DIVISIONAL BY-LAWS
DIVISIONAL BY-LAWS
OF
THE BULLDOG CLUB OF AMERICA
ARTICLE I - Designation and Territory of Divisions
SECTION 1. The Divisions shall be designated by the
numbers and consist of the territories provided by
Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution.
ARTICLE II - Objects
SECTION 1. The objects of the Division shall be to
accomplish within the Division the second, third,
fourth, and fifth purposes of the Club as stated in
Article I of the Constitution; to follow the policy
set forth in Article II of the Constitution; to
inform and advise the Council, through the elected
Councilors of the Division, in Bulldog matters of
general interest; and to cooperate with adjacent
Divisions.
ARTICLE III - Members
SECTION 1. Members eligible to participate in
Divisional matters shall be those in good standing
who have been accepted in accordance with Article I
of the By-Laws of the Club. The individual member
shall have one vote. Such eligible member may be a
nominee for office provided he is an individual
resident member of The Bulldog Club of America.
Member specialty clubs shall each have one vote.
ARTICLE IV - Government of the Division
SECTION 1. The Division shall be governed under the
Constitution, By-Laws and Divisional By-Laws by a
Board of Governors consisting of the Divisional
officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer) and at least three and not more than five
other members elected as Governors by the Division.
The Board of Governors shall constitute the
nominating Committee. They shall assemble between
April and June of each odd numbered year and nominate
by majority vote, with his permission, one resident
member of the Division for each office and governor
positions, circulating the slate to all clubs of the
Division on or before July 31. The Clubs may not
amend the nominations by deletion of any name, but
each Club may, in its discretion, make one additional
nomination for each or any office.
An individual resident member of BCA shall be placed on the ballot if he submits a petition signed by 20% of the paid-up members of the Division.
The Division Secretary shall notify the members and Clubs of the nominations and the time and date of the election day by August 30, preceding the elections. Mail Ballot containing the names of all nominees for each office shall be sent to each member in good standing with a return envelope addressed to the Division Secretary.
If there is only one candidate for each office, the Secretary will be empowered to suspend the designated election procedure and to cast a single ballot without polling the entire membership.
Election day, if required, shall be held at the Biennial Meeting between September 15th and November 15th. in each odd numbered calendar year at a time designated by the Board of Governors. On that day, the Division Secretary shall present the unopened returned ballots to the Board of Governors who shall make a list of all persons voted for and the number of votes for each.
The persons having the greater number of votes for each office shall be officers of the Division.
If more than one nominee has the greater and an equal number of votes for any office, then the Board of Governors shall, no later than thirty days, choose by ballot, one of them for each office.
No member shall be eligible for more than one office during each term.
SECTION 2. The term of office shall be two years, except that in the year in which the officers and governors are first chosen the term of office shall expire at the close of the next odd-numbered calendar year.
SECTION 3. Councilors shall be nominated and elected in the same manner and for the same term as the officers and governors. Any resident member including officers and governors of the Division, shall be eligible for nomination and election to the Council.
SECTION 4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office.
The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the members and of the Board, conduct the correspondence of the Division, notify membership applicants of their acceptance or rejection, notify members and Governors of meetings, and keep a roll of the members of the Club in the Division with their addresses.
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Division and receipt therefor. He shall deposit the same in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the Division. He shall make disbursements by check according to the order of the Board. His books shall be open to inspection of the Board and he shall render a report at each meeting of the Board, and at the biennial meeting of members. Bonding of the Division Treasurer shall be at the option of the Division Board of Governors and for an amount as set by the Board and at the Division’s expense.
An individual resident member of BCA shall be placed on the ballot if he submits a petition signed by 20% of the paid-up members of the Division.
The Division Secretary shall notify the members and Clubs of the nominations and the time and date of the election day by August 30, preceding the elections. Mail Ballot containing the names of all nominees for each office shall be sent to each member in good standing with a return envelope addressed to the Division Secretary.
If there is only one candidate for each office, the Secretary will be empowered to suspend the designated election procedure and to cast a single ballot without polling the entire membership.
Election day, if required, shall be held at the Biennial Meeting between September 15th and November 15th. in each odd numbered calendar year at a time designated by the Board of Governors. On that day, the Division Secretary shall present the unopened returned ballots to the Board of Governors who shall make a list of all persons voted for and the number of votes for each.
The persons having the greater number of votes for each office shall be officers of the Division.
If more than one nominee has the greater and an equal number of votes for any office, then the Board of Governors shall, no later than thirty days, choose by ballot, one of them for each office.
No member shall be eligible for more than one office during each term.
SECTION 2. The term of office shall be two years, except that in the year in which the officers and governors are first chosen the term of office shall expire at the close of the next odd-numbered calendar year.
SECTION 3. Councilors shall be nominated and elected in the same manner and for the same term as the officers and governors. Any resident member including officers and governors of the Division, shall be eligible for nomination and election to the Council.
SECTION 4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office.
The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the members and of the Board, conduct the correspondence of the Division, notify membership applicants of their acceptance or rejection, notify members and Governors of meetings, and keep a roll of the members of the Club in the Division with their addresses.
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Division and receipt therefor. He shall deposit the same in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the Division. He shall make disbursements by check according to the order of the Board. His books shall be open to inspection of the Board and he shall render a report at each meeting of the Board, and at the biennial meeting of members. Bonding of the Division Treasurer shall be at the option of the Division Board of Governors and for an amount as set by the Board and at the Division’s expense.
