Constitution of the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Youth Association

ARTICLE I – NAME & PURPOSE
Section 1: This organization shall be a division of the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Association, shall operate within the scope of the bylaws, rules, and regulations of MQHA, and shall be named the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Youth Association.

Section 2: The objectives and purpose of the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Youth Association, hereafter referred to as the MQHYA, shall be as follows:
(a) To improve and promote the American Quarter Horse breed.
(b) To improve and develop the capabilities of youth, both individually and through group participation, in the breeding, raising, and exhibition of the American Quarter Horse.
(c) To develop and improve scholarship, leadership and community interest and participation of young horse people.
(d) To encourage high moral character, sportsmanship and clean living amoung all its members.
(e) To establish a means whereby youth members may work in conjunction with MQHA Board of Directors.

Section 3: The MQHYA motto will be “Kids and Quarter Horses, what a hot combination”

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Classes of membership: This organization shall have the following classes of members:
(a) The designated state youth association shall be defined as one state youth association per state, acceptable to, and approved by MQHA and its board of directors.
(b) Individual members, consisting of boys and girls 18 years of age and younger.
(c) Annual individual membership fees will be $10 with an accompanying adult membership, of which membership will allow a youth all privileges of a regular youth member, and in addition, all privileges of MQHA, the parent organization, except the right to vote at MQHA membership meetings and hold office in the parent organization. The monies of the organization shall be deposited in such a manner, in such banks, or trust companies, and may be withdrawn in such manner as the board of directors and MQHA board may direct or designate.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1: The business and property of the organization shall be managed and controlled by the board of directors and an Executive Committee hereinafter created and empowered.

Section 2: Directors: A state youth association shall exercise its voting privileges in the organization through its director or directors, annually elected by the resident members in good standing of each state association.
(a) Vacancy: In the case of any vacancy in the board of directors, the President of the state youth association and the MQHA board consisting of the MQHA president and vice president, shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term of the association’s director.
(b) Meetings: Special meetings of the board of directors may be held at such time and place as maybe designated in the notice, whenever called in writing by the direction of the president or by a majority of the board of directors.
(c) Notice of Meetings: Written or printed notice of all meetings stating the place, date and hours of meetings, and in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes of which the meeting is being called, shall be delivered not less than 7 days before the date of the meeting, either in person, email or by mail, at the discretion of the president or secretary, or the officer or person calling the meeting, to each member entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered, upon deposit in the United Stated mail addressed to recognized members at their address as it appears on the records of the association, with postage thereon prepaid.
(d) Quorum: A majority of the number of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the board there may be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.
(e) Powers of the Board: The board of directors shall have the power to authority to direct the affairs of the organization, including, but not limited to the right to make, amend and repeal the constitution of the organization, as they me deem expedient concerning the conduct, management, and activities of the organization, the admission, classification, qualification, suspension and expulsion of members, removal of officers, expenditure of money and other details relating to the general purpose of the organization, subject to the approval of the MQHA board of directors.
(f) Elections: there shall be a nomination of officers & directors at the general meeting held in October of the preceding year. All nominations for officers and directors will be open to the floor. All nominations shall be self nominated. Ballots will be distributed at the November meeting, members have to be present to vote. Only residents of Massachusetts (including grandfathered clause members) and those persons who live in a state bordering Massachusetts who don’t have an organization, or chartered Quarter Horse Youth Association may vote. Any youth in good standing will be entitled to one vote.

