Consultant

Southeast Michigan Chapter   

North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association   

Bylaws

Article 1 – Name and Purpose
Section 1, Name
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, SouthEastern Michigan Chapter (SEMI NAVHDA)
Section 2, Purpose

  1. The mission of SEMI NAVHDA is to provide the leadership necessary and the opportunity for its members to train and test the versatile hunting dog.
  1. To foster, improve, promote and protect the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America through activities such as:

    a. Conducting field tests according to the test standards of NAVHDA International.

    b. Sponsoring training to assist handlers in training their dogs for both hunting and testing.

    c. Promoting the use of the versatile hunting breeds to other hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen.

  1. To encourage and actively promote sportsmanlike conduct in the field, during chapter events and require observance of game laws and regulations.

Article 2 – Dues and Membership
Section 1, Dues

  1. The Executive Council (EC) will determine chapter dues and a ¾ majority vote of the EC is required to change the amount of dues.
  1. Membership dues are due January 1st of each year. Chapter dues are good for 1 calendar year.
  1. Dues that are paid after August 1st are good for the following year.

Section 2, Membership

  1. An active membership in NAVHDA International is a prerequisite for all SEMI NAVHDA chapter membership.
  1. Regular membership is for 1 individual and has full voting privileges.
  1. Spouse Membership – Spouses of active members must be a member of NAVHDA International, and have full voting privileges.
  1. Junior Membership – are those members under the age of 19 and part of the same household as a regular member. Junior members have all the benefits of membership except they do not have voting privileges.
  1. A member in good standing is defined as someone whose SEMI NAVHDA chapter dues are up to date, whose international membership is up to date, and has no warnings or disciplinary actions in their files less than a year old.
  1. All members of SEMI NAVHDA are responsible to understand and adhere to the Field Conduct and Rules and Safety Guidelines found in the Policies and Procedures during all chapter sanctioned events.

Section 3, Disputes and Expulsion

  1. Disputes - in the event of a dispute or grievance, in which the offense is serious enough to cause damage to the chapter, the President shall appoint a committee consisting of 3 members in good standing from the chapter membership. One member shall be from the Executive Council and shall serve as chairperson. The purpose of the committee shall be to gather facts and mediate the dispute. If no settlement can be reached by efforts of the committee, they shall present the matter to the EC for final arbitration.
  1. Expulsion - expulsion of a current chapter member for improper conduct, unsportsmanlike behavior, or other reasons deemed harmful to the chapter or its property, may be done after a hearing by the EC and ¾ majority votes by the EC to terminate membership. A member thus expelled may petition the EC for reinstatement of membership after a period of 1 year. The EC will vote on the petition at the next meeting. If reinstatement is approved by ¾ majority vote, there will be a 1-year probationary period. If any violations occur during the period of probation, membership may be cancelled indefinitely. No membership refunds will be given to expelled members.

Article 3, Executive Council (Officers and Directors)
Section 1, Officers and Directors

  1. All members of the EC are required to be members in good standing, over the age of 19, have been a member for at least 1 year, and have their dues paid by January 1st of each calendar year while in office. If unpaid, the EC member’s authority/ability to participate in EC business shall be suspended until dues are brought current.
  1. The EC shall consist of 4 elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) and 3 appointed directors: Director of Resources, Director of Testing and Director of Promotions.
  1. All members of the EC will have voting privileges in all executive business conducted for SEMI NAVHDA. If one person holds more than one position, that individual can only cast one vote. In case of a tie the EC can request that the past president cast the tie-breaking vote.
  1. Terms of office are 2 years.
  1. Directors will be appointed on the same schedule as the President.
  1. There shall be no salary or remuneration for the services rendered, with the exception of EC authorized expenses incurred through chapter business.
  1. For the purpose of accepting motions or conducting chapter business, a minimum of 3 elected officers and 2 appointed directors must be present. To expedite time and travel, chapter business may be conducted electronically via conference calls or video calls at the discretion of the EC. Once a motion is presented, the EC will discuss the motion and determine if the motion requires an amendment prior to being voted on.
  1. No officer shall hold the same position for more than 2 consecutive terms unless a replacement is unavailable.

