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Constitution
and Bylaws Bylaws
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Section 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges
against another member for alleged misconduct
prejudicial to the best interests of the Association
or the breed. Written charges with specifications
and all evidence to be presented must be filed in
duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit
of $25.00, which shall be forfeited if such charges
are not sustained by the Board following a hearing.
New evidence will only be permitted at
the hearing, if one is conducted. 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 Association or the breed. If the Board
considers that the charges do not allege prejudicial
conduct, the Board 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 nor 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 respondent may
personally appear in his/her own defense 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 respondent shall be treated
uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be
sustained after hearing all the evidence and
testimony presented by complainant and respondent,
the Board may by a majority vote of those present
suspend the respondent from all privileges of the
Association for not more than six months from the
date of the hearing. If the Board 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
respondent's right to appear before his fellow
members at the ensuing Association 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 Association may
be accomplished following a Board hearing and upon
the Board's recommendation as provided in Section 3
of this Article. The respondent shall have the
privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf
though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting.
The President shall read the charges, and the
findings and recommendations, and shall invite the
respondent, if present, to speak on his/her own
behalf. The members shall then vote by secret
written 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 suspension shall stand.
Article IX. Amendments.
Section 1. Proposing Amendments. Amendments to the Constitution and
Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or
by written petition addressed to the Secretary
signed by 10 percent of the membership 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 by the Secretary for a
vote at the time of the annual election subsequent
to the date when the petition was received by the
Secretary.
Section 2. Publishing Proposed Amendments. The
Secretary will mail the Amended Bylaws with ballots
to the membership.
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