Thurmont Riding Club

By Laws

of

Thurmont Riding Club, Inc.

PREAMBLE

We, the citizens of Frederick County, Maryland, associate ourselves for the following purposes:

To bring together all those persons who desire good fellowship and have a love for horses; to promote activities designed to foster ownership of pleasure horses and a knowledge of their traits and characteristics; to provide activities that bring together owners and their horses in shows and community activities and to compete with others enjoying the same activities; to own land and facilities for the keeping and maintaining of horses, putting on shows and entertainment; and that this is a corporation which does not contemplate pecuniary gain or profit, incident or otherwise to its members.

Section 1:

This association shall be named, known and styled as Thurmont Riding Club, Inc.

Section 2:

The monthly meeting of the members shall be held on the first Tuesday of each month.

Section 1:

Officers – The officers of the Club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and an Assistant Treasurer and a Board of Directors consisting of six members and the President.

Section 2:

The officers shall be elected annually by the members at their meeting held on the first Tuesday in December. The term of the officers shall be one year.

Section 3:

President – The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club. The President shall preside over all the meetings of the members and shall have the general powers/duties of supervision management usually invested in the office of the President.

Section 4:

Vice President – The Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President during the absence or disability of the President.

Section 5:

Secretary – The secretary shall attend all the month meetings of the members, all meetings of the Board of Directors, and preserve in books of the Club, true minutes of the proceedings of all meetings. The Secretary shall give all the members notice of the time and place of all monthly meetings, entertainment and banquets.

Section 6:

Treasurer – the Treasurer shall attend all monthly meetings of the members, all meetings of the Board of Directors, and have custody of all corporate funds and securities and shall keep, in books belonging to the Club, full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements; shall deposit all moneys, securities and other valuable effects in the name of the club in such depositories as may be designed for the purpose by the members. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Club as may be ordered by the members of Board of Directors of the Club, making proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the members of the Club at their monthly meetings and whenever requested by an officer or the Board of Directors, an account of all transactions of the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Club.

Section 7:

Assistant Treasurer – The Assistant Treasurer shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer during the absence or disability of the Treasurer.

Section 8:

Board of Directors – The Board of Directors shall consist of six (6) members. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held whenever called by the President or a majority of the Board. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for Club organization, discussing the affairs, goals and future aspirations of the Club, reaching conclusions which the Board feels are in the best interest of the Club and presenting all findings to the members at the regular Club meetings. Minutes of the Board meetings will be recorded by the Club Secretary. In case of financial emergency, the Board shall have the authority to direct the Treasurer to make any necessary disbursements. In June of each year, the Board of Directors shall conduct a year-to-date financial report to the Club. At the election to be held in December of 1984, two (2) Directors shall be elected for one (1) year. Two (2) Directors shall be elected for two (2) years, and two (2) Directors will be elected for three (3) years. Thereafter, Directors who are elected will serve for three (3) years.

Section 1:

All checks, drafts, and orders for payments of money shall be signed in the names of the Club and be countersigned by the Treasurer, President or Assistant Treasurer.

Section 1:

Any person may join this Club when recognized by a member of the Club.

Section 2:

The dues for members 16 years of age and under (Junior) shall be the sum of Seven Dollars ($7.00); dues for members 17 years of age and over (Senior) shall be the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00); dues for a family shall be the sum of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00), payable annually on the first Tuesday of December and due by the 28^th day of February (or join as a new member). ^1[2] Dues may be paid by mail only if monies are sent to the Club’s address at 14981 Roddy Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Once the Secretary is in receipt of dues, he/she has to immediately record all necessary information, then the membership form must be put on file and the monies must be given to the Treasurer within two (2) weeks.

Section 3:

Any member may be removed from membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present at any monthly meeting of the members, for conduct deemed prejudicial to the Club provided such member shall have first been served written notice of the accusation against him, and to produce his witnesses, if any, and to be heard at the meeting at which such vote is taken.

Section 1:

Committees shall be authorized by the President to serve at his/her pleasure. The President shall appoint the chairman of each committee, and the chairman shall appoint those members to the committee whom he desires to assist him.

Section 2:

The President may create any committee he/she desires as the need arises.

Section 3:

Opening nominations for officers and members for the Board of Directors shall be made at the October meeting of the members. The members shall nominate at least one (1) person for each office and at least two (2) persons for the two (2) vacancies to be filled annually on the Board of Directors. Continuing nominations for officers and for members of the Board of Directors may also be made by any member at the November meeting of the members. The election shall be by secret ballot at the December meeting and the individual receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to each respective office; the two (2) nominees for the Board of Directors receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the vacancies on the Board of Directors. New officers and members of the Board of Directors shall begin their terms at the first meeting in January.

Section 1:

If the office of the President becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Vice President shall automatically be elevated to the office of President and the members of the Club shall elect at the next meeting, a Vice President to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 2:

If the office of the Treasurer becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever, the Assistant Treasurer shall automatically be elevated to the office of the Treasurer and the members of the Club shall elect at the next meeting, an Assistant Treasurer to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

　Section 3:

If any office other than that of the President or Treasurer becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever, the members of the Club shall elect at the next meeting, a member to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 1:

The general ledger and membership records of the Club shall be available for inspection at reasonable times by any member.

Section 2:

The general ledger shall be audited annually on or before December 31^st.

Section 1:

All Officers and Board of Directors of the Club shall not be required to pay any dues for the term in which they serve said capacity.^2[3]

Section 1:

Any changes in the preceding By-Laws shall be made as follows:

a. Proposed changes shall be made at a monthly meeting.

b. Written notice shall be made prior to the next meeting at which time the proposed changes shall be voted upon by all members present.

c. Approval must be granted by two-thirds (2/3) of member present and voting.

Any member or friend riding with this Club does so at their own risk. The Club will not be responsible for loss or injury incurred on the show grounds. The well water has not been tested: Use it at your own risk. The Club urges each and every member to be with us on all accessions – if possible – and help keep this a friendly organization.

Revised 8/1/2009