Article 4, Duties of the EC Members:Members of the EC may act as ambassadors of SEMI NAVHDA and as such, shall strive to positively represent the chapter, both internally and with external organizations.

It is not required or desired that the EC Members physically execute all the tasks below, but they are responsible to manage all positions required to ensure all duties are completed.
Section 1, President

  1. The President is the chief officer of the chapter and EC. His/her duties include presiding over EC and general membership meetings.
  1. The President, with majority approval of a vote by the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, shall appoint Director of Resources, Director of Testing, and Director of Promotions.
  1. The President with majority approval of a vote by the remaining EC shall appoint any member in good standing to fill any vacancy occurring in the office during a term.

Section 2, Vice President

  1. The Vice President shall assume the office of President in the event of a vacancy occurring therein and perform such other duties as determined by the EC.
  1. The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President.
  1. The Vice President shall be SEMI NAVHDA’s steward for the designated field to the Highland Field Trial Grounds Association and for the chapter’s standard DNR Work Day.

Section 3, Secretary

  1. The Secretary is responsible for all chapter correspondence, keeping records, preserving records, and conducting the business of the chapter in accordance with its bylaws.
  1. The Secretary shall keep the membership apprised of upcoming events and other information of interest or importance.

Section 4, Treasurer

  1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for and maintain all financial records of the chapter, maintain bank accounts, sign checks, receive and disburse monies as approved by the EC.
  1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for current financial statements.
  1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for filing the annual report and paying any fees with the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) as well as with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and maintaining Chapter’s non-profit status.
  1. The Treasurer shall receive and process all membership applications and payments and update the club’s mailing list.
  1. The Treasurer along with the President shall be included on the chapter’s bank account.

Section 5, Director of Resources

  1. The Director of Resources acts as the primary coordinator of bird orders between SEMI NAVHDA and both its members and suppliers.
  1. The Director of Resources shall be responsible for oversight of all bird-related activities; including acquisition and distribution for training and tests.
  1. The Director of Resources oversees posting of weekly sign-ups, training permits and training equipment at fields.
  1. The Director of Resources together with the Director of Promotions shall recommend to the EC Chapter events for the chapter and may help recruit members to oversee these events.
  1. The Director of Resources shall maintain a file of current game bird suppliers used for training and testing and provide the list to the EC for both mandatory meetings.

Section 6, Director of Promotions

  1. The Director of Promotions shall be responsible for storing and maintaining inventory of the SEMI NAVHDA merchandise (items for sale such as clothing and hats) and having those items available for sale at chapter tests and events.
  1. The Director of Promotions shall maintain adequate record of sales and account for all purchases with the Treasurer.
  1. The Director of Promotions may also recommend ways to further promote and encourage membership to NAVHDA and the SEMI NAVHDA chapter.

Section 7, Director of Testing

  1. Submit test reports prior to and following each test.
  1. Secure judges for each test.
  1. Prepare all test paperwork required by owners, handlers, and judges.
  1. Solicit volunteers to fill all positions needed to hold tests.
  1. Determine field logistics for all tests.
  1. Receive entry applications and notify applicants of acceptance.
  1. Ensure judges have lodging and provide travel to and from the grounds.
  1. Provide the number of birds needed for upcoming tests to the Director of Resources.
  1. Ensure gunners for tests are listed on the approved gunners list.

Article 5 – Elections of Officers and Appointment of Directors
Section 1, Election of Officers

  1. Election of officers will be held every year in October with the term of office to begin in January of the upcoming year. The President and Secretary positions will be voted on in even numbered years to take office in the upcoming odd numbered year. The Vice President and Treasurer will be voted on in the odd numbered years and will take office in the upcoming even numbered year.
  1. Terms of office will begin January 1st and expire December 31st of the second year.
  1. Nominations will be accepted starting September 1st through September 21st and must be submitted to the Secretary; who will contact the nominees for their acceptance.
  1. Ballots will be sent by the Secretary October 1st through the US mail or electronically at the discretion of the EC. Votes must be postmarked by October 21st to be counted.
  1. Results will be published in November.
  1. Only regular and spouse members in good standing are permitted to vote.

