CONSTITUTION/BY-LAWS
FOR ALASKAN KLEE KAI NATIONAL KENNEL CLUB
CONSTITUTION
Article I.� Name.�
This association shall be known as the Alaskan Klee Kai National Kennel
Club; formerly known as the Klee Kai National Kennel Club, hereinafter also
referred to as �the Association.�
Article
II.� Objective.� The Association is formed for the following
purposes:� The aims and objectives of
the Club shall be the encouragement and development of the Alaskan Klee Kai as
a genically superior breed by:�
Educating members and the public at large in the benefits of the
selective breeding of the Alaskan Klee Kai.�
Studying the breed standard and adhering to it.� Working together as a whole to promote
better breeding.� Breeder responsibility
to each of the animals produced by any breeder of the Alaskan Klee Kai.� A dedication to protect all Alaskan Klee Kai
no matter where they originated from.�
To further guard against medical deficiencies by promoting testing for
deficiencies if a problem comes to the attention of the breeders that there is
a potential medical problems within the breed itself.
Article
III.� Association Profits.� The Association shall not be conducted or
operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder of residue from
dues or donations to the Association shall benefit any member or individual.
Article
IV.� Rules For Licensed Events.� All licensed events sponsored by the
Association will be run in accordance with the rules, policies, and procedures
of the United Kennel Club.
Article V.� Revisions.�
The members of the Association shall adopt and may from time to time
revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.
BYLAWS
Article I.
Membership.
Section 1.
Eligibility. There shall be three types of membership open to any breeder,
owner, or fancier of the Alaskan Klee Kai who subscribes to the purposes
and objectives of the Association, agrees to abide by the Association Code
of Ethics, and who is in good standing with U.K.C.
All members shall
have read and agree to abide by the constitution, by-laws and the code of
ethics, and shall read and acknowledge the breeders guidelines.� All membership in the Alaskan Klee Kai
National Kennel Club is a privilege and may be revoked by the board for just
cause.
Section 2. Types of
membership
Section 2.1. Single
membership. Open to members 18 years of age or older. Single members are
entitled to one vote and are eligible to hold office in the Association.
Section 2.2. Charter
membership. Single members who joined the Association on or before January
1, 2002 shall be entitled to the designation �Charter Member.�
Section 2.3.
Family/Household membership. Open to any two members of a household 18 years of
age or older. Each Family/Household membership is entitled to two votes but
only one member per household may hold office at any one time.
Section 2.4.
Honorary membership. The Board of Directors may elect to grant honorary
membership to any member in good standing or any non-member who meets the
eligibility requirements for membership.�
An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Directors present at a meeting of the
Board, or 2/3 of the entire Board voting by mail shall be required to elect an
honorary member. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues. No honorary
members may vote unless he/she was a member in good standing of the Association
at the time he/she was elected to honorary membership.
Section 3.1. Amount.
Membership dues are as follows:
Single or Charter
membership $20.00
Family/Household
membership $40.00
Honorary membership-no
fee
Junior membership
$10.00
The Board of
Directors shall have the power to review and increase if necessary, the annual
membership fees in August at the annual meeting/picnic; subject to approval of
the members in attendance of that meeting or by a written vote through the mail
or the entire membership.
Section 3.1. Amount.
Annual membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors not to
exceed $50.00 per person per year.
Section 3.2. Payment
of dues. Dues are payable on or before the 1st day
January of each year.
Section 3.3. Dues
statement. On November 1st of each year, the Treasurer shall send to
each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year.
Section 3.4.
Nonpayment of dues. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current
year. The names of members who have not paid their dues shall be published in
the first Association newsletter published after January 1st of each year. The membership of any member
who has not paid his/her dues by March 31st of
any calendar year shall lapse. The Board of Directors may grant a grace period
of an additional 30 days for payment to any member who applies for an
extension.
Section 4.
Application for membership. Each applicant for membership in the Association
shall apply on a Board-approved Application for Membership, which shall provide
that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of
Ethics of the Association and the rules and regulations of the United Kennel
Club. The prospective member shall submit the completed application and dues
payment for the current year to the Secretary.
Section 7.
