ARTICLE IV

 Membership 

 

Section 1. Eligibility.

There shall be one type of membership, open to all persons 18 years of age or older who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club.

Section 2. Dues.

The fiscal year of the Club shall begin on the 1st day of November and end on the 31st day of October. Membership dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors annually, not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per year, payable on or before the 1st day of November of each year. No member whose dues are not paid for the current fiscal year may vote or be entitled to any other privileges or benefits of membership. During the month of September the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing fiscal year. The Treasurer shall send a second statement on November 10th to those members whose dues are unpaid, giving notice of lapse of membership on December 1st.

Section 3. Election to Membership.

Each applicant to membership shall apply on a form supplied by the Corresponding Secretary, approved by the Board of Directors, and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these By-Laws and by the rules of the American Kennel Club. Additionally, in applying for membership, the applicant shall agree to further the Club objectives. The applicant shall state the name, address and occupation of the applicant plus such other information as the Board may require. The application shall carry the endorsement of two members of the Club who shall not be of the same household or the same immediate family as the applicant or each other. The prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year with his application. Those members who are elected after September 1st shall be considered to be paid for the following fiscal year. The applicant's name will be published in the next issue of the official publication of the Club for comment. If no negative comments are received within forty-five (45) days of publication, the applicant is considered elected to membership and shall be so notified. In the event of unfavorable signed comment received, the application will be held for action by the Board. Affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the directors present at a meeting of the Board or of two-thirds (2/3rds) of the entire Board voting by mail, shall be required to elect an applicant. An application which has received a negative vote by the Board of Directors may be presented by one of the applicants endorsers at the next annual meeting of the Club. The Club may elect such applicant by a favorable vote of three-fourths (3/4ths) of the membership present.

Section 4. Termination of Membership.

Membership may be terminated:

• (a) By Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Recording Secretary; but no member may resign while in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club and are incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.
  
  
• (b) By Lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues have not been paid by December 1st. In no case may a person be entitled to vote or be entitled to any other privileges or benefits of Club membership whose dues are unpaid as of December 1st.
  
  
• (c) By Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article V of these By-Laws.

All interest in the property of the Club of persons resigning or otherwise ceasing to be a member shall vest in the Club.