This organization shall be known as the Spanish Arabian Horse Society (SAHS).  The mission of SAHS is to preserve, improve, and maintain the purity of Spanish blooded horses of the Arabian breed.  SAHS strives for the advancement of education for the benefit of the public, to promote and facilitate the acquisition and distribution of knowledge, in all countries, of the history, care and propagation of the Spanish Arabian.  In the remainder of this document it shall be referred to as the Society or SAHS. 

The principle office or place of business shall be the home of the duly elected Society President or other suitable meeting place as designated by the same.  The Society’s mailing address will be the address of the person holding the office of Secretary. 

According to its Articles of Incorporation the Society shall be a non-profit corporation; with no capital stock; no paid officers or directors; and it shall hold no member, Officer or Director liable for any corporate debt. 

The purposes for which the Society is formed include the following: 

1. to stimulate popular interest in and enjoyment of Spanish Arabian horses and their proper care and propagation; 
2. to investigate and study the history and characteristics of Spanish Arabian horses and their breeding, genetics and husbandry, and to collect, preserve and disseminate useful information concerning them; 
3. to cooperate with other organizations and individuals in developing and maintaining the highest quality of this incomparable bloodline group; 
4. to encourage, aid and conduct events for the purpose of advancing the outstanding qualities of Spanish Arabian horses; 
5. to further enhance any and all interests in the Spanish Arabian bloodline group. 

Classical Spanish:  A purebred Arabian horse that traces its lineage 100 % to importations registered in the Arabian Spanish Stud Book (SSB) prior to 1950. 

Se define como caballo de raza árabe de línea pura española (pure Spanish), aquel ejemplar árabe cuyos antepasados provengan en su totalidad de las importaciones inscritas en el Libro Genealógico Español
de la raza árabe antes de 1950.

Spanish-related:  A horse that is a son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter of a Classical Spanish horse.  (At least 25% Classical Spanish; may be either purebred or partbred Arabian)

Section 1.  Eligibility: 
All persons interested in the Spanish Arabian horse and the advancement of the bloodline group, and not currently under suspension by WAHO, AHA, USEF or any other National or International breed or equine regulatory agency or organization, shall be eligible for membership in this society.  All members shall agree to abide by the SAHS Breeder’s Code of Ethics. (The Breeder’s Code of Ethics will have to be drawn up and approved by the BoD.  Draft in progress.)
Voting rights are granted to individual voting members paying SAHS dues.
The SAHS membership year shall run for one full year as outlined by AHA. 

Section 2.  Application Procedure: 
A.  Applications shall be submitted on forms available from the Secretary or available on the website. 
B.  The application, accompanied by the appropriate membership fees, shall be sent to the Secretary. 
C.  A new member may vote, subject to collection of membership fees and completion of a probationary period. The new member is entitled to all other membership privileges and benefits during the probationary period.  The probationary period is defined as thirty (30) days after official receipt of the application. 
D.  A former member will be treated as a new applicant if their membership lapsed for one (1) year or more. 

Section 3.  Membership Categories: 
A.  SAHS Voting Member (subject to collection of membership fees and upon completion of probationary waiting period):  Individuals, eighteen (18) years of age or older who have applied for membership and paid Voting Member dues. Voting Members receive the Society newsletter. Voting Members shall consist of three categories: 

1. Charter Member: a Regular Voting Member who joined the Society during its first year of existence, 2004/2005. 
2. Regular Voting Member: an adult who has paid Voting Member dues as established by the Board of Directors. 
3. Youth Member:  a person who has not yet reached his/her 18th birthday and who has applied for membership and paid Youth dues.  Youth members have no vote on Society, Region or AHA matters. 
4. Benefactor: an individual who has chosen to pay an amount in excess of Regular Voting Member dues (amount to be established by the Board of Directors), and who is allowed a 10% discount on all advertising and promotional activities, and other privileges as determined by the Board of Directors.
5. Honorary Member:  Individuals who have been nominated in writing by an Officer or Director for their exceptional service to the Society over an extended period of time. A two/thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors is required to confirm an Honorary Member. This membership category bestows lifetime membership in the Society with all membership privileges and voting rights. Honorary members are exempt from the annual Society membership dues. 

