Arizona Rio Salado Vizsla Club By-Laws

These By-Laws are subject to and governed by the Arizona Non-profit Corporation Act and the Articles of Incorporation of Rio Salado Vizsla Club, Inc. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these by-laws and the mandatory provisions of the Arizona Nonprofit Corporation Act, the Act will be controlling. 

ARTICLE  I     

Name and Objectives 

SECTION 1. Club Name. The name of the club shall be Rio Salado Vizsla Club, Inc., (“Club”). 

SECTION 2. Club Objectives. The objectives of the club shall be: 

a. To encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Vizslas and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection;
 

b. To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club (“AKC”) as the only standard of excellence by which Vizslas will be judged;
 

c.   To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging good sportsmanship at any Club event and AKC licensed or sanctioned event; 

d.  To conduct sanctioned and any other event for which the club is eligible under the rules and regulations of the AKC. 

SECTION 3. Non-Profit Status. The club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the Club shall go to or benefit any single member or individual. 

SECTION 4. Adoption and Amendment of By-Laws. The members of the Club shall adopt and may, from time to time, revise such By-Laws as may be required to carry out these objectives. 

ARTICLE I

Membership 

SECTION 1. Eligibility. Membership shall be open to all persons, eighteen years of age or older, who are in good standing with The AKC and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club. There shall be the following types of memberships: 

a.  Individual Membership. An Individual Membership is a paid membership which includes all club privileges including the right to one person 18 years of age or older to vote and hold office, if in good standing.
b.  Household Membership. A Household Membership is a paid membership which includes all club privileges including the right for two persons 18 years of age or older and residing in the same household to vote and hold office, if in good standing. 

c.  Associate Individual Membership. An Associate Individual Membership is a paid membership which includes all club privileges for one person 18 years of age or older excluding the right to vote or hold office.
d.  Associate Household Membership. An Associate Household Membership is a paid membership which includes all club privileges for two persons 18 years of age or older and residing in the same household, excluding the right to vote or hold office. 

e.  Lifetime Membership. A Lifetime Membership is a non-paid membership which includes all club privileges including the right to one person 18 years of age or older to vote and hold office, if in good standing. Any Club member may nominate a current Club member who has made significant contributions to the Club and the Vizsla breed for a Lifetime Membership. Affirmative votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present and voting at that meeting shall be required to accept the nomination. Voting shall be by secret ballot. 

A Club Member in good standing is an individual who has paid all dues for the current club year and is not currently under suspension or other disciplinary action by the Club or AKC. 

While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in the immediate area. 

SECTION 2. Dues. By December 1st Members will be notified in writing of the dues for the ensuing year. Members’ dues shall be payable on or before the first day of January of each year and are subject to change by recommendation of the Board of Directors and vote by the General Membership. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the current year. The maximum membership dues are: 

a.  Individual Membership. Individual Membership dues shall not exceed $50 per year.
b.  Household Membership. Household Membership dues shall not exceed $55 per year.
c.  Associate Individual Membership. Associate Individual Membership dues shall not
exceed $50 per year.
d.  Associate Household Membership. Associate Household Membership dues shall not
exceed $55 per year.
e.  Lifetime Membership. Lifetime Membership dues shall not exceed $0 per year.
 

SECTION 3. Election to Membership. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors. The applicant agrees to abide by this Constitution and By-laws and rules and regulations of AKC. The application shall state the name, address, and area of interest of the applicant, and shall carry the endorsement of a member in good standing. In addition to the application, the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year. Applicants approved after September 1st will be considered paid members for the following year. 

All new applications are to be filed with the Membership Chair. Each new application is to be read and voted on at the first meeting of the Club or its Board following its receipt. Affirmative votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present and voting at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant. Voting shall be by secret ballot. 

The Membership Chair shall keep the records of all current members. Applicants who have been rejected by the Club may not re-apply within six months after such rejection. 

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

(a) By resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Membership Chair. No member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club and are due on the first day of each calendar year. 

(b) By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid on February 1st. A person cannot 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 By-laws. 

Meetings and Voting 

SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the club shall be held at least quarterly on a date at a time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors or by the President. Meetings may be conducted in-person in the greater Phoenix area; virtually using video conferencing technology; or in hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual attendance. All members attending virtually shall have the same participation rights as those attending in-person, including the right to speak, make motions, and vote. Virtual attendees shall count toward quorum requirements. 

