SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DRESSAGE

 ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

BY-LAWS

 

ARTICLE I

Name

 

The name of this association shall be Southwest Florida Dressage Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II

Mission Statement

 

Section 1      Our mission is to educate inspire, promote, and encourage interest in, the equestrian discipline of dressage. 

Section 2      Objectives.  To accomplish this mission, we will:

a)       Promote sportsmanship and fair competition in dressage.

b)       Provide services for the members’ common benefit.

c)       Sponsor shows and an Annual Awards Program.

d)       Educate horsemen and the general public about dressage.

e)       Expand and enhance the image of dressage locally.

f)       Work with the United States Dressage Federation and the United States Equestrian Federation to encourage participation. 

ARTICLE III

 Membership 

Section 1      Individual members consist of those persons who have paid the annual dues.  All individual members in good standing shall be eligible to participate in the activities of the Association.  To be considered a member “in good standing” an individual member must pay their yearly dues and pay for all additional services rendered by the club at the time those services are provided.  Annual membership coincides with USDF membership dues.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Officers

 

Section 1      The President shall prepare an agenda for, and preside over all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors.  President shall make all Committee appointments, with the approval of the Board of Directors.  President shall act as Representative of the Association.

 

Section 2      The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, exercise all functions of the President and shall be vested with the Presidents powers.  The Education and Fund Raising Committees report to the Vice President.

 

Section 3      The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the organization and shall keep and maintain a complete and accurate record of all proceedings at Regular, Special and Board of Directors meetings. 

 

Section 4      The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Association.  Treasurer shall have the responsibility for payment of all charges to the Association.  Such money shall only be withdrawn by check, signed by the Treasurer and either the President, the Vice President, or the Secretary. Treasurer shall be responsible for receiving all fees due the Association.  Treasurer shall keep an accurate and full account of all transactions, render a detailed report with vouchers at any meeting when requested and shall make an annual report to the membership.  The Treasurer will submit to an independent CPA information necessary for the annual audit for the fiscal year, which runs from the 1st of January to the 31st of December.  The Treasurer shall also be responsible for maintaining a record of current members and shall publish, at least once each year, a membership list including name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of each member.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Board of Directors

 

Section 1      The Board of Directors shall consist of the Officers and Member Representatives, which are appointed by a majority vote of the membership.

 Section 2      Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least once annually. Emergency board meetings shall be called when deemed necessary by the President or by any three members of the Board.  All meetings will be announced and open to all members in good standing.

 Section 3      It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to conduct business of the Association between meetings of the membership.  Board of Directors may expend funds deemed necessary to carry on the activities of the Association.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Volunteers

 Section 1      The Club recognizes the importance of its volunteer base.  Recognition of

                   a special volunteer is given annually.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Rights and Privileges

Section 1      Each member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote, shall be eligible to hold office in the Association, and eligible for year end awards.

                                                 ARTICLE VIII

                                                    Conduct

Section 1      Sportsmanship and the welfare of animals are the guiding principals of all   Southwest Florida Dressage, Inc. sponsored events.

                                                  Definitions

Section 1      Sportsmanship shall be defined as conduct (as fairness, respect for ones opponent, and graciousness in winning and/or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport.

                   Animal welfare shall be defined as the absence of cruelty and/or abuse.

Section 2      Any member of event management or the Board of Directors may deem acts in violation of aforementioned conduct.

                   All individuals are responsible for their own actions.

Section 3      Penalties shall be determined by the grievance committee assigned to each event. Penalties may include but are not limited to: verbal reprimand, written reprimand, eviction from event grounds, loss of eligibility of year end awards, termination of membership of SWFDA, Inc.

  

ARTICLE IX

 

Voting

 

Section 1      Election of officers and member representatives shall be achieved by the following process: a nominating committee will convene in April, ballots will be mailed to the general membership in May, and ballots of members in good standing will be counted in June.  Newly elected officers and member representatives shall take office August 1st.

 

Section 2      Voting for proposed changes in the By-laws of the Association shall be done by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3      A quorum at general membership meetings for the transaction of business shall be required, and voting will be by the majority.  A quorum consists of at least six (6) members present; either in person or in proxy, along with 2/3 of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4      The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Directors and Member Representatives shall serve a one-year term.  There shall be no limit to the number of terms held.

 

Section 5      Should any Officer or Member Representative have cause to resign or otherwise terminate their term before completion, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors within two months of the vacancy.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Meetings

 

Section 1      There shall be regularly scheduled meetings once monthly.  Meeting may be changed, deleted, canceled or added with 30 days notice.