SAHLC Constitution & Bylaws

State of Arizona Holland Lop Club
Constitution

Article I – Name

The name of this state club shall be known as the State of Arizona Holland Lop Club (SAHLC).

Article II – Objects

Section 1.  The object of this club shall be to popularize, promote and improve the Holland Lop rabbit breed.
Section 2.  To encourage fanciers and exhibitors with the help and use of services at its disposal.
Section 3. To advocate the use of pedigreed stock and the registration facilities offered by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.

Article III – Affiliation

Section 1.  This club shall be affiliated with the American Rabbit Breeders Association (henceforth referred to as ARBA).

Section 2. This club shall be affiliated with the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club (henceforth referred to as HLRSC).
Section 3.  This club may be affiliated with other organizations as deemed appropriate by the President or Executive Committee.

Article IV – Membership

Section 1.  Any person of good character and reputation who is in accord with the objectives of this club may become a member.

Section 2.  Application for membership shall be made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer and be accompanied by at least one year’s dues. Memberships expire on December 31 and are renewable on January 1.

Section 3.  Membership shall be acknowledged by the issuance of a club membership card and other club literature as may be available. A copy of the club Constitution and Bylaws shall be available to any member upon request.

Section 4.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall notify a member upon expiration of his/her membership, and if same is not renewed within thirty (30) days, said member’s name shall be dropped from the club’s roster.

Section 5.  The Executive Board reserves the right to reject any application or renewal.
Section 6.  Charges of misconduct of a member shall be made in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer shall furnish the charged member with a complete statement of charges and the member shall be allowed a period of thirty (30) days in which to file his/her reply with the Secretary/Treasurer. A complete copy of both the charge and reply shall be submitted by the Secretary/Treasurer to the President for review prior to sending to each Officer and Director for their consideration.

Section 7.  If an Officer or Director becomes delinquent in his/her dues, they shall be notified by the Secretary/Treasurer. If his/her membership is not renewed within thirty (30) days, the office shall be declared vacant, to be filled by appointment of the President with Board approval to complete the unfinished portion of the term.

Section 8.  All members of the Executive Board must reside within the state of Arizona.

Article V – Officers

Section 1.  The officers of this club shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and three Directors. These six (6) Officers shall constitute the Executive Board. The President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer shall constitute the Executive Committee.

Section 2.  To be eligible for office, a candidate shall be a duly paid adult club member and shall be an active breeder of Holland Lops. All officers of the SAHLC must be members of the ARBA and HLRSC.

Section 3.  All elections shall be by ballot.
Section 4.  All offices of the Executive Board, except Secretary/Treasurer, shall be elected for one (1) year terms. The office of Secretary/Treasurer shall be elected for two (2) year terms.

Section 5.  The three (3) Directors will represent three (3) areas of Arizona geographically. There will be one (1) director from each zone. Each director shall reside in his/her represented zone. In the event that no member resides in a given zone, said zone shall be represented by a member of a neighboring zone.

List of Zones:
Zone 1.  All areas in northern Arizona.
Zone 2.  All areas in central Arizona.
Zone 3.  All areas in southern Arizona.

Section 6.  All Officers and Directors shall assume office January 1, following elections in November.
Section 7.  Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the President, subject to a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Board. A Board member failing to report his vote to the President shall by his/her silence forfeit their vote to the President, who will case that vote as he/she wishes.

Section 8.  If an Officer or Director does not fulfill his/her duties or shows lack of interest in club matters, he/she shall be asked to resign either by the President or the Executive Board with two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Board. If he/she fails to resign, the Executive Board may, by majority vote, declare the office vacant.

Section 9.  Each Director may appoint one Assistant Director and one Youth Director to assist them, subject to the approval of the President and two-thirds (2/3) majority vote by the membership. The term of appointment shall run concurrent with the Director’s term of office and is subject to reconfirmation at the beginning of each term of office.

Article VI – Meetings

Section 1.  Membership meetings shall take place as often as deemed necessary by the President or the Executive Committee.

Section 2.  The Executive Board shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the President and/or Executive Committee.

Article VII – Committees

Section 1. Committees shall be formed as deemed necessary by the President or the Executive Committee.

Article VIII – Amendments

Section 1.  This Constitution may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Committee.     

Bylaws

Article I - Dues

Section 1.  Membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors. Such dues shall include single, husband/wife, family and youth membership. The term “youth” shall be defined pursuant to the definition set forth by the ARBA.

Section 2.  Honorary life membership may be offered by the Executive Board to an individual whose services, activities or achievements are considered worthy of this honor.

Article II - Dues of Officers

Section 1.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the club, act as Chairman of the Executive Board, appoint all committees and perform other duties pertaining to the office.

Section 2.  The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or in case of his/her inability to serve. In case of vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall succeed him/her in office.

Section 3.  The Secretary/Treasurer shall conduct the general correspondence, keep an accurate record of all meeting minutes, keep an up-to-date membership roster, act promptly and notify all members of expirations of membership, collect all dues and issue membership cards. As Treasurer, he/she shall keep an accurate record of all incomes and expenditures and pay all claims as properly approved by the President or Executive Committee.

Section 4.  The Directors shall assist and help any member requesting the same in regards to the Holland Lop rabbit, the SAHLC and the HLRSC. They shall function as Sergeant of Arms assisting committees and functions in maintaining fair and constitutional process. They shall be part of the Executive Board and help carry out decisions of the club as well as transact any necessary business as so directed by the Executive Board for the welfare of the club.

Article III - Voting Procedure

Section 1.  Any member wishing to become a candidate for office shall apply to the Secretary/Treasurer for a nomination form. The form, bearing the name of the candidate and two members supporting their candidacy, shall be returned to the Secretary/Treasurer by October 1. The Secretary/Treasurer shall provide the Election Committee with an updated roster. By October 30, the Election Committee shall provide each club member with an election ballot including return instructions and deadline.

Section 2.  No person whose name appears on the Election Ballot may be on the Election Committee.
Section 3.  In the event of a tie between two or more persons for the same office, the Executive Committee shall select between the persons so tied.

Article IV – Year

Section 1.  The SAHLC fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and terminate on December 31.

Article V – Amendments

Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Executive Committee.
Section 2.  Any member may submit a proposed amendment to the Bylaws, which shall be signed by three (3) or more members in good standing. Proposed amendments shall be considered by the Executive Committee.