MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES
In respect to the NEMKC By-Laws it is the responsibility of the Recording Secretary to receive and process membership applications; however, with the approval of the Board, a Membership Chair may be appointed to act in this capacity. Our current membership chair is Beverly Budnick.
ELIGIBILITY
There shall be five types of memberships:
Regular (Individual) – Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.
Household – Two (2) adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office.
Associate – Entitled to all club privileges except voting and office holding.
Junior – Open to all persons under 18 years of age; a non-voting/non-office holding membership which may automatically convert to a regular membership at age 18.
Life – For those individuals who have been members for over 20 years. Life members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.
The Membership Chair will accept membership applications and fees and will subsequently provide a copy of each application for the Recording Secretary to keep on file. The Membership Chair will be responsible for keeping a complete up-to-date file of applications and records of fees submitted to the Treasurer.
Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these constitution and by-laws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The applicant shall state the name, address, and occupation and it shall carry the endorsement of two members in good standing.
Each prospective member will have two sponsors. The sponsor(s) of the prospective new member will introduce the prospective new member and will read the application and make any comments he/she deems pertinent to acceptance as a member of the club. This will be accomplished at the first scheduled club meeting following receipt of the application by the Membership Chair.
All applications are filed with the Membership Chairman and each application is to be read at the first general meeting of the Club following its receipt. Applications will be voted on at next general meeting attended and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present. Associate Members do not have be present for their application to be read or voted. Except for Associate Members, all voting shall be by secret ballot.
If there is negative feedback the application will be tabled for further NEMKC Board review. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six months after such rejection.
Applications may be submitted at any time, either at a scheduled club meeting or directly to the Membership Chair. The membership process shall be as follow
- At the time of voting the applicant must be present unless it is as Associate Membership
- All new member applications up for vote will be read by the Membership Chair.
- A secret ballot will quickly be distributed to all members attending the general meeting with a simple Yes or No on the ballot.
- Ballots will be counted by two members appointed at that meeting and the results will be presented to the President who will welcome the new member(s).
New member application require ¾ of the members present to elect each new applicant. In the event the MEMBERSHIP CHAIR is not present, duties will be assumed by the RECORDING SECRETARY.
Each new member will receive access to a “New Member” packet which contains copies of the Club's Constitution and By-Laws, Policies & Procedures, Phone Tree, Membership Directory, etc.
Members voted in after October are not required to pay dues until January. Dues for members voted in after June in the year will be prorated.