Carolina Kennel Club
Standing Rules, Constitution and Bylaws

Carolina Kennel Club

Constitution and Bylaws

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CAROLINA KENNEL CLUB

CONSTITUTION

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ARTICLE I

Name and Objectives

SECTION l.  The name of the club shall be Carolina Kennel Club, Inc.

SECTION 2. The objectives of the Club shall be:

    a-to further the advancement of all breeds of pure-bred dogs.

    b-to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of all breeds of purebred dogs. 

      to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and any other AKC events for which the club is eligible under the            Rules and Regulations of the America’s Kennel Club.

    c-to conduct sanctioned matches, dog shows and any other AKC event for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club.

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SECTION 3. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions of furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Constitutions or in Article I of the Bylaws. (In accordance to State Law)

 

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

 

4/6/73

8/14/73 First Club vote

9/11/73 Final adoption

3/9/94 Amended

Amended 4/23

 

              

 

CAROLINA KENNEL CLUB, INC.

BY-LAWS

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ARTICLE I

Membership

SECTION 1.  Eligibility.  While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area.  There shall be 4 types of membership:

1. Regular (Individual):  Open to all persons 18 years of age or older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of the Club; enjoys all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote and hold office.

2.  Household:  Two (2) adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office.

3. Junior:  Open to children under 18 years of age; and non-voting/non-office holding membership which may automatically convert to regular membership at age 18.

4. Lifetime:  Individuals who have been members at least twenty years.  Lifetime members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and to hold office.  This status is conferred by a vote of the board and is announced at the Annual Membership Meeting.  Nominations for lifetime membership may be made in writing to the Corresponding Secretary, giving reasons for this honor at least six (6) months prior to the Annual membership meeting.  A person recognized for lifetime membership shall have contributed significantly to the Carolina Kennel Club.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 2.  Dues. Dues for regular members shall not exceed $30.00 and $1.00 for Junior’s payable on or before the 1st day of July of each year.  No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of May, a notice shall be mailed via USPS or emailed in accordance with AKC policy to each member of his/her dues for the ensuing year.

Amended 5/24/78, 9/91, 3/94, 4/23

SECTION 3.  Election to Membership.  Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these constitution and by-laws and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The applicant may obtain an application after attending two (2) general meetings as a guest, not necessarily consecutively. The application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the sponsorship of two members in good standing. Both sponsors of the applicant are to attend the meeting when the application is called to a vote or provide a written statement to the Membership Chairperson prior to the meeting stating their support of the applicant.  Withdrawal of sponsorship must be submitted in writing to the Membership Chairperson before the night the vote is taken on their membership. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. All applications are to be filed with the Membership Chairperson and each application is to be read at the next two (2) club meetings of which the applicant is in attendance. At the next Club meeting, following the two readings of the application, the application will be voted upon.  At that meeting, it shall be required to elect the applicant,  affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members either present and voting by secret ballot or via electronic mail balloting conducted via a secure electronic voting system as allowed by the state of incorporation.  The applicant shall not attend this meeting. This process must be completed within eight (8) months of the applicant’s first visit. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection.

Amended 3/94, 4/23

SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Membership may be terminated by:

1. Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Corresponding 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 prior to resignation.  

2. Lapsing. A member will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of July; however, the Board may grant an additional grace period to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

 

1. Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these by-laws. 

Amended 4/23

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ARTICLE II

Meetings and Voting

SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the Club shall be held in person in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina area or via telephone conference call, video conference or by any other method permitted by the laws of the state in which the Club is incorporated (NC) at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notices of such meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

 

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

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 Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina area or via telephone conference call, video conference or by any other method permitted by the laws of the state in which the Club is incorporated (NC)  at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notification of such a meeting shall be mailed via USPS or email in accordance with AKC policy by the Corresponding Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice or announcement shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other Club business may be transacted there at. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

SECTION 3.  Board Meetings. Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held quarterly, in person, in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina area or via telephone conference call, video conference or by any other method permitted by the laws of the state in which the Club is incorporated (NC) at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notification of such meeting shall be mailed via USPS or email in accordance with AKC policy by the Corresponding Secretary at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum (non-voting members do not count as part of the quorum) for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

Amended 5/24/78 3/94

Amended 4/23

SECTION 4.  Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, and shall be called by the Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in person in the greater Greensboro, North Carolina area or via telephone conference call video conference or by any other method permitted by the laws of the state in which the Club is incorporated (NC) at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notification of such meeting shall be mailed via USPS or email in accordance with AKC policy by the Corresponding Secretary 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 there at. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

SECTION 5.  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 he/she is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.

