West Coast Flemish Giants

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE WEST COAST FLEMISH GIANTS CLUB

This organization shall be known as the WEST COAST FLEMISH GIANTS.

The objective of the WEST COAST FLEMISH GIANTS ("WCFG") is to promote and encourage the breeding and showing of Flemish Giants in the following areas of the United States and Canada: Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

The WCFG shall make memberships available to persons interested in raising, breeding, marketing and/or showing of Flemish Giants. Further objectives are: to help one another, to aid and encourage the exhibition of stock, honesty, fair dealings and conscientiousness on the part of every person interested in the raising of Flemish Giants.

Any person interested in Flemish Giants may make application in writing to the Secretary accompanied by at least one (1) year’s dues in order to become a member of WCFG. All membership dues are due and payable January 1^st of each year, with one month grace period. Memberships shall run until the last day of December of the same year.

New memberships issued before June 30^th shall pay a full year’s dues and membership issued after June 30^th shall pay one-half of the yearly dues.

Membership dues will be as determined by a majority vote of the Executive Board. Dues rates may be changed as needed, but no more often than once a year. There shall be a single membership, a husband/wife membership, and a family membership. The Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject, for cause, any application for membership or renewal.

New members shall receive upon joining: a current membership list and a current copy of the Constitution and Bylaws.

All membership applications must remain on file and in possession of the Secretary for five (5) years.

The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and six (6) Directors. They shall constitute the "Executive Board" and be elected of and from the membership in good standing. All officers must be members of the AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION (ARBA).

The President, Secretary, and three (3) Directors shall be elected in odd numbered years. The Vice-President, Treasurer, and the remaining three (3) Directors shall be elected in even numbered years. Elections shall be held during the month of April.

The call for nominations shall be issued by the Secretary (or Vice-President in odd numbered years) during the month of February. Nominations will be received until March 1st. No name shall be placed on the official ballot unless such person is a member in good standing of WCFG and has expressed to the Secretary (or Vice-President) a willingness to be a candidate. Anyone interested in running for an office should contact the Secretary (or Vice-President).

The official election ballot shall be issued by the Secretary (or Vice-President) no later than March 15th.  A deadline for returning the ballot will be provided for each election.  The ballot shall contain the names of those qualifying for the respective office for which nominated. The Secretary (or Vice-President) may use means in which to validate ballots, in case of discrepancy, in a fair and discreet manner.

After the ballots are counted, they shall be placed in a sealed envelope and retained by the Secretary for one year, to be opened only in the event of a demand for a recount.

The President shall:

a. preside at all meetings and act as Chairman of the Executive Board;

b. appoint all committees and vacancies in office with the approval of the Executive Board;

c. break tie votes;

d. perform all other duties pertaining to the office and have other powers as may be conferred upon his or her office by the Executive Board; and

e. at all times act in the best interest of the WCFG.

The Vice-President shall:

a. perform the duties of the President, in his/her absence or disability; and

b. be responsible for election duties as outlined in Article IV.

The Secretary shall:

a. keep all records and correspondence of the WCFG;

b. take roll call at and keep minutes of all meeting of the WCFG and the Executive Board;

c. keep record of the members;

d. notify the membership of any upcoming elections as outlined in Article IV; and

e. provide information of upcoming shows and other important data to the membership through a quarterly newsletter and/or WCFG website.

The Treasurer shall:

a. accept all money and keep proper records thereof;

b. pay all bills by check;

c. deposit all money in a bank in the name of WCFG;

d. make all withdrawals signed by the Treasurer;

e. make a quarterly report available to the Secretary for publishing in the newsletter and/or on the WCFG’s website; and

f. have books available for audit upon direction of the Executive Board.

The Board of Directors shall:

a. consist of six (6) members in good standing;

b. act in the best interest of the WCFG at all times;

c. have charge of the business affairs and transactions of the WCFG;

d. carry out the business affairs and make contracts in the name of the WCFG;

e. interpret the rule, regulations, and Bylaws of the WCFG;

f. submit all major items or charges to the membership;

g. appoint a member in good standing at act as President, in the event the President and Vice-President are unable to carry out their duties, until:

(1) one or the other returns to carry on their duties; or

(2) the WCFG can vote in a new President and Vice-President.

The Interim President shall carry out all duties as outlined in the Constitution and Bylaws;

h. constitute the Audit Committee for the funds of the WCFG. No less than three (3) Directors will serve on the Audit Committee. Where there are less than three (3) Directors available to do the audit, the President shall appoint a member(s) in good standing to fill the position(s) open with the approval of the Executive Board;

i. special meetings of the Executive Board may be called at any time, upon the call of the President or request of three (3) Directors. A majority of elected or appointed Directors shall constitute a quorum.

A member maybe suspended from the WCFG for failing to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the WCFG or ARBA rules and regulations. ARBA guidelines for suspension shall be followed.

The WCFG shall hold meetings at such time as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

Amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by any member in good standing. All members shall be notified in writing of any proposed changes. Notification may be made via newsletter, email, and/or WCFG website. The Constitution and Bylaws may be altered or amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, by mail, of the total votes cast.