NEWQHA Bylaws:
Article I
Section 1. Title: This association shall be known as the Northeastern Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association and shall at all times be conducted as a non-profit association in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin providing for such organizations and by which it shall acquire all such rights as granted to associations of this kind.
Section 2. Purpose and Object: The purpose of this association shall be to promote in all ways the interests of the American Quarter Horse as registered by the American Quarter Horse Association. Objectives shall be to promote the Quarter Horse breed in both conformation and performance ability, and to increase the number of exhibitors, both at registered and open shows, and to encourage participation in all other activities to the breed. Additionally, the Association shall seek to advance the general interest and knowledge of the Quarter Horse in Northeastern Wisconsin through sponsored shows, clinics, and other such related events.
Section 3. Relationship to Parent Organization. All the proceedings of this Association shall be in harmony with the policies and activities of the American Quarter Horse Association. Additionally, NEWQHA shall, when possible, strive to cooperate with any and all organizations with which it finds itself affiliated and shall seek to be an ambassador for the breed.
Article II
Section 1. Membership: Membership shall be open to any reliable person, firm, or corporation anywhere, but only Wisconsin residents may be elected to offices. Any person, firm, or corporation having joined this Association shall be subject to all rules and by-laws then in force or later adopted by the Association and shall be subject to expulsion from the organization as provided in these by-laws.
A family membership shall include the husband and wife, parent or legal guardian, and children eighteen years of age and younger. All members of the family and farm name, if any must be designated. A single membership shall be open to persons of any age. Family, farm, partnership, and corporation memberships must designate on the membership application two people to represent said members on voting matters.
All memberships shall be annual in nature and expire on December 31st. Annual dues for continuing members are due and payable on January 1st of each year. All memberships shall become effective on the postmarked date of payment or actual date of transaction and are not retroactive. Dues shall be set and reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Disciplinary Action: Any person placed under disciplinary sanction by the American Quarter Horse Association, such as expulsion, suspension, etc, is automatically placed under sanction by this Association. Disciplinary actions taken by the Association shall be in conformance with the rules and regulations of AQHA. Any person guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct may have their membership suspended for a period judged appropriate by the Board of Directors. Any member may be suspended and denied privileges of the Association by the Board of Directors for not paying or giving a worthless check for entry fees, stall fees, office charges, stock charges, or any other fees or debts delinquent over 90 days.
When any person, firm or corporation as members of this association shall be accused of any of the above mentioned faults, acts or practices which may be deemed just cause for suspension from the association, said person, firm or corporation shall be given not less than fifteen (15) days notice, from the date of mailing said notice, of a time and place for hearing such accusation by the Board of Directors. The accused party shall be entitled to a full, fair and impartial public hearing before the Board of Directors of all Association where he/she shall be given full opportunity to refute such evidence. Any suspended or expelled member or members may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
These foregoing rules are subject to interpretation or change, if unusual or unforeseen circumstances arise. The Board of Directors shall make any such interpretation of the change in the rule. Any rules not covered by the By-laws of the Northeast Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association will be covered by the rules of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Article III
Section 1. Officers: The elected officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Executive Treasurer, also referred to as the Executive Committee. They shall hold office for a period of one year and/or until their successors are elected and qualified. The officers shall be selected by the general membership in the annual election and shall take office in January of the following year.
Section 2. Duties: The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings. He/she shall see that all by-laws, rules, and regulations of the Association are enforced and perform such other duties as are usual to the office. He shall also be an ex-official member of all committees.
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President when the latter is absent from a meeting or is unable to act for other reasons, and shall represent all out-of-state members on the Board of Directors.
The Secretary shall be present at all meetings, but if unable to attend, the President may appoint another person as acting Secretary for that meeting. The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the membership records, pertaining to the eligibility and status of each member. The secretary shall also be responsible for the safekeeping of documents and records of the Association. The secretary shall perform the usual duties pertaining to the office subject to the authority of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Treasurer shall be present at all meetings, but if unable to attend, a report of the previous period’s financial history must be forwarded for presentation at the said meeting. The treasurer shall also be responsible for financial records of the organization. The treasurer shall be able to produce financial information in a clear and coherent manner when asked. The treasurer shall also be responsible for certain organizational records such as membership dues and sponsorship payments.
