CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I – Name
Section 1: The name of this association shall be the Breeders of the American Rabbit National Specialty Club, (a non-profit organization). Hereafter; it may be referred to as BARNSC.
ARTICLE II – Object
Section 1: To maintain and improve the breeding and exhibition of American Rabbits.
Section 2: To provide memberships to all persons interested in promoting and/or supporting the American rabbit.
Section 3: To develop and create greater interest and demand for the American Rabbit as a meat producer, for exhibition and as pets.
Section 4: To maintain a sweepstakes system to promote the exhibition of American Rabbits.
Section 5: To acknowledge the youth of BARNSC, positively promote and support youth activities, and provide leadership opportunities for the youth within BARNSC.
ARTICLE III – Affiliation
Section 1: This club shall be affiliated with the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
ARTICLE IV – Membership
Section 1: Any person may apply for the membership by submitting a completed membership application along with payment of one (1) years dues (Adults – Nineteen (19) years of age or older; and Youth – under Nineteen (19) years of age) to the Secretary of the BARNSC. By submitting an application for membership, the applicant agrees to comply with all rules, regulations and mandates of the BARNSC.
Section 2: New memberships shall be acknowledged by issuance of a club membership card. All memberships expiring in the then current year shall terminate on December 31st.
Section 3: The BARNSC Board of Directors reserves the right to accept or reject, for just cause, any application for membership. This action would require unanimous approval of the Board.
Section 4: Members who do not renew their membership within thirty (30) days from the date of the expiration of their membership will be deleted from the membership files and shall lose all membership privileges.
Section 5: All members upon reaching the age of 12 have the right to vote by mail for election of officers and for elective members of the BARNSC Board of Directors and put forward proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 6: Members may not vote by proxy. Voting by proxy is defined as consenting for another officer or member to cast your vote for you in your absence.
ARTICLE V – Officers
Section 1: All elected officer positions must be held by an adult member. Any youth, upon reaching their 12th birthday, may run for a director position.
Section 2: The elected officers of the BARNSC shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Youth Activities Director, and four (4) Regional Directors, and shall be elected by simple majority of the mail ballot from the club’s membership. There will be 4 regions represented by directors in BARNSC, with the International region represented by the Vice-President. The districts are to be broken down by time zones with minor modifications as follows: Pacific District (to include Hawaii and Alaska), Mountain District, Central District, Eastern District, and International. If a member cannot be found within a listed district to fill the position, eligible members from the neighboring districts will be allowed to run for the unfilled position.
Regions are divided into districts as follows:
- International
- Pacific: WA, OR, CA, NV, AK, HI
- Mountain: MT, ID, WY, UT, CO, NM, AZ
- Central: ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, MN, IA, MO, AR, LA, WI, IL, TN, MS, AL
- Eastern: MI, IN, OH, DE, DC, NJ, PA, CT, RI, MA, NY, VT, NH, ME, KY, VA, WV, DC, MD, GA, FL, SC, NC, PR
Section 3: In order to be eligible for office, including presidential appointments, a member must be 1. actively engaged in the breeding of American Rabbits, 2. be a member of The American Rabbit Breeders Association, and 3. must have been a member in good standing of this club for at least one (1) year continuously prior to becoming a candidate for office (“three requirements of eligibility”). Candidates for the Officer positions (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer) must have completed a minimum of one full term of service on the BARNSC Board in some capacity. If no applicant for the Officer position(s) has the required service minimum, the Board may allow members with equal experience in other clubs to run. If no member has been in good standing for one (1) year prior to elections, all interested members will be eligible to run for office. All founding members who meet all requirements other than length of membership shall be allowed to run for office. Any one (1) member may not hold more than one (1) position on the BARNSC Board of Directors at the same time. A letter of intent to run for that year’s election cycle, must be submitted by March 31st to the BARNSC secretary.
Section 4: All elected members of the BARNSC Board of Directors shall be granted two (2) year terms of office. In order to sustain the continuity of the club only half the officers will be elected in a given year. President, Secretary, Treasurer, Pacific, and Central will be elected in odd years. Vice-President, Youth Activities Director, Mountain, and Eastern will be elected in even years. All Board members, with the exception of the Secretary, shall be limited to three (3) consecutive terms of office in any one position.
Section 5: The terms of the newly elected officers shall begin July 1st of the year elected.
