Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club (MFGRC) By-Laws

ARTICLE I. NAME AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1.

The name of the club shall be the Mid-Florida Golden Retriever Club, Inc., hereinafter referred to as “MFGRC”. 

SECTION 2.

The objectives of MFGRC shall be: 

  1. To recognize that the Golden Retriever is a gun dog and by selective breeding, encourage members to perfect the Golden Retriever that has the appearance, soundness, temperament, natural ability and personality that is reflected in the standard of the breed. A member of MFGRC will do their best to advance and promote the perfection of the above qualities; 
  2. To encourage the 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 the Golden Retriever shall be judged;
  3. To do everything possible to protect and advance the interests of the breed by promoting responsible ownership of Golden Retrievers and encouraging sportsmanlike competition at competitive and performance events; 
  4. To encourage and conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, field trials, obedience trials, agility matches and trials, tracking and hunting tests under the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club. 

SECTION 3.

MFGRC 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 MFGRC shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects. 

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIPS

SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY:

There shall be five types of membership open to all persons 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club. Member should either currently own or co-own a Retriever, preferably a Golden but other sporting breeds are acceptable, or have owned one in the past and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club. Members who own other sporting breeds shall only be allowed to enter that breed in obedience portion of matches, not official trials or shows, unless specifically stated on the entry form as in the WC/WCX and Hunt tests. It is understood that the state competition is an official function and only Golden Retrievers shall represent MFGRC. The types of membership shall be: 

  1. Regular Membership – participate in all activities of the club including voting and holding office. 
    1. Individual members shall have one vote. 
    2. Family memberships shall include residents of one household; however, there shall be no more than two votes per family, which may be exercised by members age 18 or older.
  2. Honorary Membership – may be conferred by the Board of Directors on a person who has rendered extraordinary service to MFGRC and/or Golden Retrievers. An Honorary Member would not be required to pay dues and would not be eligible to vote. However, an honorary member may maintain active/voting status by paying regular membership dues.
  3. Associate Membership – may participate in all activities of the MFGRC except voting and holding an office. Applications for Associate Membership shall be filed with the Secretary. Applications for Associate Membership do not require attendance at any meetings but do require a sponsor and approval as described in SECTION 3.
  4. Junior Membership – must be between 10 years and 17 years of age. Junior members cannot vote or hold office. A junior member automatically becomes eligible for election to regular membership on his or her 18th birthday, with payment of regular dues. 
  5. Lifetime Membership – may be conferred by the Board of Directors on a person who has rendered extraordinary service to MFGRC. A Lifetime Member would not be required to pay dues and is eligible to vote and the use of all other services of MFGRC. 

Note:

The Board shall have the right to decide which issues are vital to MFGRC. Additionally, while membership is not restricted as relate to residence, MFGRC’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in the club’s immediate area. 

SECTION 2 – DUES

Membership dues shall not exceed $35.00 per year, payable on or before the first day of January of each year. Members who have not paid their dues for the current year shall not be allowed to vote on any issue or receive any recognition for titles earned on their dog. The Secretary shall prepare and send each member a statement for payment of dues during the month of November. If an application for membership is accepted on or after October 1st, no additional dues shall be payable for the following year. The amount of dues shall be determined by the current board of directors at the first board meeting of the new year. 

SECTION 3. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP

Each person applying for membership shall apply on a form approved by the Board of Directors. The applicant, by application for membership, agrees to abide by the Constitution and by-laws, the MFGRC Code of Ethics and the Rules of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of one member in good standing with the MFGRC. This endorsement may not be by a member who does not personally know the applicant. If the endorsement cannot be made, membership shall be denied. The individual(s) applying for membership shall attach their dues payment for the current year with their application for membership. If the payment of dues is not included with the application, the person applying shall not be considered for membership. 

