BY-LAWS
ELITE PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS CHAPTER
OF MISSOURI PET BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
Revised May 20, 2003

ARTICLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. The name of this chapter of MISSOURI PET BREEDERS ASSOCIATION shall be ‘ELITE PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS’.

Section 2. This is a chapter of the MISSOURI PET BREEDERS ASSOCIATION, a not-for-profit corporation, established for the purposes set forth in the MPBA Articles of Incorporation and reiterated in Article II: OBJECTIVES, of these By-laws.

Section 3. Income for the chapter shall consist solely of fees, dues, assessments, grants, and
contributions which shall be collected, received, and expended exclusively for the
established purposes.

Section 4. There shall be an annual meeting of this Chapter for the purpose of election officers and conducting the Chapter’s business. The time and place of this meeting will be determined by the current officers of the Chapter.

Section 5. The By-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the members present and voting at a regular or specially called meeting, provided that a copy of the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing to the entire membership or has been presented at a previous meeting.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

Section 1 The primary purpose of this Chapter is to promote the development of a viable industry, within the state of Missouri, for the production and marketing of Missouri grown pets.

Section 2. Advancement of the production and marketing of Missouri pets will benefit from educational meetings conducted by the Association along with the dissemination of information which promotes quality, healthy pets and through cooperation with other organizations that support the pet industry in Missouri.

Section 3. This Chapter will put forth to the public a positive image of the pet breeders of Missouri.


ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Definitions of membership

A. Regular voting member - a person who is in the pet industry

B. Junior member - a person of less than 18 years of age, who is involved in the
pet industry

C. Honorary member – a person selected by the Chapter for special honor or
recognition

Section 2. The voting power of members shall be equal, each member having one vote. Voting members in good standing must be present to vote. Junior or Honorary members may not hold office or vote.

Section 3. Members will be expected to function within the Federal and State laws and regulations. Members will also conform to the MPBA Code of Ethics.

Section 4. The rate of annual dues for members shall be $20.00. State dues may be collected by the Chapter and sent in by the treasurer before the annual MPBA seminar. Changes in membership dues will be approved by the voting membership.

Section 5. Chapter responsibilities

A. Chapter members will be required to maintain state membership

B. Chapter By-laws can not conflict with the state By-laws.

Section 6. Membership in this Chapter will be limited to those who are engaged in one or more of the various branches of the pet industry, including production and marketing, distribution, education and health care.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1. The business and affairs of the Chapter will be conducted by the Chapter Officers, consisting of:
A. President
B. Vice-President
C. Secretary And/Or
D. Treasurer
E. MPBA Board Member
F. Alternate MPBA Board Member

Section 2. Officers shall serve one-year terms, elected at the annual Chapter meeting, and will be eligible for re-election. Simple majority is required for election.

ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The President shall preside at all official meetings of the Chapter. He/She shall fill all vacancies by appointment, appoint all committees, and be the
Chairperson on all committees, as in ‘Roberts Rules Of Order’.

Section 2. The Vice-president shall preside in the absence of the President. In addition the vice president shall serve as coordinator for the educational programs offered at the meetings, with help with other officers as needed.

Section 3. The secretary shall keep official records and minutes of all meetings, and shall be responsible for letting members know of the dates, times and places of meetings.

Section 4. The Treasurer shall keep all financial statements and have custody of all funds of the Chapter. He/She shall receive all monies and render proper accounting of them, including an annual audit to be completed before the April meeting by the Treasurer accompanied by another officer. All checks above $25.00 must have both the Secretary and/or Treasurers and one other officer’s signature. Lesser checks may be signed by the Treasurer alone.

Section 5. The MPBA Board Member shall serve on the MPBA Board. He/She will be expected to attend all meetings of the board, unless arrangements are made for the alternate to attend in his/her stead.

Section 6. The officers shall serve as an executive board in order to expedite the work of the Chapter. They shall serve as the planning committee for the educational programs, assist in the expenditure of funds on behalf of the Chapter, set the date and location of the annual meeting, and encourage participation in the activities of the MPBA.

ARTICLE VI: CHAPTER MEETINGS

Section 1. The chapter will meet at least 8 times a year.

Section 2. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the executive board or by petition of 25% of the membership. Notification of the time and place of any special meeting of the chapter may be made by telephone or, if time allows may be mailed by the secretary at least two weeks prior to the meeting. Official business of specially called meetings must be included in the notification of such meetings and shall be the only business attended at such meetings.

ARTICLE VII: DISSOLUTION
Section 1. If it becomes necessary to dissolve the ELITE PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS CHAPTER of MPBA. All remaining monies will be distributed to one or more nonprofit organization that is concerned with the welfare of the Missouri Pet Breeder, by majority vote of the remaining chapter members.