The Indianhead Country Combine

CONSTITUTION & BY LAWS

Constitution and By-Laws of the Indianhead Country Combine located in Western Wisconsin and organized in the year of 2006.

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

Name: The name shall be the

 Indianhead Country Combine

ARTICLE II

Objectives: Objective is to conduct ICC Combine activities for people interested in Racing Pigeons (Columba livia). To promote and enhance the sport and hobby of breeding and racing Registered Homing Pigeons. To conduct and join in worthy efforts with others, to elevate the hobby and sport to the highest standards of sportsmanship, competition, honor and fairness. To conduct all ICC Combine functions in a family friendly environment, smoke free and void of coarse language.

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF "THE INDIANHEAD COUNTRY RACING PIGEON COMBINE"  (ICC)      

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

The offices of the Indianhead Country Combine shall consist of one (1) individual from each club in the combine.  The Board Member Officers shall be elected at the regular Annual (December) Meeting and shall serve for a period of one year. Nominations will be made from the floor of the meeting and upon being made, the Board Chair shall order that they be added to the list of nominees. All nominees shall have the privilege to decline nomination. Newly elected Board Member Officers will take charge of their office on January 1st of each year.

MEETINGS: 

Annual Meeting:  The Annual Meeting shall be held in December. The business of that meeting shall include the election of Board Member Officers, consideration of any changes to the Constitution and Bylaws; and payment of dues. All officers shall be provided written notice of the Annual Meeting at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

Regular Meeting: the Board Chair may call Regular Meetings,  not less then yearly or as voted by the membership.

Special meetings: may be called by the Board Chair or in his/her absence,  an alternent board member, if deemed necessary. Notice of such meeting shall be given each member at least one week in advance of the date of the meeting either in writing, via e-mail, personal contact or by a direct phone call to the member.

The Board Chair shall call a Special Meeting within 10 days of receipt of a signed request from 25% or more of the active members of the Combine.

Order of Business: The normal order of business at regular ICC Combine meetings shall include:

Roll Call; Minutes of Previous Meeting; Proposals for Membership; Financial Report; Committee Reports; Communications; Unfinished Business; New Business; Date of Next Meeting; 

Good of the Sport; Adjournment

QUORUM:

One half (1/2) of the active members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

AMENDMENTS:

Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws can only be acted upon at the Annual Meeting or by Special Meeting requirements. A three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of the active members in attendance,  shall be required for an adoption.

If the ICC Combine is unable to obtain a quorum, then a vote may be taken by e-mail with the same requirements for action.

MEMBERSHIP DUES:

Annual dues for clubs/members,  shall be determined at the Annual Meeting in December, by a majority vote of the active members present. Combine dues, as well as those associated with other organizations, which the Combine is affiliated, are due, and payable at the Annual Meeting. Members are not allowed ICC race results until the Annual dues have been paid. An obligation of additional assessments or fees may be applied for specific work parties or events, if a member does not participate.

Section 1. Annual Dues:  shall be the same rate as the current AU dues.  They are to be used for AU affiliation dues, race results (WinSpeed), diplomas and all other necessary ICC Combine operating expenses.

Section 2. Partnership Lofts: shall each pay dues per year in the same manner provided above. Each individual composing the partnership shall each be assessed the annual AU dues,  as per AU membership policy. (Sec. 210.23)

Section 3. Junior Members: those who have not reached their 18^th• Birthday, shall pay the prescribed AU dues for Juniors and Combine fees shall be the same as the current AU junior dues.

Section 4. Initiation Fee:  Any person or club approved for probationary membership shall pay a $25.00 initiation fee,  immediately and in addition to the regular Combine dues assessed for that year.

Section 5. Pro-rated Dues:  Members joining after July 1 of the year are required to pay full AU Dues, plus any Late Fees, and the pro-rated amount of Combine dues assessed for that year. The fiscal year for the Combine dues shall begin January 1st and end on December 31st of each year.

RACE RULES

Race rules, special races, diplomas, trophies and other prizes shall be left to the wishes of the current membership provided they do not conflict with the Official AU Race Rules.

No changes shall be made during the race season in which the above mentioned items are initiated,  unless approved by the active members. Race rules, schedules and release times will be reviewed at the annual meeting. A copy of the rules and race schedule shall be given to each club/member annually.

EXPULSION/ SUSPENSION:

A member accused of dishonorable conduct as outlined by the AU Rules of Conduct (see Sec14.), shall be notified to appear before the officers of the Combine, who will investigate the charges. Such notification to appear shall be in writing at least seven (7) days before the date of the hearing and shall specify the charges. As a result of the investigation, the officers shall present their findings to the membership of the Combine at the next regular meeting or at a special meeting. A secret written ballot will be taken, and a three-quarters majority vote of all active members would be required to expel or suspend a member. The hearing must follow procedures outlined in the AU's Constitution and Bylaws (see Sec. 15 Disciplinary Rules), and must assure the charged individual is afforded "due process".  An expelled or suspended member shall forfeit all privileges and claims against the organization.

DISPUTES

Disputes (other than race disputes, which are to be handled by the Race Secretary) are to be settled as follows:

. They shall first be referred to the Combine Board Chair for settlement. If his/her decision is appealed by either party to the dispute, the matter shall be taken up by the entire Combine Board Officers for settlement.

If their decision is appealed by either party to the dispute, the entire Combine membership, other than the parties to the dispute, shall decide the issues by majority vote.

SHORTAGE OF OPERATING FUNDS

Any shortages of funds shall be assessed equally to all clubs/members and restored to the ICC Combine Treasury.  In the event of an assessment of over _$25.00_, each club/member may be given the opportunity to pay their portion of the assessment in three or more installments. Any agreement to moneys given, invested, or loaned to the Combine must be recorded in the minutes and a written agreement or contract provided, as appropriate, signed by the Combine's Board Officers.

DISSOLUTION OF ASSOCIATION

The Indianhead Country Combine shall not be dissolved without the consent, in writing, of two-thirds (2/3) of its active members, obtained in one and confined in another Special Meeting,,  convened for consideration of such dissolution.

Upon dissolution, the property of the Indianhead Country Combine shall be disposed of, to the best advantage possible, and the proceeds, after all bills and obligations have been paid, shall be awarded equally to the American Racing Pigeon Union (1/2) and the World of Wings Pigeon Center (1/2).

RULES OF ORDER

Robert's,  "Rules of Order" shall be the parliamentary authority of the ICC Combine, except when inconsistent with the By­laws or Special Rules of the ICC Combine.