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Twin Cities Miniature Schnauzer Club

Constitution

(Revised February, 1999)


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ARTICLE I - NAME AND OBJECTS

Section l. NAME:
The name of the club shall be the TWIN CITIES MINIATURE SCHNAUZER CLUB.

Section 2. OBJECT:
The objects of the club shall be:

A. To encourage and promote the breeding of purebred Miniature Schnauzers in conformity with the standard of the breed as set forth by the American Miniature Schnauzer Club and approved by the American Kennel Club.
B. To encourage and promote the exhibition, both in conformation and obedience, of purebred Miniature Schnauzers.
C. To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed.
D. To conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows and obedience trials under the rules of the American Kennel Club.
E. To educate the public with regard to breeding, proper care and maintenance of Miniature Schnauzers.
F. To support and encourage research activities designed to improve the health and welfare of Miniature Schnauzers.

Section 3. CLUB PROFIT:
The club shall not be conducted or operated for profit, and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the club shall be used for the benefit of any member or individual.


ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP

Section l. ELIGIBILITY:
Membership shall be open to all persons eighteen years of age and older who subscribe to the purposes of this club and who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club. Persons living within the eight-county Twin Cities metropolitan area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, Washington and Wright Counties) must join as voting members and cannot join as subscribers; persons living beyond the eight-county metro area may join as voting members, or as newsletter subscribers receiving the club newsletter only. Non-voting junior membership is available to persons under eighteen years of age.

Section 2. DUES:

A. Membership dues shall be set by the Board yearly and ratified by the membership at the annual meeting in June. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year.
B. Dues will be payable in the following categories: Family (two votes only), Single (one vote), Subscriber (no vote).
C. During the month of July, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. Dues are payable on or before the September meeting.

Section 3. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP:

A. Each applicant must have attended at least two club meetings before applying for membership.
B. Each applicant shall apply on a form provided by the club which shall state that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution and Code of Ethics of the Twin Cities Miniature Schnauzer Club and by the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club.
C. The application shall carry the endorsement of two club members, and when submitted after the attendance of two club meetings, it must be accompanied by dues payable for the current year, a signed copy of the Code of Ethics, and a copy of the applicant's puppy sales contract if he/she is a breeder. The application, Code of Ethics, and sales contract shall be filed with the Membership Chairperson and the membership application shall be read at the first club meeting following its receipt.
D. After the application has been read, the Membership Chairperson shall notify the editor of the club newsletter who will publish the applicant's name, address, and telephone number, along with the names of the applicant's sponsors, in the next issue of the club newsletter. The application will be voted upon by closed ballot at the club meeting following such publication, and affirmative votes of two-thirds of the members present and voting shall be required for election to membership.
E. If an objection by a member concerning an applicant is to be registered, it must be in writing, signed, and submitted in person to any Board member no later than two days prior to the Board of Director's meeting following publication of the notice of application in the club newsletter. The applicant will be notified that an objection to his membership has been filed and will be discussed at the next Board of Director's meeting. The applicant and his sponsors will be given the opportunity to appear before the Board of Directors should they so desire. The Board will then make a recommendation to the membership concerning the controversial application, and the final decision will be left to the membership.

Section 4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
Membership may be terminated in the following ways:

A. By resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the Membership Chairperson.
B. By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if membership dues remain unpaid thirty days after they are due. However, the Board may grant an additional thirty days grace to such delinquent members in deserving 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.
C. By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VII of this Constitution.


ARTICLE III - MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1. CLUB MEETINGS:
Meetings of the club shall be held in the greater Twin Cities area on the first Thursday in the months of September through June in each year, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors unless otherwise stated. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary or published in the club newsletter at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be twenty percent of the 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, or by the 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 Twin Cities area and at such hour and place as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five days and not more than fifteen days prior to the date of the meeting, and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be twenty percent of the members in good standing .

Section 3. BOARD MEETINGS:
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the greater Twin Cities area at least ten times per year on the first Thursday of the month prior to the regular meeting in the months of the fiscal year or at such time and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of such meeting shall be given at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. Any member in good standing may observe such meetings of the Board but is not allowed to participate. The only exception to this shall be a meeting concerned with disciplinary action against a member or discussion of a complaint against a member or applicant for membership. The aforementioned meetings shall be closed to all but official Board Members.

Section 4. SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS:
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by the Secretary upon written receipt of a petition signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in the greater Twin Cities area and at such time and place as may be designated by the person authorized to call such a meeting. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five days and not more than ten days prior to the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose for such a meeting, and no other business shall be transacted thereat. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

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 is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any meeting or election.

Section 6. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE:
Subject to the club's constitution, all business of the club shall be conducted in accordance with recognized parliamentary procedure as stated in Robert's Rules of Order, current revision.


ARTICLE IV - DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND DELEGATE

Section 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
The Board shall be comprised of the President, immediate past President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, plus five other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing. The immediate past President shall automatically be a member of the Board for a term of one year after expiration of his term as President unless elected to another office. The officers shall be elected for one year terms as provided in Article V. The five non-officer Board members shall be elected to two-year terms, three to be elected in the even calendar years and two to be elected in the odd calendar years. General management of the club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. Authorization is given to the Board of Directors to expend sums not to exceed $150.00 for any one purpose or project except for normal operating expenses, provided that tangible assets are not exceeded. Any amount exceeding this sum must be approved by majority vote of members at a duly authorized meeting. A Director shall automatically be removed if he fails to attend three successive monthly meeting of the Board unless the other members of the Board determine that such absence was justified.