 

Amended 4/23

 

ARTICLE III

Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of five (5) officers, the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and four other persons all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for  two-year terms at the Club's annual meeting.  The AKC Delegate is a non-voting member of the Board.  Upon adoption of these bylaws, the club shall select five officers and four directors as provided in Article IV and shall serve until their successors take office. The President, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and two board members shall be elected in odd-numbered years and the Vice-President, Recording Secretary and two Board Members shall be elected in even-numbered years.  General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. Expenditures or donations exceeding $500, excluding show expenses and ongoing business expenses, must be approved by the general membership.  Officers or members of the Board wishing to resign must do so in writing, and the resignation must be approved by the Board.

Amended 5/24/78 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 2.  Officers. The Club's officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.

1. 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 President in addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws. The President will have authority to carry on banking matters in the absence of the Treasurer.

The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence, or incapacity.

1. The Recording 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.

2. The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of members of the Club with their addresses which shall be sent to any member in good standing upon written request, not more than once every club year.

3. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club, and shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board and the Treasurer shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting the Treasurer shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year.   The Treasurer shall be bonded if so directed by the Board in an amount directed by the Board.

4. The AKC Delegate is appointed in a non-voting capacity by the Board of Directors to represent the Club and act as intermediary with the American Kennel Club. The delegate shall attend delegate meetings of AKC and keep the Club apprised of all AKC business. The Delegate will vote at the delegate meeting as instructed by the Board with the right of decision. The term of office shall be three years.

 

Amended 5/24/78 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 3.   Vacancies. Any vacancies 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 then 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 in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by the Board.

 

ARTICLE IV

The Club Year, Annual Meeting, And Elections

SECTION 1.  Club Year. The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of July and end on the 30th day of June. The Club's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.

 

SECTION 2.  Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of June at which Officers and Directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 3 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his/her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.

Amended 4/23

SECTION 3.  Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated. During the month of February, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom shall be a member of the Board. The Corresponding Secretary shall immediately notify the committee and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the Committee and it shall be his/her duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before April 1st 

1. The Committee shall nominate one candidate for President, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer and two Board Members on odd-numbered years and one candidate for Vice-President, Recording Secretary and two Board Member on even-numbered years and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Corresponding Secretary in writing via USPS or e-mail in accordance to AKC policy.

2. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.

3. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Corresponding Secretary shall notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated at least two weeks before the May meeting (or by April 30th).

4. Additional nominations may be made at the May meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his/her proposer shall present to the Corresponding Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate. Except for the position of Delegate no person may be a candidate for more than one position, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have not accepted a nomination from the Nominating Committee.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 4.  Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The two nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.

 

Amended 4/23

 

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 or any other event for which the club is eligible under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club, 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 be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects.

 

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 2.  Any committee appointment may be terminated by a vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and 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 any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from any of the privileges of this Club for a like period.

Amended 4/23

SECTION 2.  Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Corresponding Secretary together with a deposit of $100 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The Corresponding 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. If the Board considers the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, 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 3 weeks nor more than 6 weeks thereafter. The Corresponding Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail return receipt requested together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 3.  Board Hearing. The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both the complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. 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 from 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 such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his/her fellow-members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.

Amended 4/23

 

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 earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his/her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at the 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/her own behalf if he/she wishes. The membership shall then vote by secret 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 voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.

Amended 4/23

 

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 Corresponding Secretary signed by twenty percent 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 Corresponding Secretary for a secret vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Corresponding Secretary.

 

Amended 4/23

 

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 the purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed via USPS or email in accordance with the AKC policy to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

Amended 4/23

SECTION 3. No amendment to the constitution and by-laws that is adopted by the Club shall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

ARTICLE VIII

Dissolution

SECTION 1.  Dissolution. 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 the dissolution of the Club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by the 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 a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board of Directors unless prohibited by State Law.

Amended 3/94

Amended 4/23

 

ARTICLE IX

Order of Business

SECTION 1. 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 Corresponding Secretary 

Report of the Treasurer

Report of Committees

Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting)

Election of new members

Unfinished business

New business

Adjournment

Amended 4/23

 

SECTION 2. At the meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those present, shall be as follows;

Reading of the minutes of the last meeting 

Report of the Corresponding Secretary

Report of the Treasurer

Reports of Committees

Unfinished business

New business

Adjournment

 

Amended 4/23

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ARTICLE X

Rules of Order

SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Club in all cased to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any other special rules of order the Club may adopt.

Amended 3/94