Capital Havanese Club
Of Northern California
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I:
MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE II: MEETINGS AND VOTING
ARTICLE III: DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
ARTICLE IV: THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, AND ELECTIONS
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES
ARTICLE VI: DISCIPLINE
ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS
ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION
ARTICLE IX:ORDER OF BUSINESS
ARTICLE X: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
ARTICLE IMEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility. There are 3 types of membership’s Regular, Household (2 voting members), and Associate. Membership is open to all person's 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club. A Junior membership is available to anyone that is between the ages of 10-17 at no cost. Junior membership converts to Regular membership upon payment of dues. Members must own at least one AKC registered Havanese or a Havanese Rescued dog and provide documented proof at the time of application, from the rescue this dog was adopted showing the rescue considered it to be a Havanese and subscribe to the purposes of this Club. The club’s primary purpose is to be a representative of the breeders, owners and exhibitors that comprise its membership. While membership is to be within the local area of the club, (i.e., Sacramento Area-Northern California), members from other areas, may be considered on a case by case basis when no other local Havanese Club exists in their area. Membership in good standing is defined as payment of dues and attending 2 meetings within our clubs fiscal year with exception to new members joining after the new fiscal year begins.
Section 2. Dues. Membership dues are $20.00 per year for Regular; $35.00 for Household and Associate member's dues is $15.00. Associate and junior membership cannot vote but will be an active part of the Club. All dues are payable on or before the 1st day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of December the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year.
Section 3. Election to Membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the CHCNC and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the constitution, code of ethics and bylaws of the club and the rules of the HCA and the American Kennel Club. At minimum, the application shall state the name, address, email address, and occupation of the applicant, and provide AKC information on their Havanese. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. Applicant’s name and brief biography will be read to membership at the next general meeting. At the next such meeting, current members in attendance will be asked to vote on whether to accept the prospective member’s application. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within six months after such rejection.
Section 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated:
(a)By resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the Recording Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the club. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the club and must be paid in full prior to resignation.
(b)By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid for 60 days, after January. Member shall be notified in writing by mail of past due membership fees. The board may grant an additional 60 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.
(c)By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.
ARTICLE IIMEETINGS AND VOTING
Section 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the club shall be held quarterly within Northern California; at such hour and place as may be designated by the Membership. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or emailed to each member's address of record by the Secretary at least 22 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members in good standing.
Section 2. Special Club Meetings. Special club meetings may be called by the President as needed or determined by the majority of the members. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed or emailed to each member’s address of record by the Secretary at least 7 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 at this special meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be by majority of the members in good standing in attendance.
Section 3. Board Meetings. Meetings of the board of directors shall be held each month within the area of Northern California at such hour and place, including via Internet, as may be designated by the board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or emailed to each board member’s address of record 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 and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of written request signed by at least 3 members of the board. Such special meetings shall be held in the area of Northern California including via internet at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed or emailed to each board member’s address of record. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted there. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the board.
Section 5. Voting. Each regular 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 they are present. Household is for two members and two votes. Associate members cannot vote. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.
ARTICLE IIIDIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1. Board of Directors. The board shall be comprised of the officers and Two (2) additional CHCNC Members. All of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for two (2) year terms at the club’s annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. 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 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 Recording Secretary shall 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.
(d) The Corresponding Secretary will have charge of the correspondence, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the club with their addresses, and email addresses, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws.
(e)The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the club. Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the board, in the name of the club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the board and a report shall be given at every meeting on the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount, as the board of directors shall determine.
(f)The 2 members at large shall have voting rights on the board so as to have an unequal number of board members to prevent tie votes, and have duties as the board sees fit.
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. At the first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy, or at a special board meeting called for that purpose to nominate a person for that position. Except 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 a 2/3 vote of the member's.
ARTICLE IV THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
Section 1. Club year. The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. 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 month of January, at which officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the annual meeting and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
Section 3. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected.
Section 4. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. At the October meeting the membership shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members and two (2) alternates, not more than one of who may be a member of the board. The Recording Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternates of their selection. The board shall name a chairperson for the committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held before the annual meeting
(a)The committee shall nominate 2 candidates if available for each office and position on the board and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Recording Secretary in writing via U.S. mail or email.
(b)Upon receipt of the nominating committee’s report, the Recording Secretary shall, at least two (2) weeks before the January meeting, notify each member in writing via U.S. mail or email of the candidates so nominated.
(c)Additional nominations may be made at the annual meeting in January by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when the member’s name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Recording Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position.
(d)Nominations may not be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE VCOMMITTEES
Section 1. The member's may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as fun matches, dog shows, fund raiser's, 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 club upon written notice to the appointee; and the member's shall choose new successors.
ARTICLE VIDISCIPLINE
Section 1. American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who has been suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club will automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this club.
Section 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary. 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. If the board considers that the charges do not allege conduct, which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified mail, return receipt requested. Together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the accused member may personally appear in the member's own defense and bring witnesses if the accused member so chooses.
Section 3. Board Hearing. The board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both the complainant and accused member shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the complainant the accused member the board may by a majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the accused member from all privileges of the club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment to be insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the accused member's right to appear before his fellow club members at the ensuing club meeting which will consider 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 aboard 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 then 30 days after the date of the board’s recommendation of expulsion. The accused member 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 finding and recommendation, and shall invite the accused member, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf it he/she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion.
ARTICLE VIIAMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Recording Secretary and signed by 20 percent 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 Recording Secretary received the petition.
Section 2. The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a secret vote of all members. The voting can be at any regular meeting, called for that purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed or emailed to each member at least three (3) weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE VIIIDISSOLUTION
Section 1. 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 neither the club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the club shall be distributed to any members of the club. After payment of the debts of the club its property and assets shall be given to the local and/or national Havanese Rescue.
ARTICLE IXORDER 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 LAST MEETING
REPORT OF PRESIDENT
REPORT OF SECRETARY
REPORT OF TREASURER
REPORTS OF 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 the majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
READING OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
REPORT OF SECRETARY
REPORT OF TREASURER
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT
ARTICLE XPARLIAMENTARY 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 other special rules of order the club may adopt.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name and Objectives
Section 1. The name of the club is “Capital Havanese Club of Northern California”
Section 2. The objectives of the club shall be:
(a)To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Havanese and to do all possible to bring they're natural qualities to perfection
(b)To urge members to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Havanese shall be judged
(c)To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at:
I.Dog shows
II. Obedience trials
III. Agility trials
IV. Other dog related events.
(d) To conduct sanctioned events in
I. Conformation
II. Obedience trials
III. Agility trials
IV. Matches.
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 or 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 objectives.
