Constitution and By-Laws

Inland Northwest Great Dane Club (Constitution and By-Laws) 

CONSTITUTION 

ARTICLE I: NAMES AND OBJECTS

SECTION 1: The name of the Club shall be the Inland Northwest Great Dane Club, hereinafter referred to as the Club. 

SECTION 2: The objects of the Club shall be: 

A. To encourage and promote the welfare and quality in breeding of purebred Great Danes and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection. 

B. To encourage the membership to a lifetime responsibility for their Great Danes, their Dane’s offspring and to the education of others as all are necessary for the protection and advancement of the breed. 

C. To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Great Danes shall be judged at AKC events and to encourage the study of the standard by breeders , judges , dog show committees and others interested in the advancement of the breed. 

D. To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike conduct at dog shows , agility, rally and obedience trials. 

E. To conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, obedience trials and other events for which the Club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club, and to generate publicity on any matter affecting the welfare of the breed. 

F. To encourage dedication to the health and welfare of the breed. 

G. To encourage the membership to participate in, promote and support Great Dane rescue.

H. To disseminate and promote the ideals and objective of the GDCA Charitable Trust.

SECTION 3: The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any funds shall be used to financially benefit any member or individual. 

SECTION 4: The members of the Club shall adopt and may, from time to time, revise such by laws as may be required to carry out these objects. 

BY-LAWS 

ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP 

SECTION 1: ELIGIBILITY

There may be three classes of membership open to persons in good standing with The American Kennel Club who subscribe to the purposes of this Club, provided such person(s) or any member of their family owns or has owned a Great Dane. 

A. REGULAR MEMBERS

Any person eighteen years of age or older in good standing with The American Kennel Club may make application for regular membership in this Club, provided he or she, or any member of his immediate family, owns or has owned a Great Dane and or applicant is interested in the welfare and advancement of the breed. 

B. JUNIOR MEMBERS

Any person between the age of nine through seventeen inclusive, in good standing with The American Kennel Club, may make application for junior membership in this Club, provided he/she, or any member of his immediate family, owns or has owned a Great Dane and the applicant is interested in the welfare and advancement of the breed. Junior Members may not vote or hold office. Juniors may automatically revert to regular membership at age 18. 

C. HONORARY MEMBERS

Honorary membership may be conferred only upon a person who has rendered a distinctly valuable service to the Club or the breed. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues and initiation fee, and shall enjoy all the privileges of the Club except that they may not vote or hold office. Upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors honorary membership may be conferred by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the regular members present and voting at any regular meeting or any special meeting called for such purpose. A member so honored may maintain active (regular) membership status by paying the appropriate yearly dues. 

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

SECTION 2: DUES, VOTING, AND ELECTRONIC VOTING

Dues: Yearly membership dues shall not exceed $20.00 for regular members , $10.00 for junior members and $30.00 for a family membership. Dues are payable on or before the first day of January of each year with a grace period to February 1st. During the month of December, the Treasurer or the Mem Chairperson shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. Any person voted into the membership after August 1st shall pay half the usual amount for the remainder of the year. 

Voting: Each member age 18 and over in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any general meeting of the Club at which they are present or for issues that go out electronically for such a vote. Any issue deemed important enough to need a vote from the entire membership (such as election of officers or judge selection) can be done by electronic voting, following the guidelines laid out below. 

(b) If a member’s vote is not returned to the Secretary by electronic or U.S. Postal Service means by noon two weeks after the date the vote was sent out, the vote will not be counted. 

(a) If the Board of Directors decides an issue needs a vote of all membership, the notice of such will be sent out by the Secretary by e-mail to all dues paid members, with a due date of two weeks for the vote to be returned. The Board will approve the wording of the issue sent out. 