Section 4: Officers/Directors: The officers of the organization shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The board of directors shall consist of the President, other elected officers and three members of the Youth association. Those elected shall take office January 1st and shall hold their office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. These offices shall be elected from and by the current members in good standing, annually. (Term of office will run from January 1st through December 31st of the same year). The immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Quarter Horse Youth Association shall automatically become a member of the Bard of Directors with full voting privileges until succeeded by a new outgoing President.
(a) President: The president shall be the chief executive officer of the association and shall have general supervision of the affairs of the association, subject to the direction of the board of directors, and shall preside at all meetings of the members and the board of directors. The president shall appoint all committees of the association subject to approval of the Executive Committees. The president shall have such other and further duties and authority as may be prescribed elsewhere in this constitution or from time to time by the board of directors. Of which is maintaining order during meetings, activities and social functions.
(b) Vice President: The vice president shall in the absence, disability or inability of the president, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the president, and shall perform such other duties as the president shall provide from time to time.
(c) Secretary: The secretary shall attend all meetings of the members and of the board of directors, and shall record or cause to be recorded all votes taken and the minutes of all proceedings in a minute book of MQHYA to be kept for that purpose. He or she shall perform like duties for the committees when requested to do so. The secretary shall have the principal responsibility to give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the board of directors and the members, but this shall not lessen the authority of others to give such notice as provided in this constitution. The secretary shall maintain communication between the Executive Committee and the MQHA Director of Youth Activities.
(d) Reporter: The reporter will send out monthly reports to The Quarter Horse Journal, and for all aspects assume the duties of the news reporter including newsletters and web site news.
(e) Treasurer: The treasurer shall have the responsibility of examining the financial need of specific projects and the needs of MQHYA, and reporting those costs to the board of directors. He or she shall be made aware of continuing status of membership growth and corresponding payment of dues.
(f) Board of Directors: The board of Directors will sit as members of the Executive Board in addition to other officers and perform such duties as the By-laws require. Prior notice of absence from Board Meetings is requested. Board of Directors have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal and enforce such rules and regulations concerning the conduct, management and activities of the Association, the admission, classification, qualifications, suspensions and expulsion of members, removal of officers, the rules and regulations governing the procedure of such suspension, expulsions, and or removal and other details relating to the general purpose of the Association.
(g) Vacancies of Elective Officers: All vacancies in the elective offices of the organization shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired term, and for those so appointed shall serve until the election and acceptance of their duly qualified successors. Board of Directors shall at all times represent that which is in the best interest of the membership.

Section 5: Executive Committee: The Executive Committee of the organization shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Reporter, elected by the members.
(a) Vacancy: All vacancies in the elective offices of the organization shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired term, and those so appointed shall serve until the election and acceptance of their duly qualified successors.
(b) Meetings of the Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall meet whenever called by the direction of the president or four members of the Committee acting jointly, of which meeting, the secretary shall give 10 days written notice, such notice may be waived by any member.
(c) Powers of the Executive Committee: All powers of the board of directors are hereby vested in the Executive Committee shall be minimum of three members.
(d) Quorum: The quorum of the Executive Committee shall be a minimum of three members.
(e) Other Meetings: During the interim between annual meetings, or special meetings of the board of directors, the Executive Committee is empowered to direct all of the affairs of the organization.

ARTICLE IV – AMENDMENTS
Section 1: The constitution of the organization may be amended at any meeting of the board of directors by a two-thirds vote of the directors present, provided a quorum of the directors is in attendance and sent to the MQHA board of officers for approval.

ARTICLE V- TERMINATION OF MEMBERS AND REMOVAL OF OFFICERS
Section 1: Membership and election to office in MQHYA is a privilege, not a right, which may be terminated or refused for cause detrimental to the interest of MQHYA, of which it is a division, its programs, policies, objectives, and harmonious relationship of its members. If an officer or board member fails to perform his or her duties or have more than to unexcused absences from board meetings, he or she is subject to removal from office or the board. A member may be removed from the membership roll, an officer may be removed from office, or an individual may be refused membership by the MQHYA Executive board after prior written notice of the time and place of hearing, containing specification of charges, where the individual may attend, with counsel, to hear evidence against them, and present evidence on their behalf. The ruling or action of the MQHYA Executive board may be appealed to the MQHA Executive board by written request, filed with the Executive Vice President within 15 days of the ruling date, which appeal shall, however, not suspend the effect of the ruling.

** This organization shall conduct their meetings and such activities in accordance with Robert’s rule in conjunction with MQHA rules and regulations.