All applications are to be filed with the Secretary, and each application is to be read at the first meeting of the Board following its receipt. The Board will recommend consideration of the applicant for membership, with reason, to the general membership at the next general meeting. Applications will be read at one (1) general meeting and these names will be included in the notice for the following meeting. The applicant will not become eligible to be a voting member until after being present at one monthly meeting. If the applicant does not complete the attendance requirement within six months of filing the application, their name shall be removed and a new application must be filed. Affirmative votes, of not less than two thirds of the members present are required for acceptance for membership. Voting will be by secret ballot but shall not take place prior to the applicant meeting the attendance requirement for consideration to membership. All non-members will be asked to leave during the discussion and election of new members. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not re-apply prior to six months (6) after rejection. 

SECTION 4. Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated: 

  1. By Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. No member may resign when in debt to the Club. The Yearly Membership dues are considered obligations and a debt to the Club, the date they are incurred. As stated earlier in these bylaws, payment of dues shall be made with the application for membership or are incurred the first day of each new fiscal year for members in good standing with MFGRC. 
  2. By Lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated, if the dues for that member are not paid prior to thirty (30) days after the first day of the fiscal year. However, the Board may grant an additional ninety- (90) days of grace if determined to be warranted in meritorious cases. There shall be no exception that if the dues have not been paid by the member at the time the meeting is called to order, said Member shall not be entitled to vote during that meeting or any other meeting until the dues are paid and current. 
  3. By Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion if any discipline as outlined in Section VI occurs. 

ARTICLE III– MEETINGS AND VOTING

SECTION 1. Club Meetings

Meetings of the MFGRC shall be held once each month, and within the Mid Florida area. 

The Board of Directors shall designate the date, the time and the place of membership meetings and the Secretary shall notify each member by mail or email at least ten days prior to the meeting. Publication in the MFGRC newsletter shall also meet the notification requirement. The quorum for these meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing. General management of MFGRC’s affairs shall be entrusted to the board of directors. 

SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS

Special MFGRC 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. This type of meeting shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the MFGRC who have paid their dues and are in good standing. Special meetings shall be held within the Mid Florida area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, and shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other official club business may be transacted during the special meeting unless identified in the notice of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing. 

SECTION 3. BOARD MEETINGS

Meetings of the Board shall be held once a month within the Mid Florida area at such day, date, time and place as agreed upon by the Board at its first meeting after election. Notification of meetings must be in writing and mailed or emailed by the Secretary prior to the meeting. The quorum for Board meetings is a majority of the Board. Any Board Member that is absent from four Board Meetings in a twelve month period without just cause may result in a recommendation for dismissal. 

SECTION 4. SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS

Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or shall be called by the Secretary upon written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meeting of the Board shall be held within the Mid Florida area at such day, date, time and place as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary at least five (5) days and not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. This written notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other business shall be transacted at the special meeting unless so stated in the written notice. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. 

SECTION 5. VOTING

Each regular member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the MFGRC, but must be present to cast this vote. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election. 

ARTICLE IV. CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. CLUB YEAR

The fiscal year for the MFGRC shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December. 

The official year for the MFGRC shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting held at the end of the next fiscal year. 

SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting shall be held in the month of December. The election of officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected at this meeting by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. The newly elected officers and directors shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election. Each retiring officer shall turn over all properties and records relating to that office to the successor of the office, within thirty (30) days after the election. 

SECTION 3. ELECTIONS

The candidate nominated for each office that receives the greatest number of votes for the office, shall be declared elected. Officers to be elected are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers are automatically Board Members as well as the Director of Communications. Besides these five (5) board positions there shall be seven (7) nominated candidates for other positions on the Board and shall be declared elected upon receiving the greatest number of votes for such other positions. 

SECTION 4. NOMINATIONS

A person must be nominated for office in order to be a candidate for that office. The MFGRC Board shall select a Nominating Committee during the month of August. This committee shall consist of three (3) members and two (2) alternates, no more than one of whom may be a member of the Board.

