COBRA Constitution and By-Laws

ARTICLE I. Name.

• The name of the corporation shall be the Catahoula Owners, Breeders, and Research Association, hereinafter referred to as the "ASSOCIATION" which shall be domiciled in the county/parish of Saint Tammany, Louisiana.

ARTICLE II. Purpose and Objectives.

• The objectives of the Association shall be:
  1. to further the advancement and genetic research of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog;
  2. to educate breeders, owners, and the public with information gained from funded clinical research;
  3. to do all in its powers to protect and advance the interest of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog;
  4. to conduct licensed dog events and trials under the rules of the United Kennel Club;
  5. to encourage sportsmanlike competition at all dog events.

ARTICLE III. Association Profits.

• The Association shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder of residue from dues or donations to the Association shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

ARTICLE IV. Rules for Licensed Events.

• All licensed events sponsored by the Association will be run in accordance with the rules, policies, and procedures of the United Kennel Club.

ARTICLE V. Activity.

• No individual or group of individuals known to: promote, support, raise dogs for fighting; knowingly sell, give or trade dogs that will be used for fighting; condone or be associated with the facing off, game testing, rolling or pitting; will be tolerated or allowed membership in this association. Such individuals will be banned from all U.K.C. events and clubs, with no reinstatement at any time.

ARTICLE VI. Revision.

• The members of the Association shall adopt and from time to time revise such By-Laws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

ARTICLE VII. Affiliation.

• Section 1. The Catahoula, Owners, Breeders and Research Association shall be affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc. It shall not affiliate with any other registering office, club association, or groups; except by written consent of the United Kennel Club, Inc.

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

• Section 1. Eligibility. There shall be four (4) types of membership open to any breeder, owner, and/or fancier of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog who subscribes to the purposes and objectives of this Association, agrees to abide by the Association Code of Ethics, and who is in good standing with the United Kennel Club. Association membership shall be unrestricted as to residence.
• Section 2. Types of Memberships.
  • Section 2.1. Single Membership. Open to members 18 years of age or older. Single members are entitled to one vote and are eligible to hold office in the Association.
  • Section 2.2. Family/Household Membership. Open to any two members of a household 18 years of age or older. Each Family/Household membership is entitled to two votes but only one member may hold office at any one time.
  • Section 2.3. Lifetime Membership. Any member or applicant who elects to pay a one-time lifetime membership fee shall be entitled to a lifetime membership with no increase in dues. Lifetime members shall be entitled to one vote and are eligible to hold office in the Association.
  • Section 2.4. Honorary Membership. The Board of Directors may elect to honorary membership any member in good standing or any non-member who meets the eligibility requirements for membership, and who have performed some meritorious service for the Association, its members, or for the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog. An affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Directors present at a meeting of the Board, or 2/3 of the entire Board voting by mail shall be required to elect an honorary member. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues. No honorary members may vote unless they were a member in good standing of the Association at the time they were elected to honorary membership.
  • Section 2.5. Member Club. A UKC licensed Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog single breed club dedicated to the betterment of the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog and whos Constitution Affiliation Article officially associates the club with the National Louisiana Catahoula Owners, Breeders and Research Assn. Member clubs shall agree to abide by the Association's constitution and Bylaws, Association Policy and procedures and the rules and regulations of the United Kennel Club. Each member club is entitled to one vote through the designated club delegate.
• Section 3. Dues: Dues are payable on or before the first day of January of each year. Members whose dues are not paid for the current year shall not be entitled to any voting.
  • Section 3.1. Amount. Membership dues are as follows:
    Single Membership - $15.00
    Family/Household Membership - $25.00
    Lifetime Membership - $150.00
    Honorary Membership - By Appointment Only.
  • Section 3.2. Payment. During the months of November and December, the Membership Chairman shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year unless notified in the newsletter. Dues paid by applicants voted to membership between October and December of the preceding fiscal year shall apply to the next ensuing fiscal year; however, immediately upon payment of such dues the new members shall be entitled to vote on all matters before the Association and to all other privileges of membership.
  • Section 3.3. Termination/Dissolution. Members who are terminated for any reason, as per Article I, Section 7, will not receive a refund of dues. If the Association dissolves for any reason, any Lifetime Member would be entitled to a pro-rated rebate of their remaining Lifetime Membership.
• Section 4. Application to Membership.
  • Section 4.1. Submitting an application. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a Board approved Application for Membership, which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws, Code of Ethics of the Association and the rules and regulations of the United Kennel Club. The applicant shall submit the completed application and dues payment for the current year to the Membership Chairman.
  • Section 4.2. Sponsors.Each applicant must secure the name of at least one Sponsor.
• Section 5. Election to Membership.
  • Section 5.1. Reading and discussion of applications. The Membership Secretary shall read each application at the first meeting of the Association following its receipt. Applicant may be present at the reading but shall not be present during any discussion or when voting occurs. Members present having negative comments concerning the applicant may present them at the first or second reading.
  • Section 5.2. Voting on application. The application will be voted upon by secret ballot, and affirmative votes of 75 percent of the Board Members present and voting at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. A copy of the Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented to each new applicant upon their approval for membership.
• Section 6. Rejected Applications. When notified of a rejection, the applicant and/or Sponsor may have an opportunity to speak in defense of allegations at the next meeting, after which a subsequent reading and vote shall take place. The Association members may elect such applicant by secret ballot and a favorable vote of 75 percent of the members present, in good standing, and voting. Applicants to membership who have been rejected by the Association shall receive a full refund of their current dues and may not reapply within six (6) months after such rejection.
• Section 7. Termination of Membership. Members may be terminated for the following reasons:
  • Section 7.1. Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Association upon written notice to the Secretary. Resignation shall not discharge or eliminate any debt owed to the Association. Dues are considered an obligation to the Association and are incurred the first day of each fiscal year.
  • Section 7.2. Lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid after January 31^st. The Board of Directors may grant a grace period of an additional 30 days for payment to any member who applies for an extension. In no case may a person whose dues are unpaid as of the date of the meeting be entitled to vote at any Association meeting. Dues which are paid prior to the start of such a meeting allow that member reinstatement of voting rights.
  • Section 7.3. Suspension. Any member who is suspended or barred from the privileges of the United Kennel Club is automatically suspended or barred from the privileges of membership in the Association for the same period of time.
  • Section 7.4. Expulsion. A member may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VIII of these By-Laws.
• Section 8. Reinstatement of Membership. Any member that has been terminated by resignation or lapsing, must reapply as set forth in Article I, Section 4.

