Constitution

Virginia Jack Russell Terrier Club Constitution

Article 1

Names, Objectives and Purposes

Section 1.  The name of the Association shall be Virginia Jack Russell Terrier Club, hereafter referred to as VJRTC, or Association.

Section 2.  The objectives and purposes of the Association shall be:

  • To be affiliated with the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America as an Affiliate Club.
  • The club may not, under any circumstances, de-affiliate with the JRTCA
  • To promote and maintain the Jack Russell Terrier as a working breed of Terrier, in keeping with the breed standard of the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America
  • To oppose affiliation with, or influence by, any organization whose beliefs, breeding practices or actions might result in practices considered detrimental to the breed.
  • To maintain a current database of the names and addresses of all members of the VJRTC.
  • To support and encourage both the working ability and active earth work of the Jack Russell Terrier.
  • To gather and distribute information which can be used to educate members, and improve the conditions or methods employed in the breeding, raising, and working of the Jack Russell Terrier.
  • To support and encourage Jack Russell Terrier fun days, training days, and JRTCA Sanctioned trials, as well as seminars of any member.

Section 3. The Association shall not be conducted or operated for a profit, except as required for the efficient and effective running and organization of the club, and no part of any profits from dues, etc. shall inure to the benefit of any member.

Section 4. The Board of Directors of the Association shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws (with the exceptions of Articles I and II) as may be required to carry out these objectives.

Section 5.  No part of the original by-laws from Article I and II may be changed or deleted unless this club is dissolved.

Article II

Membership

Section 1. Persons applying for membership in the VJRTC (or renewing a current membership) and members of their immediate family shall not be a member of a conflicting Jack Russell Terrier organization or club as defined by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America. Applicants shall not register their Jack Russell Terriers with any conflicting organization or any kennel club. Membership may be terminated, suspended or refused by the VJRTC for violation of this rule.

Members of the VJRTC will be removed from VJRTC membership when they have been found in violation of the BCOE and removed from JRTCA membership.

Section 2.  Dues must be paid and the members be in good standing for club privileges.

Article III

Officers and Board of Directors

Section 1. The Officers of the club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There shall be a total of not more than nine (9) additional board members, to have a total of up to thirteen (13) board members and officers combined. No husband and wife (or significant other) residing at the same household address may serve on the board at the same time. All officers and board members must be members in good standing of the JRTCA and the VJRTC.

Section 2. Officers and members of the board of directors will be nominated by the membership. Officers and board of directors will be elected by the membership.

Section 3. Terms of all officers shall be one year. Board of directors’ terms shall be staggered into 1 year, 2 year, and 3 years. All new officers and board of directors will begin their new term immediately after election, but not more than 30 days after election.

Elections will be held annually at the club’s Annual General Membership meeting. Notification of elections shall be published in the VJRTC newsletter and nominations for the officers and board members solicited from the membership. Deadline for the nominations shall be January 31st.

Voting will be conducted at the Annual General Membership meeting, which will be held on the third Saturday in March of each year. All completed ballots should be sent to the person designated by the nomination committee on or before the designated date. A majority vote of responding members will decide election results.

For the purpose of conducting the club business, a quorum of seated officers and board members is needed. A quorum shall consist of three-fourths (3/4) of the officers and board of directors.

Section 4. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and shall preside at all meetings. He or she shall sign all contracts and obligations and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her dictated by the needs of the club.

Section 5. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the President, as well as serve on or as the Ways of Means Committee.

Section 6.  The Secretary shall give notice of all meetings of the members and officers. He or she shall be responsible for recording minutes at meetings and keeping records of the same. He or she shall also be responsible for maintaining the current database of members in conjunction with the Treasurer.

Section 7. The Treasurer shall collect all monies due to the Association; shall have the care and custody of and be responsible for the funds of the Association, including paying bills, accounts and debts with funds of the Association; and make necessary and proper disbursements. All monies collected by the Association shall be deposited in the name of the Association in a bank such as the officers designate. He or she shall keep proper books of account showing the collection and disposition of all funds that may pass through his or her hands. He or she shall make a full report in writing covering the financial condition of the Association at each annual meeting, and quarterly throughout the year to be submitted to all members of the Board. Any member in good standing may request a treasurer’s report at the end of any quarter by submitting the request in writing and including a prepaid, self addressed envelope. All funds shall be expended by check signed by the Treasurer; however, if the amount is $500.00 or greater, approval by the President is required. Also, all purchases over $800.00 for equipment for the club shall be voted on by the board, and made public via the club newsletter before such item is purchased; allowing time for a petition by the general membership, if so desired. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President may sign checks. The President shall not issue a check in the amount of $500.00 or greater without the approval of the Vice President or an additional member of the board.

