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North American Icelandic Horse Breeders Association

By-Laws

[Click here for a printable version.]
 

Article 1

Title
The name of this organization shall be The North American Icelandic Horse Breeders Association, hereafter also referred to as NAIHBA or "the organization." It shall be a non-profit corporation operating in North America working in cooperation with FEIF organizations. Its permanent address and venue is the address of the Treasurer. NAIHBA may adopt other names for related activities of the organization without altering these by-laws. The organization operates under current laws regarding animal welfare and livestock breeding in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

Article 2

Scope
The goals of the North American Icelandic Horse Breeders Association are:
a) To work toward the improvement of the Icelandic Horse through good breeding practices, maintaining quality breeding stock and record keeping in accordance with FEIF standards.
b) To cooperate with other clubs and organizations to improve the breeding stock, facilities, care and training of Icelandic Horses in North America.
c) To encourage interest in responsible breeding programs by providing instruction, information and educational programs.
d) To assist with marketing especially regarding the sales of riding and breeding horses in cooperation with other organizations.
e) To increase the frequency and availability of official breeding stock evaluations.
f) To work on other matters of interest as they arise.

Article 3

Membership
NAIHBA membership is open to any person who subscribes to the principles of the organization and pays such dues as may be established by its members.

The Board of Directors may suspend any member who, after warnings and reasonable time period to correct deficiencies, fails to uphold the principles of NAIHBA, fails to follow the rules and regulations of NAIHBA, or who brings ill repute to NAIHBA. Any members so suspended may petition for reinstatement at the next Annual Meeting. Reinstatement will need approval of 60% of the voting members. Members so suspended will not be refunded any dues paid.

Article 4

Meetings
The highest authority with regard to NAIHBA issues is the Annual General Meeting at which each member controls one vote. This meeting shall be held annually and no later than June 15th of each calendar year. An additional General Meeting may be held if the need arises. An Annual General Meeting shall be formally announced at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. General meeting rules of order apply and should be adhered to.

The Annual General Meeting shall include:

a) A report from the Board of Directors;
The Treasurer and Secretary's reports introduced for approval.
If reports are not approved they may be tabled to a later date while officers add, change or otherwise amend their reports to meet approval. Revised reports must be submitted and approved within 30 days of initial presentation and posted or mailed to membership.
b) Election of members to the Board of Directors as per article 6.
c) Electing representatives to affiliated or associated organizations,
d) Formal decisions on other issues regarding NAIHBA.

Article 5

Elections and Voting
All members in good standing, aged 18 and over, may vote on By-Laws, organizational activities, and organizational officers. Nominations for candidates must be received by the Secretary 30 days before the date of elections. Nominations must be made and seconded by members in good standing. The nominee must endorse the nomination.

 Ballots will be circulated to all members 15 days before the date of the election. The ballots will include choices of candidates for any particular board position being elected. Members may vote in person or by submitting their ballot duly marked prior to the meeting. The officers are elected by simple majority of the votes cast.

Article 6

Officers and meetings
The Board of Directors shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Reporter. They shall be elected for terms of two years; The President and Secretary in odd years, Vice-President, Treasurer and Reporter in even years. Elections shall be held at The Annual General Meeting.

 a) The President will preside over scheduled NAIHBA meetings, preserve order, enforce the by-laws, and represent the group in all official matters.

b) The Vice-President will preside over meetings and represent the organization in the absence of the President. The Vice-President will perform such other duties as might be designated.

c) The Secretary will be responsible for all NAIHBA records, including membership and minutes of meetings. All minutes should be recorded and available to all members.

d) The Treasurer will collect all dues and other revenue of the organization and prepare all checks, along with one other member of the Board. They will maintain accountable records as required.

e) The Reporter is responsible for reporting on the activities of various committees and serves as a liaison between the Board of Directors and committee heads as well as other organizations.

The Board of Directors discusses and decides issues concerning NAIHBA and its activities on a day-to-day basis. Officers may hold such meeting as required to conduct the organizational business not requiring general membership approval. The Board of Directors is responsible for NAIHBA's finances and assets. If there is conflict among Board members concerning organizational issues, the majority rules.

The President may summon a meeting of the Board members as often as he/she deems necessary, but never less than two meetings annually. If two Board members request a meeting of the Board the President is required to summon a meeting. A meeting of the Board of Directors should be announced at least 5 days in advance. The Board may appoint individuals to a committee(s) to work on NAIHBA matters or projects.

If a Board member resigns or for any reason is unable to complete their term, the Board can appoint any eligible member to complete the term.

A Board member may be removed from the Board if the remaining Board members unanimously agree that person is not meeting the obligations of his office. Such members so removed from office will be notified in writing. The Board can appoint any eligible member to complete the term.

Recall elections shall be held for any Board Position when 20 members or 25% of the membership eligible to vote, whichever is less, petition in writing with justification for such action. A General Meeting will be called as soon as practical upon receipt of such petition for the election.

The President of the Board is required to summon a General Meeting if 20 NAIHBA members or 25% of the membership, whichever is less, sign a petition requesting such meeting. A General Meeting should be announced in the same manner as an Annual General Meeting with due notice.

Article 7

Information to Members
The Board of Directors will provide news of official business to the organization's members at least twice a year. Minutes from all meetings will be available to NAIHBA members within 30 days of the meeting.

Article 8

Finances
Financial revenue of the group shall consist of dues, contributions, stallion and farm listing fees, and funds raised by other means. The Board of Directors shall authorize expenditures of funds for projects and other matters in accordance to the stated objectives of NAIHBA.

Approval for increase in membership dues or temporary assessments must be ratified by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. A simple majority of eligible members voting is required.

Article 9

Fiscal Year
The fiscal year is the same as the calendar year, or January 1 to December 31.

Article 10

Amendments
Any amendments to the By-laws must be ratified at the Annual Meeting by a 2/3 majority of the actual votes cast. Copies of motions proposing these amendments shall be distributed with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.

Article 11

Dissolution
In the event the organization is dissolved all assets shall be distributed equally among its members.

Article 12

Effectiveness
By-laws take effect upon ratification.

For further information write to:

NAIHBA
P.O. Box 524
Grapeview, Wash. 98546

(360) 275-7542 or by E-mail