CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND ASSOCIATION, INC.

PREAMBLE

The Breeders and Fanciers of the American Black and Tan Breed have organized themselves and affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc. for the express purpose of advancing the principles of the United Kennel Club, Inc. and to work collectively toward the betterment of the American Black and Tan Breed as a whole and to influence the breeding of a better and finer American Black and Tan Coonhound. Further, it is the purpose of this Association to support and protect inherent rights of American citizens to own, hunt, and promote the breed and type of their choice; and to promote complimentary conservation and management of wildlife species commonly pursued by the American Black and Tan Breed.

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of this Association shall be - The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. The home office of which shall be the residence of the President.

ARTICLE II

Objective

To create a closer relationship and to instill confidence between breeder, owner, and fancier of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Breed that we may be able to improve the breed beneficial to all concerned in accordance with the official standard set forth by the United Kennel Club, Inc., Registering Office in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

ARTICLE III

Membership

Section A. Any breeder, owner, and/or fancier of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Breed regardless of sex, race, creed or color may be eligible for membership in said organization provided however, that no member or prospective member shall advocate the overthrow of the Government of the United States of America by unconstitutional methods.
Section B. The annual membership dues shall be payable by January 1st of each year.
Section C. Any member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. who becomes delinquent in dues will be dropped from the membership roll until membership is renewed.
Section D. All officers and directors shall pay dues no later than April 30th annually and officers and directors delinquent following Black and Tan Days will be removed by the President and the position filled by the President within thirty (30) days.
Section E. Lifetime membership may be bestowed upon a member of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association for dedicated service to the Association. If the board deems necessary, the board may approve multiple members to be voted on at the general membership meeting for lifetime membership subject to the following qualifications:

  1. The recipient must be a minimum of 60 at the time of selection unless he or she is physically disabled. If disabled, this age requirement may be waived by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
  2. The recipient must have been a member of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association for 5 years immediately preceding his or her nomination and a member of the American Black and Tan Association for the year of his or her nomination.
  3. Elected officers may not be nominated while in office and for a minimum of one year after leaving office. (5/08)
    • Nominations for lifetime membership must be made in writing by a member of the Association to the President of the Association at least ninety (90) days before the beginning of Black and Tan Days. From the written nominations, the Board of Directors, by majority vote, may select one nominee whose name shall be submitted to the general membership meeting at Black and Tan Days for approval by the majority vote by secret ballot by the members in attendance.
    • Any nominee not approved or whose name is not submitted by the Board of Directors to the general membership for vote may be re-nominated in the future.
    • If lifetime membership is awarded, the lifetime membership will be effective immediately.
      Section F. The American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. shall place a full-page pictorial announcement in its yearbook announcing the awarding of lifetime membership to the recipient. It will also list all the lifetime members.
      Section G. Family memberships are available for dependents of current members. Dependent is defined as spouse and household dependents under the age of 18. Dependent membership will be $5.00 per dependent member and does not include additional yearbook. Family members over the age of 18 will have the right to vote.

ARTICLE IV

Expulsion of members

Section A. Any member of the Association may be expelled by a majority of the Executive Board voting by secret ballot for conduct by word, deed, or act detrimental to said Association.
Section B. Any member of the Association so expelled shall have the right to appeal to the membership for reinstatement. The said appeal shall be filed in writing with the Secretary of the Association within seven (7) consecutive calendar days after said expulsion. The appeal for reinstatement shall be agreed upon at the next annual meeting of the Association. Reinstatement shall be granted upon a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the next annual meeting of the Association. Voting upon said appeal to be secret ballot.
Section C. Any member expelled by the Association shall be denied participation in all Association activities.
Section D. If a member is barred or suspended from UKC that member is automatically suspended from the Association activities until they notify the association secretary (who will notify the president and all board members) with a copy of the release of being barred or suspend letter from UKC, and also accompany with a letter from the individual asking to be reinstated as a member by the association. The member will then be reinstated as a member once they are notified by the membership secretary. (05/14)

ARTICLE V

Officers, Chairman of the Board and Directors

How Elected

Section A. The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, and Executive Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and nine Directors. The Chairman of the board shall be appointed by the President. These officers constitute the Executive Board and will perform the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by Parliamentary Authority adopted by the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. The phrases The Board, The Board of Directors and The Executive Board, as used in this Constitution and By-Laws, are alternative terms for the same body whose composition is defined in the previous sentences of this section.
Section B. At a regular meeting on Thursday, at Black and Tan Days, a Standing Nominating Committee consisting of the Executive Board (excluding the President) shall nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the General Membership Meeting.
Before the election at the annual meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.
Section C. The officers shall be elected by standing vote count or acclamation to serve one year (except Directors whose terms shall be three years) or until their successors are elected. At least three directors to be elected each year. Officers’ terms of office shall begin immediately following the annual membership meeting held at Black and Tan Days, and outgoing officers will remain in office until the conclusion of Black and Tan days.
Section D. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office with the exception of the office of treasurer who may serve no more than three consecutive terms. (5/08)
Section E. No member shall be eligible for nomination as an officer of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. until after he has been a member of the Association at least one year.

