About Us
The Carroll Kennel Club, an AKC member club, is a service organization supporting various youth programs, disaster related projects, and other canine related activities for our community and at large. The Club also offers a Canine Good Citizenship test.
Educational programs are given throughout the year at our general meetings, which are open to the public.
The club conducts annual AKC sanctioned conformation shows, as well as Fast CAT, Rally, and Agility Trials. In addition, we also offer other activities such as periodic seminars on various topics of interest to the dog community and regular run thru sessions for conformation handling and agility.
In the Community
Our club has always worked diligently to contribute back to our community. This has been accomplished in a variety of ways over the years.
Educational opportunities for dogs and their owners are offered on a continual basis. These might be in the form of weekly run thrus, informational meetings, workshops, or seminars. While often free, there is sometimes a nominal fee charged for participation in order to cover the costs of the event.
We have, on a regular basis, made contributions to other dog related non-profit organizations and charities. Such organizations include, but are not limited to the Humane Society of Carroll County, and Bennett Cerf Dog Park.
Bennett Cerf Photos:
Our current year donations were to Warrior Dogs and to the Carroll County Sheriff’s department in support of Pink, their bloodhound. We also donated ventilator masks for animals to the fire departments throughout Carroll County.
Club History
The Carroll Kennel Club, Inc. was organized on June 23, 1958. Founding members included Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller and Mr. Charles Schek.
The Carroll Kennel Club’s first AKC sanctioned all-breed dog show was held October 17, 1966 on the grounds of Reese Volunteer Fire department in Westminster, MD. In the early 1970’s the show was moved to the Carroll County Ag Center and a May show was added. Our 50th show was celebrated on May 22, 2006. From 2008-2013, our shows were held in January (a four day cluster held in conjunction with Annapolis Kennel Club) at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD. In 2014 our January shows (“The Snowbird Cluster”) were returned to The Carroll County Ag Center and held in the Shipley Arena. In 2020, it was decided to move our shows back to the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship MD.
In 2013 the club held its first AKC sanctioned agility trials. Since that time we have sponsored a one day trial in April and a two day event each August. These trials are currently held at the Carroll Indoor Sports Center in Westminster MD.
CARROLL KENNEL CLUB BYLAWS
March 23, 2021
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Eligibility. There shall six types of membership open to persons eighteen years of
age or older and one to persons younger than eighteen who are in good standing with
The American Kennel Club and subscribe to the purposes of this Club.
a) Regular – Individual adult member with all club privileges including the right to vote
and hold office.
b) Household – Two adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote
and hold office.
c) Associate – Member entitled to all Club privileges except voting and office holding,
offered to individual former regular members who are no longer active.
d) Junior – Open to persons under 18 years of age; pay no dues and are not eligible to
vote or hold office, may automatically convert to regular membership at age 18.
e) Honorary – An individual who has made significant contributions to the Sport or Club;
pays no dues and is not eligible to vote and hold office, but can maintain regular
membership.
f) Life – Individuals who have been active members for 25 years; pay no dues and are
not eligible to hold office, but can maintain regular membership to hold office.
While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to
be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in its immediate area.
SECTION 2. Dues. Membership dues shall not exceed $60.00 per year for regular membership,
$100 per year for household, and $40 for associate. Dues shall be payable before the first
day of January of each year. Amount of dues shall be recommended by the Board of
Directors and approved by the Club members. No member may vote whose dues are not
paid for the current year. During the month of November the Treasurer shall send to each
member a statement of dues for the ensuing year.
SECTION 3. Membership Election. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form approved
by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by
the Club’s constitution and bylaws and the rules of The American Kennel Club. The
application shall state the name, address, and occupation of the applicant and it shall
carry the endorsement of two members in good standing. Accompanying the application,
the prospective member shall submit dues payment for the current year.
All applications are to be filed with the Secretary and each application is to be read at
the first meeting of the Board following its receipt. At the next Club meeting the
application will be voted on and affirmative votes of 2/3 of the members present and
voting by secret ballet at that meeting shall be required to elect the applicant.
Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within
six (6) months of such rejection.
SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Membership may be terminated:
a) By Resignation – Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written
notice to the Secretary, but no member may resign when in debt to the Club.
Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the Club and must be paid in full
prior to resignation
b) By Lapsing – Any membership shall be considered as lapsed and automatically
terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the
fiscal year. However, the Board may grant an additional 60 days of grace to such
delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote
at any Club meeting whose days are unpaid at the date of that meeting.
c) By Expulsion – Any membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article
VI of these bylaws.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS AND VOTING
SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the Club shall be held monthly via telephone conference
call or via video conference or within the Greater Westminster, Maryland area at such
time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall
provide each member with written or email notice at least 10 days prior to the date of
the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be 20% of the members eligible to vote
and in good standing.
SECTION 2. Special Club Meetings. Special club meetings may be called by the President, or by
a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any regular
or special meeting of the Board; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a
petition signed by five members of the Club who are in good standing. Such special
meetings shall be held via telephone conference call or via video conference or within the
greater Westminster, Maryland area at such place, date, and hour as may be designated
by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. The Secretary shall
provide each member with written or email notice of such a meeting at least 5 days and
not more than 15 days prior to the date of the meeting, and said notice shall state the
purpose of the meeting, and no other club business may be transacted thereat. The
quorum for such a meeting shall be 20% of the members eligible to vote and in good
standing.
SECTION 3. Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held monthly via
telephone conference call or via video conference or within the greater Westminster,
Maryland area at such hour an place as may be designated by the Board. Written or email
notice of such meeting shall be made by the Secretary at least 5 days prior to the date of
the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the board.
SECTION 4. Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the
President; and shall be called by the Secretay upon receipt of a written request signed by
at least three (3) members of the Board. Such special meetings may be held via telephone
conference call or via video conference or be held at such place, date, and hour as may
be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. Written or email
notice of such meeting shall be made by the Secretary at least 5 days and not more than
10 days. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business
shall be transacted thereat. A quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.
SECTION 5. Voting. Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year
shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which the member is present.
Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the officers and five other
persons, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected
for one-year terms at the Club’s annual meeting as provided in Article IV and shall serve
until their successors are elected.
General management of the Club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. Officers. The Club’s officers, consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer, shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the Club and
its meetings and Board and its meetings.
a) The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board, and shall have
the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those
particularly specified in these bylaws.
b) The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in
case of the Presidents death, absence or incapacity.
c) The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and Board and of all
matters of which a record shall br ordered by the Club; have charge of the
correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify new members of their election to
membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the
members of the Club with their addresses, which shall be sent to any member in good
standing, upon written request, not more than once every club year, and carry out such
other duties as are required by these bylaws
d) The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the Club.
Moneys shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Board, in the name of the Club.
The books shall at all times be open for inspection by the Board. A report shall be given
at every meeting on the condition of the Club’s finances and every item of receipt or
payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting an accounting shall be rendered
of all moneys received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The Treasurer shall
be bonded in such amounts as the board shall determine.
e) AKC® Delegate, a non-voting member of the Board, shall make presentations to the
Board and Club on future delegate meeting actions/issues, represent the Club at quarterly
delegate meetings, vote as directed by the Board, and report on actions taken at delegate
meetings. The Delegate shall be appointed by the Board to serve a five year term.
SECTION 3. Vacancies. Any vacancies occuring on the Board or among the officers during the
year shall be filled until the next annual meeting by a majority vote of the members of the
Board at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy, or at a special
Board meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of the President
shall be filled automatically by the Vice President and the resulting vacancy in the office
of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.
ARTICLE IV
THE CLUB YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS
SECTION 1. Club Year. The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on
the last day of December. The Club’s official year shall begin on the first day of January
and end on the last day of December.
SECTION 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held in the month of December at
which officers, and directors for the ensuing year shall be elected by secret, written ballot
from among those nominated in accordance with Section 4 of this Article. They shall take
office at the beginning of the new year and each retiring officer shall turn over to the
successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after
the election.
SECTION 3. Elections. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes of each
office shall be declared elected. The five nominated candidates for directors on the Board
who receive the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected.
