Constitution and Bylaws of The Kangal Dog Club of America, Inc.
The Kangal Dog Club of America, Inc. is officially associated with the United Kennel Club, Inc.
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Article One: Name
This organization shall be known as The Kangal Dog Club of America, Inc.; hereafter referred to in this document as the “Club.” The acronym for this Club shall be KDCA.
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Article Two: Purpose
Section I
The Club is formed for the following purposes:
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To encourage and promote the breeding of healthy purebred Kangal Dogs that are true to type, as recognized by the registering body, the United Kennel Club, Inc.;
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To promote and advance the breed in a responsible manner;
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To encourage members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as established by the United Kennel Club as the standard by which the Kangal Dog shall be bred and judged;
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To promote through education the high standard of excellence of the UKC-registered Kangal Dog;
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To conduct U.K.C. sanctioned and licensed events;
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To promote good sportsmanship in the training and exhibition of dogs.
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To protect the reputation of the KDCA, and the Kangal Dog breed, by ensuring adherence to the KDCA Code of Ethics for Members and Breeders.
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To protect the integrity and purpose of the Kangal Dog breed by adhering to a strict code against dog fighting and the support of those involved in dog fighting, or the breeding of fighting dogs (see Appendix A)
Section II
For the accomplishment of its purposes, the Club shall have the power to purchase, rent or lease property and/or equipment to carry out said purposes.
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Article Three: Club Profits
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 insure to the benefit of any member or individual.
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Article Four: Rules For Licensed Events
All licensed events sponsored by the Club will be run in accordance with the rules, policies, and procedures of the United Kennel Club.
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Article Five: Revisions
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.
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BYLAWS
Article I. Membership
Section 1. Eligibility
There shall be 4 types of membership open to any applicant who subscribes to the purposes and objectives of the Club, and agrees to abide by the Club Code of Ethics, and who is in good standing with U.K.C. All new membership applicants must own a Kangal Dog, or have owned a Kangal Dog within the past 10 years.
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Section 2. Types of membership
Section 2.1. Single membership
Open to members 18 years of age or older. Single members are entitled to one vote and are eligible to hold office in the Club.
Section 2.2. Family/Household membership
Open to any two members of a household 18 years of age or older, who own or have owned a Kangal Dog. Each Family/Household membership is entitled to two votes but only one member may hold office at any one time.
Section 2.3. Associate membership
This is a non-voting membership, open to members who, for personal reasons such as a lack of time to commit to active Club membership, wish to forego voting privileges.
Section 2.4. Honorary membership
The Board of Directors may elect to honorary membership any member in good standing, or any non-member, who demonstrates a commitment to the Kangal Dog breed, and who can be seen as an asset to the Club. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board shall be required to elect an honorary member. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues. No honorary members may vote. Honorary memberships are awarded on a yearly basis, to be renewed each year by vote of the Board.
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Section 3. Dues
Section 3.1. Amount
Annual membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting, to become effective the following year.
Section 3.2. Payment of dues
Dues are payable on or before the 1st day January of each year.
Section 3.3. Dues statement
On November 1st of each year, the Membership Secretary will send to each member a membership renewal form, with dues indicated, for the ensuing year.
Section 3.4. Nonpayment of dues
No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. The membership of any member who has not paid his/her dues by March 31st of any calendar year shall lapse. The Board of Directors may grant a grace period of an additional 30 days for payment to a member who applies for an extension.
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Section 4. Application for Membership
Section 4.1. Submitting the application
Each applicant for membership in the Club, or membership renewal, shall apply on a Board- approved Application for Membership, which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics of the Club and the rules and regulations of the United Kennel Club. The prospective member shall submit the completed application and dues payment for the current year to the Membership Secretary.
Section 4.2. Sponsors
Each application for new membership must be endorsed by two Club members in good standing, who live in different households.
Section 4.3. Publication of applicants’ names in newsletter
The name and address of each new member, and the names of each member’s sponsors, shall be published in the Club newsletter, either online or in hard copy, or both.
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Section 5. Election To Membership
Applicants may be elected by vote of the Board of Directors, by mail or e-mail. Affirmative votes of a majority of the entire Board shall be required to elect an applicant.
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Section 6. Notification of Application Status
The applicant whose membership application is voted upon by the Board must be sent notification of such decision by e-mail, telephone, or postal mail, within 14 days of the final vote. Applicants who have not provided an e-mail address will be notified by postal mail.
