CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS OF THE
PINE TREE STATE DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB, Inc


ARTICLE I: NAME AND OBJECTIVE
Section One
The name of the club shall be Pine Tree State Doberman Pinscher Club.

Section Two
The objectives of the Club shall be:
a) To promote the public's knowledge and appreciation of dogs in general and Doberman Pinschers in particular;
b) To produce, publish, and distribute to the general public educational materials about the proper care, treatment, breeding, health, development and training of Doberman Pinschers;
c) To support and promote study and research on the history, character, breeding, genetics and particular health problems of the Doberman Pinscher;
d) To further understanding of the disease, defects, injuries and other ailments that afflict dogs in general and the Doberman Pinscher in particular;
e) To acknowledge and advance the critical role of an AKC recognized chapter club in providing education, health research and support of rescue and reduction of overpopulation for the benefit of the general public, purebred dogs and Doberman Pinschers in particular;
f) To conduct activities including sporting events, sanctioned matches, specialty shows, obedience and tracking trials, Working Aptitude Tests, and other such activities and events as may be held under the rules of the American Kennel Club and the Doberman Pinscher Club of America, in furtherance of the above purposes;
g) To otherwise preserve and protect the Doberman Pinscher and to do all things possible to bring its natural qualities to perfect;
h) To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Doberman Pinscher shall be judged.

Section Three
The club is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational,or scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Section Four
The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section One - Eligibility.
There shall be two types of membership open: general membership for (a) persons eighteen years of age and over who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club, Doberman Pinscher Club of America and who subscribe to the purposes of this club; and (b) junior membership for persons 10-17 years of age.

While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the club's primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders, exhibitors and fanciers in its immediate area.

Note: junior membership privileges will include attendance and participation at the general meetings and other club functions, but will exclude voting privileges and the right to hold office. Junior members may automatically become regular members upon reaching their 18th birthdays.

Section Two - Dues
Membership dues for the ensuing year shall be decided upon at the September meeting, payable on or before the 30th day of September each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. On or before the fifteenth (15th) day of July, the Corresponding Secretary shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. The minimum dues shall be twelve dollars ($12) per year, not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per year. Junior membership dues shall be six dollars ($6) per year.

Section Three - 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 American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues for payment for the current year. Any person submitting his/her application after June 1 shall be responsible only for one-half the annual dues.

All applications are to be filed with the Recording Secretary and each application is to be read the first meeting of the club following its receipt. Each applicant must attend at least two regular club meetings before his/her application may be voted on by the membership at the meeting following their second attendance. The application will be voted upon and affirmative votes of a 2/3rds of the members present and voting by secret ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant.

Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within six (6) months after such rejection.

Section Four - Termination of Membership
by resignation: Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the Recording 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 30 days after the first day of the fiscal year, or January 31st; however, the Board may grant an additional ninety (90) days of grace to such delinquent member 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 VII of these Constitution and Bylaws.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING
Section One - Club Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held in the County of York/Cumberland at intervals of approximately thirty (30) days , at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary or sent electronically at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of such meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section Two - 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 and voting at any regular of special meeting of the Board, or by the Recording Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five (5) members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meeting shall be held in the County of York/Cumberland at such hour and place as may be designated by the person(s) authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Recording Secretary or sent electronically at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, an no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section Three - Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the County of York/Cumberland every other month at intervals of approximately sixty (60) days, at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice for each meeting shall be mailed by the Recording Secretary or sent electronically at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. The Board of Directors may conduct its business by mail, facsimile transmission, and electronic process or by telephone conference call by the President. The Recording Secretary shall attest to the results of balloting by conference call. In the event that the Recording Secretary is unavailable, the President shall appoint an acting secretary for the conference call.
As a condition precedent to the conduct of business through electronic process, the Board shall adopt procedures, which shall be set for in an Administrative Procedures Manual, to ensure the following with respect to the conduct of such business:
a) That every Board member shall be enabled to participate in the electronic conduct of such business;
b) The verification of the identity of the participants in such electronic conduct of such business to determine that the participant is a Board member eligible to participate in the electronic conduct of such business
(c) The verification that the Board members eligible to participate in the electronic conduct of such business are receiving all data and information that is disseminated through the electronic process;
(d) That all Board members have agreed to the conduct of such business through electronic process.

Section Four - Special Board Meetings
Pursuant to Section Four, special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by the Recording Secretary upon the request, signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in the County of York/Cumberland, and at such hour and place as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such a meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Corresponding Secretary or sent electronically at least five (5) days, and not more than ten (10) days, prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted thereat. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

Section Five - Voting
Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the club at which s/he is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.

ARTICLE IV: DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section One - Board of Directors
The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and four (4) other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing, who are residents of the United States. They shall be elected for one-year terms at the club's annual meeting, as provided in ARTICLE V, and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. The membership may reverse any decision of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting.

Section Two - Officers
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 and its meetings.

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 Constitution and Bylaws.

The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the posers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.

The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club, of the Board, and all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the club. No verbatim method of recording club proceedings shall be used unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a general meeting or Board meeting. The record of a duly elected or appointed Recording Secretary shall be responsible to record all business pertinent to the function of the club but not necessarily the entire dialogue of the meeting.

The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the club. S/he shall deposit the same in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of the club, and such monies must be deposited no later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of same. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by any member in good standing. The Treasurer shall report to the club at every meeting the condition of the club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported. At the Annual Meeting, s/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.

