ARTICLE I - Name Section 1 The name of this club shall be Cats of the Finger Lakes. ARTICLE II - Purposes Section 1 It shall be the purpose of this club: a) To educate the general public about cats and their proper care b) To sponsor and promote the welfare of all breeds of cats, including household pets (mixed breeds) c) To promote and support cat rescue, both purebred and mixed breed d) To sponsor cat shows and special programs and otherwise promote the interest in and knowledge of all domestic cats e) To especially encourage the exhibition of household pets and household pet kittens, and to advocate such exhibition as being equivalent in all ways to showing purebred cats and kittens f) To cultivate friendship among and promote the interest of the owners, fanciers, and breeders of cats g) To encourage breeding toward the TICA Standards and encourage the registration of cats with TICA h) To promote and encourage kindness to all animals and to assist in the prevention of cruelty and maltreatment of animals i) To encourage the spaying and neutering of any and all cats not specifically being used as part of a viable breeding program in order to reduce the excessive trend to over-population of, and tragedy among, unwanted domestic cats ARTICLE III - Affiliation Section 1 This club shall be affiliated with The International cat Association (TICA). No less than five members of the club shall also be members of TICA. ARTICLE IV - Membership Section 1 Persons who are in agreement with the purposes of this club and who desire to participate in achieving these purposes are welcome to join. Section 2 Club members are encouraged to join TICA, however, being a member of TICA is not required for membership in Cats of the Finger Lakes. Section 3 There are no dues. Section 4 It shall be the duty of each member to uphold the purposes of Cats of the Finger Lakes, and to act within the ethics set forth by The International Cat Association. Upon receipt of a written complaint from a TICA member, the member in question will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Article IX of these By-Laws. ARTICLE V - Location Section 1 This club is intended primarily to serve the interests of the owners, fanciers and breeders of cats residing in Finger Lakes region of New York State. Club membership is not limited to those living in this area. ARTICLE VI - Meetings Section 1 Business meetings may be called by any member of the club, whenever such a meeting is warranted by circumstances. Members shall be notified of the time and place of all meetings by mail, telephone or in person by the Secretary or their designee. Primary communication between members will take place via email or telephone. Section 2 Special meetings for educational pursuits or club activities may be called by any club member. Club business will not be transacted at these meetings. Section 3 All show related decision making will be solely at the discretion of the show committee for the show. Section 4 All meetings shall be governed by the parliamentary authority of Robert's Rules of Order, Revised. ARTICLE VII - Officers and Directors Section 1 The officers of this club shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the club. Section 2 The management of the business and affairs of this club shall be under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of the elected officers. Section 3 Election of officers will be by a majority of members. Section 4 The club's Board of Directors shall determine the Show Committee for each scheduled show. ARTICLE VIII - Duties of Officers Section 1 The President shall preside at all business meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are incidental to his office. Section 2 The Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President in the absence of that officer. Section 3 The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the members and the Board of Directors, and shall present them at ensuing meetings when requested. Such minutes will include a list of attendees. The Secretary shall also keep a list of all members in good standing with their names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers. A copy of this list shall be furnished to each member at least once a year. He/she will also notify all members of regular and special meetings at least one week before the meeting date. He/she will advise applicants of requirements for club membership and will be responsible for all other club correspondence. Section 4 The Treasurer shall receive and have custody of all monies and shall deposit same in a bank account in the name of the club. He/she shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures and shall render an financial report at each regular meeting. Section 5 On or before June 1st of each year the President, Secretary and Treasurer shall make an annual report to TICA which report shall include a list of members of the club with their addresses, a report of any shows held during the year, a copy of the financial report of the club for the year and such other information as may be required by TICA. ARTICLE IX - Discipline Section 1 The club members may vote (by a two-thirds majority) to reprimand, fine, suspend or expel from the membership, any person who, after a fair and impartial hearing, shall be found guilty of violating any rules of this club or TICA, or of conduct detrimental to this club or to the cat fancy. This page maintained by: Elektra 10/20/2006 A Club Cats of the Finger Lakes Home Page Cats of the Finger Lakes By-Laws as a PDF