Article IV
Section 1. Structure: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Executive Treasurer, the immediate Past President, two youth directors who shall serve as Youth President and Vice President, and six members, acting as Directors, from the general membership.
A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for conducting business.
Each elected Director shall have the right to select an alternate, who will replace him/her and cast his/her vote on all matters in the event he/she is unable to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors. In case of vacancy due to death or resignation or suspension from the organization, the remaining Directors shall, by a simple majority vote, elect a successor until the regular member election. In the case of suspension, at least fifteen day’s notice must be given by certified mail to the accused director. If any members of the Board of Directors misses three consecutive Board meetings without a valid excuse, or representation by a designated alternate, said Board member shall be removed from office and a successor will be named following at least a fifteen day notice sent by ordinary mail to the last known post office address of each member in good standing.
No two members of one family (husband, wife, and children 18 years of age and under) including the President may hold executive voting positions. This also applies to alternates.
Section 2. Powers of the Board: The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal and enforce such rules and regulations as they pertain to the business and affairs of the association. All such matters of the association shall fall under the discretion of the Board including, but not limited to, the admission, classification, qualification, suspension, and expulsion of members, removal and expulsion of officers, expenditure of money, the fixing and collecting of dues and fees, registration, auditing of books and records, the awarding of prizes, both monetary and nonmonetary, and the conducting of shows, contest, exhibitions, and social functions of the association.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President when it appears, in his/her discretion, that such a meeting is necessary. At least one meeting of the Board of Directors shall be called and convened every ninety days. In the even the President refuses or neglects to call meetings as provided for, it may be called by any five members of the Board of Directors.
Notice of the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be reasonable and must be given to each member by ordinary mail, fax, email or telephone, postmarked at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting. Reasonable notice and the method of giving notice shall be determined by the President and the Secretary keeping in mind the urgency of the business to be conducted at the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice, any and all business may be conducted.
The location of the meetings shall be designated by the Secretary. No business shall be conducted unless a simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors are present.
Article V.
Section 1. Committees: The Board of Directors may, from time to time, create and empower other committees, both general and special. All committees and appointees shall be responsible to the Board of Directors. All monies collected by committees shall be deemed funds of the association and may be distributed only at the authorization of the Board of Directors. All expenditures beyond the budgeted amount must be approved by the Board prior to the expenditure.
Section 2. Obligations: All contracts and obligations shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors and entered into only at the Board’s discretion. Upon completion of said obligation, a committee report detailing income and disbursements is due.
Section 3. Show Committee: The Board of Directors, as well as show manager and show secretary, shall act as the Show Committee, with the President serving as the chairperson. The committee shall be responsible for the operation of any and all shows that are operated by the Association. As such, this committee will take steps to secure volunteers and hire all necessary personnel to fill positions with written contracts, as they are needed.
Section 4. Election Committee: The election committee shall be a two-person committee, coordinating the election results at the annual meeting and disseminating the results to the general membership. Disputes of election results shall be heard by the Board of Directors. The Board’s decision is final.
Section 5. Audit Committee: There shall be a three-person audit committee appointed by the Board of Directors to audit the Executive Treasurer’s records on annual basis. A member of the Board of Directors shall act as chairperson for this committee and shall report the committee’s findings to the Board of Directors.
Article VI.
Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with our Annual Awards Banquet at the end of the year. Notice of this meeting and its content shall be sent to all members in a reasonable fashion.
Section 2. Committee Meeting: Meetings shall be called by committee chairpersons, giving reasonable notice and location to the committee’s members, as well as the President. All committees shall report their findings to the Board of Directors and recommend policy changes.
Section 3. Voting Privileges: At all meetings, holders of a family, farm, partnership or corporate membership shall be allowed two (2) votes, provided the designated representatives are present. Holders of a single membership shall be allowed one (1) vote.
Article VII.
Section 1. Elections: Elections shall be held at the annual meeting, with the general membership electing the President, Vice President, Secretary, Executive Treasurer, six Directors (all of which must by at least nineteen years of age), and two Youth Directors.
