Competition

ARTICLE I Name and Objectives SECTION 1. The name of the Club shall be The Bluebonnet Norfolk Terrier Club, (TBNTC) SECTION 2. The objectives of the Club shall be: a) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Norfolk Terriers and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to Perfection. b) 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 they shall be judged. c) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed through education and by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at all events. d) To conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows 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, remainder or residue of any Club monies shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.   SECTION 4.  The members of the Club shall adopt and may revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these purposes.   ARTICLE I Membership SECTION 1. Eligibility There shall be two types of membership open to all persons eighteen years of age and older who are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club: 1) Individual membership - Enjoys all Club privileges including the right to vote and hold office 2) Household membership – Two adult members residing in the same household, each enjoys all Club privileges including the right to vote and hold office While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in the State of Texas. SECTION 2. Dues Annual membership dues, in such amounts as recommended by the Board of directors and approved by the membership, must be paid or postmarked on or before April 1st of the current calendar year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current calendar year. During the month of February the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the current calendar year. A second notice of indebtedness shall be mailed, emailed or faxed April 15 th and must be paid by May 15 th . Applicants who join in either November or December of the current calendar year will have their dues applied to the next calendar year. SECTION 3. Election to Membership Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address, occupation and canine experience of the applicant, and it shall carry the endorsement of two Bluebonnet Norfolk Terrier Club members in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and the content of each application is to be mailed, emailed or faxed to all members of the Club following its receipt. Applications will be read at the following meeting of the club and the names included in the notice for that meeting. Election to membership requires affirmative votes of not less than two thirds of the members present and voting by secret ballot. Applicants who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six months after such rejection. Applicants must be in good standing with the American Kennel Club. SECTION 4. Termination of Membership Membership may be terminated: ( a) 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. 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 or are not postmarked by May 15 th of the current calendar year, which is 45 days after the April 1st due date; however, the Board, at its discretion, may grant an additional 30 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote whose dues are unpaid. ( c) By expulsion. A member may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws. (d) Membership will be terminated if AKC privileges are revoke ARTICLE II Meetings and Voting SECTION 1. Regular Club Meetings Meetings of the Club shall be held within the “TBNTC Territory”, which is defined as the area formed with a focal point of Cameron and beginning from Dallas-Fort Worth, south along Interstate 35 to San Antonio, east to Houston, and north to Dallas-Fort Worth along Interstate 45, with communities in Tyler being considered local to the club. Meetings shall be held at least 6 times each year, and, whenever possible, in conjunction with an AKC dog show or TBNTC event, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall mail, email or fax written notice of the meeting at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum of the meeting shall be 20% of the Texas members in good standing. SECTION 2. Special Club Meetings Special Club 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 meeting shall be held in the “TBNTC Territory” at such place, date and hour as designated by the President or majority of the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall mail, email or fax written notice of the meeting at least 5 days and not more than 15 days prior to the meeting. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business may be transacted. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the Texas members in good standing. SECTION 3. Board Meetings Meetings of the Board shall be held within the “TBNTC Territory” at least six times per annum, at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the Board. The Secretary shall mail, email or fax written notice of the meeting at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. The Board may conduct its business in person or via teleconference or video conference through the Secretary using the applicable AKC guidelines, but, decisions will require a majority consensus. The quorum for a Board meeting shall be a majority of the Board. SECTION 4. Special Board Meetings Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or 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 the “TBNTC Territory” at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. The Secretary shall mail, email or fax written notice of the meeting at least 5 days and not more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted therein. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. The Board may conduct its business in person or via teleconference or video conference through the Secretary using the applicable AKC guidelines, but, decisions will require a majority consensus. SECTION 5. Voting Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current calendar year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which he or she is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election. SECTION 6. Email Notification The Club may send members notification of club meetings, dues notices, minutes and newsletters and board members notification of board meetings via email , provided that: The member or board member has signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication. Such authorization, which is revocable, will also release the club from any liability should the notification be received late or not received by the member or board member due to circumstances beyond the club’s control. ARTICLE III Board of Directors and Officers SECTION 1. Board of Directors The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing. They shall be elected for two year terms at the Club’s biennial election meeting as provided in Article IV, and shall serve until August 1 st following the biennial election meeting, where 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, 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 the President, in addition to those particularly specified in these By-Laws. ( b) The Vice-President shall have duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity. c) The 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. This person shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify Officers and Directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these By-Laws. ( d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club and shall deposit same in a bank approved by the Board, in the name of the Club. His or her books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and the Treasurer shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every receipt or payment not before reported. At the Annual Meeting, the Treasurer shall render an account of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The signature card for the checking account shall hold three (3) names: The President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. SECTION 3. Vacancies Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the officers during the term shall be filled until the next biennial election by a majority vote of the 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 the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President and the resulting vacancy in the office of the Vice President shall be filled by the Board. ARTICLE IV The Club Year, Biennial Election Meeting, Elections SECTION 1. Club Year The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31 st Day of December. The Club's official year shall begin on the 1 st day of August and end on the 31 st day of July. SECTION 2. Annual Meeting/Biennial Election Meeting The annual meeting and/or the biennial election meeting shall be held in the month of July. Every second year the annual meeting shall be the biennial election meeting at which, officers, and directors for the ensuing two year term shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with section four of this Article. If the slate of the Nominating Committee shall be the only slate proposed, the Nominating Committee’s slate shall be declared elected. After the biennial election meeting, the Officers and Directors shall take office on August 1 st of the current calendar year and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office on or before August 1 st of the current calendar year. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the Texas members in good standing. SECTION 3. Election The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such position shall be declared elected. SECTION 4. Nominations and Ballots No person may be a candidate in the Club election who has not been nominated. By January 15 th , preceding the biennial election meeting, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and one alternate, not more than one of whom may be members of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternate of their selection. The Board shall name a chairman for the committee and it shall be such person's duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before February 1 st preceding the biennial election. The Nominating Committee may conduct its business in person or via teleconference or video conference. ( a) The committee shall nominate one person for each office and position on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall report their nominations to the Secretary in writing by March 1st preceding the biennial election. ( b) Upon receipt of the nominating committee's report, the Secretary shall immediately notify each TBNTC member in writing by mail, email or fax the full name of each candidate so nominated. ( c) Additional nominations may be made at any general meeting between March 1 st and May 31 st , preceding the July biennial election meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his or her willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position. ( d) Nominations cannot be made at the biennial election meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section. ARTICLE V Committees SECTION 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as dog shows, 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 Board and upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated. Any committee appointment shall be for a period of one year. ARTICLE VI Discipline SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension Any member who is suspended from any/all privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended 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 $100 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board, following a hearing. 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 or the breed. If the Board considers that the charge does not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or of the breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charge, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board of not less than three members of 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 registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his or her own defense and bring witnesses, if desired. SECTION 3. Board Hearing The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all of the evidence and testimony presented by the 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 from the date of the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his or her fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the recommendations of the Board. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary shall, in turn, notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any. SECTION 4. Expulsion Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at the meeting of the Club following a Board hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board, 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 than 30 days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the findings and recommendations of the Board, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his or her own behalf. The members shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the suspension will stand. ARTICLE VII Amendments SECTION 1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20% 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 Secretary for a vote within three months of the date that such petition was received by the Secretary. SECTION 2. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a 2/3 secret vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that 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 SECTION 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members in good standing. In the event of a dissolution of the Club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of the 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 s