THE TEXAS TOLTERS

REGIONAL CHAPTER OF THE USIHC

 

Founded  Feb 2005

 

 

CONSTITUTION

AND BY-LAWS

 

 

Mission Statement

To promote knowledge of the Icelandic horse and its correct use as a competition and riding horse in accordance with the policies of FEIF and the USIHC. To provide opportunities for activities associated with the ownership and the riding of the Icelandic horse in Texas and the surrounding areas.

 

Article I

Name and Object

The name of the association shall be the Texas Tolters. Its objectives shall be to promote the Icelandic horse breed, to educate its membership about the breed, and to provide an environment of support for owners and riders who enjoy the talents and characteristics of the Icelandic horse. These objectives will be conducted in accordance with FEIF, and with the USIHC as the member association of FEIF in the United States.

 

Article II

Membership

Section 1: There are three (3) classes of membership: Individual, Family or Honorary. Only USIHC members in good standing who are entitled to vote in the USIHC are eligible to be full voting members of this association and to be Officers. In accordance with the USIHC Regional Chapter rules, USIHC members who join more than one Chapter can be a full voting member in only one Chapter. Honorary membership (non-voting) is open to USIHC members voting in another Chapter, and to non-USIHC members. Honorary memberships pertain to individuals who are invited to become members.  

 

Section 2: Annual dues are as follows:

a)  INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP (1 vote)

b)  FAMILY MEMBERSHIP (2 votes)

c)  HONORARY MEMBERSHIP (non-voting invited members) NO DUES

 

Article III

Dues

Annual dues shall be payable on January 1 each year unless otherwise decided by the Officers.. Any member failing to pay the annual dues within thirty (30) days shall cease to be a member of the association, unless  extension of payment is set by the Officers.  A new membership begun after November 1 will become current for the following year.

  Article IV

Officers

Section 1: The officers of this association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors,  from among the members of the Board.  The term of office is one year.

 

Section 2: The President schedules and presides over all meetings, is responsible for conducting all meetings, and is the primary spokesperson for the association.

 

Section 3: The Vice-President schedules and presides over any meeting in the absence of the President.  

 

Section 4: The Treasurer will keep the financial records of the Association, collect dues, and report expenses on a annual basis. The Treasurer will receive, deposit, and disburse all monies for the association subject to the conditions set forth by the Officers, maintain an accurate accounting of all financial transactions, and submit a written report of all financial activity for presentation at the Annual Meeting each year.

 

Section 5: The Secretary will keep accurate records of every meeting and submit an agenda for subsequent meetings and act as a public relations delegate.

 

 Article V

Board of Directors

Section 1:  The members of the Board of Directors must be members of the United States Icelandic Horse Congress.  The Board of Directors shall be comprised of five (5) directors, of whom four (4) will be officers and one (1) will be designated the USIHC Representative.  The term of office is one year. 

 

Section 2:  The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the association and shall set policy and procedures for the club; accept and discipline members; prepare the budget; and approve all disbursements in excess of $100.

 

Section 3:  The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors occurring for any reason. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall remain a Director until the next election year. 

 

Section 4:  At all meetings of the Board of Directors, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum.  A quorum shall be necessary at any Board of Directors meeting to transact business.

 

Section 5:  The Board of Directors shall meet at least one (1) time a year.  This meeting may occur by conference call if necessary.

 

 

 

 

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1:  The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows: a) determination of a quorum; b) reading of the Minutes of the last meeting; c) reports from each committee; d) old business; and e) new business.

 

Section 2:  At all meetings of members a quorum shall consist of at least 51% of the voting members.   A quorum shall be necessary at any meeting to transact business.

 

Article VII

Elections

Section 1: Two months prior to the annual meeting, the secretary will e-mail out requests to the membership for nominations for the Board of Directors.   Nominees should be notified by e-mail and should reply if they are willing to run for office.  One month prior to the meeting, ballots should be mailed to the membership for voting.   

 

Section 2: Prior to the mailing of the ballots, the President shall appoint two (2) members, who are not members of the Board of Directors, if enough members are available, to count the ballots.  Results of the vote should be presented at the meeting.

 

 Section 3:  The incumbent and new Officers shall meet prior to the annual meeting to choose new officers and maintain continuity.  The new Board of Directors shall assume their offices at the annual meeting.

 

Article VIII

Committees

Section 1: When the association has over 15 members, the Officers shall appoint a Membership Committee.  All other committees are to be ad hoc committees established and disestablished by an action of the Officers as needed.  Each committee, standing or ad hoc, shall serve as advisory to the Officers, shall elect its own chairperson, and shall report to the Officers as required.

 

Section 2: All members in good standing shall be eligible to serve on all committees.

 

Article IX

Rules of Order

“Robert’s Rules of Order” shall be the parliamentary guide for matters of procedure not specifically provided for by the Constitution and By-Laws.

 

Article X

Amendments

Amendments of the foregoing Constitution and By-Laws shall be adopted by the Officers as needed to keep it in compliance with the USIHC rules regarding Regional Chapters and to provide for the efficient management of the club's activities. 

 

 

Article XI

Dissolvement

If for any reason this association should dissolve, all monies remaining in the Treasury after dissolvement shall be donated to the USIHC for use in matters relating to the Icelandic horse breed.

 

 

© 2005 The Texas Tolters