BYLAWS of the GOLD COUNTRY ENDURANCE RIDERS
A Non-Profit Corporation

AS APPROVED JANUARY 1, 2005

at Cool, California

 

 

 

ARTICLE I - NAME

This non-profit corporation shall be known as "GOLD COUNTRY ENDURANCE RIDERS".

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

WHEREAS, the status of endurance riding is that of a ride under the joint control of Ride Management and qualified Veterinarians; and,

WHEREAS, endurance riders must unite for the maintenance of the integrity of their sport; and,

WHEREAS, promoting the sport and encouraging better care and the prevention of cruelty to animals; and,

WHEREAS, this organization will encourage the riding of historical trails and preserve such trails for future generations; and,

THEREFORE, it is also the object and purpose of this Corporation, though not limited to; assisting whenever possible in all matters pertaining to the welfare and interest of all members as it relates to the sport of Endurance Riding, the maintenance of existing equestrian trails or opening of new and maintenance of equestrian trails and or joint use trails that benefit the equestrian rider.

ARTICLE III - PLACE OF BUSINESS AND BANKING

Section 1. The principal office for the transaction of the business of the organization shall be located at such place or places within the Counties of Placer, Nevada or El Dorado, State of California, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine.

Section 2. The fiscal year shall commence the first (1st) of each January.

Section 3. All club funds shall be deposited by the treasurer in the depositories designated by the Board of Directors and in the name of the corporation.

Section 4. All club funds shall be withdrawn only by checks signed by two of the authorized signatures. These signatures shall include the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer and others approved by the officers.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. Membership in this club shall be open to all interested persons at least eighteen (18) years of age. 

Section 2. Membership shall become effective upon submission to the club treasurer of the first years dues.  A person or a family who first joins after October 1st shall be a member for the following calendar year.

Section 3. A member will be in good standing only as long as his dues are fully paid and he abides by the by-laws of this club. If dues are not paid within ninety (90) days of the date they are due, the member will be dropped from the membership list.

Section 4. The amount of yearly dues shall be set by the Board of Directors.  Each change of the amounts of the dues shall be approved by the general membership at the election meeting.  Dues are due on January 1st of each year and are for the calendar year.

Section 5. A member may be expelled from the club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the entire membership for behavior not in the best interests of the club. Prior to such vote, the Board of Directors shall conduct a hearing of any grievance whereby the accused and the accuser must appear before the Board of Directors. The accuser must show just cause as to why the accused member should be expelled. If the Board of Directors determines that there is just cause for expulsion, the matter shall be voted on at the following monthly membership meeting.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of five (5) officers and four (4) members of the general membership duly elected by the general membership at the election meeting plus the past President. The Board will assume their offices January 1st.

Section 2. The Directors elected from the floor shall have a term of two (2) years.  The officers shall remain on the board as long as they remain officers.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

Section 1. There shall be a President, a 1st Vice President, a 2nd Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer who are automatically members of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Officers shall be elected as prescribed in Article VII and take office on the following January 1st.

Section 3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the corporation and of the Board or Directors. The President may vote only when there is a tie. The President shall appoint all members of committees and shall establish committees as may be deemed fit, all subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 4. The 1st Vice-President shall preside and perform the duties of the President when required. They shall coordinate the functions or all the committees.

Section 5. The 2nd Vice-President shall perform the duties of the manager of the annual Endurance Ride.

Section 6. The Secretary shall have custody of all of the records and documents of the club and shall safeguard them in a file box provided by the club. The Secretary shall take minutes at all club meetings and keep up-to-date rolls of all club correspondence and is responsible for securing the president's signature on all documents other than checks.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all collections and disbursements of money and shall present an up-to-date financial statement at each general business meeting of the club, or when called upon by any Board Member. The Treasurer shall further see that money owed to the club is paid and shall disburse same at the direction of the Board of Directors.   The Treasurer shall keep up-to-date rolls of members and their dues status.

ARTICLE VII - ELECTIONS

Section 1. Election of the officers and Board of Directors shall be held each year at a general business meeting. The time and place of this election meeting shall be determined and announced during the previous business meeting.

Section 2. All nominations shall be made from the floor, at the October meeting, by only those members in good standing AT THAT DATE.  Nominations may be made in person or by mail, but if made by mail, they must be received by the start of the October meeting.

Section 3. Voting shall be by active ballot of the active members present at the election meeting.  If any member requests, the entire ballot shall be secret.  Those nominees receiving the most votes shall be elected.  If there are no contested offices, i.e. each office or position of director has only candidate, the voting may be a voice confirmation by the members present at the October meeting.

Section 4. Each Director elected from the floor shall hold his or her position for a period of two (2) years, commencing with the 1st day of January and ending the following year - Directors shall be installed at the New Year’s Day meeting.

Section 5. If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, the President shall appoint a replacement who must be confirmed by a vote of the membership at the next regular meeting.  An appointed director will serve the balance of the term of the director that he/she replaces.

Section 6. If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs in any office except the President, the Board of Directors shall appoint a replacement who must be confirmed by a vote of the membership at the next regular meeting. 

Section 7.  If, for any reason, the office of President becomes vacant, the 1st Vice-President shall assume the office of President for the remainder of the year and the Board of Directors shall appoint a new 1st Vice-President who must be confirmed by a vote of the membership at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS

Section 1. A regular meeting may be held every month March through October for the purpose of discussing and voting on club business. The meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday of each month with the time and place designated at the previous business meeting or as otherwise announced.

Section 2. Meetings may be held by the Board of Directors for the purpose of discussing and voting on any matter which cannot wait until the next monthly business meeting. The meeting may be called at the discretion of any two (2) Board Members and shall require notification to all Board Members, time and place at least 2 days prior to the meeting.

Section 3. Meeting quorums. Board Meetings -a quorum shall be a majority of the Board, (three of whom shall be officers).  Business Meetings - A quorum shall be 10% (1/10) of the membership (three of whom shall be on the Board of Directors, of which at least one (1) shall be an officer).

ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES

There are no standing committees.  The President shall appoint all members of any committees that may be required from time to time.  Any actions undertaken by a committee shall be subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

The By-laws may be amended at any regular business meeting of the club by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members in Good Standing Present AT that Meeting. The amendment or amendments shall be presented to the entire membership in writing at the regular business meeting prior or by mail 15 calendar days prior to the regular business meeting upon which the amendments are to be voted.

ARTICLE XI - ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business shall be as follows:

·        Roll Call.

·        Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

·        Introduction of new members and/or visitors.

·        Treasure's report.

·        Correspondence.

·        Reports of Committees.

·        Old Business.

·        New Business.

·        Adjournment.

ARTICLE XII - MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Roberts Rules of Order shall be authority over all questions not provided for by these by-laws.

Section 2. All events and activities shall be governed by the GOLD COUNTRY ENDURANCE RIDERS rules for that particular activity.

Section 3.  Any reference to mail shall include and accept e-mail as equal in all business matters of the Club, including amending the by-laws.

Section 4.  These by-laws have been revised and voted in favor of by the membership attending the January 1st  2005 meeting in Cool, CA.