SCOA Constitution

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Section 1. The name of the Club shall be the Saluki Club of America.

Section 2. The objects of the Club shall be:

a. to further the advancement of pure-bred Salukis and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;

b. to encourage the organization of independent local Saluki Specialty Clubs in those localities where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of the American Kennel Club;

c. to promulgate the Standard of the Breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only Sandard of excellence by which Salukis shall be judged;

d. to do all in its power to protect and advance the best interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows and other competitive activities approved of or regulated by the Club or the American Kennel Club;

e. to conduct sanctioned matches, specialty shows, and other competitive activities under the rules of the American Kennel Club.

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 objects.

SCOA Bylaws

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ARTICLE I: Membership

Section 1. Eligibility.

There shall be three types of membership:

1. Regular membership is open to all persons eighteen years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and who subscribe to the purpose of this Club.  This type of membership enjoys all the privileges of the club including the right to vote and hold office, except that only members residing within the United States may hold office or vote upon the standard of the breed.
2. Honorary membership may be approved by a majority of the Board. Candidates for Honorary membership may accept or decline if approved by the Board. Honorary members do not pay dues, may not hold office and are not eligible to vote in Club elections.  Honorary members wishing regular membership will apply under the regular membership policies.
3. Lifetime membership will be granted by the Board to any member who meets the following criteria:  Has been a member in good standing for 25 years, and offered outstanding service to the club.  Lifetime members do not pay dues, but may hold office and are eligible to vote in club elections.

 Section 2. Membership Dues and Fees.

Membership dues shall not be raised more than five dollars ($5.00) per year, payable on or before the 1st day of January of each year.  The Board of Directors shall determine each year the specific amount of dues.  If the Board does not vote a change in the amount by October 15, the dues shall remain the same figure as the previous (current) year.  No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year.  During the month of November the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year.

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 these Constitution and Bylaws and the rules of the AKC. The application shall state the name, address and signature of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsements of two members not from the same family or household as the applicant or each other. Applications for membership shall be accompanied by an initiation fee and the dues payment for the current year. The initiation fee shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per individual unless the amount is changed by the Board before October 15. The general membership shall be notified of the names and addresses of new applicants in the next published Newsletter of the Saluki Club of America and allowed thirty (30) days to respond. Within forty-five (45) days thereafter the Membership Committee shall report to the Board on each published applicant. In cases of incomplete application or where there are questions about some of the responses, the Board may table the application for a period of not more than thirty (30) days prior to acceptance.  During this time, they will obtain the missing information or answers from the sponsors or the prospective member.  This is a one time occurrence.  After the application is accepted by the board, the Board shall act upon each application within thirty (30) days. Affirmative votes of two-thirds of the Directors present at a meeting, or of two-thirds of the entire Board voting by mail shall elect an applicant to membership. Abstentions will not be counted as votes.  An application that has received a negative vote by the Board may be re-submitted by the signed request of the two endorsing members within 30 days of notification that the application failed.  The Board is required to send the mail ballot to the membership within sixty (60) days after the application has been resubmitted. The Club members may elect an applicant rejected by the Board by vote of the entire membership by secret ballot sent to the membership within sixty (60) days after the application has been resubmitted.  Affirmative votes of two-thirds of the ballots received shall elect an applicant to membership.  Abstentions will not be counted as votes.  Applicants for memberships who have been rejected by the members of the Club shall have all moneys submitted returned thereto and may not re-apply for membership in the Club within six (6) months of said rejection.

Section 4. Termination of membership

Memberships may be terminated:

• 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.
• By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid ninety (90) days after the first day of the fiscal year. However the Board may grant an additional ninety (90) days 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.
• By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.

ARTICLE II: Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of June at a place, date and hour designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the Annual meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary to each member at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for the Annual Meeting shall be ten percent 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 at a meeting of the Board, or who vote by mail: and shall be called by the Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by ten percent of the members of the Club who are in good standing. Such meeting shall be held at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary at least fourteen (14) days and not more than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. The notice of the meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business may be transacted. The quorum for such a meeting shall be ten percent of the members in good standing.

Section 3. Board Meetings.

1. The first meeting of the Board shall be held immediately following the Annual Meeting and election.  Other meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places as are designated by the President or a majority vote of the entire Board. Written notice of each such other meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary to each Member of the Board at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for a Board Meeting shall be a majority of the Board.  Officers and Board members must cast a voting ballot in seventy-five percent (75%) of the issues brought before the Board during each 6 month period after taking office, including actual meetings, teleconferences, land mail, and electronic communications, in order to remain on the Board.  The AKC Delegate must attend seventy-five (75%) of all meetings that are not special meetings called solely to elect to membership.
2. Meetings are defined as gatherings where attendees see and/or hear each other.  This includes meeting (in person) “physically” in the same room or conducting a meeting by video conference or teleconference.
3. Business (voting) can be conducted at meetings or through mail, fax or e-mail.  In order for business to be conducted by e-mail, the following precautions must be in place (and included in the bylaws):
4. 1. Every board member must be provided with the means to participate.
   2. A procedure must be in place to verify the identity of the individuals participating to ensure that they are eligible board members.
   3. A mechanism must be in place to verify that the eligible board members are “listening.”
   4. All Board members must agree to participate in this manner.

