Constitution and Bylaws

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Constitution of the

Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of Southern California, Inc.

 

Article I

Name and Objectives

Section 1. The name of the club shall be the CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC.

Section 2. The objectives of the club shall be:

  1. To encourage and promote the quality in breeding of the purebred Cardigan and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.
  2. To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Cardigan Welsh Corgi shall be judged.
  3. To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and performance events.
  4. To conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows and performance events (i.e. obedience, agility, rally, herding, tracking) under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.

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 BY-LAWS as may be required to carry out these objectives.

 

BY-LAWS

Article I. Membership

Section 1. Eligibility

There shall be four types of memberships open to all persons 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.

Regular:          Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

Household:      Each person over 18 years of age enjoys all club privileges and is entitled to vote and hold office.

Associate:       Individuals are entitled to all privileges except voting and office holding.

Junior:             Open to persons 10-17 years of age; cannot vote or hold office and may automatically convert to regular membership upon reaching that person’s 18th birthday.

Honorary:        Honorary membership may be conferred upon distinguished friends of the Cardigan Welsh Corgi but pay no dues and are not eligible to vote.

 

Section 2. Dues

            Membership dues shall be $20 for a family membership (two or more members of the same family or household), $15 for a regular membership (one person 18 years or older), $12 for a junior membership (one person 10-17 years old) or Associate member (one person, 18 years or older, living outside of the club area). There will be no dues for Honorary members. Dues are payable on or before the first day of July each year. No member shall vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of May, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement for dues for the following year. The Board may from time to time change the amount of dues as the need arises.

Section 3. Election to Membership

            Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors. This form shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by this Constitution and these By-Laws and by 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 two members who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club. The prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year with the application. All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application is to be read at the first meeting of the club following its receipt. At the next meeting the application will be voted upon, with ¾ of the members present and voting at that meeting required to elect the applicant.

Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection.

 

Section 4. Termination of Membership

  1. 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. 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 member’s dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the Board may grant an additional 90 days grace to such a delinquent member in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any club meeting if that person’s dues were unpaid at the time of that meeting.
  3. By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these By-Laws.

 

Article II. Meetings and Voting

Section 1. Meetings

  1. Club Meetings. Club meetings shall be held within Southern California at such time and place as may be decided by the Board of Directors.  At least three such meetings shall be held each year.  Notice of each meeting shall be emailed and/or mailed by the Secretary to the membership at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.  A quorum for such meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.
  2. Special Club Meetings. Special 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 Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held within Southern California at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Notice of such meetings shall be e/mailed by the Secretary at least five days and not more than fifteen days before the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other club business may be transacted at such meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.
  3. Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in Southern California from time to time as called by the Board and at such time and place as may be designated by the Board. Notice of such meeting shall be e/mailed by the Secretary at least five days before the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
  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 a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in Southern California at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Notice shall be e/mailed by the Secretary at least five and not more than ten days before the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

 

Section 2. 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 that person is 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 of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer (the Officers) and at least three other persons (the Board Members) all of whom shall be elected to office for two years 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

  1. President. Shall preside at all meetings of the club and the Board of Directors and shall have the duties and powers normally pertinent to the office of President in addition to those specified in these By-Laws.
  2. Vice-President. Shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence, incapacitation, or death.
  3. Secretary. Shall have charge of all official correspondence of the club and the Board, and shall keep a record of all meetings of the club and all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the club. The Secretary shall notify members of meetings, notify officers and directors of their election to office, and maintain a file containing all membership applications and receive all ballots cast in the election of officers.
  4. Treasurer. Shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the club. The Treasurer shall deposit same in a bank of choice, satisfactory to the Board, nearest the Treasurer’s place of residence or business, 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 previously reported. At the annual meeting, an account shall be rendered of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer may be bonded.

 

Section 3. Vacancies

            Any vacancy 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 current 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 shall be filled by the Board.

 

Article IV. Club Year, Annual Meetings, Elections

Section 1. Club Year

            The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of July and end on the thirtieth day of June.

Section 2. Annual Meeting  and Elections

  1. The Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of  January on the Saturday following the Annual  Specialty.
  2. Elections shall be held in the month of May every Second (odd numbered) year.  Officers and Directors for ensuing two year terms shall be elected from those nominated in accordance with Section 3 of this article.

Section 3. Nominations

  1. Nominating Committee.          The Board of Directors  shall select a nominating committee by October in the  year prior to the year in which elections are to take place.
  2. Candidates:  The Nominating Committee shall  nominate one candidate for each office and at least three candidates for members of the Board of Directors.  After securing the agreement of the candidates the Committee shall report their nominations to the Secretary by February 1st.  The Secretary shall notify the membership of the candidates nominated by March 15th.
  3.  Additional Nominations:  Additional nominations may be made in writing to the Secretary providing that the member has secured the agreement of the person  nominated by April 15th.

Section 4. Voting

  1. Ballots shall be mailed to the membership by the Secretary no later than April 30th and must be returned to the Secretary no later than May 15th.
  2. The nominated candidates receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected.  The Secretary will notify the membership of    the elections results and shall maintain the ballots for 6 months if needed for review.
  3. Those elected shall take office at the start of the new fiscal year.  Each retiring officer shall turn over to his successor in office all properties relating to that office prior to the start of the new fiscal year.

 

Article V. Committees

            The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as specialty shows, performance events, trophies, annual prizes, membership, By-Laws, and other fields that may 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 in particular projects.

Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee. 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 privileges of the American Kennel Club is automatically suspended also from 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 interests of the club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the secretary together with a deposit of $50.00, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The money shall then accrue to the club treasury. If the charges are sustained, the money shall be returned to the complainant.

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 or the breed. If the Board considers that the charges do no allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interest of the club or the breed, 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 weeks nor more than six 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 shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both the complainant and the defendant shall be treated uniformly in that respect. 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 reprimand or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the club for not more than six months form 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 any case the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before his fellow members at the next club meeting at which the membership considers the Board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in writing and filed with the Secretary, who shall then 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 less than 30 days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, although no evidence may be presented 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 members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds 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. Proposals

            Amendments to the constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition signed by at least 20 percent of the members in good standing addressed to the Secretary or from a By-Laws Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. 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. Voting

            The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the 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 the meeting.

 

Article VIII. Dissolution

            The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds 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 the CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.

 

Article IX. Order of Business

 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 Secretary
  •             Report of the Treasurer
  •             Reports of Committees
  •             Election of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)
  •             Election of new members
  •             Unfinished business
  •             New business
  •             Adjournment

 

At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:

  •             Minutes of last meeting
  •             Report of the Secretary
  •             Report of the Treasurer
  •             Reports of Committees
  •             Unfinished business
  •             New business
  •             Adjournment

 

Article X. Parliamentary Authority

Section 1.

            The rules contained in the latest edition of “Roberts 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.

This Constitution and By-Laws accepted by the American Kennel Club in October 1971. The CARDIGAN WELSH CORGI CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, INC is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of California, August 4, 1972.

By-Law changes approved by the American Kennel Club, 1973.

By-Law changes incorporated into the By-Laws and reprinted September 1986.

By-Law changes proposed September 2001 and sent to the American Kennel Club for approval.

By-Law changes approved by the American Kennel Club, November 2001.

By-Law changes incorporated into the By-Laws and reprinted April 2005.

By-Law changes incorporated into the By-Laws and reprinted April 2013