honorary membership shall be awarded to those individuals outside the Club who have rendered outstanding service toward the Club or the breed and who have been proposed and confirmed by a vote of a majority of the active members present and voting at any regular or special meeting. Honorary members shall not be pay dues, entitled to vote, and will not be included on the mailing list of business meetings.
Application for Membership: Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Club and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the ByLaws. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members. Accompanying the application, the prospective membershall submit the initiation fee and dues payment for the cmTent year.
Election to Membership: All applications are to be filed with the Treasurer or other officer maintaining Club files, and each application is to be presented at the first business meeting of the Club following its receipt or via electronic communications (i.e., email). At that meeting, the application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of three-quarters (3/4) of the members present and voting at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection.
Dues: Membership dues shall be $10.00 per year for a single membership, $15.00 per couple and $5.00 per year for each additional member of the same immediate family. Dues for junior members will be $3.00 per year. No dues will be assessed life members or honorary members. For members joining after June 30th, dues will be prorated for the remainder of the year. At the last scheduled meeting of the calendar year, the obligation to pay dues for the coming year will be announced. Members not present will be notified in writing, by phone or by email.
Termination of Membership: Memberships may be terminated in any of the following manners:
1. By resignation: Any member standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the Secretary; however, all debts to the club, including dues, must be paid.
2. By lapsing: Any membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first of the year; however, the members may grant an additional 90 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be unpaid as of the date of that meeting.
3. By expulsion: A membership may be terminated by expulsion, as provided in Article 10 herein below.
Rules Governing Membership: The following rules shall apply to all members:
1. Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote.
2. Only active members in good standing shall be eligible to receive Club benefits. Such benefits may include, but not be limited to, championship trophies, breeder's plaques, life memberships, etc.
3. Membership is not transferable, and all rights of membership cease on the death of the member.
4. Indebtedness to the Club must be paid within thirty (30) days from the date it is incurred.
5. A member who is financially delinquent shall not be considered in good standing, and shall lose all rights and privileges attached to that status. Suspension, resignation, expulsion or inactive status does not relieve a member from indebtedness to the Club.

ARTICLE 7: OFFICERS

The Club's Officers, cons1stmg of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Show Chairman, Performance Trail Chairman, and Member at Large shall serve in their respective capacities at all meetings. No Member can hold more than two Officer Positions.

Duties of Officers: The duties shall be as follows:
1. PRESIDENT. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office in addition to those particularly specified in these By-Laws.
2. VICE PRESIDENT. The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity. The Vice President is in charge of planning and organizing all educational meetings.
3. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. He/She shall take attendance at all meetings to determine eligibility for voting. The Secretary shall also have charge of all business correspondence.
4. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall keep and maintain adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Club, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and surplus. He/She shall deposit all monies and other valuables in such depositories as may be designated by the membership, shall disburse the funds of the Club as may be ordered by the membership, and render to the membership a financial statement at the meetings. His/Her books shall at all times be open for inspection by any member. He/She shall maintain a list of all members of the Club with their addresses.
5. SHOW CHAIRMAN. The Show Chairman shall be in charge of all conformation shows given by the Club including related business correspondence subject to the approval of the membership.
6. PERFORMANCE TRIAL CHAIRMAN shall be in charge of performance events, subject to the approval of the membership.
7. MEMBER AT LARGE. The member-at-large position fills duties which do not fall under the scope of the officers and acts as a representative for the general membership.
Qualifications for Officers. To be eligible for any office, a member must have attended at least one-half (1/2) of the meetings in the preceding twelve ( 12) months. In order to be eligible for the office of President, a member must have previously held an elected office in the Club. Any officer may succeed himself or herself as determined by the membership.
Appointed Officers. The President may appoint a parliamentarian and a sergeant-of-arms.
Resume of Duties. Each outgoing officer shall assist in-coming officers as necessary in the duties of the office.

ARTICLE 8: MEETINGS AND VOTING

Club Meetings of the Club shall be held within the County of Los Angeles, State of California, or in neighboring counties. Any meeting may be held by conference telephone or other communications equipment permitted by the Law, as long as all members participating in the meeting can communicate with one another and all other requirements of the Law are satisfied. All such directors shall be deemed to be present at such meeting.

