September 25, 1992

Amended February 12th 2011

1. Objectives:

a. To encourage the selection, care and training of horses for long distance rides.

b. To encourage and maintain high standards of sportsmanship and horsemanship of competitors.

c. To organize rides which follow rules established by the sanctioning body of the sport, for example the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).

d. To maintain proper records and present annual awards.

e. To ensure that all rides are run humanely to avoid cruelty to competing equines.

f. To encourage the growth and popularity of long distance riding, as well as fostering good will and understanding between horse owners, land owners and conservation authorities, in order to establish new trails and maintain existing trails.

2. Membership

There shall be two classes of membership which shall be admitted, retained, permitted to withdraw or expelled under such terms as the Board of Directors shall adopt from time to time. Voting privileges are extended to all paid up members in good standing.

· Single Membership – entitled to one vote at general meetings

· Family Membership – persons in one family (common residence), entitled to a maximum of two votes

Student (16 or under)

Membership year is January 1st to December 31st.

Membership fee schedule subject to revision by Board of Directors.

Fiscal year is November 1 through October 31.

3. Board of Directors

The directors shall be selected by the membership at the annual general meeting. Once directors have been selected, the positions of President and Vice President shall be filled by membership vote. All other directorship positions shall be appointed by the President.

Directors of the Association shall be as follows:

· President

· Vice President/Secretary

· Treasurer/Membership

· Board Member at Large (2)

Board member duties may be assigned differently on an annual basis. For instance, the Vice President and Secretary may be two directors, and the Treasurer and Membership may be two directors, or a different grouping of duties may occur depending on Board resources.

 

4. Meetings

The annual general meeting will be held during the month of November. A written financial report shall be provided to each member at this meeting. Elections for Board of Directors shall be held. A quorum consists of 35% of voting members.

Directors' meetings shall be called by the President or any two board members. Three board members shall constitute a quorum providing all board members have been notified.

General meetings shall be called by the Board of Directors, and notice in writing shall be sent to all members 21 days prior to said event. DRM meetings shall conform to the generally accepted parliamentary procedures as quoted in "Roberts Rules of Order, Revised".

If a director misses four consecutive board meetings without due cause, the Board of Directors may, at their discretion, ask for that person's resignation.

Should a director not be able to fulfill his/her commitment, the Board of Directors may appoint another member to fill that position until the next annual election.

Board of Director terms shall last for two fiscal years on a rotating basis. The first year, three directors shall serve a two-year term, and two shall serve a one-year term. As terms are carried out, each new electorate will serve two-year terms.

5. Assignations

The President, or in his/her absence, the Vice President, shall preside at all meetings of DRM to ensure that the objectives and rules of DRM are strictly observed, and he/she shall have general supervision over all activities of DRM. At general meetings, when a vote is taken, the President, or in his absence, the Vice-President, shall not cast a ballot except in the case of a tie when he/she shall have the deciding vote.

In the absence of the President, the Vice President in order of election, shall assume all duties and responsibilities of the President. When not acting in the capacity of the President, the Vice President shall participate as a committee member with according voting privileges.

The Treasurer shall have custody of all accounting records of DRM. The Treasurer shall control the collections and receipts of all monies payable to DRM and supervise the keeping of all accounts of DRM, received and disbursed, and shall direct the deposit of all monies and valuables in the name and the credit of DRM at such bank as may be designated by the Board of Directors (Royal Bank, Stonewall Branch). The Treasurer shall be responsible for the seal (once a seal is attained) which shall be used and affixed in the presence of the Treasurer acting under instructions from the Board of Directors.

The Secretary shall keep records of all meetings and maintain all necessary correspondence.

6. Signing Authority

The President, Vice President and Treasurer shall have the authority to sign cheques issued on behalf of DRM and all cheques issued shall be signed by any two of these members, one of which must be the Treasurer.

7. Bylaw Amendments

The Bylaws may be rescinded, altered, or added to by a majority of not less that 75% of voting members at any General Meeting at which 21 days written notice is given, specifying the intention to amend the bylaws.