DOGO ARGENTINO CLUB OF AMERICA CONSTITUTION

These Bylaws are subject to and governed by the State of OKLAHOMA, Not For ProfitCorporation Laws and the Articles of Incorporation of the DOGO ARGENTINO CLUB OF AMERICA. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the OKLAHOMA State Not For Profit Corporation Laws, the OKLAHOMA State Not For Profit Corporation Act will be controlling.

ARTICLE I

Name and Objects

 

SECTION 1. The name of the club shall DOGO ARGENTINO CLUB OF AMERICA, hereinafter referred to as THE CLUB or DACA.

 

SECTION 2. The objects of the club shall be to:

(a) encourage and promote quality in the breeding of pure-bred Dogo Argentino and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;

(b) encourage the organization of independent local specialty clubs in those localities where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of The American Kennel Club;

(c) urge members and breeders to accept the Standard of the breed as approved by TheAmerican Kennel Club as the only Standard of excellence by which the Dogo Argentino shall be judged;

(d) do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsman-like competition at all events held under AKC Rules and Regulations;

(e) conduct sanctioned matches, and licensed events for which the club is eligible, under the Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club.

(f) educate members and non-members about ownership of the Dogo Argentino breed along with encouraging a spirit of fellowship and support among club members and the Dogo Argentino in general.

(g) support and promote rescue efforts of abandoned, abused, neglected, or displaced Dogo Argentinos.

 

SECTION 3. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions on furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Constitution or in Article I of the Bylaws.

 

SECTION 4. The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objects.

 

SECTION 5. Standing Rules & Standing Operating Procedures. The Board of Directors of the club may adopt standing rules and operating procedures for the efficient and effective operation of the Club.  Such rules shall be consistent with the bylaws, and must be voted on the by the Board of Directors and receive a 2/3 favorable vote.  Standing rules and operating procedures shall be published for review and reference by full membership.

 

 

DOGO ARGENTINO CLUB OF AMERICA

BYLAWS

 

ARTICLE II

Membership

SECTION 1. Eligibility. There shall be seven (7) types of membership open to all persons 18years of age and older who are in good standing with The American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club.

a) Regular (Individual) – enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office

b) Household – two (2) adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office (not concurrently).

c) Junior – open to children under 18 years of age; a non-voting/non-office holding membership.  Upon reaching age 18, Junior must submit a new Regular (Individual) application.

d) International/Foreign – for those individuals who are not US residents (or its territories and possessions).  Shall be entitled to all club privileges except voting and office holding.

e) Honorary – an individual who has made significant contributions to the Sport, Breed, or the Club; honorary members pay no dues and are not eligible to vote, but can maintain regular or household membership if they pay dues.

f) Lifetime – those individuals who have been members for a long period of time (usually 20+ years); Life members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.

g) Regional Club – a geographically local Dogo Argentino (accredited or licensed) club under the AKC rules and regulations.  Payment for one year’s dues must accompany the application.  Allowed 1 vote submitted by the club’s secretary, dues renew annually.  

 

SECTION 2. Dues. Membership dues shall not exceed $100.00 per year, payable on or before the 1st day of February of each year. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the Financial/Fiscal year. During the month of January, the Treasurer shall send to each member a statement of dues for the Financial/Fiscal year.  Ten percent (10%) of total annual membership dues collected (rounded to the nearest dollar) will be donated to a Dogo Argentino specific rescue organization selected by the Board of Directors.

 

SECTION 3. Election to Membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the board of directors (“Board” or “the Board”) and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by these bylaws, and The Rules and Regulations of The American Kennel Club and AKC’s Code of Sportsmanship. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the Financial/Fiscal year.

All applications for membership shall be filed with the Recording Secretary. Applicants may be elected by secret ballot at any meeting of the Board or by any other electronic means established by the Board.  Affirmative votes of 2/3 of the directors present at a meeting of theBoard, or of 2/3 of the entire Board if using an established alternative method, shall be required to elect an applicant.

Each applicant shall have a ninety (90) day probationary period, during which time they will not have voting rights.

An application which has received a negative vote by the Board may be presented by one of the applicant’s endorsers at the next annual meeting of the club and the members may elect such applicant by secret ballot and a favorable majority vote of the members present and voting.

Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club may not reapply within 12 months after such rejection.

 

SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated:

(a) by resignation. Upon written notice to the Corresponding Secretary.

(b) by lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid thirty (30) days after the due date of the current Financial/Fiscal year; however, the Board may grant an additional thirty (30) days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any club meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

(c) by expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VIII of these bylaws.

