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THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, INC.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1.
The name of the Club shall be the
Doberman Pinscher Club of Columbus, Ohio, Inc. (DPCCO).
SECTION 2.
The objectives of the DPCCO shall
be:
a)
To promote the public's knowledge
and appreciation of dogs in general and Doberman
Pinschers in particular;
b)
To produce, publish, and
distribute to the general public educational
materials about the proper care, treatment,
breeding, health, development and training of
Doberman Pinschers;
c)
To support and promote study and
research on the history, character, breeding,
genetics and particular health problems of the
Doberman Pinscher;
d)
To further understanding of the
disease, defects, injuries and other ailments
that afflict dogs in general and the Doberman
Pinscher in particular;
e)
To acknowledge and advance the critical role of
an AKC recognized chapter club in providing
education, health research and support of rescue
and reduction of overpopulation for the benefit
of the general public, purebred dogs and
Doberman Pinschers in particular;
f)
To conduct activities including
sporting events, sanctioned matches, specialty
shows, obedience and tracking trials, Working
Aptitude Tests, and other such activities and
events as may be held under the rules of the
American Kennel Club and the Doberman Pinscher
Club of America, in furtherance of the above
purposes;
g)
To otherwise preserve and protect
the Doberman Pinscher and to do all things
possible to bring its natural qualities to
perfection;
h)
To urge 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 Doberman Pinscher shall
be judged.
SECTION 3.
The DPCCO is organized
exclusively for charitable, educational, and
scientific purposes, including, for such
purposes, the making of distributions to
organizations that qualify as exempt
organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section
of any future federal tax code.
No part of the net earnings of
the Doberman Pinscher Club of Columbus Ohio,
Inc., shall inure to the benefit of, or be
distributable to its members, trustees,
officers, or other private persons, except that
the DPCCO shall be authorized and empowered to
pay reasonable compensation for services
rendered and to make payments and distributions
in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the
purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of
the activities of the organization shall be the
carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise
attempting to influence legislation, and the
organization shall not participate in, or
intervene in (including the publishing or
distribution of statements) any political
campaign on behalf of any candidate for public
office. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this document, the organization shall not carry
on any other activities not permitted to be
carried on (a) by an organization exempt from
federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of
the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding
section of any future federal tax code, or (b)
by an organization, contributions to which are
deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section
of any future federal tax code.
SECTION 4.
The members of the DPCCO shall
adopt, and may from time to time
revise, such By-Laws as may be
required to carry out the DPCCO's objectives.
Such revisions shall not become effective until
approved by the Doberman Pinscher Club of
Columbus, Ohio, Inc., and the Doberman Pinscher
Club of America, Inc.
THE
DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, INC.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY
There shall be two types of
membership open to all persons 18 years of age
and older who are in good standing with the
American Kennel Club and who support the purpose
of the DPCCO. While membership is to be
unrestricted as to residence, the DPCCO's
primary purpose is to be representative of the
breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area.
A. Regular [Individual]
membership shall enjoy all club privileges
including the right to vote and to hold office
upon payment of annual dues.
B. Honorary membership
may be bestowed on an individual in recognition
of significant contribution to DPCCO, upon
approval of criteria submitted and approved by a
majority of members present. Honorary members
pay no dues and are not eligible to vote, but
can maintain regular membership upon payment of
dues.
SECTION 2. DUES
Dues shall be reviewed by the
Board of Directors in September and with the
approval of the membership will be set not to
exceed $30.00 per person. Dues are payable on or
before the 1st day of October of each year. No
member whose dues are not paid for the current
year may vote on any issue. During the month of
July, the Treasurer shall send each member a
statement of his/her dues for the ensuing year.
Any member joining the DPCCO
after March shall pay one-half of the year’s
dues for that calendar year.
SECTION 3. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP
Each applicant for membership
shall complete an application and shall agree to
abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of the
DPCCO, the
Constitution and bylaws of the Doberman Pinscher
Club of America,
and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The
application shall carry the endorsement of two
DPCCO members. Accompanying the application, the
prospective member shall submit dues payment for
the current year. Should the application be
rejected, a refund shall be made.
