Important Documents
By Laws
Central Wyoming Kennel Club
P.O. Box 1565
Casper Wyoming 82602
By-Laws
Article I
Membership
Section 1: ELIGIBILITY: There shall be three 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 subscribe to the purposes of this club: 1) “Regular” – may participate in all privileges of the club including voting and holding office. 2) “Associate” - Live outside the immediate Casper, Wy area. They are entitled to all privileges of the club except voting and holding office. Such members are not counted in determining a quorum. Applications need not require sponsors or approval process applicable to prospective regular members. 3) “Honorary” – conferred in the recognition of outstanding contribution and long - time service to the club. Such members are entitled to all privileges of the club including voting and holding office and are exempt from payment of dues. A “Junior” membership is available to persons 10 through 17 years of age. Such members may not vote or hold office. They may automatically convert to regular membership upon 18 years of age. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the clubs primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in this immediate area.
Section 2: DUES: Membership dues shall not exceed $ for one person, or $ for a family, payable on or before the first day of January each year. No member may vote nor may receive discounts on club activities if dues are not paid for the current year. Dues notices will be sent prior to December 1.
Section 3: ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP: Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved by the Board of Directors which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these by-laws and the rules of the American Kennel Club. Applications for membership will be directed to the Club Secretary and shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing and shall be accompanied by a dues payment for the current year. The Board of Directors will make a recommendation regarding an application at the first club meeting following its receipt. An affirmative vote, by secret ballot, of 2/3 of the membership present at the next Club meeting will be required for the election to membership.
Section 4: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Memberships may be terminated:
Section 5: MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING: In order to be a member in good standing in the Club, dues must be paid in a timely manner as specified in the previous Sections 2-3
ARTICLE II
Meetings and Voting
Section 1: CLUB MEETINGS: Meeting of the club shall be held in Casper, Wyoming on the second Thursday of the month, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Upon proper written notice, the Board may designate a different day and time for such meetings. The Club shall hold regular meetings in each month except December.
Written notice of each Club meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the meeting to each member. The quorum shall be 20% of members in good standing but in no event less than seven members.
Section 2: SPECIAL CLUB MEETINGS: Special Club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meeting shall be held in Casper, Wyoming. Written notice and quorum are to be as in Section 1.
Section 3: MEETINGS: Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held once each month in Casper, Wyoming at a time and place designated by the Board. The Secretary will send meeting notices at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum 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 to the Secretary of at least three Board members. Special meetings will be held in Casper, Wyoming with written notice being sent by the Secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 5: VOTING: Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which he is present. Neither proxy or absentee voting will be permitted at any Club meeting or election.
Section 6: VOTING AT THE GENERAL ELECTION: Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at the election of officers and Board.
ARTICLE III
Directors and Officers
Section 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three other persons each of whom shall be elected fo staggered three-year terms at the Clubs November meeting as provided for in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the Clubs affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
Section 2: OFFICERS: The Clubs officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the board and its meetings.
Section 3: VACANCIES: Any vacancy occurring on the Board or among the offices during the year shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority of all the the members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy, or at a Special Board meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by the Board.
A Board member or officer, who misses three consecutive Board meetings or three consecutive general meetings, without an excuse deemed valid by the Board, shall be considered to have resigned and the Board will declare the position vacant. No Officer or Board member shall be removed from office without just cause.
Article IV
THE CLUB YEAR< ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: CLUB YEAR: The Clubs fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the 31st day of December.
Section 2: ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting shall be held in the month of January at which time the officers, and directors for the ensuing year shall be installed. All retiring officers and Directors shall turn over to the successor all properties and records relating to that office within 10 days after the annual meetings, with the exception of the Treasurer who will act in accordance with Article III, (d), and shall be entitled to keep all properties necessary for the fiscal report until 10 days after the February meeting.
Section 3: ELECTIONS: The annual election of the ensuing year’s officers and Directors shall be held in the November meeting. The nominated candidates for office or directorship receiving a majority of votes for each office shall be elected. If the leading candidate for an office does not receive a majority of all votes cast, a second balloting will immediately follow the first.
Section 4: NOMINATIONS: Each candidate in a Club election must be nominated and must have attended three club meetings during the current calendar year. By September 1st , the Club President shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three members, not more than one of who may be a member of the Board.
ARTICLE V
Committees
Section 1: The Board may each year appoint standing or special committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters that may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
Section 2: Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
DISCIPLINE
Section 1: American Kennel Club Supervision. 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.
Section 2: Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filled in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $25, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the board following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board considers the charges do not allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The 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 defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he 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 in that regard. 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 suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the 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 club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the club following a Board hearing and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. Such proceeding may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club, to be held within 60 days, but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Boards’ finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf if he wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Boards’ suspension shall stand.