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Section 7. Rejected Applications
The sponsor of any applicant whose membership application is rejected by the Board may personally present the application at the next meeting of the Club. The Club membership may elect such applicant by secret ballot or confidential online polling, with a favorable vote of 75 percent of the members present, in good standing, and voting.
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Section 8. Termination Of Membership
Memberships may be terminated for any of the following reasons:
Section 8.1. Resignation
Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. Resignation shall not discharge or eliminate any debt owed to the Club. Dues are considered an obligation to the Club and are incurred the first day of each fiscal year.
Section 8.2. Lapsing
A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid after March 31st. The Board of Directors may grant a grace period of an additional 30 days for payment to any member who applies for an extension. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of the meeting. Lapsed members must reapply for membership as stated in Article I, Section 4 of these Bylaws.
Section 8.3. Suspension
Any member who is suspended or barred from the privileges of the United Kennel Club is automatically suspended or barred from the privileges of membership in the Club for the same period of time. Members may also be suspended as provided in Article VIII, Section 1.1 of these bylaws.
Section 8.4. Expulsion
A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VIII, Section 4 of these bylaws.
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Article II. Club Year
Section 1. Fiscal Year
The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the last day of December.
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Section 2. Official Year
The Club’s official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.
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Article III. Meetings
Section 1. Membership meetings
Membership meetings of the club may be held at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the time, place and location of this meeting shall be mailed not later than 15 days prior to the meeting.
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Section 2. Annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Club shall be held at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the time, place and location of this meeting shall be printed in the newsletter of the Club, or in a separate mailing, and shall be mailed not later than 15 days prior to the meeting. The quorum for this meeting shall be 10 percent of the voting members in good standing.
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Section 3. Special Club meetings
Special meetings can be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors who are present and voting at any meeting of the Board or who vote by mail. A special meeting can also be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by 10% of the members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held at a place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 15 days and not more than 30 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and shall state that no other Club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the voting members in good standing.
Section 4. Board meetings
Whenever possible, the first meeting of the Board shall be held immediately following the annual Club meeting and election. Meetings of the Club Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine by resolution of the Board of Directors. Written or e-mail notice of each such meeting shall be sent by the Secretary at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. Email notifications should contain a request for confirmation of receipt of notice and intention to attend from each BOD member. In case the member did not receive the notice, any failure to respond should be followed up by a phone call and/or postal mail from the Secretary. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
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Section 5. Special Board meetings
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Club President or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board, by mail or e-mail. Such special meeting shall be held at such time and place as may be designated by the person authorized to call such meeting. The Secretary shall mail written notice of such meeting at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. E-mail notifications should contain a request for confirmation of receipt of notice and intention to attend from each BOD member. In case the member did not receive the notice, any failure to respond should be followed up by a phone call and/or postal mail from the Secretary. Notice of the meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting, and state that no other business shall be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. Section 6. Conducting Club business via electronic communication. Club and Board members may use e-mail, chat rooms, message boards and other means of electronic communication to facilitate Club business.
Section 5.1. Club discussion
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Notice. Written notice of Club on-line discussions shall be mailed or e-mailed to all Club members in good standing by the Secretary at least 14 days and not more than 30 days prior to the scheduled discussion. Notice shall include:
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A designated e-mail list, chat room or message board with instructions how to access the list, room or message board;
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The purpose(s) of the meeting and the starting and ending dates and times during which discussion may take place. No other Club business shall be discussed.
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Quorum. No quorum shall be required for Club discussions.
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Voting. No vote may be taken on any motion.
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Minutes. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by using chat room logs, copying messages from the message board, copying e- mail from the list, or by taking notes of the discussion
Section 5.2. Regular Board discussions
A majority of the Board may designate a regular date, time and e-mail list, chat room or message board for Board discussions
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Notice. These regular discussions may be held without notice but the President shall publish an agenda at the beginning of each discussion.
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Roll call. The Secretary will take a roll call at the beginning of each designated meeting period.
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Quorum. A quorum for these discussions shall be a majority of the Board members. A Board member shall be considered present if he/she responds within one-half hour in a chat room or within 24 hours on an e-mail list or message board.
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Voting. Board members may vote on any properly-made motion during these discussions, but no such vote shall be valid unless a written copy of the motion signed by the Board member, clearly indicating the Board member’s approval or disapproval of the motion, is received via mail or fax by the Secretary within 10 days of the electronic vote. Board members shall be notified by mail or e-mail of the results of all balloting.
