2024 Officers, Committees & By-Laws
2025 Board Members
President Jonathan Stanley
Vice President Vicki Kubic
Treasurer Bonnie Keyes
Recording Secretary Cindy Schroeder
Corresponding Secretary Mark Daniel
Board Member 1 Timothy Ainsworth
Board Member 2 Jayne Stoltzfus
2025 Committees
Awards Kathi Cederborg
Clinics Vicki Kubic/Bonnie Keyes
Legislation Jonathan Stanley
Membership Cindy Schroeder/Mark Daniel
Newsletter Vicki Kubic
Publicity/Website Vicki Kubic/Donna Stanley
Show Vicki Kubic
Sunshine Hospitality Tule Manyon
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Tioga County Kennel Club, Inc.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name and Objectives
SECTION 1. Name of Club
The name of the Club shall be Tioga County Kennel Club, Inc.
SECTION 2. Object of the Club
The objects of the Club shall be:
a. to further the advancement of all breeds of purebred dogs;
b. to do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of all breeds of purebred dogs, and to encourage sportsmanlike conduct at competition events;
c. to conduct sanctioned matches, dog shows, and performance events under the rules of the American Kennel Club;
d. to assist, educate, and help owners and prospective owners in maintaining, caring for, training, showing, and breeding purebred dogs.
SECTION 3. The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
SECTION 4. The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time-to-time revise such Bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Membership
SECTION 1. Eligibility
There shall be five types of membership open to all persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.
Single membership Open to persons 18 years of age and older who enjoy all the privileges of the club including voting and holding office.
Household membership Open to two persons 18 years of age and older residing at the same address and who enjoy all the privileges of the club including voting and holding office. Each of the two is entitled to a separate vote.
Junior membership Open to all persons 10-17 years of age; cannot vote or hold office and may automatically convert to regular membership upon reaching their 18th birthday and with payment of appropriate dues. This membership must be accompanied with an adult parent or guardian membership.
Associate membership Open to persons 18 years of age or older and who enjoy all the privileges of the club except the right to vote and hold office. Associate members my automatically convert to a single or household membership after one year without reapplication if so desired.
Trial membership Open to persons 18 years of age and older who enjoy all the privileges of the club except the right to vote and hold office. All prospective new members will be on a trial membership for the period of one year. After one year, they will have the option of reapplying for a single, household, or associate membership to be voted on by the membership.
While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to be representative of breeders, exhibitors, and dog owners in its immediate area. All types of membership are required to be maintained in good standing. "Good standing" shall mean members who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and whose dues are paid for the current year.
SECTION 2. Dues
Membership dues shall not exceed $30.00 per year, payable on or before the first day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. For any single or household becoming members after October 1st, their membership will be carried through until the following fiscal year. During the month of November, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing year if said notice is not contained in the November newsletter. Dues may be changed by a majority vote of the membership present and voting.
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 state the name and address of the applicant, and the application shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing.
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 the first meeting of the Club following its receipt. The name of the applicant will be included in the notice for the following meeting at which the application will be read again and then voted upon. The 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 rejection.
SECTION 4. Privileges of Membership
Only members who are in good standing shall have the right to vote on any question before the Club, to hold office, or to serve on the Board of Directors. All types of membership in good standing shall have the right to exercise any of the other rights and privileges of membership otherwise specifically provided in these Bylaws. The term "member" as used hereinafter shall mean member in good standing.
SECTION 5. Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated:
1. by resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Corresponding Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the club and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.
2. by lapsing. A member will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated is such member's dues remain unpaid 30 days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the board may grant an additional 30 daysr 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.
3. by expulsion. A membership my be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these Bylaws.
Any person ceasing to be a member for any cause whatsoever and having at the time temporary possession of any Club property shall immediately on such cessation return to the Club such properties and shall be given a receipt for the same.
ARTICLE II
Meetings and Voting
SECTION 1. Club Meetings
Meetings of the Club, with the minimum of six (6) per year, shall be held in or within the greater Owego area, which is in the County of Tioga, State of New York, at such day, hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting if said notice is not contained in the newsletter. The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty percent (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, or will be called by the Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meeting shall be held in or within the greater Owego area at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, an no other business shall be transacted thereat. The quorum for such meeting shall be twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing.
SECTION 3. Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held as necessary, with a minimum of six (6) per year, in or within the greater Owego area at such hour and place as may be designated by a majority of the Board. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting if said notice is not contained in the newsletter. The quorum for such meetings shall be a majority of the Board.