Article VII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by ten or more members 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 for a vote within three months of the date when the Secretary received the petition.
Section 2: The by-laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose, provided proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
Section 1: The Club may be dissolved at any time by written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds there of nor any assets thereof shall be distributed to any members. Its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs: to be selected by the ballot.
ARTICLE IX
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1: At the meeting 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 the last General Meeting
Minutes of the last Board Meeting(s)
Correspondence
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
P.O. Box 1565
Casper Wyoming 82602
By-Laws
Article I
Membership
Section 1: ELIGIBILITY: There shall be three 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 subscribe to the purposes of this club: 1) “Regular” – may participate in all privileges of the club including voting and holding office. 2) “Associate” - Live outside the immediate Casper, Wy area. They are entitled to all privileges of the club except voting and holding office. Such members are not counted in determining a quorum. Applications need not require sponsors or approval process applicable to prospective regular members. 3) “Honorary” – conferred in the recognition of outstanding contribution and long - time service to the club. Such members are entitled to all privileges of the club including voting and holding office and are exempt from payment of dues. A “Junior” membership is available to persons 10 through 17 years of age. Such members may not vote or hold office. They may automatically convert to regular membership upon 18 years of age. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the clubs primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in this immediate area.
Section 2: DUES: Membership dues shall not exceed $ for one person, or $ for a family, payable on or before the first day of January each year. No member may vote nor may receive discounts on club activities if dues are not paid for the current year. Dues notices will be sent prior to December 1.
Section 3: ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP: Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved by the Board of Directors which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these by-laws and the rules of the American Kennel Club. Applications for membership will be directed to the Club Secretary and shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing and shall be accompanied by a dues payment for the current year. The Board of Directors will make a recommendation regarding an application at the first club meeting following its receipt. An affirmative vote, by secret ballot, of 2/3 of the membership present at the next Club meeting will be required for the election to membership.
Section 4: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Memberships may be terminated:
- By resignation. Any member may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary; but no member may resign when in debt to the club.
- By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such members’ dues remain unpaid by February First; however; the Board may grant an additional 30 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person whose dues are unpaid as of that meeting or activity be entitled to vote at any Club meetings, hold office, or receive benefits of membership.
- By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these by-laws.
Section 5: MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING: In order to be a member in good standing in the Club, dues must be paid in a timely manner as specified in the previous Sections 2-3
ARTICLE II
Meetings and Voting
Section 1: CLUB MEETINGS: Meeting of the club shall be held in Casper, Wyoming on the second Thursday of the month, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Upon proper written notice, the Board may designate a different day and time for such meetings. The Club shall hold regular meetings in each month except December.
Written notice of each Club meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the meeting to each member. The quorum shall be 20% of members in good standing but in no event less than seven members.
Section 2: SPECIAL CLUB MEETINGS: Special Club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meeting shall be held in Casper, Wyoming. Written notice and quorum are to be as in Section 1.
Section 3: MEETINGS: Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held once each month in Casper, Wyoming at a time and place designated by the Board. The Secretary will send meeting notices at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum 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 to the Secretary of at least three Board members. Special meetings will be held in Casper, Wyoming with written notice being sent by the Secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. A quorum shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 5: VOTING: Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which he is present. Neither proxy or absentee voting will be permitted at any Club meeting or election.
Section 6: VOTING AT THE GENERAL ELECTION: Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at the election of officers and Board.
ARTICLE III
Directors and Officers
Section 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three other persons each of whom shall be elected fo staggered three-year terms at the Clubs November meeting as provided for in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the Clubs affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
Section 2: OFFICERS: The Clubs officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the board and its meetings.
- The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally granted to the office of the President in addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws.
- The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the Presidents death, absence of capacity.
- The Secretary shall keep record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board and of all matters which record shall be ordered by the Club. She/he shall have charge of the correspondence, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and the 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 these by-laws.
- The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. She/he shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the Club. His/her books shall be at all times open to the inspection of the general membership and she/he shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Clubs finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported, and at the February meeting she/he shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. There shall be an audit of the books as soon as reasonably possible after the completion of the fiscal report. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 3: VACANCIES: Any vacancy occurring on the Board or among the offices during the year shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority of all the the members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy, or at a Special Board meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by the Board.
A Board member or officer, who misses three consecutive Board meetings or three consecutive general meetings, without an excuse deemed valid by the Board, shall be considered to have resigned and the Board will declare the position vacant. No Officer or Board member shall be removed from office without just cause.
Article IV
THE CLUB YEAR< ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
SECTION 1: CLUB YEAR: The Clubs fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the 31st day of December.
