BY LAWS for the FLORIDA CHAPTER of NAVHDA Revised 2/19

Revision Four February 2019

 

FLORIDA PALMETTO CHAPTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN VERSATILE HUNTING DOG ASSOCIATION (NAVHDA)

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I: NAME

Section 1:        The name of the organization is the Florida Palmetto Chapter, also known as Florida Palmetto NAVHDA, a chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), hereafter referred to as  the “Chapter” and the “Parent Organization,” respectively.

 

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

Section 1:        The purposes of the Chapter are:

  1. To affiliate with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association and abide by the Constitution, Bylaws and Rules of the Parent Organization.
  2. Foster, improve, promote and protect the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America by such activities as:
  3. Conducting field-tests for the versatile breeds according to the test standards of the Parent Organization
  4. Sponsoring training clinics in which both handlers and dogs are helped to prepare for both hunting and tests
  5. Encouraging and actively promoting sportsmanlike conduct in the field, at the tests and require observance of game laws and regulations
  6. Sponsoring meetings of general interest to the membership

 

  1. Acquainting sportsmen and hunters with the history and use of the versatile hunting dog breeds and
  2. Promoting the use of versatile hunting dog breeds to other hunters and sportsmen.

 

Section 2:        No part of the net earnings of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the Chapter 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 Article II hereof.

 

 

Section 3:        Notwithstanding any other provision of these by‑laws, the Chapter shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from Federal income tax under Section Revision 1, 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

ARTICLE III: NON-PROFIT

Section 1:        The Chapter is a nonprofit organization pursuant to the laws of Florida and will register yearly with the state of Florida pursuant to its rules.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP                

Section 1:        Membership in the Parent Organization is required

Section 2:        Family members under age 18 are eligible to participate in Chapter activities as non‑voting members.

Section 3:        Persons of good standing who adhere to the purpose and rules of the Parent Organization and the Chapter Bylaws can apply for membership.  Applicants shall become members of the Chapter upon payment of dues unless the Executive Counsel determines, by majority vote, there are grounds for refusal of the applicant.  Grounds for refusal of an applicant are the same as grounds for expulsion of members, as listed in these Bylaws.  Active members are those who have paid their annual dues for the current year to the Chapter and to the Parent Organization.

Section 4:        Members are expected to actively support the Chapter in achieving its stated purposes. This includes:

  1. Promoting the Chapter and its purposes;
  2. Assisting other members with training;
  3. Equipment setup, teardown, maintenance and storage on training days and at Chapter sponsored events/activities;
  4. Supporting Chapter sponsored events/activities (e.g. Field Tests) and
  5. Introducing and sponsoring new members.

 

Section 5:        Those wishing to become members will truthfully fill out a Membership Application and agree to abide all Chapter Bylaws.

Section 7:        Expulsion of a member may be made by a vote of a majority of the Executive Council.  Grounds for expulsion are, but not limited to:

 

  1. A violation of the Chapter’s or Parent Organization’s Bylaws or rules;
  2. Other misconduct, such as, but not limited to lying, stealing, or cheating;
  3. Bringing disrepute to this or any other NAVHDA organization or to sporting dogs in general;
  4. Unsportsmanlike conduct;
  5. Failure to follow game conservation practices;
  6. Breaking Florida Department of Fish and Game laws;
  7. Unsafe use of firearms and
  8. Violating training/meeting host property rules and regulations .

 

ARTICLE V: DUES

Section 1:        Annual dues shall be payable on or before member’s anniversary of each year and shall apply for one calendar year.

Section 2:        Dues must be paid within 90 days of membership anniversary each year or membership will be terminated.

 Section 3:        The Executive Council will  determine the Chapter’s annual dues.

ARTICLE VI:     EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1:        The Executive Council of the Florida Palmetto Chapter shall consist of five officers elected by the general membership.

 

  1. President;
  2. Vice-President;
  3. Secretary
  4. Treasurer, and
  5. Member at Large

 

Section 2:        Eligibility for Executive Council

 

  1. Any voting member in good standing is eligible to hold office
  2. Chapter and Parent Organization dues are up to date
  3. Attends meetings regularly
  4. Participates in Chapter activities (training, testing, etc.)
  5. Experienced with hunting dogs
  6. Is a member of the Parent Organization

 

Section 3:        Each Executive Officer will serve one calendar year (running April 1st through March 31st) without pay.  An officer may hold more than one office, including Article VII Appointed Positions; however, one person shall not simultaneously hold the offices of President and Treasurer.

