Kromfohrlander Club of America Bylaws 

*Bylaws Voted On and Finalized by the Board Members on June 6, 2022

ARTICLE I
Membership

SECTION 1
Eligibility
There shall be three (3) types of membership open to all persons 18 years of age and older who
are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this
Club. While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the club’s primary purpose is to
be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area. The three (3) types of
membership will be Single, Household, and Foreign. Single and Household members will have
one vote per household. Foreign members will not have voting privileges but will be included in
various aspects of the club.

SECTION 2
Dues
Membership dues shall not exceed $25 USD per year for a single membership and $30 USD
per year for a household. This will be payable on or before the 1st day of January of each year.
No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the Financial/Fiscal year. During the month of
November, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the
Financial/Fiscal year.

SECTION 3
Election to Membership
Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the board of directors
(“Board” or “the Board”) and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the
constitution and bylaws and the rules and regulations of The American Kennel Club.
Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the
Financial/Fiscal year. All applications for membership shall be filed with the Secretary. Each
membership application shall be voted upon by secret ballot at the next meeting of the Club. An
affirmative vote of 2⁄3 of the members present and voting shall be required to elect the applicant.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club can reapply six months after the
date of rejection.

SECTION 4
Termination of Membership
Memberships may be terminated: (a) by resignation. Upon written notice to the Secretary. (b) by
lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such
member’s dues remain unpaid 30 days after the first day of the Financial/Fiscal year; however,
the Board may grant an additional 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 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

ARTICLE II
Meetings and Voting

SECTION 1
Club Meetings shall be held at least four times per year in the USA at such an hour and place
as may be designated by the board of directors. They may be held in person or by electronic,
virtual, teleconference, or any other methods as may be developed. Notice of each such
meeting shall be emailed by the Secretary at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The
quorum for such meetings shall be 20 percent of the eligible voting members in good standing.
Non-voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

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 any regular or special meeting of the Board and may
also be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five (5) members of the club
who are in good standing. Such special meetings may be held in person or by electronic, virtual,
teleconference, or any other methods as may be developed, within the USA, designated by the
person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting
shall be sent by the Secretary ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting and said notice shall
state the purpose of the meeting, and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The
quorum for such a meeting shall be (20) percent of the eligible voting members in good
standing. Non-voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 3
Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board may be held each month and may be held in person or by electronic,
virtual, teleconference, or any other methods as may be developed, as designated by the
Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent ten (10) days prior to the date of the
meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board. Non-voting members
do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 4
Special Board Meetings
Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President and shall be called by the
Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Such
special meetings may be held in person or by electronic, virtual, teleconference, or any other
methods as may be developed. Written notice of such a meeting shall be sent via email by the
Secretary ten (10) 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. The quorum for such a
meeting shall be a majority of the Board. Nonvoting members do not count towards the
determination of a quorum.

SECTION 5
Voting
Voting shall be limited to those members in good standing who are present at the meeting and
whose dues are paid for the Financial/Fiscal year. Except for the annual election of officers and
amendments to the constitution and bylaws, and the standard for the breed, which shall be
decided by either written ballot cast by mail, or in accordance with AKC’s procedure on
Electronic Balloting for AKC Parent Clubs. The board of directors may decide to submit other
specific questions for the decision of the members. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

ARTICLE III
Directors and Officers

SECTION 1.
Board of Directors
The Board shall be comprised of the officers, all of whom shall be members in good standing
and all of whom shall be elected for one (1) year terms at the club’s annual meeting as provided
in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the
club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board.

SECTION 2
Officers
The club’s officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three
Board Members at Large, shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the club
and its meetings and the Board and its meetings. The Board will consist of seven (7) members.
All Board members must be in good standing with AKC and be their membership dues must be
current.
(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. The same individual will only be allowed to serve
as president for two consecutive terms.
(b) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in
case of the President’s death, absence, or incapacity.
(c) 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; have charge of the
correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to
membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the
members of the club with their addresses, which shall be sent to any member in good
standing, upon written request, once every club year, and carry out such other duties as
are prescribed in these bylaws.
(d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the club.
Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the club.
The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and a report shall be
given at every meeting on the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or
payment not before reported, and at the annual meeting, an accounting shall be rendered
of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The club shall be
insured in such amount and through a type of policy as the Board shall determine which
will cover the actions of the Treasurer.
(e) Among other duties, the Board Members at Large shall support the board, organize
committees as needed, and provide club support. One Board Member at Large shall act
as AKC Liaison while in the AKC Foundation Stock Service, and also when the
Kromfohrlander moves to the AKC Miscellaneous class.

