BY-LAWS OF THE ARIZONA STATE DAIRY GOAT ASSOCIATION

Amended January 1, 1991

 

PREAMBLE

 

             With the object of providing regulations for the democratic operation of the Arizona state Dairy Goat Association, we the members do hereby adopt this Constitution as the fundamental law of the Arizona State Dairy Goat Association.

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME

Section A:

The name of this organization shall be the Arizona State Dairy Goat Association.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section A:

The purpose of this association shall be:  To uphold, support and assist the American Dairy Goat Association, and to cooperate with and maintain the standards of the same.  To constantly upgrade and better the dairy goat in its effective use to mankind and to promote a better understanding of the dairy goat to the public.

 

ARTICLE III:  MEMBERSHIP

Section A:

Individual membership dues of $15.00 per year.  Family membership dues of $20.00 per year.  Individual membership is entitled to one adult vote.  Family membership is entitled to two adult votes.  An Adult is 18 years or older.

 

Section B:

Membership dues are payable January 1st or earlier of each year.  Those in arrears on February 15th shall have their membership terminated.

 

Section C:

Members having unpaid dues at the time of any vote shall not be permitted to vote.

 

Section D:

A new membership commencing after October 1st shall remain in good standing through the following year.

 

Section E:

The fiscal year of the Association shall be January 1st to December 31st.

 

Section F:

No officer or member shall contract any debts in the name of the Association without authorization of the membership.  Nor shall any officer, director or member alone be liable for any debts of the Association.  See Articles of Incorporation.

 

ARTICLE IV:  ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section A:

A nomination committee of three active members shall be elected by the members at the September meeting.  The first person nominated shall be Chairman.  This committee shall prepare a ballot with one or more candidates for each office.  This ballot is to be presented to the membership at the October meeting and nominations from the floor may be made at this time.

 

Section B:

No less than 15 days prior to the November meeting, a ballot shall be mailed to each member on record at the last address with a return envelope addressed to the chairman of the nominating committee.  Ballots so returned along with those brought to the November meeting shall be turned over to three tellers, not on the ballot, appointed by the nominating committee.  Tellers shall complete an immediate canvass of the vote.

 

Section C:

Officers and Directors must be active members in good standing for at least six months prior to the election.

 

Section D:

Officers’ terms off office shall be one year.  Directors shall serve a staggered two-year term.  Two Directors shall be elected in even numbered years.  Three Directors shall be elected in odd numbered years.

 

Section E:

Vacancies in office shall be filled by the remaining members of the Board of Directors voting thereon by ballot.

 

Section F:

Installation of officers and directors shall take place at the December meeting, hereafter referred to as the Annual Meeting.

 

ARTICLE V:  OFFICERS’ DUTIES

Section A:  PRESIDENT

The president shall preside over all meetings of the Association and the meetings of the Board of Directors.  The President shall be the interpreter of all parliamentary questions.  The President shall appoint a parliamentarian and all standing committees, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, and shall be an ex-officio member of each standing committee.  The President shall sign all official documents.

 

Section B:  VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President shall take up the duties of the President when the President is unable to perform those duties.  The Vice President is charged with the responsibility of preparing a program for monthly membership meeting, arrangement for a meeting place, and shall notify the Newsletter Editor of these arrangements or notify members in case of any special agenda.

 

Section C:  SECRETARY

The Secretary shall record the minutes of each meeting.  The Secretary shall handle all official correspondence for the Association and read all important correspondence at the regular meetings.  The Secretary shall take attendance at meetings to verify a quorum and validate voting rights.  The Secretary shall maintain the membership roster.

 

Section D:  TREASURER

The Treasurer shall collect all monies due and belonging to the Association bank monies and keep itemized account of receipts and disbursements, present a written report at each meeting of the Board of Directors and at each regular meeting.  The Treasurer shall pay all bills against the Association by check, and only when authorized by the Association.  The book in which the record of receipts and disbursements is kept shall be audited by a committee before the Annual Meeting.  This committee shall be appointed by the President.

 

Section E:  DIRECTORS

The five Directors shall act with the other officers to carry on the business of the Association and each shall chair one Standing Committee.

 

Section F: 

All officers upon retiring from office shall make arrangements to deliver to the incoming officers all books, papers, or other property belonging to the Association before the beginning of the new year.

 


Section G:

Any officer or director missing three consecutive Association meetings without just cause may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors, and replaced in accordance with Article IV, Section E.

 

ARTICLE VI:  STANDING COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES

Section A:  SHOW COMMITTEE

The show Committee will plan all shows presented by the Association for the current year.  This Committee shall select and confirm show judges for Association shows held during the current and following year.  One director shall be the Chairman of this committee.

 

Section B:  YOUTH COMMITTEE

The Youth Committee shall recommend and plan activities for the Association youth.  This Committee shall be composed principally of the youth.  This Youth Committee shall make recommendations to the membership which are designed to generate the interest of youth in the Association and promote their role in the Association.  One Director shall be the Chairman of this Committee.

 

Section C:  PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The Public Relations Committee shall promote the dairy goat, the goat industry, and the Association thru activities and recommendations appropriate to these ends.  This Committee shall seek publicity for significant Association activities and events of its members.  One Director shall be the Chairman of this Committee.

 

Section D:  MEMBERSHIP AND HOSPITALITY

The Membership and Hospitality Committee shall actively seek and welcome new members to the Association.  It shall welcome and make to feel at home guests and friends of the club at all Association activities.  This Committee shall make recommendations to the membership to attract new members and further the cause of promoting good will among members, guests and friends.  One Director shall be the Chairman of this Committee.

 

Section E:  WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

The Ways and Means Committee shall propose and participate in fund raising activities for the Association.  They will assist show committees in raising funds and/or in finding sponsors for show awards.  One Director shall be the Chairman of this Committee.

 

Section F:  HISTORIAN

The Association Historian shall chronicle the key events of the club and make the membership aware of the relevance of past events to today’s when meaningful and appropriate.

 

Section G:  NEWSLETTER EDITOR

The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for the content and publication of the newsletter and its mailing to the membership.

 

Section H:  CUSTODIAN OF EQUIPMENT

The Custodian of Equipment shall maintain an inventory of the property of the Association together with a record of the location of all items not in his or her possession.  The Custodian of Equipment will provide the Treasurer with a copy of this inventory to facilitate audit of the books and see that all property is turned over to the next administration at the Annual Meeting.

 

ARTICLE VII:  QUORUM

Section A:

Three Officers, three Directors, and members present shall constitute a quorum at any regular, special or annual membership meeting.

 

Section B:

The Board of Directors consists of the four elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), and five Directors.  No less than five Board members shall constitute a quorum at any Board of Directors meeting.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  AMENDMENTS

Section A:

Amendments may be proposed to the By-Laws by written petition filed with the President 30 days prior to the meeting.  Said petition shall be signed by 25% of the active members in good standing.  The proposed amendment will be read at the next regular meeting and published in the newsletter prior to being voted on.  Amendments require a two-thirds vote of the active membership in good standing for passage.  Failure to achieve a two-thirds amending quorum at a regular, special or annual meeting shall results in ballot by mail.  The President shall appoint a teller’s committee of three to prepare the ballot and tally the votes.  Tellers shall not be on the Board of Directors or from the ranks of those proposing the amendment.

 

ARTICLE IX:  PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section A:

On all questions of parliamentary procedure the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern.

 

 

 

Revision History:

1/1/07:  Article III, Section A – Changed membership dues from $10.00/$15.00 to $15.00/$20.00 for individual/family, respectively.