Section 4:        President:

 

  1. Presides over the annual general membership meeting and any Executive Council meetings
  2. Appoints active members to fill Executive Council vacancies occurring between elections and
  3. Appoints committees and project leaders as needed.

 

Section 5:        Vice President:

 

  1. Acts as the President in the absence of the President;
  2. Responsible for leading the recruiting/nominations committee that will encourage members to fill positions on committees, serve as project leaders and to run for elected positions and
  3. Responsible for providing a slate of nominations for the positions of the Executive Council. This list is to be presented to the general membership at the annual meeting.

Section 6:        Secretary

 

  1. Conducts all correspondence of the Chapter’s business;
  2. Maintain a roster of current members;
  3. Records the minutes of all meetings and
  4. Prepares reports as required by the Parent Organization.

Section 7:        Treasurer

 

  1. Maintains all financial records of the Chapter;
  2. Pays all bills and receives all incoming funds for the Chapter;
  3. Maintains the Chapter checking account and
  4. Provides a written Treasurer’s report to the Executive Council and members annually at the March meeting.

Section 8:        Member at Large

 

  1. Serves as a liaison between the Board of Directors and as a spokesperson for the general membership of the Chapter;
  2. Works with committee chairs to review status and progress of special projects and brings committee reports back to the Board of Directors;
  3. Performs duties as assigned by the President.

Section 9:        Each member of the Executive Council will have one vote, and decisions will be carried by a simple majority.

 

ARTICLE VII: APPOINTED POSITIONS

Section 1:        The Executive Council will appoint the following posts as needed to support Chapter activities. Appointments will be for a specific period, but for no more than one (1) year. Appointees must meet the eligibly requirements of  Article VI, Section 2.

Section 2:        Director of Testing

 

  1. Responsible for the organization and operation of all tests held by the Chapter;
  2. Appoints Test Chairperson, Field Marshall, and Secretary for each test;
  3. Responsible for coordinating for judges and apprentices at Chapter tests

 

  1. Responsible for the selection and housing of all judges serving in Chapter tests.
  2. Responsible for assuring transportation of visiting judges and apprentices from the airport to the testing grounds

Section 3:        Director of Website

Responsible for the organization and operation of the Chapter website.

  1. Updates and keeps current the Chapter website.

Section 4:        Director of Training

  1. Responsible for recommending to the Executive Council plans and programs for training clinics, demonstrations and similar activities and for overseeing the execution of approved plans and programs in this category.
  2. Provides training information and guidance to members

Section 5:        Director of Gunning

  1. Conducts training for all personal that wish to gun for test and at training events held by the Chapter and will maintain a list of approved gunners
  2. Ensures that gunning at test and training events is conducted safely and in accordance with rules and regulations of the Parent Organization, the Chapter, and the host property

ARTICLE VIII: Board of Directors

 

Section 1:        The Board of Directors of the Florida Palmetto Chapter shall consist of the Executive Council and the Article VII Appointed Positions.

 ARTICLE IX: ELECTIONS                     

Section 1:        Elections for the Executive Council will be conducted annually (for a term of office of one year) at the annual general membership meeting.

Section 2:        Newly elected Executive Council Members will assume office on April 1st of that year.

Section 3:        Method of Election

Nominations will be made at the annual general membership meeting.

  1. Elections will be by voice vote of the members present at the annual meeting.
  2. Positions will be elected by a simple majority of the members at the annual meeting.
  3. Paper ballots may be employed at the discretion of the President.
  4. Virtual voting, in addition to members present at the annual meeting, may be employed at the discretion of the President

 

ARTICLE X:      FIELD TESTS

Section 1:        All tests will be conducted in accordance with the requirements established by the Parent Organization.

Section 2:        No prizes beyond those of the Parent Organization will be awarded to any participants of Florida Palmetto tests.