SECTION 3: ELECTION OF MEMEBERSHIP

Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall state that the applicant agrees to abide by this constitution , by-laws, rules of this Club and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address, contact information, and occupation of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members of this Club in good standing. The application shall be accompanied by dues required for the upcoming year. All applications are to be filed with the Club Secretary and are to be read at the first meeting of the Club following its receipt. Endorsements or objections to membership may be sent to the Board of Directors in writing within 30 days of first reading. The application will be voted upon at the next meeting and an affirmative vote of 2/3rds of the members present shall be required to elect the applicant. The Secretary shall publish the names of newly elected members as soon as possible in the next club bulletin or minutes. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply for six months after such rejection. Any rejected member is to have his membership fees refunded.

SECTION 4: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Memberships may be terminated: 

(a) by resignation. Any member may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. No member may resign until their personal debts to the Club are settled, however, that person loses their right to vote. 

(b) by lapsing. Any membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 31 days after the first day of the fiscal year -Feb. 1st; however, the Board may grant an additional 30 days of 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 February 1st. 

(c) by expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these by-laws. 

ARTICLE II: MEETINGS

SECTION 1: CLUB MEETINGS

Meeting notices, meeting minutes, dues notices and newsletters will be sent via electronic means. Club and Board meetings must be held at least six (6) times per year. 

Meetings of the Club shall be held within the Inland Northwest area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The current American Kennel Club approved the club’s focal point to Ritzville WA. The approved area consists of: the greater Spokane WA/Coeur d’ Alene, ID area with extended territory from Colville, WA south to Colfax WA and east to Lewiston, ID and Bonner Ferry ID to the north. The Columbia Basin and the

communities in Moses Lake/Ephrata, West Richland, and Kennewick WA are also considered local to the club. Written notice of each general meeting shall be e-mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members in good standing. 

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. They 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 approved club area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such a Special meeting shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other Club business may be transacted at said meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing. 

SECTION 3: BOARD MEETINGS

The Board of Directors shall meet in the approved club area at such place and time as the Board of Directors may determine. Board meetings must be held at least six (6) times per year. If deemed necessary , Board meetings can be held via teleconferencing & videoconferencing or in conjunction with and directly before a general meeting. Electronic notice of each such meeting shall be sent by the Secretary at least 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such 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/or by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held within the approved club area at such date, place, and hour as may be designated by the person(s) authorized herein to call such meeting. The Secretary, upon receipt of an electronic request of such meeting, shall send a notice by email at least 5 days but no more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. 

ARTICLE Ill: DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

SECTION 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the officers of the Club plus three members duly elected by the members before the annual meeting as hereinafter provided. At the annual membership meeting, in addition to President, Vice President, Secretary(s) , and Treasurer , three (3) members shall be installed to the Board and designated as: a 3 year Board Member , a 2 year Board Member and a 1 year Board member. They shall rotate as follows: after one year the 3 year Board Member becomes a 2 year, the 2 year Board member becomes a 1 year, the 1 year Board Member comes off. A new 3 year Board member is elected along with the annual vote for the new years’ officers. 

The present members of the Board of Directors shall continue in office until the annual election meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the general management of Club affairs and in accordance with all agreements and understandings between the Club, the Parent Club, and the AKC . In management and control of the property and affairs of the Club, the Board of Directors is hereby vested with all the powers possessed by the Club itself unless otherwise stated in the laws of the State of Washington, the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club, or agreements with the AKC. 

SECTION 2: OFFICERS

The Officers of the Club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary(s), Treasurer and Board of Directors. Each officer shall be a regular member and shall be elected annually by the regular members from among their own number by written or electronic ballot, the results of which shall be announced at the Club’s annual meeting. They shall hold office for a period of one (1) year or until their successors are duly elected. Exception: see 1 and 2 year Board members, above Article 3, Section 1. No President or Vice President shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same position. 

(a) President: The President, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. The President shall perform all duties commonly incident to his office and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate . 

(b) Vice President: In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are commonly incident to his office. He shall have other such powers and duties as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate .

(c) Secretaries: The Recording Secretary of the Club shall keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. Files will be provided for that purpose. Said files shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of any regular member. In the absence of the Recording Secretary from any such meeting, a Secretary pro tempore shall be chosen who shall record the proceedings of such meetings for the aforesaid files. 

