Bylaws

ARTICLE I – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1) The president shall preside at all meetings and act as Chairman of the Board of Directors, appoint all committees, call special meetings of the Association or of the Board of Directors, perform other duties as usually pertain to his/her office, and have such other powers as may be placed upon him/her by the Board of Directors. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

Section 2) The duties of the Vice President shall be the same as those of the President in the event of the absence or disability of the President. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

Section 3) The Secretary shall keep all records of the Association, keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors, and a record of the members. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

Section 4) The Treasurer shall collect all monies due the Association, keep an accurate record of such funds, make payment as directed by the Board of Director or the membership, and report his/her actions to the Board of Director and membership at each monthly meeting. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

Section 5) The Board of Directors shall audit books at least once a year and in emergency situations have charge of the business affairs and transactions of the Association and make contracts in the name of the Association. The Board of Directors shall also interpret any rules, regulations and the By-Laws of the Association. Board of Directors, meetings may be held any time upon call of the President or must be called when so requested by members of the Board.

ARTICLE II – MEETINGS

Section 1) The annual meeting shall be held on the third Friday of November of each year, unless otherwise voted.

Section 2) Monthly meetings shall be held on the third Friday of each month at such time and place as designated by the membership, or in emergency situations by the President or Board of Directors.

Section 3) Special meetings may be called by the President or the Board of Directors whenever, in their opinion, a necessity exists.

Section 4) There shall be at least 8 members present to constitute a quorum.

Section 5) Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary procedures subject to any special rules that may be adopted.

Section 6) The order of business at meetings shall be as follows: Secretary’s report, Treasurer’s report, communication and bills, report of committees, old business, new business, refreshments, adjournment.

Section 7) All officers must attend all meetings. If a situation arises where an officer cannot attend a meeting he/she must inform one of the other officers and pass along necessary information needed at that meeting.

ARTICLE III – ELECTION

Section 1) Officers shall be nominated at he October meeting and elected at the Annual meeting.

Section 2) In the event of a tie vote between two or more persons for the same office, selection shall be made by the Board of Directors at the Annual meeting from the persons so tied.

Section 3) Officers shall be installed at the January meeting.

ARTICLE IV – DUES, RENEWALS, AND MEMBERSHIP FEES

Section 1)..The annual dues for membership shall be as follows:

1. Individual members shall pay a fee of $15.00
2. Family memberships shall be $20.00. No other combination shall be available

Section 2) All dues shall run for the calendar year of affiliation. If the date of affiliation occurs in the later part of the calendar year, dues may be pro-rated, but, only on approval of the Board of Directors and or the officers.

Section 3) Members whose dues are not paid within ninety days of the due date will automatically lose any benefits of the Association.

ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES

Section 1) The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint the following committees:

1. Points Committee
2. Event Committee (fund raisers, rides, guest speakers)
3. Political Trails Action Committee re: BSTRA, Inc.
4. Refreshments Committee

Section 2) All committees will report to the general membership at each monthly meeting.

Section 3) The Board of Directors or the membership shall, from time to time, instruct and advise the extent of work to be performed by each of the above committees or any special committees that may be created. Each committee shall have a chairman who reports to the membership monthly.

ARTICLE VI – DISCIPLINE

Section 1) The officers and Board of Directors may, by a majority vote, suspend or expel any member or reject an application for membership or renewal, providing charges have been made by three (3) members in good standing. Fraud. misconduct, misrepresentation, dishonest dealing and continued un-sportsmanlike conduct and neglect of the adopted associations rules are grounds for this action.

Section 2) Any person expelled or rejected may be eligible for reinstatement after a period of one year upon authority of the officers and Board of Directors.

Section 3) If any officer or director becomes delinquent in his dues, he/she shall be notified by the Treasurer and if his/her membership is not renewed within 30 days the office shall be declared vacant.

Section 4) All events shall be designated PLEASURE, COMPETITIVE, or otherwise. The Adopted rules from the California Horsemen’s Association and Bay State Trail Riders Association shall be strictly adhered to at all events. Each individual takes responsibility for himself/herself, his/her mount and personal property at all Bristol County Horsemen’s Association events and other events our members should participate in. No member shall bring forth suit against Bristol County Horsemen’s Association or Bay State Trail Riders Association, their officers, the person or persons sponsoring an event or any property owner on whose land they are riding. Any person sponsoring an event shall be expected to carry forth the adopted Association’s riding rules without fail.

Section 5) Any complaints shall be made to the officers or Board of Directors and acted upon at the next monthly meeting.

ARTICLE VII– AMENDMENTS

Section 1) These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote cast by all members. Members are to be notified in writing of the proposed amendment and furnished a ballot thirty days before the appointed date for closing of such balloting.

Section 2) These Bylaws may be amended at the Annual Meeting by a two-thirds majority of all members present, providing that the amendment was announced prior to the November  meeting and provided that there is a quorum in attendance.

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