ARTICLE III

Members Meetings

SECTION 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the club shall be held in the month of March, April, May, or in conjunction with the club’s specialty show if possible, at a place, date, and hour as may be designated by the Board. The annual meeting may be held in-person, virtual, teleconference, videoconference means or other available technology whereby all participants can hear each other.  Written notice of the annual meeting shall be sent via emailand any other means of electronic notification (i.e Facebook, Members Only Webpage, Forum, etc) by the Corresponding Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for the annual meeting shall be ten (10%) percent of the eligible voting members in good standing. Non-voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 2. Special Club Meetings. Special club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present at any meeting of theBoard; and may also be called by the Corresponding Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by ten (10%) percent of the members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held in-person, virtual, teleconference, videoconference means or other available technology whereby all participants can hear each other designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. The Board shall have fourteen (14) calendar days (from receipt of notification) to respond to such a request and no more than thirty (30) calendar days to call such a meeting.  Written notice of such a meeting shall be sent via email and any other means of electronic notification (i.e Facebook, Members Only Webpage, Forum, etc) by the Corresponding Secretary at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting and said notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The quorum for such a meeting shall be ten (10%) percent of the eligible voting members in good standing. Non- voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

 

ARTICLE IV

Board Meetings

 

SECTION 1. Board Meetings. The first meeting of the Board shall be held immediately following the election or upon attaining office in January. Other meetings of the Board shall be held as scheduled monthly and by methods such as electronic, virtual, teleconference or methods as may be developed as designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent via email or any other means of electronic notification (i.e Facebook, Members Only Webpage, Forum, etc) by the Corresponding Secretary at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting (unless previously scheduled). The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board present.

 

SECTION 2. Board Business. The Board may also conduct business including but not limited to items to be voted on, by telephone/video conference, electronic, virtual, Board forum/platform or by any other methods as may be developed by the board.

 

ARTICLE V

Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the five (5) officers and three (3) general board members, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for unlimited renewable two (2) year terms as provided in Article VI or shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board.

 

SECTION 2. Officers. The club’s officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings.

(a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the Board and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these bylaws.

(b) The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President’s death, absence or incapacity.

(c) The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club and of theBoard and of all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the club

(d) The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to membership, notify officers and

directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the club with their addresses, which shall be sent to AKC as required.  Shall also provide and/or publish a separate membership roster once every club year that will include only current member’s name and resident state.

(e) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the club. Monies shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the club. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting on the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not beforereported; and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered of all moneys received andexpended during the previous fiscal year. The club shall be insured in such amount and through a type of policy as the Board shall determine which will cover the actions of the Treasurer.

(f) AKC Delegate (only applicable when DACA is an AKC Member Club). Among other duties, the Delegate shall report to the club all actions and matters discussed at AKC’sQuarterly Delegate Meetings. The AKC Delegate is an elected official with an unlimited number of 3-year terms and not a member of the Board at all.

 

SECTION 3. Vacancies. Any vacancies in the Board arising at any time and from any cause, including the resignation or removal of a director, shall be filled by membership vote.

 

In the event of a vacancy of the AKC Delegate, the club must apply to the office of the AKC Executive Secretary for approval of Delegate credential.

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

The Club’s Financial/Fiscal Year, Voting, Nominations, Elections, Official Year

 

SECTION 1. Financial/Fiscal Year. The Financial/Fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. 

 

SECTION 2. Voting. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current Financial/Fiscal year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting or special meeting of the club at which the member is present.

At the annual meeting or at a special meeting of the club, voting shall be limited to those members in good standing who are present at the meeting, except for the annual election of officers, directors and amendments to the constitution and bylaws and the amendments to the Standard for the breed, which shall be decided by secret ballot conducted by electronic balloting by an independent firm or software in accordance with OK State Law and AKC policy. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election. The Board may decide to submit other specific questions for the decision of the members.

Elections will be held on an annual staggered basis.  On odd numbered ELECTION years the President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary and odd numbered General Director will take office on January 1st of even years.  On even numbered ELECTION years the Vice President, Recording Secretary and even numbered General Directors will take office on January 1st of odd years.

 

SECTION 3. Nominations and Ballots. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated in accordance with these bylaws. If not selected by the Board, a Nominating Committee shall be chosen by the Board before August 1st. The committee shall consist of three members from different areas of the U.S.A., and two alternates, all members ingood standing, no more than one of whom may be a member of the current Board (and who will not be up for election/re-election). The Board shall name a chair for the committee and it shall be such person’s duties to call a committee meeting, which shall be held on or beforeAugust 31.  The Nominating Committee may conduct its business by email or any other electronic means selected by the Board.

(a) The Nominating Committee shall nominate from among the eligible members of the club, at least one candidate for each ELIGIBLE/AVAILABLE position on the Board or for AKC Delegate, who may but need not be an officer or director of the club, and shall procure the acceptance of each nominee so chosen. The committee should consider geographical representation of the membership on the Board to the extent that it is practicable to do so. The committee shall then submit its slate of candidates to the Corresponding Secretary, who shall email the list, including the full name of each candidate and the name of the state in which he/she resides, to each member of the club on or before October 1st so that additional nominations may be made by the members if they so desire.

(b) Additional nominations of eligible members may be made by written email to the Corresponding Secretary and received on or before October 15th and accompanied by the written acceptance of each such additional nominee signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate. Except for the position of Delegate, no person shall be a candidate for more than one position. If the Secretary is an opposed candidate in the election and the Board does not utilize an independent professional firm, the Board shall designate another officer or director who is not a candidate in the election to send the final slate to the membership, and receive ballots for tabulation applicable to subsections “3c” and “3d”.

