Association Rules

Stratford Dog Park Association

Association Governance

CONSTITUTION OF THE STRATFORD DOG PARK ASSOCIATION (SDPA)
Article 1. Name and Objectives
Section 1. Name: Stratford Dog Park Association
Section 2. Objectives:
To recommend and support, to any appropriate governmental body, the establishment of a dog park, where dogs may run off-leash legally within designated, protected areas within the city of Stratford.
To educate and encourage members, as well as other dog park users, to maintain and promote a clean, safe environment.
To cooperate with all other organizations which are working toward the health, safety, and well-being of our canine companions.
To promote responsible pet ownership within our community.

Article 2. Membership
Section 1. Any person who has paid a valid SDPA membership fee shall be considered a member of the SDPA.
Section 2. Representation: Each SDPA member will have one vote, on each matter submitted to vote. Voting at SDPA meetings shall be by voice or ballot.
Article 3. Officers and Board Members
Section 1. Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Section 2. Board of Directors shall consist of the above officers and five directors. The directors shall be selected by a nomination process.
Section 3. The term of office shall be one (1) year.
Article 4. Amendments
Section 1. Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors no fewer than two (2) weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be posted at the SDP at least one (1) week prior to the meeting. Amendments will be read at the next two meetings. Approval by two-thirds of those present will be necessary for adoption.
Section 2. Upon adoption, such amendments must be both filed with the Secretary within thirty (30) days and posted at the SDP for at least two (2) weeks.
BYLAWS for the STRATFORD DOG PARK ASSOCIATION (SDPA)
Article 1. Membership
Section 1. Any person who has obtained a valid SDPA membership shall be considered a member of the SDPA.

Section 2. Representation: Each SDPA member will have one vote for each matter submitted for vote. Voting at SDPA meetings shall be by voice or ballot.
Section 3. Loss of Membership: Loss of membership shall occur by action of the officers under the following circumstances:
The use of illegal drugs by any member or guest at any SDPA facility or function;
Disorderly conduct at any SDPA facility or function by any member, guest or dog, or;
Failure of a member or guest to adhere to the SDPA objectives or rules. If the conditions warrant, a member may be required to resign by unanimous decision of the officers. If the member involved is an officer, the decision must be made by a 2/3 vote of the votes cast at an open meeting.
Section 4. All members and their dogs shall adhere to the rules of the SDPA. These rules include:
Owners are legally responsible for their dog(s)) and any injuries caused by their dog(s).
The dog park is for the responsible use and the enjoyment of members and visitors.
Dog owners must remain with their dog(s) in the exercise area, and must keep their dog(s) in sight at all times.
Dog owners are recommended to carry a leash.
Dogs showing aggressiveness towards people or other dogs must be immediately leashed and removed from the dog park.
Dogs must be wearing up-to-date rabies vaccination tags at all times.
No dogs in heat are allowed in the dog park.
Only spayed or neutered dogs are allowed in the dog park.
Puppies using the park must be older than four (4) months.
Owners must clean up and dispose of feces deposited by their dogs.
Dogs must be leashed before leaving the dog park.
The dog park exercise area is for the use and enjoyment of the dogs and their owners. Recreational use by others is not permitted.
No smoking or eating while in the exercise area.
Violations of rules for use of the park are subject to removal for the park, suspension, or revocation of dog park membership, and the issuance of municipal infractions.

Article 2. Board Members and Duties

Section 1. Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
Section 2. Board of Directors: The Board shall consist of the above officers and five directors. The directors shall be selected by a nomination process.
Section 3. Duties:
President shall preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and be ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the SDPA and shall exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the SDPA, in keeping with the expressed wishes of the majority of the membership.
In the absence of the President or in the event of his/her inability or refusal to act, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the president in his/her absence. The Vice President shall also act as an aid to the President.
Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings. These minutes shall be posted at the Stratford Dog Park (SDP) and be available at the following meeting. The Secretary shall also maintain SDPA records and handle Association correspondence.
Treasurer shall maintain control of all Association finances, pay any bills submitted for payment to the SDPA, maintain a record of voluntary contributions, and submit a report at each meeting, with bank statement attached and post the report at the dog park.
The Board of Directors shall formulate the general policies and conduct the formal business for the functioning of the Association, subject to vote of the members.
The Board shall be empowered to act on behalf of the members on emergency matters that pertain to the well-being of the SDPA.
Article 3. Committees
Section 1. Membership and Contact Committee
Section 2. Public Relations Committee
Section 3. Fundraising Committee
Section 4. Maintenance Committee
Section 5. Other committees shall be appointed by the president as needed. Nominations committee will be composed of the members of the executive.
Article 4. Meetings
Section 1. General Meetings will be held at least one per year. A notice stating the time, place, and proposed agenda shall be posted at the SDP at least one (1) week in advance.
Section 2. Three board members must be present in order to conduct any business meeting. A majority of the members present at any business meeting shall carry the vote. Business meetings will be arranged when required by the executive.

Section 3. Special Meetings: The Secretary shall call special meetings at the request of the members. A notice stating the time, place, and proposed agenda shall be posted at the SDP at least one (1) week in advance. If a vote is noted on the agenda, members may submit absentee ballots to an officer prior to the meeting.
Section 4. Annual Meeting: An annual meeting will be held in April with the purpose, at minimum, of electing officers. The date of the annual meeting shall be announced no later than March 15th. A notice stating the time, place, agenda, and a list of candidates nominated for office, shall be posted at the SDP at least two (2) weeks in advance. Contact information for appropriate Committee members shall also be included in the notice
Article 5. Nominations and Elections
Section 1. Candidates: The nominating committees shall name at least one willing candidate for each office. The Committee will present the slate of candidates to the Secretary at least three (3) weeks prior to meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the annual meeting.
Section 2. Elections will be held in April, or in the month following a vacancy of any office. Executive may have the discretion to appoint a replacement with a 2/3 majority vote. Voting at general meetings will be by voice and ballot with every member present being given an opportunity to vote. Ballots will be collected and tallied by two tellers that the membership designates.
Section 3. Duties will be assumed by the new officers at the adjournment of the annual meeting.
Article 6. Liability of Members
Section 1. No member or officers shall be personally liable for any bills or obligations for the SDPA, past or present.
Section 2. No officer or member will obligate or disburse any money belonging to the SDPA without authorization.
Section 3. No person shall use the name, mailing list, or official insignia of the Association for any reason other than strict Association purposes, without authorization of the Board, and written confirmation by the SDPA president.
Section 4. Members and dogs shall observe the rules and bylaws, and respect the rights of others while in the dog park.
Article 7. Amendments
Section 1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted to the Board of Directors in writing no fewer than two (2) weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting.
Section 2. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be posted at the SDP at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.
Section 3. Amendments will be read at the next two meetings. The amendments may be passed with an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the voting members present.
Section 4. Upon adoption, such amendments must be both filed with the Secretary within thirty (30) days and posted at the SDP for at least two (2) weeks.
Adopted by membership on May 13, 2004.

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