AMERICAN KING SHEPHERD CLUB, INC.

THE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
SECTION I: FOUNDING OFFICERS
Section 1.
The names of the founding officers of the club are Mr. David Turkheimer and Ms. Shelley Watts-Cross.

Section 2.
The American King Shepherd Dog Club is the official name of the club unless otherwise changed by either of the founding officers. The name may be subject to change without prior notice.
SECTION II: THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CLUB
Section 3. The following are the objectives of the American King Shepherd Dog Club:
a) encourage and promote the quality of King Shepherd dogs and to do any and all things possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;
b) to urge members and breeders to accept the standard for the breed as approved by the American Rare Breed Association as the only standard of excellence by which King Shepherds shall be judged;
c) to encourage the organization of working dog functions, specialty shows and any additional dog sport, which will bring King fanciers together to promote the quality, workability and perfection of their King Shepherd, dogs;
d) to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike conduct at , any Club activity and dog sport function, such as dog shows, working trials and obedience trials;
e) to continually try to promote any and all special qualities of the King Shepherd;
f) to urge all members and fanciers to abide by the American King Shepherd Club's Code of Ethics when owning or breeding a King Shepherd.
g) to bring fanciers of the breed together in friendly counsel.


SECTION III: THE NONPROFIT STATUS OF THE CLUB
Section 4.
The business of the Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit at any time by any member, fancier or associate of the breed and club monies should not be used to benefit any member, fancier or associate of the breed.
SECTION IV. REVISION OF OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
Section 5.
The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such By-
Laws as may be required to carry out these objectives.



BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1 - FOUNDING OFFICERS SECTION 1 The names of the founding officers of the club are David Turkheimer and Shelley Watts-Cross.
a. The founding officers cannot at any time during the existence of the club be voted from the membership of the club. The founding officers will always hold an official position as a club officer or a Board of Director.
b. The founding officers have the power to terminate any person's membership to the club if they feel that the person is directly working against the Constitution of the club, the welfare of the breed or the direction of the popular membership, as to cause unrest with the club.
ARTICLE II
SECTION 1 - CLUB REGISTRY
SECTION 1 The Official Registry of the American King Shepherd Club has been and will always continue to be operated by the Founding Officers of the club.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION I Definitions of Club Governing Body
FOUNDERS: Are defined as Two, (2) Founding Members of the AKSC. Specifically Shelley Watts-Cross and David Turkheimer. All references to Founders contained in these By-laws, Constitution and or any official documents of the organization shall refer to these individuals.
ClUB OFFICERS: Shall be defined as the elected positions on the Board of Directors of the Club. Currently these are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
DIRECTORS: Shall be defined as those members chosen by the current President, and voted by a favorable majority consisting of the Founders and the Club Officers. AKSC by-laws currently allow for the appointment of five, (5) Directors. Directors may be removed or replaced by the President with a majority vote of the Founders and Officers.
The Board or Board of Directors: Shall be defined as the Founders, Officers and Directors.
SECTION II
Roles and Responsibilities of Officers
PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings of the AKSC and will have the duties and responsibilities normally residing in the office of the President. The President will possess all the authority normally residing in this position as well as additional powers and duties as defined in the AKSC bylaws and constitution.
VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President will assume the responsibilities and power of the President in his/her absence, as well as any specific duties/responsibilities as assigned by the President.
SECRETARY: The Secretary will keep a record of all meetings of the club and board and all matters of which a record is ordered by the club. He/she will notify all board members of meetings, keep a roll of the members of the club with their addresses and present for probation at quarterly meetings, new membership applications when received. He/she will attend to the correspondence of the club as directed by the, President.
TREASURER: The Treasurer will collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. Monies will be deposited in a bank approved by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books will at all times be open to inspection of the Board and a report will be given at every meeting of the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt of payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting an accounting will be rendered of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer will be bonded in such amount as the Board of Directors determine. Also the Treasurer will forward paid membership information i.e., name, address, phone, e-mail address to the Secretary.
REQUIREMENTS
SECTION III Effective January l' 2000 Officers of the AKSC will be required to attend Three (3) Scheduled meetings and five (5) Shows. (Shows defined as ARBA, The Rarities AKSC Specialty Shows, etc. ) Directors are required to attend Two (2) scheduled meetings and four (4) Shows. (Defined as ARBA, The Rarities AKSC Specialty Shows, etc). Attending either one (1 ) or Two (2) days of a Two (2) day event will constitute attendance at one (1) show.
Officers and /or Board Members failing to fulfill this requirement without good reason (to be determined on a case by case basis by the remainder of the board) may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Board at any scheduled or emergency meeting of the board.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Eligibility. Member ship is open to all persons in good standing with the club and who subscribe to the purposes of the club. A member is good standing is defined as:
a. Current on dues
b. Current on administrative requirements (i.e., registrations, win sheets, etc.)
c. This applies to Breeders or Applicants for Foundation Stock Only:
Adheres to the Ethical Guide for Breeders as determined by the majority of the Board of Directors.
There will be three types of membership:
a. Regular Membership is open to all persons 18 years or older who are in good standing with the AKSC, and who subscribe to the purposes of the AKSC, Inc. These members will have full voting privileges, if current dues are paid. Regular membership will require ownership of a King Shepherd or King Shepherds. The intent to purchase a King Shepherd will also be qualification provided there is proof of deposit with membership application.
b. Associate Membership is open to anyone interested in the breeding or showing of King Shepherds, but who do not currently own King Shepherdls as stated in regular membership criteria above. These members will enjoy all privileges of membership excluding the right to vote and to hold office.
c. Election to Honorary-Life Membership may be proposed by a Board member or Club member through the Secretary. Election will be by unanimous favorable vote of the Board of Directors, voting by open ballot.

