Mission Statement

To promote knowledge of the Icelandic horse and its correct use as a competition and riding horse in accordance with the policies of FEIF and the USIHC. To educate, hold competitions, evaluations and further the Icelandic Horse with FEIF and the USIHC. To provide opportunities for activities associated with the ownership and the riding of the Icelandic horse.

Article I

Name and Object

The name of the association shall be the California Icelandichorse Association. Its objectives shall be to promote the Icelandic horse breed, to educate its membership about the breed, and to provide an environment of support for owners and riders who enjoy the talents and characteristics of the Icelandic horse. These objectives will be conducted in accordance with FEIF, and with the USIHC as the member association of FEIF in the United States.

Article II

Membership

Section 1: There are four (4) classes of membership: Individual, Family, Youth, or Associate. Only USIHC members in good standing who are entitled to vote in the USIHC are eligible to members of this association and to be members of the Board of Directors. In accordance with the USIHC Regional Chapter rules, USIHC members who join more than one Chapter can be a full voting member in only one Chapter. Associate membership (non-voting) is open to USIHC members voting in another Chapter.

Section 2: Annual dues are as follows:

a)  INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP (1 vote)

b)  FAMILY MEMBERSHIP (2 votes)

c) YOUTH MEMBERSHIP 18 and under (non-voting)

d)  ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (non-voting)

Article III

Dues

Annual dues shall be payable on January 1 each year unless otherwise decided by the Board of Directors. Any member failing to pay the annual dues within thirty (30) days shall cease to be a member of the association, unless an extension of payment is extended by the Board of Directors. Such extensions shall not exceed a period of thirty (30) days. A new membership begun after November 1 will become current for the following year.

Article IV

Officers

Section 1: The officers of this association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among the members of the Board. The term of office is one year.

Section 2: The President schedules and presides over all meetings, is responsible for conducting  all meetings, and is the primary spokesperson for the association.  

Section 3: The Vice-President schedules and preside over any meeting in the absence of the President.  

Section 4: The Treasurer will keep the financial records of the Association, collect dues, and report expenses on a quarterly basis. The Treasurer will receive, deposit, and disburse all monies for the association subject to the conditions set forth by the Board of Directors, maintain an accurate accounting of all financial transactions, and submit a written report of all financial activity for presentation at the Annual Meeting each year.

Section 5: The Secretary will keep accurate records of every meeting, submit an agenda for subsequent meetings, and act as public relations delegate.

Article V

Board of Directors

Section 1: The members of the Board of Directors must be members of the United States Icelandic Horse Congress. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of five (5) directors, of whom four (4) will be officers and one (1) will be designated the USIHC Representative. The term of office is one year.

Section 2: The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the association and shall set policy and procedures for the club; accept and discipline members; prepare the budget; and approval all disbursements in excess of $100.

Section 3: The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors occurring for any reason. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall remain a Director until the next election year.

Section 4: At all meetings of the Board of Directors, three (3) members shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be necessary at any Board of Directors meeting to transact business.

Section 5: The Board of Directors shall meet two (2) times a year.

Article VI

Meetings

Section 1:  "The second meeting of the Board of Directors in each calendar year shall be designated the annual meeting of club members." 

Section 2: The order of business at all meetings shall be as follows: a) determination of a quorum; b) reading of the Minutes of the last meeting; c) reports from each committee; d) old business; and e) new business.

Section 3: At all meetings of members a quorum shall consist of either five (5) members in good standing if  voting membership is less than fifty (50), or fifteen (15) members in good standing if  voting membership is fifty (50) or greater.

Article VII

Elections

Section 1: At the fourth meeting of the Board of Directors each calendar year, the Membership Committee shall submit a list of Directors willing to stand for re-election and nominations for new candidates for Director. A nomination must be accepted by the candidate in writing. The Secretary shall mail the ballot, including all nominees, to all voting members by January 1. No write-in candidates will be accepted.  No additional nominations shall be permitted after January 1. Ballots shall be returned to the Secretary in thirty (30) days. 

Section 2: Prior to the mailing of the ballots, the President shall appoint two (2) members, not members of the Board of Directors or candidates for the Board of Directors, to count the ballots. The results shall be reported to the Board of Directors within one week.  The membership shall be informed of the results within one week of the notification to the directors.

Section 3:  The incumbent and new Directors shall meet at the first meeting after the election to choose new officers and the USIHC representative.  The new Directors shall assume of their offices at that meeting."

Article VIII

Committees

Section 1: There shall be one standing committee, the Membership Committee.  All others are to be ad hoc committees established and disestablished by an action of the Board of Directors.

Each committee, standing or ad hoc, shall serve as advisory to the Board of Directors, shall elect its own chairperson, and shall report to the Board of Directors as required.  Members of the Board of Directors shall act as liaison to the committee(s) and may serve as chairpersons of committees as necessary.

Section 2: All members in good standing shall be eligible to serve on all committees.

Article IX

Rules of Order

"Robert's Rules of Order" shall be the parliamentary guide for matters of procedure not specifically provided for by the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article X

Amendments

Amendments of the foregoing Constitution and By-Laws shall be adopted by the Board of Directors as needed to keep it in compliance with the USIHC rules regarding Regional Chapters and to provide for the efficient management of the club's activities. 

Article XI

Dissolvement

If for any reason this association should dissolve, all monies remaining in the Treasury after dissolvement shall be donated to the USIHC for use in matters relating to the Icelandic horse breed.