The Corresponding Secretary shall perform other such duties and have other powers as the Board of Directors shall from time to time designate. The Secretaries shall be sworn to their faithful performance of their duties. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, these two offices may be combined into one person. 

(d)Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect and receive all money due or belonging to the club and deposit same in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the club. He/she will exercise use of Club funds under the supervision of the Board of Directors. “The treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine” The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and a report provided for each member meeting regarding the condition of the club’s finances showing receipts and payments not previously reported. The Treasurer may, in his/her discretion , pay any bill that does not exceed the sum of $150.00, but shall at the next member meeting following payment, report and secure ratification of the payment. Duties also include: Dues notices sent out in December each year, and an annual report showing moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. 

(e) Affiliate Club Representative: The Affiliate Club Representative can represent the club at meetings of the Parent Club, or community events. It is an individual well versed in the history and activities of the club. This position is appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as long as the individual and the Board wishes. 

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 a majority vote of members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy , or at a Special Board Meeting called for the 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.

ARTICLE IV: THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS 

SECTION 1: CLUB YEAR

The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December. The Club’s official year shall begin immediately upon the announcement of new officers at the annual meeting and shall continue until the same announcement at the next annual meeting. 

SECTION 2: ANNUAL MEETING

“The annual meeting shall be held at the Eastern Washington Cluster located in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene during the month of May, if possible” At this meeting Officers and Directors nominated for the ensuing year shall be announced , having been elected in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of said announcement and each retiring officer shall turn over to his 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. No person may be a candidate for more than one elected position. 

SECTION 4: NOMINATIONS

No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated. The Nominating Committee shall be selected in January and meet by February 1. The Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee persons and alternates of their selection. The Nominating Committee shall name a Chairman for the Committee and it shall be his duty to call a committee meeting within 14 days. 

(a) The Nominating Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and candidates for other open positions on the Board as set forth in Article Ill, Section 1, and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing by February 15.

(b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall, at least 15 days before the March meeting, notify each club member in writing (electronically) of the candidates so nominated. 

(c) Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the March General meeting that immediately follows the March Board meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his name is proposed. If the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his or her willingness to be a candidate before the final voting ballot goes out. 

(d) Nominations cannot be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section. 

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES 

SECTION 1

The Board may each year appoint standing committees as needed to advance the work of the Club in such matters as specialty shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, rescue, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. The President shall, by virtue of his or her office, be a member of all Committees with voting privileges. 

SECTION 2

Any committee appointment 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 those persons whose services have been terminated. 

ARTICLE VI: DISCIPLINE 

SECTION 1: AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION

Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from privileges of this Club for a like period. 

SECTION 2: CHARGES

Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $100 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. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board. 

The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified mail return signature requested 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 or she 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 a 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 the Board 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 Board’s 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 proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club to be held within 60 days but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board’s recommendation of expulsion. The defendant 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 Board’s finding and recommendations , and shall invite the defendant , if present, to speak in his or her

own behalf. The meeting shall then vote by written secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3rds vote of those voting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board’s suspension shall stand. 

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1

Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty 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 recommendations of the board by the Secretary for a secret ballot vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary. 

SECTION 2

The Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a 2/3rds 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 weeks prior to the date of the meeting. 

ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION 

SECTION 1

The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3rds of the members in good standing. 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 members of the Club, but after payment of the debts of the Club its property and assets shall be given to the Great Dane Club of America ‘s charitable trust. 

ARTICLE IX: ORDER OF BUSINESS

SECTION 1

The order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

Roll Call (Sign In) 

Minutes of last meeting 

Report of President 

Report of Secretary 

Report of Treasurer 

Reports of 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 minutes of last meeting 

Report of Secretary 

Report of Treasurer 

Reports of committee’s 

Unfinished business 

New business 

Adjournment 

ARTICLE X: PARLIMENTRAY AUTHORITY 

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 these bylaws and any special rules of order the Club may adopt. 

Amended 2015 

Amended 2016 

Amended 2018