Section 2. Nominations: The Executive Committee shall prepare a nomination slate for the officers and directors to be voted upon by the general membership at the annual meetings. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting.
Article VIII.
Section 1. Youth Association: The purpose of the Youth Association shall be to enrich our youth’s experience in the organization and to develop the leadership skills necessary for future governance of the organization. The appointed Board member shall coordinate the youth association.
Section 2. Elections: Two Youth Directors shall be elected by the general membership at the annual meeting because of these offices’ voting positions on the Board of Directors. The elected directors shall serve as President and Vice President, to be decided by the youth membership. Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the youth membership at the first general meeting following the annual meeting.
Section 3. Self-governance: The Youth Association has the right to govern itself but it itself, a subsidiary organization to the Association. As such, the youth association must follow all rules and regulations put forth by the Board of Directors and general membership and conduct itself in a manner befitting. The youth association must report to the appointed Board member and Youth President, both of whom are accountable for the actions of the youth association to the Board of Directors. All funds raised by the youth association must be remitted to the Executive Treasurer and may only be disbursed by the approval of the Board of Directors.
Article IX.
Section 1. Awards: Awards shall be given on the basis of achievement and merit for the show circuit. Full member eligibility is required in order to be considered for an award. All disputes over awards will be heard by the Board of Directors. All decisions made by the Board are final.
Section 2. Point System: The point system used by the Association will by the same system as used by the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association. The point system is shown [in the full bylaws document at the bottom of this page].
One point extra in each place for each five extra horses.
Article X.
Amendments: These by-laws may be amended in either of the following ways:
· At any annual meeting or general meeting of the Association by a simple majority vote of those present and voting provided that (a) the amendment has been approved and recommended by a simple majority of the Board of Directors present at a properly convened meeting and (b) all proposed amendments have been published and sent to the members prior to the meeting in which they are to be voted on.
· At any annual or general meeting by ¾ of the members present and voting, provided there is a quorum of ½ of the membership present. A proxy shall be counted towards the quorum.
Section 1. Title: This association shall be known as the Northeastern Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association and shall at all times be conducted as a non-profit association in accordance with the laws of the state of Wisconsin providing for such organizations and by which it shall acquire all such rights as granted to associations of this kind.
Section 2. Purpose and Object: The purpose of this association shall be to promote in all ways the interests of the American Quarter Horse as registered by the American Quarter Horse Association. Objectives shall be to promote the Quarter Horse breed in both conformation and performance ability, and to increase the number of exhibitors, both at registered and open shows, and to encourage participation in all other activities to the breed. Additionally, the Association shall seek to advance the general interest and knowledge of the Quarter Horse in Northeastern Wisconsin through sponsored shows, clinics, and other such related events.
Section 3. Relationship to Parent Organization. All the proceedings of this Association shall be in harmony with the policies and activities of the American Quarter Horse Association. Additionally, NEWQHA shall, when possible, strive to cooperate with any and all organizations with which it finds itself affiliated and shall seek to be an ambassador for the breed.
Article II
Section 1. Membership: Membership shall be open to any reliable person, firm, or corporation anywhere, but only Wisconsin residents may be elected to offices. Any person, firm, or corporation having joined this Association shall be subject to all rules and by-laws then in force or later adopted by the Association and shall be subject to expulsion from the organization as provided in these by-laws.
A family membership shall include the husband and wife, parent or legal guardian, and children eighteen years of age and younger. All members of the family and farm name, if any must be designated. A single membership shall be open to persons of any age. Family, farm, partnership, and corporation memberships must designate on the membership application two people to represent said members on voting matters.
All memberships shall be annual in nature and expire on December 31st. Annual dues for continuing members are due and payable on January 1st of each year. All memberships shall become effective on the postmarked date of payment or actual date of transaction and are not retroactive. Dues shall be set and reviewed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Disciplinary Action: Any person placed under disciplinary sanction by the American Quarter Horse Association, such as expulsion, suspension, etc, is automatically placed under sanction by this Association. Disciplinary actions taken by the Association shall be in conformance with the rules and regulations of AQHA. Any person guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct may have their membership suspended for a period judged appropriate by the Board of Directors. Any member may be suspended and denied privileges of the Association by the Board of Directors for not paying or giving a worthless check for entry fees, stall fees, office charges, stock charges, or any other fees or debts delinquent over 90 days.
