North Dakota Amateur Quarter Horse Association

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BY-LAWS OF THE NORTH DAKOTA QUARTER AMATEUR HORSE ASSOCIATION

Article I. Name and Purpose. 

Section 1.                This Association shall be know as the North Dakota Amateur Quarter Horse Association, hereinafter referred to as the Association or NDAQHA. This organization shall be a division of the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association, and shall operate within the scope of the bylaws, rules and regulations of the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association. 

Section 2.                The objectives and purposes of the North Dakota Amateur Quarter Horse Association shall be as follows: 

a.                    To stimulate interest in and to improve and promote the American Quarter Horse Breed. 

b.                   To improve and develop the capabilities of amateurs, both individually, and through group participation in activities pertaining to the American Quarter Horse. 

c.                    To encourage and develop leadership, sportsmanship, and high morale character in our amateurs. 

d.                   To acquaint amateur members with the parent organization, the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association. 

Article II.                Membership and Dues. 

Section 1.                 Membership is open to all amateurs. In order to accrue state and national points, a NDAQHA member must be a member in good standing and currently holding an AQHA and AQHA Amateur Card as well as a NDQHA membership status. 

a.                  All members are encouraged to attend all meetings, take part in the activities, and assist in all fund-raising projects. 

Section 2.                Dues 

a.            The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of the annual dues payable to the association by the members.  

b.             Dues must be paid in full before any state points can be accumulated. Dues shall be payable on or before March 1st of each year. 

b.                  All privileges of the Association shall be limited to paid-up members. 

Section 3.                Disciplinary Action 

a.             Any member who fails to comply with the guidelines or rules and policies of this association shall be subject to forfeiture of his/her membership and any or all rights and interests in the association for a set period of time if the board so determines by a majority vote. The Association shall recognize suspension of persons by the parent organization, and the American Quarter Horse. 

b.             The Board of Directors by a majority vote of all its members may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing and may terminate the membership of any member who becomes ineligible for membership. 

Article III.                Board of Directors. 

Section 1.                 The affairs of this association shall be managed by its Board of Directors. Each director has one vote and the same powers as the other director, or directors.  

Section 2.                 The number of directors shall be four. Each elected to serve a 2 year term. 

Section 3.                 In the case of a vacancy in the Board by death, resignation, or disqualification, the Board may elect a successor from the membership to serve for the duration of the unexpired term, or they may leave the vacancy open until the annual meeting, at which time the membership shall elect a successor, as provided in Article VI.               

                Section 4.                Meetings of the Board of Directors 

a.                   There shall be regular meetings of the Board immediately before and after the Annual Meeting of the membership. 

b.                  A quorum at any meeting of the Board shall be 4 Members of the Board.  

c.                    If an Officer or Director shall have two (2) or more unexcused absences in succession, this matter shall go before the Board for consideration for dismissal. This is decided by a 2/3 majority vote of the directors and officers at such meeting. 

Article IV.                Officers. 

Section 1.                The officers of this Association shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer. They shall be elected at the annual meeting from the Board by the Board of Directors. 

Section 2.                The President shall have the usual executive powers of supervision and management such as may pertain to the office of President, and such other powers and duties as a prescribe in the By-Laws and designated by the Board.

                                The President shall: 

a.                    Preside at all meetings of the Association and the Board. 

b.                    Appoint the chairman and members of special committees with approval of the Board. 

c.                    Call special meetings of the Board. 

d.                    See that the By-Laws, rules and policies of the Association are enforced. 

Section 3.                The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President when the President is unable to serve. 

Section 4.                 The Secretary-Treasurer shall: 

a.                    Keep the minutes of all general membership and Board meetings. 

b.                    Maintain all records and documents of the Association. 

c.                    Obtain accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements as authorized by the NDAQHA Board from the NDQHA Secretary/Treasurer. 

d.                    Conduct correspondence as directed by the Board. 

e.                    Be responsible for collecting the dues of the members and keep a current list of all members. He/she shall submit a list of all current members to AQHA by May 31st of the membership year. 

f.                     Submit to the American Amateur Quarter Horse Association a complete list of the officers, and directors on or before March 1st of the membership year. 

Article VI.                Elections and Nominations. 

Section 1.                 At least fifteen (15) days before any meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, the President of the association shall appoint a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall consist of at least one director and a possible two people from the membership. The nominating committee shall nominate at least one person to fill each position to be elected on the Board of Directors. They may nominate more than one person of any or all positions to be elected. The report of the nominating committee shall automatically place those persons in nomination for such positions. Additional nominations for directors will be taken from the floor at the Annual Meeting. 

Article VII.             Amendment of By-Laws. 

Section 1.                  The By-Laws may be amended at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the members present and voting. 

a.                  The proposed amendment (s) must be presented in writing to the Constitution and By-Laws committee at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting. The Directors shall then submit the proposed amendment (s) with recommendations to the Secretary-Treasurer for publication in the Newsletter in the month directly preceding the annual meeting. 

b.             Approved amendments shall become effective for that year following approval. 

Article VIII.                Rules of Order. 

Roberts Rules of Order New Revision shall govern all proceedings of all meetings of the Association, and of the Board insofar as they do not conflict or are not inconsistent with the provisions of these By-Laws. 

Point System for Year End Awards  

Section 1.                The point system for the Annual Year End Awards shall be the same as used by the NDQHA. 

Section 2.                 Only members in good standing of both North Dakota Amateur Quarter Horse Association and the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association shall be eligible for year end awards.