The Board of Directors may establish reasonable technology requirements and procedures for virtual participation to ensure orderly conduct of meetings.

Written notice of each meeting, including connection information for virtual attendance when applicable, shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to all members in good standing at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. 

The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of the members in good standing, regardless of attendance method. 

SECTION 2. Special Club Meetings. Special club meetings may be called by the President; by a majority vote of the Board of Directors who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board; or by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by five (5) members of the Club who are in good standing. 

Such special meetings shall be held on a date at a time and a place as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Meetings may be conducted in-person in the greater Phoenix area; virtually using video conferencing technology; or in hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual attendance. All members attending virtually shall have the same participation rights as those attending in-person, including the right to speak, make motions, and vote. Virtual attendees shall count toward quorum requirements. 

The Board of Directors may establish reasonable technology requirements and procedures for virtual participation to ensure orderly conduct of meetings. 

Notice of such meetings, including connection information for virtual attendance when applicable, shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to all members in good standing at least five (5) calendar days prior and not more than fifteen (15) calendar 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 meetings shall be twenty percent (20%) of members in good standing, regardless of attendance method. 

SECTION 3. Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least six (6) times a year on a date at a time and a place as may be designated by the Board of Directors or by the President. 

Meetings may be conducted in-person in the greater Phoenix area; virtually using video conferencing technology; or in hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual attendance. All Board members attending virtually shall have the same participation rights as those attending in-person, including the right to speak, make motions, and vote. Virtual attendees shall count toward quorum requirements. 

The Board of Directors may establish reasonable technology requirements and procedures for virtual participation to ensure orderly conduct of meetings. 

Notice of such meeting, including connection information for virtual attendance when applicable, shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to all members in good standing at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. 

The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board, regardless of attendance method. 

SECTION 4. Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings shall be held on a date at a time and place as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such a meeting. Meetings may be conducted in-person in the greater Phoenix area; virtually using video conferencing technology; or in hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual attendance. All Board members attending virtually shall have the same participation rights as those attending in-person, including the right to speak, make motions, and vote. Virtual attendees shall count toward quorum requirements. 

The Board of Directors may establish reasonable technology requirements and procedures for virtual participation to ensure orderly conduct of meetings. 

Notice of such meetings, including connection information for virtual attendance when applicable, shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to all members in good standing at least five (5) calendar days and not more than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting, and no other business shall be transacted thereat. 

A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board, regardless of attendance method. 

SECTION 5. Voting. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which the member is present, regardless of attendance method. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any Club meeting or election. 

SECTION 6. Communication. Communication of Club business for meetings shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary in accordance with Arizona state laws to all Board members or Club members in good standing, respective to type of meeting called. 

Directors and Officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of four (4) Officers and five

(5) other persons (Directors) all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for two-year terms at the Club’s annual meeting in odd numbered years, as provided in Article lV, and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the board of directors.

SECTION 2. Officers. The Club’s Officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, 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 By-laws.
• (b) The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President’s absence, incapacity, or death.
• (c) The Secretary shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of Secretary in addition to those particularly specified in these By-laws.
• (d) The Treasurer shall receive all monies due or belonging to the Club and deposit the same in a bank designated by the Board in the name of the Club. The books shall at all times, be open to inspection of the Board and a report given at every meeting. Annually, the Treasurer shall prepare an account of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer may be bonded in such an amount as the Board of Directors shall determine, if the Board determines it is reasonable to do so.
• (e) The office of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person, in which case the Board shall be comprised of three (3) officers and six (6) Directors.

SECTION 3. Qualifications for Office. To be eligible for the office of President the nominee must have served at least one term on the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors, the remaining Board members shall appoint a replacement. This replacement shall be at the first regular meeting following the creation of a vacancy or at a special board meeting called for that purpose. The Vice-President shall automatically fill the office of President if a vacancy occurs. The resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by appointment by the Board.

The Club Year, Annual Meetings, Elections

SECTION 1. Club Year. The club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. 

The Club’s official year shall begin immediately at the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting. 

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of January, at which Officers and Directors for the ensuing club year shall be elected, by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to their successor in office, all properties and records relating to that office within thirty (30) days after election. 

