CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
AMERICAN BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND ASSOCIATION, INC

Preamble
Article I - Name
Article II - Objectives
Article III - Membership
Article IV - Expulsion of Members
Article V - Officers, Chairman of the Board and Directors, How Elected
Article VI - The Executive Board
Article VII - Meetings
Article VIII - Committees
Article IX - Affiliation
Article X - Duty of Officers and Directors
Article XI - Amendments
Article XII - Parliamentary Proceedings
Article XIII - Order of Business
Article XIV - Installation of Officers

PREAMBLE

The Breeders and Fanciers of the American Black and Tan Breed have organized themselves and affiliated with the United Kennel Club, Inc. for the express purpose of advancing the principles of the United Kennel Club, Inc., and to work collectively toward the betterment of the American Black and Tan Breed as a whole and to influence the breeding of a better and finer American Black and Tan Coonhound. Further, it is the purpose of this Association to support and protect inherent rights of American citizens to own, hunt and protect the breed and type of their choice; and to promote complimentary conservation and management of wildlife species commonly pursued by the American Black and Tan Breed.

ARTICLE I
Name

The name of this Association shall be - The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. The home office of which shall be the residence of the President.

ARTICLE II
Objectives

Section A. To create a closer relationship and to instill confidence between the breeder, owner and fancier of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Breed that we may be able to improve the breed beneficial to all concerned in accordance with the official standard set forth by the United Kennel Club, Inc., Registering Office in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

ARTICLE III
Membership

Section A. Any breeder, owner and / or fancier of the American Black and Tan
Coonhound Breed regardless of sex, race, creed or color may be eligible for membership in said organization provided however, that no member shall advocate the overthrow of the Government of the United States of America by unconstitutional methods.

Section B. The annual membership dues shall be payable January first of each year.

Section C. Any member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc., who becomes delinquent in dues will be dropped from the membership roll until membership is paid.

Section D. All officers and directors shall pay no later than February firs annually and officers and directors delinquent following Black and Tan Days will be removed by the President and the position filled by the President within thirty (30) days.

Section E. Lifetime membership shall be bestowed upon a member of the
American Black and Tan Coonhound Association for dedicated service to the Association subject to the following qualifications:

a. The recipient to be a minimum of 60 at the time of the selection unless he or she is physically disabled. If disabled, this age requirement may be waived by the majority vote of the Board of Directors.
b. The recipient must have been a member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. for 5 years immediately preceding his or her nomination and a member of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. for the year of his or her nomination. Nominations must be made in writing by a member of the Association to the President of the Association at least ninety (90) days before the beginning of Black and Tan Days. From the written nominations, the Board of Directors, by majority vote, may select one nominee whose name shall be submitted to the general membership meeting at Black and Tan Days for approval by a majority vote by secret ballot by the members in attendance. Any nominee whose name is not submitted by the Board of Directors to the general membership for vote may be renominated in the future. If lifetime membership is awarded, the lifetime membership will become effective beginning January first following approval by the general membership.

Section F. The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. shall place a full-page pictorial announcement in its yearbook announcing the awarding of lifetime membership to the recipient. It will also list all of the lifetime members.

ARTICLE IV
Expulsion of Members

Section A. Any member of the Association may be expelled by a majority of the Executive Board voting by secret ballot for conduct byword, deed or act detrimental to said Association.

Section B. Any member of the Association so expelled shall have the right to appeal to the membership for reinstatement. The said appeal for reinstatement shall be filed in writing with the Secretary of the Association within seven (7) consecutive calendar days after said expulsion. The appeal for reinstatement shall be agreed upon at the next annual meeting of the Association. Reinstatement shall be granted upon a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the next annual meeting of the Association. Voting upon said appeal to be secret ballot.

Section C. Any member expelled by the Association shall be denied participation in all Association activities.

ARTICLE V
Officers, Chairman of the Board and Directors, How Elected

Section A. The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, and Executive Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and nine Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall be appointed by the President. These officers constitute the Executive Board and will perform the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by Parliamentary Authority adopted by the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association,Inc.

Section B. At a regular meeting on Thursday, at Black and Tan Days, a standing Nominating Committee consisting of the Executive Board (excluding the President ) shall nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the General Membership Meeting. Before the election at the annual meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted.

