Welcome to Old Dominion Miniature Horse Clubs By Laws page

  The name of this organization shall be the Old Dominion Miniature Horse Club of Virginia, Inc also referred to as ODMHC. It shall at all times be operated and conducted as a non-profit organization in accordance with the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia providing for such organizations. 

  ODMHC shall be a sanctioned club of the American Miniature Horse Association here in after referred to as AMHA and the American Miniature Horse Registry hereinafter referred to as AMHR. The club will cooperate with and abide by all of the rules of the AMHA and the AMHR.

 The particular purposes of this corporation are as follows:

• To promote participation and cooperation among Virginia Miniature Horse breeders in the improvement of Miniature Horse Industry in Virginia. Through this cooperation, provide a forum for communicating ideas to improve the production and marketing skills, efficiencies, and opportunities of/for the members.
• To showcase the Miniature Horse breed and educate the public on the many attributes, uses of the breed, and care and well being of the Miniature Horse.
• To develop educational programs that the membership deems beneficial to the Miniature Horses.
• To educate and mentor the Virginia youth who are our future owners and breeders.
• To sponsor breed shows and other activities to promote the breed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Raise funds through dues, donations, club activities.

  This is a non-profit organization. No part of the net earnings, properties, or assets of this organization, on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any private person or individual, or any member or trustee of this organization.

Upon the dissolution of the organization, the board of directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payments of all of the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all of the assets of the organization to one or more AMHA and AMHR youth group organizations.

  The Roberts Rule of Order as amended and revised shall govern conduct of any and all meetings. 

  Membership is open to any individual or entity which is actively engaged in Miniature Horse breeding, training, showing or who supports the goals of ODMHC and is a member in good standing with either the AMHA or AMHR. Membership is not limited to residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Active members are eligible to vote, serve as directors, hold office, receive member benefits, and participate in club activities and events as determined by the Board of Directors. In the interest of good sportsmanship, ODMHC members will commit themselves to treat all ODMHC members and participants in sponsored activities with fairness, respect, dignity, and courtesy at all times. At no time will a member exhibit behavior, participate, or take action(s) that are dissentious and/or detrimental to the club, its mission, and/or its members. ODMHC member exhibiting, participating, or undertaking in the aforementioned conduct will be referred to the Board of Directors and Officers for disciplinary measures, which may result in the revocation of membership. There will be no refund of membership fees. This action may be appealed to the Board within 60 days of official notice of action.

  Membership applications shall be submitted with the appropriate dues to the ODMHC Secretary. After review, the Secretary will forward the application to all Board Members for final approval.

• Regular: Individual members 18 years or older who subscribe to the Articles of this club, and who are current with their dues
• Family: Members includes spouse or 2 adults of a household and children for whom the adults of the household are legal custodians.
• Junior Member: Youth under the age of 17 who are sponsored by a regular member who is in good standing.
• Associate Member: Individual member 18 years or older who subscribes to the Articles of this club. Ownership of a Miniature Horse is not required.

  Each member shall pay to ODMHC, annual dues for the class of membership held, in such amount as the Annual Meeting may prescribe. Dues shall be as follow:

Regular Member Individual with (1) vote………………………. $25.00 yearly
Regular Member Family with (2) votes * ………………………. $35.00 yearly
Junior Member, no voting privilege……………………………... $10.00 yearly
Associate Member, no voting privilege…………………………. $ 5.00 yearly
** Members must be present at meetings in order to vote:

*In person if a designated location is picked
*Or present on a teleconference call

The Board will decide in the third quarter of the current year, the annual dues for the next year. Membership renewals will be mailed to the members in good standing no later than December 1 of the current year. Dues will be due by January 15 of the new fiscal year. There will be a $10 additional late fee for each month the membership is delinquent. After April 15, the member will have to reapply for membership and pay the late fees.

 Effective membership date:  Application for membership AFTER January 1, will be prorated based on the number of active months in the year the application is submitted.  If a new application is submitted on September 20, we will offer membership for effective Oct 1, for a three month fee.

Membership is effective the first day of the next full month if application is submitted AFTER the 15th of the month.  If submitted PRIOR to the 15th, application fee will be for that month plus future months in the calendar year.

The Board of Directors may approve additional fees for participation, including fees for professional clinics, events, and/or other member-related necessities.