(c) If one or more valid additional nominations are received on or before October 15th, theCorresponding Secretary shall, on or before the first of the next month, send to each member in good standing an electronic ballot listing all of the nominees for each position in alphabetical order, with the names of the states in which they reside, along with each nominee’s biography.  The results of the voting, which shall be announced by December 15th.

(d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than as provided above.

(e) EBallots must be received by no later than November 30th. Ballots received after November 30th will not be counted.

 

SECTION 4. Annual Election. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. If no valid additional nominations are received on or before October 15th the Nominating Committee’s slate shall be declared elected and no balloting will be required. Any uncontested position should be automatically elected. If any nominee, at the time of the meeting, is unable to serve for any reason, such nominee shall not be elected and the vacancy so created shall be filled by the new Board in the manner provided by Article V, Section 3.

The election of officers and directors and Delegate to The American Kennel Club (who may but need not be a director or officer of the club) shall be conducted by secret ballot in any manner provided for by the laws of the state in which the club is incorporated. Ballots to be valid must be received by the EBalloting software by November 30th.  EBallot report shall be provided to membership for inspection or review.  

The elected officers and directors shall take office on the first day of January following the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to his/her successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.

 

SECTION 5. Club’s Official Year. The club’s Official Year shall begin immediately on January 1st and shall continue through December 31st.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

Committees

SECTION 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work ofthe club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. 

 

SECTION 2. Any committee appointment will not be terminated with incoming board changes, but may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.

 

ARTICLE VIII

Discipline

[in accordance with State Law]

SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club shall be suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period. American Kennel Club suspensions are published on the Secretary’s page of the AKC Gazette.

SECTION 2. Charges. An individual member may prefer charges against another individual member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. Written notarized charges containing specific facts signed under oath (“Charges”) must be filed in duplicate withthe Secretary together with a deposit, the amount to be established by the Board which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained or entertained by the Board. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the Charges to each Board member or present them at a Board meeting. The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the Charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club. If the Board considers that the Charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the club, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the Charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board or a committee appointed by the Board not less than four (4) weeks nor more than six (6) weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the Charges to the accused member by certified mail return receipt requested, or other form of receipted or acknowledged delivery and set forth a time and place at which the accused may attend and present any defense, call witnesses or answer.

SECTION 3. Board Hearing. If the Board has a hearing, the Board or a committee appointed by the Board may hear the charges. The Board or the Board’s appointed committee shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and accused shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and accused, the Board or Board’s appointed committee may by a majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the accused from all privileges of the club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if the Board or the Board’s appointed committee deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. Immediately after the Board or the Board’s appointed committee has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form andfiled with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board’s or the Board appointed committee’s decision and penalty, if any.

SECTION 4. Expulsion. The members shall vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2⁄3 vote of those members present, in good standing and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board’s suspension shall stand.

 

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

SECTION 1. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws or breed standard may be proposed by the Board or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20% of the membership in good standing. Amendments to the bylaws proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board and must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary. Proposed amendments to the standard for the breed must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote following the procedures established by the AKC Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. The constitution and bylaws may be amended at any time [or the Standard for the breed in accordance with AKC policies], provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been sent by the Corresponding Secretary to each member in good standing on the date of mailing, accompanied by a ballot on which a choice for or against the action to be taken shall be indicated. Balloting procedures described in Article VI, Section 3(d) shall be followed in handling such ballots, to assure secrecy of the vote. Notice sent via email as required by State Law to each member with such ballot shall specify a date not less than 15 days after the datereceived, by which date the electronic ballots must be submitted.  The favorable vote of 2⁄3 of the members in good standing who return valid ballots within the time limit shall be required to affect any such amendment.  Once DACA becomes a Member Club, no amendment to the constitution bylaws that is adopted by the club shall become effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

Dissolution

SECTION 1. The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two thirds 2⁄3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the club other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the club shall be distributed to any members of the club, but after payment of the debts of the club, its property, and assetshall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board unless otherwise prohibited by State Law.

 

ARTICLE XI

Order of Business

 

Section 1. At meetings of the Club, the order of business so far as the character and nature of the

meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

 

Section 2. Annual Meeting.

Roll Call

Minutes of Last Meeting

Report of President

Report of Vice President

Report of Recording Secretary

Report of Corresponding Secretary

Report of Treasurer

Report of Committees

Report of Regional Directors

Installation of Elected Officers and Board (at Annual Meeting)

Election of New Members (Annual Meeting)

Unfinished Business 

New Business

Adjournment

 

Section 3. Board Meetings.

At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those

present, shall be as follows:

Minutes of Last Meeting

Report of President 

Report of Vice President

Report of Recording Secretary

Report of Corresponding Secretary

Report of Treasurer

Report of Regional Directors (if applicable)

Reports of Committees 

Unfinished Business 

Election of New Members

New Business

Adjournment

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

Parliamentary Authority

SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any other special rules of order the club may adopt.

 

adopted by membership 9/2025