Revised 6-04

1. NAME. The name of the not-for-profit organization, duly organized under the Laws of the State of New York, shall be WESTERN CHAPTER NEW YORK STATE HORSE COUNCIL.

2. PURPOSE. The organization is a chapter of the New York State Horse Council, Inc. It is the objective of this organization to provide a unified voice for the equine community within the Western Region of New York State. The purpose of the organization is to promote interest in equine related activities and also to cooperate with other organizations towards the advancement of the equine industry.

3. MEMBERSHIP. (a) Full membership shall be open to any member of the New York State Horse Council who elects to affiliate with the Western Chapter. (b) Voting eligibility at the general membership meetings shall be pursuant to New York State Horse Council by-laws. (c) Subscription memberships for newsletter receipt only at a rate that the Board of Directors of the Western Chapter will determine from time to time as appropriate.

4. DUES. The Western Chapter Board of Directors may determine, from time to time, the amount of any special chapter dues or an initiation fee. Chapter dues are paid through membership to the New York State Horse Council, Inc.

5. MEETINGS. The organization shall conduct at least four (4) meetings per year of the Board of Directors and two (2) general meetings per year.

6. QUORUM. The presence in person at any meeting of the membership, of nine (9) and five (5) for the Board of Directors, of members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. However, a lesser number when not constituting a quorum may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present at the next meeting.

7. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors shall have the control and general management of the affairs and business of the organization unless otherwise provided.

The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of fifteen (15) positions. One third of the terms of office shall expire each year - five (5) positions. The term of office for board members shall be three years. Terms of Office begin in January of each year.

The Nominating Committee will prepare a slate of candidates for the five (5) expiring terms of office and any existing vacancies for ratification by the General Membership at the fall general membership meeting. Multiple candidates for any one position may be presented. The slate should be mailed to the General Membership for voting and completed ballots returned to the Secretary or at the general meeting. Any club, stable or business that does not have a representative on the Board of Directors may add one (1) member to the Board of Directors with proper notification.

The Board of Directors shall elect officers from the Board Members. Officers of this organization shall be PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, RECORDING SECRETARY, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY AND TREASURER.

To serve as an officer or board member an individual must be a member in good standing of the Western Chapter and have paid the requisite dues for individual or family membership.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:

PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings and appoint a chairman to all committees.

VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence.

RECORDING SECRETARY: The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Board of Directors and of the membership meetings in appropriate books, be custodian of the records of the organization.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for all organizational correspondence, including but not limited to, sending notices of all meetings of the organization.

TREASURER: The Treasurer shall keep and maintain the books of account and shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for all funds and securities of the organization and shall deposit all such funds in the name of and to the credit of the organization in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall present a financial report at each membership meeting and at such other times as required by the President or the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have the responsibility of ensuring that the appropriate tax forms and charities reports are filed each year.

8. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors at its next regular meeting or at a meeting specially called for that purpose.

9. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers of the organization shall be elected at a meeting of the Board of Directors by individual secret ballot or by absentee ballot by request. Officers shall be chosen from the current board members. The current President shall call an organizational meeting for purposes of electing officers.

Nominations shall be made by a nominating committee to be appointed by the President. Nominations also may be made from the floor.

10. REMOVAL OF BOARD MEMBERS OR OFFICERS. Any Board Member absent for three (3) consecutive meetings may be removed from office by a majority vote of the board. An Officer may be removed from office and a board member elected to that office by a majority vote of the Board Members.

11. ARTICLE CHANGES. These articles may be amended at the request and recommendation of the Board of Directors and approval by a majority vote of the membership at a General Membership meeting of those present. The membership must be informed of the recommended change in writing at least thirty (30) days before a meeting.

12. DISSOLUTION. ln case of the dissolution of the organization being voted at a legal meeting, properties and monies belonging to the organization shall be disposed of according to State and Federal Law, under the direction of a majority vote of the members in good standing.

                                                                                  Revised 11/4/95

                                                                                  Revised 6/04