When any person, firm or corporation as members of this association shall be accused of any of the above mentioned faults, acts or practices which may be deemed just cause for suspension from the association, said person, firm or corporation shall be given not less than fifteen (15) days notice, from the date of mailing said notice, of a time and place for hearing such accusation by the Board of Directors. The accused party shall be entitled to a full, fair and impartial public hearing before the Board of Directors of all Association where he/she shall be given full opportunity to refute such evidence. Any suspended or expelled member or members may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
These foregoing rules are subject to interpretation or change, if unusual or unforeseen circumstances arise. The Board of Directors shall make any such interpretation of the change in the rule. Any rules not covered by the By-laws of the Northeast Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association will be covered by the rules of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Article III
Section 1. Officers: The elected officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Executive Treasurer, also referred to as the Executive Committee. They shall hold office for a period of one year and/or until their successors are elected and qualified. The officers shall be selected by the general membership in the annual election and shall take office in January of the following year.
Section 2. Duties: The President shall preside at all regular and special meetings. He/she shall see that all by-laws, rules, and regulations of the Association are enforced and perform such other duties as are usual to the office. He shall also be an ex-official member of all committees.
The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President when the latter is absent from a meeting or is unable to act for other reasons, and shall represent all out-of-state members on the Board of Directors.
The Secretary shall be present at all meetings, but if unable to attend, the President may appoint another person as acting Secretary for that meeting. The secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the membership records, pertaining to the eligibility and status of each member. The secretary shall also be responsible for the safekeeping of documents and records of the Association. The secretary shall perform the usual duties pertaining to the office subject to the authority of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Treasurer shall be present at all meetings, but if unable to attend, a report of the previous period’s financial history must be forwarded for presentation at the said meeting. The treasurer shall also be responsible for financial records of the organization. The treasurer shall be able to produce financial information in a clear and coherent manner when asked. The treasurer shall also be responsible for certain organizational records such as membership dues and sponsorship payments.
Article IV
Section 1. Structure: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Executive Treasurer, the immediate Past President, two youth directors who shall serve as Youth President and Vice President, and six members, acting as Directors, from the general membership.
A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for conducting business.
Each elected Director shall have the right to select an alternate, who will replace him/her and cast his/her vote on all matters in the event he/she is unable to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors. In case of vacancy due to death or resignation or suspension from the organization, the remaining Directors shall, by a simple majority vote, elect a successor until the regular member election. In the case of suspension, at least fifteen day’s notice must be given by certified mail to the accused director. If any members of the Board of Directors misses three consecutive Board meetings without a valid excuse, or representation by a designated alternate, said Board member shall be removed from office and a successor will be named following at least a fifteen day notice sent by ordinary mail to the last known post office address of each member in good standing.
No two members of one family (husband, wife, and children 18 years of age and under) including the President may hold executive voting positions. This also applies to alternates.
Section 2. Powers of the Board: The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal and enforce such rules and regulations as they pertain to the business and affairs of the association. All such matters of the association shall fall under the discretion of the Board including, but not limited to, the admission, classification, qualification, suspension, and expulsion of members, removal and expulsion of officers, expenditure of money, the fixing and collecting of dues and fees, registration, auditing of books and records, the awarding of prizes, both monetary and nonmonetary, and the conducting of shows, contest, exhibitions, and social functions of the association.
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President when it appears, in his/her discretion, that such a meeting is necessary. At least one meeting of the Board of Directors shall be called and convened every ninety days. In the even the President refuses or neglects to call meetings as provided for, it may be called by any five members of the Board of Directors.
Notice of the meeting of the Board of Directors shall be reasonable and must be given to each member by ordinary mail, fax, email or telephone, postmarked at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting. Reasonable notice and the method of giving notice shall be determined by the President and the Secretary keeping in mind the urgency of the business to be conducted at the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice, any and all business may be conducted.
The location of the meetings shall be designated by the Secretary. No business shall be conducted unless a simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors are present.