Article II. Association Year.

• Section 1. Fiscal Year. The Association's fiscal year shall begin on the first (1^st) day of January and end on the thirty-first (31^st) day of December.
• Section 2. Official Year.The Association'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.

Article III. Meeting and Voting.

• Section 1. Association Meetings. Meetings of the Association shall be held quarterly on the third Sunday of the month, in the parish of Saint Tammany, at 10:00 a.m., and at such place designated by the Board as convenient in a geographical area of the membership, and/or after the Saturday event dates. Written notice of each meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary, or published in the preceding month's newsletter at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be one third (1/3) of the members in good standing.
• Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the fourth Saturday of January at 7:00 p.m. and at such place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of the time, place and location of this meeting shall be printed in the newsletter, website and/or email, and shall be mailed no later than 15 days prior to the meeting. The quorum for this and all other Association membership meetings shall be one third (1/3) of the members in good standing.
• Section 3. Special Association Meetings. Special Association Meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present at any regular or special meeting of the Board, or by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five (5) members (not residing in the same household) of the Association who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in the area as designated by the Board, at such date, and hour as may be designated by the person or persons herein authorized to call such meetings. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notices shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other Association business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting will be one third (1/3) of the members in good standing.
• Section 4. Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at a designated location as may be convenient in a geographical area of the membership in each quarter in each year, at such day, hour, and place as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting or will be published in the newsletter. The quorum for such meeting shall be the majority of the Board at that meeting.
• Section 5. Special Board Meeting. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, Vice President, or by the Secretary, upon written request signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held at such place, date, and hour as may be designated by the person herein authorized to call such meeting. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary to each Board member at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be conducted thereat. A quorum for such meeting shall be the majority of the Board at that meeting.
• Section 6. Voting. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current fiscal year shall be entitled to one (1) vote at any meeting of the Association at which they are present. Proxy voting shall not be permitted.

Article IV. Directors and Officers.

• Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, and three (3) directors, all members in good standing, and all of whom will be elected to two (2) year terms at the Association's annual meeting as provided in Article V and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the Association's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
• Section 2. Terms of Office. The Officers of the Association shall serve for two (2) years or until their successors are elected. No person may hold more than one office per term. Any director who misses two board meetings within an Association year shall be removed from the Board of Directors, unless a majority of the board members present and voting at the meeting from which the director is absent for the second time votes to excuse one or both of the absences. Any Officer or Board member absenting themselves from 3 consecutive meetings shall be replaced, unless the Association is notified with a legitimate reason for their absence. i.e., Judging, work, show illness, shows, etc.
• Section 3. Officers. The Association's Officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Association and its meetings, and the Board meetings.
• Section 3.1. President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association (regular or special) 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. He/she shall be a member, ex-officio, of all committees.
• Section 3.2. Vice-President. The Vice-President shall assist the President when and where possible. The Vice-President shall serve as Parliamentarian, and shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence, or incapacity.
• Section 3.3. Secretary. The Secretary shall take a roll call and keep records of all meetings of the Association and the Board and of all matters for which a record shall be ordered by the Association; shall have charge of the correspondence, including but not limited to:
  1. Reside at all regular, special, board or committee meetings;
  2. Read the minutes of the previous meeting;
  3. Read all correspondence received;
  4. Take custody of all documents and correspondence of the Association;
  5. Keep a current record of the members of the Association, with their address, telephone numbers and e-mail;
  6. Notify members of meetings and events;
  7. Participate in all Committees and exercise a vote when necessary;
  8. Call the meeting to order in the absence of the President and Vice-President, and preside until the election of Chairman pro-tem and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Constitution and By Laws of the Association.
• Section 3.4. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Association. Moneys shall deposited in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the Association. The books shall at all times be accurate, up to date open to inspection of the Board. A report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the Association's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting shall render an account of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. All checks shall carry the signatures of the President and the Treasurer; In the event of the resignation, death or expulsion of the Treasurer, all moneys and account books of the Association shall be handed over to the Board of Directors until the office of Treasurer is filled; Bills/Receipts for Association expenses must be submitted to the Treasurer within 45 days of purchase or there will be no reimbursement.
• Section 3.5. Membership Secretary. The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining membership applications and their distribution. Accept completed applications, and read them at the next board meeting for approval. Notify new applicants of their acceptance or denial, and the procedures to be followed.
• Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy 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 members of the Board at its first regular meeting following the created vacancy, or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose. A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice- President, and the resulting vacancy in the office of the Vice-President shall be filled by the Board.
• Section 5. Compensation. The members of the board shall serve without compensation for time or labor but may be compensated for reasonable and necessary expenses.

Article V. Elections.

• Section 1. Annual Election. The election of Officers and Directors for the ensuing two (2) years shall be conducted by secret written ballot, excepting that no nominations are received by the Secretary as provided in this Article V, Section 2, no ballot will be necessary. In this case, the persons selected by the Nominating Committee will be declared elected by the Secretary at the Annual Meeting. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office or position on the Board shall be declared elected.
• Section 2. Nominations. No person may be a candidate for an office or position on the board who has not been nominated. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this section. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The three (3) nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who received the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected.
  • Section 2.1. Nominating Committee. Before September 1^st , the Board shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three members and one alternate, all members in good standing, and not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the members of their selection. The Board shall name a Committee Chairman who shall be responsible for setting times and dates for Committee meetings and for reporting results to the Association Secretary not later than October 1^st.
  • Section 2.2 Tally Committee. At the same time it selects a Nominating Committee, or immediately before submitting a proposed amendment to the Constitution or By-Laws to the Secretary, the Board of Directors shall select three Association members, living within reasonable driving distance of one another, to serve as the Tally Committee, in the event that it becomes necessary to hold an election or vote on a proposed amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws, and count ballots. The board shall name one member of this committee as Chairperson, who shall receive all mail-in ballots and who shall report the results of the election to the Association Secretary.
  • Section 2.3. Candidates. The committee shall nominate one candidate from among the eligible members of the Association, one candidate for each office and shall procure acceptance of each nominee. In order to be nominated, a person must have been a member of the Association for one (1) year and have attended at least one- half of all meetings in the twelve (12) months preceding the nomination. After securing the consent of each person so nominated, at the October meeting the committee shall read their selections to the members.
  • Section 2.4. Additional nominations. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the October meeting by any member in attendance provided that the person so named does not decline when his name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, their nominator shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one (1) position, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be made only among those members who have not accepted a nomination from the Nominating Committee.
    1. If no valid additional nominations are made at the October meeting, the Nominating Committee's slate of candidates shall be declared elected at the time of the annual meeting and no balloting will be required.
    2. If one or more valid nominations are received by the Secretary at the October meeting, the Secretary shall mail to each member in good standing a ballot listing in alphabetical order all of the nominees for each position, together with an envelope addressed to the Chairperson of the Tally Committee.
  • Section 2.5. Counting the Ballots. Ballots must be sent to each member in good standing not later than November 15^th, and returned by U.S. Mail to the Chairperson of the Tally Committee postmarked not later than December 15^th. Ballots received after December 15^th will be discarded, unopened and uncounted. The Chairperson shall set a meeting time for the Tally Committee as soon as practicable after the ballot deadline, at which meeting the committee shall count the ballots. The Chairperson shall report the election results to the Association Secretary no later than one (1) day after the Tally Meeting. All ballots and envelopes in which they were received shall be given to the Secretary who shall keep them for two years as part of the Association's official records.
  • Section 2.6. Election Results. Election Results will be announced by the Secretary at the annual meeting of the Association.
  • Section 2.7. Change of Officers and Board Members. The newly elected Officers and Board Members shall take office at the conclusion of the annual meeting at which they were elected. Each retiring Officer and Board Member shall turn over to his/her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office immediately after the election.