Section 4. Termination of Membership: 
A.  Upon termination of membership, the terminated member shall have no other property right or interest in the assets of the Society. 

B.  Membership in the Society is non-transferable and: 

1.  shall cease upon the death of a member; 
2.  shall cease upon voluntary resignation; 
3.  may cease upon expulsion, or during the period of suspension, from the Society.  A member suspended by AHA or USEF, or their National or International breed or equine regulatory agency or organization shall automatically be suspended from the Society. 
4.  A member may be expelled or suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors present, for failure to observe any rule or regulation set forth in these By-Laws, or for conduct which is in the opinion of the Board, prejudicial to the interests of the Society.  The effected member shall be notified, via correspondence (e-mail, postal service etc..), no less than twenty (20) days prior to a Board of Directors meeting at which such action is to be considered, and shall have the opportunity to present his/her position prior to the final decision of the Board. A member expelled or suspended shall have the right to petition the Board of Directors, for reversal or reinstatement, after a minimum of sixty (60) days has elapsed. A petition for reversal or reinstatement must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors at least twenty (20) days prior to a Board meeting at which such action is to be considered. An affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors present, shall be necessary for reversal or reinstatement. 
5.  May cease after a delinquency in the payment of any financial obligation to the Society for a period of sixty (60) days. After a delinquency of thirty (30) days, the Treasurer shall send a written notice to the member by registered mail. If the delinquency is not satisfied within thirty (30) days following the mailing of the notice, the Society shall automatically terminate and cancel the individual’s membership. 

Section 1.  A Voting Member in good standing shall have one vote on Society matters brought before the general membership. 

Section 2.  Elections shall be held annually for Officers, Directors and Delegates.  These elections must be conducted using written ballots to be mailed out to each Voting Member by the Nominating Committee and returned to the chair of the Nominating Committee no later than the specified deadline.     Write-in candidates are allowed. 

Section 3.  Voting by proxy is not allowed. 

Section 4.  Officers, Directors and Delegates shall be elected to their respective positions by a simple majority vote of the Voting Members submitting valid ballots.

Section 1.  Annual Dues:  annual dues shall be charged each member. The Board of Directors shall establish the rates of the dues, any other membership fees to be assessed, due dates and deadlines.

Section 2.  Amount of Dues: the amount of the annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The rates shall be proposed by the Board and voted upon at the Annual Meeting. They must be approved by a majority of the members present. 

Section 3.  All sums collected by SAHS for affiliate membership in other organizations shall be transmitted to those organizations in a timely fashion as required by those organizations.

Section 1. Officers: 
Officers of the Society shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each of these Officers shall be a Voting Member in good standing of the Society. They will be elected at the Annual Meeting for a period of two (2) years; commencing January 1 and ending December 31. Officers may succeed themselves. 
Any Officer of the Society may be removed by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at any called meeting of the membership, provided that written notice of the purpose of said meeting has been given in accordance with Article X of these By-Laws.
All vacancies in the offices of the club, except that of President shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors.  Those so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the un-expired term.  The office of President shall be filled by the Vice-President for the remainder of the un-expired term. 
A. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Society and, be subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and Officers of the Society. The President shall: 

1. preside at all meetings of the Society and the Board of Directors, but vote only in case of a tie; 
2. appoint the chairpersons of all committees other than those provided for elsewhere in these By-Laws; 
3. with the treasurer (or other appropriate individual), sign all written contracts authorized by the Society; 
4. have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a Corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these By-Laws; 

1. in the absence or disability of the President, perform all the duties of the President and when so acting, shall have all the power of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President; 
2.  arrange for all meetings and programs for meetings; 
3.  shall chair the Communications Committee;
4. have other powers and perform other duties as may be prescribed by the President.

