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NATIONAL CAPITAL RABBIT
BREEDERS ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - NAME AND
OBJECT
Section 1. This
association shall be known as the National Capital Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. The official year shall start January
1, of each year.
Section 2. Its
objects shall be to:
a.
Promote, encourage, and improve the care and breeding of rabbits.
b. Advance and protect the interest of rabbit breeders and the public by disseminating correct
information concerning rabbits and their by-products.
c. Provide a source of information, exchange of experiences, and advice on all matters
pertaining to the breeding, exhibition, care, and sale of rabbits.
d. Give aid, information, and assistance to breeders wishing to start or continue fancy and
commercial rabbit breeding.
e. Assist in securing publicity and legislation beneficial to the rabbit industry and this
Association.
f.
Promote the general welfare of the rabbit industry.
ARTICLE II - PRINCIPLES,
POLICIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Section 1. This
Association shall maintain the principles, policies, and regulations of and be affiliated
with the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
Section 2. Affiliation
with any other organization is to be decided on a year-to-year basis and requires
membership approval.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIPS
Section 1. There
shall be six types of membership and the costs shall be as listed herein:
Membership Type Fee
Single
Adult $
8 Plus $1 if non ARBA member
Dual
Adult $12 Plus
$1 for each non ARBA member
Family $15 Plus
$1 for each adult non ARBA member
Children
through 18 are honorary members
Youth $
4 Plus $1 if non ARBA member
Life $0 After
20 years of continuous adult membership
Honorary $0
Section 2. Any
individual accepting and holding membership in good standing in this Association shall be
entitled to all benefits of same, except that voting privilege is excluded
for Youth members and
for Honorary members.
Section 3. Persons
wishing to join the Association must first attend an Association meeting as a guest
before applying for membership at a meeting. The applicant for membership must receive
seven eights of the ballots cast at the meeting to be accepted for membership.
Section 4. The
Treasurer should return to any person rejected, the dues paid with the application. No
further claim or liability shall exist against the Association by reason of a rejection.
Section 5. Payment
of the required yearly dues and acceptance of application by this Association shall
entitle an applicant to hold membership therein.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS,
OFFICIALS, AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. Officers
of the Association shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a
Treasurer. They shall begin their term of duty on January first.
Officials shall consist of a Spring Show Superintendent and a Montgomery County Fair Show
Superintendent. Each Show Superintendent shall appoint their Assistant Superintendents and
their own Show Secretary. They shall announce their Show Secretary before the elections. A
Show Superintendent shall not select a member of their own family as their Show Secretary
unless there is no other available person. In such cases, the Show Superintendent is required
to get membership approval before doing so.
All Officers and Officials shall be elected by the members at the November meeting of the
Association. If there is not going to be a November meeting because of a conflict with the
ARBA National Convention, then they shall be elected at the October meeting. Except for the
Treasurer, the Officers cannot be elected for more than three consecutive terms in the same
office unless there is no one else willing to run for the office.
Section 2. The
Board of Directors shall consist of five voting members and one non voting member. The
Vice President shall be the Chairman of the Board of Directors and shall vote only in case of a
tie. The President shall automatically be the non voting member of the Board of Directors.
There shall be four Directors who shall be elected by and from the membership. In the
election of the Board of Directors, two shall be elected for a two year term on odd years and
two elected on even years.
ARTICLE V - DUTIES
OF OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, AND DIRECTORS
Section 1. President:
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association. At the first regular
Association meeting after election, the President shall appoint the members of all committees
with the exception of the Show Committee which is selected by the Show Superintendent. The
President shall be a member of all Committees, as well as the Board of Directors.
Vice President: The duties of the Vice President shall be the same as those of the President
in
case of the absence or disability of the President. The Vice President shall also be Chairman
of the Board of Directors.
