The United States Australian Shepherd Association

Article I

Membership

Section 1. Eligibility and types of membership: There shall be four types of membership open to persons who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this club.

(a) Individual membership is open to all persons eighteen years of age or older, residing in the United States who are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club. Individual memberships are entitled to one (1) vote and are eligible for annual non-cash awards and to hold office without remuneration.

(b) Dual memberships are open to persons eighteen years of age or older residing in the United States and residing in the same household. Dual memberships are entitled to two (2) votes. Dual memberships are eligible for annual non-cash awards and to hold office without remuneration.

(c) Junior membership is for all persons 10 to 18 years of age residing in the United States. Junior members may not vote or hold office but may compete for annual non-cash awards. Junior members will not receive the Australian Shepherd Journal.

(d) Foreign membership is open for all persons that are not residents of the United States. Foreign members are not eligible to vote or hold office. Foreign members are eligible to compete for annual non-cash awards.

All classes of membership except for Juniors will receive the Australian Shepherd Journal, the official publication of the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc.

Section 2. Dues. During the month of November, the Treasurer, or Membership Chair as directed by the Treasurer, shall send to each member a statement of his dues for the ensuing year. For a voting member, dues shall not exceed $100.00 per year, payable on or before the 1st day of January of each year. Dues will be set by the Board of the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. and may be changed when necessary. Membership types per year are as follows:

Individual member

Dual Member

Junior fee waived

Foreign

All dues are payable in US currency only. No member shall vote whose dues are not paid for the current year.

Section 3. Election to the membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant(s) agrees to abide by these constitution and bylaws and the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club. The application shall state the name, address and occupation of the applicant(s) Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. The applicant's name and address shall be published in the club's next monthly newsletter. If the applicant(s) is not protested in writing in 30 days, the application is automatically accepted. If the applicant is protested in writing, the Board will review and vote on the applicant(s). Applicant may be elected by a secret ballot at any meeting of the Board of Directors or by secret vote of the Directors by mail. Affirmative votes of 2/3 of the Directors present at the meeting of the Board or of 2/3 of the entire Board voting by mail shall be required to elect an applicant. An application which has received a negative vote by the board may be presented by a Club member at the next annual meeting of the Club and the Club may elect, by secret ballot, such applicant by favorable vote of 75% of the members present and voting, provided a quorum as specified in Article II, Section 1., of these Bylaws is present..

Section 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated:

(a) by resignation. Any member in good standing 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 first day of each fiscal year.

(b) By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year. Dues must be received by the Club before April 1 of the fiscal year. Such members will be dropped from the Club roster and must reapply for memberships. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any Club meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

(c) By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these bylaws.

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