Read Below for the Details about our Constitution & Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The name of the Club shall be LIBERTY ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL FANCIERS (LECSF), INC.

Section 2. Mission Statement

Our primary objectives should include our goals to foster and protect the breed and to focus on issues of general interest and concern to all English Cocker Spaniel Fanciers, and to support the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America and the American Kennel Club.

Section 3. The Objectives of the Club shall be:

a) to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred English Cocker

Spaniels and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection

•  to define precisely the true type of the breed, and to urge members and

breeders to accept that standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which English Cocker Spaniels shall be judged

•  to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to

promote educational activities pertaining to English Cocker Spaniels

•  to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, field events, obedience

trials, agility trials, hunting tests, tracking tests and all other AKC events for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club

•  to conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows, field events, obedience

trials, agility trials, hunting tests, tracking tests and all other AKC events for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club

•  The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any

profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual

•  The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such

By-laws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility. There shall be two types of membership open to persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of the Liberty English Cocker Spaniel Fanciers. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders, exhibitors and interested dog owners in its immediate area.

•  Regular members are those persons 18 years of age or older. Regular

members are required to pay dues, are entitled to vote on all material presented to the membership for a vote and are eligible to hold office.

•  Junior members are those persons between the ages of 10 and 17. Junior members are required to pay dues and have all the privileges of regular members except the right to vote or hold office. Junior members, upon reaching their 18 th birthday, automatically become regular members.

Section 2. Dues

The amount of the annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Dues are payable on or before the 31 st day of January of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. The Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of his or her dues for the ensuing year. Dues for regular membership shall not exceed $50.00 per year; dues for junior membership shall not exceed $25.00 per year.

Section 3. Election to Membership

Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by this constitution and by-laws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The applicant must be sponsored by two members in good standing. The applicant and sponsor must be unrelated by family ties. Applicants may be approved at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Affirmative votes of two-thirds of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board shall be required to elect an applicant. An application which has received a negative vote by the Board of Directors may be presented by the applicant's sponsor at the next annual meeting of the Club and members may approve such applicant membership by secret ballot and a favorable vote of 75 % of members present. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within 6 months after such rejection.

Section 4. Termination of Membership

Memberships may be terminated:

•  by resignation.

•  by lapsing. A membership will be considered lapsed and automatically

terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 60 days after the last day of January; however, the Board may grant an additional 90 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that vote.

•  by expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in

Article VI of these by-laws.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1. Annual Meeting. An Annual Meeting of the Club shall be held once a year in or within the greater Philadelphia area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section 2. Club Meetings. Club Meetings will be held a minimum of six times per year in or within the greater Philadelphia area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. The Club Meeting may be held in conjunction with club activities. Notice of each such meeting must be by written notice mailed by the Secretary via US Mail at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings is 20% of the members in good standing.

Section 3. 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, and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in or within the greater Philadelphia area at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary at least five (5) days and not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other club business may be transacted there-at. The quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the members in good standing.

Section 4. Board Meetings:

•  Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held a minimum of six times per year in or within the greater Philadelphia area at such hour and place as may be designated by the Board. Notice of each such meeting must be by written notice mailed by the Secretary via US Mail at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

•  Attendance: If a Director or Officer misses three or more Board Meetings during the membership year (without just cause), they risk being voted off and replaced by another club member, by a majority vote of the Board members present at a meeting called for that purpose.

Section 5. Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or Board. Such special meetings shall be held in or within the greater Philadelphia area, and such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting must be mailed by the Secretary via US Mail at the President's or Board's request at least five (5) days and not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board present at the meeting.

Section 6. Voting. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which he/she is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.

ARTICLE IV – DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the officers, and a minimum of three (3) other persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for two (2) year terms at the club's Annual Meeting and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.

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

•  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and

shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws.

•  The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the

President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.

•  The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the

Board and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club, have charge of correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their approval to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these by-laws.

•  The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the

Club. Monies shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the Club's finances. Every item or receipt or payment not before reported and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Treasurer may be bonded in whatever amount they decide.

•  The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.

Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the officers during the 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 Board meeting called for that purpose except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.

ARTICLE V – THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING

Section 1. Club Year. The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. 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 the month of September, or as directed by the Board of Directors. At this time, officers and directors 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 and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days of the election.

Section 3. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other positions of the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.

Section 4. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. During the month of June, or as directed by the Board of Directors, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committeemen and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chairperson for the committee, and it shall be such person's duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or before July 1.

a) The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and positions on the Board and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall report by August 1 st their nominations to the Secretary in writing.

b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall mail via US Mail the notice of the nominated candidates to each member at

least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.

c) Additional nominations may be made at the Annual Meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position, and the combination of Secretary and Treasurer.

d) Nominations cannot be made at the Annual Meeting in any manner other

than as provided in this Section.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership, and other fields which may well be served by committees. 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. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.

ARTICLE VII – DISCIPLINE

Section 1. American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who is suspended from the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.

Section 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary. Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board no less than three weeks nor more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses, if he/she wishes.

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. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board may by a majority vote of those present, reprimand, or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing.

And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. 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 put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any. If the defendant is a club Officer or Director, they do not have a vote.

Section 4. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the Club 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 meeting of the Club 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/her own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's finding and recommendation, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his/her own behalf, if he/she wishes. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. 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 VIII– AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20 percent (20%) of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.

Section 2. The Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a secret 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 notice of the meeting and mailed to each member via US Mail at lease two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Amendments must be voted in by 2/3 of the members present and voting at the amendment meeting.

ARTICLE IX – DISSOLUTION

Section 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary, or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any members of the Club, but after payment of the debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X – ORDER OF BUSINESS

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

•  Roll Call

•  Minutes of last meeting

•  Report of President

•  Report of Secretary

•  Report of Treasurer

•  Reports of committees

•  Election of officers and board (at annual meeting)

•  Election of new members

•  Unfinished business

•  New business

•  Adjournment

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

•  Reading of minutes of last meeting

•  Report of Secretary

•  Report of Treasurer

•  Reports of committees

•  Unfinished business

•  New business

•  Adjournment