Texas Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club
Constitution
Article I
Name
The name of this club shall be the Texas Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club.
Article II
Objectives
The objective of this club shall be to promote and improve the Netherland Dwarf breed by encouraging exhibition and offering services and education to those interested in the breed. The Club shall be a nonprofit organization.
Article III
Affiliation
This club shall be affiliated with the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. and the American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club.
Article IV
Membership
Any person of good character and reputation who is in accord with the objectives of the Club may become a member of this Club. A signed application form prescribed by the Board of Directors, along with the payment of at least one years membership dues (January 1 to December 31) must be submitted to the secretary/treasurer. Any new member joining after October 31 shall automatically receive membership until December 31 of the following year.
Article V
Officers
Section 1. The Officers of the Club shall consist of a President, Vice-president, Secretary/Treasurer and four (4) Directors. The three (3) Officers, three (3) Adult Directors, and one (1) Youth Director shall constitute the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Officers and Directors shall be elected from and by the membership. Election of officers may be done during the annual membership meeting, mailed ballot, or emailed ballot or a combination thereof. Any member to be eligible for any office must be an owner and/or breeder of Netherland Dwarf rabbits.
Section 3. The term of office for all officers shall be three (3) years.
Section 4. The terms of office of those elected shall begin on January 1.
Section 5. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment by the President subject to a majority vote of the Board of Directors. A Board member failing to report his vote to the President within ten (10) days shall, by his silence, forfeit his vote to the President, who will cast that vote as he wishes.
Article VI
Discipline
Section 1. The Board of Directors may, by a majority vote, expel any member or reject an application for membership or renewal, providing charges have been preferred in writing and with the appropriate cash fee by another member. The lack of good sportsmanship or other action detrimental to the objectives of the Club will likewise be grounds for expulsion.
Section 2. A member, against whom charges have been preferred, shall be fully informed by the Secretary/Treasurer in writing and given thirty (30) days to reply before action is taken by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Any person expelled or rejected may be eligible for reinstatement after a period of one (1) year, upon the authority of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. If an Officer or Director becomes delinquent in his dues his office shall be declared vacant. Vacancies will be filled by Presidential appointment.
Section 5. If an Officer or Director does not fulfill his duties or shows lack of interest in club matters, or displays behaviors detrimental to the Club, he shall be asked to resign by the President. If he fails to do so, the Board of Directors by majority vote shall declare the office vacant.
Section 6. If an Officer or Director shall give up the breeding of Netherland Dwarf rabbits during his term he shall resign his office.
Article VI
Meetings
Section 1. There shall be at least one meeting per year to be held at the direction of the President.
Section 2. The President may call a meeting of the Board of Directors at any time. The presence of four (4) Officers of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
Article VIII
Amendments
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast by ballot of the entire membership of record. All members are to be notified of the proposed amendment and furnished a ballot. Electronic mail will be the primary method of contact.
Section 2. Any member may submit to the Board of Directors a resolution or an amendment to the Constitution providing it is signed by three or more members in good standing and submitted in sufficient time to be distributed to the membership.
Texas Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club
Bylaws
Article I
Dues
Section 1. Membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors. Such dues shall include adult membership, youth membership, family membership of two (2), and family membership three (3) or more. Age of youth membership shall coincide with the A.R.B.A. youth age.
Section 2. Membership period shall be January 1 to December 31. Dues must be paid no later than February 28. When dues are paid on or after March 1 the applicant will be considered a new member. Any new member joining after October 31 shall automatically receive membership until December 31 of the following year.
Article II
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint committees, fill vacancies by appointment and perform other duties as may pertain to his office.
Section 2. The Vice President shall perform all duties of the President in his absence or disability. In case of vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice President shall succeed him in office.
Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds, shall maintain a bank account in the name of the Club, shall maintain a complete set of books and records, shall consult and advise the President on any unusual matters, and shall furnish an annual financial report to the Board of Directors. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all meetings, shall receive and act on all membership applications, shall maintain a record of all members and addresses, and shall prepare and distribute all notices and information required by the Club. The Secretary/Treasurer shall also conduct all correspondence and perform other duties which may be assigned by the President.
Article III
Authority
The interpretation of the By-Laws, all rules and regulations, and other matters affecting the Club is vested in the Board of Directors.
Article IV
Voting Procedures
Section 1. Any adult member in good standing wishing to become a candidate for office shall return a nomination form to the Secretary/Treasurer. Nominations may also be done online sent to the Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. In the event that any office does not have at least one (1) nomination, the President shall appoint a member willing to serve.
Section 3. Ballots shall be the responsibility of the Secretary/Treasurer and may be done electronically or by mailed ballot.
Section 4. Members who submit their membership as a family membership will have two (2) votes per family.
Article V
Parliamentary Authority
Section 1. In order to transact business at any meeting of the Club, there shall be a quorum which will consist of members from at least three (3) households, including the Officers present.
Section 2. Unless otherwise provided in these articles, Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the transaction of all business of all meetings.
Article VI
Order of Business
The order of business at all meetings shall be:
1. Call to order
2. Roll call of Officers
3. Reading of minutes
4. Report of Officers
5. Report of Committees
6. Unfinished business
7. New business
8. Good of the order
9. Adjournment
Article VII
Amendments
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast. All members are to be notified electronically or in writing of proposed amendment thirty (30) days before closing polls.
Section 2. Any member in good standing may submit to the Directors an amendment to the by-laws providing it is signed by three (3) or more members in good standing.