Termination Of Membership. Memberships may be terminated for any of the
following reasons:
Section 7.1.
Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Association upon
written notice to the Secretary. Resignation shall not discharge or eliminate
any debt owed to the Association. Dues are considered an obligation to the
Association and are incurred the first day of each fiscal year.
Section 7.2. Lapsing.
A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such
member's dues remain unpaid after March 31st .
The Board of Directors may grant a grace period of an additional 30 days for
payment to any member who applies for an extension. In no case may a person be
entitled to vote at any Association meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the
date of the meeting. Dues paid at such a meeting allow that member
reinstatement of voting rights.
Section 7.3.
Suspension. Any member who is suspended or barred from the privileges of the
United Kennel Club is automatically suspended or barred from the privileges of
membership in the Association for the same period of time.
Section 7.4.
Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article
VIII, Section 4 of these bylaws. Article II. Association Year.
Section 1. Fiscal
Year. The Association�s fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the last day of
December.
Section 2. Official
Year. The Association�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.
Article III.
Meetings.
Section 1. Annual
meeting. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at such time and
place as may be designated by the Board of Directors Written notice of the
time, place and location of this meeting shall be printed in the annual
newsletter of the Association and shall be mailed not later than 15 days prior
to the meeting. The quorum for this and all other Association membership
meetings shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.
Section 2. Special
Association meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President or by a
majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors who are present and
voting at any meeting of the Board or who vote by mail, and shall be called by
the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by 10 percent of the members of
the Association who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held
at a place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons
authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of such a meeting
shall be mailed by the Secretary at least fifteen (15) days and not more than
thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state
the purpose of the meeting and no other Association business may be transacted
thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in
good standing.
Section 3. Board
meetings. The first meeting of the Board shall be held immediately following
the annual Association meeting and election. Meetings of the Association Board
of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors
shall from time to time determine by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least
15 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 Association
President or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at
least three members of the Board. Such special meeting shall be held at such
time and place as may be designated by the person authorized to call such
meeting. The Secretary shall mail written notice of such meeting at least 30
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 thereat. The quorum
for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 5.
Conducting Association business via electronic communication. Association and
Board members may use e-mail, chat rooms, message boards and other means of electronic
communication to facilitate Association business.
Section 5.1.
Association discussions.
a. Notice. Written
notice of Association on-line discussions shall be mailed or e-mailed to all
Association members in good standing by the Secretary at least 14 days and not
more than 30 days prior to the scheduled discussion. Notice shall include:
A designated e-mail
list, chat room or message board with instructions how to access the list, room
or message board;
2. The purpose(s) of
the meeting and the starting and ending dates and times during which discussion
may take place. No other Association business shall be discussed.
b. Quorum. No quorum
shall be required for Association discussions.
c. Voting. No vote
may be taken on any motion.
d. Minutes. The Secretary
shall be responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by using chat
room logs, copying messages from the message board, copying e-mail from the
list, or by taking notes of the discussion.
Section 5.2. Regular
Board discussions. A majority of the Board may designate a regular date, time
and e-mail list, chat room or message board for Board discussions.
Notice. These
regular discussions may be held without notice but the President shall publish
an agenda at the beginning of each discussion.�
Roll call. The Secretary will take a roll call at the beginning of each
designated meeting period.
Quorum. A quorum for
these discussions shall be a majority of the Board members. A Board member
shall be considered present if he/she responds within one-half hour in a chat
room or within 24 hours on an e-mail list or message board.
Voting. Board
members may vote on any properly-made motion during these discussions, but no
such vote shall be valid unless a written copy of the motion signed by the
Board member clearly indicating the Board member�s approval or disapproval of
the motion is received via mail or fax by the Secretary within 10 days of the
electronic vote. Board members shall be notified by mail or e-mail of the
results of all balloting.
�� d. Minutes. The Secretary shall be
responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by using chat room logs,
copying messages from the message board, copying e-mail from the list, or by
taking notes of the discussion.
