CHINOOK CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.
CHARTER CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
As Amended 2005 

CONSTITUTION 

Article 1: Name and Objects
Section 1.  The name of the Club shall be the Chinook Club of America, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the “Club”.
Section 2. The Club recognizes that it has the primary responsibility for the positive promotion and protection of the Chinook’s integrity, health, soundness and traditional type.
Section 3. The objects of the Club shall be:

1. To protect and advance the interests and welfare of the Chinook breed, while adhering to the historical type and original purposes of the breed;
2. To do all possible to bring the natural qualities of the purebred Chinook to perfection through selective breeding;
3. To educate members and judges on the Standard of the Breed as approved by the Club as the standard of excellence by which Chinooks shall be bred and judged;
4. To encourage DNA-parent verification of all Chinooks and their litters;
5. To encourage and support research into the genetic and health related issues that impact the Chinook breed and to educate members about these issues facing the breed;
6. To encourage participation and good sportsmanship in training and exhibiting at all dog events in which the Chinook may participate;
7. To conduct sanctioned matches, trials, and specialty shows under the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club.

Section 4.  To help fulfill the purpose of the Club and encourage positive progression, both longstanding and new owners and breeders shall be encouraged to actively participate in the running of the Club.
Section. 5.  The Club shall endorse the American Kennel Club as the primary registering body for the Chinook.
Section 6.  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.
Section 7. The Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such Bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects.

 

BYLAWS 
 

Article I: Membership
Section 1. Types of Club Membership.  There shall be three types of memberships available to all persons in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of the Club.  One type shall be a voting membership available to persons eighteen years of age and older, either Individual (1 vote) or Family (2 votes).  Two adults from the same household may apply together, at a reduced cost, for a Family membership; each shall have one vote.  The second type shall be a non-voting Associate Membership for persons who only wish to receive the newsletter or who have not obtained (2) member signatures on their Membership Application.  The third type of membership shall be a voting Honorary Membership, granted at the discretion of the Board and for which payment of dues is waived.  The first 100 memberships of the Club or until December 31, 2005, shall be designated as Charter Members.  While membership is to be unrestricted, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of United States Chinook owners, breeders and exhibitors. 
Section 2. Dues.  Dues shall not exceed $30 per person per year without a vote by Club members.  Family memberships shall be less then the cost of two Individual memberships.  Membership applications shall be processed throughout the year.  Dues renewals are payable on or before the first day of January which is the start of the Club year.  During the month of November each member shall receive a statement of dues for the coming year.  Dues may be paid in one or two year increments.  Honorary memberships shall be reinstated on a yearly basis by the approval of the Board.  No member may vote or hold office whose dues are not paid for the current Club year. 
Section 3. Application. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board that states that, by joining, the applicant agrees to abide by these Constitution and Bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel Club.  The application shall list the full name and address of the applicant, along with other requested information and it shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current Club year.  If applicant can not fulfill the requirements for a voting membership, they will be offered an Associate Membership.  Memberships may be upgraded from non-voting to voting at the beginning of a new Club year by fulfilling application requirements.  All new members’ names will be published in the newsletter. Members in good standing may object to an applicant by submitting a statement with supporting documentation within 30 days of the published date.   If a statement is submitted, the Board shall vote whether to accept or deny membership. The new applicant will be accepted unless a unanimous negative vote by the Board is received.  An applicant may appeal by requesting two members in good standing speak to the Board on his or her behalf and request a new vote on their application.  Applicants whose membership has been rejected may re-apply six months after such rejection.
Section 4. Membership Termination.  Membership may be terminated:

1. By Resignation - Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary. All dues paid will be forfeited to the Club. 
2. By Lapsing - A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if the member’s renewal dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the Club year.  In no case may a person be entitled to vote on Club matters whose dues are unpaid on the date of the ballot.
3. By Expulsion - A member may be terminated by expulsion as provided by Article VII of these Bylaws.

