FRONT RANGE AGILITY TEAM.

BY-LAWS

 

Article I: Objectives

 

A.  To encourage and promote the sport of dog agility within the State of Colorado.

 

B.  To encourage fanciers to abide by and accept the rules and regulations of the sanctioning organization when sponsoring an event.

 

C.  To do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of the sport of agility for all breeds (mixed and pure).

 

D.  To encourage sportsmanlike competition at all dog shows, test/trials, fun matches and any other events where agility fanciers participate.

 

E.  To promote and educate all fanciers to the importance of a sound healthy canine as per all aspects of canine sports and functions.

 

F.  To encourage members to adhere to the Code of Ethics.

 

G.  To establish and maintain a set of standing rules to govern the internal policies of the club.

 

Article II:  Membership

 

Section 1.  There shall be 3 types of membership open to all who subscribe to the objective and purposes of the club;  Individual, Family and  Associate.  Membership will be based on an annual calendar year.

 

Individual:  For one person.  Entitles the person to cast one (1) vote per subject in any membership vote.

 

Family:  For two or more individuals residing at the same address.  A family membership is entitled to two (2) votes per subject in any membership vote.

 

Associate:  For one person.  Is not entitled to vote, but receives club communications such as the newsletter.

 

Section 2. Membership Dues shall be set by the Board and will be subject to change upon notification of the members.  All notices of change to dues are to be published in the newsletter.  All membership dues are made payable to the club.  The effective dates for membership terms shall be set by the Board upon notification to the members by club publication.

 

Section 3.  Application for membership shall be made on a form approved by the Board, which shall provide that the applicant agree to abide by the By-Laws of the Club, and the rules and regulations of the Club.  Membership dues for the current year must accompany the application, membership may be prorated at no less than six (6) months.

 

Section 4.  Termination of membership:

 

A. Resignation.  Any member may resign from the club upon written notice to the club secretary and/or Board.  Resignation after 30 days of joining will cause forfeiture of membership fees.

 

B.  Non-payment of Dues.  A membership will automatically terminate if the membership fees are not paid within 30 days of  the date on which they become due.

 

C.  Expulsion.  A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in the Code of Ethics.

 

Section 5. Meeting of the Membership.

 

Section 1.  Annual Meeting.  The annual meeting of the membership shall be held between November 1 and December 15 each year.

 

Section 2.  Special Meetings.  A special meeting may be called by the President, by majority vote of the Board, or by the request of at least 25% of the voting membership.

 

Section 3. Monthly Meetings.  The club will hold general membership meetings monthly on the 2nd Monday or 2nd Wednesday.

 

Section 4.  Location, Time and Notice of Meetings. Meetings will be held within the State of Colorado.  If for any reason the club should desire to hold a meeting outside the State of Colorado it must be approved by a majority vote of the Board.  Written notice of the location, date and time of any club meeting will be published in the club newsletter or otherwise provided via US Mail at least 7 days prior to the meeting date.

 

Article III: Voting/Eligibility

 

A.  All members in good standing are eligible to vote.  A member in good standing abides by the Code of Ethics (see Article VII below) and has worked two days at FRAT sponsored events in the past year.

 

B.  Voting in all elections shall be by secret ballot except in the case of officers elected by acclamation.

 

C.  Voting in business matters shall be by voice vote or by secret ballot if so requested by any member present.

 

D.  Written proxies will be accepted in all votes by the membership.

 

E.  Quorum for a membership meeting shall be 6 or more members present.

 

Article IV:  Officers of the Club/Board.

 

Section 1.  Composition.  The Board shall be made up of 7 members consisting of the officers of the club President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three Board members at large.

 

Section 2.  The business and affairs of the club shall be managed by the Board.

 

Section 3.  Performance of Duties:

 

A.  A board person shall perform his/her duties as a member upon which he/she may serve, in good faith, in a manner he/she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the club, and with such care as an ordinary prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.  In performing his/her duties, a board member is entitled to rely on information or financial data prepared for or presented by persons listed in this section.

