ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of this organization is the Upper Midwest Horseshoers’ Association.

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization is to provide quality education to farriers; to sponsor and promote educational meetings, clinics, seminars, and social activities that will bring farriers together to share information that in turn will improve farrier skills for the benefit of horses and horse owners.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP & VOTE
Membership in the Association shall consist of all levels of practicing farriers, veterinarians, horse owners, suppliers of farrier-related products and other interested parties. The following three categories of membership are available in the Association:

1) REGULAR MEMBERS shall be those:
A. Who are members in good standing; whose dues are paid in full
B. And are entitled to one vote for all elections and/or Association decisions.

2) HONORARY MEMBERS shall be those:
A. Who have been awarded membership for various reasons (special contributions to the Association, etc.) Who may freely enter all discussion and activities at general association meetings.
B. Who shall pay no dues and have no voting or office-holding privileges.

3) COMPLIMENTARY/STUDENT MEMBERS shall be those:
A. Who are attending a school of farriery.
B. Who shall pay no dues during one calendar year.
C. Who shall have no office-holding privileges.

Membership drives will be conducted at the end of each year. Appeals for membership shall include current members for renewal. Membership in good standing ceases December 31 of each year and resumes upon receipt of membership dues.

ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS

The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

The election of officers shall take place at the annual meeting and terms shall extend for a period of two years.
The Executive committee shall consist of the officers, the past president, and two members whose terms as members of the Executive
Committee shall be for a period of two years.

ARTICLE V- DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and act as chairperson of the Executive Committee. He/she shall appoint all committees as required, call special meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee, and perform all other duties usually assigned to this office.

The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the office of President.

The Secretary shall record and maintain the minutes of all association meetings. Unless such administrative duties are assigned otherwise, the Secretary shall conduct general correspondence of the Association and send notices for all general or special meetings.

The Treasurer shall receive and keep records of the Association’s monies, debts, obligations, etc. and shall have the authority to sign checks and make disbursements upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee for the purpose of meeting the Association’s financial obligations. He/She shall render a complete financial report at each annual meeting.

The Executive Committee shall exercise the management of the Association’s current and ordinary business. It shall devise ways and means to achieve the goals of the Association.

It shall be the duty of all officers, committee chairpeople, and directors to attend all general and special meetings. It is required that they attend at least fifty percent of all board meetings and, if unable to attend, must contact the President prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VI- VACANCIES IN ELECTED OFFICES

In the event that any elected position is vacated before the normal expiration of the term and between election meetings, the position shall be filled by appointment of the Executive Committee. Any such appointment shall serve until the next general election.

ARTICLE VII- MEETINGS

The annual meeting shall be held in January at a location approved by the Executive Committee.

Notice of the annual meeting shall be sent, in writing, to all members in good standing no later than 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.

Each regular member shall be entitled to a vote at all meetings. In the absence of a member, he/she may be represented by proxy. Only member in good standing may be used to cast a proxy vote. Written, dated, and signed authorization must be presented to the Secretary prior to any vote.

Special meetings may be held from time to time upon call by the President or a majority of the Executive Committee and written notice shall be sent to all members in good standing not less than ten days prior to the date of such meeting.

Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held from time to time upon call by the President or by request of the majority of this Committee. Members of this Committee shall be notified in writing, by telephone, by email, or in person at seat twenty four hours before the time of the meeting.

All notices of meeting shall include the date, hour, place, and in case of a special meeting, the agenda.
The order of business shall be:

Reading of the previous meeting’s minutes
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Election and installation of officers
Report of the Executive Committee
Old Business
Reading of communications
New business
Adjournment


A quorum shall consist of three members of the Executive Committee present and voting in person.

ARTICLE VIII- COMMITTEES

The President may appoint, from time to time, such standing committees as may be required to achieve the goals of the Association. Authorization for such appointments must be made by the Executive Board. Committees shall make full reports to the President and meetings of the Executive Committee. Full disclosure of committee activity shall be made to the membership through the newsletter, website, and other communications as are deemed necessary.

ARTICLE IX- AMENDMENTS

Any of the by-laws may be amended, repealed or changed by a vote of the majority of the members represented in person. The proposed amendment, repeal or change must be clearly stated, and notice of such a meeting be sent to the members at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE X- BALLOT BY MAIL

The Association shall have the right to take a ballot of its members on any Association business, excluding by-law changes, by mail. The balloting system shall be designed in such a way as to protect the anonymity of the voter.