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Minutes. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by using chat room logs, copying messages from the message board, copying e- mail from the list, or by taking notes of the discussion
Section 5.3. Special Board discussions
Special Board discussions may be called by the Club President, Vice President, or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special discussion shall be held at such date and time and in such electronic format (e-mail list, chat room or message board) as may be designated by the person authorized to call for such a discussion
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Notice. The Secretary shall mail or e-mail written notice of such meeting at least 14 days prior to the date of the discussion. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the discussion and no other business shall be transacted thereat.
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Quorum. A quorum for these discussions shall be a majority of the Board members. A Board member shall be considered present if he/she responds within one-half hour in a chat room or within 24 hours on an e-mail list or message board.
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Voting. Board members may vote on any properly-made motion during these discussions, but no such vote shall be valid unless a written copy of the motion, signed by the Board member clearly indicating the Board member’s approval or disapproval of the motion, is received via mail or fax by the Secretary within 10 days of the electronic vote. Board members shall be notified by mail or e-mail of the results of all balloting.
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Minutes. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of these discussions by using chat room logs, copying messages from the message board, copying e- mail from the list, or by taking notes of the discussion.
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Section 6. Voting
Each Club member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year, and who is entitled to vote pursuant to Article 1, Section 2, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting at which the member is present or by ballot. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.
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Article IV. Directors and Officers
Section 1. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be composed of the 5 Officers and 2 Directors, all of whom shall be members in good standing, and all of whom shall be elected for three year terms as provided in Article V, and shall serve until their successors are elected. A rotational schedule shall be maintained so that, barring vacancies, only two or three positions shall be up for re-election each year.
In addition, to ensure continuity and sharing of club processes and duties, if the immediate past President is not re-elected to the Board, then the current BOD may invite this person to serve as a non-voting member of the Board for a period of one year only. Only one member of each family may serve on the Board at any time. General management of the Club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
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Section 2. Term of Office
The Officers of the Club shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected. No person may hold more than one office per term, except that the offices of Treasurer, and/or Secretary, and/or Membership Secretary may be held by the same person. Any Director who misses two Board meetings within a Club year shall be removed from the Board of Directors, unless a majority of the Board members present and voting at the meeting from which the Director is absent for the second time votes to excuse one or both of the absences.
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Section 3. Officers
The Club’s Officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Secretary shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings. The election of these officers will be made from the members of the Board and by the members of the Board at a Board meeting which shall be held immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Club. All Officers must be in good standing with the United Kennel Club and the Kangal Dog Club of America.
Section 3.1. President
The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of the President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.
Section 3.2. Vice President
The Vice President shall assist the President when and where possible. The Vice President shall serve as Parliamentarian. The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.
Section 3.3. Secretary
The Secretary (a.k.a. “Recording Secretary”) shall keep a written 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; shall have charge of the correspondence, including but not limited to:
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Notifying members of meetings and events;
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Preparing, printing, and mailing official Club ballots;
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Preparing and publicizing minutes of meetings.
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Preparing drafts of official documents under BOD revision until completed.
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Notifying Officers and Directors of their election to office;
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In the death, absence or incapacity of the President and Vice President, carrying out the duties and exercising the powers of the President; and
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Carrying out other such duties are as prescribed in these bylaws.
Section 3.4. Membership Secretary
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Notifying new members of their election to membership;
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Keeping a roll of the members of the Club with their membership status, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail address;
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Accept and process membership applications;
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Administering e-mail discussion lists for members and directors.
Section 3.5. Treasurer
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 accurate, up to date, and open to inspection by the Board. A report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting, an accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. In the event of the resignation, death or expulsion of the Treasurer, all moneys and account books of the Club shall be handed over to the Board of Directors until the office of Treasurer is filled. The President shall sign all checks during this interim period. The Treasurer shall be bonded, and the fees paid by the KDCA.
Section 4. Resignations
Any director may resign at any time by giving a written notice to the Secretary of the Club. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise stated therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. 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 resulting vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.
Section 6. Compensation
The members of the Board shall serve without compensation for time or labor but may be compensated for reasonable and necessary expenses.
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Article V. Elections
Section 1. Annual Election
The annual election for open positions on the Board of Directors shall be conducted by secret written ballot, except that if no nominations for director are received by the Secretary as provided in Article V, Section 2.4, no ballot will be necessary. In this case, the persons selected by the Nominating Committee will be declared elected by the Secretary at the annual meeting of the Club. If additional nominations have been made as provided in Article V, Section 2.4, the Chairperson of the Tally Committee shall report the results of the election at the annual meeting. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office or position on the Board shall be declared elected.
Section 2. Nominations
No person may be a candidate for an office or position on the Board who has not been nominated. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this section.
