Constitution

THE BULLDOG CLUB OF GREATER ST. LOUIS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name and Objectives

SECTION 1

The name of the Club shall be, "The Bulldog Club of Greater St. Louis."

SECTION 2

The objectives of the Club shall be:

(A) to encourage and promote strict compliance with the Breed Standard of Excellence

as set forth by the American Kennel Club and as approved by the Bulldog Club of

America in breeding, exhibiting and judging.

(B) to do all in its power to protect and advance interest in pure-bred dogs, specifically

Bulldogs, and to encourage ethical practices and sportsmanlike competition at all

times.

conducted under the rules of the American Kennel Club.

SECTION 3

The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues, donations or from liquidation of Club assets shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

SECTION 4

The Club shall be managed by the Board of Directors and controlled by the members.

SECTION 5

Hereinafter, in any reference to a Club meeting, it is required that a quorum of not less than 20% of the regular members in good standing be present. No votes may be taken at a meeting unless such a 20% quorum is present.

SECTION 6

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 objectives. Any changes to the By Laws and/or Club Policies and Procedures shall be presented by the Board and voted on by a majority vote of the members present at a club meeting (see Article II, section 1 of the By Laws: Club Meetings).

As revised by the Board of Directors April 10, 2005

Voted on and Approved by the membership June 12, 2005

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I

Membership

SECTION 1

Eligibility. There shall be two types of membership:

(A) Regular membership shall be open to all persons at least eighteen years of age, unlimited in number, and shall be open to all such persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and the Bulldog Club of America and who subscribe to the purpose of this Club.

(B) Junior membership shall satisfy all the requirements of the regular membership

(paragraph A above) except age which shall be 12 to 18 years of age. Junior members

shall enjoy the same privileges as the regular member except that they will be exempt

from holding office, voting and paying dues.

standing but who have chosen to attend fewer than four meetings during the preceding

fiscal year. The status of non-regular membership shall only be designated after such

person has been a member for one year. Regular membership shall be automatically

reinstated upon attendance of four or more meetings in any fiscal year. Non-regular

members shall be ineligible to vote or run for any elected office. See Article II, Section

5, Voting and Article IV, Section 4, Nominations.

SECTION 2

Dues. The annual membership dues shall be payable to the Treasurer, on or before the first day of March each year. The dues amount and any prorating or deferment will be presented by the Board and voted on by the members at the annual meeting of even numbered years and shall stand and remain unchanged for the ensuing two years. The dues amount and any prorating or deferment shall be stated in the Club Policies.

SECTION 3

Application and election to membership. Prior to application for membership, each applicant shall attend a minimum of one Club meeting and may receive an application for membership at that meeting. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a Club-approved form which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by this Constitution and By Laws and the rules of the American Kennel Club. The applicant shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year.

All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application is to be read at two meetings with the applicant present. The application shall be read for the first time at the applicants second meeting and the second reading shall be at the applicants third meeting. Following the second reading of the application, the application shall be voted upon by secret

ballot. Affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members in attendance of a valid meeting shall be required to accept the applicant. Applications for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six months after such rejection.

SECTION 4

Termination of membership. Memberships may be terminated:

(A) by resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon

written notice to the Secretary.

(B) by lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically

terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 45 days after the first day of the

fiscal year. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting whose dues

are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

Any member terminated by (A) or (B) above may reapply at any time as defined in

Article I, Section 3.

VI, Section 3 of these By Laws.

ARTICLE II

Meetings and Voting

SECTION 1

Club Meetings. Meetings of the Club shall be held the second Sunday of each month, except in the instance of a calendar conflict, at such date, hour and place as may be presented by the calendar committee, recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the membership at the May meeting. No regular Club meeting shall be held in July, August or December.

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, and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by 20% of the members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meetings

shall be held at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other Club business may be transacted there at.

SECTION 3

Board Meetings. The Board of Directors must meet quarterly at a time and place decided on by the President and agreed to by a majority of the members of the Board. A majority of the Board must be present to hold the meeting.

