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MEMBERSHIP Our Membership Policy... 1. Applicants must be sponsored by two active members. These sponsors must have been active members for at least two years. 2. Applicants must attend a minimum of six meetings within twelve months prior to applying for membership. 3. It is preferred that applicants not be a member of any other All Breed Dog Club. 4. Previous Kennel Clubs may be contacted for reference. 5. Members of the RKC may be asked for their input regarding applicants membership. 6. Initiation fee to RKC shall be $25.00 for each person. Annual dues are $5.00 for each member. 7. Initiation and membership fees are not required with the application for membership. These fees and dues are payable within 30 days following notification of acceptance. 8. Sponsors must be prepared to represent the applicant to the Board of Directors. Among the areas subject to inquiry are: a. Length of time known by sponsor. b. Applicants participation in dog sport. c. Knowledge of breeding program. d. Present kennel facilities. e. Knowledge of frictions or behavior problems that tend to be in poor sportsmanship or taste to the general dog fancy. 9. Sponsors are limited to two applicants per calendar year. 10. Membership applications will be considered at scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. These policies have been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Raleigh Kennel Club, Inc. Our Leadership team: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Board Member Board Member Show Chairman Obedience Chairman Rally Chairman Web site information ARTICLE I SECTION 1. The name of the Club shall be the Raleigh Kennel Club, Inc. SECTION 2. The objects of the Club shall be: (a) to further the advancement of all breeds of pure-bred dogs; (b) to conduct dog shows, field trials, obedience trials and sanctioned matches under the rules of the American Kennel Club; (c) to devote all profits accruing to the Club to the above purposes, or to make specific bequests to such charitable or civic organizations as follows: (1) bequests to not exceed $100. shall be recommended
by the Board of Directors; and approved by a majority vote of those
in attendance and voting at a Club meeting. ARTILCE II SECTION 1. Eligibility: There shall be two types of membership: active and inactive, opened to all persons eighteen years of age and older, who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club, and who subscribe to the purpose of this Club. ACTIVE members shall be defined as those paid up members who attend at least 50% of the meetings, work on committees and participate in Club activities. They have full voting privileges, may receive awards and may attend Club dinner and picnic at no expense. INACTIVE members shall be defined as paid up members who do not attend at least 50% of the meetings, do not participate in Club activities, do not have voting privileges, are not eligible to receive awards, can attend social functions only at their own expense. 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. SECTION 2. 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 this constitution and the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address, occupation and such additional information as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, request of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members of the Club. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues for the current year, plus an entrance fee to be determined by the Board of Directors. Applications shall be sent to the Treasurer and submitted by the Treasurer to the Board of Directors for their recommendation. Affirmative vote of ¾ of members present and voting shall be required to elect the applicant to membership. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club shall not reapply within six months after such rejection. SECTION 3. Termination of Membership: Membership may be terminated by: (a) Resignation: any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. Any member who resigns when in debt to the Club, must pay up all debts to the Club before he can be accepted for reinstatement, in the event he should desire to become active at a later date. (b) Lapsing: A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the fiscal year: however, the Board of Directors may grant an additional 60 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) Expulsion: Any member or officer whose membership, in the opinion of the Board of Directors is detrimental to the best interests of the Club shall, upon recommendation of the Board of Directors, and by an affirmative vote of ¾ of the membership, be removed from office and/or expelled from the Club. Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period. Manner of presenting charges and hearings for AKC suspension shall be handled in accordance with AKC By-Laws and Constitution. ARTICLE III SECTION 1. Regular Club Meetings: Meetings of the Club shall be held on the second Monday in each month, at such hour and place as shall be designated by the President. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary or some other designated person. The quorum for such meetings shall be ten (10). 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 of Directors who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors; 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 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 and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be ten (10). SECTION 3. Annual Meetings: The Annual meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of April. ARTICLE IV SECTION 1. Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Show Chairman, Immediate Past President, and two other persons who shall be active members in good standing. One of these two persons shall be elected each year to serve a term of two years. The Immediate Past President shall serve until a succeeding Past President displaces him. If a Corresponding Secretary is deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, it shall appoint one and that person becomes a member of the Board. SECTION 2. Officers: The Officers of the Club shall be: President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer. The election of officers shall be for terms of one year and all elections shall be at the Club's annual meeting in April. The Officers shall serve in their respective capacities, both with regard to the Club and its meetings, and the Board and its meetings. ARTICLE V SECTION 1. There shall be the following Standing Committees: Show, Membership, Program, Finance, Publicity, By-Laws, Social and Obedience, and any other committees as are considered desirable. Committee Chairmen shall be appointed by the Board of Directors at its first meeting after the annual meeting in April, and shall serve for a period of one year. ARTICLE VI SECTION 1. Appointment of Nominating Committee: At the March meeting, the President shall announce the names of the persons appointed by him to serve on this special committee. It shall consist of five members and two alternates. The President shall name a Chairman for the Committee and it shall be this Chairman's duty to call a committee meeting. The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and one candidate for the two year position on the Board. The committee must obtain the consent of all nominees. SECTION 2. Report of the Nominating Committee: Nominating committee shall present its report to the membership at the annual meeting in April, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor by any member in good standing, provided the person so nominated does not decline when his name is proposed. Any person nominated from the floor must be present. No person who has declined the Committee's nomination may be nominated from the floor for the same position. SECTION 3. Elections: Officers and Directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by a majority vote of those members present and voting at the Annual meeting in April. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his successor all properties and records relating to that office within fifteen (15) days after the election. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election. ARTICLE VII SECTION 1. Amendments: This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided that announcement of proposed amendments are made at one meeting and voted upon at the following meeting. ARTICLE VIII SECTION 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two thirds of the members. After payment of all debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be turned over to a public charitable organization or organizations to be selected by the eligible members of the Club at the time of dissolution. ARTICLE IX 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 the Board; report of the President; reports of Secretary, Treasurer, Standing Committees; Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting); Election of New Members; unfinished business; new business; program; adjournment. SECTION 2. At meetings of the Board of Directors, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those present, shall be as follows: Minutes of the last meeting; reports of Secretary, Treasurer, Committees; unfinished business; election of new members; new business; adjournment. ARTICLE I SECTION 1. Officers: (a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and powers normally assigned to the office of President, in addition to those particularly specified in this Constitution and By-Laws. (b) The Vice-President shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President in case of the President’s absence, death or incapacity. (c) The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all members, and meetings of the Club and of the Board of Directors, and of all matters of importance to the Club. He shall notify members of meetings, unless a Corresponding Secretary is appointed to handle this; notify new members of their election to membership; notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in this Constitution and By-Laws. (d) The Treasurer shall invoice, collect and receive all money due or belonging to the Club and receipt therefor. He shall deposit same in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the Club. His books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and he shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club’s finances, and every item or receipt or payment not previously reported; and at the annual meeting, he shall render an account of all money received and expended during the previous fiscal year. He shall perform such other duties as are prescribed by this Constitution and By-Laws, or the Board of Directors. He shall make disbursements by vouchers. At the discretion of the Board, a Comptroller may be assigned and designated as qualified to sign such vouchers. (e) Corresponding Secretary shall carry on such correspondence as may be designated by the Officers or Board of Directors. SECTION 2. Committees: (a) The Show Committee will be in direct charge of and responsible for all phases of the Club’s sanctioned matches, dog shows, field trials, and obedience trials, subject, however, to the final authority of the Board of Directors. (b) The Finance Committee shall consist of three members, who shall examine the records of the Treasurer during the month of March and report its findings to the Club at the Annual Meeting. (c) Obedience Committee shall head a committee to plan for obedience classes and demonstrations; to work under the supervision of the Show Committee in planning obedience trials at the regular dog shows; arrange such other items in connection with the instruction and shows as particular to obedience. ARTICLE II SECTION 1. The Board of Directors shall have management of the affairs of the Club and shall fill all vacancies occurring on the Board by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board at its first meeting following the creation of such vacancy. Meetings of the Board shall be held quarterly and at such other times and places as may be designated by the President. The quorum for such a meeting shall be four (4). At its first meeting after the annual meeting, the Board of Directors shall appoint the committees for the following year. SECTION 2. Any Committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; the Board may appoint successors to these persons whose service has been terminated. ARTICLE III SECTION 1. Membership dues shall be $5.00 per person, 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 December, the Secretary or Treasurer shall send a reminder to each person that dues are payable on January 1. Fiscal year of the Club shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31, and dues are based on this instead of the Club’s official year, which begins immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting. New members who join in November or December do not have to pay dues again on January 