Mission Statement

By-Laws

ARTICLE I
NAME
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Riders In Cahoots, a.k.a. (RIC).

Section 2. This organization shall be based in Itasca County and membership is open to all regardless of residence.

Section 3. Horse herein refers to all equine species.

Section 4. Mission Statement: We are dedicated to the welfare, education, and promotion of all equestrians and equine species. We encourage and support all activities that involve both.

ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this organization are:

A. To foster activities that help to train and educate both equestrians and horses.
B. To promote the welfare and humane treatment of horses.
C. To promote horses and horsemanship in general.
D. To foster activities that are both fun and rewording for equestrians of all ages.
E. To promote and encourage all disciplines and breeds.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND REVENUE

Section 1. Membership is open to all who share the same objectives as listed above. Application for membership shall be made on a standard application form. The application shall be accompanied by the current year’s dues and presented to the membership chair or their agent.
Section 2. The membership dues of this organization shall be as follows shall be determined by a vote of the executive board with ratification of the members, with one (1) vote per membership.
Section 3. Membership dues shall be due no later than January 1st for the year in question. Failure to remit dues by the 15th of February in any given year may result in a declaration of delinquency. Those members declared delinquent shall be dropped from the membership and newsletter lists and will forfeit all affiliation with RIC until said membership dues are paid in full.
Section 4. The Membership Chair shall notify all officers, in writing, of all delinquent members.

ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS

Section 1. Regular meetings of this organization shall be held once a month as scheduled by a vote of the executive board with ratification of the members.
Section 2. Special meetings of this organization may be called only by a majority vote of the executive board. Special meetings may also be called by the membership upon presentation to the President of a petition signed by at least 1/3 of the membership.
Section 3. There shall be proper and adequate notice of all regular and special meetings of this organization.
Section 4. All sovereign powers and authority of this organization shall originate in the regular and special meetings and all matters of policy shall be determined at the regular and special meetings of the organization.
Section 5. A quorum for the transaction of all regular and special meetings shall consist of 10% of the membership.
Section 6. A horse activity or special event may be held at least once a month or as scheduled by a vote of the executive board with ratification of the members.
Section 7. The regularly scheduled meeting for the month of January shall be designated as the annual meeting at which officers shall be elected and the annual accounting shall be presented.

ARTICLE V
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be:
President
Vice-president
Secretary
Treasurer,
and three additional executive board members, including one junior member aged 14 - 17. These seven (7) officers shall constitute the executive board of the organization, and shall be elected for two-year terms, except the junior member which will be elected to a one year term. The President, Secretary and one adult board member shall be elected in odd number years and the vice-president, treasurer, and one adult member shall be elected in even numbered years. The junior member will be elected each year.
Section 2. Nominations shall be made at the regular annual meeting of the organization. A nominating committee may be appointed or elected to make nominations, however, nominations shall be accepted prior to and at the annual meeting.
Section 3. No member shall be eligible to hold office unless they have been a member for at least one year and their dues are paid up to date.
Section 4. Nomination and election for the offices of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and executive board members shall be conducted and completed separately and in the exact sequence listed in this section. An election shall be held immediately following the nomination for each of said offices. If more than three members are nominated for the office of executive board member, delegates must cast their votes for three nominees.
Section 5. Vacancies in office shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term by a majority vote of the executive board.
Section 6. Unexcused absence of an officer from three consecutive meetings of the executive board or from three consecutive general meetings or not performing his/her duties as specified in these by-laws, shall be reviewed by the executive board and could result in removal from office. Notification of review meeting will be made to said officer one month before the meeting. Recommendation of proposed removal shall be presented to the membership for approval.
Section 7. The president shall at his/her discretion appoint special or standing committees, as he/she deems necessary.
Section 8. All committee members and chair shall be appointed by the president with executive board approval.
Section 9. Officers may succeed themselves.
Section 10. Membership chair is a standing committee chair.

ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The President shall: Prepare an agenda for each meeting in time to be included in the newsletter that precedes said meeting. Preside at all meetings of the organization and of the executive board. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. He/she shall countersign all checks drawn against the funds of the organization. He/she shall report periodically to the membership regarding the progress and standing of the organization and regarding his/her official acts.
Section 2. The vice-president shall: Assist the president in the work of his/her office. In the absence of the president or in his/her inability to serve, the vice-president shall preside at all meetings and perform all duties otherwise performed by the president. Upon approval by the executive board, be authorized to act as co-signer of checks drawn on funds in place of the President. Act as custodian of all the properties of the club.
Section 4. The treasurer shall: Receive and receipt for all monies of the Organization. He/she shall deposit all money so received in the name of the organization in a bank or banks insured by the FDIC selected by the executive board, and money so deposited shall be withdrawn only by check signed by the treasurer (and president or their authorized deputies) He/she shall prepare and sign checks for such purposes as are required by the constitution or are authorized by the members or the executive board. He/she shall keep an accurate record of receipts and disbursements and shall submit to the members monthly, and in writing, an operating statement of the financial transactions of the organization. He/she shall be the recipient of the monthly bank statement.
Section 5. The executive board shall make or cause to be made annually an internal audit of the organization’s finances, and shall report in writing to the membership on the result of such audit.
Section 6. The executive board shall be the governing body of the organization except when membership meetings are in session. All matters affecting the policies, aims and means of accomplishing the purposes of the organization not specifically provided for in this constitution or by action of the members at a regular or special meeting shall be decided by the executive board. The board shall meet every month immediately prior to the regularly scheduled meeting or at the call of the president or a majority of the members of the board. A report on actions taken by the executive board shall be made to the membership at the following meeting for ratification. A majority of the members of the executive board shall be required for a quorum at the executive board meeting.
Section 7. All committees shall meet at the call of the president, the chair or a majority of the members of the committee. A report on all actions taken shall be made to the executive board and then to the members at the next following meeting. A majority of the members of the committee shall be required for a quorum of said committee.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. Except to the extent specified in this constitution, no officer of this organization shall have the power to act as agent for or otherwise bind the organization in any way whatsoever. No member or group of members or other person or persons shall have the power to act on behalf of or otherwise bind the organization except to the extent specifically authorized in writing by the president of the organization or the executive board.
Section 2. Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the guide in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with this constitution.

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to this constitution may be voted upon at the annual meeting. Amendments proposed by members shall be submitted in writing to the executive board not later than sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which they are to be voted upon. A copy of such amendments shall be mailed to all members not later than thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting. The executive board, however, may submit amendments at any time prior to the opening of the annual meeting. Amendments shall be adopted by a 2/3rd vote of the members voting.
Section 2. A majority vote of the executive board shall decide any question regarding the interpretation of this constitution and the decision shall stand until the provision is altered by the members to a regular or special meeting in accordance with Section 1 of this article.