Secretary: The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Association, secure the
Charter for the Association, and shall perform all duties of the office for the interest of the
Association. The Secretary shall take and maintain the minutes of all the regular meeting of
the Association and shall be the custodian of all the past secretarial records of the Association.
The Secretary shall send a newsletter prior to each scheduled regular meeting. That newsletter
shall contain notice of the upcoming meeting, minutes of the previous meeting, a list of
upcoming regional shows, and any other important news of interest to the members.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and hold in custody all monies from whatever source
and for whatever purpose for the Association, and shall distribute said monies upon authority
of the Association. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President can sign the checks. The
Treasurer shall make a report of the state of the treasury at all regular meetings, and shall
submit an annual written, audited report after the end of each year. Copies of that report shall
be available to all members. The Treasurer shall file any taxes that are required by law. At
the start of each year, the Treasurer shall notify all members of the status of their dues. The
Treasurer shall publish a new membership list each year which will be sent with the February
newsletter. If renewal payment is not received by then, the membership shall be dropped from
that new membership list.
Show Superintendent: The Show Superintendent shall manage the Show. The Show
Superintendent will call needed meetings and work days, and select any assistants, volunteers,
or committees necessary for the conducting of the show. The Show Superintendent will make
sure that all items necessary for putting on the show will be available and in usable condition.
The Show Superintendent will be in charge of set up for the show and clean up after the show.
Show Secretary: The Show Secretary shall secure sanctions for the show, information for the
show catalog, and keep the show mailing list up to date. The Show Secretary will be
responsible for the secretarial operation of the show with the help of assistants appointed by
the Show Secretary. As soon as possible after the show, the Show Secretary shall send out all
necessary reports and awards to exhibitors, Specialty Clubs, and ARBA.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall oversee the business and affairs of the
Association subject to the vote of its members at a regular meeting, except as are reserved by
the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. The Board of Directors shall meet as
necessary. The Chairman of the Board shall keep a record of the business transacted by the
Board and shall submit their recommendations to the Association.
ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings
of the Association shall be held monthly on the second Wednesday of each month at
7:30 pm. That day and time can be changed when desired or necessary. The meeting can also
be cancelled or changed if necessary due to extenuating circumstances. The President must
call a special meeting of the Association when so requested in writing by one-fourth of the
members in good standing or at the request of the Board of Directors. At all special meetings
only the special business shall be considered for which the meeting was called.
Section 2. At all
regular or special meetings of the Association the succession as presiding officer shall
be: first, President; second, Vice President; third, Secretary; fourth, Treasurer. In the event
of the absence of all officers, the majority of the members present may by majority vote, elect
a presiding officer. In the event of the absence of the Secretary, the presiding officer shall
appoint a secretary for the meeting.
Section 3. At all
meetings of the Association the order of business, except when otherwise determined by
majority vote of those present, shall be:
a.
Roll call
b.
Reading, correction, and approval of minutes of the previous meeting
c.
Reports of officers, officials, and committees
d.
Communications
e.
Unfinished business
f.
New business
g.
Program
h.
Adjournment
i.
Refreshments
Section 4. Any
phase of this Constitution and By-Laws not specifically covered shall be governed by the
Roberts Rules of Order.
ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS
Section 1. Election
shall be based on the vote of members in good standing present at the meeting. No
proxy or mail in votes will be accepted.
Section 2. Election
of officers shall be held in November unless there is not going to be a November
meeting due to a conflict with the ARBA Convention. In that case, election of officers shall
be held in October. Each member in good standing present will be entitled to nominate one
officer or director from the floor for each office if desired. Prior approval for nomination
must have been obtained from the person nominated. Only members who have attended at
least 50% of the meetings in the past year are eligible to run for office.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
Section 1. There
shall be six regular committees, all appointed by the President except for the Show
Committee. The chairman of each committee shall be the first named member of that
Committee.
Section 2. The
Show Committee shall consist of the Show Superintendents, Show Secretaries, and their
Assistants. All Association members shall be considered volunteer members of the Show
Committee and shall be welcome to attend any Show Committee meeting. The Show
Committee shall meet as necessary.
