ARTICLE I – NAME/PURPOSE 

1. The name of this organization, which is a non-profit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Vermont is the East Coast Pygmy Goat Club. 
2. The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and authority to determine the location of the principal office for the transaction of business for this Corporation. 
3. The purpose for which this Corporation is formed is to promote the Pygmy Goat breed, and to educate the public about the Pygmy Goat. 

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP 

1. The membership of this Corporation, hereinafter referred to as the Association, shall consist of persons who, after having made application on the appropriate form, are approved by the Board of Directors. 
2. Individuals and families may make application for membership regardless of whether or not they are pygmy goat owners. 
3. Each individual 18 years and older listed on a membership application who is subsequently approved for membership, is eligible to vote, and to serve as an officer and/or director of the Association. 
4. Annual dues, for the period February 1 through January 31 each year, shall be in the amount :
Seniors-2015.00 (55 and older-1 Vote); Family 25.00 (Two Votes); Individual 20.00 (1 Vote) ; Adolescents (13-18 yrs)-15.00;  4 H's- 7.00 
5. A member’s membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid by March 1 of the current year.

ARTICLE III – MEETINGS 

1. Meetings of the Association or its Board of Directors may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the Board of Director s. Such meeting shall be held at a place, date and hour as may be designated by the initiator(s). Written notice of any such meeting shall be mailed to all members by either the Secretary or by Association newsletter, at least fifteen days prior to such meeting. 

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS/DIRECTORS 

1. The officers of this Association shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. 
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers, and any such additional members as may be elected by the membership. 
3. The Corporate Resident Agent shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. This appointee shall not be considered an Officer or Director, unless he/she has independently been elected to an office or to the Board of Directors. 
4. Election of Officers and Directors shall be held at the last membership meeting prior to December 1 each year. Newly elected Officers and Directors will take office on January 1. 
5. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President. A vacancy in any other office shall be filled by appointment by the President for the unexpired term. Other vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors, and any Director so elected shall hold office for the unexpired term of 
his/her predecessor. 

6. Duties of Officers: 

a. President – The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the Association. The President shall preside at all meetings of the members and of the Board of Directors. The President shall appoint all committees, and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

b. Vice President – The Vice President shall act as presiding officer of the Association in the absence of the President. The Vice President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as assigned by either the President or the Board of Directors.

c. Secretary – The Secretary shall record and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Association, whether membership or Board of Directors meetings, including a list of all present and the proceedings thereof.

d. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall receive, receipt for, and keep all monies or other credits coming to or belonging to the Association; shall keep regular, full and true accounts of all receipts and disbursements; and shall make detailed reports thereof to the members and/or the Board of Directors whenever called for. The Treasurer shall perform such other duties in connection with the administration of the financial affairs of the Association as the President or the Board of Directors shall assign to him/her. All monies of the Association shall be kept in such bank or banks or other depositories as the Board of Directors from time to time may direct or approve.

e. Webmaster- Shall be appointed by the Executive board by majority vote. The Webmaster shall establish and maintain the ECPGC web site in a manner to promote the ECPGC, pygmy goats and our shows. He/She shall update and make changes as necessary to keep the site current, answer inquiries which come into the club’s web site e-mail address and/or route inquiries to the appropriate
parties. The Webmaster shall route to club members’ e-mail addresses any pertinent announcements which are sent to the club through the web site. Webmaster will seek prior approval for major changes to the ECPGC web site, approval must be received prior to changes.
 

f . Newsletter Editor-Shall be appointed by the Executive board by majority vote. Newsletter editor will be responsible for quarterly newsletters sent to all members of the ECPGC. The Newsletter Editor will be responsible for the publication of the ECPGA quarterly newsletter. The newsletter shall consist of, but not be limited to: club news, show results, show dates, health articles, etc. Newsletter will meet required deadlines; one week prior to deadline Editor will be send via email to the Executive board for majority vote approval. Editor will be responsible for newsletter mailing.
 

g.  Membership Chair-

h. Directors- Shall be voted on by the entire membership. Directors will serve a two year term and face re-election. Directors may serve two consecutive terms. Directors will be responsible of duties set forth by the President and Executive board. Directors shall assist with board decisions, policy making, show schedules and act as liaisons between the officers and members.
 

• All elected officers will serve a 2 year term and may serve two consecutive terms if elected to do so by majority vote.

• Any officers, members of the East Coast Pygmy Goat club can be removed from position/membership in the ECPGC by the majority of vote by the membership, Executive board and board of directors.  Members in question will have the option to defend oneself to the Executive board and bo ard of directors.

7. Annually in December, and at any other time upon the occasion of a change in the Office of Treasurer, an audit of the financial records of the Association will be conducted, including but not limited to records of receipts and disbursements, bank records, and all supporting documentation. The audit will be conducted by an Audit Committee, consisting of the President, a member of the Board of Directors, and a regular association member. The President will appoint the other two Audit Committee members, and will report the results of the audit to the membership at its next regular meeting. 

ARTICLE V - MISCELLANEOUS

1. “Roberts Rules of Order” shall serve as a general guide for all meetings and business transactions not otherwise specified in the By-laws. 
2. These By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at any membership meeting. Notice of any proposed change must be mailed to all members of the Association at least fifteen days prior to any such meeting. 
3. The Association may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the voting members of the Association. In the event of dissolution, none of the property, proceeds or assets of the Association shall be distributed to any members of the Association, but after payment of the debts of the Association, its property and assets shal l revert to the National Pygmy Goat Association and be used as its Board of Directors may deem fit and necessary.