Article II: Meetings, Voting and Club Business
Section 1. Annual Club Meeting.  The Annual Club Meeting shall be held, if permitting, in conjunction with a sanctioned match, specialty show or any Club event.  Notice and proposed agenda of each such meeting shall be given, in writing, by the Secretary at least two months prior to the date of the meeting and published in the Official Club Publications.  Members may add to the agenda by submitting requests in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days prior to the meeting.  Motions that arise from the floor at the annual meeting may, if majority present agrees, be added to the issues for Club voting.  The quorum for holding such meetings shall be 5% of the members in good standing.  
Section 2. Special Club Meeting. Special Club Meetings may be called by the Director, a majority vote of all members of the Board or by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by 10% of the members of the Club who are in good standing.  Special Meetings may be held by electronic means and/or at such place, date and hour as designated by the Board which allows for a quorum of 10% of the membership.  Written or electronic notice stating the purpose of the meeting shall be given by the Secretary at least 15 days prior to the meeting.  No other Club business will be transacted.
Section 3. Quarterly Board Meetings.  Quarterly Board Meetings shall be held each quarter and may be conducted at such place, date and hour as may be designated by the Board and may be held by electronic means in order that a majority of the Board may participate. The Secretary shall give notice and agenda of each such meeting to all Board members at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for all Board meetings shall be a majority of the Board.  Quarterly reports shall be submitted from each Committee Chair and Officer to the Board two days prior to the meeting.  General membership may submit articles for discussion to the Secretary, though they cannot be present or participate at Quarterly Board Meetings.
Section 4. Special Board Meetings. Special Board Meetings may be called by the Director or the Secretary upon written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held by electronic means and/or at such place, date and hour which allows for a quorum. The Secretary shall give notice and agenda to the Board and all involved parties at least five days, but not more than ten days, prior to the date of the meeting. Notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other business shall be transacted. Club members directly involved in the issue being discussed shall be invited by the Board to participate, but may not vote. 
Section 5. Club Meetings: Voting.  The Secretary will send all issues for voting to the membership within 14 days of the Annual Meeting or Special Club Meetings.  Ballots must be received no later than 30 days after the date printed on the ballot.  No votes will be counted thereafter.  Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote.  Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.  The voting process for Club meetings, and all other voting matters other than elections, will be in a simplified format whereby the name and address of the member will appear on the ballot.  In this manner, the vote shall not be secret.  Items will be passed by a simple majority affirmative vote.  Individual votes shall not be published or made known to the general membership.
Section 6. Board Meetings: Voting.  Each member of the Board may only cast one vote, regardless of the number of positions they hold.  The first Board meeting shall take place within 30 days of the official announcement of the new Board or on June 1^st, whichever comes first.  This Board meeting may be a joint meeting of incoming and outgoing Board members where no voting shall occur.  All matters voted on at Board Meetings and the vote of each Board member shall be published in the Minutes and in the Official Club Publications.
Section 7. Board Business.  The general business of the Club may be conducted on an on-going basis through electronic means as long as a majority of the Board is able to participate in the process.  A Board meeting is not necessary to accomplish ongoing business.  Ongoing business is defined as the day-to-day running of the Club, and encompasses motions, voting and budgetary matters. All meetings attended in person must be tape-recorded.  Items voted upon by telephone conference calls must be confirmed in writing within seven days.  Appearance before the Board is defined as in person or by electronic means.  An official announcement by the Club is defined as publication in the newsletter, posting on the Club website or by other means agreed upon by the membership.

