CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS of the MINNESOTA ANIMAL CONTROL ASSOCIATION

As Amended December 8, 1998

CONSTITUTION of the Minnesota Animal Control Association

Article I (Name)

Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Minnesota Animal Control Association, and hereinafter is referred to as "the Association."

Section 2. Its officers hereinafter described shall comply with the laws of the United States and the laws of the State of Minnesota in the performance of their duties for the Association.

Section 3. It shall forever remain a non-profit organization in fact.

Section 4. It shall be incorporated in the State of Minnesota as a non-profit organization.

Article II (Objectives and Purposes)

The objectives and purposes of the Association are as follows:

Article III (Membership)
The general membership of the Association shall consist of Active, Associate, 
Supportive, and Honorary members.
Definitions:
1. Active membership shall be open to animal  control officers, public health
veterinarians, health officers, government officials, humane organization
personnel, and others active in the animal control field.
2. Associate membership shall be open to individuals, quasi-public
organizations, veterinarians engaged in private practice, and others who are
interested in animal control.
3. Supportive membership shall be open, by a two-thirds vote of the
Executive Committee, to veterinary medical organizations, supply companies,
pet food companies, cities, and other organizations interested in animal control.
4. Honorary membership may be conferred, by two-thirds vote of the
Executive Committee, upon any person rendering outstanding service to the
field of animal control.

Article IV (Executive Committee)
Section 1. There shall be a body known as the Executive Committee of
the Association consisting of nine members.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall conduct all business of the
Association.
Section 3. The powers, duties, terms of office, and the method of
election the Executive Committee are as specified in the Bylaws of the
Association.

Article V (Officers)
The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary,
and Treasurer.  The powers, duties, terms of office, and methods of election of the officers are as specified in the Bylaws of the Association.

Article VI (Amendments)
Section 1. Any three or more active members may propose an amendment to this Constitution by submitting it in writing to the Executive Committee at least thirty days prior to any regular or special meeting of the Executive Committee.  An affirmative vote of at least sixty per cent of the Executive Committee present and voting shall constitute adoption of the amendment.
Section 2. A majority of members present at a regularly scheduled
meeting of the General Membership may propose and pass an amendment
providing this written proposal is before the General Membership at least thirty days in advance of the meeting.

MACA Bylaws

Article I (Election of Executive Committee)
Section 1. Election of the Executive Committee shall take place at the
annual meeting of the Association.  A simple majority of those active members
present and voting, along with valid absentee ballots, shall be decisive.
Section 2. The nominating committee shall attempt to submit at least
two nominees for each vacancy on the Executive Committee at the annual
meeting of the Association.  Each nomination from the floor shall have a
second before it is placed on the official list of candidates.  Any nomination
must be accepted by the nominee before it is placed on the official list of
candidates. 
Section 3. In the 1997 election, seven members shall be elected.  Nominees
receiving the first-, second-, and third-most votes will be elected to three-year
terms; those receiving the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-most votes will be elected to
two-year terms; the nominee receiving the seventh-most votes will be elected to a one-year term.  At each annual election thereafter, three Executive Committee members shall be elected to a three-year term.
Section 4. In the event that any Executive Committee member shall have two consecutive unexcused absences from Executive Committee meetings at which he or she was not represented by an active member in good standing
appointed by the member verbally or in writing, the President may declare the
position vacant and shall appoint, with the approval of the majority of the
remaining members of the Executive Committee, an active member of the
Association to complete the term of office. An unexcused absence is defined as failing to notify at least one Executive Committee member, verbally or in
writing, of an absence prior to the meeting.
Section 5. Election shall be by written ballot by active members present,
or by absentee ballot to be counted at the annual meeting.
Section 6. Executive Committee members must be active members in
good standing.

Article II (Executive Committee Duties)
Section 1. The Executive committee shall conduct all business of the
Association.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall act on all matters presented to
it by the President or any member of the Association after presentation for the agenda. The vote of the Executive Committee, carried out in accordance with parliamentary procedure, shall be final.
Section 3. Fifty-five per cent of the members of the Executive
Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall appoint a nominating committee whose purpose shall be to propose a slate of candidates for the Executive Committee and a slate of candidates for the officers of the Association to the membership at the annual meeting.
Section 5. The Executive Committee shall appoint a coordinator for
workshops and conferences to oversee the necessary arrangements.
Section 6. The Executive Committee shall hold monthly meetings.