Section 2.1 Nominating Committee
At least 120 days before of the Annual Membership Meeting, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee, consisting of 3 members and 2 alternates, all members in good standing. No more than one member of the current Board may serve on the Nominating Committee. In choosing the members of the Nominating Committee, the Board should try to ensure that different parts of the country have representation on the committee. The Board shall name one member of the committee to serve as Chairperson, who shall be responsible for setting times and dates for Committee meetings and for reporting results to the Club Secretary. The Nominating Committee may conduct its business in person or by use of postal mail, e-mail, fax, telephone or other electronic communication, provided that all decisions must be confirmed in writing to all members of the Committee within 10 days.
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Section 2.2. Tally Committee
At the same time it selects a Nominating Committee, or immediately before submitting a proposed amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws to the Secretary, the Board of Directors shall select two Club members, living within reasonable driving distance of one another to serve as the Tally Committee, in the event that it becomes necessary to hold an election or vote on a proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws, and thereafter to count ballots. The Board shall name one member of this committee as Chairperson, who shall receive all mail-in ballots and who shall report the results of all ballot counts to the Club Secretary.
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Section 2.3. Candidates
The Nominating Committee shall nominate from among the eligible members of the Club, one candidate for each position on the Board of Directors and shall procure acceptance of each nominee. The Committee should consider geographical representation of the membership when selecting nominees to the extent that it is practicable to do so. The Committee shall submit its slate of candidates to the Secretary at least 90 days before the annual meeting. The Secretary shall mail the list, including the full name of each candidate and the state in which the candidate resides, at least 60 days before the annual meeting, so that members may make additional nominations, if they so desire.
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Section 2.4. Additional Nominations.
Additional nominations of eligible members may be made by written petition addressed to the Secretary and received at the Secretary’s regular address at least 30 days before the annual meeting, accompanied by a written acceptance of the nomination from each additional nominee.
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If no valid additional nominations are received by the Secretary at least 30 days before the annual meeting, the Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates shall be declared elected at the time of the annual meeting and no balloting will be required.
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If one or more valid nominations are received by the Secretary at least 30 days before the annual meeting, the Secretary shall mail to each member in good standing a ballot listing in alphabetical order all of the nominees for each position, together with an envelope addressed to the Chairperson of the Tally Committee.
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Section 3. Counting the Ballots
Ballots must be returned by U.S. mail to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee at least 15 days before the date of the annual meeting. Ballots postmarked after that date shall be invalid. The Chairperson shall set a meeting date and time for the Tally Committee as soon as practicable and at a place convenient to all committee members, at which meeting the committee shall count the ballots. If two Club members cannot be found within reasonable travel distance of one another to serve as the Tally Committee, the President shall request the Chairperson of the Tally Committee to hire a Notary Public for the purpose of counting and verifying ballots. The Chairperson shall promptly report the election results to the Club Secretary. All ballots, and the envelopes in which they were received, shall be given to the Secretary, who shall keep them for two years as part of the Club’s official records.
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Section 4. Election Results
Election results will be announced by the Secretary at the annual meeting of the Club.
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Section 5. Change of Officers and Board Members
The newly elected Board members shall elect the Officers, who shall take office at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected. Each retiring Officer and Board member shall turn over to his/her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
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Article VI. Contracts, Loans, Checks
Section 1. Contracts
The Board may authorize any Officer, agent or employee to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Club.
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Section 2. Loans
No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Club, and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
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Section 3. Checks, Drafts, Etc.
All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Club shall be signed by the Club Treasurer, or such agent or employee of the Club and in such a manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
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Article VII. Committees
Section 1. Appointing Committees
The Board shall each year appoint such standing committees as needed to advance the operation of the Club or to aid the Board on particular projects. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
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Section 2. Terminating Committee Appointments
Any committee appointment may be terminated by majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon full written notice to the appointee, and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose service has been terminated.
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Article VIII. Discipline
Section 1. United Kennel Club Suspension
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the United Kennel Club shall be automatically suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.
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Section 2. Charges
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $50.00, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board. 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 breed, and second, whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain or prove the charges. The Board may request that involved parties provide arguments and evidence needed to make these determinations. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege prejudicial conduct, or that the charges are unsustainable or unprovable, the Board may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks nor more than eight weeks thereafter. The hearing may take place in person or by conference call, depending on the availability of all parties to attend, and without causing undue financial burden to the Club. 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 respondent may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes. Both parties have the right to present written arguments and evidence to the Board prior to the hearing.