Article III: Board of Directors
Section 1. Club Management. The Board shall be comprised of the Officers, Committee Chairs and Appointed Officials, all of whom shall be members in good standing.  General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board. 
Section 2. Term Limits. Voting Board members may only be elected to serve two consecutive terms regardless of position(s) held.  After two terms they may not hold a voting position for one term before running again. This includes positions acquired through vacancy of an office during a term.
Section 3. Votes.  No voting Board member shall hold more than one voting position on the Board unless appointed temporarily due to vacancy.  Only one vote may be cast, regardless of the number of positions held.  Members of the same household or immediate family may not concurrently hold voting positions on the Board.  Immediate family is defined as spouses, parent/adult child, or siblings. 
Section 4. Termination. A vote to involuntarily terminate a Board member may be initiated at a Special Club Meeting, per Article II, Section 2, and achieved by a 2/3 majority vote of all Club members in good standing or by those terms in Article VII.
Section 5. Conflict of Interest. Board members shall not serve as officers or committee chairs with other Chinook organizations that are parent clubs or seeking parent club status. 
Section 6. Officer Vacancies. Permanent vacancies occurring among the Officers during the year shall be filled until the next election by a majority vote of the remaining Board; except by a vacancy of the office of Director which shall be automatically filled by the Parliamentarian.  The resulting vacancy of the office of Parliamentarian shall be filled by the Board.  This shall take place at its first quarterly meeting following the creation of such vacancy or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose.  At the discretion of the Board and by their majority vote, any temporary leave of duty occurring among the Officers may be filled by another Board member.
Section 7. Committee Chair Vacancies.  Permanent vacancies occurring among the Standing Committee Chairs during the year shall be filled until the next election by a committee member selected by that committee and approved by the remaining Board.  At the discretion of the Board and by the majority vote, any temporary leave of duty by a Standing Committee Chair may be filled by one of its members. 

Article IV: Officers
Section 1. The Club's Officers, consisting of the Director, Parliamentarian, Secretary and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.  They shall be elected for two-year terms as provided in Article VI and shall serve until their successors take office. To be eligible for an Officer position, a member must have been a member in good standing of the Club for a minimum of two years, served on a Standing Committee, be an owner of a purebred Chinook, earned a title, either breed or performance, with a Chinook, and any other requirements specified in these Bylaws pertaining to the below listed positions.
Section 2. Duties. Such duties listed define purpose and shall include any other such duties and activities as needed for these entities to fulfill their function within the parameters of the Bylaws.

1. Director The Director 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 Bylaws.  The Director shall not vote on matters before the Board unless there is a tie, and then the Director shall cast a vote to break the tie. The Director shall supervise all Committee Chairs and Appointed Officials and be responsible for apprising the Board of the status of all committees. To be eligible to hold the office of Director, a member must be a member in good standing must have owned a Chinook a minimum of four years.
2. Parliamentarian The Parliamentarian shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of vice-president and shall assume the position of Director in case of death, absence or incapacity. The Parliamentarian shall educate members about and supervise or initiate any revisions to the Constitution and Bylaws and Club policies.  It shall be the responsibility of this person to insure that all Club and Board meetings are conducted in accordance with the Bylaws. Where additional guidance is needed, or where applicable, the Parliamentarian will refer to Robert’s Rules of Order for guidance in procedural matters.  The Parliamentarian shall be responsible for the following: conducting Club meeting votes and general Club votes in accordance with Article II, overseeing all disciplinary procedures as outlined in Article VII, overseeing and organizing elections and submitting all records of elections and disciplinary proceedings to the Secretary for the Club record. 
3. Secretary The Secretary shall keep, maintain, and organize a record of all meetings of the Club and the Board, all votes taken by any means and all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club.  The Secretary shall have charge of Club correspondence, notify members of meetings, and notify Officers and Chairs of their election to office. The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping minutes of ongoing Board matters compiled on a monthly basis and posting to the Official Club Publications a synopsis of ongoing Board business, minutes of quarterly meetings, motions for voting and meeting agendas. With a 2/3 approval of the Board, the Secretary may appoint a Membership Secretary and an Archivist to assist in the various aspects of these positions.
4. Treasurer The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club.  Moneys 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 the Treasurer shall provide the Board with quarterly financial reports.  Quarterly reports shall be provided to the membership in the Official Club Publications.  After submission of proposed budgets by all Board members, the Treasurer may disburse monthly per capita payments, pay obligations of the Club, purchase such items as are necessary to effectively run the Club and disburse such money as authorized by the budget. The Board must approve any expenditure over $200.00.  At the Board's discretion, the Treasurer shall have the Club's financial records reviewed at the end of the Club calendar year.  The Club's financial records will be reviewed before the office of Treasurer changes either because of election of filling of a vacancy.  The Board may also require the Treasurer to be bonded in such amount as they determine.