Section 2. Dues and Levies.
a. Membership dues shall be assessed annually for all Regular and Associate members.
b. Payable on or before the first of January each year.
c. Dues paid after June 1 are considered delinquent and subject to a late fee of $5.00.
d. Dues paid after June 1 for new members only will be prorated for the balance of the year.
e. The amount of the dues of each membership category shall be determined by a majority decision of the full membership of the Board of Directors prior to September 1 of each year in order to take effect the following January 1. In any year when the Board has not acted by September 1 sI to change the amount, the dues for the current year shall continue in effect for the ensuing year.
f. Honorary-Life members are exempt from all dues and levies.
g. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year.
h. During the month of September each member shall be sent a statement of dues for the ensuing year.
Membership Privileges:
a. Quarterly newsletter
b. Advance notice of AKSC sanctioned events
c. Discount on entry fees for all AKSC sanctioned events Member Entry -$20.00
Non-Member Entry -$25.00
d. Eligibility for awards in the form of prizes and trophies
Section 3. Membership.        
Regular membership: Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of this Club. The application shall carry the endorsement of 2 members in good standing, and the applicant shall submit dues payment for the current year to the membership chairman. New members will be subject to a 3 month probation period. The probation period may be waived if the new member has 2 members in good standing nominate them to membership
The Board may deny membership for any reason and is not required to give reasons for, denial of membership.
Section 4. Recommended Breeders List- Requirements
a. Member in good standing for a period of 2 years
b. Must have 1 previous litter with references from 2 puppy owners from that litter
c. Current on annual fee of $25.00
d. Sign off on the AKSC Ethical Guide for Breeders
Section 5. Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated by:
a. Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the membership chairman; but resignation shall not affect or cancel any obligation for dues or any other debt to the Club which has accrued prior to resignation.
b. Lapsing. A membership may be considered lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid after June 15.
c. Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article 1 Section 1 b of these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Quarterly Club meetings will be held on dates agreed to by a majority of the Board of Directors. Emergency meetings to attend to the business of the organization may be called by the President, Vice-President, or a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Section 1. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of five members, all of whom shall be members in good standing who are residents of the United States. They shall be appointed for three year terms as provided in Article IV. General management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Officers. The officers of this Club shall consist of a President, a Vice- President, a Treasurer, a Secretary. The officers shall be elected by the membership as , proposed by Article IV, Section 2, of these Bylaws and shall serve in their respective capacities at all meetings of the Club and, so far as may be appropriate, at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
a. President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President, in addition to those particularly specified in these Bylaws.
b) Vice President. The Vice-President shall have the powers and exercise the duties of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity, in the order of their election.
c) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club. He shall notify members of meetings, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, present the names of proposed new members, shall have charge of answering all inquiries directed to the Club, and such other correspondence as may be delegated to him and carry out such other duties as prescribed in these Bylaws.
e) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to
the Club. Monies shall be deposited in a bank approved by the Board, in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection of the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the Club's finances and every item of receipt of payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all monies received and expended during the previous year. He shall also be responsible for filing the AKSC, Inc. tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.
Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring on the Board during the year shall be filled for the un-expired term of office by appointment of the President except that a vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President.
ARTICLE VII
THE CLUB YEAR, OFFICER'S TERMS, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Section I
Fiscal Year The Club fiscal year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of the calendar year.
Officer's terms will be three (3) years beginning on January 1, 2001. There are no term limits for elected officers. Officers may declare their intent to run for re-election by July 31st of the election year.
Section II
Nominations The Nominating Committee three (3) of which not more than one (1) will be a Board Director will be selected by the President prior to the end of the 2nd quarter of an election year. A committee chair will be selected by the Board. The Nominating Committee may conduct its business by mail.
The Nominating Committee will select eligible candidates (as defined under eligibility requirements) by July 31st of an election year. Ballots will be mailed to members eligible to vote by August 15th and must be returned to the Club Secretary postmarked no later than September 1 st of the same year. The ballots will remain sealed until opened at the next scheduled meeting of the Board. Results of the election will be announced immediately following the meeting.
Eligibility
Eligibility for selection by the Nominating Committee will be the same as for general membership.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President will each year appoint standing committees to advance the i work of the Club. The chairman of each committee shall submit an annual report to the I Secretary no later than January 2.
Section 2. The Chairman of each committee shall be appointed annually by the President for a term of one year. The Board may choose to recommend additional members for each committee appointed.
Section 3. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the President may appoint successors to those persons whose service has been terminated. Each retiring committee chairman or members shall turn over all records and properties relating to the committee to this successor, or, if the committee has been dissolved, to the Secretary, within 30 days after he has been notified of the termination of his office. Any person who fails to do so within 30 days may be suspended from all privileges of the Club until the transfer is effected.
Section 4. Any policy change proposed by a committee must be referred to the Board for consideration. Resulting policy changes must appear in an official communication of the AKSC to the general membership.
IX
DISCIPLINE
Section 1. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against another member for alleged action prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Breed and/or failure to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws, or Ethical Guide for Breeders, of this Club.
Written charges with specifications must be filed with the Secretary, together with a deposit of $100.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting. The Secretary will also send copies of the charges to the defendant who shall have the opportunity to submit written documents to the Board.
The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute action prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct, which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or of the Breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction.
If the Board decides to entertain jurisdiction, the Secretary shall so inform the parties to i the complaint and shall send one copy of the charges by certified mail together with a[ notice of the hearing. The hearing shall be held at the next regularly scheduled face to face meeting of the Board, unless the date of that meeting would be less than 21 days from the date of the hearing notice. In that event or should the Board decide that such scheduling does not allow adequate preparation time to the Board, or to either or both parties, the hearing date shall be put over until the following face to face meeting.
Section 2. Board Hearing. Should either party to the proceeding choose to be represented by counsel, he shall so inform the Secretary no later than 30 days prior to the date of the hearing. The Secretary shall promptly inform the other party. Should the charges be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the complainant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, the Board may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.
Section 3. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only following a hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf. The meeting shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the annual meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted the suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. The Standard for the Breed and the Ethics Guide may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 25% of the members in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors. No less than 60 days, and no later than four months after submission to the membership the Board shall report on such proposal(s) to the Club and present the same for action.