Article III (Election of Officers)
Section 1. Officers of the Association shall be elected  at the annual
meeting and shall hold office until replaced at the next annual meeting.
Section 2.  Officers will be elected by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Election shall take place by written ballot by  members of the
Executive Committee present.
Section 4. The Executive Committee is authorized to adopt such rules
and regulations consistent with the provisions of this article for the conduct of such elections as they may deem necessary.

Article IV (President)
Section 1. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
Association.
Section 2. Duties:
a) Shall preside at all general meetings but is empowered with the authority to yield the chair to the Vice-President for the performance of these duties.
b) Shall deliver a report at the regular annual meeting pertaining to the plans and accomplishments of the Association.
c) Shall be the Chairman of the Executive Committee.
d) Shall appoint the chairman of all committees and shall promptly fill vacancies created by any cause in the membership of committees  (see Article VIII).
e) Shall be  an ex-officio member of all committees.
f) Shall preside at all Executive Committee meetings.
g) Shall seek to promote the successful operation and the welfare of the Association in general.

Article V (Vice-President)
Section 1. Shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties
and act in his/her stead in the event of the President's absence.

Article VI (Secretary)
Section 1. Shall record the minutes of Association meetings and those of
the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Shall be responsible for the maintenance of all records and
correspondence.

Article VII (Treasurer)
Section 1. Shall  collect the revenues owed the Association, disburse
money for authorized purposes and maintain appropriate records and
Association property.  The Treasurer shall make financial records of the
Association available to the Executive Committee at their request.
Section 2. Shall collect the dues from the membership and maintain a
roster of all members of the Association.
Section 3. The Treasurer shall be bonded.
Section 4. The Treasurer is responsible for making prompt payment of
member dues to the National Animal Control Association, in the amount
designated by  the National Animal Control Association, in payment for "state
association membership" in the National Animal Control Association.
Section 5. The Treasurer is responsible for making tax payments and
any reports to appropriate government agencies as required by law.  The
Treasurer shall maintain a list of regular reports and payments necessary, to be kept with the general ledger.

Article VIII (Dues and Fees)
Section 1. Dues shall be payable on or before January 1 of each calendar
year.
Section 2. The amount of annual dues shall be $30.00 and can be
changed only by the majority vote of the Executive Committee. 
Section 3. Members whose dues are not paid within sixty days shall
receive a final notice stating that the account and/or dues are then delinquent. Non-payment of dues by April 30 shall result in the member being dropped from the rolls.
Section 4. No members shall be permitted to exercise any right or privilege of membership while their dues are delinquent.
Section 5. The fiscal year shall be January 1 to December 31.
Section 6. Associate membership shall have the same rights as all other
members except they shall not be entitled to vote nor hold elected office, and
they shall pay $25.00 yearly dues.
Section 7. Supportive membership shall have the same rights as all
other members except they shall not be entitled to vote nor hold elective office, and shall be required to pay an annual fee of $50.00 or more.

Article IX (Committees)
The President shall have the power to appoint such committees as deemed
necessary to conduct the business of the Association (See Article IV).

Article X (Expulsion of Members)
Any member of this organization may be expelled for flagrant violation of the
objectives of this Association or personal conduct which would bring discredit to the organization. Any member accused of such action shall be investigated by a committee appointed by the President, and shall be notified by mail that he/she is  entitled to a fair and impartial hearing by the Executive Committee at the accused's request.  A  two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee members present at the hearing shall be necessary for expulsion.

Article XI (Procedure for Amending Bylaws)
The procedure for amending the Bylaws of the Association shall be the same as for amending  the Constitution of the Association.

Article XII (Parliamentary Procedure)
All business meetings of this Association shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Current Revision .

Article XIII (Annual Meeting)
The annual meeting of the Association shall be held at the April meeting of the Executive Committee.

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