04/14/2026
CONSTITUTION OF EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA KENNEL CLUB, INC. (ENCKC)
The Bylaws are subject to and governed by the state of North Carolina, Non-profit laws and the Articles of Incorporation of the Eastern North Carolina Kennel Club, Inc. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these bylaws and the mandatory provisions of North Carolina non—profit corporation laws , the North Carolina non-profit Corporation act will be controlling.
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA KENNEL CLUB, INC.
SECTION 2. The Object of the Eastern North Carolina Kennel Club, Inc is to:
a) To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred dogs and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.
b) To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of all breeds as approved by The American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence purebred dogs shall be judged;
c) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breeds by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at:
* dog shows
* obedience trials
* tracking tests
* agility trials
* field trials
* hunting tests
and any other event for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club.
SECTION 4. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions on furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Constitution or in Article I of the Bylaws.
SECTION 5. The member of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as may be needed to carry out these objectives.
BY LAWS of the EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA KENNEL CLUB, INC
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Eligibility. There shall be three {3} Voting Memberships for individuals who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club.
1. Regular (Adult Individual): Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office. In order to maintain adult membership, members are required to work at least one club function each calendar year. Issues in fulfilling the work requirement can be resolve by contacting the Vice President to identify a suitable activity to fulfill the requirement. Failure to comply with this annual work requirement can result in a transfer from Full Regular to Outreach Membership. A vote consisting of the majority of the members in good standing is required for this transfer.
2. Household/Family: One or two adults and their children and/or minors residing in the same household, each adult is eligible to vote and hold office.
3. Life: Those individuals who have been members for a long period of time (usually 20+ years); Life members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.
SECTION 2. Dues. Membership dues shall be $25.00 for Regular, Adult Individual and $30.00 for Family/Household Memberships. Increases for dues will be discussed and voted on at the Annual Meeting in January for the following year. Membership dues are payable on or before the first day of January for each year. During the month of December, the Vice President shall send to each member a statement of his/her dues for the new year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the Calendar 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 Calendar year. All applications for membership shall be filed with the Recording Secretary. Each membership application shall be voted upon by secret ballot at the next meeting of the Club. An affirmative vote of 2⁄3 [or other majority] of the members in good standing present and voting shall be required to elect the applicant.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six (6) months after such rejection.
SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated by:
a) Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Vice President, but no member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club, and they become incurred on the first day of each calendar year.
b) Lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid ninety (90) days after the first day of the calendar year; however, the Board may grant an additional thirty (30) days grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.
c) Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE 2
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND VOTING
SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the club may be held each month [or as frequently as is necessary] by methods in accordance with North Carolina State Law – such as electronic, virtual, teleconference or methods as may be designated by the Board. Notice of each such meeting shall be sent by the Secretary 10 (TEN) days prior to the day of the meeting. In person meetings to be held in the AKC designated territory of the greater Jacksonville, NC area. The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty (20) percent of the eligible voting members in good standing or the bare minimum to conduct business as permitted by N.C. N.C. State Law. 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 meetings 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 shall be held by methods in accordance with N.C. State Law – such as electronic, virtual, teleconference or methods as may be developed as designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of such a meeting shall be sent by the Secretary 10 (ten) days as required by N.C. State Law 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 or the bare minimum to conduct business as permitted by N.C. State Law. 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 or as frequently as is necessary by methods in accordance with N. C. State Law – such as electronic, virtual, teleconference or methods as may be developed as designated by the Board. Notice of each such meeting shall be made 10 (TEN) as required by N.C. State Law days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board or the bare minimum to conduct business as permitted by N.C. State Law. 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 shall be held by methods in accordance with N.C. State Law – such as electronic, virtual, teleconference or methods as may be developed] or in person, if held in-person designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Notice of such meetings shall be sent by the Secretary 2 (TWO) days as required by N.C. State Law 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 or the bare minimum to conduct business as permitted by N.C. State Law. Nonvoting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.
SECTION 5. Voting in accordance with N.C. State Law. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the Calendar year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the club at which the member is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of 5 (Five) officers and 5 (Five) Directors all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for a term of one (1)-year 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, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.
a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the Board and shall have the duties and powers normally pertinent to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.
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. The Vice President shall serve as the Membership Chairperson responsible for; keeping the club membership roster, who has/has not paid annual dues, those who are/are not in good standing, and notifying new members of their election to membership. The Vice President shall provide a report on the club memberships and the quorum requirements at each meeting.
c) The Recording 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. Internal club communications such as election nomination notifications are the responsibility of the Recording Secretary.
d) The Corresponding Secretary shall 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, 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.
e) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies (cash, check, or electronic) due or belonging to the club. Monies shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the club. The treasurer is also responsible for managing the electronic means of deposit (Square or Venmo for example) as well as online access to the club bank account. The books shall always be open to inspection by the Board and a written 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. The Treasurer is responsible for the filing of the clubs annual tax report.
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.
ARTICLE IV
Eastern North Carolina Kennel Club, INC Financial/Fiscal Year, Annual Meeting, Elections, Official Year
SECTION 1. Financial/Fiscal Year. The Financial/Fiscal/Calendar 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 January, at which officers, and the Delegate to The American Kennel Club, and directors 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 Corresponding Secretary shall immediately notify the committee chairperson 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 31st
(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 Corresponding Secretary in writing.
(b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report, the Recording Secretary shall notify each member in writing of the candidates so nominated.
(c) Additional nominations may be made at the December meeting by any member in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed. No person may be elected to more than one position.
(d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided in this Section.
(e) Ballots must be received by the Nominating Chairperson no later than December 31st. Ballots received after 31 December will not be counted.
SECTION 4. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The 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 31 December, 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. 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 services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
Discipline
In Accordance with N.C. State Law
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 Recording Secretary together with a deposit of $100 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained or entertained by the Board. The Recording 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 2 (Two) weeks nor more than 3 (Three) weeks thereafter. The Corresponding Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the Charges to the accused member by certified mail return receipt requested, or other 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 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 Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding 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 Recording Secretary signed by 20 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 Recording Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Recording Secretary. No Amendment to the consititution and bylaws that is adopted by the clubshall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.
SECTION 2. The constitution and bylaws 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 to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
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 N.C. State Law. 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 N.C. State Law.
ARTICLE IX
Order of Business
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised – 12th Edition
ARTICLE X
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.