  1. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the Nominating Committee. It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to call a committee meeting to be held on or before September 15th. 
  2. The Committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office and seven (7) candidates for the seven other positions on the Board. The Chairperson shall obtain the consent of each person nominated for office. After acceptance by the individual of the nomination, the Chairperson shall immediately report the nominations to the Secretary, in writing.
  3. The Secretary shall, prior to October 15th, notify each member of the MFGRC in writing of the candidates nominated for office. 
  4. Any member may make additional nominations at the November meeting in attendance. If the proposed candidate is not present at this meeting, the person nominating must provide a written statement from the nominated individual stating acceptance of the nomination. If this occurs, the nominated individual then is considered a candidate. No individual may be a candidate for more than one position/office and the additional nominations for other positions which are provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have accepted the nomination of the Nominating Committee. 
  5. Nominations must be made and accepted by the individual prior to the Annual Meeting. No additional items shall be discussed at this Annual Meeting other than as provided for in this Section. 

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. APPOINTMENT

The Board may appoint separate committees each year to advance the work of MFGRC in such areas as shows, obedience trials, field trials, hunting tests, trophies, annual prizes/awards, membership and other fields which may be better 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. TERMINATION OF COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT

Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointed individual; and the Board may appoint successors to those whose appointments have been so terminated. 

ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE

SECTION 1. AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION

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

SECTION 2. CHARGES

Any member may prefer charges against another member for misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of MFGRC. 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 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. The Board shall then determine whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, would constitute conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of MFGRC. 

If the Board determines that the conduct alleged in the charges would not be prejudicial to the best interest of MFGRC, then the Board may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board determines this conduct is not in the best interest of MFGRC, a date shall be established by the Board for a hearing. The date for this hearing shall be not less than three (3) weeks or more than six (6) weeks after determination the charge was not in the best interest of MFGRC. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges and provide specific details to the accused member by certified mail. This certified mail will include the notice of the hearing and an assurance that the accused member may personally appear in his own defense and bring any witnesses deemed necessary to support their case. 

SECTION 3. BOARD HEARINGS

The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether Counsel may attend the hearing, however, both the complainant and accused shall be treated uniformly in that regard. If the charges are sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony present by the complainant and the accused, 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. If the Board deems that the punishment is insufficient, the Board may also recommend the penalty of expulsion from MFGRC. If the Board recommends expulsion, the accused does have the right to appear at the ensuing MFGRC meeting which considers the Board’s recommendation. 

Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, the findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary shall then notify each of the parties of the Board’s decision and penalty, if any. 

SECTION 4. EXPULSION

Expulsion of a member from the MFGRC may be accomplished only at a meeting of the Club. This meeting must follow a Board hearing and only upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. These proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of MFGRC to be held with sixty (60) days, but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the Board’s recommendation. The accused shall have the privilege of appearing on his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges, the Board’s findings and their recommendation. The Board shall offer the accused time to speak on his own behalf, if present and if so desired. The membership shall then vote by secret ballot. Two thirds (2/3) of the members present at this meeting must vote in favor of this expulsion. If the expulsion is not so voted, the Board’s suspension shall remain in effect and the expulsion shall not take place. 

ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1. AMENDMENT

Any member of MFGRC to the Board of Directors may propose amendments to this Constitution and by-laws. A written petition addressed to the Secretary by twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing may also be proposed. Amendments proposed by written petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members with the recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three (3) months of the date of when the petition was received by the Secretary. If warranted, a special meeting to discuss amendments may be called by the President or by the Secretary upon written request signed by at least three members of the Board. 

SECTION 2. APPROVAL

Amendments must be approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose. In order for this to occur, the proposed amendment(s) must 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. This vote shall be done by secret ballot. 

ARTICLE VIII. DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1. DISSOLUTION

MFGRC may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of MFGRC other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property MFGRC nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of MFGRC shall be distributed to any members of MFGRC, but after payment of the debts of MFGRC 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. CLUB MEETINGS

At meetings of the MFGRC, the order of business, as relates to the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows: 

  • Minutes of the Last Meeting
  • Report of the Secretary
  • Report of the Treasurer
  • Report of Standing and Special Committees
  • Election of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)
  • Election of New Members (Applications Read/Vote)
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business
  • Adjournment

SECTION 2. BOARD MEETINGS

At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those members present, shall be as follows: 

  • Minutes of the Last Meeting
  • Report of the Secretary
  • Report of the Treasurer
  • Report of Standing and Special 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 MFGRC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the MFGRC may adopt.