Annual Meeting. The first meeting of the calendar year (usually in January) will be deemed the Annual Meeting and held on the date agreed upon by the majority of members at a previous meeting. At this time the new officers shall be installed, yearly reports made and such other business be transacted as may be properly brought before the meeting.
Regular Meetings. Meetings shall be held to conduct business, consider reports and consider or act on any matters as may be properly brought before the meeting. Educational meetings may be held at these scheduled meetings. Meetings will be held bi-monthly or scheduled on a date determined by the members.
Quorum. A quorum of any meeting of the Club shall consist of a majority of active members in good standing and a majority of officers. In the event that a quorum of active members is not present, a majority of officers shall constitute a quorum to conduct all regular business of the Club.
Voting. Each active member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. To be in good standing, a member must have paid all financial obligations due to the Club and have attended at least one-half of the meetings during the preceding twelve months or since his/her election to the membership.
Proxies. There shall be no proxy voting.

ARTICLE 9: ELECTIONS

The following rules are applicable to election and removal of officers.

Nominations. No person may be a candidate in the Club election who does not meet the qualifications as stated in Article 7. In the event of an insufficient number of qualified nominees for any or all offices, a suspension of the foregoing rules may be called for and approved by a majority of the active voting members present, and nominations and elections for such offices shall then be made from the active voting membership.
Nominating Committee. Typically three members may be selected by the President to prepare a slate of proposed officers and ensure that the members on the slate agree to accept the responsibility of the office and present the slate at the last scheduled meeting for the calendar year. The slate may consist of the current officers if they are willing to continue in their current positions. Alternatively, the slate may be presented or nominations accepted from the floor and closed by the end of the meeting.
Elections. The officers will be elected at the last scheduled meeting of the calendar year by a show of hand or secret written ballot as determined by the membership. Alternatively, the vote may be conducted by email sending the votes to the nominating committee or other designated member.
Vacancies. Vacancies of offices occurring during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term of the office by majority vote of the members present and voting at the Club's first meeting following the announcement of such vacancy.
Resignation and Removal.
1. Any officer may be removed with cause by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members present and voting at a meeting, following the procedures for removal of members or officers outlined in Article 10.
2. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President or the Secretary of the Club. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

ARTICLE 10: DISCIPLINE

The following rules apply to disciplinary measures.

Discipline. Any member or officer may be suspended or expelled for good cause, evidenced by a written complaint and signed by three or more active voting members. Causes for suspension or expulsion shall be for conduct liable to injure the welfare of character of the Club, or in violation of these By-Laws.
1. At a meeting of the membership, a complaint having been duly drawn may be filed with the Secretary and read at such meeting. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the offending member by registered mail within ten days of the vote and furnish to said member a copy of the complaint, and said offending member shall have the opportunity of answering the issue, in person or by a representative, at the next meeting. A suspension or expulsion of a member may then be ordered by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active voting members present and voting.
Club Name. The use of the name "Southern California Collie Club is restricted to this Club's use or by approval of a majority of the active voting members for any other purpose. Violation of this Section by any member will result in automatic dismissal from the Club.

ARTICLE 11: RECORDS-REPORTS-INSPECTION

The following rules apply to all records and reports.

Checks, Drafts, Etc. The membership will authorize officers to sign checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money. Typically the authorized officers are the Treasurer and any other officer.
Contracts, Etc. The membership, except as the By-Laws may otherwise provide, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Club, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and unless so authorized by the membership, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Club by any contract or agreement or to pledge its credit to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount.
Inspection of By-Laws. The Club shall keep the original or a copy of the By-Laws as amended or otherwise altered to date, and the Minutes, certified by the Secretary and both shall be open to inspection by the members at all reasonable times during meetings.

ARTICLE 12: AMENDMENTS

These By-Laws may be amended by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the active members in good standing who are present and voting at any meeting. The proposed amendments must be provided, either in writing or by email, to each member at least ten days before the vote is to take place.

ARTICLE 13: SEAL

The Club does not have a seal.

ARTICLE 14: RULES OF ORDER

The rules contained in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with the herein By-Laws, or the special rules of order of this Club.

ARTICLE 15: DISSOLUTION

The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members,. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary or involuntary, 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 selected by the voting membership for the benefit of dogs.

ARTICLE 16: ORDER OF BUSINESS

At a meeting 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 log)
Minutes of the last meeting
Report by the President
Report by the Vice President
Report by the Secretary
Report by the Treasurer
Report by the Show Chairman
Report by the Performance Trial Chairman
Report by the Member at Large
Report of the Committee Chairman
Old or Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I, the undersigned, certify that I am the currently elected and acting officer of the Southern California Collie Club, a California nonprofit organization, and the above are the bylaws of this organization as adopted by the Membership and that they have not been amended or modified since the date signed as indicated below.