BYLAWS OF THE

 

 

 

SAN MATEO COUNTY HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION

(a non-stock, non-profit corporation)

                                                            

                                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

ARTICLE I                  NAME, PURPOSE AND OFFICE                                             Page

 

            Section 1       The name of this Corporation………………………………..           1           

            Section 2       This Organization…………………………………………………..          1         

            Section 3       The Principal Office………………………………………………..          1         

 

ARTICLE II                MEMBERSHIP

 

            Section 1       Any person…………………………………………………………….          1

            Section 2       Four (4) Classes of Membership……………………………..         1

            Section 3       Any Member………………………………………………………….          1

 

ARTICLE III               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

            Section 1       The Board of Directors…………………………………………..          2

            Section 2       The Management of the Affairs……………………………..          2

            Section 3       Any Director Who is Absent……………………………………          2

            Section 4       All Vacancies………………………………………………………….           2

            Section 5       A Quorum……………………………………………………………..           2

            Section 6       There Shall be Regular Meetings……………………………           2

            Section 7       Special Meetings……………………………………………………           3

            Section 8       Notice of Special Meetings…………………………………….           3

 

ARTICLE IV               OFFICERS

 

            Section 1       The Officers  of the Corporation…………………………….          3

            Section 2       The President…………………………………………………………          3

            Section 3       The Vice-Presidents………………………………………………..         3

            Section 4       The Secretary…………………………………………………………          3

            Section 5       The Treasurer…………………………………………………………          3

            Section 6       The Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer…….         4

            Section 7       The Sergeant at Arms/Parliamentarian....................          4

            Section 8       The Historian………………………………………………………….          4

            Section 9       In Case of the Absence or Inability………………………….         4

            Section 10    Vacancies……………………………………………………………….          4

          Section 11    The Officers of the Corporation……………………………..          4

            Section 12    No Director…………………………………………………………….          4

 

                                                                                                                                                   

 

ARTICLE V                 MEMBERS MEETINGS                                                              Page

 

            Section 1       The Place of all Meetings………………………………………..          4

            Section 2       Meetings………………………………………………………………..          5

            Section 3       The Annual Meeting……………………………………………….          5

            Section 4       A Quorum………………………………………………………………          5

            Section 5       The Right to Vote……………………………………………………          5

            Section 6       The Voting……………………………………………………………..          5

            Section 7       Members Meetings………………………………………………..          5

 

ARTICLE VI               NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF DIRECTORS

 

            Section 1       The Nomination of Directors………………………………….          5

            Section 2       Election of Directors………………………………………………           5

 

ARTICLE VII              FINANCE

 

            Section 1       The Funds………………………………………………………………          5

            Section 2       Corporate Obligations……………………………………………           6

            Section 3       The Fiscal Year……………………………………………………….           6

 

ARTICLE VIII                        STANDING COMMITTEES

 

            Section 1       Standing Committee for Horse Shows……………………          6             Section 2       Standing Committee for Financial Affairs……………….          6

            Section 3       Standing Committee for Membership…………………….          6

           

ARTICLE IX               JUNIOR ACTIVITIES

 

            Section 1       Junior Members……………………………………………………..         7

            Section 2       The Purpose…………………………………………………………..          7

            Section 3       Officers………………………………………………………………….          7

            Section 4       An Advisory Committee………………………………………….          7

            Section 5       Funds…………………………………………………………………….           7 

ARTICLE  X                AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS

 

            Section 1       Adoption, Amendment or Repeal…………………………..          7

            Section 2       Adoption, Amendment and Repeal………………………..           8

            Section 3       Bylaws of this Corporation…………………………………….           8

                                                                                                                                              

ARTICLE I

 

Name, Purpose and Office

 

Section 1.     The name of this corporation shall be “San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association.”           

 

Section 2.     This organization is formed for the purpose of promoting, cultivating and fostering an interest in fine horses and fine horsemanship in all types of horses throughout the State of California and in the County of San Mateo in particular; to give aid and support to every type of activity concerning horses; to promote any activity which will further the general purpose thereof, such as, but not limited to, horse shows and parades; to assist and encourage the acquisition, building, maintenance and super-vision of bridle paths, horseback trails and the rights-of-way thereof, as well as accommodations for the riders and horses thereon; and to do any and all things in furtherance of horsemen and horses.

 

Section 3.     The principal office of the corporation shall be in the County of San Mateo, State of California.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Membership

 

Section 1.     Any person who owns or rides horses or who is otherwise interested in the objectives of this corporation shall be eligible for membership.  Dues shall be  prescribed by the Board of Directors each calendar year no later than October.

 

Section 2.     Four (4) classes of membership in the corporation shall be:

 

(a)  Senior Member, who shall be age 18 or over on the first day of January of the year for which dues are paid.

(b) Junior Member, who shall be age 17 or under on the first day of January of the year for which dues are paid.

(c)  Couple’s Membership, who shall be two adults age 18 or over on the first day of the year for which dues are paid.