Section C. The officers shall be elected by standing vote count or acclamation to serve one year (except Directors whose terms shall be three years) or until their successors are elected. At least three directors to be elected each year. Officers term of office shall begin immediately following the annual membership meeting held at Black and Tan Days.

Section D. No member shall hold more than one office at a time, and no member shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office.

Section E. No member shall be eligible for nomination as an officer of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. until after he has been a member at least one year.

ARTICLE VI
The Executive Board

Section A. The officers of the Association, including the Directors shall constitute the Executive Board.

Section B. The Executive Board shall perform general administration and supervision of the affairs of the Association between its business meeting, fix the hour and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Association and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these by-laws.

Section C. Unless otherwise ordered by the President or the Board of Directors, regular meeting of the Executive Board shall be held on Thursday and Friday at Black and Tan Days preceding the General Membership meeting. Special Board meetings shall be called by the President or the Board of Directors when necessary and advisable.

ARTICLE VII
Meetings

Section A. The General Assembly meeting of the Association shall be held at Black and Tan Days unless otherwise ordered by the Association or by the Executive Board. The location will be determined by the Executive Board. The regular meeting shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees and for any other business that may arise.

Section B. Special General Assembly meeting can be called by the President or by the Executive Board.

Section C. All membership meetings shall be open to all paid up members.

Section D. All business submitted by vote to the genera membership shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present at their regular annual meeting, except as otherwise stipulated; in this Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII
Committees

Section A. An Awards Committee composed of the Vice-President (chairman) and at least two other members shall be appointed by the President promptly after each General Membership meeting. It shall be the responsibility of this committee to determine the recipients of the Dedicated Service Award and other awards as deemed appropriate.

Section B. A Standing nominating Committee, as per Article V, Section B, shall nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the General Membership meeting. The committee will meet on Thursday at Black and Tan Days each year.

Section C. An Auditing Committee of three members shall be appointed by the President prior to Black and Tan Days each year. It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to audit the Treasurers’ accounts and to report at the annual meeting.

Section D. Such other committees standing or special shall be appointed by the President or as the Association or Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary to carry on the work of the Association. The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

ARTICLE IX
Affiliation

Section A. The American Black and Tan Coonhound Association shall be affiliated with the United kennel Club, Inc. There shall be no other affiliation with any other registering office, Association or groups. This Article of this Constitution shall not be subject to change at present or in the future.

ARTICLE X
Duty of Officers and Directors

It shall be the duties of the Officers of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association to maintain the files of the Association. At the end of their terms of office, they will deliver the complete files to their successors in office. The files shall contain copies of all business and documentary records of the Association. These records are used and maintained by these Officers during their terms of office and shall include, but shall not be limited to, copies of correspondence, committee reports, a copy of the Constitution, and identity of committee and their membership. A list of current Officers and Directors and any other notes or writings generated from Association business should be included.

Section A. President
The President serves as the presiding officer and spokesman of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. He / she shall preside over all meetings of membership and the Executive Board.
As Executive and Managerial head of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc., he / she shall be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the highest principles of the Association. He shall have the authority to appoint any and all committees as he may deem necessary to carry out the business and interests of the Association. He / she shall serve as ex officio member of committees the President has the same rights as the other committee members but is not obligated to attend meetings of the committees.
The incumbent serves as administrative head of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. and acts under the immediate direction of the Executive Board or General Assembly meetings. Where practical, he shall seek out input from the Directors and other officers before making major decisions between meetings.

Section B. Vice President
The Vice-President assists the President in directing, co-ordinating and controlling activities of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association. The President and Vice -President shall work closely together endeavoring to keep the lines of communication open to insure the Vice-President is kept well informed. The Vice-President shall serve in an advisory capacity to the President on issues needing consultation. In the absence of the President, the Vice-President succeeds to the presidential office on resignation, removal, death or disability of the President.
The Vice-Preident is charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Appoint members of the Rules Committee.
2. Coordinate all benefit and other special non-recurring events sponsored by the Association.
3. Chair the Black and Tan Days Location Committee.
4. Chair the Awards Committee.
5. Accept other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

The Vice-President serves in an active capacity in managing the functions of the Association. Therefore, it is important that the incumbent is competent ton perform the duties thereof.

