There shall be two types of full membership open to all persons 18 years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the prudence the club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in the Somerset and surrounding areas.

Section 2. Dues

Single membership dues shall not exceed $40.00 per year, payable on or before the 1^st day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. By the first of December each year, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year as follows:

Voting Members: Single – 100%; Household – 150% (maximum of 2 votes)

Nonvoting Members: Junior – 50%; Associate – 50%

Section 3. Election to Membership

Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the constitution and bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The application shall as a minimum state the name, address and occupation of the applicant, and it shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective members shall submit dues payment for the current year. Such payments may be prorated providing there is less than six (6) months remaining in that fiscal year on the date the applicant is elected to membership. All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application is to be read at the first meeting of the club following its receipt. At the next club meeting the application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting by secret ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within six months after such rejections.

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, but no member may resign when in debt to the club. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the club and must be pain in full prior to resignation.

b) by lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the board may grant an additional 90 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 the date of that meeting.

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

ARTICLE II – MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1. Club Meetings

Meetings of the club shall be held each month within Somerset or the greater Somerset area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20 percent 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 and hall 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 in Somerset or greater Somerset area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or person authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five days and not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.

Section 3. Board Meetings

Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least six times per year (more often if necessary) in Somerset or the greater Somerset area, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a 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 shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in Somerset or the greater Somerset area at such a place, date and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five days and no more than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purposes of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted thereat. The quorum for such meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

Section 5. Voting

Each Member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the club meeting with he is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 1. LCKC Board

The LCKC Board shall be comprised for four officers and five directors, all of whom shall be members in good standing. One of the five shall be elected for a one-year term and four members shall serve two-year terms (two of whose terms end in even years and two in odd years). All shall be elected at the club’s annual general meeting (AGM) as provided 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 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 the board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.

b) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.

c) The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club and of the board and of 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 members of the club and their addresses, and carry out such other duties are prescribed in these bylaws.

d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the club. Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the board, in the name of the club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the board and a report shall be given at every meeting on the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not previously reported; and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all monies received and expended during that fiscal year. The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

e) Delegate (upon election of the club as an KC member club).

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 all the then members of the board at it’s first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy or at a special board meeting called for that 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 the Vice President shall be filled by the Board.

ARTICLE IV. – THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTIONS

Section 1. Club Year

The club’s official year shall begin immediately following the election and those elected shall serve in relevant capacity throughout such year until their elected term otherwise expires and they are replaced.

Section 2. Annual Meeting

The annual meeting shall be held in the month of December at which time officers, directors (and Delegate to the American Kennel Club where applicable) for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to the 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 officer and director position shall be declared elected.

Section 4. Nominations

No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. During the month of October the board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates (which shall be designated Alternate #1 and Alternate #2), not more than one of whom may be a member of the board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committeemen and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairman for the committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting within two weeks.

a) The nominating committee shall nominate one candidate for each officer and director position (and one for Delegate where applicable – who may be but is not required to be an officer or director) and, after securing the consent of each person such nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.

b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall, at least two weeks before the November meeting notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.

c) Additional nominations may be made at the November meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not present at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position (except for the position of Delegate in AKC members clubs).

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

ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES

Section 1. Committees.

The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other field 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.

Section 2. Appointment and Replacement of Committee Members

Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the board at any regular or special meeting of the board via 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 the privileges of the American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this club for alike period.

Section 2. Charges

Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $25, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the board following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send copy of such 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 interest of the club. If the board considers that the charge 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 file a date for a hearing by the board not less than three weeks nor more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary; shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defender may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he 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 the defendant, the board may by majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the hearing and, fi it 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 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 own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at the meeting. The President shall read the charges and the board’s finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf it he wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the board’s suspension shall stand.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Required Vote

The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members.

Section 2. Disposition of LCKC Property and Funds

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 a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the board of directors.

ARTICLE IX – ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1. Order of Business at Club Meetings

Roll Call

Minutes of last meeting

Report of President

Report of Secretary

Report of Treasurer

Reports of committees

Election of officers and directors (at AGM only)

Election of new members

Unfinished business

New business

Adjournment

Section 2. Order of Business at Board Meetings

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