THIS BEGINS THE BY LAWS SECTION
Article I Explanation
The current membership article describes an old process where applications had to be reviewed and approved by various SCNA committees. That system hasn’t been used in many years and no longer fits how our organization operates. Today, we use an online membership system where members join directly through the website, making the old approval process outdated and unnecessary.
This update also adds a clarification that licensed SCNA judges receive free memberships as long as their judging license remains in good standing. This reflects what we already practice and ensures the bylaws match our current operations.
The old article also included a long, complicated section about discipline. We have now created an overview here and refer all detailed expectations for member conduct into a separate Terms of Service document, which is not a new document. All new members must agree to these terms when they sign up online, and this updated article simply refers to that document instead of repeating the same information in multiple places.
Overall, these changes modernize the membership section, remove outdated procedures, and make the bylaws clearer and easier to understand.
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As currently written: BY LAWS ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Types and Classes of Membership:
1.1. INDIVIDUAL ADULT/ LIFE TIME – all persons eighteen (18) years of age or older who are in good standing and who subscribe to the goals and objectives of the SCNA shall cast one (1) vote.
1.2. INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR – all persons under the age of eighteen (18) years of age who are in good standing and who subscribe to the goals and objectives of the SCNA shall be registered without voting privileges, and cannot hold any elected or appointed position other than that of a Co-representative for a State with approval of the Council, and with an adult dues paid member acting as a Representative.
1.3. FAMILY – defined as one household, with no limit on the number of children, may apply for membership and shall cast two (2) votes.
Section 2. Membership Application:
2.1. Each applicant for membership shall apply for consideration on the SCNA website where they shall agree to abide by the Constitution and By-laws, the Code of Ethics, and the Terms of Service of the SCNA. The prospective member shall submit a membership application.
2.2. The Members Secretary shall review their application and prospective members shall receive confirmation of membership once they have made payment of the annual dues for the current year.
2.3. Once the Members Secretary has confirmed membership their name and address shall appear on the membership list.
Section 3. Annual Dues:
3.1. Individual Adult Membership (over eighteen (18) years of age): $20 per year. Family Membership Dues: $25 per year. Individual Junior Membership (under eighteen (18) years of age) $5
Life Time membership Dues $250.00.
3.2. The Council may change the dues structure from time to time providing the proposal is posted on the SCNA website for a period of thirty (30) days during the month of October when it shall take action to approve it by a majority vote. Each member shall pay the annual membership dues established by the Council.
3.3. The Treasurer shall post the new approved schedule of dues on the SCNA website by November 1st.
3.4. Payments for dues shall be accepted in advance and for a period of thirty (30) days after the date of invoice payable to SCNA to be credited towards the following membership year.
3.5. Members who have failed to pay their dues for the current year shall not be allowed to attend the Annual Membership Meeting.
3.6. Any dues that remain unpaid after forty-five (45) days from the date of invoice shall be deemed “expired membership.” Requests for “reinstatement” shall be considered as a “new” application and payment for the full year shall be expected to restore a member’s rights and privileges.
Section 4. Eligibility and Voting:
4.1. Individual Adult members in good standing over the age of eighteen (18) representing themselves are eligible to cast one (1) vote. Adults with a Family Membership where there are 2 adults may cast 2 votes for members of the Council, proposed changes in the Constitution and Bylaws, and for their SCNA District Representative according to the State in which they reside, in the elections by SCNA secure internet website via electronic voting or at the Annual Membership and Special Membership Meetings of SCNA.
4.2. The Council may issue a call for Special Voting by the SCNA membership at times other than in combination with Elections, at any other time via the SCNA secure Internet website. Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws and/or the Serama Standard for the breed etc., once approved by the Council, shall be posted on the SCNA secure Internet website by the Council Clerk for answering questions, discussion and comments for a period of thirty (30) days. The special voting shall be conducted via the SCNA secure website via electronic voting or SCNA secure Internet website. The Council Clerk shall forward to the membership in good standing on which members shall indicate their choice for or against the action to be taken. The notice shall specify a date not less than thirty (30) days after the date for their return to the Council Clerk. The Elections Committee shall forward a report in writing signed by all its members of the results of the special voting to the Council Clerk for the Council records and record keeping. The favorable vote of the membership in good standing in the majority number, (51%) as specified in the Constitution and By-Laws, shall be required for the amendment to take effect.