Article V: Committees and Appointed Officials
Section 1. The Club may use Standing Committees, Special Committees and Appointed Officials to advance the work of the Club in such matter as dog shows, working trials, membership and other fields which may be served by committees or individuals.  Such committees shall consist of a chair and at least two members.  All committees shall run by a 2/3 majority vote.  The chairperson shall select committee members, oversee the agenda and be responsible for the completion of committee goals.     
Section 2. Standing Committees are permanent, with chairpersons elected by the membership.  Standing Committee Chairs shall be elected for two-year terms as provided in Article VI, Section 3 and shall serve until their successors take office.  Any vacancies by a Chair are provided for in Article III, Section 7.  Each Committee Chair shall have one vote on the Board.  These committees may be, but are not limited to: Publicity; Rescue; Show, Trial & Trail; Health & Genetics; and Standard & Judges Education.  To be eligible to hold the position of Committee Chair, a member in good standing must have served on the committee and be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the committee subject.
Section 3.  Special Committees may be appointed by a 2/3 vote of the Board to aid in a specific purpose or particular project to advance the work of the Club and which may well be served by Special Committees.  Special Committees shall be considered temporary and may have their status reviewed by the Board and the Committee may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 4. Appointed Officials shall be members assigned by the Board, Officers or Committees to fulfill a specific task.  These Appointed Officials may include, but are not limited to: AKC Liaison, Archiving Official, Club and Committee Mentors, Events Coordinators, Historian and Membership Secretary.  Such appointments shall be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Board.  Appointed Officials may have their status reviewed by the Board and may have their appointment terminated by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 5. Formation of Committees, Special Committees and Appointed Officials. Before a new Committee or an Appointed Official’s position may be created, the Director will appoint person(s) to develop a statement of purpose and a proposal for implementing short and long-range goals. This proposal shall be submitted to the Board.  A 2/3 majority vote of the Board is required for approval.  A Special Committee may seek to change its status to Standing Committee by submitting a written proposal to the Board outlining the reasons for seeking such change in status and by submitting a formal statement of the committee’s purpose and goals.  If the Board approves a change in status, a 2/3 majority vote of the membership is required to create a new Standing Committee.
Section 6.  Duties. Such duties listed define purpose and shall include any other such duties and activities as needed for these entities to fulfill their function within the parameters of the Bylaws.

1. Standing Committees:

1. Health & Genetics shall encourage and support research into the genetic and health related issues that impact the Chinook breed and educate members and breeders about these issues facing the breed.
2. Publicity shall be responsible for promoting the Chinook breed, the Club, its members and events.  Publicity shall be responsible for the official publications: the newsletter, which shall be published no less than once a quarter, and the website, which shall be maintained and updated as needed.  Publicity shall initiate advertising and assist in all fund-raising activities. 
3. Rescue shall be responsible for the rescue, evaluation and placement of Chinook dogs in need of homes.  The Club through this Committee shall place priority on the rapid rescue of abandoned, abused or neglected dogs, their evaluation and placement in appropriate homes with subsequent follow-up.   
4. Show, Trial & Trail shall be responsible for promoting all show and working venues for the Club as well as educating members on training and appearing in these events.  This Committee shall notify the membership of events in the Official Club Publications and shall have the responsibility of supervising and promoting the Chinook Working Dog Program and/or other Merit Programs approved by the Board.  The Chair may appoint an Events Coordinator, as necessary, to oversee bench, trail and working events.
5. Standard & Judges Education shall revise (when necessary) and educate members and judges about the Official Chinook Breed Standard.  This committee shall work with the AKC to fulfill these goals.  All changes to the Standard must be voted upon by the membership in accordance with Article II, Section 5.

2. Appointed Officials:

1. AKCLiaison shall act as liaison between and point of contact for the Club and AKC.  The Liaison will be responsible for submitting all Board-approved documents necessary for the Club’s participation and/or promotion in AKC. 
2. Archiving Official shall assist the Secretary in the archival, maintenance and retrieval of all minutes, correspondence, Board member reports and any other such data as collected by the Secretary reflecting Club business.  Records may be stored either as hard copy or electronically as agreed to by the Secretary and approved by the Board.  The Archiving Official shall be responsible for maintaining the Club’s Chinook Stud Book.
3. Club and Committee Mentors shall be individuals from outside the Chinook breed who have experience organizing, running, and maintaining AKC accredited Clubs and/or experience in judging, showing and working dog activities. 
4. Events Coordinators shall initiate and/or supervise events planning for the Club.
5. Historian shall be responsible for researching, archiving and providing historical information and items related to the history of the breed. 
6. Membership Secretary shall be responsible for processing membership applications, yearly renewals of membership and maintaining the membership directory.  Membership shall be responsible for the posting of new members in the Official Club Publications.  Membership shall insure that any monies collected for the purposes of membership are forwarded to the Treasurer for deposit into the Club account.

