Bylaws

ARTICLE I

  This Organization will be known as the United White Shepherd Club (UWSC). Its membership will be made up of dedicated purebred dog enthusiasts of the United States and surrounding areas, or any person duly elected to membership.

ARTICLE II: CLUB PURPOSE

  The purpose of this club will be to promote the United Kennel Club and the future of dog related events in and around the community.

  To fulfill this Article, we promise:

  To hold licensed UKC events that will be run in accordance with all the rules, policies, and procedures of the United Kennel Club. (This includes, but is not limited to, Breed Standards, and the rules for all Conformation and Performance events.)

 To dismiss from our membership without hesitation those who violate these bylaws and the principles of good sportsmanship including fair and honest conduct.

  The club will not hold any other registry’s events on the same day/location as that of any UKC event without the prior approval of UKC.

  We reserve the right to refuse any entry in our competitions, as well as membership in this Club to any individual, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and members. However, no person will be refused entry or membership on a basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, or national origin.

ARTICLE III: NEW MEMBERSHIP

  The method of obtaining membership in this Club will be as follows:

  Each applicant for membership in the Club will apply on a Board-approved Application for Membership, which will provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics (if provided) of the Club and the rules and regulations of the United Kennel Club. The prospective member will submit the completed application and dues for the current year to the Secretary.

  Once the membership application and dues have been turned into the secretary, the applicant’s name will be published in the club’s monthly newsletter (due out the first Tuesday of each month). The newsletter will contain a link for existing club members to vote electronically and anonymously to accept or decline the new member’s application. Existing club members will have fourteen (14) days to complete their vote. A simple majority vote is required to accept the applicant and results will be announced in the next newsletter.

  No applicant will be accepted to membership if he or she is not in good standing with UKC.

  There are three types of membership available with this club:

  Family – Consisting of at least two or more adults.

  Single – Consisting of one adult.

  Junior – A non-voting member under the age of 18 on January 1 of the current year.

  There is no fee for a Junior membership. Once a Junior is no longer eligible for this membership they must submit a new membership application with dues.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP DUES

  The dues of this Club will be in the amount decided upon by the membership and will be due and payable on January 1 of the current year. Any member who has not paid their dues by March 1 of the current year will be dropped from the rolls. However, if any member is in financial distress, his dues may be waived by a majority vote of the Board, on a case by case basis.

ARTICLE V: CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP

  The following will be the conditions of continuing membership:

  The attendance of as many meetings as possible. Meeting times and locations is to be scheduled at least 30 days in advanced.

  The attendance of and participation in all Club activities. The attendance clauses of Article V, section1 will be waived due to illness, disability, conflict with employment, excessive distance, or bona-fide previous commitments. Request for waiver must be submitted to the board prior to the meeting date.

  Any member known to: promote, support, raise dogs for fighting; knowingly sell, give, or trade dogs that will be used for fighting; condone or be associated with the facing off, game testing, rolling or pitting of dogs will have their membership automatically revoked. The member will be reported to United Kennel Club for disciplinary action as well.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

  The President and Treasurer will be elected at the annual meeting of every even year. The Vice President, Secretary and the Director will be elected at the annual meeting of every odd year. Any Officer may succeed him- or herself. All elections will be by secret ballot and decided by a simple majority vote. This article will be used to govern the Officers of the Club. A member may hold no more than 2 positions in office during a term. The officers and their respective duties will be as follows:

  PRESIDENT: The President will preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Directors, and will have the duties and powers normally pertaining to the office of the President in addition to those specified in these bylaws.

 VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice President will assist the President whenever possible. The Vice President will have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.

  SECRETARY: The Secretary will keep a written record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board. The Secretary will have charge of the correspondence, including but not limited to; notifying members of meetings and events, notifying new members of their election to membership, and keeping a roll of the members along with current contact information which is required to be submitted to the United Kennel Club by December 31 of each year. The Secretary is responsible for providing an agenda to the Board and membership at least 10 days prior to each club meeting.

  TREASURER: The Treasurer will collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club. Moneys will be deposited in a bank designated by the board, in the name of the Club. The books will at all times be accurate, up to date, and open to inspection by the board. A treasury report will be given at every meeting of the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment that was not previously reported; and at the annual meeting, an accounting will be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. In the event of the resignation, death or expulsion of the Treasurer, all moneys and account books of the Association will be handed over to the Board until the office of Treasurer is filled by a majority vote of the Board. The President will sign all checks during any interim period.