Section 2: ANNUAL MEETING: The annual meeting shall be held in the month of January at which time the officers, and directors for the ensuing year shall be installed. All retiring officers and Directors shall turn over to the successor all properties and records relating to that office within 10 days after the annual meetings, with the exception of the Treasurer who will act in accordance with Article III, (d), and shall be entitled to keep all properties necessary for the fiscal report until 10 days after the February meeting.
Section 3: ELECTIONS: The annual election of the ensuing year’s officers and Directors shall be held in the November meeting. The nominated candidates for office or directorship receiving a majority of votes for each office shall be elected. If the leading candidate for an office does not receive a majority of all votes cast, a second balloting will immediately follow the first.
Section 4: NOMINATIONS: Each candidate in a Club election must be nominated and must have attended three club meetings during the current calendar year. By September 1st , the Club President shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three members, not more than one of who may be a member of the Board.
- The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and the vacant Board position; and, after securing the consent of each person nominated, shall report immediately to the Secretary, in writing, their selection.
- The Secretary shall notify each member, in writing, of the committee’s slate at least two weeks prior to the October meeting.
- At the October meeting, any member in good standing shall have the right to nominate a candidate for any office or Board position provided the person nominated is present and accepts such nomination.
- Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting (November) or in any manner other than provided in this section.
- No person shall be nominated for an office or Board position if the person would serve more than three consecutive years in that position.
ARTICLE V
Committees
Section 1: The Board may each year appoint standing or special committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters that may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
Section 2: Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
DISCIPLINE
Section 1: American Kennel Club Supervision. 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.
Section 2: Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filled in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $25, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the board following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board considers the charges do not allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The 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 defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he 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 in that regard. 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 suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the 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 club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the club following a Board hearing and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. Such proceeding may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club, to be held within 60 days, but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Boards’ finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf if he wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Boards’ suspension shall stand.
Article VII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: Amendments to these by-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by ten or more members 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 for a vote within three months of the date when the Secretary received the petition.
Section 2: The by-laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose, provided proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
Section 1: The Club may be dissolved at any time by written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds there of nor any assets thereof shall be distributed to any members. Its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs: to be selected by the ballot.
ARTICLE IX
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1: At the meeting 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 the last General Meeting
Minutes of the last Board Meeting(s)
Correspondence
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Code of Ethics
1. This code shall establish a standard of conduct to be followed by all members of the Central Wyoming Kennel Club. in the normal course of breeding, selling, and exhibiting pure bred dogs. All situations cannot be covered and for this reason any failure to comply with the intent of this code shall be handled in the same manner as a specific violation.
2. No member shall knowingly sell breeding stock or puppies to pet dealers, catalog houses or other commercial sources; nor shall be given as prizes at contests or exploited to the detriment of the breed.
3. All dogs shall be sold in good health and free from known communicable disease.
4. All dogs offered at stud shall be in good health and free from communicable disease. Dogs known to be sterile, or dogs with one or two undescended testicles shall not be offered at stud. Bitches to be bred shall also be in good health and free from known communicable diseases, and any disqualifying defects.
5. There shall be no intentional cross breeding.
6. All advertising shall be honest and not misrepresented or fraudulent in any way.
7. Whether at home, traveling, at shows or motels, all members shall conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the dog show game and the Central Wyoming Kennel Club.
8. Every member is expected to participate in club activities.
9. All prospective members shall be given a copy of the Code of Ethics when applying for membership, and by the act of joining shall signify their acceptance of this code in its entirety. Any member who violates this code in either content or intent shall be punished according to the severity and intent of the violation up to and including expulsion from the club.
10. The Board of Directors shall serve as the Ethics Board and shall hear all cases of violation.
2. No member shall knowingly sell breeding stock or puppies to pet dealers, catalog houses or other commercial sources; nor shall be given as prizes at contests or exploited to the detriment of the breed.
3. All dogs shall be sold in good health and free from known communicable disease.
4. All dogs offered at stud shall be in good health and free from communicable disease. Dogs known to be sterile, or dogs with one or two undescended testicles shall not be offered at stud. Bitches to be bred shall also be in good health and free from known communicable diseases, and any disqualifying defects.
5. There shall be no intentional cross breeding.
6. All advertising shall be honest and not misrepresented or fraudulent in any way.
7. Whether at home, traveling, at shows or motels, all members shall conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the dog show game and the Central Wyoming Kennel Club.
8. Every member is expected to participate in club activities.
9. All prospective members shall be given a copy of the Code of Ethics when applying for membership, and by the act of joining shall signify their acceptance of this code in its entirety. Any member who violates this code in either content or intent shall be punished according to the severity and intent of the violation up to and including expulsion from the club.
10. The Board of Directors shall serve as the Ethics Board and shall hear all cases of violation.
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