BRIGHTON SADDLE CLUB
~~BY-LAWS & MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT~~
Article 1 – Location & Corporate Seal
Section 1: Shall be known as Brighton Saddle Club and shall at all times be operated and conducted as a non-profit organization in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri, providing for such organizations and by which it shall acquire all such rights as granted to organizations of this kind.
Section 2: Term – the Corporation shall be perpetual
Section 3: Place of business – 1563 W. Highway 215, Brighton, MO 65617
Mission Statement
Brighton Saddle Club shall strive in all aspects to create and maintain the positive role of equines in an ever-changing society. Recognizing the importance of providing a community-based, family-oriented atmosphere where both individuals as well as families, can come for education, competition, and fellowship as it relates to all disciplines pertaining to equine activities. In doing so, the Club will insure that future generations will appreciate the values of responsibility, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Brighton Saddle Club will continue to provide new ways to maintain interest and enthusiasm in this industry. Above all else, Brighton Saddle Club shall at all times keep the safety and well-being of both people and equines the utmost priority.
Article 2 – Membership
The membership of this club shall consist of members who have been admitted to the membership by
payment of non-refundable dues and means a persons’ acceptance of all Club rules.
Section 1: Dues – Amount to be determined by an annual vote of the members. The Club year shall be the first day of January and include December 31 of the same year. A copy of Brighton Saddle Club by-laws shall be provided to all new members upon payment of annual dues; said member cannot vote, serve in office or on the Board of Directors until his/her annual dues are paid.
Section 2: You must be 16 years of age in order to vote. Membership consists of member, and family members under the age of 21 living in same household. Anyone over the age of 21 must have their own membership.
Section 3: Due to Brighton Saddle Club being a family oriented club and liability issues, no alcohol or drugs will be allowed on Brighton Saddle Club property. No alcohol or drugs shall be consumed by anyone participating in any mounted activity including any trail rides sponsored by the Brighton Saddle Club.
Article 3 – Meetings
Section 1: The Club shall hold one business meeting per month with the exception of December or weather permitting. The November meeting will be the election of officers for the New Year and they will take office on January 1st. The first meeting of each year will be called the ‘Planning Meeting’.
Section 2: Any Officer of the Brighton Saddle Club may call the meeting of the Members to order and may act as chairman of such meeting, precedence being given as follows; President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In the absence of all such Officers, members present may elect a chairman.
Section 3: Members will be notified of any special meeting at least Ten (10) days in advance. Notice shall be deemed to be delivered when written notice shall be deposited in the U.S. Mail, addressed to the Members at the current address listed on the records or personal contact with member by telephone or e-mail.
Section 4: Special meetings of the Members may be held when called by the President, majority of the Board of Directors, or upon written request by not less than Twenty percent (20%) of the Members in good standing. Notice of the meeting, indicated briefly, shall be given in the same manner as provided with respect to notice of meeting. To exercise voting privileges, a Member must be physically present at the Meeting. Twenty percent (20%) of the full membership shall constitute a quorum at any special club meeting, provided that Two (2) Board Members are present and Two (2) Officers.
Section 5: At any meeting of the Members held in accordance with the foregoing provisions as to notice, the Members attending such meeting shall constitute a quorum for all purposes unless the law should require the representation of a larger number.
Article 4 – Board of Directors
Section 1: The number of Directors and their terms shall be frozen permanently until Members wish to change this. It will require a Two-Thirds (2/3) majority of Members present to change this. It will also require a notice being sent to all Members ten (10) days prior to the upcoming change to be voted on.
The number and terms are as follows:
There will be Six (6) Directors and their terms will be for Three (3) years.
Each year Two (2) Directors will have their terms expire by attrition. If the incumbent President is voted out of office, they will automatically become a Board of Director for a One (1) year term. Then one other Director will need to be elected.
Section 2: The Board of Directors shall meet whenever it is deemed necessary; the President calls for a meeting or a Director calls for a meeting. The President shall preside at all meetings. In absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside. The President shall vote in tie-breakers only. If the Secretary is unable to take notes, a note keeper will be appointed.
Section 3: In case of any vacancy in the Board of Directors by death, resignation, disqualification or other cause, the President, with advice from the remaining Directors, shall appoint a qualified successor to serve the remainder of the year. The Members at the next election of Officers will elect a new Director.
