constitution

ARTICLE I

Name and Objectives

SECTION 1. The Club name shall be the National Tsvetnaya Bolonka Club of America (NATBC).

SECTION 2. Club objectives shall be to:

(a) Support, promote, and further the interests and advancement of the Russian Tsvetnaya breed;

(b) Establish a registry with a rigid identification system that will record all breedings, litters, individual registrations, transfers, leases, etc of the Tsvetnaya Bolonka in the United States.

(d) Support and eventually conduct sanctioned matches and shows under the rules and regulations of the American Kennel Club; and

(e) Support past, present, and future breeders, exhibitors, and pet owners of the Tsvetnaya Bolonka.

SECTION 3. The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit. No part of any profits or remainder of dues or donations to the Club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

SECTION 4. The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Membership

SECTION 1. Eligibility. There shall be regular and household memberships open to all persons at least 18 years old who

(a)

Are in good standing with The American Kennel Club

(b)

Subscribe to the purposes and mission of the NATBC.

(c)

Own or co-own at least one Tsvetnaya Bolonka

Regular and household members are entitled to vote and hold office. Regular membership is for individuals and carries one vote. Household membership is open to those living at the same domicile who bear an immediate familial relationship to each other. Household membership carries two votes.

Associate membership is open to all persons who meet requirements (a) and (b) above and fall into at least one of the following categories:

(a) Are between 11 and 18 years old

(b) Do not own a Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

(d) Choose not to become a regular or household member.

Associate members cannot vote and cannot hold office.

An associate member may convert his or her membership to a regular or household membership immediately upon becoming eligible for those memberships by paying the difference between the dues for a regular or household membership and an associate membership for the current fiscal year which will run from May 30 to May 30.

SECTION 2. Dues. Fiscal year dues for any membership category shall not exceed $50.

Additionally, total fiscal year dues will not exceed $50 for all members (a) living at the same domicile and (b) who bear an immediate familial relationship to each other. If questions arise, the President shall decide what constitutes "an immediate familial relationship."

During the month of March, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the ensuing fiscal year.

All dues are payable on or before May 1st of each year.

SECTION 3. Election to Membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved by the Board of Directors. The application shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by this Constitution and Bylaws and the rules of NATBC and The American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant; and it shall carry the endorsement of two NATBC members in good standing. The prospective member shall pay current fiscal year dues with the application. Charter members are allowed to join free the first year.

All applications are to be filed with the Secretary. Each application is to be read at the first meeting of the Club following its receipt. Reading may be at a physical meeting or an electronic notification. At the next Club meeting, the application will be voted upon. Affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and voting by secret ballot at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant.

Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six months after such rejection.

SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated:

(a) By resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club incurred on the first day of each fiscal year.

(b) By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year; however, the Board may grant an additional 30 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. No person is entitled to vote at any Club meeting if the person's dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

ARTICLE II

Meetings and Voting

SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Club meetings shall be held once each calendar quarter at such place, date, and hour the Board of Directors designates. The Secretary shall mail written notice of each such meeting at least 21days before the meeting date. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.

SECTION 2. Special Club Meetings. Special Club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board. Also, the Secretary shall call a special meeting upon receipt of a petition signed by five Club members who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held physically or electronically at such place, date, and hour as the person(s) authorized herein to call such meetings may designate. The Secretary shall mail written notice of such a meeting at least 21 days and not more than 30 days before the meeting date. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other Club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20 percent of the members in good standing.

SECTION 3. Board Meetings. The first Board meeting during a fiscal year shall be on the first day of that year or within 15 days thereafter. Other Board of Directors meetings shall be held once each calendar quarter. at such place, date, and hour Board designates. The Secretary shall mail written notice of each such meeting at least 21 days before the meeting date. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board voting in person, by mail, by fax, via the internet or by telephone conference call.

SECTION 4. Special Board Meetings. The President may call special meetings of the Board. Also, the Secretary shall call a special meeting upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three Board members. Such special meetings shall be held within the NATBC at such place, date, and hour as the person(s) authorized herein to call such meetings designates. The Secretary shall mail written notice of such meeting at least 10 days and not more than 5 days before the meeting date. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other business shall be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board voting in person, by mail, by fax, via the internet or by telephone conference call

SECTION 5. Voting. Regular and household members in good standing shall be entitled to vote at any Club meeting at which they are present; however, no regular or household member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current fiscal year. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.

The Board of Directors may submit other specific questions for members to decide by written ballot cast by mail.

SECTION 6. Manner of Conducting Business. The Board of Directors may conduct its business by mail, fax, via intenet or telephone conference call through the Secretary. Items voted upon by telephone conference call must be confirmed in writing within seven days.

ARTICLE III

Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors. General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.

The Board shall be comprised of the four officers and two other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing. The four officers shall be elected for one year terms at the Club's annual meeting as provided in Article IV. They shall serve until their successors are elected.

Nonofficer Board Seat Number One shall have alternating two and three year terms, the initial term being two years. Nonofficer Board Seat Number Two shall have alternating three and two year terms, the initial term being three years. Members holding these seats shall be elected at the Club's annual meeting as provided in Article IV. They shall serve until their successors are elected.

SECTION 2. Officers. The Club's officers - President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer- shall serve in their respective capacities with regard both to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.

(a) The President shall preside at all Club and Board meetings and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these Bylaws.

(b) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence, or incapacity.