Section C. Executive Vice-President
The incumbent works closely with the President and is responsible for:

1. Purchasing and delivering all trophies presented by the Association.
2. Planning and co-ordinating the Bench Show at Black and Tan Days.
3. Approving and co-ordinating all sectional hunts sanctioned by the Association.
4. Planning and co-ordinating other activities as assigned.

Section D. Secretary
The duties of the Secretary are:

1. To keep a record of all the proceedings of the organization, usually called the minutes.
2. To keep the organizations official membership roll.
3. To make the minutes and records available to members upon request.
4. To maintain record book(s) in which minutes are recorded with any amendments to these documents properly recorded, and to have the current record books on hand at every meeting.
5. To preside in the absence of the President and Vice-President at all meetings of the Association with the same power vested in the President.

Section E. Treasurer
The incumbent shell hold funds deposited with him and disburse them as bills are received. All drafts on the Association will be countersigned by the President. The Treasurer is required to keep current, as nearly as possible, a balance of Association funds at all times. He / she is required to make a full financial report annually. This report will be audited annually prior to the general membership meeting at Black and Tan days by an appointed Auditing Committee. Additional interim reports will be made as needed.
The Treasurer serves as a member of the Executive Board and has full privileges thereof, i.e. voting rights, motion rights, debate rights, etc. The Treasurer must be bonded for a sum sufficient to protect the Association from loss. The bond shall be the amount of the projected receipts annually. The bond will be paid for by the Association.

Section F. Chairman of the Board
As Chairman of the Boards of Directors the incumbent will participate in the decision making process and administration of the Association between its business meetings.
The incumbent actively participates in meetings of the Executive Board expressing his views, concerns and motions.
The Chairman of the Board will serve as the Chairman of the Nominating Committee ( a standing committee as described in the by-laws ).
The incumbent will plan and coordinate Black and Tan Days including but not limited to approving facilities, obtaining all license, advertising, developing the event itinerary, scheduling Masters of Hounds, planning reception, co-ordinating breed barn, taking entries, serving as Master of Ceremonies, scheduling photographers and awarding trophies. Exceptions to Black and Tan Days responsibilities are:

1. Planning, co-ordination and control of the Bench Show.
2. Purchasing and delivering Black and Tan Days trophies.

These duties belong to the Executive Vice-President.

Section G. Executive Board
As members of the Executive Board the incumbents will participate in the decision making process and the general supervision affairs of the Association between its business meetings.
The incumbents actively participate in meetings of the Executive Board expressing their view, concerns and motions. A Director will willingly serve on special committees to consider, investigate, o take action on certain matters or subjects pertinent to administration of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.
If any member of the Executive Board misses two (2) consecutive Board Meetings the President will remove that individual within thirty (30) days following the second absenteeism and shall fill the position within thirty ( 30 ) days.

ARTICLE XI
Amendments

This Constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present in favor of said amendment (with the exception of Article IX) of the Constitution of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.

ARTICLE XII
Parliamentary Proceedings

Section A. Robbers Rules of Order shall be accepted as a basis of Parliamentary procedure in all meetings of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc.

ARTICLE XIII
Order of Business

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Reading and Approval of Minutes
4. Report of Committees
5. Report of President
6. Report of Secretary
7. Report of Treasurer
8. Old Business
9. New Business
10. Installation of New Officers
11. Adjournment

ARTICLE XIV
Installation of Officers

The installation of Officers shall be conducted by any incumbent officer in good standing of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc. who may be designated by the President for this purpose.

Installing Officer: "Do you accept the office to which you have been elected?"
Officer Elect: "I do."
Installing Officer: "Raise your right hand and repeat after me; I (officer elect voice his name), do solemnly promise on my most sacred word of honor, before the members present that I will faithfully perform to the best of my ability all the duties of the office to which I have been elected. I will turn over to my successor all the property of the American Black and Tan Coonhound Association, Inc., that I may have entrusted to me."

Amended and Reprinted - May 1989
Amended and Reprinted - May 1995