SECTION 3
Vacancies
Vacancies can be filled in either of the following ways: Any vacancies occurring on the Board or
among the officers during the year shall be filled for the remainder of the position’s term by a
majority vote of the Board. However, a vacancy in the office of President shall automatically be
filled by the Vice President for the remainder of the term.

SECTION 4
Board Member Relations
No two people with direct relationships will be allowed to serve on the board at the same time.
This includes husband/wife, child/parent, or other closely related individuals. Nepotism is not
allowed.

ARTICLE IV
The Club’s Financial/Fiscal Year, Annual Meeting, Elections, Official Year

SECTION 1
Financial/Fiscal Year
The Financial/Fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of
December.

SECTION 2
Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of November, at which officers for the ensuing
year shall be elected by secret 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 in office all properties and records relating to that
office within 30 days after the election.

SECTION 3
Nominations
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 shall
immediately notify the committee persons and alternates of their selection. The Board shall
name a chair for the committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting,
which shall be held on or before October 20th.
(a) The committee shall nominate at least one candidate for each office, and positions
on the Board, and shall procure the acceptance of each nominee so chosen and shall
immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.
(b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Secretary shall notify each
member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
(c) Additional nominations may be made at the November meeting by any member in
attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name
is proposed. No person may be a candidate for more than one position.
(d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as
provided in this Section. The receipt of additional nominations must be received by
October 31.
(e) Ballots must be received by the election committee no later than November 30.
Ballots received after November 30 will not be counted.

SECTION 4
Elections
The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be
declared elected. The 5 nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the
greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected. If no valid additional
nominations are received on or before October 31 the Nominating Committee’s slate shall be
declared elected and no balloting will be required. Any uncontested position should be
automatically elected.

SECTION 5
Club’s Official Year
The club’s Official Year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual
meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.

ARTICLE V
Committees

SECTION 1
The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club. Such
committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.

SECTION 2
Committee members must be members in good standing. Each designated committee will have
a Head of the Committee. This person will be dedicated to upholding the by-laws and
constitution of the club and will report their activities to the Vice-President to keep a connection
with the Board. The Board should be a support and guide for the Heads of committees. Club
members are encouraged to participate in committees, and support will be provided to those
who choose to serve but have no experience in the committees and need guidance.
Committees will include, but not be limited to:
● Newsletter Committee
● Membership Committee
● Judges Education Committee
● Breeder Referral Committee
● Health and Genetics Committee

SECTION 3
Committee members
​TBA

ARTICLE VI
Discipline

SECTION 1
American Kennel Club Suspension
Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club shall be
suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period. American Kennel Club suspensions
are published on the Secretary’s page of the AKC Gazette.

SECTION 2
Charges
An individual member may prefer charges against another individual member for alleged
misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written notarized charges containing
specific facts signed under oath (“Charges”) must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary
together with a deposit, the amount to be established by the Board which shall be forfeited if
such charges are not sustained or entertained by the Board. The Secretary shall promptly send
a copy of the Charges to each Board member or present them at a Board meeting. The Board
shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the Charges, if proven, might constitute
conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. If the Board considers that the Charges do
not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the club, 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 or a committee appointed by the Board not less than four (4) weeks nor
more than eight (8) weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the
Charges to the accused member by certified mail return receipt requested, or another form of
receipted or acknowledged delivery and set forth a time and place at which the accused may
attend and present any defense, call witnesses or answer.

SECTION 3
Board Hearing
If the Board has a hearing, the Board or a committee appointed by the Board may hear the
charges. The Board or the Board’s appointed committee shall have complete authority to decide
whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and accused shall be treated
uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and
testimony presented by the complainant and accused, the Board or Board’s appointed
committee may by a majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the accused from all
privileges of the club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if the
Board or the Board’s appointed committee deems that punishment insufficient, it may also
recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. Immediately after the Board or the
Board’s appointed committee has reached a decision, its finding 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 or
the Board appointed committee’s decision and penalty, if any.

SECTION 4
Expulsion
The members shall vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 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 and bylaws may be proposed by the Board or by written petition
addressed to the Secretary signed by 10 percent of the membership in good standing.
Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be
submitted to the members 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, bylaws or the standard for the breed may be amended by a 2⁄3 secret vote of
the members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose,
provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and sent
via USPS and/or via sent in accordance with AKC’s procedure on Electronic Balloting for AKC
Parent Club, to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. No
amendment to the constitution bylaws that is adopted by the club shall become effective until it
has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

ARTICLE VIII
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 good standing. 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
given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board unless otherwise
prohibited by State Law.

ARTICLE IX
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 other special rules of order the club may adopt.