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BEAR RIVER RIDERS BY-LAWS HANDBOOK

P.O. BOX 2102
EVANSTON, WYOMING 82931


TABLE OF CONTENTS

CLUB HISTORY
MISSION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
GOALS FOR 2006
REGULAR CLUB EVENTS
BY-LAWS
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C


CLUB HISTORY

In 2005, an idea sparked to form an organization of and for horsemen in Evanston and surrounding areas.

We presently use Uinta County Fairgrounds in Evanston for our gymkhanas and horse shows.

Most of our members own their own horses, but this is not a requirement for membership. All club activities are planned to include all family members.

Living in Southwest Wyoming gives us vast and varied opportunities for enjoyment and with just a suggestion followed by a few phone calls, we can get a club function organized and off we go.


MISSION STATEMENT

  1. B.R.R. is a family oriented volunteer organization of equine enthusiasts.

    • To provide horse related events, activities, and opportunities for volunteerism within the local community.
    • To protect the equestrian lifestyle in the State of Wyoming with the promotion of responsible horse ownership.
    • To commit ourselves to the productive cooperative resolution of sensitive equestrian and environmental issues.
    • To offer organized equestrian events that are open to the public.

  2. To encourage and promote equestrian related events of the Evanston area, while contributing to the formation of a social club.
  3. To promote fun, family oriented horse activities in the State of Wyoming.
  4. The Bear River Riders is an organization of families and individuals desiring to promote horse-related activities for both it’s members and the community through service, recreational, social and educational activities.
  5. B.R.R. strives to provide an environment for equestrian enthusiasts and families to enjoy the outdoors as well as quality equestrian events such as horse shows, gymkhanas, trail rides, and educational clinics.


VISION STATEMENT


GOALS FOR 2006

  1. The club hopes that the 2006 year improves with more people getting involved, and members getting more out of the club.
  2. To continue to provide schooling gymkhanas and horse shows that emphasize fun and family rather than competitiveness.
  3. To schedule educational activities that benefit club members.


REGULAR CLUB EVENTS

GYMKHANAS
Gymkhanas are held three times a year at Uinta County Fairgrounds. There are three different Open age groups, and two novice groups including Leadline. There are four different events.

HORSE SHOWS
Horse Shows are held three times a year at Uinta County Fairgrounds. Western and English classes. Schooling classes. All breeds. All ages. Especially geared toward the competitor just starting out.

TRAIL RIDES
Trail rides, moonlight rides, and overnight rides. These are held at various locations throughout Wyoming and Utah.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING
These are held once a month.

PARADES
We participate in various parades around the State of Wyoming.

NEWSLETTER
A monthly newsletter with a calendar of events is sent to all members.

YEAR-END AWARDS
As a BRR member, you can earn points when you participate in gymkhanas and horse shows. These awards are presented at our annual Award’s Banquet in November.


BY-LAWS

BEAR RIVER RIDERS

Revised January 1, 2006

ARTICLE 1 – PROPERTIES

Sec. 1 All properties purchased or otherwise obtained shall belong to Bear River Riders.

Sec. 2 Inventory needs to be done annually by the Chairpersons and turned in to the Secretary by December 31.

ARTICLE 2 – EXECUTIVE BOARD

Sec. 1 The Executive Board shall be comprised of the elected officers and appointed Standing Committee Chairs.

Sec. 2 Each member of the Executive Board shall have one vote on all matters requiring a vote. Ad Hoc chairs shall not have Executive Board voting privileges.

ARTICLE 3 – FEES AND DUES

Sec. 1 Dues for new members joining the club after September 30th shall be good through the following year. No assessment shall be levied or collected at any time.

Sec. 2 The fiscal year will be from January 1st to December 31st. (1)

ARTICLE 4 – MEMBERSHIP

Sec. 1 Membership shall consist of families and individuals who are interested in horse activities and horsemanship.

Sec. 2 A family consists of husband and/or wife and is inclusive of all family members living at the same address. (1)

Sec. 3 The status of family memberships changing due to single members getting married, shall not require additional dues until the next calendar year.

Sec. 4 Single membership consists of individuals not covered in family membership.

Sec. 5 Honorary and life memberships may be approved only by a unanimous vote of the Board. Lifetime may be considered for members who have made long-term outstanding contributions to the club.

Sec. 6 Any member going into the armed services shall be retained as a member in good standing with all fees waived until the club’s next calendar year after discharge.

