Name and Objectives

Section 1. The name of the Club shall be Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Atlanta, Inc.

Section 2. The purposes and objectives of the Club shall be:

a) to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;

b) to urge members and breeders to accept the standard to the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Cavalier breed shall be judged;

c) to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and obedience trials;

d) to conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows and obedience trials under the rules of the American Kennel Club.

Section 3. The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

Section 4. The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws and may be required to carry out these objects.


Section 1. Eligibility

There shall be 5 types of membership open to all persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.

Regular - Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

Household - Allows for two (2) votes per household, persons 18 years and older.

Associate - Where the individual(s) is/are entitled to all privileges except voting and office holding. Application(s) should be filed with the Secretary but need not require sponsors or approval process applicable to prospective voting applicants; after a period of one (1) year the person(s) may apply for Regular or Household membership as outlined in the bylaws.

Honorary - Individuals pay no dues, eligible to vote or hold office.

Junior - Open to all persons 10-17 years of age; cannot vote or hold office and may automatically convert to regular membership upon reaching their 18th birthday.

While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area.

Section 2. Dues

Membership dues shall not exceed:

Regular - $40.00 per person per year
Household - $40.00 per year
Associate - $40.00 per person per year
Junior - $20.00 per person per year

Dues are payable on or before the first day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of November the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement to dues for ensuing year.

Section 3. Election to Membership

Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these Constitution and Bylaws and Code of Ethics and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year.

(a) For regular and household memberships: There is a pre-requisite that the applicant(s) attend at least two (2) club meetings or functions - examples include meet a breed, matches, supported entries or shows (within a 12 month time period) prior to having their application brought to a vote. The club secretary will be responsible for tracking attendance at qualifying functions.

(b) The application must be submitted with dues payment and will be read at the first two meetings following receipt of the application. Application money and the vote for election to membership will be held until the attendance requirement is met. Upon meeting the attendance requirements, at the next Club meeting, the application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting by secret ballot at the meeting shall be required to elect the applicant.

(c) If the applicant for regular membership does not meet the attendance requirement within 12 months of the original application, the application will be cancelled, money refunded. Should the individual wish to reapply, the entire process must begin again.

(d) For junior and associate membership: The application must be submitted with dues payment (not applicable to juniors) and will be read at the first two meetings following receipt of the application. . At the next Club meeting, the application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting by secret ballot at the meeting shall be required to elect the applicant.

(e) Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six months after such rejection.


Section 4. Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated by:

a) Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.

b) Lapsing. A membership will be considered lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year, however the Board may grant an additional 90 days grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. 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 provided in Article VI of these bylaws.

Section 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the Club shall be held each month in the Metropolitan Atlanta area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20% of the 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 meetings shall be held within the Metropolitan Atlanta area 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 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. Said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section 3. Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held no less than every other month, with few exceptions, within the Metropolitan Atlanta area, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 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; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held within the Metropolitan Atlanta area 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 meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business may be transacted thereat. The 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 Club at which he is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.


Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the officers and three other persons all of who shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for one year terms at the Club's annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.

Section 2 Officers. The Club's 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.

a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of the President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.

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 Club and of the Board and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club, shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the member of the Club with their addresses and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws.

d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club. Money shall be deposited in an account designated by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting on the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board shall determine.


Section 3. Vacancies

Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the offices during the year shall be filled until the next annual election by majority vote of all 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 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.

Section 1. Club Year. The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the last day of December.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of January at which Officers and Directors for the ensuring year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.

Section 3. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The 3 nominated candidates for the other positions on the Board that receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.

Section 4. Nominations. No person may be candidate in the Club elections who has not been nominated and is not a member in good standing. During the month of October the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members and two (2) alternates, not more than one of who may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committeemen and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairman for the committee and it shall be such person's duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before November 15.

a) The committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office and position on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report his or her nominations to the Secretary in writing.

b) To allow ample time for thought and consideration by and for the candidates, the Secretary shall notify each member of the Nominating Committee's slate at least two weeks prior to the December meeting.

c) Additional nominations may be made at the December meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not present at the meeting, a written statement from the proposed candidate shall be presented to the Secretary signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position. Section 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as specialty shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees.

Section 2. Any committee appointments may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee and the Board may appoint successors to these persons whose services have been terminated.

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 this Club for a like period.

Section 2. Charges. Any member many prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club of the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit or $25.00 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 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. I f the Board considers that the charges do no allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club it my refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board not less than three (3) weeks or more than six (6) 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 complainant and defendant, the Board may by majority vote of those present reprimand or 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 Boards' 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 sixty (60) day s but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing on his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's finding and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on hi sown behalf is he wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.

Section 1. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20% 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 recommendation of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.

Section 2. The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds, secret vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposed amendments 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.

Section 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-third 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 thereof nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any member of the Club but after payment of the debts of the Club its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board of Directors.
Section 1. At meetings 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 last meeting
Report of the President
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting)
Election of new members
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment

SECTION 2. At meetings of the Board, the order of Business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:

Reading of the minutes of last meeting
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Report of the Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment
Section 1. 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 there bylaws and any other special rules of order the Club may adopt.