SECTION 4. Nominations. No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been
nominated. During the month of September, the Board shall select a Nominating
Committee consisting of three members, not more than one of which may be a member
of the Board, and two alternates. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee
members and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chair for the
committee and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting which shall be
held on or before October 1.
a) The committee shall nominate one candidate for each office and position on
the Board and, after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall
report the nominations to the Secretary in writing.
b) Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee’s report the Secretary shall, at least
two weeks before the November meeting, notify each club member in writing by
mail or email of the candidates so nominated.
c) Additional nominations may be made at the November meeting by any member
in attendance, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their
name is proposed, and provided further that if the proposed candidate is not in
attendance at this meeting, the proposer shall present to the Secretary a written
statement from the proposed candidate signifying willingness to be a candidate.
No person may be a candidate for more than one.
d) Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any manner other
than as provided in this Section.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the
Club in such matters as coformation shows, performance trials, trophies, annual prizes,
membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees
shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board. Special committees may also
be created by the Board to aid it on particular projects.
SECTION 2. Any committee apointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full
membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may
appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
ARTICLE VI
DISCIPLINE
SECTION 1. American Kennel Club Suspension. Any member who is suspended from any of the
privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of
this club for a like period.
SECTION 2. Charges. An individual member may prefer charges against another member for alleged
misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. Written charges with specifications
must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $100.00, which shall be
forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The Secretary shall
promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board or present them at a board
meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven,
might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club. If the Board considers
that the charges do not allege conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club, it may refuse
to entertain jurisdiction. If the board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for
a hearing by the Board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The
Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges and the specifications to the accused
member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the
defendant may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if desired.
SECTION 3. Board Hearing. The Board shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may
attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that
regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony
presented by the complainant and defendant, the Board may by a majority vote of those
present reprimand or suspend the defendant from privileges of the Club for not more than six
months from the date of the hearing. And, if it deems that punishment insufficient, it may also
recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension
shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear before his fellow members at the ensuing club
meeting which considers the Board’s recommendation. Immediately after the Board has
reached a decision, it’s finding shall be put in written form, and filed with the Secretary. The
Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the board’s decision and penalty, if any.
SECTION 4. Expulsion. Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a meeting
of the Club following a board hearing, and upon the Board’s recommendation as provided in
Section 3 of this article. Such proceedings may occur at a regular or special meeting of the Club
to be held within sixty days, but not earlier than thirty days, after the date of the Board’s
recommendation of expulsion. The President shall read the charges and the Board’s findings,
and invite the defendant, if present, to speak in the defendant’s own behalf if so desired. The
members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A two-third vote of those
present at the meeting shall be necessary for the expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the
Board’s suspension shall stand.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments to the constitution and bylaws may be proposed by the Board of
Directors or by written petition petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20 percent
of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be
promptly considered by the Board of Drectors and must be submitted to the members
with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three months of
the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.
SECTION 2. The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds secret vote of the
members present and voting at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose,
provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting
mailed or emailed to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.
SECTION 3. No amendment to the constitution bylaws that is adopted the the Club shall become
effective until it has been approved by the Board of Directors of The American Kennel Club.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
SECTION 1. Dissolution. The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not
less than 2/3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the Club
for other than purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by
operation of law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor any
assets of the club shall be distributed to any member of the Club, but after payment of
the debts of the Club its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization
for the benefit of dogs by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX
ORDER OF BUSINESS
SECTION 1. At meetings of the Club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of
the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting
Report of President
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting)
Election of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
SECTION 2. At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by
majority of vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
ARTICLE X
PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised
shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not
inconsistent with these by-laws and special rules of order the Club may adopt.
CARROLL KENNEL CLUB CONSTITUTION
March 22, 2011
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES
SECTION 1. The name of the club shall be Carroll Kennel Club, Inc.
SECTION 2. The objectives of the club shall be:
(a) To further the advancement of all breeds of purebred dogs
(b) To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of dog shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, and agility trials; and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at such events
(c) To conduct sanctioned matches, dog shows, obedience trials, tracking tests, agility trials, and any other event for which the club is eligible under the Rules and Regulations of the American Kennel Club.
(d) To conduct training classes in, but not limited to, conformation handling, agility, obedience and therapy dog
SECTION 3. The club shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues or donations to the club shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.
SECTION 4. The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.