Section 5.3. Special
Board discussions. Special Board discussions may be called by the Association
President, Vice President, or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written
request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special discussion
shall be held at such date and time and in such electronic format (e-mail list,
chat room or message board) as may be designated by the person authorized to
call for such a discussion.
a. Notice. The
Secretary shall mail or e-mail written notice of such meeting at least 14 days
prior to the date of the discussion. Any
such notice shall
state the purpose of the discussion and no other business shall be transacted
thereat.
b. Quorum. A quorum
for these discussions shall be a majority of the Board members. A Board member
shall be considered present if he/she responds within one-half hour in a chat
room or within 24 hours on an e-mail list or message board.
c. Voting. Board
members may vote on any properly-made motion during these discussions, but no
such vote shall be valid unless a written copy of the motion signed by the
Board member clearly indicating the Board member�s approval or disapproval of
the motion is received via mail or fax by the Secretary within 10 days of the
electronic vote. Board members shall be notified by mail or e-mail of the results
of all balloting.
d. Minutes. The
Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by
using chat room logs, copying messages from the message board, copying e-mail
from the list, or by taking notes of the discussion.
Section 6. Voting.
Each Association member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current
year, and who is entitled to vote pursuant to Article 1, Section 2, shall be
entitled to vote at any meeting at which the member is present or by ballot.
Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
Article IV.
Directors and Officers.
Section 1. Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors shall be composed of the Officers and
Directors, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall
be elected as provided in Article V and shall serve until their successors are
elected. In addition, the immediate past President shall serve as a member of
the Board.� The position would be a
voting position, this allows for continuity in the leadership of the
association. General management of the Association�s affairs shall be
entrusted to the Board of Directors. The initial Board of Directors shall hold
office until the annual picnic held in August, at which time the first
Board of Directors elected as provided in Article V shall assume office.
Section 2. Term of
Office. The Officers of the Association shall serve until their successors are
elected. All Officers shall be limited to two consecutive terms of office and
no person may hold more than one office per term if enough members are
available for service. The other members of the Board of Directors shall be
elected for [one or two]-year terms so staggered that one-half are
elected at each annual meeting, again if enough members are available for
service. Any Director who misses two Board meetings within a Association year
shall be removed from the Board of Directors, unless a majority of the Board
members present and voting at the meeting from which the Director is absent for
the second time votes to excuse one or both of the absences.
Section 3. Officers.
The Association�s Officers, consisting of the President, Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with
regard to the Association and its meetings and the Board and its meetings. All
Officers must be in good standing with the United Kennel Club.
Section 3.1.
President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and
of the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and powers normally
appurtenant to the office of the President in addition to those particularly
specified in these bylaws.
Section 3.2. Vice
President. The Vice President shall assist the President when and where
possible. The Vice President shall serve as
Parliamentarian. The
Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President
in case of the President�s death, absence or incapacity.
Section 3.3.
Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a written record of all meetings of the
Association and of the Board and of all matters of which a record shall be
ordered by the Association; shall
have charge of the
correspondence, including but not limited to:
a. Notifying members of meetings and events;
b. Notifying new members of their election to
membership;
�� c.Keeping a roll of the members of the
Association with their addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail;
�� d. Accept membership applications and issue
membership cards;
�� e. Preparing, printing, and mailing
official Association ballots;
�� f. Notifying Officers and Directors of
their election to office;
�� g. In the death, absence or incapacity of
the President and Vice������� President,
carrying out the duties and exercising the powers of
the President; and
�� h. Carrying out other such duties are as
prescribed in these bylaws.
Section 3.4. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the
Association. Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board, in
the name of the Association. The books shall at all times be accurate, up to
date, and open to inspection by the Board. A report shall be given at every
meeting of the condition of the Association�s finances and every item of
receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting, an
accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the
previous fiscal year. In the event of the resignation, death or expulsion of
the Treasurer, all moneys and account
books of the
Association shall be handed over to the Board of Directors until the office of
Treasurer is filled. The President shall sign all checks during this interim
period.
Section 4.
Vacancies. Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the offices 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 resulting
vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.
Section 5.
Compensation. The members of the Board shall serve without compensation for
time or labor but may be compensated for reasonable and necessary expenses.
Article V.
Elections.
Section 1. Annual
Election. The annual election of Officers and Directors shall be conducted by
secret written ballot, except that if no nominations are received by the
Secretary as provided in Article V, Section 2.4, no ballot will be necessary.
