The SPOTI CAT Club

Affiliated to THE INTERNATIONAL CAT ASSOCIATION

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 1 - NAME

a.         The name of this club shall be The Spoticat Club

ARTICLE 2 – PURPOSES

a.         It shall be the purpose of this club:

i.                     To promote the welfare of all breeds of cats, including household pets.

ii.          To encourage breeding programs which prioritise health and welfare of the cats.

iii.         To sponsor cat shows and promote the interest in and knowledge of all domestic, cats, in particular to promote spotted cats and to support the development of New Traits in TICA.  The club reserves the rights to refuse to promote New Traits that, on a majority opinion, do not conform to (ii) above.

iv.         To encourage the spaying and neutering of any and all cats not specifically being used as part of a viable breeding program.

v.          To help promote TICA in the UK and encourage the registration of cats within TICA.

ARTICLE 3 - Membership

a.         Persons interested in the objectives and ethos of this club and who agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct of the Club shall be eligible to apply for membership.  Membership will be at the discretion of the Board, on proposal by two members of the Club or one member of the Club and the applicant’s veterinary practice.

b.         Applicants for membership over the age of 18 years shall complete the membership form and send it to the directors.

c. Honorary Membership may be granted at the discretion of the Board.  Such members shall not have voting rights

d. The Board shall have the right to refuse membership and expel any member whose words or actions might be considered detrimental to the Club, subject to the right to appear at the next Board meeting.  Membership will be provisional until approved by the board.  If not approved membership fees will be returned, however if membership was applied for in association with a show entry the show entry discount will be deducted from the membership fee before refund.

e. Notice shall be sent to each elected or rejected applicant by the Corresponding Secretary.

f. The dues of this club shall be £10 per year for a single regular membership payable on or before Apr 1 of each year for the ensuing year. Dues for two regular members of an immediate family shall be £15 per year payable on or before April 1 of each year for the ensuing year. Children under the age of 18 may also join under this joint membership. These fees will be reviewed at each AGM. There shall be joining/rejoining fees to cover the cost of initial paperwork and processing. Members whose subscriptions remain in arrears three months after they are due, i.e. 1st April, shall be deemed to have resigned from the Club

g. Life membership shall cost five times the appropriate annual subscription.  It shall not be granted until the member has been an ordinary member for five years. 

ARTICLE 4 - AFFILIATION

a.         This club shall be affiliated with The International Cat Association (TICA). All officers of the club shall be TICA members in good standing; there must be at least five members of the club who are members of TICA in good standing (including the officers).

ARTICLE 5 - LOCATION

a.         This club is intended primarily to serve the interests of the owners, fanciers and breeders of cats residing in the UK, however international members are encouraged.

ARTICLE 6 - MEETINGS

a.         Board Meetings

i.          Regular Board meetings, at least twice a year, shall be held on such dates and at such time and place as the Board of Directors shall designate.

ii.          Members shall be notified of the time and place of all meetings by mail, e-mail, telephone or in person by the Secretary with 7 days notice.

iii.         Three directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

b.         The Annual General Meeting.

i.          The AGM shall be held not later than 30th April in each year.  All nominations and matters for the agenda must be received, in writing, by the Honorary Secretary by 30 days prior to the meeting.

ii.          Notice of a General Meeting and the Agenda shall be sent, by post or email, at least 14 days prior to the date, to all fully paid up members who shall be eligible to participate in or vote.

ii.                   A total of 6 members, of which 3 are board members, shall constitute a quorum at an AGM.

c.         Special General Meeting.

i.              Special meetings may be called from time to time if necessary for the transaction of important business, and may be called by the President, Board of Directors or upon written demand of five members. The business at this meeting shall be limited to that mentioned in the call.

ARTICLE 7 - OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

a.         The officers of this club shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, and a Councillor. The offices of  Secretary and Membership Secretary or Treasurer and Membership Secretary may be combined at the discretion of the club. 

b. The management of the business and affairs of this club shall be under the direction of a Board of Directors consisting of the elected officers and up to two additional elected directors. The Board shall have the power to co opt two additional members to the Board.

c.         Officers and Directors shall be proposed prior to and elected at the AGM to serve for up to 3 years, and will be eligible for re election.  Co-opted Members will serve for 1 year and will be eligible for re-election.

 d.        Vacancies in offices or on the club's Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining members of the Board of Directors.

 e.        The club's Board of Directors shall appoint Sub-Committees as deemed advisable.

ARTICLE 8 - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

a.         The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as are incidental to his office. He shall be ex-officio member of all committees.  In the absence of the President and VP any elected Officer, except the Secretary, may undertake the president’s duties for one meeting. 

b.         The Vice President shall act as deputy to the President.

c.         The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and shall present them at ensuing meetings.  The Secretary will make arrangement for meetings including distributing notices and Agendas.  The secretary will undertake correspondence as directed by the Board.

d.         The Membership Secretary shall keep a list of all members in good standing with their names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers (in accordance with current Data Protection Legislation).  In addition the Membership Secretary will facilitate renewal of memberships.

e.         The Treasurer shall receive and have custody of all monies and shall deposit same in a bank account in the name of the club. He shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures and shall render a financial report at each regular meeting. He shall furnish names and addresses to the Corresponding Secretary of all membership dues paid.

f.          The Councillor shall be a member who is familiar with the Association, club, and show procedures and be able to guide and advise the club whenever assistance is needed or whenever the councillor feels that the club is not acting in the best interest of the fancy as a whole or is failing in some obligation to TICA.

g.         All officers, will make a report to the AGM.

h.         The officers will make an annual report to TICA report which shall include a list of members of the club with their addresses, a report of any shows held during the year, a copy of the financial report of the club for the year and such other information as may be required by TICA.

i.          Absence from two consecutive Board meetings, with out good reason, shall be deemed as resignation and the absenting members shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.

j.              The President may, at any meeting, exercise a casting vote in addition to his/her personal vote to resolve a tie.

ARTICLE 9 - ALTERATION OF RULES, AMALGAMATION AND WINDING UP

a.             These rules may only be altered at a General Meeting and notice of such a motion must appear on the Agenda for that meeting.  Any such alteration shall require a two thirds majority.

b.         The Club may only be wound up or amalgamated with another cat club at a General Meeting and notice of such a motion must appear on the Agenda for that meeting on winding up the assets will be donated to a suitable cat related charity as decided at the General Meeting.  Any such motion shall require a majority two thirds vote.

ARTICLE 10 – DISCIPLINE

a.         The Board of Directors may reprimand, suspend, or expel from the membership, any person who, after a fair and impartial hearing, shall be found guilty of violating any rules of this club or TICA or of conduct detrimental to this club or to the cat fancy.