Constitution & By-Laws

SECTION 1.

The name of the Club shall be the Great Lakes Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club.

SECTION 2.

SECTION 3.

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 inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

SECTION 4.

The members of the Club shall adopt and may, from time to time, revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

BY-LAWS ARTICLE I-Membership

SECTION 1. Eligibility.

There shall be 5 types of membership open to all persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.

Regular – Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.
Household – Allows for two (2) votes per household, persons 18 years and older.
Associate – Where the individual(s) is/are entitled to all privileges except voting and office holding. Application(s) should be filed with the Secretary but need not require sponsors or approval process applicable to prospective voting applicants; after a period of one (1) year the person(s) may apply for Regular or Household membership as outlined in the bylaws.
Honorary – Individuals pay no dues and are not eligible to vote or hold office unless they opt to pay dues.
Junior – Open to all persons 10-17 years of age; cannot vote or hold office and may automatically convert to regular membership upon reaching their 18th birthday.

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 approved club territory.

SECTION 2. Dues.

Membership dues shall not exceed $50.00 per year per person, payable on or before payable on or before the first day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of November the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his or her dues for the ensuing year.

SECTION 3. Election to Membership.

Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved by the board of directors. Said application will provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the constitution and bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two 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 Membership Chairperson and each application is to be read at the first regular meeting of the full membership following submission of the application. Thereafter the applicant is required to attend at least two club-sponsored events (i.e. matches, regular meetings, etc.) prior to additional action. Once the applicant has complied by attending two club events, the Membership Chairperson will submit their application to the full membership at the next regular meeting. At that time the application will be voted on by secret ballot. The applicant must receive affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting to be elected to membership. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within one (1) year after such rejection.

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 Recording 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 thirty (30) days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the board may grant an additional thirty (30) days of grace 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.
(c) By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.

 ARTICLE II- Meetings & Voting 

SECTION I. Club Meetings.

Meetings of the club shall be held a minimum of 6 times each year within the AKC approved focal point of Greater Kalamazoo, MI at such hour and place as designated by the board of directors. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed and/or emailed by the Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty (20) 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; 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 special meetings shall be held within the AKC approved focal point of Greater Kalamazoo, MI at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of a special club meeting shall be mailed and/or emailed by the Secretary at least ten (10) days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice 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 twenty (20) percent of the members in good standing.

SECTION 3. Board Meetings.

Meetings of the board of directors shall be held a minimum of 6 times each year within the AKC approved focal point of Greater Kalamazoo, MI area or via telephone conference call or via video conference at such hour and place as may be designated by the board. These meetings are defined as gatherings where attendees see and/or hear each other. This includes meeting (in person) “physically” in the same room or conducting a meeting by video conference or teleconference. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the board.

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 within the AKC approved focal point of Greater Kalamazoo, MI or via telephone conference call or via video conference at such date, place and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five 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 trans- acted thereat. The 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 they are present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.

ARTICLE III- Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors.

The board shall be comprised of the officers and two other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for a two-year term at the club’s annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve until 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.

SECTION 4. 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 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 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, Elections

SECTION 1. Club Year.

The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. The club’s official year shall begin at the annual meeting and shall continue through to the next annual meeting, i.e. August to August. All officers and board members will be elected for a two year term with all terms expiring at the same time.

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting.

The annual meeting during the month of August shall be held at a designated location in the club approved focal area of Greater Kalamazoo at which officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately at the annual meeting and each retiring officer and directors shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within thirty (30) days after the meeting. A quorum for the Annual Meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

SECTION 3. Elections.

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 positions shall be declared elected.

SECTION 4. Nominations.

Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. During the month of March, the board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternates 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 April 1^st.

ARTICLE V –CommitteesSECTION 1.

The board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as specialty shows, obedience trials, agility, trophies, 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 of directors 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 the 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 $100.00, 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. If the board considers that 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 for a hearing by the board not less than three (3) weeks or more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges with specifications to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in their 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 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 (6) 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 their fellow members at the ensuing club meeting which considers the board’s recommendation. Immediately after the board has reached a decision, its finding 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.

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 proceeding may occur at a regular or special meeting of the club, to be held within sixty (60) days but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the board’s finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf if he wishes. The members 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 so voted, the board’s suspension shall stand.

ARTICLE VII –Amendments

SECTION 1.

Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the board of directors or by written petition addressed to the Corresponding Secretary signed by twenty (20) 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 vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Corresponding Secretary.

SECTION 2.

The constitution and bylaws 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 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 the dissolution of the club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by 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.

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 last meeting · Report of President · Report of Secretary · Report of Treasurer · Reports of committees · Election of officers and board (at annual meeting) · Election of new members · Unfinished business · New business · Adjournment

SECTION 2.

At meetings of the board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows: Reading of minutes of last meeting · Report of Secretary · Report of Treasurer · Reports of committees · Unfinished business · New business · Adjournment

ARTICLE X – Parliamentary Authority

SECTION 1.

The rules contained in the current edition of “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised” shall govern the club in all cases 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.