Lippitt Club By-Laws

The Lippitt Club

REVISED BYLAWS 1978
ADDITIONAL REVISIONS 1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010

ARTICLE I. NAME
(Updated 2009)

The name of this organization shall be: The Lippitt Club, Inc.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

1. To preserve the genetic purity and the original type that have been achieved through inbreeding and line breeding the Lippitt  Morgan.
2. To improve, promote and perpetuate the Lippitt strain of Morgan.
3. To cooperate with the AMHA Inc. in promoting the Morgan.
4. To provide a united voice and effort in support of the Lippitt Morgan.
5. To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship among Lippitt Club members.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
(Updated 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010)

1. Membership shall be open to anyone interested in the purposes of the Lippitt Club.
2. There shall be five types of membership. Dues: Annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and are payable on or before December 31 of each year. Lifetime membership dues shall be established at 20 times the current senior membership dues.
   • Senior: Members 18 and over as of January 1of the current year are limited to one vote.
   • Junior: Members under 18 as of January 1 of the current year have no vote.
   • Family: Membership includes two Senior members as defined under Senior membership who reside in the same  household.  Family Memberships are limited to two votes.
   • Lifetime: Members require approval of Board of Directors.
   • Honorary Lifetime. As may be approved by majority vote of the Club members present at Club meeting.
3. Dues: Annual Dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors and payable on or before December 31 of each year. Lifetime membership shall be established at 20 times the current senior membership dues.
4. Annual dues and other monies due to the club shall be paid in full to qualify as a member in good standing.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS & DUTIES
(Updated 2004)

1. President, shall be elected for a term of one year, and shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors.  The President does not vote during these meetings unless his/her vote would change the outcome, that is to make or break a tie.
2. Vice-President, whose term of office shall be one year, shall exercise any power or duty of the President in his or her absence.
3. Secretary: shall be elected for a term of two years, post all notices to members, carry on Club correspondence and keep accurate minutes of all meetings.  To effect an Annual Election, the Secretary shall be elected for a term of one year at the 2004 election.
4. Treasurer: shall be elected for a term of two years, receive all funds, pay all bills of the Club and  keep full and accurate  account of all receipts and disbursements.  The Treasurer shall deposit all money and other valuable effects in the name of the Club in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and maintain membership records.
5. Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Directors and shall meet periodically as necessary to govern the affairs of the Club. The Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and all four Directors shall each have one vote during Board of Director meetings.  It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to fill any vacancy created by an unexpired term of office and to designate an auditor annually.
   • The immediate Past President shall be a Director
   • Three additional Directors shall be elected for a term of three years. However, to effect an Annual Election, one of the three Directors  shall be elected for a term of one year and a second Director shall be elected for a term of two years at the first election.
6. The Board of Directors shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Directors and shall meet periodically as necessary to govern the affairs of the Club. The Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and all four Directors shall each have one vote during Board of Director meetings.  It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to fill any vacancy created by an unexpired term of office and to designate an auditor annually.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES
(Updated 1999, 2004, 2009)

1. Nominating Committee shall consist of three members appointed by the Board of Directors to nominate a slate of Officers and Directors.
2. Screening Committee shall consist of two or more members appointed by the Board of Directors annually at its first meeting for the purpose of approving horses eligible to participate in Lippitt Club functions and to answer outside inquiries about Lippitt bloodlines. Any member aggrieved by a decision of the Screening Committee may appeal in writing to the Board of Directors for review.

ARTICLE VI. ELECTIONS
(Updated 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010)

1. Elections shall be held at the Annual Meeting.
2. The Nominating Committee will nominate a Slate of Candidates at least 90 days prior to the Annual Meeting. This slate will be postmarked and mailed to the membership 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting. After the Slate has been mailed, the Nominating Committee shall also place on the ballot the name of any member received in writing at least 45 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  The Nominating Committee will ascertain eligibility and availability of the nominees.   Certification shall consist of the Secretary verifying that the candidate is a member in good standing. The ballot will be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting and will be included with the notice of Annual Meeting as described in Article VII.
3. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor following the report of the Nominating Committee.
4. Candidates and Voting members shall be senior members in good standing with the Lippitt Club as stated in Article III. Membership.  Candidates for office must have been a member for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the Annual Meeting.
5. Elections shall be by Secret Ballot, from voting members present or absent  The presiding officer shall appoint at least three    club members, who are neither running for office nor are a current member of the Board of Directors, as tellers to count the ballots.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS
(Updated 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009)

1. The Board of Directors and working committee meetings may be convened by telephone conference call provided that notice of the meeting has been conveyed to each member of the Board or committee.  To convene such meetings, a quorum of the Board or committee members must participate in the meeting.
2. The Annual Meeting shall be held during the first week of November on a date specified by the Board of Directors.
3. Notice to all members shall be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting and shall include a ballot.
4. Special Meetings may be called, provided at least 15 days notice is posted to the membership and a quorum, as specified in Article VII. Meetings F. is present including at least one Board member available in person or via phone. Approval by the Board of Directors of the Agenda and Chairperson is required before these meetings may be held. No decisions affecting the entire membership or Club policy may be made at these meetings.  Special Meetings may be held within or outside of the State of Vermont.
5. The Order of Business at meetings shall be:For any membership meetings, a quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) members
   • Reading of minutes of last meeting.
   • Report of the Treasurer.
   • Committee Reports.
   • Unfinished Business.
   • New Business
6. A Quorum shall consist of fifteen (15) members.
7. The Annual Meeting may be held within or outside of the State of Vermont
8. For any Board of Directors or working committee meetings, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority.

ARTICLE VIII. PARLIMENTARY AUTHORITY
(Added 2006)

Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
(Updated 1997, 2010)

1. Amendments to Bylaws shall be by a two-thirds majority of all votes cast. Ballots may be counted concurrent with the election of officers
2.  Notification of a vote to amend a Bylaw shall be mailed at least 60 days in advance to all members, and the ballot shall  be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the deadline for the Bylaw amendment vote.

ARTICLE X. FISCAL YEAR
(Updated 2006)

The Fiscal Year shall run from January 1st to December 31st.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

In case of dissolution, The Lippitt Club Inc.’s assets shall be transferred to a non-profit organization with purposes similar to those of The Lippitt Club, Inc., as designated by the Board of Directors.

Promoting, Perpetuating and Preserving the Lippitt Morgan for the Future