Section 8.  The Board of Directors shall support the club’s officers and members; understand, protect and promote VJRTC’s mission to assure that the agency maintains a positive public image; attend and participate in all VJRTC meetings; participate and assist in club events, as well as those events the club commits to in order to promote the Jack Russell Terrier.

Section 9.  Any officer may resign at any time. Such resignation should be made in writing to the President or Secretary and will take effect at the time specified therein and if no time is specified, at the time of receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. A replacement will be appointed by majority vote of the members of the board.

Section 10. Any officer may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the quorum of officers. The officer in question must be advised of possible removal thirty days prior and given opportunity to respond.

If either an officer or board member misses three (3) meetings, she/he will be dismissed from the Board.

Officers and board members in attendance at a board meeting are expected to remain for the entire meeting. Officers or board members are expected to attend the board meetings in person, unless inclement weather, accident, health reasons, or an emergency prevent such attendance.  Excused absences will be granted only by the President or Vice President. Such excused absences will be recorded in the minutes of the meeting and will not apply towards the “three missed meetings” rule.

Section 11. The officers and board of directors of the VJRTC shall perform their duties without compensation.

Section 12.  All newly elected officers and board members shall take office upon election. Each retiring officer shall turn over to his or her successor in office, as soon as is practical, but not later than one month after his or her retirement, all properties and records relating to that office.

Article IV

Amendments

Section 1.  By the members:

These By-Laws may be added to, altered or amended by written petition, submitted to the Secretary, and signed by not less that 35 percent (35%) of members in good standing. Changes in said petition shall be considered by the officers and submitted to the VJRTC newsletter. Petitions detrimental to the breed standard, or in support of conflicting organizations as defined by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, shall not be considered.

Section 2.   By the Board:

These By-Laws, with the exception of Articles I and II, may be added to, altered or amended by two thirds (2/3) vote of the Board.

Article V

Property Rights

Section 1.   Property rights to any original concepts of the VJRTC logo are to remain the property of the VJRTC as agreed to by the contract between the VJTRC and artist.

Article VI

Dissolution

Section 1.  The VJRTC may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the VJRTC, none of the property, proceeds or assets of the VJRTC shall be distributed to any member of the club unless said property or assets was donated as a gift to the club, or purchased by a member for the VJRTC. After payment of the debts of the VJRTC, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable or non-profit organization for the benefit of Jack Russell Terriers, as selected by the officers.

Article VII

Jack Russell Terrier Fun Days, Training Days, Club Sponsored Fun Days, and JRTCA Sanctioned Trials

Section 1.  The Board of the VJRTC may endorse, or sponsor, JRT fun days by approval of three-fourths (¾) majority of the Board. Any person(s) or organization whose beliefs or actions may result in practice considered to be detrimental to the breed according to the JRTCA will not be allowed to hold VJRTC sponsored fun days.

Section 2.   The requesting organization or person(s) requesting endorsement or sponsorship from the VJRTC will be responsible for the expenses and staffing at the event. There will also be a fee of not more than $25.00 for sponsorship from the VJRTC. The organization or person(s) will also collect all profits from the event.

  • Any expenses for training days held will be paid for out of the club funds, and any profits or proceeds will go directly back to the account of the club. These days are meant to be for training purposes only, no ribbons or awards will be given. The VJRTC will be responsible for staffing the event.
  • Expenses for Fun Days held by the VJRTC will be paid out of club funds, and any and all profits or proceeds will go directly back to the account of the club. There will be ribbons awarded in each category. The VJRTC will be responsible for staffing the event.
  • Expenses for JRTCA sanctioned trials sponsored by the VJRTC will be paid out of club funds and all profits and proceeds will go directly back to the account of the club. The VJRTC will be responsible for staffing the event.

Article VIII

Emergency Meetings

Section 1.  Emergency meetings of the board may be called by the general membership of the VJRTC. This should be done in writing to the President and the Secretary, with a petition of at least ten (10) members. Notification of an emergency meeting will be made within 48 hours after receipt of the written request.  All board meetings are open to the membership.