(c) The Secretary shall keep a record of all Club and Board meetings and of all matters of which the Club shall order, have charge of correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, handle routine inquiries from the public and external Club communication, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these Bylaws. The Club's mailing address shall be the Secretary's home mailing address.

(d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club and pay all Club expenses. Moneys shall be deposited in a bank, designated by the Board, in the Club's name. The books shall open at all times to Board inspection. A report on the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt or payment not reported before shall be given at every meeting. At the annual meeting, an accounting of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year shall be rendered.

SECTION 3. Vacancies. Any Board or officer vacancies occurring during the official year shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy or at a special bBoard meeting called for that purpose, except that the Vice President shall automatically fill the vacancy in the office of President. The Board shall fill the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice President.

ARTICLE IV

The Club Year, Annual Meeting, Elections

SECTION 1. Club Fiscal Year. The Club's fiscal year shall begin May 31st and end April 30th.

SECTION 1.1 Club Official Year. The Club's official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in April, at which officers and director(s) for the ensuing official year shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election. Each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.

SECTION 3. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidate(s) for the other bBoard seat(s) who receives the greatest number of votes for such seat shall be declared elected. If any nominee, at the time of the meeting, is unable to serve for any reason, such nominee shall not be elected, and the vacancy so created shall be filled by the new Board of Directors in the manner provided by Article III, Section 3.

SECTION 4. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated. During the month of January, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates. Not more than one Nominating Committee member may be a Board member. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee persons and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Committee chair. It shall be such person's duty to call a Committee meeting, which shall be held on or before February 15. Alternatively, the Committee may conduct its business by mail, by fax, via the internet or by telephone conference call.

(a) The Committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and seat(s) on the Board. After securing the consent of each person so nominated, the Committee shall immediately report their nominations in writing to the Secretary.

(b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall immediately notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.

(c) Members may make additional nominations by submitting the nominees' names to the Secretary until March(s) so nominated does not decline. Simultaneously with submitting the nomination, the proposer shall present to the Secretary each nominee's written statement signifying willingness to be a candidate. Upon receipt of additional nominations, the Secretary shall immediately notify each member in writing of the additional candidates so nominated.

No person may be a candidate for more than one office or Board seat.

(d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.

ARTICLE V

Committees

SECTION 1. Standing and Special Committees. The Board may each official year appoint standing committees to advance Club work in such matters as dog shows, trophies, annual prizes, membership, and other matters which committees may well serve. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects.

SECTION 2. Appointment Termination. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full Board membership upon written notice to the appointee. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.

ARTICLE VI

Discipline

SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who is suspended from The American Kennel Club's privileges shall be suspended automatically from NATBC privileges for a like period.

SECTION 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the Club's best interests. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a $15 deposit, which shall be forfeited if the Board does not sustain such charges following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each Board member or present them at a Board meeting. The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the Club's best interests. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the Club's best interests, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a Board hearing not less than three weeks nor more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send to the accused member one copy of the charges by registered mail together with a hearing notice and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses.

SECTION 3. Board Hearing. The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. If the charges are sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present, suspend the defendant from all Club privileges for not more than six months from the hearing date. If the Board deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend the penalty of expulsion to the membership. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding shall be written and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.

SECTION 4. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a Club meeting following a Board hearing and upon the Board's recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special Club meeting to be held within 60 days but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his or her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges, the Board's finding, and recommendation; and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf. The members shall then vote on the proposed expulsion by secret ballot. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.

ARTICLE VII

Amendments

SECTION 1. Proposed Amendments. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20 percent of the membership in good standing. The Board of Directors shall promptly consider amendments proposed by such petition. The Secretary must submit them to the members with recommendations of the Board for a vote within three months of the date the Secretary received the petition.

SECTION 2. Voting on Amendments. The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the meeting notice mailed to each member at least two weeks before the meeting date.

Section 3. Effective Date. The Constitution and Bylaws amendment the Club adopts shall become effective after the NATBC club membership has approved it.

ARTICLE VIII

Dissolution

SECTION 1. Method; Property and Asset Disposition. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of at least 2/3 of the members. If the Club dissolves other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, no Club property, proceeds thereof, nor assets shall be distributed to any Club members. After paying Club debts, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization, selected by the Board of Directors, for the benefit of dogs.

ARTICLE IX

Order of Business

SECTION 1. Club Meetings. At Club meetings, the order of business, so far as the meeting's character and nature may permit, shall be as follows:

Roll Call

Minutes of last meeting

President's Report

Secretary's Report

Treasurer's Report

Committees' Reports

Election of officers and bBoard (at annual meeting)

Election of new members

Old business

New business

Adjournment

SECTION 2. Board Meetings. At Board meetings, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:

Minutes of last meeting

Secretary's Report

Treasurer's Report

Committees' Reports

Old business

New business

Adjournment

ARTICLE X

Parliamentary Authority

SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised," shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any other special rules of order the Club may adopt.

ARTICLE XI

Procedure for distributing information and voting

Section 1: Because the Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a new breed in the United States and owners widely dispersed, much of the club business will be conducted via the internet. However, in order for this to occur, each member needs to sign and return the attached form stating whether they are willing to receive club information via internet or regular postoffice mail.

Voting within the club will occur with the double envelope method and be conducted by the club secretary who will collect the ballots and in the presence of two other club members open and count the ballots with all three signing off on the election results.