SECTION 6.1 CLUB YEAR: The Club's fiscal calendar year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December. 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 meeting. The elected Officers and Directors shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the annual election and each retiring Officer shall turn over to his/her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within thirty (30) days after the election.

SECTION 6.2 VOTING: At the annual meeting or at a special meeting of the Club, voting shall be limited to those members in good standing who are present at the meeting.

SECTION 6.3 ANNUAL ELECTION: The President, Vice President, and Board Positions #1 and #3 shall be elected in odd numbered years. The Secretary/Treasurer and Board Positions #2 and #4 shall be elected in even numbered years. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected.

SECTION 6.4 NOMINATION AND BALLOTS: No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated in accordance with these By-laws. Nominations will be open to all members in good standing.

a. The membership shall be notified by the Secretary/Treasurer in writing (including electronic mail) sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting that nominations are open for Officers and Board of Directors. Nominations from the membership shall be accepted by the Secretary/Treasurer until five (5) days prior to the Annual Meeting so that ballots may be prepared. Prior to preparing the ballot the Secretary/Treasurer shall procure acceptance of each nominee.

b. Additional nominations may be made at the Annual meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his/her nominator shall present to the Secretary/Treasurer a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate.

c. Nominations cannot be made in any manner other than provided in this Section.

SECTION 7.1 The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance work of the club in such matters as dog shows, obedience trials, lure coursing, trophies, annual prizes, membership and other needs which may well be served by committees. 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 7.2 Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee, and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose service has been terminated.

ARTICLE VIII. DISCIPLINE

SECTION 8.1 AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB SUSPENSION: Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from this Club for a like period.

SECTION 8.2 CHARGES: Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed or alleged violations of the Code of Ethics. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary/Treasurer, together with a deposit of $50.00 which that shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The Secretary/Treasurer 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 proved might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or of the Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct that would be prejudicial to the best interest of the Club or the Breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing to be held by no less than three (3) of its members, not less than three (3) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Secretary/Treasurer shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail, together with a notice of the hearing and any assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.

SECTION 8.3 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 present by complainant and defendant, the Board may by a majority vote of those present 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 sees 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/her fellow-members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary/Treasurer. The Secretary/Treasurer, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.

SECTION 8.4 EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION: Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a meeting of the Club following a Board hearing and upon the Board's recommendation as provided in Section 8.3 of this Article. Such proceeding may occur at a regular or a special meeting of the Club to be held within sixty (60) 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 in his/her own behalf, 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/her own behalf if he/she wishes. The membership shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds 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.