Article VI: Club Year, Budgets and Elections
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 Board’s official term shall begin no later than thirty days after the official announcement of the election results or on June 1^st, whichever comes first, and shall continue through the next election. The first Board meeting shall take place within 30 days of the official announcement of the new Board or on June 1^st, whichever comes first.  This Board meeting may be a joint meeting of incoming and outgoing Board members where no voting shall occur. 
Section 2. Budgets. Between September 1^st and September 30^th, all Officers, Committees and Appointed Officials shall submit to the Treasurer a proposed budget for the following year.  By October 31^st, the Treasurer shall submit to the Board a proposed Club budget for the following year which the Board shall approve by November 15^th.  Any moneys accrued by Officers, Committees or Appointed Officials must be submitted to the Treasurer for deposit in the Club account, though money donated to or earned for a specific purpose or Committee may be designated and maintained as such by the Treasurer.  By the recommendation of any member in good standing these designated funds may be considered and, with a 2/3 majority vote of the Board, used for other Club purposes.
Section 3. Election to Office. Officers and Committee Chairs shall be elected from among those nominated in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 of this Article. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. Each retiring Officer or Chair shall turn over to its successor all properties and all records relating to that office within 30 days after the incoming Board takes office.
Section 4. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated or is not a member in good standing. In the Fall, prior to each election year, the Official Club Publications shall announce a request for volunteers to sit on the Nominating Committee.  During the month of November, the Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and two alternates, all of which shall be drawn from the general membership. Committee members should represent, whenever possible, different areas of the country.  The committee shall select a Chair who shall convene a meeting on or before January 15^th of the election year.  The Committee may conduct its business in person or by such means as stated in Article II, Section 7. 

1. The Committee shall seek one candidate for each Officer and elected Committee position.  The Committee shall make every attempt to nominate candidates who represent different geographical areas of the U.S.  After securing the written consent of each person accepting a nomination, the Committee shall immediately report all nominations to the Parliamentarian.
2. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Parliamentarian shall have the list of candidates (including full name, address and state in which each candidate resides) published in either the Official Club Publications or in a separate mailing.  Members shall be informed of their right to nominate additional candidates, as long as the person so nominated accepts.  The slate of nominees shall be completed by March 15^th.  
3. No person may be a candidate for more than one elected position.

Section 5. Election Voting. On or before April 1^st of the election year, the Parliamentarian shall mail an envelope consisting of a ballot listing all the nominees, an envelope marked "BALLOT" and a pre-addressed return envelope to each Club member in good standing.  Each ballot shall be numbered and the ballot envelope shall be marked with the same number as the ballot. Members shall mail their ballot to the designated neutral party, such as a CPA, who will receive and tabulate the results, and forward them and the ballot documents to the Parliamentarian.  Return envelopes must be postmarked on or before May 1^st.  The Secretary will record the tabulation and the results shall then be immediately published in the Official Club Publications or in a separate mailing.  The new Board shall take office on June 1^st, unless the election has been contested.
Section 6. Contested Elections.  Anyone contesting an election must do so before June 1^st of the election year.  Such contest must be submitted to the outgoing Parliamentarian in writing with all supporting documentation.  Within five days of receiving the contest, the outgoing Board will meet to decide if there is sufficient reason to investigate the election.  The outgoing Board may delay the counting of the votes or posting of the results until an investigation has occurred in accordance with Article VII.  Such delay may not last longer than 30 days from the decision to investigate.  At the end of the 30-day period, either the new Board is installed or a new election is declared.   

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. Complaints. Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club and/or the Chinook breed.