All applications are to be filed
with the Vice President and each application is
to be read at the first meeting following
receipt of the application. At the second
meeting following receipt of the application,
the application will be read and will be voted
upon by secret ballot and an affirmative vote of
three-fourths (3/4) of the members present and
voting at the meeting shall be required to elect
the applicant.
Applicants for membership who
have been rejected by the DPCCO may re-apply
after six (6) months from the date of
rejection by the DPCCO.
SECTION 4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership may be
terminated:
A. By Resignation: Any
member in good standing may resign from the
DPCCO upon written notice to the 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 Delinquent Status:
A membership will be considered automatically
terminated if dues remain unpaid after October 1st.
However, should extenuating circumstance arise,
the Board may grant an extension up to 90 days.
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
outlined in Article VI of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS AND VOTING
SECTION 1. DPCCO MEETINGS
Meetings of the DPCCO shall be
held in the vicinity of Columbus, Ohio, once
each month, at such hour and place as may be
designated by the Board of Directors and
Membership.
Written notice of each meeting
shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five
(5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days
prior to the date of that meeting. The quorum
for such meetings shall be fifteen percent (15%)
of the members in good standing.
SECTION 2. SPECIAL CLUB MEETINGS
Special DPCCO 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 the Secretary upon receipt of a
petition signed by five (5) members of the DPCCO
who are in good standing. Such special meetings
shall be held in the vicinity of Columbus, Ohio,
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 by the Secretary
at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen
(15) days prior to the date of the meeting and
the notices shall state the purpose of the
meeting. No other DPCCO business shall
be transacted. The quorum for such a meeting
shall be fifteen percent (15%) of the members in
good standing.
SECTION 3. BOARD MEETINGS
Meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held in the vicinity of
Columbus, Ohio, in the months of January, March,
May, July, September, and November at such hour
and place as may be designated by the Board. A
notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the
Secretary at least five (5) days and not more
than ten (10) 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 or by written request
of at least three (3) members of the Board. Such
special meetings shall be held in the vicinity
of Columbus, Ohio, at such place, date and hour
as may be designated by the person authorized
herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of
the meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at
least five (5) days and not more than ten (10)
days prior to the date of the meeting. The
notice shall state the purpose of the meeting
and no other business shall be transacted. 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
DPCCO at which he/she is present. Proxy voting
will not be permitted at any DPCCO meeting or
election.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board shall be comprised of
the President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, DPCA Chapter Club Delegate, and two
(2) other persons all of whom shall be members
in good standing and all of whom shall be
elected for one-year terms at the DPCCO's annual
election as provided in Article IV and shall
serve until their successors are installed.
General management of the DPCCO's affairs shall
be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. OFFICERS
The DPCCO's Officers, consisting
of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer shall serve in their respective
capacities both with regard to the DPCCO and its
meetings and the Board and its meetings.
A. The President shall
preside at all meetings of the DPCCO and of the
Board, and shall have the duties and powers
normally vested in the office of President in
addition to those particularly specified in
these By-Laws.
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 a record of all meetings of
the DPCCO and of the Board and of all matters of
which a record shall be ordered by the DPCCO.
He/she shall have charge of the correspondence,
shall notify Officers and Directors of their
election to office, shall keep a roll of the
members of the DPCCO with their
addresses, and shall carry out such other duties
as are prescribed in these By-Laws.
D. The
Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies
due to the DPCCO. He/she shall deposit such
monies into a DPCCO account in a bank
satisfactory to the Board. His/her books shall
at all times be open to the inspection of the
Board and he/she shall report at every meeting
the condition of the DPCCO's finances and every
item of receipt or payment not previously
reported. At the annual meeting he/she shall
render an account of all monies received and
expended during the previous fiscal year. The
accounts shall be reconciled at the close of
business of the fiscal year ending September 30th
by November 2nd of that year. The
accounts shall be audited when a change in the
office of Treasurer occurs. The Treasurer will
not be authorized to make payment of any
bill in excess of $500.00 unless payment has
been authorized by the Board of Directors.
E. The DPCA
Delegate shall represent DPCCO at Doberman
Pinscher Club of America Annual Meetings, and
other such events, and shall act as information
liaison between DPCCO and Doberman Pinscher Club
of America.