 Section 4.  E-mail Meetings.

The Board of Directors may also conduct business by telephone conference call, mail, fax and e-mail through the recording secretary provided it does not conflict with any other provisions of these bylaws.  Items voted upon by telephone conference call, mail, fax, and e-mail must be confirmed by the recording secretary in writing within seven days.  Votes taken in such meetings must reflect the presence of a quorum.  

ARTICLE III: DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND POSITIONS HELD WITHIN THE CLUB

Section 1. Board of Directors

The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer -- who will be elected for one-year terms -- and five other persons -- who will be elected for two-year terms, all of whom shall be members in good standing who are residents of the United States. They shall be elected 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.

Members of the Board shall be elected for two-year terms in two classes. The first class shall consist of two members and shall be elected in even numbered years. The second class shall consist of three members and shall be elected in odd numbered years.

Section 2. Officers

1. The Club's Officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board of Directors and its meetings.
2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these Bylaws.
3. The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.
4. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board and of all votes taken by mail or electronically, and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club.  The Recording Secretary shall inform the Nominating Committee no later than November 30th of any Board Members who have not met the seventy-five percent (75%) voting requirement and are therefore ineligible for re-election. 
5. The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notifying members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and Directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the club and their addresses and regularly send a copy of such roll to all members, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed by these bylaws. 
6. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank approved by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and the Treasurer shall report to them at every meeting the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported, and at the Annual Meeting he 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.
7. The Delegate to the AKC shall be elected by the membership to a two-year term of office. The Delegate shall attend all meetings of the Board but without a voting status.

Section 3. Vacancies.

Any vacancy occurring on the Board or among the officers during the year shall be filled for the balance of that position's term by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board, except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President, the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.  No one person may hold two Board positions simultaneously and the delegate shall not be a member of the Board.  If the position of Delegate is vacated, the position will be filled by a special election of the membership within six (6) months from a list of candidates who have submitted biographical information with their application. 

Section 4. 

No one person may hold more than two positions that include: Board Member, AKC Delegate, AKC Gazette Columnist, or Committee Chairman, or more than a total of three positions with SCOA including Committee membership and liaison positions.           

Article IV: The Club Year, Voting, Nominations, and Elections

Section 1. Club Year

The Club's fiscal year shall begin the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December. 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. The elected officers and directors shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his successor in office all properties and records relating to the office within THIRTY (30) days after the election.

Section 2. Voting

In all cases of votes being submitted by mail, in person, or (in the case of the Board) e-mail, there must be enough votes cast to show that a quorum has responded.  A quorum is a simple majority of the Board or 10% of the membership.

At the Annual Meeting or at a special meeting of the Club, voting shall be limited to those members in good standing who are present at the meeting, except for the annual election of Officers, Delegate, and Directors, and amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and the Standard for the breed which shall be decided by written ballot cast by mail. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. The Board of Directors may decide to submit other specific questions for decision of the members by written ballot cast by mail. Ballots for the annual election of Officers, Delegate, and Directors shall be mailed to all members in good standing as of March 2nd. Ballots for amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and to the Standard for the breed, and for any specific questions submitted by the Board of Directors shall be mailed to all members in good standing THIRTY (30) days before the date scheduled by the Board for the counting of ballots. Only those members who receive a ballot at that time shall be eligible to vote.

Section 3. Annual Election

At the Annual Meeting for the election of Officers, Directors, and Delegate to the AKC the vote shall be conducted by ballot.  To be valid, ballots must be received by the Recording Secretary on or before May 15th.

Ballots shall be counted at the Annual Meeting by three inspectors of election who are members in good standing and who are neither members of the current Board nor candidates on the ballot and who shall be chosen by the members present at the meeting.  The Board may engage an outside firm for counting of the ballots and serving as inspectors of election. The person receiving the largest number of votes for each position shall be declared elected. In case of a tie vote, the mail balloting shall be repeated. If any nominee, at the time of the meeting, is unable to serve for any reason, such nominee shall not be elected and the vacancy shall be filled by the new Board of Directors in the manner provided by Article III, Section 3.