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Section 3. Board Hearing
The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and respondent shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and respondent, the Board may by a majority vote of those present suspend the respondent from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. If the Board 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 respondent’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.
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Section 4. Expulsion
Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at the annual meeting of the Club, following a Board hearing and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The respondent shall have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf though no new evidence shall be taken to this meeting. Evidence previously submitted may be presented to the membership prior to voting. The President shall read the charges, and the findings and recommendations, and shall invite the respondent, if present, to speak on his/her own behalf. The meeting 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 expulsion is not so voted, the suspension shall stand.
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Article IX. Amendments
Section 1. Proposing Amendments
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 20 percent of the membership in good standing, at least 90 days before the Annual Meeting, to allow adequate time for review and discussion by the membership. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall submit the proposed amendments, along with the recommendations of the Board, for a vote at the time of the annual election that is subsequent to the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
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Section 2. Publishing Proposed Amendments
Proposed amendments must be published in the upcoming newsletter with the recommendations of the Board. The Secretary shall mail to each member in good standing a ballot listing all proposed amendments, together with an envelope addressed to the Chairperson of the Tally Committee. Ballots may be mailed with the newsletter. The same ballot form may be used for proposed amendments as for the annual election of Officers and Board members.
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Section 3. Voting Procedures
Proposed amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be included on the same ballot used for the annual election of Board members. Ballots shall be returned, counted, and results announced in accordance with the procedures outlined in Article V, Sections 4.4 and 4.5. The favorable vote of 2/3 of the members in good standing who return valid ballots within the specified time limit shall be required to effect such a proposed amendment.
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Section 4. U.K.C. Approval
No amendment to the constitution and bylaws that is adopted by the Club shall become effective until it has been approved by U.K.C.
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ARTICLE X. Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, other than for purposes of reorganization, 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.
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ARTICLE XI. 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:
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Roll Call
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Minutes of last meeting
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Report of President
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Report of Secretary
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Report of Treasurer
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Reports of committees
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Election of officers and Board (at annual meeting)
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Unfinished business
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New business
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Adjournment
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Section 2. Board Meetings
At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
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Reading of minutes of last meeting
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Report of Secretary
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Report of Treasurer
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Reports of committees
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Unfinished business
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New business
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Adjournment
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Article XII. Parliamentary Authority
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.
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Article XIII. Certification
Section 1. Original Certification
The original constitution and Bylaws were adopted on the 1st day of May of 1999 at a meeting properly noticed and held. David D. Nelson, President
Tamara L. Taylor, Vice-President
Judith N. Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer
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Section 2. Amendment
We hereby certify that the foregoing Constitution and Bylaws, consisting of 16 pages, including this page, constitute the amended Constitution and By-Laws of the Kangal Dog Club of America, Inc., duly adopted by its membership in accordance with the then-current Constitution and Bylaws on the first day of the month of August in the year 2007 and submitted to the United Kennel Club, Inc., on October 1, 2007.
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Appendix A: KDCA Position on Dog Fighting
Adopted July 2006
The Kangal Dog Club of America stands with the United Kennel Club in a firm opposition to the cruel, illegal, and destructive practice of dog fighting. We believe that the breeding and use of dogs for fighting is detrimental to the Kangal Dog’s characteristics and will endanger the breed’s physical attributes, temperament, and reputation—both locally and internationally. In particular, livestock guardian breeds are valued for their protective instinct toward their charges, and a graduated response to perceived threats.
In our continued efforts to protect the essential qualities of the Kangal Dog, the KDCA takes a strong stand against any breeders who produce dogs for use in fighting, and our Single Registry Committee will reject any dogs that come from a kennel known to breed fighting dogs. Breeders producing dogs for this purpose are likely to cross breeds to produce extreme physical characteristics and aggressiveness, and thus any dogs from these lines should not be allowed to enter the Kangal Dog gene pool, as they threaten the integrity of the breed. Even if other breeds are not used, breeding dogs will be selected for characteristics that are inconsistent with the essential qualities of the livestock guardian dog: namely, its effectiveness and safety as a protector with balanced temperament and physical conformation.
Club members who wish to import breeding stock from other countries, including Turkey, must be careful to ensure that they are not buying dogs from any breeders involved in this inhumane activity. Our Club strongly emphasizes the need for individuals to consult with our Single Registration Committee before purchasing and/or importing any dogs that are not UKC registered Kangal Dogs, or that are not the progeny of UKC registered Kangal Dogs, in order to ensure that these dog(s) will be eligible to apply for UKC registration through the Single Registration Committee.