ARTICLE VI

The Executive Board

Section A. The officers of the Association, including the Directors shall constitute the Executive Board.
Section B. The Executive Board shall perform general administration and supervision of the affairs of the Association between its business meetings, fixes the hour and place of the meetings, make recommendations to the Association and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these by-laws.
Section C. Unless otherwise ordered by the President or the Board of Directors, regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held on Thursday and Friday at Black and Tan Days preceding the General Membership meeting. Special Board meetings shall be called by the President or the Board of Directors when necessary and advisable.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Section A. The General Assembly meeting of the Association shall be held at Black and Tan Days unless otherwise ordered by the Association or by the Executive Board. The location will be determined by the Executive Board. The regular meeting shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees and for any other business that may arise.
Section B. Special General Assembly meetings can be called by the President or by the Executive Board.
Section C. All membership meetings shall be open to all paid up members.
Section D. All business submitted by vote to the general membership shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at their regular annual meeting, except as otherwise stipulated in this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII

Committees

Section A. An Awards Committee composed of the Vice-President (chairman), and at least two other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each General Membership meeting. It shall be the responsibility of this committee to determine the recipients of the Dedicated Service Award and other awards as deemed appropriate.
Section B. A Standing Nominating Committee, as per Article V, Section B., shall nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the General Membership meeting. The committee will meet on Thursday at Black and Tan Days each year.
Section C. An Auditing Committee of three members shall be appointed by the President prior to Black and Tan Days each year. It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to audit the Treasurer’s accounts and to report at the annual meeting.
Section D. Such other committees standing or special shall be appointed by the President or as the Association or Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the Association. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.
Section E. An Endowed Youth Scholarship Board of Trustees shall be established to oversee the safety and appropriate use of the Youth Scholarship Fund, to encourage growth of the fund, and to recommend to the Executive Board of the ABTCHA changes to the Endowed Youth Scholarship Program that will expand and improve it. This board to be composed of the President of the ABTCHA, who shall serve as a non-voting chair and three voting trustees, each serving a five-year term. The appointment of the trustees is to be made by the President of the ABTCHA with the advice and consent of the Executive Board of the ABTCHA. To provide continuity, initial appointments to be made for a one-year term, a three-year term, and a five-year term. Subsequent reappointment or replacements are to be for five-year terms or in the case of a replacement of a trustee who has not finished his/her term, for the remainder of that term.

ARTICLE IX

Affiliation

Section A. The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association shall be affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc. There shall be no other affiliation with any other registering office, Association or groups. This Article of the Constitution shall not be subject to change at present or in the future.

ARTICLE X

Duty of Officers and Directors

It shall be the duties of the Officers of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association to maintain the files of the Association. At the end of their terms of office, they will deliver the complete files to their successors in office. The files shall contain copies of all business and documentary records of the Association. These records are used and maintained by these Officers during their terms of office and shall include, but shall not be limited to, copies or correspondence, committee reports, a copy of the Constitution, and identity of committees and their membership. A list of current Officers and Directors and any other notes or writings generated from Association business should be included.

Section A. President
The President serves as the presiding officer and spokesman of the American Black and Tan Association, Inc. He/she shall preside over all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board.
As Executive and Managerial head of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc., he/she shall be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the highest principles of the Association. He shall have authority to appoint any and all committees as he may deem necessary to carry out the business and interests of the Association. He/she shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. As an ex officio member of committees, the President has the same rights as the other committee members but is not obligated to attend meetings of the committees.
The incumbent serves as administrative head of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. and acts under the immediate direction of the Executive Board or Assembly. The President is responsible for the day to day administration of the Association between Executive Board or General Assembly meetings. Where practical, he shall seek out input from the Directors and other officers before making major decisions between meetings.

Section B. Vice-President
The Vice-President assists the President in directing, co-coordinating and controlling activities of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association. The President and Vice-President shall work closely together endeavoring to keep the lines of communication open to insure the Vice-President is well informed. The Vice-President shall serve in an advisory capacity to the President on issues needing consultation. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President succeeds to the presidential office on the resignation, removal, death or disability of the President.
The Vice-President is charged with the following responsibilities:

  1. Appoint members of the Rules Committee.
  2. Coordinate all benefit, and other special non-recurring events sponsored by the Association.
  3. Chair the Black and Tan Days Location Committee.
  4. Chair the Awards Committee.
  5. Accept other responsibilities as assigned by the President. 6. Planning and co-coordinating the Bench Show at Black and Tan Days.
    The Vice-President serves in an active capacity in managing the functions of the Association. Therefore, it is important that the incumbent is competent to perform the duties thereof.

