| THE UPPER MIDWEST FOX TROTTING HORSE BREED ASSOCIATION, INC. OFFICERS, 2004-2005 PRESIDENT: Jane Bruns VICE PRESIDENT: Stacy Bowman P.O. Box 243 5128 Stagecoach Rd. Gibbon, MN 55335 Pleasant Plains, IL 62677 (507) 834-6962 (217) 487-7664 e-mail: jbruns@prairie.lakes.com e-mail: BOWMANFXTR@aol.com SECRETARY/TREASURER: Lynn Blackbourn BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Linda Rassussen - MN Erica Zick - WI Wayne Anderson - IA The UMFTA offers a website (www.uppermidwestfoxtrotter.com) that includes member websites, calendar of events, classifieds, board minutes, meeting notices, and educational stories. For additional information, please email the UMFTA at: uppermidwestmft@yahoo.com. UPPER MIDWEST FOX TROTTER ASSOCIATION, INC. BY-LAWS ARTICLE I: NAME The name of the charter organization shall be the Upper Midwest Foxtrotter Association, Inc. (UMFTA) ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE The objective of this club is to unite fox trotter owners in the Upper Midwest in order to: promote the fox trotting horse as a distinct and versatile breed; educate all horse owners about proper gait and showmanship; promote the breeding programs found in the Upper Midwest; provide opportunities for owners to exhibit and ride their horses; promote youth horsemanship programs; disseminate knowledge and news about the Missouri Fox Trotter from the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. Any person of good character and reputation may become a UMFTA member upon payment of dues as provided under these bylaws and by agreeing to comply with all rules, regulations and mandates of this club. UMFTA members of the organization must own a Missouri Fox Trotter horse and pay yearly dues. The Term of membership begins from the date of receipt of application or renewal. Members are also strongly encouraged to be members of MFTHBA. Each single paid member will be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote by the general membership. Family memberships have two votes. Junior members under 18 years may participate under the family membership. Membership cards will be issued annually by the Secretary/Treasurer. SECTION 2. DUES Dues are to be paid directly to the Secretary/Treasurer. Annual dues shall be $10 for single and $18 for family memberships. Members who do not renew their membership within the 30-day grace period following the expiration date will be dropped from the membership register. ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS SECTION 1. MEETINGS OF MEMBERS The annual meeting of the UMFTA shall be held during the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI, in April. A general membership meeting may be held during any club event with at least a 30-day notification period to all six (6) members of the Executive Committee called by the President. SECTION 2. SPECIAL MEETINGS The President or a quorum of the Board of Directors may call special meetings of members. The presence of three (3) officers/directors shall constitute a quorum to conduct business. The President may call a meeting of the Board of Directors at any time by email, written or telephone correspondence. Results of any mailed balloting shall be kept on record by the Secretary/Treasurer for a period of one year. SECTION 3. QUORUM A majority vote of the members at a regular or called meeting shall have the authority to transact business.. ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 1. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS The Officers of this club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and three (3) directors. The three (3) officers and three (3) directors shall constitute the Board of Directors (Executive Committee). The Board of Directors shall be elected for a 12-month period by the general membership at the annual meeting. SECTION 2. ELIGIBILITY Directors must be members of the organization and the MFTHBA for a minimum of one year. Any director who ceases to be a member of either shall cease being a director of the organization. Officers shall be nominated by the nominating committee (current officers). SECTION 3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS President – shall preside at all meetings, act as Chairman of the Executive Committee, and fill all board vacancies by appointment. If the President or Vice President will not be at a Board meeting, the President will appoint a Board Member to act as Chairman for that meeting only. Vice President – serves in absence of the President at all meetings. The Vice President shall appoint all committees and serve as a facilitator of all standing committees to ensure coordination of their activities (Events Coordinator). In case of Vacancy of the President’s office, the Vice President shall become President. Secretary/Treasurer – keeps complete records of general meetings and Board of Director meetings; keeps membership records and answers all correspondence unless otherwise directed by the Board of Director; maintains accurate financial records, collects membership dues, and handles all financial affairs unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors. Board of Directors – shall have the power to transact all necessary club business between meetings, carry out club instructions, authorize expenditures, create ways and means of carrying out UMFTA objectives, formulate rules during the year not covered by UMFTA bylaws and act upon charges brought to their attention. ARTICLE VI. PARLIAMENTARY RULES Roberts Rules of Order will govern all proceedings of the UMFTA. Order of Business shall be: Call to order, Roll call of officers, Reading of the minutes, Committee Reports, Old business, New business, Adjournment. ARTICLE VII. DISCIPLINE SECTION 1. The Executive Committee may suspend, expel, or dispose of any member or reject a membership for conduct, in its judgement, warrants such action. Any person expelled or refused membership shall not be reconsidered for membership for a period of two years following disciplinary action. Failure to exhibit good sportsmanship or other action in direct conflict with the objectives of this club will be considered grounds for expulsion or rejection. SECTION 2. If any Officer or Director becomes delinquent in his/her dues, he/she shall be notified by the Secretary/Treasurer. If the membership is not renewed by the 30-day grace period, that office will be declared vacant. Any officer or director failing to fulfill his/her duties and/or display a lack of interest in club matters, will be asked to resign by the President. A majority vote can be taken by the Board of Directors to declare the office vacant. ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS These articles may be altered, amended or repealed by a two-thirds majority vote of the charter members and other members who have been in membership for at least 5 years. This action can take place at any general meeting provided 15-days written notice has been given to the members of the intention to make changes in the articles at the designated meeting. |