ARTICLE XI
DISSOLUTION
Section 1. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club other than for the purposes of re-organization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof, nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any members of the Club, but after payment of the debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs as selected by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. At meetings of the Club and the Board of Directors, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Minutes
Report of the President
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment


AMERICAN KING SHEPHERD CLUB, INC.
ADDENDUMS TO BYLAWS - MEMBERSHIP
I. MEMBERSHIP- Requirements a. Dues are payable on the 1st day of the year
b. Dues paid after June 1 are considered delinquent and subject to a late fee of $5.00.
c. Dues paid after June 1 for new members only will be prorated for the balance of the year.
d. New members will be subject to a 3-month probation period. The probation period may be waived if the new member has 2 members in good standing nominate them to membership.
Benefits of Membership
a. Quarterly newsletter
b. Advance notice of upcoming AKSC events
c. Discount on entry fees for all AKSC sanctioned events Member Entry -$15.00
Nonmember Entry -$20.00
d. Membership in YahooGroups (formerly known as OneList, E-Groups)

II. RECOMMENDED BREEDERS LIST -Requirements
a. Member in good standing for a period of 2 years
b. Annual fee of $25.00
c. Sign off on the American King Shepherd Club Ethical Standards of Breeding (This has been addended, please see new file)

Adopted May, 2000
Voted into effect by the Officers and Board of Directors of the AKSC on May 5, 2000 ~

AMERICAN KING SHEPHERD CLUB, INC.
ADDENDUM TO BY-LAWS MEMBERSHIP AND PRIVILEGES

Membership & Privileges
Only those members in good standing with the American King Shepherd Club are eligible to compete in any AKSC sanctioned event.
Three (3) members in good standing must sponsor a new applicant for membership to the AKSC.
All King Shepherds must be registered through the AKSC in order to be eligible to, compete in any AKSC sanctioned event.
Only those members in good standing are eligible to register their litters/puppies/dogs with the American King Shepherd Club. Alternatively, any non-member of the AKSC is not eligible to register their dogs/puppies with the AKSC or compete with their dogs/puppies at any AKSC sanctioned event.
Effective immediately, all signed Win Sheets (signed by the judge, the AKSC President or Secretary) must be submitted to the Club Secretary within 30 days of the show date.
The AKSC will notify the respective member when their dog(s) achieve Breed Club Champion status.
Breed Club Champion status will only be awarded to members of the AKSC.
Adopted June 2000


AMERICAN KING SHEPHERD CLUB, INC.
ADDENDUM -REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS

Registration Qualifications •        any non-King Shepherd(s) will be recognized as such and not as a King Shepherd
•        any non-King Shepherd(s) used as foundation stock will be registered as such with the AKSC and will not be considered a King Shepherd
•        any non-King Shepherd(s) currently registered as such will be registered as , foundation stock
•        a majority vote of approval by the Board of Directors is required before foundation stock registration will be granted
Adopted by the Board of Directors July 11, 2000