07/15/2015
Here are the bylaws, I've submitted to USMRA:
Date: 7/14/15
Constitution and Bylaws for the ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Michigan Mondioring Club (MMRC)
Article I
The name of the club will be, Michigan Mondioring Club (MMRC) and shall be known as such.
Article II
The objectives of the Club shall be:
1. The promotion of working dogs for Mondioring, and other sport and service programs.
2. Support the movements that demonstrate the advantages of Mondioring training.
3. Support and organize trials for Mondioring under USMRA rules.
4. To interest and educate the public about Mondioring.
Article III
This Club shall be a not-for-profit organization. All dues, levies and other income shall be dispersed to promote the objectives of this Club, along with associated social activities.
Article IV
This Club may be dissolved, at any time, by a written consent of two thirds (2/3) majority vote of it’s active members, in good standing. In such case after payments of all debts and liabilities of the Club, it’s assets and properties shall be divided equally among its active members in good standing.
Article V
Membership:
Section A: The Club shall consist of two types of members.
1. Active members: These members shall be entitled to vote, hold office and benefit in all the advantages of this organization, they may only hold office after they have completed the 6 months probation period. All active members must also be members of USMRA.
2. Honorary Members: These members may be elected, at large, from those who have rendered valuable service to the Club or the Police Dog Movement. They are not entitled to vote or hold office.
Section B: Application for election to Membership:
1. Application for membership shall be made to the Secretary, in writing, on the forms provided.
2. Applicants shall attend at least two training sessions, after which shall be voted on at the next meeting of the Club. Election to Active Membership shall require approval of a simple majority of the members present.
3. The Board of Directors shall appoint honorary members.
Section C: Resignation
1. Any member may resign, at any time, and may be deleted from the membership, upon receipt of resignation, in writing, by the Secretary.
Section D: Suspension
1. Any member may be suspended by a ¾ vote of the Board of Directors or automatically as provided for elsewhere.
2. Any member under suspension shall not be entitled to vote or participate in training sessions.
3. Any member under suspension for 4 months shall be expelled from the membership, automatically.
Article VI
Dues and Levies
Section A: Dues
1. Active Members dues are due by the first of each month. . All dues paid are non-refundable. The amount is set by the Board each year.
2. There may be training fees per session for each dog, for field, equipment, and for any other purpose regarding club issues. The amount will be set by the Board each year.
Section B: Special Levies
1. The membership may approve, by majority vote, the collection of special, equal, levies against the membership, to meet the expenses of the Club. Special levies, once paid, are non-refundable.
Section C: Non-Payment of dues and/or levies
1. Any member whose dues and/or levies remain unpaid one month after the due date shall be notified, in writing, by the Treasurer. A late fee will be imposed. After that time, membership will be considered lapsed. The late fee will be determined by the Board.
Article VII
Charges of misconduct:
Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct, prejudicial to the interest of the Club. Written charges, with specifications must be proffered in duplicate and forwarded to the Secretary with a deposit of $25, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. All charges shall be heard in front of the Board of Directors only. The Board shall fine, suspend, or expel from the club, or take such measures as maybe deemed advisable if the charges are proven to the satisfaction of the Board. The accused member must be allowed to present his/her case to the Board. Any member, against whom the charges have been filed, may, by a ¾ vote of the Board of Directors, be suspended for a period not to exceed 60 days, or expelled from the membership.
Article VIII
Government
Section A: Board of Directors
1. The control and management of the affairs of the Club shall be vested in the Board of Directors consisting of, at least, 2 but not to exceed 6 members.
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of:
a. President
b. Vice President
c. Secretary
d. Treasurer
e. Member(s) at Large
These will be elected from the Active Members in good standing.
3. The President shall call regular meetings of the Board of Directors at least annually. Board meetings may proceed or follow the regular general membership meetings.
4. The President or three directors acting in concert may call special meetings.
5. A majority of the Directors, in office, being present, shall constitute a quorum to conduct regular business. The Board shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur between elections, except that of President. The Vice-President will fill the office of the Presidency in the event of a vacancy.
6. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all Board meetings, which shall be made available to any member, at any time.
7. The Board shall have general supervision over all disbursements of the Treasurer.
8. The Board shall have the power to appoint committees and assistant officers from amongst the membership.
Article IX
Officers and their Responsibilities:
1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings and act as the Chief Executive of the Club. He/she shall be a member of all committees.
2. Vice President: Will, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the President.
3. Secretary: The Secretary shall have charge of all correspondence; keep the records and roll of members, the minutes of the meetings and Board meetings and election results.
4. Treasurer: He/she shall receive, collect and disburse all funds of the Club. He/she shall keep an accurate account book of all receipts and disbursements and render a statement annually and at all meetings.
Article X
Election of Officers and Directors
1. The Officers and Directors shall be elected by the Active members, in good standing, for a term of 2 years, by secret ballot, at the annual meeting of the Club. All Officers will assume their offices immediately after the result of the election are known.
2. Nominations for Officers shall be made from the active membership. All nominations must be seconded. Prior to election, the Secretary shall receive Consent to hold office from all nominees; this may be written or verbal.
3. Any Active member whose membership fees or levies remain unpaid on Election Day shall be disqualified from voting or holding office.
Article XI
General meetings
1. General membership meetings may be held in conjunction with training sessions.
Article XII
Constitutional amendments
1. The Constitution and By-laws may be amended, altered or repealed by a 2/3 vote of the Active members in good standing.
2. Any proposed changes in the Constitution and By-laws shall be formally read at a general membership meeting preceding the meeting at which the actual voting will take place and shall appear in the minutes of the meeting.
Article XIII
The Empowered Representative
1. The Club, will elect, from the membership by default of it being the President of the Club, one person who will be the Club Delegate to the Parent Organization, the United States Mondioring Association.
2. This Delegate must be an Active member in good standing with the Club. He/she must not have any disciplinary action pending against him or her within the Club or within USMRA. All dues payable to the Club and to the USMRA. must be paid up to date.
3. This Delegate must be empowered to represent the Club in all matters.
4. This Delegate will begin his/her two-year term as the Club’s empowered representative, effective immediately upon appointment.
ARTICLE XIV:
Parliamentary Authority
The current edition of "The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure" by Alice Sturgis shall govern this association in all parliamentary situations that are not covered in the law, or in these constitution and bylaws, or adopted rules. In case of a conflict between the provisions of these Constitution and Bylaws and the parliamentary provisions of "Sturgis", the provisions of these Constitution and Bylaws shall prevail.
ARTICLE XV:
Dissolution
Section 1: Method Of Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved by the membership. There must be a three-quarters (¾) favorable vote with a majority of the members voting.
Section 2: Liabilities And Assets
If the Club is dissolved, all just debts and liabilities of the Club shall be
paid. After payment of all debts and liabilities, the association's assets and properties shall
be distributed to a non-profit fund, foundation or corporation which is organized and
operated exclusively for the betterment of the sport of dogs.