 

B.  The persons and groups on whose information, opinions, reports and statements a Board member is entitled to rely on are:  Officers or representatives of the club whom the Board reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented.

 

Section 4.  Qualifications.  An officer or board member must be a voting member in good standing and must remain in good standing during his/her term of office.

 

Section 5.  Election of Officers.  Officers and Board member at large will be elected at the Annual Meeting by secret ballot or by voice vote if the election is by acclamation.  Written proxies will be accepted for those members not present.  Those candidates with the largest number of votes will be elected.  The Board Member at large position shall be a rotating position with no person holding the position for 2 consecutive years.

 

Section 6.  Meetings.  Board meetings will be called by the President or by the President if requested  by 2 Board members.  Board meetings will be held within the State of Colorado.

 

Section 7.  Quorums.  Four (4) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 8.   Vacancies.  Vacancies in the Board may be created by resignation, removal or death of an officer or Board member.  Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Board.  The appointee shall serve for the remainder of the term.

 

Section 9.  Resignation.  Resignation may be done by written notice to the President or Board.

 

Section 10.  Cause for Removal and Procedure.  Any officer and/or Board member may be removed by vote of the Board for failing to maintain all qualifications and duties throughout his/her entire term of office.  Any Board member may be removed for misconduct, dereliction of duties, or gross negligence.  Removal for such causes may be by vote after a full hearing at which the accused is entitled to present his/her defense.   A majority vote is necessary for this action.  The accused is not entitled to vote in this matter.  Said person shall be notified by registered mail.  Action shall be taken without said person if said person does not reply within fifteen (15) days of notice.

 

Article V:  Duties and Responsibilities of the Officers.

 

A.  President:  The President shall be chief officer of the club.  Shall in general, supervise and control all business matters and affairs of the club.  He/she shall preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board.  He/she may sign with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the club authorized by the club checks, club news, and/or other business matters.

 

B.  Vice-President:  The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in the absence of the President, and shall have all powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the President.  The Vice-President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the President or the Board.

 

C.  Secretary:  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings, see that all notices are given according to the By-Laws.  From time to time the Secretary may be assigned duties by the President or the Board.

 

D.  Treasurer:  The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and assets of the club, receive club moneys payable to the club and deposit all moneys in the club name in such bank, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board.  The Treasurer may also be assigned duties by the President or the Board.

 

Article VI:  The Fiscal Year.  The Fiscal Year of the club shall end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December in each calendar year.  As soon as practicable after the end of the fiscal year an audit committee of three or more persons appointed by the Board will review the accounts with the treasurer and issue an audit report.

 

Article VII:  Code of Ethics.  A system of rules and standards governing the conduct of the members and non-members associated with the Front Range Agility Team and club functions.

 

A.  All must abide by and accept the Rules and Regulations of the sanctioning body when sponsoring an event.

 

B.  All must conduct themselves in a manner to credit the sport, club, and themselves, and demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times.

 

C.  The health, care and well being of all dogs must be considered first at all times.

 

D.  There shall be no harsh treatment of any animal at any time or place.

 

E.  All should respect the rights of others in training, showing or participation in any club function.

 

F.  Any dog which poses a threat to the health or well being of any other dog or person shall be banned from all club functions.

 

G.  Any person at a club function thought to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be asked to leave.  Further reprimands may take place if the Board or President desires such action.

 

H.  All complaints against any individual not abiding by these By-Laws must be presented in writing to the membership secretary, who shall notify the Board of such complaints.

 

I.  Reprimands may result in suspension or termination of membership and/or participation.  Behavior of members and/or participants includes non-members.  Written notice to said party shall be required by registered mail.  All actions taken are to be kept in a Code of Ethics Reprimand File.  Such decisions are the responsibility of the Board.  Suspension of membership/participation may be appealed in writing to the Board.  The Board will then review the facts and any corrective actions taken and by majority vote either continue or end the suspension.

 

Article VIII:  Amendments:  The By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new By-Laws adopted by a 2/3 majority of the Board of the club at which a quorum is present.