Constitution & By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

OF THE

OHIO VALLEY ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION

Article I

Name

The name of this organization shall be the OHIO VALLEY ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION, hereby referred to as OVAHA, and it shall be a non-profit organization.

Article II

Object and Purpose

The object and purpose of the OHIO VALLEY ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION shall be to:

	Foster and encourage enjoyment and good relations between club members
	Aid and encourage the breeding, exhibiting, use and perpetuation of the Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horse
	Formulate publicity and educational programs and other activities in the interest of the Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horse owners and enthusiasts in the Ohio Valley area
	Promote, encourage and stimulate popular interest in the outstanding using qualities of the Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horse, and
	Do any and all things necessary to accomplish the objectives and purpose as stated herein

Article III

Membership

Membership in the OHIO VALLEY ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION shall be open to all owners, exhibitors and friends of the Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horse. Members will be of three (3) categories:

	Full Membership which includes affiliation with the ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION (AHA) and full privileges in OVAHA
	Associate Membership which excludes voting privileges and ability to hold office in the OVAHA but includes Futurity and High Point eligibility and all other club privileges, and
	Youth Membership for those persons who have not reached his/her 18^th birthday as of December 1^st of the current competition year. Youth members are entitled to the same privileges as an Associate Member and, in addition, are entitled to a Youth Membership in AHA.

Article IV

Membership Dues

The annual dues of the OHIO VALLEY ARABIAN HORSE ASSOCIATION shall be of three (3) categories:

	Individual Full Membership will include the annual dues to the Arabian Horse Association
	Associate Membership
	Youth Membership

The Individual Full Membership will constitute one (1) vote in all matters of business of AHA and the OVAHA, and the dues will be paid annually.

The Individual Associate membership excludes voting privileges and the dues will be paid annually.

The Youth Membership is for those persons who have not yet reached his/her 18^th birthday as of December 1^st of the current competition year. Youth members are entitled to the same privileges in OVAHA as an Associate Member and, in addition, are entitled to a Youth Membership in AHA. The dues for the Youth Membership will be paid annually.

The OVAHA membership year shall run concurrent with AHA. Dues are due and payable to AHA and OVAHA. Late penalties will be assessed by AHA.

Membership dues shall be on a calendar year basis due and payable anytime during the current membership year.

Article V

Withdrawal or Expulsion of Members

The Board of Directors may, by unanimous vote, remove a member from the roll of the Association for conduct deleterious to the best interest of the Arabian horse or to the best interest of OVAHA.

Article VI

Board of Directors

The business and affairs of OVAHA shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors which shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and the Treasurer of OVAHA during the term of their offices, and the Immediate Past President. In addition, there shall be six (6) Board Members, of who three (3) shall be elected at each annual meeting to serve for a period of two (2) years. All officers and Directors must be Full Members, in good standing, of OVAHA.

Any Board Member elected and serving his or entire term of two (2) years shall be eligible for one (1) succeeding term. A vacancy among such elected members may be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such Board Member shall hold office until the next annual meeting of OVAHA, at which time the membership shall vote to fill the balance of the term. All Board Members are expected to attend Board Meetings. Absence from more than two (2) consecutive meetings may result in a request for resignation from the Board.

Article VII

Officers

Section 1. Enumeration

The officers of OVAHA shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

Section 2. Election

The nomination committee’s proposed slate of officers shall be mailed with the announcement of the meeting just prior to the election meeting. Nominations will be taken from the floor at the meeting just prior to the election meeting. No nominations will be taken from the floor at the election meeting.

Section 3. Qualifications

All officers shall be Full Members in good standing with OVAHA.

Section 4. Vacancy

Any vacancy in the officers shall be filled by a Board Member appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors until the next annual meeting.

Section 5. Duties of the President

	The President shall preside at all annual meetings and at all meetings of the Board of Directors
	Except as otherwise provided, he or she shall appoint all committees, who shall serve at the discretion of the President, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
	Within any limitations imposed by the constitution and by-laws, or duly adopted resolutions of the annual meeting, or of the Board of Directors, he or she shall have general power to conduct and manage the affairs and business of OVAHA
	He or she shall have other and further powers as may be specifically delegated to him or her by proper authority.

Section 6. Duties of the Vice-President

	The Vice-President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of the absence, or inability to act, of the President or at his or her request
	The Vice-President shall chair the annual nomination committee
	The Vice-President shall have such other duties, respectively, as may be specifically delegated to him or her by proper authority

Section 7. Duties of the Secretary

	The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be dept, a full and complete record of the proceedings of the annual meeting and of meetings of the Board of Directors and of action taken by the Board of Directors by mail
	The Secretary shall handle, or cause to be handled, all correspondence and communications and generally do and perform all duties incidental the office of Secretary
	The Secretary shall publish notices of the place and date of the annual meeting and of meetings of the Board of Directors
	The Secretary shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by proper authority

Section 8. Duties of the Treasurer

	The Treasurer shall receive, or cause to be received, all monies belonging to or paid into OVAHA and safely keep the same
	The Treasurer shall disburse funds of OVAHA in accordance with the direction of proper authority
	The Treasurer shall keep complete books of accounts and shall make an itemized statement and report to the annual meeting and such interim reports as may be required by the Board of Directors
	The Treasurer shall have such other duties as may be prescribed by proper authority

Article VIII

Committees

Section 1. Membership Committee

The President shall appoint a committee on membership, to hold office at the discretion of the President. Such committee shall have those duties prescribed by this constitution and by-laws and such other duties as may be delegated by the annual meeting, the Board of Directors, or the President.

Section 2. Nomination Committee

The Vice-President shall chair a committee to receive nominations for the annual election of Officers and Directors. To assist the Vice-President, the committee shall include two (2) club members selected by the general membership.

Section 3. Other Committees

The annual meeting, the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time provide for the appointment, membership and duties for such other committees as may be necessary or desirable.

Article IX

Meetings

Section 1. Annual Business Meeting

The annual business meeting of OVAHA shall be at some designated date and place during December as determined by the Board of Directors each year. The other of business of the annual meeting shall be:

	President’s call to order
	Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
	Treasurer’s report
	Report of Committees
	Unfinished Business
	New Business
	Election of Officers and Directors
	Adjournment
	Any other social activities

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the Directors at such time and place as deemed necessary.

Section 3. Regular Meetings

Regular meetings will be held as often as the membership shall desire. Schedule to be determined each year after the annual meeting.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings

Written notice of general meetings shall be mailed or e-mailed by the Association Secretary at least one (1) week prior to the times of such meeting.

Article XI

Delegates to the AHA Convention

All delegates to the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) convention shall be selected by the Board of Directors after consideration of application from the membership.

The Club shall provide partial reimbursement to qualified delegates, amount to be determined and approved annually by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors. To qualify for reimbursement, selected delegate must attend at least 50% of Board and/or General Meetings for the current convention year.

Article XII

Rules of Order

All OVAHA meetings shall be governed by current Robert’s Rules of Order.