Section 6: Section 6: Vacancies in any office, for any reason, shall be filled by appointment by the President subject to a two-thirds (2/3) majority approval of the BARNSC Board of Directors. Pursuant to Section 3, candidates presented to the Board to fill a vacancy must meet the three requirements of eligibility as if they ran for office. An interested candidate that meets the eligibility criteria run for office must be submitted for appointment before a candidate who does not meet all three requirements. The President may only appoint an interested candidate who does not meet all three requirements if there is not a qualified interested candidate available.
ARTICLE VI – Discipline
Section 1: The BARNSC Board of Directors may suspend or expel any member or reject a membership application or renewal, for conduct which in its judgment warrants such action. This action would
require unanimous approval of the Board. Any person expelled or refused membership shall not be reconsidered for membership for a period of two (2) years following expulsion or rejection.
Section 2: Any charge brought against a member for misconduct and/or misdoing, must be made in writing and signed by the author and forwarded to the BARNSC Secretary. The BARNSC Secretary shall inform the BARNSC Board of Directors of the receipt of a complaint. The BARNSC Secretary will send a copy of the complaint to the accused member by registered mail within ten (10) days of receipt. The accused member shall have thirty (30) days from the date of mailing to respond to the complaint in writing. Said response is to be forwarded to the BARNSC Secretary by registered mail. Upon receipt of the response the BARNSC Secretary shall forward copies of the original complaint and the response to the BARNSC Board of Directors for their review and determination of any necessary action. In the event the accused member fails to respond to the BARNSC Secretary as set forth above, said person shall be removed from the membership files and shall have no right to appeal said action.
Section 3: Any Officer or Director, who becomes delinquent in his /her dues, shall be notified by the BARNSC Secretary by registered mail. If membership dues are not received within thirty (30) days from the date of the mailing, that office will be declared vacant and the President, with approval of the BARNSC Board of Directors, shall, as soon as possible, appoint a replacement to the vacated position. In the event that the President is the faulty party, the Vice-President will become President for the remainder of the term. Any replacements must be approved by 2/3rds vote of the Board.
Section 4: If any Officer or Director fails in the fulfillment of his/her duties and/or displays a lack of interest in BARNSC matters, the BARNSC Board of Directors may, by 2/3rds vote, request that Officer or Director to resign. If he/she fails to resign, the BARNSC Board of Directors may, by 2/3rds vote, declare the office vacated.
Section 5: In the event an Officer and/or Director has been removed from office pursuant to section 4 of this article, said person shall be deemed as a member not in good standing and will become ineligible to offer a petition, be appointed and/or run for any office for a period of three (3) years. Furthermore, they will be ineligible to run for the office they were removed from for a period of eight (8) years.
Section 6: In the event that an Officer abandons their office or resigns without notice, said person shall be deemed as a member not in good standing and will become ineligible to offer a petition, be appointed and/or run for any office for a period of three (3) years. Furthermore, they will be ineligible to run for the office they were removed from for a period of eight (8) years.
ARTICLE VII- Meetings
Section 1: The BARNSC Board will communicate with each other by mail, email, phone, etc. regularly, but not less than once per quarter. The BARNSC will have an Annual Meeting to coincide with ARBA National Convention.
Section 2: Should the need arise, the President may call a meeting of the BARNSC Board of Directors at any time by means of mail correspondence, telephone conference or electronic communication (i.e., email or fax transmission).
Section 3: Results of any balloting among the BARNSC Board of Directors shall be kept on file in the office of the Secretary for a period of two (2) years following the vote. A BARNSC Board of Directors Member failing to report his/her vote to the President within ten (10) days of notification shall, by his/her silence, forfeit the right to vote on the matter at hand.
ARTICLE VIII – Amendments
Section 1: Any member may submit a proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee by forwarding same to the Chairperson of said Committee by March 1st. The proposed amendment must be signed by five (5) adult members of the BARNSC in good standing.
Section 2: Any proposed amendment will be published in the BARNSC Newsletter and then placed on the next general ballot before membership. Any amendment receiving a simple majority of the votes cast by the general membership shall be adopted.
