CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I
NAME and OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The name of the Club shall be the Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club (CSCTC).
Section 2. Purpose and Objectives
Purpose
The purpose of the Club is to promote the natural qualities of the purebred Cairn Terrier and the breed standard as articulated by The American Kennel Club.

Objectives
(A) To increase the awareness of, and to educate the public about, the Cairn Terrier;
(B) To practice and support selective breeding in order to bring the natural qualities of the purebred Cairn Terrier to the highest possible level;
(C) To advance the interest in the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, agility trials, earth dog trials, and other performance events;
(D) To conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows under the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club;
(E) To develop an education and membership program that helps to encourage interest and support for the Cairn Terrier;
(F) To support other similar Cairn organizations;
(G) To support good training programs;
(H) To support Cairn Terrier Rescue Organizations;
Section 3. The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
Section 4. The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out the objectives.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. ELGIBILITY:
The following four categories of membership are available:
(A) Regular Membership
This form of membership is open, by election, to all persons 18 years of age, or older, who subscribe to the Purpose and Objectives of the CSCTC, The American Kennel Club, The Cairn Terrier Club of America, and who want to participate in providing the necessary direction, and help, needed to accomplish those objectives. Members have voting rights afforded to them at all general membership meetings. Membership may be applied for in one of two classes: single or joint. Joint membership is membership by two individuals residing in the same household. Joint members shall each have privileges equal to that of single members.
(B) Junior Membership
This form of membership is open, by election, to all persons, 10-17 years of age, and shall have all the privileges of Regular Membership, except the right to vote, hold office, or serve on the Nominating Committee. Upon reaching the age of 18, Junior Members, in good standing, may transfer their Junior Membership to Regular Membership.
(C) Supporting Membership
This form of membership is available, by election, to anyone, 18 years of age or older, who wishes to support the Purpose and Objectives of the Club. Supporting Members may attend general meetings of the Club but cannot vote, hold office, or serve on the Nominating Committee. Membership may be applied for in one of two classes: single or joint. Joint membership is membership by two individuals residing in the same household. Supporting members may, at any time, apply for Regular membership.
(D) Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership is bestowed, by CSCTC election, to honor an individual who has by time, energy, and accomplishment, exemplified the highest level of commitment to the Cairn Terrier Breed. An Honorary Member may participate at all general meetings of the Club but cannot vote, hold office, or serve on the Nominating Committee. Honorary members can also maintain Regular Membership if they pay dues.
Section 2. DUES:
(A) The Membership Committee shall review dues annually. Any changes shall be presented to the Board of Directors, for review, and then submitted to the membership for their approval. In the event of disapproval, the dues shall be set by the membership. Determination of dues, as described above, shall occur no later than the September meeting.
(B) Junior Membership and Supporting Membership dues will be less than the rate for Regular Membership.
(C) Joint memberships shall have annual dues less than twice the amount of a single membership.
(D) Membership dues shall be annual, and payable on, or before, the first scheduled general meeting of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. During the month of December, of each year, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of the dues owed for the following year. Persons submitting application for membership, after June 30th, shall pay one-half the annual dues for the balance of the current year.
Section 3. ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP:
(A) Regular Membership and Junior Membership
Each applicant, for membership, shall apply on a form, approved by the Board of Directors, which shall provide a statement that the applicant agrees to abide by this Constitution, and its Bylaws, and to subscribe to the purpose and objectives of the American Kennel Club and the Cairn Terrier Club of America. The application shall state the name, address, e-mail address, and phone number of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of two members who are in good standing. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current or remaining year.
All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application shall be read at the first official meeting of the Club following its receipt. The applications will be voted upon, by secret ballot, at the next Club meeting at which the applicant is present. An affirmative vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members, present and voting, shall be required to elect the applicant.
If the applicant is not present at one of the next two (2) meetings, after submitting application for membership, the application shall be considered withdrawn and the Secretary shall return the application, and accompanying dues, with a written explanation. In such event the applicant may not re-apply sooner than three months from the date of return of the application. The requirement for an applicant's presence may be waived due to extenuating circumstances if the applicant requests such waiver and it is approved by vote of the Board.
(B) Supporting Membership
Each applicant for Supporting Membership shall apply on a written form and then be approved, by a majority of the Membership Committee. The Membership committee will submit approved applicant forms to the Board of Directors for final approval. The written form shall state that the applicant agrees to support the purpose, and objectives, of the CSCTC. The application shall state the name, address, e-mail address and phone number of the applicant. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current or remaining year.
(C) Honorary Membership
A candidate for Honorary Membership must be recommended, by a Regular Member, to the Membership Committee. With majority approval of the Membership Committee, a favorable recommendation will be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration. With approval of a ¾-majority vote by the Board of Directors, the recommendation will be presented to the Regular Membership, at the next general CSCTC meeting, for approval. Bestowing such honor requires a 2/3-majority vote of all Regular Members. Honorary Membership, in the CSCTC, shall continue, without annual review, unless revoked. Revocation requires a 2/3-majority vote of all CSCTC Regular Members. Voting may be by hand or written ballot.
(D) Any applicant for membership, who has been rejected by the Club, may not reapply until six months after such rejection.
Section 4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:
Any membership may be terminated by:
(A) RESIGNATION - Any member may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary but no member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club, and they become incurred on the date of the first scheduled general meeting of each year.
(B) LAPSING - A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid thirty (30) days after the first scheduled general meeting of the year. The Board may grant an additional thirty (30) days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting if dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.
(C) EXPULSION - Any membership may be terminated by expulsion, as provided in Article VI of these bylaws..