In this case, the persons selected by the Nominating Committee will be declared
elected by the Secretary at the annual meeting of the Association. If
additional nominations have been made as provided in Article V, Section 2.4,
The Chairperson of
the Tally Committee shall report the results of the election at the annual
meeting. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for
each office or position on the Board shall be declared elected.
Section 2.
Nominations. No person may be a candidate for an office or position on the
Board who has not been nominated. Nominations cannot be made at the annual
meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this section.
Section 2.1
Nominating Committee. Before November 15th,
the Board shall select a Nominating Committee, consisting of five members and
two alternates, all members in good standing, none of which shall be a member
of the current Board of Directors. In choosing the members of the Nominating
Committee, the Board should try to ensure that different parts of the country
have representation on the committee. The Board shall name one member of the
committee to serve as
Chairperson, who
shall be responsible for setting times and dates for Committee meetings and for
reporting results to the Association Secretary. The Nominating Committee may
conduct its business
in person or by use
of mail, fax, telephone or other electronic communication, provided that all
decisions must be confirmed in writing to all members of the Committee within
10 days.
Section 2.2. Tally
Committee. At the same time it selects a Nominating Committee, or after
immediately before submitting a proposed amendment to the Constitution or
Bylaws to the Secretary,
the Board of
Directors shall select three Association members, living within reasonable
driving distance of one another, to serve as the
Tally Committee, in
the event that it becomes necessary to hold an election or vote on a proposed
amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws, and thereafter to count ballots. The
Board shall name one member of this committee as Chairperson, who shall receive
all mail-in ballots and who shall report the results of all ballot counts to
the Association
Secretary.
Section 2.3.
Candidates. The Nominating Committee shall nominate from among the eligible
members of the Association, one candidate for each office and for each other
position on the Board of Directors and shall procure acceptance of each
nominee. The Committee should consider geographical representation of the
membership when selecting
nominees to the
extent that it is practicable to do so. No person shall be nominated for more
than one position. The Committee shall submit its slate of candidates to the
Secretary not later than
January 15th. The Secretary shall mail the list,
including the full name of each candidate and the state in which the candidate
resides, before February 1st, so that
members may make additional nominations, if they so desire.
Section 2.4.
Additional Nominations. Additional nominations of eligible members may be made
by written petition addressed to the Secretary and received at the Secretary�s
regular address on or
before March 15th, accompanied by a written acceptance of the
nomination from each additional
nominee. No person
shall be nominated for more than one position.
a. If no valid additional nominations are
received by the Secretary on or before March 15th,
the Nominating Committee�s slate of candidates shall be declared elected at the
time of the annual meeting and no balloting will be required.
b. If one or more valid nominations are received
by the Secretary on or before March 15th,
the Secretary shall mail to each member in good standing a ballot listing in
alphabetical order all of the nominees for each position, together with an
envelope addressed to the Chairperson of the Tally Committee. Ballots may be
mailed with the March/April newsletter.
Section 3. Counting
The Ballots. Ballots must be returned by U.S. mail to the Chairperson of the
Tally Committee not later than May 1
st. Ballots postmarked after that date shall be
invalid. The Chairperson shall set a meeting time for the Tally Committee as
soon as practicable after May 1st and
a place convenient to all committee members, at which meeting the committee
shall count the ballots. The Chairperson shall report the election results to
the Association Secretary not later than June 1st.
All ballots and the envelopes in which they were received shall be given to the
Secretary who shall keep them for two years as part of the Association�s
official records.
Section 4. Election
Results. Election results will be announced by the Secretary at the annual
meeting of the Association.
Section 5. Change of
Officers and Board Members. The newly-elected Officers and Board members shall
take office at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected.
Each retiring Officer and Board member shall turn over to his/her successor in
office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after
the election.
Article VI.
Contracts, Loans, Checks.
Section 1.