SECTION 3. VACANCIES
Any vacancies occurring on the
Board during the year (except President) shall
be filled for the unexpired term of office by a
majority vote of all current members of the
Board at its first meeting following the
creation of such vacancy, or at a Special Board
Meeting called for that purpose. 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 nomination by
and a majority vote of all current members of
the Board.
ARTICLE IV
THE DPCCO YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. DPCCO YEAR
The DPCCO's fiscal year shall
begin on the first day of October and shall end
on the 30th day of September. The
DPCCO's official year shall begin immediately
following the conclusion of the installation of
Officers at the annual meeting and shall
continue through the installation at the next
annual meeting.
SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting shall be held
in the month of September at which time the
Board of Directors and Officers for the ensuing
year shall be installed. They shall take office
immediately and each retiring Officer shall turn
over to his/her successor all properties and
records relating to that office within thirty
(30) days of the election.
SECTION 3. ELECTIONS
Elections of the Officers and
Directors for the ensuing year, from those
nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this
article, shall be conducted by secret, written
ballot at the August. The nominated candidate
receiving the greatest number of votes for each
office shall be declared elected. The candidates
for other positions on the Board who receive the
greatest number of votes for such positions
shall be declared elected. (See Article III,
Section 1 and Section 2.)
SECTION 4. NOMINATIONS
No person who has not been
nominated by either the Nominating
Committee or by an individual may be a
candidate in a DPCCO election. During the month
of April, the Board shall select a
Nominating Committee consisting of three (3)
members and two (2) alternates,
not more than one of whom may be a member
of the Board. The Secretary, upon receipt of the
names comprising the Nominating Committee, shall
immediately notify the prospective committee
members and alternates of their selection. The
Board shall name a Chairperson for the Committee
and it shall be his/her duty to call a committee
meeting which shall be held on or before
June1st.
A. The
Committee shall nominate one candidate for each
office, for each of two positions on the Board,
and for the DPCA Chapter Club Delegate. After
securing the consent of each candidate so
nominated, the Committee shall immediately
report their nominations to the Secretary in
writing.
B. Upon
receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report the
Secretary shall, on or before the 15th of June,
notify each member in writing of the candidates
so nominated.
C.
Additional nominations may be made at the July
meeting by any member in attendance provided
that the person so nominated accepts when
his/her name is proposed. If the proposed
candidate is not in attendance, his/her proposer
shall present the Secretary with a written
statement from the proposed candidate signifying
his/her willingness to be a candidate.
D. No
person may be a candidate for more than one
position. Any additional nominations may
be made only for a member who has not accepted a
nomination from the Nominating Committee.
Nominations can only be made at the July
meeting.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. STANDING COMMITTEES
Each year, the Board may appoint
standing committees to advance the work of the
DPCCO. Such Committees shall always be subject
to the final authority of the Board. Special
Committees may also be appointed by the Board
for various projects.
SECTION 2. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Any committee appointment may be
terminated by majority vote of the full
membership of the Board upon written notice to
the appointee. The Board may appoint a successor
to a person whose service has been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1. AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
SUSPENSION
Any member who is suspended from
the privileges of the American Kennel Club
automatically shall be suspended from the
privileges of the DPCCO for the same period.
SECTION 2. CHARGES
Any member may prefer charges
against another member for alleged misconduct
prejudicial to the best interests of the DPCCO
or the Breed. Written charges with
specifications must be filed in duplicate with
the Secretary together with a deposit of $50.00
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 first
consider whether the action alleged in the
charges, if proven, might constitute conduct
prejudicial to the best interests of the DPCCO
or the Breed. If the Board considers that the
charges do not allege conduct which would be
prejudicial to the best interests of the DPCCO
or the Breed, it may refuse to retain
jurisdiction and may dismiss the charges. If the
Board retains jurisdiction of the charges it
shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not
less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6)
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 and a statement that the defendant may
personally appear in his/her own behalf 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 defendant
shall be treated uniformly. Should the charges
be sustained after hearing all the evidence and
testimony presented by the complainant and
defendant, the Board may, by a majority
vote of those present, reprimand , suspend the
defendant from all privileges of the DPCCO for
not more than six (6) months from the date of
the hearing. In addition, if it deems the
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 his/her
fellow members at the ensuing DPCCO meeting
which considers the Board’s recommendation (see
Section 4 of this Article, Expulsion).