1. keep, or cause to be kept, a book of minutes of all meetings of the Society and the Board of Directors, with the time and location, type of meeting, the proceedings thereof, and the names of Officers and Directors present and absent, and shall submit such minutes for publication in the newsletter and on the website; 
2. be responsible for the safekeeping of all correspondence and other valuable papers of the Society not assigned to another Officer or Director; 
3. keep the Motions Book with a record of all motions passed by the Board of Directors or the General Membership; 
4. keep, or cause to be kept, the official membership roster with addresses, telephone numbers, and other information  on all members, and shall promptly notify the officers and the Newsletter Editor of any additions, changes or deletions; 
5. have other powers and perform other duties as may be prescribed by the President.

1. keep accurate books of account of the Society’s transactions, which shall be the property of the Society; 
2. prepare and present an itemized financial statement at the Annual Meeting, and at such other times as required by the President; 
3. chair the Budget Committee and present a proposed Budget to the Board of Directors annually; 
4. supervise all accounts and checkbooks maintained by Standing Committees.  These shall be limited to additional committees authorized by the affirmative vote of 2/3 of the Board of Directors.  All such Committee accounts shall be considered to be temporary, and all Committee checkbooks and complete records of account shall be submitted to the Audit Committee within 90 days of the completion of the event/activity for which they were used, or when all accounts for the event/activity are settled, whichever occurs first.  All such accounts shall be audited at least once a year and checkbooks returned to the appropriate person upon commencement of planning for the next event, as needed; 
5. submit the Society books for an audit during the month of January each year; 
6. perform all other duties commonly incidental to this office; 
7. have other powers and perform other duties as may be prescribed by the President.

1. have power to take any action not inconsistent with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, with the By-Laws, or with any duly enacted resolution of the membership; 
2. have power to propose dues and fees; 
3. endeavor to carry out the wishes of the majority of the membership.
The required quorum for the conduct of Society business matters shall be six (6) members of the Board. 

1. Activities:  This committee, chaired by the Activities Director, shall coordinate all Society events and activities, except for shows, meetings, programs for meetings, and perform all other related tasks; 
2. Publicity & Promotions:  This committee, chaired by the Publicity & Promotions Director, shall coordinate all advertising, sponsorships and printing of all publications and notices, except the newsletter, and perform all other related tasks. 
3.  Editorial Review Board: This committee, chaired by the Newsletter Editor, shall be responsible for publishing and mailing the newsletter, on a schedule established by the Board of Directors; shall, when asked by the Newsletter Editor or the Officers, review any material submitted for publication in the Newsletter or on the website; and perform all other related tasks. 
4.  Historical Collections: This committee, chaired by the Historian, shall collect and preserve photos and information on the Spanish Arabian horse, and make this information available to Society members and to the general public, and perform all other related tasks.

1. Audit:  this committee shall be responsible for reviewing and/or auditing all books of finance for the Society, and all Committees which maintain separate accounts. The chairperson and committee members shall be appointed by the President; 
2. Budget:  this committee, chaired by the Treasurer, shall be responsible for constructing a budget for the succeeding calendar year. The proposed Budget shall be presented to the Board of Directors in January of each year, when it may be revised and then voted on, approval requiring a majority of votes cast.  Once approved, the Budget may be amended by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.  No activity or event may be approved by the Board unless a Budget Proposal is first submitted on the official Budget Proposal form provided by the Budget Committee.  The committee members shall be appointed by the Treasurer; 
3. By-Laws:  this committee shall consist of at least three (3) members, currently in good standing, and shall be responsible for reviewing the Society By-Laws for possible changes.  The chairperson (not a Director) and members of the committee shall be appointed by the President; 
4. Nominating:  This committee shall consist of three (3) members, currently in good standing, which are neither Officers nor Directors and have been members for at least one (1) year previous. This committee shall propose candidates, and conduct the voting process for the election of Officers and Directors. The chairperson and committee members shall be appointed by the President; 
5. Communications: this committee, chaired by the Vice-President, shall be responsible for telephoning and/or e-mailing to notify the membership of general meetings, elections, selected Society activities and special events. The committee members shall be appointed by the Vice-President; 
6. Society Achievement Awards: this committee, chaired by the Publicity & Promotions Director, shall be responsible for tabulating points for the Society’s achievement awards. The committee members shall be appointed by the Publicity & Promotions Director;