SECTION 4. Special Board Meetings
Special Board meetings may be called by the President, or will be called by the Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three Board members. Such special meetings shall be held in or within the greater Owego area at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of the meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least five (5) days and not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Said notice shall state the purpose 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
Unless otherwise specified in the these bylaws, each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting at which he or she is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III
Directors and Officers
SECTION 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and two (2) Board Members, all of whom shall be elected for one (1) year terms at the Club's annual meeting 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, Corresponding 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 of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally associated with 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 case of the President's death, absence, or incapacity. It shall also be the responsibility of the Vice-President to coordinate publicity for the club and its functions.
c. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. He or she shall have charge of all files and papers of the Club and of its seal. He or she shall have at all times an up-to-date list of the members of the Club and their addresses and e-mail addresses and shall keep a record of all Club-sponsored matches and shows. The Secretary shall keep a record of all new membership applications and shall read them to the Board and the membership upon receipt. The Secretary shall keep a record of how each member wishes to be notified of club business whether by US Postal Service or via e-mail. He or she shall perform such duties as are prescribed elsewhere in these Bylaws.
d. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct Club correspondence, notify new members of their membership, notify members of the meetings of the Club and the names of prospective members, and notify members of the Board of Directors of the meetings of the Board if said notices are not contained in the newsletter. He or she shall prepare an up-to-date list of members of the Club and their addresses, their e-mail addresses, and shall have it in the hands of the membership during the month of March. He or she shall perform such duties as are prescribed in these Bylaws or as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.
e. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. He or she shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the Club. His or her books shall be at all times open to the inspection of the Board and membership, and he or she shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item or receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting he or she shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year.
The Treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors shall determine. The premium of such bond shall be paid by the 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 its 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 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 first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December.
The Club's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election of Officers and Board members at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.
SECTION 2. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of December at which Officers and Directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Sections 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his or her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within thirty (30) days following the election.
SECTION 3. Elections
The election shall be conducted by ballot at the Annual meeting. There shall be no absentee ballots. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each 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 September, 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 Corresponding 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 which shall be held on or before October 1st.
a. The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and position on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.
b. Upon receipt of the Nomination Committee's report, the Corresponding Secretary shall, at least two (2) weeks before the November meeting, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated if said notice is not contained in the November newsletter.
c. Additional nominations may be made at the November meeting by any member in attendance provided that the member so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed, 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 willingness to be a candidate.
d. No person may be a candidate for more than one position as an officer 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 for an office.
e. Each officer is to serve in their elected position for a minimum of one (1) year, but if so reelected, may continue to serve in the same office for up to five (5) consecutive terms.
f. Nomination cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this section.
ARTICLE V
Committees
SECTION 1. Appointment
The Board will each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, memberships, and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects.
SECTION 2. Termination
Any committee appointed may be terminated by the 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. Upon termination, the committee shall turn over to the Secretary all properties or records relating to that committee within thirty (30) days. In case of a committee member termination, such properties shall be turned over to the committee within thirty (30) days.
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 a like period.
SECTION 2. Charges
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the sport. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $10.00 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 or the sport. 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 of a hearing by the Board not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Corresponding Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his or her own defense and bring witnesses if he or she wishes.
SECTION 3. Rights While Under Charges
Any member who is currently under charges is entitled to all rights and privileges of membership until suspended by the Board if the charges are sustained.
SECTION 4. Board Hearing
The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both the complainant and the defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the complainant and defendant, the Board may, by majority vote of those present, suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing. And, if 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 rights to appear before his or her fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board'' recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary, in turn, shall send to each of the parties, the Boards findings and penalty, if any.
SECTION 5. Reprimand
The Board by majority vote may issue a reprimand to a member. A reprimand is a written warning to a member after charges have been filed in accordance with the bylaws, and it is determined that the member’s conduct was not severe enough to warrant a suspension or a recommendation for expulsion.
SECTION 6. 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 4 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club to be held within sixty (60) days but not earlier than thirty (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 findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his or her own behalf if he or she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If the expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension will stand.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
SECTION 1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary and signed by twenty percent (20%) 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 Corresponding Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
SECTION 2. The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 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 (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting if said proposed amendments(s) is (are) not contained in the newsletter.
SECTION 3. Votes On Bylaw Amendments
After amendments are voted upon, the club must provide AKC with the number of members in good standing as well as the date of the vote, and the number who voted for or against. A copy of the revised document must be submitted to AKC as soon as it is printed.
ARTICLE VIII
SECTION 1. Notices
All Club notices (notification of club meetings, dues notices, minutes and newsletters, and notification of Board meetings) must be sent either via the US Postal Service or e-mail. E-mail notification must follow the same time constraints as notification by the US Postal Service. The member or board member who wishes to receive notification by e-mail must sign an authorization agreeing to this method of communication. Such authorization, which is revocable, will also release the club from any liability should the notification be received late or not received by the member or board member due to circumstances beyond the club’s control. Each individual member is responsible for notifying the Recording Secretary of any change in address in writing.
ARTICLE IX
Dissolution
SECTION 1. Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved at any time only by the written consent of not less that 2/3 of the members. In the event of dissolution of the Club other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary, or by operation of the law, none of the property of the Club or any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any members of the Club; but, after payment of 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 X
Order of Business
SECTION 1. Club Meetings
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 (attendance record circulated)
Reading of the minutes of last meeting of both the Club and Board
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. Meetings of the Board of Directors
At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Roll Call
Reading of Minutes of last meeting of both the Club and Board
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
ARTICLE XI
Parliamentary 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 other special rules of order the Club may adopt.