1. ARTICLE IV SECTION 1. Awards: Awards shall be presented each year at the April membership meeting or at such additional times as the Board of Directors may select, to eligible members whose dogs have completed championships and/or obedience degrees during the previous year. Additions or deletions to this list will be made upon recommendation of the Board, subject to a vote of the membership. SECTION 2. Eligibility for Awards: In order for any member to be eligible to receive any award, he shall be an active member for at least 60 days prior to the completion of a championship or obedience degree. He shall be required to notify the club president when he receives the AKC verification of his win giving the information necessary for engraving the award. ARTICLE V SECTION 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided the announcement of proposed amendments are made at one meeting and voted upon at the following meeting. Club Policies 1. It is strongly preferred that a member of the Board of Directors not sponsor or endorse a new member. 2. Active members may sponsor a maximum of two new members per calendar year. These sponsors must be active members for two years prior to sponsoring a new member. 3. All voting on new members at Board of Directors meetings shall be by written ballot. 4. All voting on new members in the General Meetings shall be by written ballot. 5. It shall be the responsibility and obligation of all prospective members to make themselves known to the membership and to the Board of Directors. 6. All prospective members shall attend a minimum of six meetings within the year prior to applying for membership. a. The Annual Awards Dinner and the July Picnic are automatically designated for all Club members as meetings attended, although attendance will not be taken. b. Prospective members are required to have attended six Club meetings prior to submitting an application. To satisfy attendance at two of those six meetings, Prospective members may choose to participate in any two of the following four opportunities: Assistance at the two Club shows held in September and March Attendance at the two annual Club events, which are the December Annual Awards Dinner and the July Picnic. 7. The Board of Directors and the General Membership have the responsibility and right to limit new memberships due to an overbalance of members within one breed if the Board and/or membership feels this would disturb the harmony of the Raleigh Kennel Club. 8. All obedience instructors active in their jobs shall be allowed to attend a dinner, compliments of the Raleigh Kennel Club, after each graduation. 9. Upon voting on a prospective member in the General Meetings the prospective member shall be advised not to attend that meeting. Notification of acceptance or rejection will follow. If the prospective member fails to receive notice not to attend the meeting or attends said meeting voting will be postponed. This is applied so as not to cause possible embarrassment to the prospective member or to the Raleigh Kennel Club. 10. Any member of the RKC who co-owns a dog, whether they be primary owner or co-owner, will receive a Championship Plaque at the annual awards dinner only if one of the following conditions exists: a. The dog that is co-owned is in full custody of the member during and after completion of a championship. A member will not receive a plaque if the dog is placed in co-ownership for the sole purpose of showing and does not remain in residence with the member. To further explain: if a member enters into a co-ownership and has custody of the dog while it is being shown and the dog is returned to another owner upon completion of a championship that member will not receive a championship plaque. b. A member that co-owns a dog but does not have custody of the dog shall receive a plaque only if that member can provide documentation to the Board of Directors that the show career of the dog was totally financed by the member. Documentation must be to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors. 11. An active member may not take an inactive member as a guest to any Club function that is restricted to active members. The only exception to this policy is if the inactive member is the spouse of an active member. 12. The Secretary will include in the meeting notice the names of any individuals who have applied for membership if that application will be voted on at the next Board of Directors meeting. The names of these individuals will also be announced by the Secretary at the General Meeting immediately prior to the meeting at which votes will be cast. All members are urged to share their knowledge of prospective members with any and all members of the Board of Directors before the application is voted on by the Board. 13. A member must be active as defined in the constitution for a minimum of two years before that member may be nominated or appointed to serve as an officer or member of the Board of Directors. These policies adopted by the Board of Directors of the Raleigh Kennel Club, Inc. 09/28/89 and amended 10/07/04. Membership Policies 1. Applicants must be sponsored by two active members. These sponsors must have been active members for at least two years. 2. Applicants must attend a minimum of six meetings within twelve months prior to applying for membership. 3. It is preferred that applicants not be a member of any other All Breed Dog Club. 4. Previous Kennel Clubs may be contacted for reference. 5. Members of the RKC may be asked for their input regarding applicants membership. 6. Initiation fee to RKC shall be $25.00 for each person. Annual dues are $5.00 for each member. 7. Initiation and membership fees are not required with the application for membership. These fees and dues are payable within 30 days following notification of acceptance. 8. Sponsors must be prepared to represent the applicant to the Board of Directors. Among the areas subject to inquiry are: a. Length of time known by sponsor. b. Applicants participation in dog sport. c. Knowledge of breeding program. d. Present kennel facilities. e. Knowledge of frictions or behavior problems that tend to be in poor sportsmanship or taste to the general dog fancy. 9. Sponsors are limited to two applicants per calendar year. 10. Membership applications will be considered at scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors. These policies adopted by the Board of Directors of the Raleigh Kennel Club, Inc. amended 10/07/04.
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