SECTION 4

Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request with a specific designated agenda signed by at least three members of the Board . Such special meetings shall be held at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the person(s) authorized herein to call such meetings. Notice by telephone or in writing shall be effected by the Secretary at least five days and not more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting, and no other business shall be transacted there at. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. The minutes of the Board meeting or Special Board meeting shall be read at the next regular Club meeting.

SECTION 5

Voting. Each regular member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club including the biennial election of officers. Neither Proxy nor absentee voting will be permitted at any Club meeting or election.

ARTICLE III

Directors and Officers

SECTION 1

Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three other persons all of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the Club's Annual Meeting as provided for in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2

Officers. The Club's officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, at least two of whom being from Division VI of the Bulldog Club of America, shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.

(A) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall

have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in

addition to those particularly specified in these By Laws.

(B) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the

President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.

all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. The Secretary shall

have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of

their election to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office,

keep a roll of the Club members with their addresses, and carry-out such other duties as

are prescribed in these By Laws.

(D) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank approved by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and the Treasurer shall report at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the annual meeting the Treasurer shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded.

(E) The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person in which case

the Board shall be comprised of the officers and four other persons.

SECTION 3

Vacancies. Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the offices during the term of office shall be filled until the next biennial election by a suitable member recommended by the Board and approved by a majority vote of the members of the Club at its first regular or Special Club meeting following the creation of the vacancy. 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 using the procedures described herein.

SECTION 4

Removal of Officers or Board Members. Any member of the Board who fails to attend three successive regular Club or Board meetings without valid written excuse given to the Secretary shall have his office declared vacant and will be replaced with a successor in the manner described in Section 3 of this Article. The Secretary shall contact the absent Board member by certified mail to the last known address to inform the absent board member that the position previously held by said member has been vacated unless a valid reason for the aforementioned missed meetings and future intentions toward the position on the Board can be provided.

ARTICLE IV

The Club Year, Annual Meeting, Biennial Election

SECTION 1

Club Year. The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of March and shall end on the last day of February.

The Club's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the biennial election of odd numbered years, or at the beginning of New Business of the annual meeting of even numbered years (see Article IX, Order of Business, Section 1 of the By Laws) and shall continue up to the same point of the next annual meeting.

SECTION 2

Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of March as provided for in Article II, Section 1 of the By Laws. On odd numbered calendar years, Officers and Directors for the ensuing two years shall be elected by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. The election shall be the first order of New Business. The newly elected officers shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election 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. Failure to do so will result in loss of club privileges, demand for payment of replacement costs or, if necessary, legal action to recoup club assets or property.

SECTION 3

Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office, in accordance with Article II, Section 5 of these By Laws, shall be declared elected. The 3 nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.

SECTION 4

Nominations. No member may be a candidate in a Club election who is not in good standing and who has not been nominated. Non-regular members are not eligible to be nominated to any office. The Board shall select a Nominating Committee by their fourth quarterly meeting of each even numbered calendar year consisting of three members, not more than one of whom shall be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the Committee and it shall be that persons' duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held before the February meeting.

(A) The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office, and three candidates for

the three other positions on the Board, and, after securing the consent of each person

so nominated, shall immediately report said nominations to the Secretary in writing.

(B) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall, two weeks

before the March meeting date, notify each member in writing of the candidates so

nominated.

attendance provided that the person nominated does not decline when the nomination is

made, and provided further that 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 the nominees willingness to be a candidate. No person

may be a candidate for more than one position except Secretary/Treasurer as provided for

in Article III, Section 2 (E) of the By Laws and the additional nominations which are

provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have not

accepted a nomination of the Nominating Committee.

(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 shall each year, at the April meeting name committees as listed in the Club Policies to advance the work of the Club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. Each committee shall file an annual report at the annual meeting.

SECTION 2

Full membership of the Board is responsible for nominating members to committees upon said members approval. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee or by resignation of the committee member. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated or for whom any positions have otherwise become vacated.

ARTICLE VI

Discipline

SECTION 1

SUSPENSION. Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club or the Bulldog Club of America automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.

SECTION 2

Removal of Officers or Board Members. Refer to Article III, Section 4 of these By Laws.