Section 3. The
History Committee shall keep the record of the history of the Association, including
pertinent documents, newsletters, photographs, and other items. One person shall be
appointed. Any other Association members who wish, can volunteer to be on the History
Committee.
Section 4. The
Program Committee shall supervise and plan the general programs for the Association.
That plan shall be printed at least once every year stating the planned programs for each
meeting. They shall seek ways in which this Association may be of service to its members,
one of which will be to set aside a few minutes at each meeting at which time the members
may have rabbits examined or ask questions about rabbit problems, or report any visit they
have made or information they have learned that would be of interest to the members.
Section 5. The
Hospitality Committee shall supervise and plan the Christmas Party. They shall make
arrangements with the members so that each member takes a turn serving light refreshments at
an Association meeting.
Section 8. The
Auditing Committee shall examine and certify the Treasurer’s accounts and records at the
end of each year, or at any other time as may be required.
Section 9. The
Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President at the meeting a month before
the elections. It shall consist of three members all of whom must be voting members eligible
to hold office. They shall obtain at least one candidate willing to run for each office. In
considering candidates, the incumbents shall be given first consideration to succeed themselves
unless they are not eligible to run for the office.
Section 10. Special Committees:
Any special committee deemed desirable by the President or authorized
by the Board of Directors or the membership may be appointed by the President for a special
purpose. At the completion of the assignment, the Committee shall be discharged.
ARTICLE IX - FINANCE
Section 1. All
funds of this Association, or handled on behalf of this Association, from whatever source
and for whatever purpose received, shall be deposited to the credit of this Association in a
bank specified by this Association.
Section 2. The
amount of indebtedness that may be incurred by a committee or an officer shall in no case
exceed the amount appropriated for their use by this Association.
Section 3. The
Treasurer shall be bonded when and if the Board of Directors deems it necessary.
ARTICLE X - DISCIPLINE
Section 1. The
interpretation of the Association of the Constitution, By-Laws, rules, regulations, notices,
code of ethics, resolutions, and all documents and orders shall be binding upon all members
and those enjoying any of the privileges of the Association.
Section 2. Complaints
and grievances may be filed in writing by a member with the Secretary,
whereupon the Association shall consider and pass on such complaint or grievance. The
decision of the Association by two-thirds vote will be binding.
Section 3. The
Association may suspend or expel any member from the Association for conduct which in
its judgment warrants such action. In order to do so a petition for expulsion must be signed by
at least five members of the Association and be presented to the Association at a regular
meeting. It must then be investigated by the Board of Directors, who shall give their
recommendation at the next regular Association meeting. A vote of two-thirds of the members
present at the meeting is required for the expulsion, which shall then be effective immediately.
ARTICLE XI - DUES AND
RENEWALS
Section 1. The
annual dues shall be paid as specified in Article II, Section 1, and are payable when a
membership application is submitted.
Section 2. Renewals
shall be due and payable on the first of January of each year after acceptance and
again one year later and each year thereafter as long as desired to be a member of the
Association. Those members who joined the Association within six months of the first
renewal date shall have their dues pro-rated at the time of their first renewal.
Section 3. If dues
are not paid by March 30th, the member shall be dropped from the Association.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The
Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present
at a regular meeting of the Association. The proposed amendments shall have been read at a
regular meeting of the Association at least one month prior to taking action. Due notice to the
membership shall have been in writing in the monthly newsletter before the vote on the
proposed amendment or amendments is taken.
Section 2. The
Board of Directors shall be responsible for making sure the Constitution and By-Laws are
current. The Chairman of the Board shall be the watch dog and shall call attention to the
President when any action is in violation of the Constitution or By-Laws.
Section 3. In cases
where it is necessary to comply with State or Federal laws, the Board of Directors can
call a special meeting through the President to make the necessary amendments.
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