Sec. 7 The Board may refuse or revoke membership status only upon reasonable grounds relating to horse activities. Membership status cannot be denied because of age, race, color, religion or sex.

Sec. 8 The Treasurer shall generate renewal notices to be sent to those who have not renewed by March 1st.

Sec. 9 Individuals or families may join the Club on a temporary basis for a period of one (1) event. Membership will be a nominal fee set by the Board. Temporary members will be eligible to participate as a member in gymkhanas, Trail rides, Horse shows, and other club activities.

Temporary members will not accumulate points toward year-end awards for either the Gymkhana or Horse Show.

Temporary members will not be eligible to run for a club office nor will they be eligible to vote.

Sec. 10 Proceedings may be brought against any member for misconduct that reflects negatively in any way upon the club. Upon charges being presented to the Board in writing, the offending member shall be notified by registered letter of the charges brought and shall be given ten (10) days in which to answer said charges. Said charges are to be heard in a regular or special meeting of the Board and a majority vote required to cause expulsion.

Sec. 11 Charges can be brought against any member of the club who is exhibiting inappropriate behavior or has been using abusive language at any stated meeting or social affair.

ARTICLE 5 – OFFICERS

Sec. 1 The officers of the club shall include a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Additional officers may be authorized by the Board.

Sec. 2 Officers must have been members in good standing, and shall serve for a period of one (1) year. This section shall be waived for Charter Officers.

Sec. 3 The President shall not succeed himself after serving two (2) full terms in office. However, after one (1) year out of office he/she may hold that position again.

Sec. 4 An officer may be removed from office for non-compliance with the Constitution or By-Laws, or by failing to fulfill his/her duties in an efficient, acceptable manner. A warning shall be provided, giving specific factual details of the poor performance, and an opportunity given for the officer to improve his/her performance to an acceptable level and the timeframe to do so. This letter shall be signed by a minimum of three of the other four officers. If acceptable performance is not evident, as demonstrated by objective, factual information, the officer shall receive notice of his/her failings by certified mail and shall have an opportunity to refute the allegations at a board meeting called for this purpose. A quorum of remaining Executive Board members must be present at the meeting. The meeting shall be posted and open to the general membership. The meeting shall be presided over by the highest-ranking officer not subject to removal. After both sides of the issue have been presented, a roll call vote of the remaining Executive Board will be taken to determine if the officer should be removed from office. A majority vote shall decide the issue. The resulting decision will become effective immediately.

Sec. 5 A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the First Vice-President.

Sec. 6 Any officer vacancy, with the exception of the President, that occurs during a term, will be filled by Executive Board appointment. A majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Board shall be required to appoint a replacement officer.

Sec. 7 The term of office for any replacement officer, shall be the remainder of the term of the officer replaced.

ARTICLE 6 – COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Sec. 1 The Standing Committee Chairs shall include, Communications, Gymkhana, Horse Show, Trail Rides, and Educationional Events.

Sec. 2 Ad Hock Chairs (Created for a special purpose and disbanded upon completion) will include; Nominations and others as necessary.

Sec. 3 Committee Chairs must have been members in good standing for at least five (5) months and shall serve for a period of one (1) year. Committee Chairs shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board.

Sec. 4 A Committee Chair may be removed from office for non-compliance with the Constitution or By-Laws, or by failing to fulfill his/her duties in an efficient, acceptable manner. A warning shall be provided, giving specific factual details of the poor performance, and an opportunity given for the officer to improve his/her performance to an acceptable level and the timeframe to do so. This letter shall be signed by a minimum of three of the officers. If acceptable performance is not evident, as demonstrated by objective, factual information, the Committee Chair shall receive notice of his/her failings by certified mail and shall have an opportunity to refute the allegations at a Board meeting called for this purpose. A quorum of Executive Board members must be present at the meeting. The meeting shall be posted and open to the general membership. The meeting shall be presided over by the President. After both sides of the issue have been presented, a roll call vote of the remaining Executive Board will be taken to determine if the Committee Chair should be removed from office. A majority vote shall decide the issue. The resulting decision will become effective immediately.

Sec. 5 A vacancy in any Chair position shall be filled by appointment of a new Chair by Executive Board appointment. A majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Board shall be required to appoint a replacement Chair.

Sec. 6 The term of office for any replacement Chair, shall be the remainder of the term of the Chair replaced.

