FIRC Constitution

  Copy of the Constitution filed with USIHC

FRIDA ICELANDIC RIDING CLUB

of the

MID-ATLANTIC REGION 

Founded May 2002

 Domestic Nonprofit Corporation (subsection 5306)

With the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Registered on March 16, 2018

CONSTITUTION

AND BY-LAWS

  

Mission Statement

To promote knowledge of the Icelandic horse and its correct use as a competition and riding horse in accordance with the policies of FEIF and the USIHC. To honor the memory of Frida Gudmundsdottir and her efforts to create a community of Icelandic horse riders and enthusiasts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and surrounding areas. To provide opportunities for activities associated with the ownership and the riding of the Icelandic horse.

Article I: Name

The name of this club shall be Frida Icelandic Riding Club (FIRC). 

Article II: Purpose

The purpose of the FIRC will be: 

  • To promote interest in Icelandic horses and activities involving Icelandic horses.

  • To promote and share knowledge of Icelandic horses, their health and proper care.

  •  To encourage the correct use of Icelandic horses as competition and riding horses in accordance with the policies of the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations (FEIF) and the United States Icelandic Horse Congress (USIHC). 

  • To organize and promote activities involving Icelandic horses, such as clinics, demonstrations, competitions, breed evaluations, trail rides, and other activities of a similar nature. 

  • To encourage membership and to promote and facilitate communication and interaction among members. 

  • To promote camaraderie, good horsemanship and good sportsmanship among its members. 

ARTICLE III: Membership 

Section 1: Membership in the club is open to anyone who subscribes to the goals and purposes of the club. The club offers six types of memberships: 

  • Adult – Regular Member. Individual 18 years of age and older.  Adult members have full voting privileges. 

  • Adult – Social Member. Individual 18 years of age and older.  No voting privileges. Designed for individuals who do not have Icelandic horses but who are interested in participating in the club’s non-mounted activities.

  • Family – Individuals (adults and children) in the same household. Two votes.

  • Youth –  Individual under 18 years of age. Youth members may not vote and pay no dues.

  • Honorary – Individuals who are invited to be members.  Honorary members may not vote and pay no dues.

Section 2:  To become a member of the club, an individual must complete and submit a membership application and pay the club’s annual dues in full. All memberships are for one calendar year and may be renewed annually by paying dues within the time period  specified by the Board.   A new membership begun after November 1, will remain current for the following year.

ARTICLE IV: Annual Dues 

The amount of the annual dues for all membership types shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The amount of annual dues will be specified on the membership application and will be communicated to members and prospective members through the club’s information and communication channels.  

ARTICLE V: Board of Directors and Officers 

Section 1: The club’s Board of Directors shall consist of up to seven (7) but not fewer than four (4) current club members. Each member of the Board shall serve a two (2) year term. There is no limit on the length of time an individual may remain on the Board of Directors. 

Section 2: Nominations for Board members may be made by any current member of the club. All members who have voting privileges (that is, who are over 18 years of age and are regular members) are eligible to serve on the Board. The members of the Board shall be elected from among those nominated by a simple majority of the eligible club members who participate in the election. 

Section 3: All members of the Board will have one vote in each decision made by the Board. 

Section 4: The Board of Directors shall have regular meetings each year on a schedule set by Board members. Meetings may be in person, by phone, or by other communication system that is mutually agreeable to all Board members. A simple majority of the Board of Directors will constitute a quorum for any Board meeting. 

Section 5: The Board of Directors shall oversee the club’s activities and manage the club’s resources and assets. The Board may establish policies, make decisions, form committees, or take other actions deemed necessary to carry out the business and fulfill the purpose of the FIRC. The Board must approve all budget disbursements for the club. 

Section 6: The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy on the BOD occurring for any reason.  A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall remain on the Board until the next election year.   

Section 7: The officers of the club shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among its members. Officers must be elected by a simple majority vote of the Board. The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. No individual may hold more than one office at the same time. In addition, the club will designate one director as the USIHC Liaison.  One director will be designated as a Youth Contact so that young riders in the area covered FIRC can obtain information about various opportunities and activities for youth.

Section 8: The duties of the officers of the club shall be as follows: 

  • The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board and/or the club’s members. The President shall have the authority to sign contracts and enter into agreements on behalf of the Board and the club. He or she shall have general supervision of the affairs of the club and the operations of the Board of Directors. 

  • The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President if he or she leaves the Board or is otherwise unable to carry out the duties of office. 

  • The Secretary shall keep accurate records of every meeting, submit an agenda for subsequent meetings, distribute meeting minutes to the BOD for review, and act as public relations delegate.

  • The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds of the club and shall be responsible for the disbursement of club funds at the direction of the Board. The Treasurer shall supervise all bank accounts or other financial instruments and will serve as an authorized signer for all club accounts. The Treasurer will provide quarterly financial reports, with regular updates between quarterly reports if requested by the Board. 

  • The USIHC Liaison shall maintain contact between the USIHC and the FIRC, reporting regularly on USIHC decisions and activities that may affect the club. The Liaison shall coordinate communication with the USIHC at the direction of the Board. The Liaison may also serve as one of the officers or members of the board of directors. 

ARTICLE VI: Meetings and Elections 

Section 1: The club will have an annual meeting during the month of March or April at a place and time as deemed reasonable by the Board. Club members will be notified of the date, time and location of the annual meeting at least thirty (30) days in advance. 

Section 2: Special meetings of the club may be called at any time at the discretion of the Board. Special meetings may also be called if five (5) club members present a written (print or electronic) request to the Board calling for such a meeting. Special meetings may take place in person, by phone or by any electronic or other means deemed appropriate by the Board. All members must be notified of any special meetings.

Section 3: A quorum for the club’s annual meetings and special meetings involving members shall be ten percent (10%) of the entire membership plus at least four (4) members of the Board. 

 Section 4: Votes for elections or for conducting club business may be taken in person or by any electronic or other means deemed appropriate by the Board. 

ARTICLE VII: Calendar 

The business year of the Frida Icelandic Horse Club shall be January 1 through December 31. 

ARTICLE VIII: Amendments 

Section 1:  Any club member in good standing can propose an amendment to these bylaws by submitting a request in writing (print or electronic) to the club Secretary. Proposed amendments will be considered and voted upon by the general membership either at the next meeting of the general membership or by the remote means, print or electronic, deemed most appropriate by the Board. The text of any proposed amendment must be distributed to members at least seven (7) days before the vote. 

Section 2: To be accepted and become part of these bylaws, a proposed amendment must receive a simple majority vote of the members who participate in the election at which it is considered. 

 Section 3: When amendments are passed, a new copy of the bylaws document clearly displaying the amendment will be made available to all club members. 

ARTICLE IX: Indemnification 

Each officer, director and committee member of the FIRC shall be indemnified by the club against all costs, expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with, or resulting from, any action, suit or proceeding to which he/she may be made a party by reason of him or her being or having been a director, officer or committee member of the club, except in relation to matters which have been occasioned by the willful misconduct or dishonesty of such officer, director or committee member. 

ARTICLE X: Club Dissolution 

In the event of the dissolution of the FIRC, the Board will use all tangible assets of the club to pay any outstanding expenses and debts of the club. Any remaining monies will be distributed to an equine charity or charities determined by a vote of the Board. 

ARTICLE X: Approval 

These amended bylaws shall be considered adopted upon receiving a vote in favor by a simple majority of the eligible club members who participate in the vote. The vote to adopt these amended bylaws may take place at a meeting of the general membership or via the remote means, print or electronic, deemed most appropriate by the current Board of Directors.