Section 5. Discipline:
The Governing Council shall have the right and jurisdiction over cases of improper behavior or conduct by a member that are harmful and discredit SCNA or the Serama breed. The Council Clerk shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Council and the Council shall first consider whether the alleged actions if proven may constitute prejudicial conduct to the best interests of SCNA. Should the Council consider that the alleged charges would not be prejudicial to SCNA it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. However, if the Council entertains jurisdiction of the alleged charges as prejudicial to SCNA a member of the COUNCIL shall be appointed as the investigator of the COUNCIL and shall interview any witnesses. Both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly and fairly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained by the Council after gathering and evaluation of all the evidence and testimony presented a majority vote of the Council shall determine the case. The Council may by a majority vote decide to reprimand, suspend or expel the defendant. A suspension shall carry loss of some or all membership privileges at the discretion of the Governing Council for a period deemed fair for the act. The findings of the case and its final determination shall be put in writing and filed with the Council Clerk’s office who shall in turn notify each of the parties of the Council’s decision and any penalty. The defendant has 15 days immediately following email notification of Council’s determination to appeal. See By-Laws, Article III, Section 8 paragraph 8.4 Should the Council clerk stand accused, the Chairman or other sitting Governing Council member appointed by the Chairman shall perform the defined duties of the Clerk with regards to the discipline process.
All findings and discussions shall be held in a separate, private discussion forum outside the review of the Clerk.
Clerk will remain in good standing and active in Governing council until a determination is made by Governing council and the appeal process is completed.
Section 6. Membership may be terminated by:
6.1. Resignation – Any member in good standing may resign from SCNA membership upon written notice to the Council Clerk, but no member may resign when in debt to SCNA. Dues obligations are considered a debt to SCNA.
6.2. Lapse – A membership shall be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid (45 forty-five) days after the date of invoice.
6.3. Suspension – A suspension shall carry loss of membership privileges for a period deemed fair for the act by the Council. Should the Council deem that punishment insufficient it may decide that the penalty shall be expulsion.
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PROPOSED UPDATES
Section 1. Types and Classes of Membership
1.1. INDIVIDUAL ADULT / LIFETIME – Any person eighteen (18) years of age or older, in good standing and supportive of the goals and objectives of the SCNA, shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
1.2. INDIVIDUAL JUNIOR – Any person under eighteen (18) years of age, in good standing and supportive of the goals and objectives of the SCNA, shall be registered without voting privileges and may not hold elected or appointed office, except as a Co-Representative for a State with Council approval and under the supervision of an adult dues-paid Representative.
1.3. FAMILY – Defined as members of the same household, with no limit on the number of children; shall be entitled to two (2) votes.
1.4. FREE JUDGE MEMBERSHIP – Any licensed SCNA judge may hold an Individual or Family membership at no cost, provided their license is active and in good standing.
Section 2. Membership Enrollment
2.1. Any individual may obtain membership by completing the online sign-up form, agreeing to abide by the Constitution and By-laws, Code of Ethics, and Terms of Service, and submitting payment of the required dues.
2.2. Membership shall be effective immediately upon completion of the sign-up process and payment of dues.
2.3. The member’s information shall be recorded on the official membership list.
Section 3. Annual Dues
3.1. Annual dues are as follows: Individual Adult (18+) $20; Family $25; Individual Junior (under 18) $5; Lifetime $250.
3.2. The Council may revise dues by Council majority vote, provided the proposed changes are posted on the SCNA website for thirty (30) days. Changes to take place at the next billing cycle.
3.3. The Treasurer shall post the approved dues schedule on the SCNA website.
3.4. Any dues that remain unpaid after forty-five (45) days from the date of invoice shall be deemed “expired membership” and will remain as such until payment is made.
Section 4. Eligibility and Voting- remove it here. This is covered later in the document and is redundant and inconsistent. Renumbered section below.
Section 4. Discipline (see the terms of service/code of conduct-linked)
4.1. Authority. The Governing Council has jurisdiction over member conduct deemed harmful to SCNA or the Serama breed.
4.2. Review of Charges. All complaints shall be submitted to the Council Clerk, who shall distribute them to the Council. The Council shall first determine if they have jurisdiction, if proven, would be prejudicial to SCNA. If not, the matter may be dismissed.
4.3. Investigation. If jurisdiction is accepted, the Council shall appoint a Council member to investigate, including interviewing relevant parties and witnesses. All parties shall be treated fairly and equally.
4.4. Decision and Penalties. Upon review of all evidence, the Council shall decide the case by majority vote. If sustained, the Council may issue a reprimand, suspension, or expulsion. Suspensions may include loss of some or all membership privileges for a period determined by the Council.
4.5. Notification and Record. The Council’s findings and final decision shall be documented and filed by the Council Clerk, who shall notify all parties of the outcome and any penalties.
4.6. Appeal. The defendant may appeal the decision within fifteen (15) days of notification.
4.7. Clerk Conflict. If the Council Clerk is the subject of the complaint, the Chairman or a Council-appointed member shall perform the Clerk’s duties for the process. All proceedings shall be conducted in a private forum outside the Clerk’s access. The Clerk shall remain in good standing and retain Council duties until a final determination and any appeal are completed.
Section 5. Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated as follows:
5.1. Resignation. A member may cancel their membership at any time through the SCNA website.
5.2. Lapse. Membership shall automatically terminate if dues remain unpaid forty-five (45) days after the due date.
5.3. Suspension or Expulsion. The Governing Council may suspend or expel a member by majority vote for cause. Suspension shall result in loss of membership privileges for a period determined by the Council.