1. Submission. Written complaint and supporting documentation must be filed in duplicate with the Parliamentarian together with a deposit of $50.00, which shall be returned if the Board, following a hearing, sustains such charges and forfeited if the Board does not sustain such charges. Within ten days of receipt, the Parliamentarian shall send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board.  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 and/or the Chinook breed.  If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club and/or the Chinook breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. 
2. Hearing. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The Parliamentarian shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the complaint respondent by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the respondent may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses, if desired.  Personal appearance shall be defined as in person or by electronic means as stated in Article II, Section 7.  The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend a hearing generated as the result of a complaint, but both complainant and respondent shall be treated uniformly in that regard. 
3. Penalties. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and respondent, the Board, by a majority vote, may suspend the respondent from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing.  In extreme circumstances where this suspension is deemed insufficient, the Board, by a unanimous vote, may expel the party(s) from the Club.  In either case, the suspension or expulsion shall not restrict the respondent's right to appeal. Immediately after the Board has reached its decision, their finding shall be put in written form and filed with the Parliamentarian. The Parliamentarian, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision. 

Section 3. Complaints against a Board member.  If a complaint is brought against a Board member, within ten days of receipt the Parliamentarian shall assemble a disciplinary committee of five Club members who are not on the Board to investigate the complaint.  This committee shall be comprised of the Parliamentarian, two members chosen by each of the claimant and respondent, and one member from the general membership selected by the Parliamentarian.  The Parliamentarian shall preside over the committee but shall not vote.  The procedure for considering charges, hearing and discipline shall be held in accordance with Section 2 of this Article with the committee, however, presiding.  Board members will submit their questions to the Parliamentarian in advance of the hearing.  Within 72 hours of the hearing, the committee shall present its findings and recommendations to the Board.  Findings and recommendations shall be binding on the Board. 
Section 4. Resubmission of a Denied Complaint. If a member desires to resubmit a substantiated complaint on a same or similar subject as one previously denied a hearing, the Board must first receive a written statement of concurrence signed by two other members in good standing not previously involved in the first filing.  If accepted according to Section 2 of this Article, a hearing will be held within two weeks of receiving the request and documentation.  All decisions on a resubmitted complaint are considered final. 
Section 5. Appeal.  Any Club member disciplined may appeal the decision of the Board or disciplinary committee within 30 days. Written requests by the member and two other members in good standing not involved in the original proceeding will cause the Board to revisit the issue.  Requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation.  Such review will occur within two weeks of receiving the request and documentation.  The Board shall make their decision within 72 hours of the two-week period.  The Parliamentarian shall notify the member making the appeal of the Board’s decision.  If the Board approves the appeal by a 2/3 vote, it shall be sent to the original disciplinary committee or Board for a new hearing.  Appeal decisions made by the disciplinary committee are final.   

Article VIII: Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws may be proposed by the Board or by written petition addressed to the Parliamentarian and signed by 20% of the membership in good standing. The Board shall call on a Bylaws Review Committee to be formed according to Article V, Section 5 to promptly consider amendments proposed by such petition.  The Parliamentarian shall submit amendments to the membership, with the recommendations of the Board, for a vote within three months of the date the Parliamentarian received the petition.
Section 2. The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a 2/3 affirmative vote of the membership by simplified format. Non-substantive changes to the Bylaws may be effected by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board.  A substantive change would be one which changes the intent of a Section. 

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 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 a majority vote of the Board.  

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

Roll Call  
Minutes of last meeting  
Report of Director
Report of Parliamentarian
Report of Secretary  
Report of Treasurer  
Reports of committees  
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:

Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting  
Report of Director
Report of Parliamentarian
Report of Secretary  
Report of Treasurer  
Reports of committees  
Unfinished business  
New business  
Adjournment  

Article XI: Parliamentary Authority
Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised," shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any other special rules of order the Club may adopt.  

Definition of Terms:

Purebred Chinook: A Chinook that has obtained purebred registration from the American Kennel Club or is eligible for purebred registration from the AKC. 

Simplified Voting: The voting of minor or piecemeal changes to club documents. Such voting will not require a tally by an independent third party. 

Official Club Publications: Publications for the distribution by the Club materials, including but not limited to, the Chinook Advocate and the website www.chinookclubofamerica.org.