 Annual Meeting: An annual meeting will be held during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year for the election of directors and officers by active members and to conduct corporate business. The membership will be notified of every annual or special meetings, date, time, place or teleconference number at least 20 days prior to the meeting.
Quorum: A quorum shall be the current members present at any meeting of the membership, provided proper notice was given. It is the responsibility of the member to notify the secretary of any changes of address, email address, or phone numbers.
Regular Meetings: There will be two to three regular meetings held through out the year at such time and place as shall be determined by the previous meeting or by emergency action taken by the majority of the Officers
Special Meetings: Special meetings of the membership may be called at any time by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors. Active members may request a Special Membership Meeting through the President or a majority of the Board. 

  The ODMHC shall have the following officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers will serve the best interest of the ODMHC and its members. The officers will not have the power to change the ODMHC Bylaws or dissolve the club without a formal membership vote. The officers will not receive financial compensation for their duties.

 Election of Officers will be held at the annual meeting for the coming year. The nominee must have been a member in good standing for at least one year. Term of office shall be two calendar year or until their death, resignation, and/or removal by the Board of Directors. Consecutive terms may be served and there is no limitation on number of terms served. Elected officers assume office January 1. The exception to the above will be for the first year of operation when the founding members will determine the officers and the Board of Directors.

Vacancies will be filled by the Board of Directors. This individual will serve the remainder of the calendar year.

Any officer may resign by delivering written notice to the Board of Directors.

President: The President will be a current active member who is also a member of the Board of Directors. He/She shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and in general supervise and control the day-to-day business and affairs of the corporation.

• The President shall preside at all meetings.
• The President and the Secretary shall prepare all agendas.
• All Offices and departments of the ODMHC shall be under the supervision of the President
• The President shall enforce these By-Laws and any other rules and regulations of the ODMHC and perform all the duties incident to the position and office, and which are required by law.
• All actions of the President may be subject to the review of the Members

Vice President: The Vice President will be a current active member who is also a member of the board of Directors The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the event of his/her absence, or inability to act, or at his/her request and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the President

Secretary: Secretary shall be a current active member who is also a member of the Board of Directors. Duties include:

• Keep and distribute in a timely manner the minutes of the members' and board of Directors' meetings.
• See that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws and state laws.
• Be custodian of corporate record.
• Maintain and distribute the current membership roll
• Mail out membership applications upon request
• The President and Secretary shall prepare all agendas

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be a current active member who is also a member of the Board of Directors. Duties include:

• Have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation
• Receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation.
• The Treasurer shall disburse funds of ODMHC.
• Expenditures over $100.00 must be approved by the President or the Board of Directors
• The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept, complete books of account and shall issue an itemized statement and report at each meeting and such interim reports as may be required

  The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors. Directors must be current active members. The Board will include the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There will be an additional 3 board member for a total of 7 members. The initial Directors will be elected by the organizing members and will serve a two year term. Terms may be served consecutively and there is no limit to the number of terms served. The directors are elected/reelected every two years.

 Any director that is absent from three consecutive board meetings without having such absences excused by a quorum of the Board, may be removed by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Should a vacancy occur on the Board before completion of a term, such vacancy may be filled by the remaining Board of Directors. This director shall serve until the next annual meeting.

 The board of Directors will hold regular scheduled meetings, at least quarterly, to address any business that has come before the Board. The Board will provide date, time, and place to the membership. All board meeting are open to the membership.

Special Meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the President, or by the Directors in office.

No director will receive compensation for his/her services as Director.

No Officers or Directors shall divulge any information concerning Club business, or matters that are before the membership as an individual.

Held Harmless:
 The Officers, Committee Members, and Appointed Persons, of which will include all elected and appointed members of ODMHC, Inc. shall be held harmless from and indemnified by ODMHC, Inc. against any and all claims or demands of any party arising out of the performance of their duty conducted for and on behalf of ODMHC, Inc. including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses incurred in the defense of any litigation resulting there from

   These Bylaws may be amended, altered, changed, added to, or repealed by the affirmative vote of a full majority of the Board of Directors: if notice of the proposed amendment, alteration, change, addition, or repeal be contained in the notice of the meeting to board of directors and mailed, emailed or Facebook messengered to a (private group of the members) to the membership twenty days prior to the meeting in which the vote would be taken. Not with standing the above, the members may amend, alter, change, add to, or repeal these bylaws at any time, subject to the same notice requirement, by a majority of the full paid membership present. 

President - Lynn Gulledge DVM 

Vice President - Yvette Mooney

Secretary - Faye Brewster

Treasurer - Martha Duchnowski

Director - Martha Duchnowski

Director - Yvette Mooney

Director - Julie Garrett