Section 4. Delegates
A.  Delegates shall be Voting Members in good standing of the Society, and be members of AHA through the Society.
B.  Delegates shall occupy the position for one (1) year, commencing immediately upon their election and serve until the election of their successors.
C.  Delegates shall submit a written report within 30 days of their return from Regional and AHA meetings and conventions, which they attend, or no later than the deadline for the next issue of the newsletter, whichever is sooner.  These reports shall be published in the newsletter and on the website.
D.  Delegates may be removed from their positions for failing to attend AHA conventions, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Voting Members voting on such removal.  This vote may be taken by mail or by e-mail ballot and must be conducted no less than 4 months prior to the next meeting or convention the Delegate is scheduled to attend.
E.  There will be one or more Alternates elected for each Delegate position.  These Alternates may substitute for the elected Delegates at any Regional or AHA meeting or convention, without penalty to the Delegate, provided the Alternate is notified in a timely manner that the Delegate will not be able to attend the meeting or convention.
 
 

Section 1.  The most current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Society in all cases to which it is applicable and consistent with the By-Laws of the Society. 

Section 2.  Annual Meeting:  The Annual Meeting shall be held at such time and place as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.  Notice of the date, time and place of said meeting shall be sent to the membership at least 30 days prior to said meeting.  Publication in the newsletter shall satisfy this requirement.  A quorum shall consist of those Voting Members in good standing who are present. 

Section 3.  General Membership Meetings:  Additional meetings (special purpose or regular business meetings) may be called by the President and written notice thereof shall be mailed to each member/family at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting. Publication in the newsletter shall satisfy this requirement. The President must call a meeting of the membership upon the written request of twenty (20) of the Voting Members in good standing. Minutes of the meetings shall be recorded and then mailed or read at the next regular meeting of the Society, and published in the newsletter and on the website. 

Section 4.  Board of Directors Meetings:  A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held at least two (2) times a year, with notice of such meeting given to the Directors at least ten (10) days prior to the meetings. Publication in the newsletter shall satisfy this requirement.  A quorum shall consist of six (6) Board members.  There will be a joint Board of Directors meeting of outgoing and incoming Officers and Directors between the Annual Meeting and the end of the year. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President upon five (5) days notice. The President must call a meeting of the Board upon written request of three (3) Directors or ten (10) Voting Members in good standing.  All meetings may be held by conference call or by e-mail and must be concluded within 24 hours of they are started on a weekday, or 48 hours if started on a weekend. 

The By-Laws of this Society, and any subordinate group, shall be amended at any General Membership Meeting of the Society by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members voting. Such amendments shall be proposed in writing by any Voting Member to the By-Laws Committee.  The proposed amendment(s) shall be included with the ten (10) days advance written notice required for notification of all such meetings.  All amendments passed shall be dated, signed and sent to any organization of which SAHS is an affiliate along with a cover letter signed by both the Society President and Secretary.

1.  The President and Treasurer shall have authority to issue organizational checks from the general account.  Any other check writing authority shall be granted by the vote of the Board of Directors.  No check may be written which will cause the total for the applicable expense or activity to exceed the amount budgeted, unless and until that budgeted amount has been amended by the Board of Directors as specified in these By-Laws.

2.  All SAHS materials will be dated for clarity and accuracy.

3.  All new members shall be given a copy of the By-Laws (hard copy or electronic).

4.  Should the Society be dissolved, any remaining assets shall be donated to a non-profit equine association, as determined by the Board of Directors.