Article V.
Section 1. Committees: The Board of Directors may, from time to time, create and empower other committees, both general and special. All committees and appointees shall be responsible to the Board of Directors. All monies collected by committees shall be deemed funds of the association and may be distributed only at the authorization of the Board of Directors. All expenditures beyond the budgeted amount must be approved by the Board prior to the expenditure.
Section 2. Obligations: All contracts and obligations shall be reviewed by the Board of Directors and entered into only at the Board’s discretion. Upon completion of said obligation, a committee report detailing income and disbursements is due.
Section 3. Show Committee: The Board of Directors, as well as show manager and show secretary, shall act as the Show Committee, with the President serving as the chairperson. The committee shall be responsible for the operation of any and all shows that are operated by the Association. As such, this committee will take steps to secure volunteers and hire all necessary personnel to fill positions with written contracts, as they are needed.
Section 4. Election Committee: The election committee shall be a two-person committee, coordinating the election results at the annual meeting and disseminating the results to the general membership. Disputes of election results shall be heard by the Board of Directors. The Board’s decision is final.
Section 5. Audit Committee: There shall be a three-person audit committee appointed by the Board of Directors to audit the Executive Treasurer’s records on annual basis. A member of the Board of Directors shall act as chairperson for this committee and shall report the committee’s findings to the Board of Directors.
Article VI.
Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with our Annual Awards Banquet at the end of the year. Notice of this meeting and its content shall be sent to all members in a reasonable fashion.
Section 2. Committee Meeting: Meetings shall be called by committee chairpersons, giving reasonable notice and location to the committee’s members, as well as the President. All committees shall report their findings to the Board of Directors and recommend policy changes.
Section 3. Voting Privileges: At all meetings, holders of a family, farm, partnership or corporate membership shall be allowed two (2) votes, provided the designated representatives are present. Holders of a single membership shall be allowed one (1) vote.
Article VII.
Section 1. Elections: Elections shall be held at the annual meeting, with the general membership electing the President, Vice President, Secretary, Executive Treasurer, six Directors (all of which must by at least nineteen years of age), and two Youth Directors.
Section 2. Nominations: The Executive Committee shall prepare a nomination slate for the officers and directors to be voted upon by the general membership at the annual meetings. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting.
Article VIII.
Section 1. Youth Association: The purpose of the Youth Association shall be to enrich our youth’s experience in the organization and to develop the leadership skills necessary for future governance of the organization. The appointed Board member shall coordinate the youth association.
Section 2. Elections: Two Youth Directors shall be elected by the general membership at the annual meeting because of these offices’ voting positions on the Board of Directors. The elected directors shall serve as President and Vice President, to be decided by the youth membership. Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by the youth membership at the first general meeting following the annual meeting.
Section 3. Self-governance: The Youth Association has the right to govern itself but it itself, a subsidiary organization to the Association. As such, the youth association must follow all rules and regulations put forth by the Board of Directors and general membership and conduct itself in a manner befitting. The youth association must report to the appointed Board member and Youth President, both of whom are accountable for the actions of the youth association to the Board of Directors. All funds raised by the youth association must be remitted to the Executive Treasurer and may only be disbursed by the approval of the Board of Directors.
Article IX.
Section 1. Awards: Awards shall be given on the basis of achievement and merit for the show circuit. Full member eligibility is required in order to be considered for an award. All disputes over awards will be heard by the Board of Directors. All decisions made by the Board are final.
Section 2. Point System: The point system used by the Association will by the same system as used by the Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association. The point system is shown [in the full bylaws document at the bottom of this page].
One point extra in each place for each five extra horses.
Article X.
Amendments: These by-laws may be amended in either of the following ways:
· At any annual meeting or general meeting of the Association by a simple majority vote of those present and voting provided that (a) the amendment has been approved and recommended by a simple majority of the Board of Directors present at a properly convened meeting and (b) all proposed amendments have been published and sent to the members prior to the meeting in which they are to be voted on.
· At any annual or general meeting by ¾ of the members present and voting, provided there is a quorum of ½ of the membership present. A proxy shall be counted towards the quorum.
The complete bylaws including tables can be found at this link.