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS and VOTING
Section 1. CLUB MEETINGS:
Meetings of the Club shall be held in the Greater Chicagoland or Chicago Suburban area during the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November of each year, at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall provide written notice, by mail, of each meeting at least (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. An official meeting will require a quorum of twenty percent (20%), of the voting members, and must include a minimum of two (2) Club officers and one (1) Board member.
Section 2. SPECIAL CLUB MEETINGS:
Special Club meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at the regular or special meeting of the Board, or shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition, signed by five members of the Club, who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in the Greater Chicagoland or Chicago Suburban area at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. The Secretary shall provide written notice, by mail, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting. No other Club business may be transacted thereat. An official meeting will require a quorum of twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing. Said twenty percent (20%) is to include a minimum of two (2) Club officers and one (1) Board member.
Section 3. BOARD MEETINGS:
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in the Greater Chicagoland or Chicago Suburban area during the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November of each year, at such date, hour and place as may be designated the Board. The Secretary shall provide written notice, by mail, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 4. SPECIAL BOARD MEETINGS:
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President , or shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by a majority of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held in the Greater Chicagoland or Chicago Suburban area, at such date, hour and place as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meetings. The Secretary shall provide written notice, by mail, at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted thereat. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
Section 5. VOTING:
Each Regular Member, in good standing, shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which the member is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1. BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three (3) other persons, all of whom shall be Regular Members in good standing. They shall be elected for one-year terms at the Club's annual meeting, as provided in Article IV, and shall serve until their successors are elected. The Board of Directors shall provide philosophical leadership as well as general management of the Club's affairs.
Section 2. OFFICERS:
The Club's officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.
(A) 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) The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence, incapacity or resignation.
(C) The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club, and of the Board, and of all matters in which the Club shall order a record. The Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notify the members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of members and their telephone numbers and addresses, and carry out such other duties as prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws. The Secretary shall publish such membership roll to all members no later than the March meeting.

(D) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due, or belonging to the Club. The Treasurer shall deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board of Directors, in the name of the Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club. The books shall, at all times, be open to inspection by the Board. The Treasurer shall issue a report for every Club meeting and shall include the condition of the Club's finances, receipts and payments, not before reported, and at the annual meeting shall render a written account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year.
Section 3. VACANCIES:
Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the offices during the year shall be filled, until the next annual election, by a majority vote of all the members of the Board at its first meeting following the creation of such vacancy, or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President, and the resulting vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President shall be filled by the Board. The Secretary, upon receiving notification of vacancies, shall, within five (5) days, or ten (10) days prior to the first meeting after which the vacancy occurs, whichever is sooner, notify the Board of such vacancies.
ARTICLE IV
CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING and ELECTIONS
Section 1. CLUB YEAR:
The Club's fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the 31st day of December. The Club's official year shall coincide with the fiscal year.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING:
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of November, at which time officers and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor of each office all Club properties and records relating to that office within (30) days after the election.
Section 3. ELECTIONS:
The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The three (3) nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions, shall be declared elected.
Section 4. NOMINATIONS:
No person may be a candidate in a Club's election who has not been nominated. During the month of July, the Board shall select a Nominating committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary, upon receiving notification of those selected, shall notify the Committee members and alternates of their selection within five (5) days. The Board shall name a chairman for the Committee and it shall be the Chairman's duty to call a committee meeting that shall be held on or before August 15th.
(A) The committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office, and three (3) candidates for the three other positions on the Board, and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall, within five (5) days report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.
(B) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall, by the first day in September, notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
(C) Additional nominations may be made at the September meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when the nomination is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate, signifying willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position, and the additional nominations which are provided for herein may be made only from among those members who have not accepted a nomination of the Nominating Committee.
(D) Nominations can not be made at the annual meeting, or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Board shall, at the first Board meeting of each year, establish standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as specialty shows, matches, annual awards, membership, programs and other fields which may well be served by committees, and to aid it on particular projects. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects.
Section 2. Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board. The Secretary shall promptly notify the appointee in writing. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
DISCIPLINE
Section 1. AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION:
Any member who is suspended form the privileges of The American Kennel Club, automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of The Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club for a like period.
Section 2. CHARGES:
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club, or the Cairn Terrier. Written charges, with specifications, must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary, together with a deposit of ten dollars ($10.00), which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board, following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board, or present them at a Board meeting, and The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, may constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club, or the Cairn Terrier. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club, or the Cairn Terrier, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board, not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defense, and bring witnesses if so desired.
Section 3. BOARD HEARING:
The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present, reprimand the defendant or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it 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 official Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put into 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 4. EXPULSION:
Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at an official meeting of the Club following a Board hearing and upon the Board's recommendation as provided in Section 3 of this Article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular official meeting, or a special meeting of the Club to be held within ninety (90) days, but not earlier than thirty (30) days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the Board's findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his own behalf. The membership shall vote by secret, written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board's suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Board of Directors, or by written petition addressed to the Secretary and signed by twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by the petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be submitted to the membership with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary, for a vote within three (3) months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
Section 2. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, by secret ballot, of the members present and voting at any official regular meeting or special meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the written notice of the meeting and mailed to each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
Section 1. DISSOLUTION:
The Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, other than for purposes of reorganization, 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 distributed to another Cairn Terrier Club(s) or Cairn Rescue Organization(s), selected by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. At meetings of The Chicago/Suburban Cairn Terrier Club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Roll Call
Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of the President
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Election of Officers and Board (Annual Meeting)
Election of New Members
Adjournment
Section 2. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Minutes of Last Meeting
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment
ARTICLE X
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. The rules contained in the current edition of "Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised," shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.