Section 2, Appointment of Directors

Upon commencement of his or her term, the President shall appoint (with approval of a vote by a majority of the Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) Director of Promotions, Director of Resources and Director of Testing.

  1. The Directors’ terms run concurrently with the President’s term.

Section 3, Removal of Officers or Directors

  1. Officers and Directors may be removed from office for the following reasons:

    a. Dereliction of duties

    b. Actions deemed to be harmful or detrimental to the chapter including but not limited to actions that might bring discredit to the chapter or parent corporation.

  1. If complaints are made to the EC or by the EC stating that either of the above offenses have been demonstrated by an officer/director, the EC will notify the person of the complaint against them within 7 days of the complaint. The person accused of the action will be given the opportunity to present their defense to the other 6 EC members who will then vote to remove the officer from their position or dismiss the complaint but will file the complaint in the officer/directors file.

Article 6 – EC and General Membership Meetings
Section 1, EC Meetings

  1. The SEMI NAVHDA chapter will hold 2 mandatory EC meetings per calendar year. Other meetings may be called by the President or any 2 members of the EC.
  1. One EC meeting will be held in January to discuss the coming events for that year.
  1. The second mandatory meeting will be held in July.

Section 2, General Membership Meetings

  1. The SEMI NAVHDA chapter will hold 4 general membership meetings per calendar year. Dates for 4 required general membership meetings are to be determined at the January EC meeting.
  1. Any member of the SEMI NAVHDA chapter is welcome to attend these meetings.
  1. The general membership meetings may occur during scheduled training days or other chapter events if the membership has been made aware of the meeting at least 14 days prior to that day.

Article 7 – Motions
Section 1, Motions

  1. Any chapter member can make a motion at any time. Motions presented at any other time than a scheduled meeting must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.
  1. All motions shall be reviewed and acted upon by the EC within 14 days and announced at the next general membership meeting.
  1. If the motion requires a vote by the general membership, the vote must be announced no less than 7 days prior to the vote.

Article 8 – General
Section 1, Delegate to the International Annual Meeting

  1. When deemed advisable and feasible, the EC of the SEMI NAVHDA chapter will select a member of the chapter to attend the International Annual Meeting.
  1. The SEMI NAVHDA chapter will donate an allowance to the chapter delegate attending the International Annual Meeting.
  1. The amount of the allowance will be based on current cost of travel and lodging for the location of the Annual Meeting. Receipts up to that amount are required for reimbursement.
  1. The delegate will vote on motions at the International Annual Meeting on behalf of the SEMI NAVHDA chapter. The motions must first be voted on by the general membership of SEMI NAVHDA and the delegate will cast the SEMI NAVHDA chapter vote in accordance with those results.
  1. The delegate shall provide a summary of the NAVHDA events that took place at the annual meeting and present the summary to the chapter.

Section 2, Bylaws

  1. Any changes, deletions, additions or modifications to the chapter’s bylaws must be voted on by the general membership and pass by a 2/3 majority of the membership voting.
  1. Proposed changes must be made available to all chapter members in writing at least 14 days prior to the vote.
  1. Updated bylaws will be sent to the Central Office of NAVHDA International.

Section 3, Dissolution

  1. In the event that it becomes necessary to dissolve the SEMI NAVHDA chapter, upon payment of any outstanding debts and obligations the remaining monies will be given to a non-profit conservation organization voted on by the general membership and approved by a majority of the membership voting.

Section 4, Financial Statement

  1. A financial statement of the chapter shall be submitted to the EC at both mandatory meetings by the Treasurer. Such financial statement shall be examined by at least two members of the EC other than the Treasurer before its submission.

Section 5, Nondiscrimination

  1. The SEMI NAVHDA chapter shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion or any legally proscribed classification, in its programs or activities.

Section 6, Indemnification of EC

  1. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and Internal Revenue Service regulations from time to time in effect, the chapter shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a part to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the chapter, or is or was serving at the request of the chapter as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic chapter, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise whether for profit or not, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection of the action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the chapter or its members, and with respect to criminal action or proceeding if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

 

 

 

©seminavhda all right reserved