(d) Family Membership, who shall be at least one adult and an unlimited number of children residing in the household, age 17 or under.  Family members age 18 or over shall be considered an adult and qualify for Senior Membership.

 

Section 3.     Any member may be expelled, for cause, by a vote by ballot of three-fourths of the elected/approved Board of Directors at the time of said vote.

                                                                                                                                                            

ARTICLE III

 

Board of Directors

 

Section 1.     The Board of Directors shall consist of at least twenty-three (23) and not more than twenty-nine (29) senior members.  Each year approximately one-third of the Board will be elected to begin a term of three (3) years, unless elected to fill the unexpired term of a former Board member.  One-third will continue to serve their remaining two-year term, and one-third will continue to serve their remaining one-year term.  Elections shall be held in the month of November at the Annual Meeting.  Newly elected Board members shall be installed the following January.  All Directors must be in good standing regarding dues.  Past Presidents may attend meetings and have a voice, but no vote unless elected to serve as a Director.

 

Section 2.     The management of the affairs, property, business and control of policy is vested in the Board of Directors.  Standing or temporary committees may be appointed from its own membership by the Board of Directors from time to time and the Board of Directors may from time to time invest such committees with such powers as it may see fit, subject to such conditions as may be presented by such Board.  The Board of Directors may not authorize any disbursement not included in the approved budget over one thousand dollars ($1000) for any one purpose or project unless two-thirds of the Board of Directors present vote for approval.

 

Section 3.     Any director who is absent from two consecutive directors’ meetings, unless excused from attendance at the discretion of the President, or who misses a total of five meetings in any one calendar year, shall thereby forfeit his/her director- ship.  Any exceptions to this shall be brought by the President before the full Board to vote upon.

 

Section 4.     All vacancies in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.  A Director thus elected to fill any vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired term of that office, provided filling such vacancy does not conflict with Article III, Section 1.

 

Section 5.     A quorum at a Board of Directors meeting shall be fifty (50) percent of the whole Board then holding office; if there is less than a quorum, no binding vote can occur.

 

Section 6.     There shall be regular meetings of the Board of Directors held monthly, unless a meeting is canceled by vote of the Board of Directors for a particular month or canceled by the president.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Section 7.     Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the President or by any Vice-President or by any two Directors, to be held at any place within the County of San Mateo.

 

Section 8.     Notice of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be communicated to each director at least 10 days before such meeting via US mail and email or telephone or personal contact.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Officers

 

Section 1.     The officers of the corporation shall be a President, two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Sergeant at Arms/Parliamentarian, and a Historian, who shall be elected for one year by the Directors at a meeting to be held immediately after the membership meeting each November, and who shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualify.  The Board of Directors may also choose an Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.  All officers of the corporation must be members of the Board of Directors in good standing regarding dues.

 

Section 2.     The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and directors, shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the corporation, shall make reports to the Board of Directors and members, and shall perform all such duties as are incident to the office or are properly required by the Board of Directors.  The President shall also appoint the chairs of all committees, except those committees which may be appointed by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3.     The Vice-Presidents in the order of their election shall exercise the functions of the President during the absence or disability of the President.  Each Vice-

President must be appointed to the chairmanship of a committee by the President, and shall have such powers and discharge such duties as may be assigned by the President.

 

Section 4.     The Secretary shall issue notices for all meetings, except that notice for special meetings of directors as provided in Article III, Section 7; shall keep minutes of all meetings; and shall make such reports and perform such other duties as are incident to the office or are properly required by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 5.     The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies of the corporation and shall keep regular books of accounts, shall disburse funds of the corporation in payment of just demands against the corporation, or as may be ordered by the Board of Directors taking proper vouchers for such disbursement, and shall render to the Board from time    

to time as may be required, and account for all transactions as Treasurer, the financial condition of the corporation, and shall perform all duties incident to the office or which are properly required by the Board of Directors.                                                                       

 

Section 6.     The Assistant Secretary and the Assistant Treasurer, if chosen, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary or Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary or Treasurer.

 

Section 7.     The Sergeant at Arms/Parliamentarian shall have custody of all personal property of the corporation and shall keep a record thereof, shall at the direction of the President maintain order at meetings, and interpret and recite Roberts Rules of Order as necessary.

 

Section 8.     The Historian shall maintain and keep a written and pictorial record of all activities of the corporation.

 

Section 9.     In case of the absence or inability to act of any officer of the corporation and any person herein authorized to act in his/her place, the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers and duties of such officer to any other officer or any director or other person to whom it may select.

 

Section 10.   Vacancies in any office arising from any cause may be filled by the directors at any meeting.

 

Section 11.   The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are installed.   Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, with due cause, by the affirmative vote by ballot of three-quarters of the members of the Board of Directors at a regular or special meeting pursuant to the bylaws.

 

Section 12.   No director shall be an officer of this corporation who holds office in any other horsemen’s club or association.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Members Meetings

 

Section 1.     The place of all meetings of the members shall be within the County of San Mateo, State of California, or such other place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors, and the place at which such meetings shall be held will be published to the membership.