  The checks on the account(s) of this Club will be signed by the President and or Treasurer.

  The books and accounts of the Treasurer will be audited annually, prior to the annual meeting, by a committee appointed by the President.

ARTICLE VII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

  The Board of Directors of this Club will be comprised of the officers listed in Article VI and one additional Director whom is elected at large by the membership at the annual meeting of every odd year.

 The Board will appoint committees as needed to advance the operation of the Club or to aid the Board on particular projects. Committee decisions will be subject to the final authority of the Board and can be dissolved at any time by a simple majority vote of the board.

ARTICLE VIII: ELECTIONS

  The election of Officers and directors will be conducted by secret written ballot, except if a nominee goes unopposed, then the person nominated will be declared elected by the Secretary at the annual meeting. If multiple nominations have been made, the Chairperson of the Tally Committee will report the results of the election at the annual meeting. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office or position on the board will be declared elected.

  No person may be a candidate for an office or position on the Board who has not been nominated. Nominations of eligible members may be made on the floor or in writing to the Secretary no later than 2 months prior to the election. All nominations will be accompanied by a written acceptance of the nomination from each additional nominee. No person will be nominated for more than one position.

  TALLY COMMITTEE: The Board of Directors will select three current members, living within reasonable driving distance of one another. These members will serve as the Tally Committee, in the event that it becomes necessary to hold an election or vote on a proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws. Their duty will be to count and tally the ballots and report the totals to the Board. The Board will name one member of this committee as Chairperson, who will receive all ballots.

ARTICLE IX: MEETINGS

  ANNUAL MEETING: This meeting is to be held in May or June of each calendar year. Board elections are to be held at this meeting and any new elected Officers or Board members will start their term immediately.

  BOARD MEETINGS: The first meeting of the Board will be held immediately following the annual meeting and election. Meetings of the Board of Directors will be held as needed at a time and location agreed upon by the Board. Written notice of each meeting will be mailed by the Secretary at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting will be a majority of the Board.

ARTICLE X: DISCIPLINE

  SUSPENSION: Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the United Kennel Club will be automatically suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period. Any member suspended from the club through the process of a Board Hearing will be suspended for no more than one year.

  EXPULSION: Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at the next meeting following a Board Hearing and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The respondent will have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf though no evidence will be taken to this meeting. The President will read the charges, and the findings and recommendations, and will invite the respondent, if present, to speak on his/her own behalf. The meeting will then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A majority vote of those present and voting at the meeting will be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board can proceed with a suspension for no more than one year.

  BOARD HEARING: The Board will have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and respondent will be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after the hearing, the Board may by a majority vote of those present suspend the respondent from all privileges of the club for no more than one year. If the Board deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension will not restrict the respondent’s right to appear before his fellow members at the next meeting which considers the Board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding will be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, will notify each of the parties of the Board’s decision.

ARTICLE XI: DISSOLUTION

  The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, other than for purposes of reorganization, none of the property of the Club nor any assets of the Club will be distributed to any members. After payment of the Club’s debts, its property and assets will be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended as deemed necessary by the Board and must be approved by a simple majority of the members in good standing. Notice of a proposed change must be in writing, and will be distributed to the membership at least 30 days prior to the next meeting where the proposal will be voted on. UKC must be notified in writing of all passing amendments. All changes to these bylaws must be approved by UKC before being implemented.

ARTICLE XIII: GENERAL REGULATIONS

  Members must conduct themselves as ladies/gentlemen at all Club functions.

  Absolutely no alcoholic beverages, firearms, or illegal drugs will be allowed on the grounds or in the buildings while participating in any licensed UKC events.

  Every applicant must agree to abide by these bylaws before being accepted into membership.

  These bylaws are effective at the first meeting of the Club.

  All United Kennel Club policies will be strictly adhered to during all UKC events.

  Members must conduct themselves in an honest and sportsman like manner at all meetings and events.

The above bylaws are agreed to by the Board and Membership on: 09/10/2015

Board Signatures agreeing to the above Bylaws:

President: Susan McGrath

Vice President: Sharyl Sadowski

Secretary: Miranda Saldana

Treasurer: Nancy DeGarmo

Board Member: Ala Johnson-Arends