Section 4. Nominations and Ballots

No person may be candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated in accordance with these Bylaws. A Nominating Committee shall be chosen by the Board of Directors before November 15th. The Committee shall consist of three members from different areas of the United States of America, and two (2) alternates, all members in good standing, not more than one of whom shall be a member of the current Board of Directors.  The Board shall name a chairman for the committee.  The Nominating Committee may conduct its business by mail, teleconferences, or e-mail and shall submit its slate to the Recording Secretary by December 15th.

a. The Nominating Committee shall nominate from among the eligible members of the Club one candidate for each office and for each other positions on the Board of Directors up for election and shall procure the acceptance of each nominee so chosen.  They shall also present a list of candidates volunteering for the Delegate to the AKC position.  Any individual may become a candidate for Delegate to the AKC by applying for the position and providing biographical information regarding their qualifications.  A member who has held the position of President for the four years immediately prior to the election year will be ineligible for the position of President or Vice President. The committee should consider geographical representation of the membership on the Board to the extent that it is practicable to do so. The Committee shall then submit its slate of candidates to the Recording Secretary who shall either mail the list or include it in the Club Newsletter. In either case, the list shall include the full name and address of each candidate and shall be mailed to each member of the Club on or before January 15th with a reminder that additional nominations must be received by the Recording Secretary by March 2nd.

b. Additional nominations of eligible members may be made by written petition addressed to the Recording Secretary and received at his regular address on or before March 2nd, signed by five members and accompanied by the written acceptance of each such additional nominee signifying his willingness to be a candidate.

c. If no valid additional nominations are received by the Recording Secretary on or before March 2nd, the Nominating Committee's slate shall be declared elected at the time of the Annual Meeting, and no balloting will be required.

d. If one or more valid additional nominations are received by the Recording Secretary on or before March 2nd, he shall, on or before April 1st mail to each member in good standing a ballot listing all of the nominees and their full addresses for each position in alphabetical order, together with a blank envelope and a return envelope addressed to the Recording Secretary marked "Ballot" and bearing the name of the member to whom it was sent. So that the ballots may remain secret, each voter, after marking his ballot, shall seal it in the blank envelope, which in turn shall be placed in the second envelope addressed to the Recording Secretary. The Inspectors of Election shall check the returns against a list of members whose dues are paid for the current year prior to opening the outer envelopes and removing the blank envelopes, and shall certify the eligibility of the voters as well as the results of the voting which shall be announced at the Annual Meeting.

e. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided above.

Article V: Committees

Section 1.

The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. Specifications of Special Committees shall be approved by the Board and on file with the Recording Secretary.

Section  2.

 Any committee appointment may be terminated by a 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 service has been terminated.

Section 3. Membership Committee.

The Board of Directors shall each year appoint a Membership Committee to consider and process all applicants for membership.  The Membership Committee shall include all regional representatives and a Committee Chairman.  Regional Representatives shall be appointed by the Board each year.

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 interest of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Corresponding Secretary together with a deposit of ten dollars ($10.00) which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board or a Committee following a hearing. The Corresponding 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. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or of the breed, 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 or a Committee of not less than three members of 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 members by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he wishes.

Section 3. Board Hearing.

The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board or Committee may, by a majority vote suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for no more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing, or until the next annual meeting if that will occur after six (6) months. 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 right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the recommendation of the Board or Committee. Immediately after the Board or Committee has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the Recording Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.

Section 4. Expulsion

 Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at the annual meeting of the Club following a hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board or Committee as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the finding and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf. The meeting shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at the annual meeting shall be necessary for the expulsion. If expulsion in not voted for, the suspension shall stand.

Article VII: Amendments

 Section 1.

Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and the Standard for the breed may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty percent of the membership in good standing. All proposed amendments shall be referred to a Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The Committee shall have the/a proposal draft published in the Club's Newsletter for members' consideration and comment. Following a period of net less than 60 day, a final proposal shall be submitted to the membership for a vote. If such proposal is not finalized by the end of 90 days/the next members' meeting, the Committee shall present an interim report at such meeting or cause it to be printed in the Club's Newsletter.

Section 2.                            

The Constitution and Bylaws and the Standard for the breed may be amended at any time provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed by the Corresponding Secretary to each member in good standing on the date of mailing, accompanied by a ballot on which he may indicate his choice for or against the action to be taken. The notice shall specify a date not less than thirty (30) days after the date of mailing by which date the ballots must be returned to the RECORDING Secretary to be counted. The favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing who return valid ballots within the time limit shall be required to effect any amendment. This vote must also demonstrate that a quorum of the membership has participated and the quorum in the case of amendments shall be 25% of the membership.

Section 3.

 No amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws or to the Standard for the Breed that is adopted by the Club shall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of the AKC.

Article VIII: Dissolution

 The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members. In the event of dissolution of the Club except for the purpose of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, 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 selected by the Board of Directors.

Article IX: Order of Business

 Section 1.

 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

 Minutes of the last meeting

 Report of the President

 Report of the Vice President

 Report of Recording Secretary

 Report of the Corresponding Secretary

 Report of Treasurer

 Report of Committees

 Election of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)

 Unfinished Business

 Election of new members

 New business

 Adjournment

Section 2.

 At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be follows:

 Roll Call

 Minutes of the last meeting

 Report of the President

 Report of the Vice President

 Report of Recording Secretary

 Report of the Corresponding Secretary

 Report of Treasurer

 Appointment of New Committees

 Report of Committees

 Unfinished Business

 Election of new members

 New business

 Adjournment

 Section 3.

Any procedures not covered in these Constitution and Bylaws shall be governed in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Revised

As Amended by Membership Vote tallied 12/5/06
Article VII, Section 1 amended per AKC instructions.