SECTION 3. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. During the month of July, the Board shall select a nominating committee consisting of three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a Chair for the committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting on or before August 31st. Upon the nominating committees’ recommendations for nominees, the Chair notifies the Secretary who in turn makes notifications to all position nominees. 

Nomination Guidelines:
(a) All candidates must be a member in good standing of the Club. 

(b) The committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office and five (5) candidates for the Director positions. After securing the consent of each person so nominated, the committee shall immediately report their nominations in writing to the Secretary. 

(c) The Nominating committee’s report shall be sent no later than September 30th to be included with the October meeting agenda. 

(d) Additional nominations can only be made at the October meeting. The nominee must indicate their willingness to serve either verbally or in writing. 

(e) No person may be a candidate for more than one position, except as defined in Article III Section 2e, and the additional nominations, which are provided for herein, may be made only from among those members who have not accepted a nomination of the nominating committee. 

(f) No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated. 

(g) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other than provided in this Section. 

SECTION 4. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each office shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected. 

Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct 

SECTION 1. Code of Ethics Requirement. All members shall abide by The Rio Salado Vizsla Club Code of Ethics, as may be amended from time to time by the Board of Directors. The current Code of Ethics is incorporated herein by reference and available at: http://rsvc.net/ethics.html. 

SECTION 2. AKC Code of Sportsmanship. All members shall abide by the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility, as may be amended by the AKC from time to time. The current AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility is incorporated herein and by reference and available at http://rsvc.net/assets/akc_code_of_sportsmanship.pdf. 

SECTION 3. Enforcement. Violations of these codes may result in disciplinary action as set forth in Section 8 (Discipline) of these bylaws. 

Committees 

SECTION 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as specialty shows, field trials, hunt tests, obedience trials, trophies, annual prizes, membership, and other areas which may well be served by committees. Such 

committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board to aid it on particular projects. 

SECTION 2. Any committee appointed may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board upon written notice to the appointee. The Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated. 

Financial Responsibility 

SECTION 1. Limitation of Financial Responsibilities. The Board of Directors is empowered to expend the Club’s funds either by a budget or by a special appropriation. No Club member may expend the Club’s funds, disperse, transfer, sell or encumber a Club asset without such approval by the membership or Board of Directors. 

Discipline

SECTION 1. The AKC Suspension. Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of the AKC shall automatically be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period. 

SECTION 2. Charges. Any individual member may prefer charges against another individual member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary, together with a deposit of $100.00, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a Board meeting, and The Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the Club. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interest 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, not less than three (3) weeks, nor more than six (6) weeks, thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges and specifications to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in their own defense and bring witnesses if the member wishes. 

SECTION 3. Board Hearing. The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should charges be sustained, after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present, suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six (6) months from the date of the hearing, or until the next annual meeting if that will occur after six (6) months. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before their fellow members at the ensuing Club meeting which considers the recommendation of the Board. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any. 

SECTION 4. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member of the club may be accomplished only at the annual meeting of the Club following the hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board as provided in Section 3 of this Article. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing on their own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the findings and recommendations of the Board and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on their own behalf if the member so wishes. The members shall vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting at the next club meeting or special club meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the suspension shall stand. 

Amendments

SECTION 1. Amendments to the constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary and signed by twenty percent (20%) of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted by the Secretary to the members with the recommendation of the Board, for a secret vote within three months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary. 

SECTION 2. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any time by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in good standing present and voting at any regular meeting called for that purpose, provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been included in the notice of the meeting and sent by the Secretary to each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the date of the meeting. 

Dissolution 

SECTION 1. Dissolution. The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the membership in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary 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 member of the Club. After payment of the Club’s debts, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization selected by the Board, for the benefit of dogs. 

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:

1. Roll Call
2. Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Report of the President
4. Report of the Secretary
5. Report of the Treasurer
6. Report from Committees
7. Election of Officers and Board Members (at annual meeting)
8. Election of New Members
9. Unfinished Business
10. New business
11. Adjournment

SECTION 2. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:

1. Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting
2. Report of the Secretary
3. Report of the Treasurer
4. Report of Committees
5. Election of New Members
6. Unfinished Business
7. New Business
8. Adjournment

Parliamentary Authority

SECTION 1.    Parliamentary authority of the Club and the Board of Directors shall be the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and any other special rules of order the Club may adopt. 

Rio Salado Vizsla Club, Inc. By-Laws Rev. 2026.03.08