Section 2. OFFICERS:
The club's officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities with regard to the club and its meetings.

ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP:
A. The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and Board and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall have duties and powers appurtenant to the office, and at the expiration of the Presidential term he shall remain on the Board for a period of one year unless elected to another office. B. The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence, or incapacity. C. The Secretary shall keep detailed written records of all meetings of the club and of the Board and shall notify all members of meetings except as otherwise provided in Article III, Section 1. The Secretary shall keep a record of all matters pertaining to the club which the club shall deem necessary. He shall have charge of correspondence, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the club with their addresses, and carry out other duties as are prescribed by this Constitution and which from time to time shall be determined by the club. D. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the club. He shall deposit such in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the club. His books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and he shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the annual meeting he shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the prior fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall deem necessary. E. The American Miniature Schnauzer Club delegate and alternate shall be chosen by the membership at their annual election. The delegate and alternate shall be members in good standing of both clubs. The delegate shall attend Board meetings and be instructed by the Board when attending and representing the club at official parent club meetings. He shall submit a written report of such meetings and present it at the next monthly meeting of the club.In case of incapacity of the delegate, the alternate shall serve in his stead.

Section 3. VACANCIES:
Any vacancies occurring on the Board during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term of office by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy.


ARTICLE V - THE CLUB YEAR: ANNUAL MEETING: ELECTIONS

Section 1. CLUB YEAR:
The club's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of July and end on the thirtieth day of June. The club's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the annual meeting and shall continue on through the next annual meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING:
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of June at which time officers and those directors up for election for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this article. They shall take office immediately upon conclusion of the annual meeting, and retiring officers shall turn over to their successors in office all properties and records relating to their respective office within thirty days after the election.

Section 3. ELECTIONS:
The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office be declared the one elected. The nominated candidates for other positions on the Board of Directors who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.

Section 4. NOMINATIONS:
No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. During the month of March, the Board of Directors shall select a nominating committee of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom shall be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee person and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairperson for the committee, and it shall be his duty to call a meeting which shall be held on or before April fifteenth. The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and one candidate for each of the Board positions which expire that year. After securing the consent of each person so nominated, the chairperson shall immediately report the nominations to the secretary in writing. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall, on or before April thirtieth, notify each member, in writing, of the candidates so nominated. Additional nominations may be made at the May meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person nominated does not decline when his name is proposed and provided further, that if the proposed member is not in attendance at this meeting, his proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from him signifying his willingness to be a candidate. 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. The sole exception shall be the delegate to the American Miniature Schnauzer Club who may hold one other position as club officer or Board member if so nominated and elected. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this section.


ARTICLE VI - COMMITTEES

Section 1. APPOINTING COMMITTEES:
The Board of Directors may, each year, appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as Dog Shows, Tracking Tests, Obedience Trials, Trophies, Annual Prizes, Membership, and other areas which will 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. TERMINATING COMMITTEES:
Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board of Directors upon written notice to the appointee. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services were terminated.


ARTICLE VII - DISCIPLINE

Section l. SUSPENSION:

Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club shall automatically be suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period of time.

Section 2. CHARGES:
Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club or breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary, together with a deposit of $10.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. The Secretary shall promptly notify the Board of Directors, which shall meet and fix a date of a Board hearing not less than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified mail, together with a notice of the hearing, along with an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he so desires.

Section 3. BOARD HEARING:
The Board of Directors 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 the evidence and testimony presented by complaintant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority of those present, 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 cases the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing club meeting which considers the Board's recommendations. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in writing and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties involved of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.

Section 4. EXPULSION:
Expulsion of a member from the club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the club following a Board of Director's hearing and upon the Board 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 sixty days but not earlier than thirty days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, although no evidence shall be taken at this 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 own behalf if he wishes. Those meeting shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.


ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

Section l. PROPOSING AMENDMENTS:
Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty percent of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three months of the date of the petition being received by the Secretary.

Section 2. VOTING ON AMENDMENTS:
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting or at a 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 meeting.


ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION

Section l. DISSOLVING THE CLUB:
The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the club, 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 shall be given to a charitable organization, selected by the Board of Directors, for the benefit of dogs.


ARTICLE X - ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section l. REGULAR MEETINGS:
At meetings of the club, the order of business insofar as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

  1. Roll call
  2. Minutes of the last meeting
  3. Report of the President
  4. Report of the Secretary
  5. Report of the Treasurer
  6. Report of the Committees
  7. Election of Officers and Board (Annual)
  8. Election of new members
  9. Unfinished business
  10. New business
  11. Adjournment

Section 2. BOARD MEETINGS:
At meetings of the Board of Directors the order shall be as follows:

  1. Minutes of the last meeting
  2. Report of the Secretary
  3. Report of the Treasurer
  4. Report of the Committees
  5. Unfinished business
  6. New business
  7. Adjournment


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