Article 5 – Officers, Terms & Duties
Section 1: The Officers of Brighton Saddle Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They shall be elected by the Club from the membership, by a majority vote of the members present and shall not be absent for Three (3) consecutive meetings, or a new officer may be elected in their place. Each Officer shall serve a term of One (1) year. There is no term limit on how many years a person may serve in office. Nominees for an Officer position must be Eighteen (18) year of age and older as of the year they are to take office and must be a member in good standing.
PRESIDENT: The President shall be Chief Executive Officer of the Brighton Saddle Club and shall preside at all meetings. Shall see that the by-laws, rules and regulations of the Brighton Saddle Club are enforced and shall perform all other duties that may arise pertaining to the operation of the club. Shall be an ex officio member of all committees.
VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall have the powers and perform the duties of the President and other duties as may be called for in the operation of the Brighton Saddle Club.
SECRETARY: The Secretary shall keep full and accurate minutes of all meetings of the club and of all Board of Directors meetings. Minutes of all meetings will be read at the next membership meeting. They will keep a file of said approved minutes and a copy shall be given to the President. The Secretary shall also keep meeting rosters. If the Secretary is unable to attend a meeting, a Member will be appointed to take and compile notes of said meeting.
TREASURER: The Treasurer shall receive all monies turned over to them, and be held accountable for such money. They shall disburse the same only upon itemized demands. They shall deposit said monies in the bank, the same day received or as soon as possible. At each meeting, they will give a full accounting of the monies, received, monies paid out and current bank balance. They will have a copy of all agreements and or legal documents that pertain to the Brighton Saddle Club and all original documents will be placed in a safety deposit box in the same bank as houses the clubs’ checking account. The Treasurer and the President will be the only two people authorized to sign checks and enter the safety deposit box. Both of their signatures will be on file at the bank and will be updated each year if officers are changed.
NEWS REPORTER: The Brighton Saddle Club may approve an individual as a news reporter on an ‘as needed’ basis. An elected officer may hold said position. The Reporter shall be responsible to notify the news media of any coming events or other pertinent news.
Section 2: No Officer shall receive any compensation for his/her services as an Officer unless such compensation is authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors and by a majority vote of the club members.
Article 6 – Committees
The President shall have the privilege, from time to time, to appoint such committees as it may deem proper, and may prescribe the functions and duties of such committees. The President will appoint a chairman authorizing that person to appoint the members thereof. Committees shall operate under the rules provided in the by-laws. Any recommendation of committees shall be reported at the next regular meeting.
Article 7 – Amendments of the By-Laws
Section 1: The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, amend and repeal the by-laws of the Brighton Saddle Club. Any action taken by the Board of Directors will then have to be voted on by the Members at the next monthly meeting, or a specially called meeting. Any changes require a Two-Thirds (2/3) vote of majority members.
Section 2: Whenever in these by-laws the term Member or Members shall be used, unless otherwise specified, shall mean a Member or Members in good standing and having the right to vote.
Article 8 – Privileges & Responsibilities
Section 1: You must be a Member in good standing to use any of the facilities of the Brighton Saddle Club. Privileges include access to, and use of the Club’s arena, participation in all Club activities and the ability to compete at all Club scheduled events for points and year-end awards; providing said Member complies with the requirement set forth by the Show Committee.
Section 2: If any Member or guest of the Member uses the facilities and any damage is done, they will be responsible for any repairs or pay for the repair of such damage. You will be responsible to shut all gates, turn out lights, and pick up any trash you may have accumulated and leave the area in good shape.
Section 3: The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Members will be the only persons authorized to have keys to the clubhouse. If any Member wishes to use the clubhouse, they must obtain permission and a key from the President.
Section 4: If the clubhouse or grounds are to be used by any entity other than Brighton Saddle Club, the President and Board of Directors will negotiate a contract for such use.
Section 5: Each Member has the responsibility to assist with the maintenance and improvements of the Brighton Saddle Club arena and grounds. As such, each Member is encouragedto participate in scheduled workdays and event activities during the year. Workdays consist of lawn mowing, arena preparation, repairs, improvements, etc. Special workdays will be scheduled as required. Event activities are: Assisting in putting on the events, i.e. ringmaster, arena set up and take down, gatekeeper, awarding ribbons, cook shack, etc. If the Club membership votes to sponsor a major activity, in addition to its show schedule, each Member is encouraged to participate in the preparation and execution of such activity.
Article 9 – Rule of Order
Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of all meetings of the Brighton Saddle Club except when in conflict with these by-laws.
AMENDED MARCH 9, 2010