Agility Unleashed
Constitution
(Adopted 11 October 1999)
Article I
Name and objects
SECTION 1.
The name of the club shall be Agility Unleashed, Non-Profit Association.
SECTION 2.
The objects of the Club shall be:
a) To encourage and promote the sport of dog agility.
b) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of dog agility by encouraging sportsman-like competition at agility trials and matches as well as and other dog-related events.
c) To conduct sanctioned and licensed agility trials and matches under the rules and regulations of agility titling organizations including, but not limited to, the American Kennel Club (AKC), United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) and North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC).
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 may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects.
Bylaws
Article I
Membership
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY
There shall be six types of memberships open to all persons age 12 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of Agility Unleashed, NPA (hereinafter known as “Club”). The six types of memberships shall be individual, household, associate, junior, class and honorary memberships.
a) An Individual Membership shall be open to all persons who are 18 years of age or older who meet the following criteria:
1. Have successfully completed the Basic Agility Class OR
2. Have 2 legs toward an agility title OR
3. Who can otherwise demonstrate their ability by passing a test administered by the Training Director
Persons with Individual Memberships are eligible to vote and hold office.
b) A Household Membership (two adults in the same household) shall be open to two persons 18 years of age or older who both meet the criteria for Individual Membership. Each Household member is eligible to hold office and is entitled to a separate vote.
c) An Associate Membership shall be open to all persons who are 18 years of age or older who have taken but not graduated from the Basic Agility Class. Associate members are eligible to vote and hold office and may apply for Individual membership upon meeting the requirements of Individual Membership.
d) A Junior Membership shall be open to those persons 12-17 years of age who are sponsored by a person holding an Individual or Household Membership. Junior Members may not vote or hold office and are not required to pay dues. They may apply for either Individual or Associate Membership upon reaching their 18th birthday.
e) Class Membership is open to persons who wish to attend training classes. Class membership is granted automatically to persons who are accepted into a training class. Class Members are not eligible to vote or hold office but may apply for either Individual or Associate Membership after completing the Basic Agility Class.
f) Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon any person in recognition of their service to the Club. Honorary Members are not eligible to vote or hold office and are exempt from all dues and/or assessments.
While membership is unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to be representative of the dog agility enthusiasts in the Greater Corpus Christi, Texas area.
SECTION 2. DUES
The amount of dues for the next fiscal year will be established by the Board of Directors during a meeting held in the third quarter of the current fiscal year and voted on by the membership during the annual meeting. Dues are payable on or before November 30th of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of October the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his/her dues for the ensuing year.
SECTION 3. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP
Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors. The form shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by this constitution and bylaws and the rules of agility titling organizations including, but not limited, to the AKC, USDAA and NADAC. The application shall include the name, address and occupation of the applicant, his qualifications 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 (prorated if application is received after November 30th). All applications are to be filed with the Secretary. Each application is to be read at the first meeting of the Club following its receipt. The name will then be printed in the notice for the next meeting. At the next Club meeting the applicant will then be voted upon. Affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting by secret ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Membership begins at the meeting during which the applicant is voted upon and approved. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within 6 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 and no dues will be refunded. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.
b) By lapsing:
A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 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. Re-application is required on lapsed memberships. 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.
SECTION 5. MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING
In order to remain in good standing, financial obligations must be met within 60 days, e.g., returned checks (including bank service charges), unpaid trophy donations, etc.
Article II
Meetings and voting
SECTION 1. CLUB MEETINGS
Meetings of the Club shall be held each month within the Greater Corpus Christi, Texas area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 1/3 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; or shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in the Greater Corpus Christi, Texas area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other Club business may be transacted during this meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 1/3 of the members in good standing.
SECTION 3. BOARD MEETINGS
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the Greater Corpus Christi area in conjunction with the Club meeting or at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 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 or 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 the Greater Corpus Christi, Texas area, at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 10 days prior to the date 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 a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
SECTION 5. VOTING
Eligible members (Individual, Household, or Associate) 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 they are present. 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 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. All of Board Members shall be members in good standing. General management of the club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors subject to the approval of the membership.
SECTION 2. OFFICERS
The Club's officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Training Director shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.
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 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 all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. Duties shall include notification of members of meetings, execution of the election of officers and directors, notification of officers and directors of their election to office, execution of the election of judges and such other duties as are prescribed in the Constitution and Bylaws.
d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and the Treasurer shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting shall render an account of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The signatures of two officers are required on Club checks. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.
e) The Training Director is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Club’s training classes including scheduling, curriculum, and appointment of instructors.
SECTION 3. VACANCIES
Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the officers 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 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, and election
SECTION 1. CLUB YEAR
The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of November and end on the 31st day of October. 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 in the month of October at which the Officers for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the meeting and retiring officers shall turn over to their successors in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
SECTION 3. ELECTION
The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other 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 July, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and one alternate, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternate of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the committee and it shall be his/her duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before August 15.
a) The Committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each office and 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.
b) Upon receipt of the Nomination Committee's report the Secretary shall, at 2 least weeks before the September meeting, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
c) Additional nominations may be made at the September meeting by any member in attendance provided that the persons so nominated do not decline when their names are proposed, and provided further, that if the proposed candidates are not in attendance at this meeting the nominating party shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his willingness to be a candidate.
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 a standing committee to advance the work of the Club in such matters as agility trials and/or matches, trophies, annual prizes, fundraising, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Specialty committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. Said committees will be standing for that calendar year.
SECTION 2.
Any committee appointed may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointees. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
SECTION 3.
Any member in good standing may serve on any number of committees.
Article VI
DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1. SUSPENSION FROM AGILITY TITLING ORGANIZATIONS
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of any agility titling organization including, but not limited to, the AKC, USDAA or NADAC automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period.
SECTION 2. CHARGES
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the sport of Dog Agility. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $100.00 that will be forfeited not only if the charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing but also if the Board refuses to entertain jurisdiction. 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 or the sport. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the sport, 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 and not 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. BOARD HEARING
The Board will 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 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 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 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 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 for 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 findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf if he wishes. The meeting 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 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 of 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 vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of that meeting.
Article VIII
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 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. MEETINGS
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 the last meeting
Report of President & Board of Directors
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Report of Training Director
Report of Committees
Election of Officers (at annual meeting)
Election of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 2. BOARD MEETINGS
At the meeting of the board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Roll Call
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Report of Training Director
Report 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 special rules of order the Club may adopt.