ARTICLE V - Meetings
SECTION l. The biennial meeting of members shall be
held between September 15th through November 15th in
each odd-numbered year on a day and at a place and
hour designated by the Board of Governors. Special
meeting of the members may be held upon call of the
Board of Governors. Written notice of all meetings
shall be mailed by the Secretary at least fifteen
days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for
such meetings shall be seven.
SECTION 2. At meetings of the Members, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Call to Order
Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting
Reports of the Board
Reports of the Officers
Reports of the Councilors
Election of Officers, Board, and Councilors
Election of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 3. Meetings of the Board of Governors shall be held quarterly at such time and place as may be agreeable to a majority of the Board. The Board may delegate to any officer, performance of the routine business of the Division, subject to notice to all members of the Board and the written concurrence of a majority of the Board. Written notice of all meetings of the Board shall be mailed by the Secretary at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be four.
SECTION 4. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Reports of Officers
Reports of committees
Unfinished business
Election of new members
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 5. The Board may appoint committees to advance the work of the Club in the Division on such matters as dog shows, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
SECTION 6. Vacancies in any office or on the Board may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term, by majority vote of the Board.
SECTION 2. At meetings of the Members, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Call to Order
Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting
Reports of the Board
Reports of the Officers
Reports of the Councilors
Election of Officers, Board, and Councilors
Election of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 3. Meetings of the Board of Governors shall be held quarterly at such time and place as may be agreeable to a majority of the Board. The Board may delegate to any officer, performance of the routine business of the Division, subject to notice to all members of the Board and the written concurrence of a majority of the Board. Written notice of all meetings of the Board shall be mailed by the Secretary at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be four.
SECTION 4. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by a majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Reports of Officers
Reports of committees
Unfinished business
Election of new members
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 5. The Board may appoint committees to advance the work of the Club in the Division on such matters as dog shows, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
SECTION 6. Vacancies in any office or on the Board may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term, by majority vote of the Board.
ARTICLE VI - Discipline
SECTION 1. Any member who is suspended from the
privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically
shall be suspended from the privileges of The Bulldog
Club of America for a like period.
SECTION 2. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of The Bulldog Club of America or the Bulldog breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary of the resident Division of the member be charged. A deposit of $250.00 must accompany the written charges which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Divisional Board’s initial consideration or findings following the Divisional Board hearing. The Division Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the involved Division Board or present them at the next quarterly meeting. The Division Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of The Bulldog Club of America or the Bulldog breed. If the Division Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the Bulldog breed. It may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Division Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of hearing by the Division Board not less than 3 weeks nor more than 12 weeks thereafter. The Division Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified 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. The Division 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 complainant and defendant, the Division Board may by a majority vote of those present suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than one year from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems the suspension punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the Division membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to communicate his position to the Division membership by whatever means he chooses. If the defendant’s communication is to be included with the Division Board’s report to the Division membership, it must be provided in a timely manner and not exceed five letter size pages. Immediately after the Division Board has reached a decision, it’s findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Division Secretary. The Division Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board’s decision and penalty, if any.
SECTION 4. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only by a mailed ballot vote of the Division membership following a Division Board hearing and upon the Division Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The Division Secretary shall report the Division Board’s findings to the Division membership, which shall vote by mail ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those voting shall be necessary for expulsion. If the expulsion is not voted, the Division Board’s suspension shall not be affected.
SECTION 2. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of The Bulldog Club of America or the Bulldog breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary of the resident Division of the member be charged. A deposit of $250.00 must accompany the written charges which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Divisional Board’s initial consideration or findings following the Divisional Board hearing. The Division Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the involved Division Board or present them at the next quarterly meeting. The Division Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of The Bulldog Club of America or the Bulldog breed. If the Division Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the Bulldog breed. It may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Division Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of hearing by the Division Board not less than 3 weeks nor more than 12 weeks thereafter. The Division Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified 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. The Division 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 complainant and defendant, the Division Board may by a majority vote of those present suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than one year from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems the suspension punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the Division membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to communicate his position to the Division membership by whatever means he chooses. If the defendant’s communication is to be included with the Division Board’s report to the Division membership, it must be provided in a timely manner and not exceed five letter size pages. Immediately after the Division Board has reached a decision, it’s findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Division Secretary. The Division Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board’s decision and penalty, if any.
SECTION 4. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only by a mailed ballot vote of the Division membership following a Division Board hearing and upon the Division Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The Division Secretary shall report the Division Board’s findings to the Division membership, which shall vote by mail ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those voting shall be necessary for expulsion. If the expulsion is not voted, the Division Board’s suspension shall not be affected.
Article VII - Amendments
SECTION 1. These Divisional By-Laws may be amended
only in accordance with Article V, Section 1, of the
Constitution.
Adopted January 13, 1950. Approved by the American Kennel Club February 10, 1950. Amended to October 28, 1988. Amended on January 29, 2001 and certified by
Adopted January 13, 1950. Approved by the American Kennel Club February 10, 1950. Amended to October 28, 1988. Amended on January 29, 2001 and certified by
THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF 2004-05
Robert L. Newcomb, President
Van D. Blevins, Vice President
Kathy Moss, Secretary
Harrold McDermott, Treasurer