SECTION 3

Members are expected to behave in a courteous, sportsmanlike manner at meetings, shows or any function involving bulldogs. Any member who demonstrates any conduct in conflict with the objectives of the Club may have charges brought before the Board. The charge(s) must be submitted in duplicate to the Secretary and accompanied by a check for $100. One copy of the charge(s) shall be given to the President who will call a Board Meeting according to Article II, Section IV of the By Laws, for the express purpose of deciding whether or not to entertain jurisdiction of the charge(s) and to set a date, not less than 30 days nor more than 45 days from submission of the charge(s), for a Board hearing if a majority of the Board decides to do so. The accused shall receive a copy of the charge(s) and be notified of the date of the Board hearing by the Secretary by registered mail. Should the charge(s) be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present, suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for up to six months and the $100 check shall be returned to the complainant. Should the charges be dismissed by the Board, a forfeiture of the complainant's $100 will result. If the Board decides to recommend dismissal, it shall do so according to the procedure listed under Article VI, Section 4 of the By Laws. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings 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 of a member from the Club may be accomplished at a regular or special meeting of the Club which is to be held between 30 and 60 days after the Board's recommendation for dismissal as provided for in Section 3 of this Article. The President shall read the charge(s) and the Board's findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in the defendant's own behalf. The members shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 affirmative vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. The Secretary shall notify the American Kennel Club and the Bulldog Club of America (National & Division) if expulsion from the Club is affirmed. If expulsion is not so voted, the maximum allowable Board recommended suspension of 6 months, as stated in Section 3 of this Article, shall stand.

ARTICLE VII

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is established to set a standard of acceptable behavior for the Bulldog Club of Greater St. Louis members. The code is designed to protect the integrity of the club and to protect and enhance our breed.

A. Members have an obligation to protect the welfare and the best interests of their breed by conducting themselves in a manner designed to reflect credit to themselves and their breed. Bulldog owners should ensure that their dogs are never a nuisance to their neighbors or community.
B. All dogs should be kept under sanitary conditions and be given maximum health protection through regular inoculations and proper nutrition.
C. Members who exhibit are expected to observe the highest standards of sportsmanship; conduct themselves in such a manner as to reflect positively on the sport of showing dogs; and exhibit good will at all shows and obedience trials.
D. Members who contemplate breeding a litter, or who allow the use of their stud dog for the same purpose shall direct their efforts toward breeding and producing dogs which conform to the BCA/AKC approved standard, are of even temperament, vigorous and free of health problems. Stud dog owners should permit stud service only to quality, healthy AKC registered bitches owned by individuals who agree with this Code of Ethics and who present satisfactory evidence that they will give these dogs proper care and attention. All breedings should be supervised by persons experienced with good breeding procedures to ensure the health and safety of both the AKC registered stud and bitch. Whenever possible, the stud dog owner should inspect the litter following whelping.
E. All breeders and stud dog owners must keep accurate and complete records of all matings and pedigrees, according to AKC rules and regulations.
F. Breeders should ensure against unwanted breedings.
G. Before deciding to produce a litter, breeders should consider their responsibility for that litter--they must place all puppies they do not intend to keep and be prepared to keep puppies for an extended period of time.
H. All puppies leaving the breeder's possession should be of an age according to any state law.
I. Puppies should be sold on a contract that benefits and protects seller and buyer and ensures that the breeder/seller will be contacted whenever an owner can no longer keep a dog, at any time within the dog's life. The breeder/seller should either assist in the placement of, or accept the return of, said dog. Any stud dog owner, whose breeder has not taken responsibility of said dog, should assist in the placement of any dog sired by their stud dog, at no cost to the stud owner.
J. Breeders should provide buyers with written instructions for the feeding and general care of their puppy, and with a schedule of dates and types of inoculations and worming received.
K. Breeders and stud dog owners should not sell or consign puppies or adult dogs to pet stores or other commercial dealers.
L. All companion pet puppies should be sold on the American Kennel Club's Limited Registration Certificate and/or on spay and neuter agreements.
M. Members shall not engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of their breed, nor shall they malign their competition by making false or misleading statements regarding their competitors' dogs, breeding practice or person.
N. It is our goal that no Bulldog should ever be surrendered to a humane society or animal shelter.