Immediately after the Board has reached a
decision, its findings shall be put in written
form and filed with the Secretary who shall
notify each of the parties of the Board’s
decision and penalty, if any.
SECTION 4. EXPULSION
Expulsion of a member from
the DPCCO may be accomplished only at a meeting
of the DPCCO following a Board hearing and upon
the Board’s recommendation as provided in
Section 3 of this Article. Such proceedings may
occur at a regular or special meeting of the
DPCCO to be held within sixty (60) days but not
earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of
the Board’s recommendation.
The defendant shall have the
privilege of appearing in his/her own behalf,
though no evidence shall be taken at this
meeting. The President shall read the charges
and the Board’s findings and recommendation, and
shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak
in his/her own behalf if he/she wishes. The
membership shall then vote, by secret written
ballot, on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds
(2/3) vote of those present and voting shall be
necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not
approved by vote, the Board’s suspension shall
stand.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. PROPOSALS
Amendments to the Constitution
and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of
Directors or by written petition addressed to
the Secretary signed by fifteen (15%) of the
membership in good standing. Amendments proposed
by such petition shall be promptly considered by
the Board of Directors and must be submitted by
the Secretary to the members with
recommendations of the Board for a vote within
three (3) months of the date when the petition
was received by the Secretary.
SECTION 2. VOTE
The Constitution and By-Laws may
be amended by two-thirds (2/3) secret
vote of members present and voting at any
regular or special meeting called for the
purpose of amendments. The proposed amendments
must have been included in the notice of the
meeting and mailed to each member at least two
(2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Such
revisions shall not become effective until
approved by the Doberman Pinscher Club of
America.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1. DISSOLUTION
The DPCCO may be dissolved at any
time by the written consent of at least
two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good
standing. In the event of the dissolution of the
DPCCO other than for purposes of reorganization,
whether voluntary or involuntary, or by
operation of law, none of the property of the
DPCCO nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of
the DPCCO may be distributed to any members of
the DPCCO.
Upon the dissolution of the
organization and after payments of the debts of
the Club, assets shall be distributed for one or
more exempt purposes within the meaning of
section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
or corresponding section of any future federal
tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal
government, or to a state or local government,
for a public purpose. Any such assets not
disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of
Common Pleas of the county in which the
principal office of the organization is then
located, exclusively for such purposes or to
such organization or organizations, as said
Court shall determine, which are organized and
operated exclusively for such purposes.
ARTICLE IX
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The members of DPCCO are also
subject to and regulated by the provisions of
the Constitution and bylaws of the Doberman
Pinscher Club of America, anything to the
contrary in this Constitution and bylaws not
withstanding.
In as much as our parent
organization, Doberman Pinscher Club of America,
has included us in a
501(c)3 group exemption
recognition before the IRS, we acknowledge our
responsibility to make annual information
reports pertaining to our continued good
standing. We further agree to adhere to their
specific policies related to the 501(c) (3)
status that in their judgment keeps this status
well maintained. While we reserve the right to
challenge any such policy that may be
established, we will inform them of such action
in writing 30 days prior to any implementation
on our part.
ARTICLE X
ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1. GENERAL MEETINGS
At general meetings of the DPCCO,
the order of business, so far as the character
and nature of the meeting may permit,
shall be as follows:
1) Roll
Call
7) Election of Officers and Directors
2) Minutes of Last
Meeting 8)
Election of New Members
3) Report of
President
9) Old business
4) Report of
Secretary
10) New business
5) Report of
Treasurer
11) Adjournment
6) Report of
Committees
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:
1) Roll
call
6) Report of Committees
2) Minutes of Last
Meeting 7)
Old Business
3) Report of
President
8) New Business
4) Report of
Secretary
9) Adjournment
5) Report of Treasurer
ARTICLE XI
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
SECTION 1. ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER
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 By-Laws and
any special “Rules of Order” the club may adopt.
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