Section 3:        Priority to participate in Chapter sponsored field tests may be given to Chapter members in good standing with the Chapter and Parent Organization. The Executive Council will determine the conditions by which Chapter members may be given priority over non-members  to participate in a Chapter sponsored field test.

ARTICLE XI: CHAPTER PROCEDURES

Section 1:       Chapter Meetings: The Chapter will have an annual general membership  meeting.  To the extent practical the meeting will be held in March. The Executive Council, at its discretion, may schedule and hold additional general membership meeting(s) as needed.

Section 2:        Training days will be held the second weekend of each month unless otherwise noted on the website or via e-mail.

  1. Members participating in training days must be in good standing with the Parent Organization and the Chapter
  2. To further the Chapter’s purpose to foster, improve, promote and protect the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America, non-members may be allowed to participate in a limited number of training days before becoming members of the Parent Organization and the Chapter. The Executive Council will determine the conditions by which non-members may participate in training, number of training days and any fees
  3. Visiting members of other chapters may be allowed to participate in a limited number of training days before becoming members of the Chapter. The Executive Council will determine the conditions by which visiting members of other chapters may participate in training, number of training days and any fees

Section 3:        Financial Statement: The Chapter’s Financial Statement will be presented at annual general membership  meeting.

Section 4:        Amendments to Bylaws

 

  1. Amendments will be presented in writing to the membership prior to voting on the amendment.
  2. Approval of amendments to the Bylaws will require approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting members present.

Section 5: Committees

Committees may be formed from time to time to handle specific, short-term issues for the Chapter.

  1. The Executive Committee will form those Committees at either their own discretion or at the written request of the chapter members. Written requests can be presented by any active member at any meeting, by email or by mailed letter.
  2. A majority of the Executive Committee must agree by vote on the establishment of a committee, its purpose, scope of activities, and duration.

Section 6: Political Activities

  1. The Chapter may not support legislation or political activities.
  2. No substantial part of the activities of the Chapter shall be the carrying on or propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Chapter shall not participate in, or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office.

ARTICLE XII: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

Section 1:        The parliamentary business of the Chapter is conducted at the annual general membership meeting. To the extent practical, Robert’s Rules of Order apply.

Section 2:        The President, or his designate, shall, by separate correspondence (e-mail), notify all members of the annual meeting.  Motions can be presented by any active member at any meeting.  A simple majority of votes cast by active members present at the meeting carries a motion, except for motions to revise or amend the Bylaws, which require a two‑thirds majority of active members at the meeting. Virtual voting, in addition to members present at the annual meeting, may be employed at the discretion of the President.

Section 3:        The Treasurer shall publish an annual financial statement of the organization. The report shall be read at the annual general membership meeting after being examined by two members of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XIII: NONDISCRIMINATION

Section 1:        The club shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion or any legally proscribed classification, in its programs, activities, or employment practices.

ARTICLE XIV: INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS

Section 1:        To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and Internal Revenue Service regulations, from time to time in effect, the corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the club as a director, officer against expenses including attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonable incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonable believed to be in or not opposed to the best  interests of the club or its members, and, with respect to a criminal action or proceeding if the person had not reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 2.        The Executive Council has to approve the Indemnification by 3/5 a vote.

 

ARTICLE XV: DELEGATE TO NAVHDA MEETING

Section 1:        Article VII, Section 3 of the NAVHDA By‑Laws (Revised 1977) provides for attendance of a Chapter delegate at the annual meeting of NAVHDA, with voting privileges on all executive conducted at the meeting.

Section 2:        When deemed advisable and feasible, the Executive Council of the Chapter will select a member of the Chapter to attend.

Section 3:        This delegate must be any currently active member of the Chapter.

Section 4:        Unless voted on by the Executive Council, the delegate will be responsible for his or her own expenses.

 

ARTICLE XVI: DISSOLUTION  

Section 1:        The Chapter is not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings or assets of the Chapter shall inure to the benefit of any private individual.

Section 2:        In the event of liquidation or dissolution of the Chapter, the balance of all money and other property received by the Chapter from any source, after payment of all debts and obligations of the Chapter, shall be used or distributed exclusively for purposes within Article 1, Section 2.  This organization will be chosen by a majority vote of the membership of the Chapter.

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