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| Section 1. |
The name of this organization shall be “SHARE-A- PET ORGANIZATION, INC.”.
Hereafter known as Share-A-Pet. |
| Section 2. |
This organization is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit organization. |
| Section 3. |
The organization shall have a seal, consisting of an imprint of which
seal is hereto attached: |
| Section 4. |
The organization may, at its pleasure, by a vote of the membership
body, change its name. |
| Section 5. |
The organization is formed as, and meant to qualify as, a non profit
organization under the laws of the State of Florida and the United States
of America, and shall be governed by any rules, regulations and/or restrictions
applicable to such a non profit organization. |
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| Section 1. |
Share-A-Pet is organized exclusively for the Charitable, Scientific,
and Educational purpose of providing through its members, well trained,
affectionate and obedient dogs for Therapeutic contacts with the elderly,
the disabled, and the young, in hospitals, nursing homes, children’s
centers, schools and pre-schools or other locations. Share-A-Pet may
make financial distributions for these purposes and upon approval of
the Board of Directors, may make donations to organizations that qualify
as exempt organizations under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code,
or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. |
| Section 2. |
The corporation will provide detailed specifications for the testing,
health care and temperament to qualify a dog and handler for therapy
work. Dogs to qualify as therapy dogs, shall be healthy, clean, and free
of transmittable diseases, be of good temperament, and able to work with
other therapy dogs socially. |
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| Section 1. Membership |
| Membership is open to all who support the
purposes of Share-A-Pet. A member in good standing will abide by the
Share-A-Pet Rules and Regulations and have paid current membership dues. |
| Section 2. Minor Members |
| The minimum age requirement for Share-A-Pet
membership is 16. Any exception to this rule must be approved by the
Exceptions Committee. With approved handlers under 16 years of age, at
least one parent or guardian must accompany not more than two handler/dog
teams while participating in Share-A-Pet visits and/or activities. The
purpose of the parent or guardian is to supervise the teams, not handle
any dogs. |
| Section 3. Termination of Membership |
| Membership will expire or lapse on non-payment
of dues. The membership of any individual, who is attempting to damage
or defame the organization, or who, by every appearance, does not support
the purposes of the organization, may have his/her membership terminated
by the board. |
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| Section 1. |
The organization and its affairs shall be governed by
the membership through the Board of Directors. |
| Section 2. |
The officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer
and a minimum of three Directors At Large) shall perform the duties prescribed
by these By-Laws and the parliamentary authority adopted by the organization.(For
additional details on duties, see also Article V – Officer Duties). |
| Section 3. |
The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority
over the affairs of the organization. |
| Section 4. |
The board shall elect a Nominating Committee of three.
The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates for the Officers and
Directors. Further nominations for any office must be made in writing
and signed by the proposed nominee. |
| Section 5. |
The term of office for President, Vice-President, Secretary
and Treasurer shall be one year or until their successors are elected,
and it shall begin at the close of the annual meeting. |
| Section 6. |
The term of office for the Directors At Large shall be
two years and the term shall begin at the close of the annual meeting
at which they are elected. A minimum of one Director shall be elected
in the odd-numbered years and a minimum of two Directors shall be elected
in the even-numbered years. |
| Section 7. |
Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be
filled to the end of the term by a majority vote of the members of the
Board of Directors as shall exist at that time. |
| Section 8. |
A Director may be removed from office with or without
cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. |
| Section 1. |
The President shall preside at all regular and special
meetings of the Board of Directors and at all regular and special meetings
of the membership; shall authenticate by signature, when necessary, all
acts, orders and proceedings of the assembly; shall have on hand at all
meetings (1) a copy of the current by-laws, special rules of order, standing
rules, Rules and Regulations and policies of the organization, (2) a
copy of the adopted parliamentary authority, (3) a list of all standing
and special committee Chairpersons and members of each committee, (4)
such other information as needed to expedite the meetings and shall perform
the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by the parliamentary authority
adopted by the organization. |
| Section 2. |
The Vice-President shall preside in the absence or at
the request of the President and shall perform the duties prescribed
by these by-laws and as is expected in similar organizations. |
| Section 3. |
The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes at
each regular and special meeting of the organization and at each regular
and special meeting of the Board; shall notify officers and committee
members of their elections or appointments; shall have on hand at each
meeting a list of all existing committees and their members; and shall
perform such other duties as Secretaries in similar organizations. |
| Section 4. |
The Treasurer shall oversee production of the annual financial
report and an annual budget for the organization, and other reports or
duties as the board may require. |
| Section 1. |
The annual meeting of this organization shall be held
in November. |
| Section 2. |
The annual meeting in November shall be held for the election
of the Officers and for such other business as may arise. A quorum for
the annual meeting shall be a minimum of 60% of the Board of Directors. |
| Section 3. |
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held
at the principle office of the organization or at a meeting place determined
by the President to be as centrally located for the convenience
to the largest number of members on the Board of Directors. Notices will
be sent a minimum of 10 days (if possible) prior to the meeting date. |
| Section 4. |
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be 60% of the
Board of Director members. If a quorum is not present at the scheduled
meeting, a second meeting date shall be set within four weeks of the
original date. |
| Section 5. |
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called
by the President or by three members of the Board of Directors with a
ten to fifteen day notice (if possible), and the purpose of the special
meeting given. |
| Section 6. |
Voting is show of hands for all matters. Ballot vote may
be requested for specific matters if it is felt that such a vote may reflect
a more true response. |
| Section 7. |
When a ballot vote is called for, a committee shall be
selected to distribute, collect and tally the vote. All ballot votes
shall be recorded in the minutes. Ballots shall be held by the Secretary
for 90 days and then destroyed. |
| Section 8. |
The corporation agrees to indemnify any director or officer
or former director or officer of the corporation against any liability
and expenses actually and necessarily incurred by him/her in connection
with the defense of any action or proceeding in which he/she is made
a party by reason of being or having been such director or officer, except
in relation to matters as to which he/she shall be adjudged in such action,
suit or proceeding to be liable for misconduct in the performance of
duty; but such indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which such director or officer may be entitled, under any by-law,
agreement, vote of the Board of Directors or members, or otherwise. |
| Section 1. |
The President shall appoint committees, standing or special,
from time to time, as deemed necessary to carry on the work of the organization.
The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the
Nominating committee. |
| Section 1. |
If Share-A-Pet ceases operation, the Board of Directors,
after satisfying all liabilities, may elect to hold any assets for three
(3) years in contemplation of assuming operations. If operations do not
recur, dissolution shall begin. Any remaining assets of Share-A-Pet will
be distributed to other organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue code. The Board of Directors may elect to distribute
these assets to one or more organizations with preference for organizations
with the same or similar purposes, or any public purpose. |
| Section 1. |
This organization shall be governed by its by-laws, Board
of Directors and Share-A-Pet Rules and Regulations promulgated by the
organization. |
| Section 1. |
The Board of Directors may amend these by-laws by vote
of ballot or at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose. |