Section D. Secretary
The duties of the Secretary are:

  1. To keep a record of all proceedings of the organization, usually called the minutes.
  2. To keep the organizations official membership roll.
  3. To make the minutes and records available to members upon request.
  4. To maintain record books in which minutes are recorded with any amendments to these documents properly recorded and to have the current record books on hand at every meeting.
  5. To preside in the absence of the President and Vice-President at all meetings of the Association with the same power vested in the President.

Section E. Treasurer
The incumbent shall hold funds deposited with him and disburse them as bills are received. All drafts on the Association will be countersigned by the President. The Treasurer is required to keep current, as nearly as possible, a balance of Association funds at all times. He/she is required to make a full financial report annually. This report will be audited annually prior to the General Membership meeting at Black and Tan Days by an appointed Auditing Committee. Additional interim reports will be made as needed.
The Treasurer shall employ a CPA as necessary to submit form 990EZ and any other necessary forms to the Internal Revenue Service annually in order to maintain our non-profit status. Our EIN number is 73-1193515.
The Treasurer serves as a member of the Executive Board and has full privileges thereof, i.e. voting rights, motion rights, debate rights, etc. The Treasurer must be insured for a sum sufficient to protect the Association from loss. The bond shall be the amount of the projected receipts annually. The bond will be paid for by the Association.

Section F. Chairman of the Board
As Chairman of the Board of Directors the incumbent will participate in the decision making process and the administration of the Association between its business meetings.
The incumbent actively participates in meetings of the Executive Board expressing his views, concerns and motions.
The Chairman of the Board will serve as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee (a standing committee as described in the by- laws).
The incumbent will plan and co-ordinate Black and Tan Days including but not limited to approving facilities, obtaining all license, advertising, developing the event itinerary, scheduling Masters of Hounds, planning reception, coordinating breed barn, taking entries, serving as Master of Ceremonies, scheduling photographers, and awarding trophies. Exceptions to Black and Tan Days responsibilities are:

  1. Planning, co-ordination and control of the Bench Show.
  2. Purchasing and delivering Black and Tan Days trophies.
    These duties belong to the Executive Vice-President.

Section G. Executive Board
As members of the Executive Board the incumbents will participate in the decision making process and the general supervision affairs of the Association between its business meetings.
The incumbents actively participate in meetings of the Executive Board expressing their views, concerns and motions. A Director will willingly serve on special committees to consider, investigate, or take action on certain matters or subjects pertinent to administration of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.
If any member of the Executive Board misses two (2) consecutive Board Meetings, the President will remove that individual within thirty (30) days following the second absenteeism and shall fill the position within thirty (30) days.

ARTICLE XI

Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present in favor of said amendment (with the exception of Article IX) or the Constitution of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association.

ARTICLE XII

Parliamentary Proceedings

Section A. Roberts Rules of Order shall be accepted as a basis of parliamentary procedure in all meeting of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.

ARTICLE XIII

Order of Business

Section A. The following order of business shall prevail at meeting of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call
  3. Acknowledge past Presidents, lifetime members, and special quests.
  4. Reading and approval of the minutes
  5. Report of committees
  6. Report of the President 7. Report of the Vice-President
  7. Report or the Secretary
  8. Report of the Treasurer
  9. Old business
  10. New business
  11. Installation of new Officers
  12. Adjournment

ARTICLE IX

Installation of Officers

The installation of Officers shall be conducted by any incumbent officer in good standing of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association, Inc., who may be designated by the President for this purpose.
Installing Officer: “Do you accept the office to which you have been elected?”
Officer Elect: “I do.”
Installing Officer: “Raise your right hand and repeat after me; I, (Officer Elect voice his/her name), do solemnly promise on my most sacred word of honor, before the members present that I will faithfully perform to the best of my ability all the duties of the office to which I have been elected. I will turn over to my successor all the property of the American Black & Tan Coonhound Association that I may have entrusted to me.”

Amended and reprinted - May 1989, Amended and updated – May 2008
Amended and updated - May 1995, Amended and updated – May 2009
Amended and updated - June 2004, Amended and updated – May 2011
Amended and updated - May 2012, Amended and updated – May 2013
Amended and updated - May 2014

LETTER FROM U.K.C.

April 7, 2004
Attn:
Dick Cannode
Board Member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association

Re:
Official UKC Charter, Article IX Section A “The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association shall be affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc.
There shall be no other affiliation with any other registering office, Associations, or groups. This Article of this Constitution shall not be subject to change at present or in the future.”
It’s been my interpretation of the breed association charter that the above restriction only pertains to competing breed registries and the associations or groups affiliated with those competing breed registries.
It should not be interpreted so broadly as to prevent your Association from affiliating with companies within the industry in the form of sponsorships.
Thank you for your concern. Feel free to let me know if you have further questions on this topic.
Sincerely,
Signature Todd M Kellam V.P. Hunting Programs