GCCHA BYLAWS

The Gold Country Cutting Horse Association (GCCHA) is an organization formed for the express purpose of promoting the cutting horse and sport of cutting for the enjoyment of its members.

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERS, AND DUES

Section 1: QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

a. Any individual of good character, or

b. Any family, person, youth, partnership, association, or corporation of good reputation interested in cutting, horses may become a member of this Association.

c. A youth member is anyone under age 18 at the beginning of the point year.

Section 2: DUES

Each member shall pay an annual membership (fee) no later than February 10 or prior to participating in a club activity.

a. Membership is not transferable

b. Honorary membership without charge may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Directions.

c. The Board of Directors will determine the single, adult, family, and youth membership dues annually.

d. Members joining the Association at the October show will have their dues carry forward to the next year.

Section 3: MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

a. An annual meeting of the membership of the association shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors with sufficient notice to the membership.

b. The President may call special meetings of the total membership at a time and place designated by the President with sufficient notice to all members.

c. Any member who has paid his/her dues shall be considered a member in good standing and entitled to (1) vote at any meeting of members.

d. A family membership shall be entitled to two votes. A youth member, not associated with a family membership shall have no vote.

e. Voting by Proxy shall not be permitted.

Section 4: CONDUCT OF MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

a. In all meetings of the association, Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedure Revised, shall be used to conduct the meetings unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws.

b. The order of business at any meeting of the members shall be as follows:

1. Roll Call 5. Election/Appointments (if any)

2. Reading of minutes 6. Unfinished/Old Business

3. Treasurers Report 7. New Business

4. Committee Reports 8. Adjournment

Section 5. BY-LAWS CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS

a. These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of members of the association at the annual meeting.

Section 6: DELINQUENT DUES

a. Members’ delinquent in their dues shall forfeit all rights and privileges to participate in any activities of this association and shall not be listed as members until such time as any delinquent dues are paid in full.

b. Points earned by a member while delinquent in dues shall not count towards year end awards.

Section 7: REQUIRED MEMBERSHIP

a. The Rider of a horse must be a member of the association to participate in any GCCHA event/class.

b. The owner of a horse participating in any GCCHA event/class must be a member of the association except for the 2000 Limit rider, and unapproved NCHA event/classes.

Section 8: IMPROPPER CONDUCT

a. At the Board of Directors direction, any member my be dismissed as a member of the association and all privileges of the association shall thereafter be denied such member. Membership may be reinstated by action of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall manage the business and affairs of the association.

Section 1: COMPOSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD

a. The Board of Directors shall consist of 15 elected Directors, the President and the Vice President. These officers shall be members of the board by virtue of their offices.

b. The immediate Past President of the GCCHA shall be a director with full powers for the one-year term following his/her presidency.

Section 2: TERM OF OFFICE FOR BOARD MEMBERS

a. A member of the Board of Directors shall be elected for a three-year term by the members of the Association.

b. The membership shall elect five directors each year for a three-year term. In addition, the board shall be made up of the President, the Vice President and the immediate Past President, making a total of 18 directors on the board.

Section 3: DIRECTOR REQUIREMENTS

a. All members of the Board of Directors must be members in good standing of the Association.

b. Any Director who fails to attend three successive meetings of the Board of Directors may be removed from office by a majority vote at a regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting.

Section 4: BOARD MEETINGS

a. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly.

b. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held on the call of the President or a majority of the Board of Directors when deemed necessary for the competent management of the affairs of the Association.

c. Each member of the Board of Directors shall possess one vote in matters coming before the Board.

d. All voting at such meetings shall be in person and voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

e. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, seven directors plus officers shall constitute a quorum and a majority thereof shall decide on all questions that may come before the Board at the meeting.

f. The order of business at all meetings of the Board of Directors shall be as follows:

1. Roll Call 5. Election/Appointments (if any)

2. Reading of minutes 6. Unfinished/Old Business

3. Treasurers Report 7. New Business

5. Committee Reports 8. Adjournment

g. Each year a parliamentarian shall be appointed to assist in the efficient transaction of business that may come before the Board.

Section 5. VACANCY ON THE BOARD

a. The Board of Directors shall fill any vacancy arising on the Board of Directors by reason of the death, resignation or removal of a director.

b. Names of nominees shall be submitted and voted on by Board Members. Such appointee shall serve the unexpired term of the Director whose office has become vacated.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS

Section 1: OFFICERS

a. The officers of the association shall be President and Vice President.

b. One year on the current Board of Directors is a prerequisite for election to office.

c. The President and Vice President shall be elected by way of mail ballot. The term of office for the President and Vice President shall be one year, but each may run for an additional year’s term. The maximum term for office of President shall be two years. After a layoff of at least one year, that person may run for an additional term.

Section 2: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDENT

a. The President of the association shall preside at all meeting of the members of the association, and the Board of Directors. He or she shall execute all instruments on behalf of the association, appoint all special and standing committees, and be ex-officio member of such committees, and shall perform such other duties usually inherent to such office.

Section 3: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

a. The Vice President shall perform all duties of the President in her or his absence, and perform other duties as the President may direct.

Section 4. VACANCIES OF OFFICE

a. The Board of Directors through an election process determined by the Board of Directors shall fill vacancies of the office of the President and the Vice President.

Section 5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

a. The Board of Directors shall nominate two Directors for the office of President and two Directors for the office of Vice President.

b. A Nomination/election committee shall be appointed by the President on or before July 1 of each year. The Nomination committee will seek nominations for the Board of Directors from the membership. In addition, the Nomination/Election committee will develop the ballot, with approval of the Board, oversee the election, and count the ballots.

c. Election of Officers and Board of Directors shall be by mail ballot. A ballot with nominees shall be mailed to each member thirty days prior to the Annual meeting, to be returned at least ten days prior to the Annual meeting.

ARTICLE IV: SHOWS/EVENTS APPROVED BY THE ASSOCIAION

Section 1: SHOWS/EVENTS

a. All approved shows/events of the association shall be conducted under the rules of the National Cutting Horse Association. Limited and some restricted events may be conducted under modified rules of GCCHA.

b. The Board of Directors of the association shall, from time to time, establish and update the rules for shows/events of the Association.

ARTICLE V: LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: No Director of the GCCHA shall be liable to the GCCHA or its members for monetary damages for an act or omission to act in such capacity as a Director of the GCCHA, except that this Article shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director of the GCCHA for:

a. A breach of such Director’s duty to the GCCHA or its members.

b. An act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the By Laws.

c. A transaction from which a director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the Director’s office.