ARTICLE VIII

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 vote within three regular meetings of receipt of the petition by the Secretary.

SECTION 2

The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 vote, the By Laws by a majority 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 IX

Dissolution

Dissolution. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. Upon dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, and after payment of the debts of the Club the remaining assets and/or property of the Club shall be distributed to charitable organizations for the benefit of dogs as directed by the Board and approved by the members.

ARTICLE X

Order of Business

SECTION 1

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

Roll Call

Minutes of Last Regular Meeting

Minutes of any Special or Intervening Meetings

Report of President

Report of Secretary

Report of Treasurer

Report of Committees

Election of New Members

Unfinished Business

Education Program

New Business

Election of Officers and Board (At Biennial Annual Meetings, odd numbered

calendar years)

Brags and Good News

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 Board Meeting

Report of Committees

Board Old Business

Board New Business

Adjournment

Robert's Rules of Order shall Prevail.

As revised by the Board of Directors April 10, 2005

Voted on and approved by the membership June 12, 2005

BULLDOG CLUB OF GREATER ST. LOUIS

CLUB POLICIES

1. The Club does not place any limitation on any member other than the officers directly involved in the show organization, i.e., Show Secretary, Chairperson, Stewards,..., concerning showing their dog(s) at a Bulldog Club of Greater St. Louis dog show. The parameters of acceptable ethics, as spelled out in the American Kennel Club suggestive policies, shall be adhered to.

2. Selections by the Nominating Committee are members considered by the Committee

to be the best available for the position. However, the real intent of having the

Nominating Committee submit one name for each position is simply to assure that

there will be a candidate for that position. It is not necessarily an endorsement by the

Board of the person for that office. To insure a democratic election, the Club and its

board of Directors encourage nominations from the floor during the February

meeting.

3. No officer and/or Committee may take it upon themselves to do anything other than

recognized procedures, or to use more Club monies than is allocated in the Budget,

unless first presenting same to the Board of Directors for approval by the

Membership body.

4. In the event of the death of a member, or that of their immediate family, the Club will send flowers at a cost agreed to by the membership. In those cases where a charitable contribution would be more appropriate, the Club Treasurer shall remit that amount to the requested organization.

5. The Club will furnish a commemorative plaque for each bulldog that is owned or

co-owned by a Club Member which completes a Championship or Obedience Title

during the year. Plaques will be awarded at the Club Annual Banquet.

6. It shall be the policy of the Club to prohibit the distribution of mailing lists of its members

to vendors requesting such a list.

7. Dues amount and prorating or deferment of dues (see By Laws, Article I, Section 2).

The annual membership dues shall be seven dollars fifty cents ($7.50) for an individual and ten ($10.00) for a family membership.

8. Club assets. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to keep and update a list of

club assets and who has possession of such assets. Members who sign out club property

are responsible for that property and shall return it or replace it in like condition on

request of the members of the Club.

9. New members shall receive The Bulldog Digest (one per family), a copy of the

current Constitution and By Laws, a membership list (updated annually) and a

current calendar of events for the Club.

10. The Club shall hold at least one fun match annually. The match will be for educational

purposes and no championship points shall be awarded.

11. Committees - As provided for in Article V of the By Laws.

A. Education

B. Budget and Finance (chaired by the treasurer)

C. Awards

i. meritorious

ii. service

iii. lifetime achievement

D. Annual prizes

E. Membership

i. welcoming

ii. application-including format of application

F. Rescue

G. Nominating

H. Show

i. secretary

ii. chairperson

iii. trophies

iv. advertising

v. setup

vi. cleanup

vii. ring steward(s)

viii. judges--The judges committee shall provide the slate of judges available for vote at the

November meeting, fifteen months in advance of the show for which the judges

are being approved (i.e., two shows in advance).

ix. hospitality

I. Ethics-having an odd number of people

J. Dues

K. Events Planning

calendar of events

Voted on and approved by the membership November 13, 2005