                                                                                                                                                                  

Section 2.     Meetings shall be held on a regular basis at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Section 3.     The Annual Meeting of the senior members of the corporation for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held in the month of November to be scheduled by the Board of Directors.  Notification shall  be given to the membership at least 30 days prior.

 

Section 4.     A quorum at any regular or annual meeting shall consist of any number of senior members present at such meeting.

 

Section 5.     The right to vote shall be vested in senior members only.

 

Section 6.     The voting at all meetings shall be via voice vote except for the election of directors at the Annual Meeting, when any voter may demand a vote by ballot, where- upon the President shall appoint three inspectors of election.  The inspectors shall receive and take charge of all ballots and shall decide all questions touching upon the balloting.

 

Section 7.     Members meetings shall be conducted under “Roberts Rules of Order.”

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Nominations and Elections of Directors

 

Section 1.     The nomination of directors to be elected for a vacant term shall be made by a committee of five (5) senior members appointed by the President prior to the Annual Meeting.  The nomination committee shall present a list of nominees selected.  Additional nominations may be made by senior members present at the Annual Meeting.

 

Section 2.     The election of directors shall take place immediately after the nominations have been closed.  Nominees receiving a majority of votes shall be elected.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Finance

 

Section 1.     The funds of the corporation shall be deposited in the name of the corporation in such bank or banks as the Board of Directors shall designate and shall be drawn out only by check signed by the Treasurer or other officer designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

                                                                                                     

Section 2.     Corporate obligations and the ordinary expenses of the usual activities of the corporation may be paid under the sole authorization of the President pursuant to Article III, Section 2.

 

Section 3.     The fiscal year of the corporation shall  begin on the first day of January in each year, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Standing Committees

 

Section 1.     There shall be a standing committee for horse shows.  The committee shall consist of not less than three (3) senior members appointed by the President.  Notwithstanding Article III, Section 2, members of this committee may be appointed from the association’s senior membership, provided that at least one is a member of the Board of Directors.  The committee shall plan and execute the activities for all scheduled horse shows.  Annually the committee will present a budget to the Finance Committee for its review and incorporation into the general budget and may be amended upon presentation to the Board of Directors before being submitted to the general membership for vote/approval.

 

Section 2.     There shall be a standing committee for financial affairs.  The committee shall consist of not less than two (2) and not more than four (4) Board and/or senior members appointed by the President.  The committee shall, as it deems appropriate, make recommendations to the Board on budget or other financial matters.  The financial chair, with the assistance of the Treasurer, shall propose an annual budget no later than each November’s Annual Meeting.  This budget shall be submitted to the general membership at the annual General Meeting in November and must be approved by a 51% vote of those in attendance.

 

Section 3.     There shall be a standing membership committee.  The committee shall consist of not less than three (3) senior members, plus the Registrar, appointed by the President.  Notwithstanding Article III, Section 2, members may be appointed from the association’s senior membership, provided that at least one is a member of the Board of Directors.  The committee shall be responsible for promoting new memberships and the involvement of current members in association activities.  Annually the committee will present a budget to the Finance Committee for its review and incorporation into the general budget and may  be amended upon presentation to the Board of Directors before being submitted to the general membership for vote/approval.

 

                                                                                                                                                             

ARTICLE IX

 

Junior Activities

 

Section 1.     Junior members shall be organized in the name of “San Mateo County Horsemen’s Association – Juniors.”

 

Section 2.     The purpose of the organization is to sponsor and provide entertainment and activities for junior members.

 

Section 3.     Officers shall be elected from among themselves to administer the affairs of the junior group.

 

Section 4.     An advisory committee of senior members shall have general supervision of the affairs of the junior group.

 

Section 5.     Funds shall be made available for any activity or need the Board of Directors deems appropriate or necessary.  Any or all monies earned or disbursed shall be submitted to the Board for its review.  Annually the juniors will present a budget to the Finance Committee for its review and incorporation into the general budget and may  be amended upon presentation to the Board of Directors before being submitted to the general membership for vote/approval.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Amendments of Bylaws

 

Section 1.     Adoption, amendment or repeal of the bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors, after a resolution to do so has been read at the meeting of the Board of Directors and after a second reading at the next meeting, by a majority vote of the quorum present has passed the resolution to do so.  The President shall give notice to the entire senior membership of such proposal, as well as the date of its consideration by not less than ten (10) days notice by direct mail or by the printing of such notice in the official publication of the corporation, namely, “The San Mateo Horseman.”

                                                                                                                                                                

Section 2.  Adoption, amendment and repeal of the bylaws may be proposed to the Board of Directors by a resolution signed by five or more senior members.

 

Section 3.  Bylaws of this corporation may be adopted, amended and repealed by a majority vote of senior members present at the meeting specified as that at which a vote will be taken upon the resolution passed by the Board of Directors.