BYLAW CHANGES PROPOSED

This is the memo that went out. We have overwhelming support for the new ideas, but some questions and concerns. The Board is working on clarification and addressing these concerns. There will probably be another memo with the responses to the questions. These bylaw changes are still in review as our process requires 2 BOD meetings for review and approval.


The USMMA Board and I propose the following changes to our USMMA bylaws after reviewing the recommendations of the 2019 Bylaws Committee. These laws cannot be substantively changed without communicating the changes to the membership and they also require 2 board meetings with a vote at each meeting before they are adopted. The actual proposed bylaws are at the bottom of the email, but here is the quick read of the changes.

REMOVE TERM LIMITS – The thought is not to keep people on the Board forever, but to keep moving ahead with experienced people allowed to stay on, and to accept volunteers that want to work for the breed involved. Our current bylaw requires a one-year absence after a Board member has served 8 years.
ELECTION COMMITTEE – Form a committee to try to get new people involved and always have a choice on the ballot. If qualified candidates are recruited then the term limits will not become an issue. 
REGIONAL BOARD – Switch BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE to a REGIONAL DIRECTORS flair. They would help the regions develop, hold events, form committees or groups in their region and get more going in every area. The Regional Director should bring matters back to the FULL BOARD and if any good ideas work at a regional level perhaps we can adopt them at a national level. If this works out and we continue to grow as a membership, then I would see the Regional Director getting money allocated to the region to spend each year. Not every region needs to have a Director if there is no interest or qualified candidates from that area. (Currently, we have USMMA OFFICERS (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar) and USMMA Board Members At Large.)

We’d like to hear from you before MARCH 10! Here is what we would like:Any questions or concerns about the changes, including if you oppose the change.If you like the change and wish to run for the Regional Director position.

You can send your feedback to me or to any board member that you feel comfortable with. We would prefer to have that feedback in writing just so it makes it easier to compile the comments so we can address them and discuss them at the next board meeting.
We may have an another bylaw email similar to this one if your feedback and the board discussion generates new ideas or proposed modifications to our existing recommended bylaw changes.

Best regards,
Jeff Bosley, USMMA President
paboz24@gmail.comwww.namarchador.org
The full copy of the bylaw wording proposal is in BOLD below. If you wish to compare to the original bylaws, they can be found on the USMMA website.

Bylaw 302 – CompositionSection 1. The Board of Directors The Board of Directors consists of the following Officers of the Association: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar. There will be 3-7 Regional Directors representing different sections of the U.S. and Canada. The regions are: Pacific, Northwest, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Canada.

To be considered for any Officer or Board Position, the individual must be an active FULL member or LIFE member for at least 60 days before the election, and be a USMMA-registered Marchador owner at the time of the election.. Each Board member must remain an active voting member of the USMMA for the duration of their term. Each Board member has one vote. (updated January 2012)
Section 2. Term The term of an individual elected to fill a position referred to in Section 1 of this bylaw at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, who is elected for a full term and not to fill a vacancy, begins that term immediately after the adjournment of the meeting at which the individual was elected. An individual elected or appointed to fill a vacancy takes office immediately upon the election or appointment.

Section 3. Term Limits. A term will span 4 years. There are no term limits as long as the individual is willing to volunteer and is deemed capable to fill the position. Each Board Member and Officer must submit their name to the Election Committee to be placed on the ballot and be elected by the members every four years.

Section 4: Succession The Vice President shall succeed the President should the President resign during the term. The Vice President position should it become vacant because of succession or resignation shall be a Board member elected by the Board for the remainder of the term. The vacant Board position is then filled using the Special Election process.

Section 5. USMMA Technical Board. Beginning in 2009 The USMMA Board of Directors will be assisted by a USMMA Technical Board. The Technical Board will consist of the Registrar and the Web Site Master with other technical positions to be added with the consent of the Board of Directors. The board will harness on an on-going basis the knowledge and expertise of experts to advise the Board of Directors on technical matters. Board members will be approved by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors and will not be subject to term limits. The board will serve at the pleasure of a President who could remove a member only if there were just cause for removal. With a change in President, an automatic appointment of the same technical board would be assumed unless there was a just cause for removal. (August 2009 Amend)
Bylaw 303 – Election of Officers and Directors

Section 1. Schedule Year beginning January 2005, the term is one year for the Board of Directors. Beginning in January 2006 and every fourth year thereafter, the Officers will be up for election. The first election of the Regional Directors shall be 2020, Officers and Board Members shall serve four years or until successor is elected.
By majority of vote, the Board of Directors can remove a Director for non-fulfillment of duties or for the same reasons for rescission of membership.

Section 2 Special Election Special Elections to replace Officers or Directors shall be held within 90 days of time of need.

Section 3 Election Committee An Election Committee of 3 members will be formed during the election year to fill the slate of candidates for the election. At least one past USMMA President shall be on the Committee. Every effort should be made to find new members to run and to have more than one choice for every office on the ballot. Every position except for Registrar will be up for re-election every four years.

Bylaw 304 – Meetings

Section 1. Meetings. USMMA Officers shall meet or report monthly. Regional Board Members will be welcome to attend and may be requested to attend based on the meeting agenda. The Full Board (Officers and the Regional Board of Directors shall meet at least twice each year, including at the annual meeting of USMMA and at least one other occasion during each year at a location and date to be fixed by the Board. The President shall have the power to call a meeting of the Board of Directors of USMMA at any time and must call a meeting when requested in writing to do so by one-third or more of the members of the Regional Board of Directors. 

Section 2. Quorum At all meetings of the Full Board of Directors fifty percent of its Board members shall constitute a quorum. In the event that a quorum shall not be present at an annual meeting, such meeting shall be adjourned by the chair to a future date.

Section 3. Participation in Meetings via Conference Call. The Board of Directors may participate in the Annual Meeting or other Meeting of the Board by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment which allows all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for purposes of establishing a Quorum or to transact and to vote on any business.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings Notice of the Annual Meeting or other meetings of the Board shall be made at least 45 days prior to the meeting via postal mail or email to each member.

(April 2007) Major bylaw changes that impact breed standards , registry and membership require 2 board meetings for approval and that such proposed bylaw changes be communicated to the entire USMMA Membership before the second board meeting.