Constitution and Bylaws

Constitution and Bylaws of the Central Piedmont Arabian Horse Association

ARTICLE I – Name of the Association

The name of the association shall be the Central Piedmont Arabian Horse Association, Inc

ARTICLE II – Objectives of the Association

The objectives of this Association shall be:

(a) To serve and promote the best interest of Arabian horses in central North Carolina and contiguous areas,

(b) To promote interest in Arabian horse breeding,

(d) To publish a newsletter and other publications,

(e) To sponsor horse shows and various Arabian horse projects and programs,

(f) To improve the quality of Arabian horses,

(g) To work with the Arabian Horse Association and other Arabian Horse Associations

(h) To otherwise assist in connection with the promotion of Arabian horses in North Carolina and contiguous areas as the Association facilities and finances permit.

ARTICLE III – Membership in the Association

Membership in the Association shall be open to all persons interested in the Arabian horse and in the objectives and purposes of the Association. Dues for all levels of membership shall be set annually by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. The Association shall have the following classes of membership:

INDIVIDUAL: One person interested in the Arabian horse - one AHA membership and one vote.

ASSOCIATE: Any business or person who wishes to participate with us and help promote our aims and may participate in any event sponsored by the Association. They may not hold office or serve on a committee of the Association - no AHA membership is included and no vote is allowed.

YOUTH: Open to any youth under 18 years of age. AHA Youth membership - no vote. Reduced fee if included with an adult member of same household.

ANY LATE PENALTIES OR ADDED FEES REQUIRED BY AHA MUST BE PAID AS REQUIRED BY CURRENT AHA POLICY FOR VALID AHA MEMBERSHIPS.

ARTICLE IV – Officers of the Association

Section 1. OFFICERS.

The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall be elected yearly at the annual meeting by those members entitled to vote. Votes must be cast in person.

Section 2. PRESIDENT.

The President shall be the Chief Executive officer of the Association and shall preside at all meeting of the Association, and of the Board of Directors and with the Secretary shall sign all contracts and obligations of the Association, as authorized by the directors. The President shall be ex-officio a member of all committees. The President shall appoint all committees and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. The President may call, by written notice, a meeting of the Board of Directors and shall do so at the request of three Directors.

Section 3. VICE PRESIDENT

In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall exercise any power or duty of the President.

Section 4. SECRETARY.

The Secretary shall give written notice of all meetings of the members and of the Directors and shall take the minutes of such meetings and shall keep all records of the members. The Secretary shall be the custodian of the Seal of the Association.

Section 5. TREASURER.

The Treasurer shall collect all monies due the Association. He/She shall have the care and custody and be responsible for the funds of the Association, which he/she shall deposit in the name of the Association in such bank or places of deposit as the Board of Directors shall designate. The Treasurer shall disperse funds as directed by the board. The Treasurer shall keep proper books of account, showing the disposition of all funds that may pass through his/her hands. He/She shall make a full report in writing covering the financial condition of the Association at each meeting of the Association, and at such times as requested by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V – Directors of the Association

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following:

(a) The President

(b) The Vice President

(d) The Secretary

(e) The Treasurer

(f) Four Directors elected form the membership

Of the four directors serving from the membership, two shall be elected on odd years and two shall be elected on even years and each of the elected directors shall serve a two-year term.

Section 2. The directors shall carry out the general management of the affairs of the Association. They shall assign duties to the officers and may authorize them to sign contracts and other obligations of the Association.

Section 3. There shall be a minimum of four directors meetings each year.

Section 4. At all directors meetings, a quorum shall consist of five members.

Section 5. From time to time the board may vote on normal and routine club business using email. This authority does not include election for office, bylaw changes or other major issues.

ARTICLE VI – Election of Officers and Directors

Section 1. The names of any and all candidates seeking office for the upcoming year are to be submitted to the Treasurer before Nov. 30th of the current year.

Section 2. Officer and directors for the upcoming year will be voted upon at the December meeting in the current year, allowing the newly elected officers to assume their duties January 1^st, as of the new year.

Section 3. Each candidate for each office shall be voted upon separately by written ballot. The winners are to be determined by majority vote.

Section 4. No officer may hold the same office for more than 4 consecutive one-year terms.

Section 5. If any officer serves 4 consecutive terms in the same capacity, then a two-year period must elapse after the fourth term before he may hold the same office again.

ARTICLE VII – The Removal of Officers and Directors

Section 1. The expulsion of officers and/or directors shall be by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors. The expelled director and/or officer may, on written petition of the expelled officer and/or director, have his or her removal reviewed by election of the entire membership.

ARTICLE VIII – Meetings of the Association

Section 1. Annual Meeting:

The annual meeting of the Association shall be held during the month of December in each year on such day and such time and place as the Board of Directors may designate. The Board of Directors must give at least one month written notice of the meeting to the members.

Section 2. Order of Business:

(a) The reading of the minutes of the last meeting. (b) Report of the Treasurer. (c) Report of the Board of Directors and of Social Committees and the consideration of any resolution attached hereto. (d) Report of Nominating Committee and the election of Officers and Directors. (e) Deferred Business. (f) New Business. (g) The appointment of a Nominating Committee for the ensuing year. The order may be changed by vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX – Amendments to the Constitution

Section 1. Amendment by Members: This constitution may be added to, altered or amended at any meeting of the Association by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the members present, provided that two weeks notice in writing of the proposed amendment shall have been given to all members of the Association.

ARTICLE X – Filing Vacancies

Section 1. Filling Vacancies of Officers and Directors: In the event there is a vacancy as to any office or to the members of the Board of Directors which occurs after the annual meeting for the election of officers and directors, then in that event, or in either event, The Board of Directors of the Association shall have the power and authority to elect from the membership any person or persons, who, in the opinion of the Board, are suitable to serve in such office or on the Board until the following annual meeting of the membership of the Association. At which time the vacancy shall be filled by the election of such officer or director, by the membership of the Association.

As revised 10/17/02