AMERICAN SILKIE BANTAM CLUB CONSTITUTION OF BY-LAWS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name and Objectives

The name of the Club shall be the AMERICAN SILKIE BANTAM CLUB.

The objectives of the Club shall be:

To promote the breeding and exhibiting of Silkie Bantams.
To encourage a closer affiliation and relationship between Silkie Bantam breeders.
To protect the interests of Silkie Bantam breeding.
To prevent fraudulent practices in the breeding, exhibiting and selling of Silkie Bantams.
To sponsor National, semi-annual, district, state and special meets so as to build up a greater Silkie Bantam fancy.
To assemble and distribute information on the breeding, husbandry and economic value of the Silkie Bantam Chicken.

BY-LAWS
Article III

The Club may be affiliated with any other organization upon two-thirds majority vote of the general membership.

*** UPDATE ***

The Club may be affiliated with any other organization upon approval of the officers.

Article IV

Two members must nominate a candidate for office. The candidates dues must be paid for one year in advance, at election time.

Article V

The officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and six (6) Directors. Directors to be voted upon by the membership for the following terms: two will be elected for one year, two for two years, and two for three years. The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for a term of one year.

*** UPDATE ***

The officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and six (6) Directors. They shall be elected for the term of one (1) year.

*** UPDATE ***

The officers shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer and seven (7) District Directors. They shall be elected for a term of two (2) years.

ARTICLE VI

The nomination of officers and Board of Directors shall take place at the annual business meetings, which must be held in November, December, January or February. Ballots for the election of officers and Directors will be mailed to each member in good standing, and a self-addressed envelope stamped "Ballot" will be enclosed, which each member must use in forwarding said ballot. All ballots must be sent to the Secretary in this envelope and must be opened by a committee so appointed for same. Complete report of such election is to be made through journals. In the event that two candidates receive the same number of votes, the
President is given the right to cast the deciding ballot. He shall notify the newly elected officers of their election immediately.

*** UPDATE ***

The nominations of officers shall take place in September. The Secretary shall mail with the monthly Bulletin, nominating blanks to be returned to Secretary. Ballots will then be compiled from these and sent by the Secretary, with a return (addressed envelope) to an election commissioner appointed by the President. These will be tabulated and returned to the Secretary, who will announce officers for the forthcoming year in the December Bulletin. In the event two candidates receive same number of votes, the President is given the right to cast the deciding vote.

Article VII

Section 1: The President shall execute all duties imposed upon him at the time of his election. He shall preside at all meetings. He shall not enter into any debate whatsoever, except to explain the law, and to decide questions. He shall see that the constitution and by-laws shall be rightly executed and that the other officers of the Club shall fulfill their imposed duties correctly. He may call a special meeting whenever he deems it necessary, and may also appoint such committees as are necessary to carry on the good work of the Club. He will also act as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He shall demand a written report of the Club's financial status every ninety days from the Secretary.

Section 2: The Vice-President shall act in capacity of President, if possible, at all meetings in the absence of the President and assist the President in every way possible.

Section 2.a: State Representatives shall have charge of promoting of membership in their respective states, together with any other officer of the Silkie Club in their State. They shall be the official representatives on their States' affairs concerning the American Bantam Club.

Section 3: The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Club and keep an account of all expenses incurred; shall keep the minutes of all meetings and have charge of the books and papers pertaining to his office; shall issue all notices of meetings and write those members who are in arrears for dues. He shall collect all money payable to the club, of which he shall keep a correct account and pay over to the Treasurer. His books and papers shall be open at all times for inspection by the Board of Directors. He shall examine and audit all bills of the Club. The Secretary has the privilege of holding the office of Treasurer.

Section 4: Any vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the remainder of the term by the Board of Directors

*** UPDATE ***

Any vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled by appointment of the President.

Article VIII

The annual dues shall be Two Dollars ($2.00) payable upon admission to the Club. Members whose name appear on the records as not having paid their dues two (2) months after date of expiration, will be automatically dropped from membership. Members in arrears are not eligible to compete for special prizes offered by the American Silkie Bantam Club at any show. They shall also be deprived all privileges accorded members in good standing.

*** UPDATE ***

The annual dues shall be the amount decided by members by majority vote or by mutual consent of all officers. Annual dues as of June 30, 1995 shall be Five Dollars ($5.00). (Information following in above Article VIII same as printed above.)

*** UPDATE ***

The annual dues shall be the amount decided by members by majority vote or by mutual consent of all officers. Annual dues as of November 1998 shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). (Information following in above Article VIII same as printed above.)

Article IX

Any member willfully violating the provisions of this constitution, or in any way by his conduct tending to injure the standing of this Club, shall be indefinitely suspended, if the officers so decide.

Article X

Amendments may be made at any time upon endorsement of ten (10) members, after which a mail vote shall be taken. The amendment shall be incorporated in the constitution provided, (1) at least sixty percent (60%) of the membership vote; (2) at least thirty (30) days elapse between mailing of ballots and closing of vote, and (3) that the majority of vote cast favor the amendment.

The Club shall hold a National Meet at lease once a year, and as many more Sectional meets if finances permit. All specials offered at these meets shall be open to membership competition only, unless otherwise specified.

It is considered by the American Silkie Bantam Club that all officers and members are duty bound to put special efforts at all times to do all within their power to secure new members and give all possible publicity in behalf of the Silkie Club.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLUB'S RULES AND BY-LAWS:

THE SECRETARY/TREASURER HAS THE RIGHT TO PLACE THE YEARLY SILKIE NATIONAL MEET. REQUESTS FOR THE NATIONAL MEET WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE SECRETARY/TREASURER FROM ANY CLUB INTERESTED IN HOLDING THE NATIONAL. THE FINAL PLACEMENT OF THE NATIONAL SHOW WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE SECRETARY/TREASURER BASED ON THE BEST LOCATION AND THE BEST REPRESENTATION WITH THE MOST NUMBER OF SILKIES TO BE SHOWN BY THE CLUB MEMBERS. THE SECRETARY/TREASURER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SPEND THE CLUB MONIES TO FACILITATE IN THE DAILY OPERATIONAL DUTIES OF THIS CLUB.