By-Laws: Article VI - Discipline

Section 1. American Kennel Club Suspension.

Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.

Section 2. Charges. 

Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Corresponding Secretary together with a deposit of $100.00, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board, or a committee appointed by the Board to hear the charges, if such committee exists at the time. Upon receipt of the charges, the Corresponding Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at the next Board meeting, but in no case later than ten (10) days after the receipt by the Corresponding Secretary. The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction (hear the matter). If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board or a committee of not less than three (3) members of the Board as appointed by the Board, not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. Upon the Board determining that it will take jurisdiction of the charges the Corresponding Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by U.S. mail either certified, Priority, or Express mail receipt requested, together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.

Section 3. Board Hearing. 

The Board or a committee of the Board appointed by the Board to hear the charges 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 or Board committee may by a majority vote of those present either reprimand or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing, or until the next annual meeting if that will occur after six (6) months. If the Board or a committee of the Board appointed by the Board to hear the charges deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his/her fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting, which considers the recommendation of the Board or Board committee. If any member involved in the charges is either an elected Board member or chairperson of a standing committee, that person may not participate in nor vote upon any action involving that charge. If such charges are brought and upheld against an elected Board member, such Board member shall be deemed to be immediately removed from office and the vacant position shall be filled as provided for in Article III, Section 6. Immediately after the Board or board committee has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Recording Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.

Section 4. Expulsion. 

Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at the annual meeting of the Club following a hearing and upon recommendation of the Board or Board committee as provided in Section 3 of this Article. 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 findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf if he/she so wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the suspension shall stand.Article VII – Amendments. Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and to the standard for the breed may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Corresponding Secretary signed by twenty (20) percent 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 no later than three (3) months of the date when the petition was received by the Corresponding Secretary. Section 2. The Constitution and Bylaws or the standard for the breed may be amended at any time, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been mailed by the Recording Secretary to each member in good standing on the date of the mailing, accompanied by a ballot on which a choice for or against the action(s) to be taken shall be indicated. Dual envelope procedures described in Article IV, Section 4(e) shall be followed in handling such ballots to ensure secrecy of the vote. Notice with such ballot shall specify a date not less than thirty (30) days, nor greater than forty five (45) days after, the date postmarked on the ballots sent by the Recording Secretary for the vote by which date the ballots must be returned to the Recording Secretary to be counted. Any ballot mailed or sent to a person(s) other than the Recording Secretary (or designated professional firm) shall be deemed invalid, and void. The favorable vote of three fourths (3/4ths) of the members in good standing who return valid ballots within the time limit shall be required to effect any such amendment.Section 3. No amendment to the constitution and bylaws that is adopted by the club shall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.Article VIII - DissolutionSection 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 3/4ths of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any members of the Club, but after payment of the debts of the Club its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board of Directors.