HEARTLAND MINIATURE HORSE CLUB BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
AS AMENDED FEBRUARY 10, 1991: THE NAME OF THIS ORGANIZATION
SHALL BE “HEARTLAND MINIATURE HORSE CLUB” (HMHC)
ARTICLE II
1. To develop and promote the miniature horse breed.
2. To develop and promote good fellowship among other people and associations.
3. To encourage breeding, training and exhibition of good quality stock.
4. To function under the American Miniature Horse Association (AMHA) and American
Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) rules and by-laws. (9/20/14)
ARTICLE III – MEMBER
1. Membership is open to all persons who are interested in the miniature horse
breed, the purposes of the miniature equine breed registry, and the goals of this
Organization. Cruelty, abuse or inhumane treatment of any horse or animal is
strictly prohibited and may result in termination of membership in Organization
(4/30/11). Members in good standing are those persons who have applied for
and been accepted to membership in the organization and who are not in arrears in
payment of their dues.
2. New Members: Application for membership shall be in writing and shall provide
the name of the applicant, if a Household Membership, the name of spouse and/or
all dependent children under the age of 18 years to be included in the membership
(date of birth of all dependent children shall be provided on the application).
Applications shall be accompanied by the appropriate membership fee and is to be
submitted to the HMHC Board of Directors (4/30/11).
3. ANNUAL DUES: Annual dues shall be considered on a yearly basis and shall
coincide with the Club fiscal year of November 1 through October 31. Members whose
annual dues have not been paid by January 1 shall be considered in arrears and shall
no longer participate or be able to vote on organization matters. A new member joining
the organization after October 1 shall automatically be considered to have paid dues for
the ensuing year. (9/20/14)
4. DUES:
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP (Individual, Farm) An individual member (or farm).
One vote. Dues $20. 1/10/09
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: Limited to 2 adult votes; shall include adults and youth
under 18 years of age residing in the household OR related family as defined by
AMHA/AMHR. Dues $25. (9/20/14)
YOUTH MEMBERSHIP: Youth under 18 years of age not included in a Family
Membership above, sponsored by a current HMHC adult member with written
approval of parent or guardian. No vote. Dues $l0. (9/20/14)
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: An Individual or Farm becomes an
Associate Member upon payment of entry fee at any HMHC sponsored
show. No vote. 9/11/99
5. Membership in this Organization is not transferable or assignable. Failure to make
payment on annual dues shall signify termination of membership. The interest of
any member in the property or monies of this Organization shall cease with the
termination of his/her membership.
6. SALARIES: There shall be no salaries for any member or officer of this
organization unless approved by the Board of Directors. 1/17/98
7. Only Regular Members (Individuals/Farm), Family Members (including dependents),
Youth Members, and Associate Members in good standing will be allowed to enter
HMHC sponsored horse shows.
ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
1. There should be one annual meeting of the Club per year within sixty days of
calendar year-end, with date-of-record being twenty (20) days prior to the meeting
date. Special meetings shall be called by the President, a majority of the Board of
Directors or by the Secretary. A notification of the special meeting will be emailed or
mailed to the membership. Notification will state time, location, agenda, etc. of special
meetings. (9/20/14)
2. All voting members may have a voice and participate at all meetings. 1/17/98
ARTICLE V - DIRECTORS
1. Directors of this Organization shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall take
office after such meeting. The first year (1996) three directors shall be elected for
a period of three years, with the present two terms directors (1998) and one term
directors (1997) serving their unexpired terms. Each succeeding year directors
will be elected for a three year term. 1/21/96
2. Following the election of Directors, the Directors shall hold Directors Meetings at
which time the elected directors, shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary,
and Treasurer. 1/19/97
3. Any director whose dues are not paid by January 1 will be considered unqualified
to continue as a director and the general membership, at its annual meeting, shall
replace the unexpired term of this director. 1/19/97
4. Any director who fails to attend board meetings and participate in club functions
may be removed from office by a majority vote of the remaining directors. If a
director is removed from office the board must appoint a successor to fill the
unexpired term. 1/18/99
5. The general supervision and direction of the affairs of the organization shall be
vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may fill any and all
vacancies which may occur among the officers and/or elected board member
between annual meetings and shall carry on all business and other activities of the
Organization subject to general membership knowledge and approval.
ARTICLE VI - DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and all meetings of
the Board of Directors and shall perform all duties incident of this office. The
President shall have the power to appoint such committees as he/she may deem
necessary for the advancement for the Club; the President will appoint one
director to review records annually. 1/21/96
2. The Vice President shall in the absence of the president, perform the duties of the
president. 1/10/09
3. The Secretary shall keep a complete record of all meetings and shall notify
membership of Annual or Special Meetings by email or mail. 1/10/09
4. The Treasurer shall make a detailed report of all financial activity two times each
year as of June 30 and December 31 for a review, to the Board of Directors and
the full year’s audit report to the general membership at the Annual meeting. In
the event of unresolved discrepancies the Treasurer shall give up all monies,
checks and supporting documents to the President, who will fill the vacancy of
Treasurer until the next Annual meeting. 1/10/09
ARTICLE VII – ELECTIONS
1. All voting for directors of the Organization shall be by secret ballot.
2. Only regular and family members in good standing whose dues are paid in
accordance with these by-laws are eligible to vote at any election. Each regular
member in good standing shall be entitled to one vote; each family membership
entitles two votes per family at least one of which shall be from a
parent or guardian and the other from a family member over 18 years of age.
9/11/1993. Absentee or vote by proxy is not allowed in any meeting of this
Organization. 1/19/97 Mail-in ballots will be allowed on occasion as the situation
warrants. (9/20/14)
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
These by-laws may be altered and amended at any meeting of the Organization by a
vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present at such meeting provided the
proposed amendment has been presented in writing either through newsletter or
special mailing to all members prior to said meeting.
ARTICLE 1X - LIABILITIES
Officers, Directors and Members shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities
or other obligations of the Organization. 2/10/94
ARTICLE X - ADDITION TO BY-LAWS
In the event Heartland Miniature Horse Club should dissolve and no longer be an
Organization, after all outstanding debts are satisfied (if any exist), then all remaining
money in the treasury shall be donated to a nonprofit organization selected by a
committee of three from members at large from pre-existing Heartland Miniature
Horse Club members. 1/16/94