The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for receiving and replying to all external correspondence directed to the Club, either via regular or electronic means. S/he shall report on all such correspondence at regular meetings and shall maintain a file of such correspondence. Time sensitive correspondence affecting the general membership shall be shared electronically as soon as appropriate.

Section Three - Vacancies
Any vacancies occurring on the Board during the year shall be filled for the unexpired term of office by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy.

Section Four - Removal From Office
If any officer or Board member fails to attend three (3) consecutive Board meetings or three (3) consecutive general membership meetings in the club's fiscal year, or a total of four (4) Board meetings of four (4) general meetings in said fiscal year, such failure to attend said meetings in good faith may result in removal from office by vote of the Board of Directors; whereupon, the Board would be empowered to immediately fill the vacant position by choosing from the membership a person who would be ready, willing and able to take over said vacated office for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE V: THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
Section One - Club Year
The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of October and end on the 30th day of September .

Section Two - Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of September at which officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballots from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this article. They shall take office immediately upon conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election (30) days after the election.

Section Three -Nominations and Elections
The Nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The four (4) nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such position shall be declared elected.

No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. At the June meeting, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Corresponding Secretary shall immediately notify the committee members and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Chairperson for the committee and it shall be his/her duty to call a committee meeting which shall be held on or before July 15.

The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and candidates for the four other positions on the Board and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Recording Secretary in writing.

Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the corresponding Secretary shall, on or before July 30, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.

Additional nominations may be made at the August meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his/her proposer shall present to the Recording Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position, and the additional nominations, which are provided for herein, may be made only from among those members who have not accepted the nomination of the Nominating Committee.

Nominations cannot be made at the Annual Meeting or in any manner other than provided for in this section.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
Section One
The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. 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.

Section Two
Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose service has been terminated. 

ARTICLE VII: DISCIPLINE
Section One - . 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 Two - Charges
Any individual member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Recording Secretary together with a deposit of ten dollars ($10) which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. The Recording 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 allegations alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for hearing by the Board not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Recording Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges and the specifications to the accused member by registered mail, return receipt requested, together with a notice of the meeting and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if s/he wishes.

Section Three - Board Hearings
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 may, by a majority vote of those present, reprimand or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. in such cases, the suspension may not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his/her fellow members at the ensuing club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall, in turn, notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.

Section Four - Expulsion
Expulsion of a member from the club shall be accomplished only at a meeting of the club following a Board hearing and upon the Board's recommendation as provided in Section Three of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the club to be held within sixty (60) days, but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his/her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's findings and recommendations and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf is s/he wishes. The membership shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.

ARTICLE VIII: REGULATIONS
Section One
The members of this Club are also subject to and regulated by the provisions of the Constitution and bylaws of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America., anything to the contrary in this Constitution and bylaws not withstanding.

In as much as our parent organization, Doberman Pinscher Club of America, has included us in a 501(c)(3) group exemption recognition before the IRS, we acknowledge our responsibility to make annual information reports pertaining to our continued good standing. We further agree to adhere to their specific policies related to the 501(c)(3) status that in their judgment keeps this status well maintained. While we reserve the right to challenge any such policy that may be established, we will inform them of such action in writing 30 days prior to any implementation on our part.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Section One
Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Recording Secretary and signed by twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Recording Secretary for a vote within three (3) months of the date when the petition was received by the Recording Secretary.

Section Two
The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3rds) vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose. The vote shall be by secret ballot. The proposed amendments shall be included in the notice of the meeting and sent to each member at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which they are to be voted on.


ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION
Section One - Dissolution
The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

ARTICLE XI: ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section One
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
Determination of a Quorum
Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Minutes of the Board of Directors
Report of Officers
A) President
B) Report of Secretaries
1) Recording
2) Corresponding
C) Report of Treasurer
Report of Committees
Election of Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)
Selection of New Members
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment

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

Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of Corresponding Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Report of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment

ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section One
Rules contained in Roberts' Rules of Order Revised shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Constitution and Bylaws.



METHODS OF OPERATIONS

ARTICLE I: DELEGATE TO THE DOBERMAN PINSCHER CLUB OF
AMERICA (DPCA)

Section One
A delegate to the Doberman Pinscher Club of America shall be elected at a regular or special meeting held at least sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. The delegate must be a member in good standing and also be a member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. S/he shall give a complete report on all matters coming before him/her pertaining to the parent club activities at each regular meeting of the club; and shall discharge all other duties as pertain to the office or as prescribed by the Board of Directors.

In the event a delegate shall be unable to fulfill his/her duties, the alternate delegate, also elected by vote of the club, shall assume the duties of delegate.

ARTICLE II: SHOWS
Section One
The club shall hold or sponsor at least one conformation show each year under the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club (AKC). American Kennel Club Sanctioned Matches or Performance Events may also be held.

ARTICLE III: JUDGES
Section One
As soon as practicable, but at least four (4) months prior to any show, the club, at a regular meeting, shall select a first and second choice of judges, and the club shall secure one in the order names. The Board of Directors shall designate the meeting at which judges are to be selected and the notice of same shall be sent to each member by the Recording Secretary at least five (5) days prior to said meeting. Judges' names shall be placed in nomination from the floor, seconded, and their order of selection shall be determined by secret ballot.

ARTICLE IV: MONETARY DISTRIBUTION
Section One
Any expenditures not exceeding fifty dollars ($50) may be authorized for payment by the Board of Directors or the President.