The name of the Organization shall be the Mississippi Eventing and Dressage Association, Inc.
The purpose of the Mississippi Eventing and Dressage Association, Inc. is to further the art of classical dressage and combined training. Dressage as an equitation art is intended to create an athletic horse, calm, supple, and keen, and in a state of perfect understanding with the rider. Dressage and Combined Training encourage the total development of the equine athlete, on the flat and over fences.
The program of the Association shall be educational through a framework of clinics, instructional shows, and teaching and judging forums, all with the intention of further promoting a better understanding among the individual horse and rider and the general public.
There shall be three classes of membership: Senior Members, Junior members, and family members. These members shall be classified as follows:
Section 1. Annual Dues shall be established by the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall submit the amount of each class of dues to the Corresponding Secretary for inclusion in the Newsletter.
Section 2. Members who have not paid their dues by February 15 shall be delinquent and shall be deemed not to be in good standing with the Association. However, upon payment of his dues, a member shall automatically become in good standing with the Association.
Section 3. To be eligible to participate in Association sponsored activities that are for members only, dues for the current year must be paid in full.
Section 4. If a new member joins the Association after November but before February of the following year, then his dues for the current year (ending January 31) shall be waived.
Section 1. The Officers shall consist of President, Vice- President-Dressage, Vice-President-Combined Training, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. All officers shall be elected from senior or family members.
Section 3. All officers shall be elected annually.
Section 4. The Board of Directors shall consist of four members and the current officers of the Association. All directors other than officers shall serve two years terms.
The outgoing President shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be elected from senior or family members.
Section 1. There shall be such standing and temporary committees as are deemed necessary to carry on the work of the Association.
Section 2. Committee Chairmen shall be appointed by the President.
Section 1. The President shall call one (1) Annual Meeting per year of the General Membership. This meeting shall be held during the month of January. At this meeting, annual reports from the President, both Vice-Presidents, both Secretaries, Treasurer and all committees shall be presented to the membership.
Section 2. The Association shall hold not less than two events each year. These events shall feature educational an/or competitive activities that further the purpose of the Association.
Section 3. The President or either Secretary may call a business meeting of the Association or Board of Directors With fourteen (14) days notice.
Amendments to the By-Laws shall be made by senior or family members and may be amended, altered or rescinded by a majority of the senior and family members present in person or by proxy at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided however a quorum is present. A quorum for such a vote and for such purposes as mentioned aforesaid shall consist of two (2) officers, two (2) elected board members; and members present.
Section 1. The President shall prepare the agendas for and preside over all meetings of the Association and over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint all committee chairmen, subject to the approval of the Board. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominations Committee. The President shall make all appointments with the approval of the Board of Directors. The President and two Vice-Presidents shall act as representatives of the Association.
Section 2. The Vice-Presidents shall have the following duties:
a. To serve in the Presidents place in his absence.
b. To contact and discuss regularly with the President, affairs and current matters affecting the Association.
c. Vice-President-Dressage shall be primarily responsible for promoting dressage in Mississippi.
d. Vice-President-Combined Training shall be primarily responsible for promoting Combined Training in Mississippi.
Section 3. The Corresponding Secretary shall have the following duties:
Section 4. The Recording Secretary shall have the following duties:
Either Secretary at his discretion may obtain assistance from any member of the Association for any individual or continuing job necessary for the administration of the business of the Association.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall have the following duties:
Section 6. The Directors shall attend the Board of Directors meetings. They may serve as chairman of a committee if and when appointed. They shall be sensitive to the thoughts and wishes of the Association membership.
Section 7. Each Officer at the expiration of his term of office whether through course of time, death, disability or otherwise shall transfer all records pertaining to his office to the succeeding officer within two (2) weeks of such expiration.
Section 1. There will be 10 members of the Board of Directors of which 4 are elected from senior and family members and the remaining six the current officers. Two directors other than officers shall serve six months, two directors other than officers shall serve eighteen months, and thereafter all directors other than officers shall serve two year terms.
Section 2. The President shall appoint a Nominations Committee in October. The Nominations Committee shall consist of two members of the Board of Directors. Whose terms do not expire the year in question, and one person from the General Membership.
Section 1. At the Annual General Membership meeting in January, the Officers shall be elected by the senior and family members. They shall be elected to serve the term of (1) one year. Only senior and family members, in good standing, who are over 18 years of age shall be eligible to hold office.
Section 2. The President shall appoint a Nominations Committee in October. The Nominations Committee shall consist of two members of the Board of Directors whose terms do not expire during the year in question, and one person from the General Membership.
Section 1. Any Officer or Director may be removed with or without cause by a 66 2/3 (two thirds) majority of the senior and family members present in person or by written proxy at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided however, a quorum is present. A quorum for such a vote shall constitute fifty (50) percent of the senior and family members in good standing present in person or by written proxy.
Section 2. Any Officer or Director suffering three or more unexcused absences from meetings of the Board of Directors In any one calendar year shall automatically stand removed from his Office/Board position. The Board shall appoint a person who is a senior or family member to fill the unexpired term of such Office/Board position.
Section 1. All senior members in good standing, 18 years of age (as of January 1) or over shall be entitled to one vote each.
Section 2. Each family membership shall be entitled to two votes.
Section 3. Any and all voting may either be by written proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting or any special meetings of the Association.
Section 4. Voting for officers and directors at the Annual General Membership Meeting may be done by written proxy. Voting at a Board of Directors meeting may be done by written proxy.
Section 5. All written proxies must be received by the Secretary prior to any meeting.
Section 1. If at any time the Association dissolves, any funds remaining in the Treasury shall be distributed to such organizations as the Board of Directors shall designate, provided such organizations have purposes, goals, and aims consistent with the expressed intention of the Association.
Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall govern Board of Directors and Membership meetings when not in conflict with their by-laws.
Section l. Principal and Registered Office. The Corporation shall maintain a Registered Office and shall have a Registered Agent whose business address is identical with such Registered Office.
Section 2. Other Office. The Corporation may have offices at such place or places, within or without the State of Mississippi, as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require
Section 1. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Corporation, any contributions, gifts, bequests or devises for the general purposes for which the Corporation was formed or for any special purpose in keeping with the general purpose.
Section 1. The Corporation shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its Board of Directors and Committees having the authority of the Board of Directors. All books and records of the Corporation may be inspected by any member of the Board of Directors, or his/her agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at a resonable time.