ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP

Section I – Application for membership, accompanied by dues for the current calendar year, should be sent to the Club Secretary. For all new members after September 2002, an application form must be completed and on file with the Secretary, along with dues for current year in order for membership to be considered. New members must be sponsored by a “voting” member of the EMBFC. All applicants will be considered “Associate Members” for a period of one year.  At the end of one year, they may be considered for full membership upon review and a ‘majority vote’ by the Officers and Board of Directors of the EMBFC. Once application has  been reviewed, new member will be informed of acceptance within 30 days.

Section II – Effective September 2002 onwards, Voting Members shall be those who have a current CFA cattery, and show an Egyptian Mau a minimum of 4 times a year (Regions 1-8) or 2 times a year (International) or are current Egyptian Mau Breed Council members. They are entitled to vote and hold office. For Membership application purposes, those members who are not current Breed council Members should provide show confirmations from at least 4 shows (Regions 1-8) and 2 shows (International) along with the application form.  All voting members who are or are planning to breed Egyptian Maus must agree to abide by the EMBFC standard of ethics.

Section III – Associate Members shall be those persons who own Egyptian Mau pet stock, or those interested in the breed, such as judges or prospective owners. They have the same rights as Regular members with the exception that they are ineligible to vote or hold office.

Section IV – Honorary Members shall be those persons who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, have been of particular service to the Club or who have singularly advanced any of the objectives of the Club. They shall not be subject to the paying of dues and cannot be dropped from the rolls except through death or by personal request. They are entitled to the rights as Associate members. Prospective Honorary Members must first be approved by the Board of Directors and then ratified by two-thirds majority vote of the members voting.

Section V – Individual Regular members are entitled to one vote. A Family Regular membership is entitled to two votes. Associate and Honorary Members are not entitled to vote.

ARTICLE II – OFFICERS

Section I – The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club. He shall preside all meetings, when present, and perform all duties consistent with the office. He shall be a member ex officio of all committees, and shall appoint various chairmen to committees deemed necessary for the club operation.

Section II – The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or incapacity to act. In the event of a vacancy in the Office of President, the Vice President shall assume the office of President for the unexpired term.

Section III – The Secretary shall be the recording and corresponding officer of the Club. He shall :

  1. Keep all Club records and file all minutes and reports from all meetings, including a copy of each newsletter.
  2. When requested, send an application form to a prospective member and, upon its return add the new member to a list of current members and forward the dues to the Treasurer.
  3. Prepare and send ballots to members eligible to vote on or before October 15 in election years. Record and tabulate votes, while assisted by the President’s appointed Election Teller, no later than two weeks following the voting deadline.
  4. Invoice member when dues are receivable.

Section IV – The Treasurer shall have custody of all moneys of the Club, shall open bank accounts necessary in the name of the Club, shall keep detailed book accounts of receipts and expenditures, and shall render a financial report at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section I – The duties of the Board are as follows :

  1. They shall direct the policies and business affairs of the Club and shall authorize the collection and disbursement of all moneys and property of the Club.
  2. They shall determine the qualifications of all persons proposed for Honorary membership.
  3. They shall act upon charges brought against members of the Club and shall have the power to terminate membership.
  4. They shall fill Officer and Board vacancies for unexpired terms, except that of President.

ARTICLE IV – DUES

Section I – Membership dues shall be determined at the annual meeting. Members shall pay their dues to the Secretary annually.

Section II – Members not paying their dues within two months from the date due shall be dropped from the rolls. Such members shall be reinstated after full payment of their dues for the current calendar year.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section I – The Annual Meeting shall be held at the annual Egyptian Mau show which shall preferably be during the middle third of the year, i.e. May, June, July, or August.

Section II – Special meetings may be called at any time by the President, and shall be called at the written request of three or more members.

Section III – Eight members present, other than officers, and two officers shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section IV – The Board of Directors may transact business by telephone when in-person meetings are impossible. All directors must be polled.

Section V – No proxies will be allowed at any meetings.

ARTICLE VI – ELECTIONS

Section I – The officers, elected members to the Board, and delegates to the Cat Fanciers Association, Inc. annual meeting shall be elected by mail ballot. Elections will take place in October of odd numbered years. Term of office shall be for two years by majority vote of members voting and shall begin January 1 of the following year.

Section II – Only members in good standing shall vote. Dues must have been paid no later than September 15th in election years.

Section III – Officers shall be nominated or declared from members in good standing as of July 1 of the election year.

Section IV – The Secretary shall compile a list of eligible nominees and will prepare the ballot and any other material to be voted upon and mail it on or before October 15th. Such material must have been approved by the Board.

Section V – All ballots must be signed by the person voting.

Section VI – All ballots must be received by the Secretary within 45 days after the balloting information was mailed. The Secretary, assisted by the Election Teller, will tabulate the votes no longer than two weeks after the voting deadline. The Secretary will notify the President, new officers, and the Editor of the newsletter of the election results.

Section VII – Officers, Board Members, and delegate are to be decided upon by written ballot, majority vote of the membership voting. Changes and/or amendments to the Constitution, By-Laws and/or standards are to be decided upon as stated in Article IX of the Constitution.

Section VIII – Members so desiring may cast write-in votes. If a write-in candidate receives a majority vote of the members voting, in his category, he will be elected provided he is in good standing. If he fails to qualify, the candidate in that category with the next highest majority vote of those voting, and who qualifies, will be elected.

ARTICLE VII – DISCIPLINARY MEASURES

Section I – Upon written charge filed with the Secretary, by one or more members in good standing, the Board of Directors shall have the power, by a two-thirds vote, to reprimand, suspend or expel from membership any person who, after a fair hearing of both accuser and accused, shall be found guilty of violating a rule of the Club, or of a fraudulent or dishonest act, or or conduct detrimental to the interest of the Club or the Fancy at large. Redress and reinstatement shall be possible only by two-thirds majority vote of all members voting.

ARTICLE VIII – SHOWS

Section I – When the EMBFC holds an annual show, all members are not required to attend, but all members must, in some fashion support the show either by volunteering time, donating raffle or ring prizes, or by sending an entry.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

Section I – Thia Constitution and By-Laws may be amended in the following manner.  Proposed changes shall be published in one issue of the EMBFC newsletter.  Balloting deadline shall be 30 days after the mailing date of the newsletter.  Ballots shall be tallied no more than two weeks after the balloting deadline.  Any proposed amendment or change must be approved by 2/3 majority of all members in good standing who return ballots.