Constitution & By-Laws of the
Article I: Name
Section 1. The Alaska Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Club is an organization operating within the State of
Section 2. Name: The name of the group shall be the Alaska Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Club hereinafter called ARCBC or Club.
ARTICLE II: Purpose
Section 1. To promote, encourage, and develop the rabbit and cavy industry and fancy in accordance with the purposes and aims outlined in the articles to the mutual benefit of all concerned.
Section 2. To afford memberships to persons interested in breeding and marketing rabbits and cavies and the products thereof.
Section 3. To promote and conduct public exhibitions of rabbits and cavies, and organize judged events under the rules and guidelines of the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
ARTICLE III: Membership
Section 1. Eligibility: Any person may become a member of ARCBC upon the payment of dues, and by agreeing to comply with all the rules, regulations, and mandates of the club.
Section 2. Membership Dues: In order to obtain or remain a member in good standing with full voting privileges, application and annual dues must be paid on or before October 1st of each year, thus keeping memberships current through September 30th of the fiscal year. Annual dues are as follows: One adult/$15.00, Husband & Wife/$20.00 plus $2.00 additionally per dependent youth member through the age of 18 years of age, or a single youth/$8.00.
All non-members of American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. must pay $1.00 in addition to above fees as per Club Charters. Membership into the club will be acknowledged by a numbered receipt.
Section 3. Voting Privileges: All individual members, except youth members, shall have the right to vote in person at annual or special meetings of the Club, as well as by mail for elections of officers or upon any other matters submitted by the Board of Directors. No member under the age of nineteen (19) years shall be eligible to sign petitions for elective offices, amendments, or resolutions to the ARCBC Constitution or By-Laws.
Section 4. Immunity of Members: The members, Board of Directors, and officers shall not be personally liable for any debts, liabilities, or obligations of the ARCBC.
Section 5. Termination of Membership: The Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject, for cause, any application for membership or renewal.
ARTICLE IV: Meetings
Section 1. This Club shall hold four (4) general membership meetings at the time and location of scheduled shows, the last of which is held in December. Members are encouraged to attend such meetings regardless of show participation.
Section 2. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the President or any two (2) Directors. There will be one regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors in the month of October to review and submit year end tax documents as well as review the nominated candidate applications for the officer elections that will take place in December.
Section 3. Special Meetings: The President or any two (2) members of the Board of Directors may call a special meeting at any time. Notice, time, and location of a meeting must be given by the caller of said meeting.
Section 4. Quorum: A quorum for all general membership meetings shall consist of two (2) officers and 30% of the currently paid club members. A quorum for meeting of the Board of Directors shall consist of at least two (2) Board of Director members and the President.
ARTICLE V: Officers and Directors
Section 1. Positions: Officers of this Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Additionally, there shall be three (3) Board of Director members.
Section 2. Election of Officers: A nomination committee shall be named at the regular July meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor for consenting candidates. The committee will present a slate of officers at the Board of Director’s meeting in October. Candidate’s applications shall be reviewed and presented by e-mail to all club members in November. Voting members (as identified in Article III Section 3) may each cast one vote for each office at the regular December meeting. Elected officers shall serve a two (2) year term that begins at the end of the December meeting, or at such time as their successors are duly elected and qualified. President and Secretary will be up for election on odd numbered years alternating with the Vice President and Treasurer elections on even numbered years. Directors are appointed annually as per Section 5.
Section 3. Nominated Officer Requirements: Candidates must be adult ARCBC members in good standing and members of the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association, Inc for at least six (6) months.
Section 4. Assumption of Duties: New officers shall assume their duties immediately following the election during the regular December meeting.
Section 5. Board of Directors: Three (3) Directors, all of which must be members of good standing in both ARCBC and American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. shall be annually appointed by the newly elected panel of officers and assume their duties immediately following the election.
Section 6. Replacing Officers: In the event that an officer or board director cannot complete a term, a successor shall be appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Directors to finish the term. A duly elected officer may be removed from office for dereliction of duty by a vote of members present at a scheduled general member’s meeting where a quorum has been established. Inconsistent attendance shall constitute a dereliction of duty. Excused absences of more than half the scheduled meetings and not coordinating a “stand in” to execute the responsibilities for absent officer shall also be considered dereliction of duty. An announcement of intention to replace an officer shall be included in the minutes of the meeting and the replacement shall be elected at the next regularly scheduled meeting. During the interim, the remaining officer panel shall name a temporary successor.
ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers and Directors
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings, act as chairman of the Board of Directors, appoint all committees, call special meetings of the club or of the Board of Directors, perform other duties as usually pertains to his/her office, and have such other powers as may be conferred upon him/her by the Board of Directors. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
During either a general meeting or a meeting with the Board of Directors, the President only votes to break a tie.
Section 2. The Vice President shall have duties as those of the President in the event of absence or disability of the President. He shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors
Section 3. The Secretary prepares an agenda with the President before the Club’s scheduled meetings, takes roll call, reads or provides a written copy of the minutes of the previous meeting for approval for permanent record, and accurately records new minutes during council meetings as business unfolds. Other duties include maintaining a permanent record of all Club activities, correspondence, memberships, and guidelines. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. The Treasurer has charge of all ARCBC’s money and proceeds, keeps an accurate record of account activities and balances, provides a quarterly report on the current activities and balances at each meeting, and must be prepared to give an itemized account at any time on the request of the President. Funds shall be paid out of the treasury only as approved by the President or two (2) members of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer must also complete an annual report as per IRS requirements for tax reporting purposes. This report must be submitted to the Board of Directors for review during the scheduled October meeting. . He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of once a year, this being in the month of October, and have charge of the business affairs and transactions of the club, make contracts in the name of the club, and interpret any rules and regulations within the Club’s constitution and by-laws, or sub-committee rules. The Directors shall also act as the Show Committee with the Superintendent and Secretary of a show.
Section 6. General: Each officer or director shall maintain a permanent record of the position which shall be turned over to the successor. This record shall include duties, activities for the year, and other relevant information.
ARTICLE VII: Authority
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to make such laws, establish such rules, and adopt such regulations as may be necessary for the governing of its members.
Section 2. ARCBC shall require its members to obey its mandates in all matters pertaining to the Standards of Perfection and ethics peculiar to the industry.
Section 3. The current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall be considered as the final authority for this Club on all questions not specifically covered by the Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE VIII: Alterations, Amendments, & Resolutions
Section 1. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended only by a majority vote of the current voting membership. Any proposed change to be considered shall be voted on only after all members have been notified through the Newsletter or Special Notices of such a change, the purpose of the change and with due opportunity to comment or express viewpoints.
ARTICLE IX: Affirmative Action
Section 1. The Alaska Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Club will make every reasonable effort to include all eligible persons regardless of race, religion, age, income, sex, or national origin.