Article VI. Contracts, Loans, Checks.

• Section 1. Contracts. The Board may authorize any Officer, agent or employee to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association.
• Section 2. Loans. No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Association, and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
• Section 3. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association shall be signed by the Association Treasurer, or such agent or employee of the Association and in such a manner as shall from time to time be determined by the board.

Article VII. Committees.

• Section 1. The Board shall each year appoint such standing committees as needed to advance the operation of the Association or to aid the board on particular projects. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.
• Section 2. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee, the Board may appoint successor(s) to those persons whose services have been terminated.

Article VIII. Discipline

• Section 1. Suspension. Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the United Kennel Club shall be automatically suspended from the privileges of this Association for a like period.
• Section 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Association. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $25.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. Charges shall be filed with the Secretary within 6 weeks of any incident. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at the Board meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the action(s) alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Association. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Association it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board not less than three (3) weeks or more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear on his/her behalf and bring witnesses if he/she wishes. The accused shall have seventy-two (72) hours to respond to the charges after receiving the certified or registered letter. In the case of the Board's and/or Board members' having charges preferred against any or all Board members, the membership shall sit in judgment of the charges and act as trial jury.
• Section 3. Board Hearing. The Board or membership jury shall have complete control 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 the complainant and defendant, the Board or membership jury, by majority vote of those present, may suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Association for not more than six (6) months from the hearing date. 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/her fellow members at the ensuing Association meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board/jury has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary shall, in turn, notify each of the parties of the Board's/jury's decision and penalty, if any.
• Section 4. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member of the Association may be accomplished only at a meeting of the Association following a Board or jury hearing and upon the Board's or jury's recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Association to be held 60 days but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board's/jury's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing on his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's/jury's findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on his/her own behalf if he wishes. The meeting shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.

Article IX. Amendments.

• Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the President, Board of Directors or by written petition signed by 20 percent of the members in good standing addressed to the Secretary or a committee appointed by the President to study any recommended changes. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members via mail or newsletter with the recommendations of the Board. A vote on the proposed changes shall be taken within three (3) months of the date the petition was received by the Secretary.
• Section 2. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be enacted by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for that purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least 30 days prior to the date of that meeting.
• Section 3. U.K.C. Approval. No amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws that is adopted by the Association shall become effective until it has been approved by U.K.C.

Article X. Dissolution.

• Section 1. Dissolution. The Association may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members in good standing. In the event of dissolution other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, or by operation of law, none of the property of the Association or any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Association shall be distributed to any members of the Association.
  1. After payment of the debts of the Association, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board.
  2. Articles or equipment that is on loan to the Association by members or individuals may be returned to those members or individuals who have that right reserved.
• Section 2. Materials/built equipment. Materials purchased by the Association to build or construct show equipment (i.e. ring gates, signs, decorations, obedience equipment, etc.) shall be offered to the member donating their time and use of tools to build or erect such equipment to have first option to purchase said equipment from the Association at the Association's purchase price of materials.

Article XI. Order of Business

• Section 1. Association Meetings. At meetings of the Association, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
  • Roll Call
  • Minutes of the Last Meeting
  • Report of the President
  • Report of the Secretary
  • Report of the Treasurer
  • Membership Report & Election of New Members
  • Report of Committees
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business
  • Adjournment
• Section 2. Board Meetings. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
  • Minutes of the Last Meeting
  • Report of the Secretary
  • Report of the Treasurer
  • Report of Committees
  • Unfinished Business
  • Election of new members
  • New Business
  • Adjournment

Article XII. Parliamentary Authority.

• The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised," shall govern the Association 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 Association may adopt.

Article XIII. Certification.

• Section 1. Certification. We hereby certify that the foregoing Constitution and By-Laws, consisting of [11] pages, including this page, constitute the By-Laws of the Association, duly adopted by its Board of Directors at a meeting properly noticed and held, and at which a quorum was present on the 7^th day of February, 2004.
• Section 2. Amendment. We hereby certify that the foregoing Constitution and Bylaws, consisting of twelve [12 ] pages, including this page, constitute the amended Constitution and Bylaws of the COBRA Club, duly adopted by its membership in accordance with the then-current Constitution and Bylaws on the 7th day of the month of November in the year 2011.