Bylaws

By-Laws

Article I Organization

The name of the organization shall be Miniature Donkeys Association Florida (MDAFL)

Article II Purposes

The purposes of the organization are to promote the miniature donkey breed, to foster fellowship among breeders and enthusiasts, and to provide opportuni8ties not otherwise available to breeders or enthusiasts.

Article III Membership

1. Membership in the organization is open to all donkey enthusiasts, breeders, owners, or otherwise.

2. Membership fees shall be $40.00 for a family membership and $35.00 for single membership. Such dues will be paid on an annual basis beginning January 1st of each year. (A family membership constitutes all people living in one household together.)

3. Any member whose dues shall be unpaid after 45 days from annual January business meeting shall cease to be a member and shall forfeit all claims they may have as a member.

4. Any member may be expelled upon recommendation of two thirds of the officers and a majority vote of those members present at any given meeting.

5. No member shall be eligible to hold office in this Association unless they are a member in good standing.

Article IV – Meetings

1. The regular meeting shall be held quarterly with specific dates and locations to be announced. Special

meeting may be announced at any time and all members notified by either email or mail.

2.. It shall be understood that nothing concerning the activities of this Association shall be projected, either as policy, or action, or finance, without specific authorization by the Officers of the Association.

3. Ten (10) members present and voting shall constitute a quorum. In the event this Association is disbanded for any reason, the Officers shall have the authority to disburse the Association properties, and all monies derived from such property shall be donated to the American Donkey and Mule Society and each member in good standing will be emailed or mailed an explanation of this disbursement.

Article V – Voting

A single membership constitutes one (1) adult vote. Family membership constitutes two (2) adult votes. (Must be 18 years or older to vote.)

Article VI – Officers

1. The Officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Coordinator.

2. The Committees of the Association shall be chosen as needed by the Officers.

3. The nomination of the Officers shall be made from the floor at the business meeting held annually in January.

4. A member cannot accept the nomination for more than one office.

5. No officer, individual, or committee shall render the Association liable for any amount of money exceeding the appropriation authorized by the Association. All checks must be signed by an Officer of the Association and Treasurer. The Treasurer shall know all monies spent and shall keep accurate and up-to-date books which will be open to the Association at all regular meetings. All monies spent must have previous approval by an Association vote at a regular scheduled meeting. A receipt is required for any reimbursement.

6. Officers may be removed by a majority vote (51%) of the remaining officers for cause, such as non-performance of duties. 

7. Each Director, Officer, and Committee Person of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association against all costs, expenses, and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a Director, Officer, or Committeeman, except in relation to matters which shall have been occasioned by the wilful misconduct or dishonesty of such Officer, Director, or Committee person.

Article VII – Duties of President

1. The President shall execute all duties imposed upon him at the time of his election.

2. He or she shall see that the Constitution and By-Laws shall be rightly executed and that other officers of the Association shall full fill their imposed duties correctly.

3. He or she shall appoint special committees whenever necessary however, he cannot appoint special committees that conflict with the standing committees.

4. He or she shall call special meetings at his discretion.

Article VIII – Duties of Vice-President

1. In case of the President’s absence or inability to act, the Vice-President shall act in his stead.

2. He or she shall be responsible for the planning of all Association programs.

Article IX – Duties of the Secretary

1. The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence of the Association

2. He or she shall keep the minutes of all meetings and have charge of the notices of meetings.

3. He or she shall keep all records pertaining to his or her office.

4. The Secretary, at the conclusion of the term of office, shall turn over all records kept during the year to the newly elected successor.

Article X – Duties of Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall keep all money records of the Association and keep an accurate account of all expenses incurred and all monies received.

2. Notify those members who are in arrears with payments of annual dues.

2. Shall keep all receipts and books pertaining to the Association’s monies.

2. Shall keep a standing inventory of all the Association’s assets and property.

2. Shall collect all monies payable to the Association of which a complete and accurate account shall be kept in the Association’s checking account.

2. All books and records of the Association shall be open at all times for inspection and examination by members.

7. The Treasurer at the conclusion of the term of office, shall turn over to the newly elected successor, all monies, books, records and any other property belonging to the Association, with the proper book setup; with both the old Treasurer and the newly elected Treasure present and doing the checking.

8. Any shortages in money and/or property will be immediately reported to the President who will call a special meeting for a report to the membership.

Article XI. Public Relations Officer

The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for obtaining and distributing positive information about MDAFL and its effort to father the enrichment of miniature donkeys. In this effort, the PR Officer shall contact fairs, newspapers, magazines, clubs, and other venues where appropriate.

Article VII    Banking

1. A checking account shall be established for use by the organization.

2. Other accounts may be established as deemed appropriate by the officers. In all cases accounts will have at least two Officers with signatory authority.

Article VIII Meeting

1. The President shall call the meeting to order ten (10) minutes after appointed time if there is a quorum present. Should no quorum be present within thirty- five (35) minutes after appointed time, the governing body is not duty bound to wait longer.

2. In all meetings the following order of business shall be observed:

a) Membership register tablet signed by membership

b) Reading of Minutes

c) Financial Report

d) Introduction of Guest and admission of new members

e) Report of Committees

f) Unfinished business (Old)

g) New business

h) Correspondence

i) Program

j) Bills

k) Call meeting to close.

Article VIII    Amendments

These By-Laws may be altered, amended, repealed or added to by an affirmative vote at the annual business meeting held in January, or by a majority (51%) of members at any time.

 THIS CONSTITUTIONS AND BY-LAWS APPROVED _______________.