Contracts. The Board may authorize any Officer, agent or employee to enter into
any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf
of the Association.
acceptance of the
nomination from each additional nominee. No person shall be nominated for more
than one position.
a. If no valid
additional nominations are received by the Secretary on or before March 15th, the Nominating Committee�s slate of
candidates shall be declared elected at the time of the annual meeting and no
balloting will be required.
b. If one or more
valid nominations are received by the Secretary on or before March 15th, the Secretary shall mail to each member in
good standing a ballot listing in alphabetical order all of the nominees for
each position, together with an envelope addressed to the Chairperson of the
Tally Committee. Ballots may be mailed with the March/April newsletter.
Section 3. Counting
The Ballots. Ballots must be returned by U.S. mail to the Chairperson of the
Tally Committee not later than May 1
st. Ballots postmarked after that date shall be
invalid. The Chairperson shall set a meeting time for the Tally Committee as
soon as practicable after May 1st and
a place convenient to all committee members, at which meeting the committee
shall count the ballots. The Chairperson shall report the election results to
the Association Secretary not later than June 1st.
All ballots and the envelopes in which they were received shall be given to the
Secretary who shall keep them for two years as part of the Association�s
official records.
Section 4. Election
Results. Election results will be announced by the Secretary at the annual
meeting of the Association.
Section 5. Change of
Officers and Board Members. The newly-elected Officers and Board members shall
take office at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected.
Each retiring Officer and Board member shall turn over to his/her successor in
office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after
the election. Article VI. Contracts, Loans, Checks.
Section 1.
Contracts. The Board may authorize any Officer, agent or employee to enter into
any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf
of the Association. 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 respondent may personally appear in his/her own defense
and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.
Section 3. Board
Hearing. The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may
attend the hearing, but both complainant and respondent shall be treated
uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the
evidence and testimony
presented by
complainant and respondent, the Board may by a majority vote of those present
suspend the respondent from all privileges of the Association for not more than
six months from the date of the hearing.�
If the Board 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 respondent�s right to appear before his fellow members
at the ensuing Association 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 Secretary. The 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 Association may be accomplished only
at the annual meeting of the Association following a Board hearing and upon the
Board�s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The respondent
shall have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf though no evidence
shall be taken to this meeting. The President shall read the charges, and the
findings and recommendations, and shall invite the respondent, if present, to
speak on his/her own behalf. The meeting 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 shall stand.
Article IX.
Amendments.
Section 1. Proposing
Amendments. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the
Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by
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
the recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote at the time of the
annual election subsequent to
the date when the
petition was received by the Secretary.
Section 2.
Publishing Proposed Amendments.
Proposed amendments
must be published in the March/April newsletter with the recommendations of the
Board. The Secretary shall mail to each member in good standing a ballot
listing all proposed amendments, together with an envelope addressed to the
Chairperson of the Tally Committee. Ballots may be mailed with the March/April
newsletter. The same ballot form may be used for proposed amendments as for the
annual election of Officers and Board members.
Section 3. Voting
Procedures. Proposed amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be included
on the same ballot used for the annual election of Board members.� Ballots shall be returned, counted, and
results announced in accordance with the procedures outlined in
Article V, Sections
4.4 and 4.5. The favorable vote of 2/3 of the members in good standing who
return valid ballots within the specified time limit shall be required to
effect such a proposed amendment.
Section 4. U.K.C.
Approval. No amendment to the constitution and bylaws that is adopted by the
Association shall become effective until it has been approved by U.K.C.
Article X.
Dissolution. The Association 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 Association, whether voluntary or involuntary or by
operation of law, other than for purposes of reorganization, none of the
property of the Association nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the
Association shall be distributed to any members of the Association, but after
payment of the debts of the Association, its property and assets shall be given
to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs.
Article XI. Order of
Business.
Section 1.
Association Meetings. At meetings of the Association, 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)
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
Section 2. Board Meetings. 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 XII.
Parliamentary Authority. The rules contained in the current edition of
"Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised," shall govern the
Association 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
Association may adopt.
Article XIII.
Certification. We hereby
certify that the foregoing Constitution and Bylaws, consisting of [14] pages,
including this page, constitute the Bylaws of the Alaskan Klee Kai National
Kennel Club, Association, duly adopted by its Board of Directors at a meeting
properly noticed and held, and at which a quorum was present on the Annual
Klee Kai picnic.