ARTICLE 7 – MEETINGS

Sec. 1 Regular membership meetings can be held anytime, meeting date and time to be determined by the Board. At least two (2) regular meetings shall be held annually. Meeting agenda shall, as a minimum, cover all items listed in Appendix C.

Sec. 2 Special membership meetings may be called by any Board member.

Sec. 3 Only members in good standing shall be eligible to vote. In family memberships, each adult over the age of 18 shall have one (1) vote.

Sec. 4 Board meetings may be called by a Board member with notice to all Board members at least one (1) week prior to such meeting.

Sec. 5 Board meetings must be attended by a quorum. (Reference Roberts Rules of Order)

Sec. 6 Purpose of Meetings

ARTICLE 8 – ELECTIONS

Sec. 1 A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Board to form a slate of prospective officers. Nominations for officers may be made from the floor at a regular meeting of the club, or in writing.

Sec. 2 Nominations shall be held in October. The Nominating Committee will mail ballots by November 1. The ballots must be received back by November 21. Terms of office shall be from January 1 through December 31.

Sec. 3 Eligible voters are as specified in Article 7, Section 3.

Sec. 4 The officers shall be installed at the regular November meeting (Awards Banquet) of the club. The term of office for all officers shall be the calendar year. The retiring President shall preside and shall install the newly elected officers as the concluding act of his/her administration.

Sec. 5 Any vacancies in other offices of the board shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment by the board for the remainder of the term.

ARTICLE 9 – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1 The duties of the Officers of the club are as listed in Appendix A, and such other duties, which may be designated from time to time by the Board. The duties of the Committee Chairs shall be as listed in Appendix B.

Sec. 2 The Board shall have the power to settle all member disputes and direct the management of the club at it’s regular meetings and in case of emergency.

Sec. 3 Any Board member finding it necessary to miss three (3) consecutive regularly scheduled Board meetings shall be subject to removal from office in accordance with Article 5, Section 4.

ARTICLE 10 – CONTRACTING AND SECURING

Sec. 1 The Board may contract for building materials and any other needs of the club. The Board may secure supplies and all other materials for club activities through regular or special channels. No purchase shall be made in the name of the club by any person without approval of the Board.

Sec. 2 Any person or committee delegated to carry out any club project shall keep accurate records of any monies spent or collected. A detailed report shall be submitted upon culmination of the project. The report shall be presented to the Board.

ARTICLE 11 – INDEBTEDNESS

Sec. 1 The highest amount of indebtedness or liability, direct or contingent, to which the club may at any time subject itself, is $4,000.00.

ARTICLE 12 – DISSOLUTION

Sec. 1 In case of dissolution of the club, being voted at a membership meeting, no property or money belonging to the club shall be distributed to, or inure to the benefit of any member, but shall be donated to a charity designated by a majority vote in a membership meeting. All members in good standing shall be notified at least four (4) weeks in advance of the meeting by a registered letter stating the purpose of the meeting.

ARTICLE 13 – TABLING

Sec. 1 No matter properly brought before the club for discussion shall be tabled for more than one (1) meeting, action on same to be brought up at the next stated business meeting. Otherwise, all meetings shall follow Roberts Rules of Order in conducting meetings.

ARTICLE 14 – AMENDMENTS

Sec. 1 Additions or revisions to these By-Laws can be made by a majority vote at any membership meeting, and must be read at two (2) membership meetings before they are adopted, or by mailed ballot, provided that the amendments be in writing and printed. Amendments shall be approved at the Article and Section level, and are not approved as “all or none.”

ARTICLE 15 – FINANCIAL REPORT

Sec. 1 All financial reports shall be done in established standard procedure and carried forth from year to year. The calendar year shall be used for financial reports.

__________________________
President

__________________________
Date

APPENDIX A

BEAR RIVER RIDERS BOARD MEMBERS

OFFICERS: RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY

PRESIDENT

VICE-PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

TREASURER

APPENDIX B

COMMITTEE CHAIRS: RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY

COMMUNICATIONS

GYMKHANA

HORSE SHOW

TRAIL RIDES

EDUCATION

APPENDIX C

STANDING AGENDA

Call to order.
Old business.

Reports from:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Gymkhana Chairperson
Horse Show Chairperson
Trail Rides Chairperson
Education Chairperson
Communications Chairperson
Other special Ad Hoc Committees (nominations, etc.)

New business:
Mail
Upcoming events, etc.
Questions from individuals

Adjourn