Section 3: Any member in attendance of the Annual meeting at the ARBA National Convention may propose a resolution to be discussed and voted upon during the course of the meeting.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I- Membership Fees
Section 1: Changes in membership fees shall be recommended by the BARNSC Board of Directors, subject to majority approval by the membership present at the annual meeting during American Rabbit Breeders Association National Convention. Membership Classifications: Individual $10 1/yr; $25 3/yr Husband/Wife $15 1/r; $40 3/yr (2 adults in the same household) Family add $1/year per child All membership dues are to be prorated as follows: Any member joining after June 30″ will only be charged ½ their first year’s membership fees.
Section 2: All members shall be notified by mail or electronic communication by the BARNSC Secretary not less than thirty (30) days prior to membership expiration. On the date of membership expiration, the member shall have an additional thirty (30) days in which to renew their membership hereinafter referred to as “Grace Period”. At the expiration of the thirty (30) day Grace Period, said member failing to renew will be deleted from the membership files and shall forfeit all privileges and sweepstakes points.
ARTICLE II – Duties of Officers
Section 1: The President of BARNSC, with the Board of Directors approval, may appoint all committees and fill all vacancies. He/She shall perform all other duties pertaining to that office. The President may vote only in case of a tie. At all BARNSC Meetings, in the absence of the President and Vice-President, the BARNSC Board of Directors shall elect a BARNSC Board of Directors member to act as Chairperson for that particular meeting.
Section 2: The Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President in his/her absence or inability to serve. In case of vacancy of the President’s office, the Vice-President shall succeed him/her in office. The Vice-President shall also perform the duties of a Director, covering the International District.
Section 3: The BARNSC Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds; shall maintain a bank account in the name of the BARNSC; shall maintain a complete set of books and records;; shall issue all show sanctions; shall consult and advise the President on any unusual matters; shall furnish a quarterly report to the membership on the BARNSC’s financial condition; shall pay all claims promptly as approved by the BARNSC or the BARNSC Board of Directors, and shall perform such duties as pertain to the office and/or requested by the BARNSC Board of Directors. The position of Treasurer will be bonded with the amount of bond to be set by the Board of Directors.
Section 4: The BARNSC Secretary shall be responsible for issuing all ballots; shall maintain current membership files, shall receive and respond in a timely manner to membership applications; shall notify members not less than thirty (30) days prior to Membership expiration; and shall perform such duties as pertain to the office and/or requested by the BARNSC Board of Directors
Section 5: BARNSC Board of Directors shall have the authority to make such laws, establish such rules and adopt such regulations as may be necessary for the government of it’s members; shall have the power to transact all necessary BARNSC business between meetings; carry out the instructions of the BARNSC; act upon charges brought to their attention; authorize expenditures; devise ways and means of carrying out the objects and purpose of the club; and formulate rules during the year not covered by the present Constitution and Bylaws.
ARTICLE III – Standing Committees
Section 1: All Standing Committees, with majority approval of the BARNSC Board of Directors by a simple majority vote, shall be appointed by the President. All members of BARNSC in good standing, including officers, shall be eligible for appointment on any committee. All committees shall consist of at least one officer or director.
Section 2: In the event that the Secretary does not wish to produce a newsletter, a newsletter editor shall be selected. The Newsletter Editor shall be responsible for complete editing and publication of the BARNSC Newsletter four (4) times annually. The newsletter may be electronically mailed as an alternative to traditional mail. The editor shall receive and process all information pertaining to advertising and shall forward monies received to the BARNSC Treasurer on a timely basis. The editor shall, at all times, use the utmost discretion in editing any and all information received for the articles and advertising. Any materials received and deemed to be of a questionable nature shall be brought to the attention of the President. The newsletter editor, at their discretion, with majority approval of the board, may appoint a committee to assist in the production of the newsletter.
Section 3: A Sweepstakes Chairperson may be appointed at the discretion of the BARNSC Board of Directors. If so appointed, he/she shall promptly process all completed sanctions and shall provide an accurate report of all show results to the Newsletter Editor for publication.
Section 4: In addition to the aforementioned committees, the President, with majority of the BARNSC Board of Directors by a simple majority vote, may appoint such other committees as may be necessary.
