Currahee Saddle Club
By-Laws
Revised February 2010
The mission of the Club is to develop and enhance an environment in which the partnership of the Equine and Human can be enjoyed by each to the maximum.
Motto: “Where horse’n around is fun.”
ARTICLE I
The Club:
1. The Club shall be known as Currahee Saddle Club.
2. The headquarters of the Club shall be in Stephens County.
3. The Club shall be a non-profit organization, exclusively for the enjoyment of its members.
4. The Clubs fiscal year will be from January 1 thru December 31.
ARTICLE II
Membership/Dues:
1. Membership shall be open to any individuals with an interest in equine.
2. Each family membership has two votes on all club issues, single member a single vote.
3. The Club shall not discriminate against any one on the basis of race, sex or chosen style of horsemanship.
4. Dues to be determined by the members.
5. Dues are payable by April 1st or before participating in any club votes or shows.
ARTICLE III
Officers of the Club and their duties shall be:
President: Shall perform duties customary to the office, such as presiding over all meetings for the Club. The President may call meetings of the Club at his/her discretion, or upon request of majority of the members. The President shall not vote unless to break a tie, then he/she will be the deciding vote.
Vice President: In the absence of the President, shall perform all said duties.
Second Vice President: Acts as liaison and advisor between the Club and the Youth Group.
Secretary: Shall keep the minutes of all proceedings, record the same, and shall mail/email a copy of each set of the minutes to each member. He/she shall perform other duties common to the office. This person shall maintain records and reports, and correspondence for the Club. Notify each member of all regular and called meetings.
Treasurer: Shall receive all funds, deposit all receipts, and maintain a current record to justify receipts, purchases and expenditures. He/she will maintain a record of membership dues. This person will also furnish a report of financial conditions at each meeting.
Trail Boss: Set up monthly trail rides and camp outs. Keep up with rider points to be awarded at year end.
Points Keeper: Keep up with Club show points with the guidelines set up by the show committee. They will keep all show placing sheets for one year. They will make the trophy list for yearend awards and purchase trophies. The Points Keeper must communicate with Treasurer to obtain monies needed to operate the booth during shows. The Points Keeper is also responsible for ensuring all funds get back to the Treasurer and that all participants have paid fees.
Show Chairman: This person will head up a committee of four people, preferably English, Western, Running and Racking, to come up with our show venue for the year. This person will also set up guidelines for trophy placing and receiving. The Show Chairman and committee will also set the entry fees and rules for each class. This person is responsible for obtaining a judge for each show and explaining the venue to the judge.
Chaplin: This person shall discharge devotion at all Club meetings, and other places where the Club is officially gathered.
Board of Directors: Shall be responsible for ensuring that the Club runs according to the members’ interest. The Board may also be used by the President to communicate urgent matters for the Club so a decision may be determined without a Club meeting.
Public Relations: Shall be responsible for the publicity for the Club and its functions. This person shall recommend ideas and methods to visibly keep the Club in the public eye. He/she will be responsible for listing Club functions in local newspapers, equine related news publications, and local radio and TV stations.
Terms of office and election:
1. Except for the Board of Directors, Officers shall serve a one year term. Officers shall be elected at a regular meeting and take office at the first regular meeting after their election. The Board of Directors shall consist of three members 1-1 year term, 1-2 year term and 1- 3 year term.
2. Nomination of candidates shall be through a nominating committee and/or from the floor.
3. Election shall be by a majority of the general membership by secret or open ballot.
4. Elections will be held the last scheduled meeting of the year with the new officers assuming their duties the next scheduled meeting.
Removal of Officer or Director:
Should the removal of an officer or Director become necessary, it shall require the recommendation of the Club President and 2/3’s of the Directors. Said recommendation must then be followed by a majority vote of the general membership of the Club. Should the removal of the President be necessary, then recommendation of the entire Board of Directors is required followed by a majority vote of the general membership of the Club. Upon the removal of an Officer or Director, a special election shall be held as soon as possible to fill that vacancy.
Handling of Club Funds
1. Banking will be done each year at the bank of the Treasurer’s choice. Bank may be changed from year to year if desired by the Treasurer.
2. Each check drawn on the Club shall bear the signature of the Treasurer.
3. Club books will be kept open for audit by a member at any time, and shall be completely audited at the end of each year.
4. No two people that are related shall be listed on the signature card for the Club bank account.
5. Any bills presented to Treasurer must be approved by the President for payment.
ARTICLE IV
The Club Meetings:
1. First Thursday of each month at 7:20 p.m.
2. The President is responsible for keys and preparing a meeting room
3. The meeting shall be held at the Club facilities in Stephens County.
4. The location, date and time of a meeting may be changed by the Club President with a minimum of two weeks’ notice to the general membership by the President or Club Secretary.
ARTICLE V
Rides and Riders:
1. Special rides may be organized by the Club as desired.
2. The Trail Boss is responsible for conducting all rides in the safest manner possible. However, the individual participants assume full responsibility for the safety of themselves and their horse.
3. Any function of the Club may involve guest. This guest must obey Club rules at all times.
4. No intoxicants or weapons during Club rides. (The member and guest will be asked to leave.)
ARTICLE VI
Member Behavior:
1. Club members are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and sportsman-like manner at all times. Members will respect the rights and property of others during all Club events.
2. Membership in the Club may be terminated for deliberate violation of Club rules or displaying un-sportsman-like conduct.
3. Cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
4. Intoxicated persons will be dismissed.
5. Each member will be responsible for cleaning up after horse and rider.
6. No high spirited or ill-tempered horses are allowed.
7. All members must maintain the safety of their selves, horse and spectators at all times.
Arena:
The arena will be available seven days a week, unless it is being used for an activity by the Club or county.
The riding arena may be used by anyone, provided they follow Club rules for the arena:
1. On Thursday nights, arena lights may be used.
2. If you practice any event such as timed, trail or jumping, you must remove all props when you leave.
3. If you practice any timed events you will need to rake or drag the arena for holes made during your practice.
4. The arena will be closed two days prior to any scheduled event to allow for the preparation of the arena.
5. Water may be used to bath and water your animals, but remember to turn it off.
ARTICLE VII
Youth Group:
1. The Club will sponsor a youth group for children between the ages of five and seventeen.
2. The Youth Group shall not discriminate against any one on the basis of race, sex or chosen style of horsemanship.
3. Participation in the Club by a youth’s parent or guardian is not required for membership in the Group.
4. The Second Vice-president of the Club will be the liaison and advisor to the Youth Group.
5. The Youth Group will elect their own officers and function under their own by-laws.
6. A separate bank account will be maintained by the Youth Group with all funds in the account available to the Group for their disposition.
***If no rule, refer to Robert’s Rule of Order.
**These By-Laws may be amended at anytime, upon approval of all members.