ARTICLE 1 - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:

Eligibility

There shall be three 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.

	(1)	A full voting membership open to those eighteen years or older.

	(2)	A "junior" membership open to those twelve years or older. This will not be a voting membership, but will encourage young people to become involved.

	(3)	A "non-voting" membership open to anyone outside the 'core' area, for whom attending regular meetings would not be an option.

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.

(a)	Immediate area is defined as Northeast Ohio, specifically the area bounded, on the west, by State Route 83, on the east, by State Route 44, and on the south by Interstate 76.

Section 2:	Dues

	Membership dues shall be $20.00 per year, for a full voting membership, payable on or before the first day of September each year. Junior and Non-voting membership dues will be $10.00 per year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of June the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. No dues shall be refunded.

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 these constitution and by-laws 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 at least two members in good standing. Upon approval of applicant, the new member shall submit dues payable for the current year.

	Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within six months after such rejections.

Section 4:	Termination of Membership

	Membership may be terminated by the following two methods:

	(1)	By resignation... Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written request to the Corresponding Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club, and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.

	(2)	By lapsing... A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such members dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year, however, the Board may grant an additional 90 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.

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1:	Club Meetings

	Meetings of the club shall be held in the greater Cleveland area, on the third Thursday of alternate months, beginning in January, at such an hour and place as will be set by the board at the previous meeting. Notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least 10 days prior to the meeting. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20% of the membership.

	(a)	Meetings will rotate around the ‘core’ club area as follows:

		January and July will be held to the West/SW of Cleveland, March and September will be held to the East of Cleveland, and May and November will be held to the South of Cleveland.

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 Recording Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meeting shall be held in the greater Cleveland area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding 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, and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section 3:	Board Meetings

	Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in conjunction with, but one-half hour earlier than regular membership meetings. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be the majority of the Board.

(a)

In addition the Board may, as needed, conduct business electronically, to include, but not be limited to internet communication and conference calls. The quorum for each electronic meeting shall be the majority of the Board.

Section 4:	Special Board Meetings

	Special meeting of the Board may be called by the President, and shall be called by the Recording Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in the greater Cleveland area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meetings, or by internet or conference call. Written notice of each such meetings shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 15 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 each meeting shall be the 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 meeting of the club at which he/she is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.

(a)

For purposes of Board Member elections, a "member in good standing", will be a member who has attended at least three meetings in the previous twelve months.

ARTICLE III – DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1:	BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	The Board shall be comprised of the following voting members, all of whom shall be members in good standing: President, Vice-President, Recording/Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer all of whom shall be elected for a one year term as provided in Article V. In addition there will be four additional board members each elected to serve a two 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 the President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer 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 by-laws.

	(b)	The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.

	(c)	The Recording/Corresponding Secretary shall

		(1)	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.

		(2)	notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the club with their addresses and carry out such duties as are prescribed in these by-laws.

	(d)	The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the club. He shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the club. His/Her books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board, and he/she shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt of payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting he/she shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year.

Section 3:	VACANCIES

	Any vacancies occurring on the Board during the twelve month period shall be filled for the unexpired term of office 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 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:	CLUB YEAR

	The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first (1) day of September and end on the thirty-first (31) day of August. A general election will be held once during the calendar year, at which time directors and officers for the ensuing twelve months shall be elected by secret, written ballots from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article.

Section 2:	ANNUAL MEETING

	The annual meeting shall be held in the month of September at which Officers, Delegate to the American Kennel Club, if any, and Directors 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 election and each retiring officer shall turn over to this successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within thirty (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 four nominated candidates for other positions of 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 the club’s election who has not been nominated or who has not attended at least three (3) meetings in the previous twelve (12) months. During the month of May, 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 Corresponding Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairman for the Committee and it shall be his/her duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before July 1^st.

	(a)	The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office (and Delegate, if any, who may but need not be an officer of the club) and two (2) candidates for the other positions of the Board, and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Corresponding Secretary in writing,

	(b)	Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Corresponding Secretary shall, at least five (5) days prior to the regular July meeting, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.

	(c)	Additional nominations may be made at the July meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his proposer shall present to the Corresponding Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate. Except for position of Delegate, no person may be a candidate for more than one (1) 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 each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, performance events, lure trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields 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 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 those persons whose services have been terminated.

ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE

Section 1:	AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION.

	Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of the club for a like period.

Section 2:	CHARGES

	Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Corresponding Secretary together with a deposit of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. 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 interest of the club. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct, which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the club, 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 nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Corresponding 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/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.

Section 3:	BOARD HEARINGS

	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 the 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 (6) months from the date of the hearing. And if it deems that punishment is 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 Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding 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 sixty (60) days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his/her 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 behalf if he/she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present 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 by-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors, or by written petition addressed to the Recording 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 of the Board by the Recording Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Recording Secretary.

Section 2:	The constitution and by-laws 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 that 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 the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION

Section 1:	DISSOLUTION

	The club may be dissolved at any time by 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 nay 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 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 the President
	Report of the Secretaries
	Report of the Treasurer
	Report of the Committees
	Election 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 a majority vote of those present shall be:

	Reading of Minutes of the Last Meeting
	Report of the Secretaries
	Report of the Treasurer
	Report of the 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 by-laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.