Section 5: There will be an Election Committee comprised of 3 members who are not currently on the Board of Directors and who have no intention of running for office. All members interested in becoming a member of the Election Committee shall inform the President of their interest. The President shall select a chairman with 2/3rds Board approval and appoint the committee from the list of interested members with a simple majority Board approval. This committee must be in place prior to March 15th of each year. This committee is responsible for counting and confirming the ballot results. All completed ballots are to be mailed to the chairman of this committee and remain sealed until a member of this committee together with the chairman can be present to count them. This meeting shall take place prior to June 15th. The results will be posted in the July newsletter.
Section 6: There will be a Constitution Committee comprised of 5 members. The President will appoint a chairman and committee from a list of interested members. All appointments must meet 2/3rds approval from the Board of Directors. The Constitution Committee will accept all suggestions for changes in the Constitution and Bylaws, review these suggestions and draft conforming Constitution and/or Bylaws Amendments to be submitted to the general membership for vote. All submissions must be in to the committee by March 1st. The committee will review all changes and have a list of changes ready to be voted on at the same time as officer elections.
- The committee can refuse any amendment suggestions that are contradictory to the CBL, redundant, conflict with the purpose of BARNSC, or are punitive in nature. The Chair of the Committee will notify both the BARNSC Board and the submitting member of it’s decision and the reasoning behind it. The BARNSC Board can override the Committee’s decision with a 2/3 majority vote.
Section 7: There will be a Standards Committee comprised of 5 members. This committee is responsible for evaluating the current Standard for Americans and suggesting possible changes to clarify and improve the way the standard reads. The President will appoint a chairman and committee from a list of interested members. All appointments must meet 2/3rds approval from the Board of Directors. All suggestions for changes to the Standard will go before the membership for vote before being put into submission to ARBA for acceptance.
ARTICLE IV – Election Procedures
Section 1: Any member in good standing desiring to become a candidate for office, and having been a member of BARNSC for at least one (1) year immediately prior to elections, can submit a Letter of Intent to the Secretary to be included on the ballot for the office they desire to hold. Section 2: In the event that any office does not receive a nominee, the President shall appoint two (2) members of the BARNSC Board of Directors and one (1) Member to assist in obtaining one or more nominees to complete the ballot.
Section 3: The BARNSC Secretary shall be responsible for sending ballots to all eligible members. Ballots will be mailed to the membership no later than the first week of May. The reverse side of the ballot shall be blank.
Section 4: Ballots must be postmarked no later than June 1st. The Election Committee shall count all acceptable ballots and announce the results to the membership in the July Newsletter.
Section 5: Facsimiles or copies of the ballots shall not be considered acceptable and will be declared void. Valid and voided ballots shall, sixty (60) days following the election, be forwarded to the BARNSC Secretary and shall be retained for a period of two (2) years. Section 6: The candidate for any office receiving the most votes for said office shall be declared the winner. If an office receives only one (1) qualified candidate for that office, the candidate shall, by the BARNSC Board of Directors, be declared the winner of that particular office. No election expenses shall be incurred for election to an unopposed office.
Section 7: The President shall notify all candidates of the results of the election after he receives the results from the Chairman of the Election Committee.
Section 8: In case of a tie, selection shall be made by two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the BARNSC Board of Directors prior to the June 15th.
ARTICLE V- Parliamentary Authority
Section 1: In order to transact business at any general membership meeting of the BARNSC, a minimum of three (3) members and four (4) officers in attendance shall constitute a quorum. If no quorum is present, the presiding officer may adjourn the meeting to a day and hour of his/her designation. No decisions may be made at any such meeting lacking a quorum; however, reports, communications and discussions may be heard. Any officer participating in a conference call or video conference of the
meeting shall be considered in attendance and included in the count for a quorum. If participating via conference call, the phone shall be placed on speakerphone in order that all members in attendance may hear what this officer has to say and how they are voting.
Section 2: Roberts Rules will be the final authority for any questions not covered in the operations of this club.
ARTICLE VI- Order of Business
Section 1: The order of business at all meetings shall be:
- Call to order
- Roll Call of Officers
- Reading of Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report
- Report of Officers
- Report of Committees
- Reading of Communications
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Discussion
- Announcements
- Adjournment
Updated 1/1/26
Items of Note: At the 2025 ARBA Convention it was voted on and approved by the membership in attendance that the following positions will be combined, effective at the end of the current terms or pending the resignation of sitting Board members: Secretary and Treasurer; International Director and Vice President; Northeastern Director and Southeastern Director.
All other changes have been immediately adopted and are in effect.