CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF THE
BOULDER VALLEY DRESSAGE CHAPTER OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN DRESSAGE SOCIETY
as amended in April 2024
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of this organization shall be BOULDER VALLEY DRESSAGE CHAPTER OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN DRESSAGE SOCIETY (BVD).
ARTICLE II
Objectives
This Chapter is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and/or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, (or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code). These purposes shall be to:
1. Promote and encourage a high standard of accomplishment in dressage through educational programs; in furtherance of this goal, the Chapter will work closely with local, regional, and national organizations to:
a. Improve the general understanding of dressage through educational clinics, forums, and seminars and to promote these and other activities to effect this goal.
b. Assist and cooperate with local and regional dressage organizations in matters of common concern.
c. Cooperate with other organizations having an interest in training horses, riders, and judges through the principles of dressage.
2. To represent the interests of the Chapter’s members in forming the policies of and in managing the “Rocky Mountain Dressage Society, Inc.”
ARTICLE III
Address
The Chapter Executive Board shall determine the address of this Chapter.
ARTICLE IV
Membership
Section 1. Any member in good standing of the RMDS shall be eligible for membership in the Chapter in accordance with the provisions of the RMDS Constitution and Bylaws, Article IV.
Section 2. The Chapter membership year shall be the same as the RMDS membership year.
ARTICLE V
Dues
Section 1: Basic dues:
Basic dues for this Chapter shall be in the amount specified in the Standing Rules of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society.
Section 2: Supplemental dues:
Supplemental dues may be levied on the Chapter members by the Executive Committee.
Section 3. Dues collection:
Chapter basic dues will be paid to the Chapter from RMDS. The Chapter will collect supplemental dues.
ARTICLE VI
Officers
Section 1: Officers:
The Chapter Officers shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2: Qualification:
Chapter Officers shall be members in good standing.
Section 3: Election and Term:
Chapter officers shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of Article X for a term of one calendar year or until a successor has been duly elected.
Section 4: Vacancies:
In the event of a vacancy in any elected position, the remainder of the term shall be filled by a general election in accordance with the provisions of Article X.
Section 5: Records:
At the conclusion of his/her term of office, each officer shall transfer all records pertaining to his/her office to the succeeding officer within a period of two (2) weeks.
Section 6: Duties of the Officers:
A. The President shall:
- Preside over all official club meetings and functions.
- Break ties in a vote of the Executive Committee.
- Appoint Committee Chairs.
- Serve on the RMDS Executive Board.
B. The Vice-President shall:
- Assist the President in the performance of duties and act for him/her in his/her absence.
- Be responsible for calculating and determining the year-end awards (RMDS sends print out of results)
- Plan and supervise the annual awards banquet
C. The Secretary shall:
- Handle and keep a record of all transactions, business, and correspondence.
- Keep minutes of the meetings.
D. The Treasurer shall:
- Receive Chapter Dues from RMDS treasurer.
- Collect all other monies and function as custodian thereof.
- Pay all bills authorized by the Executive Committee.
- Keep a complete record of all financial business.
- Maintain an active file on all members, addresses, and contact information.
E. Removal from office:
Any Chapter office shall be declared vacant upon the petition of 40% or more of the Chapter members. This petition must be delivered to the President, or, if the petition is to vacate the office of the President, to the Vice-President. The vacated office shall be filled by election in accordance with the provisions of Article X.
Section 7: The Board of Governors’ delegates are elected at the October meeting or appointed by the President after the election and before the RMDS Board of Governors meeting in November. The Delegates serve as the Chapter delegates to the RMDS Board of Governors’ meeting.
ARTICLE VII
Chapter Executive Board
Section 1. Members:
The Chapter Executive Board shall consist of the elected officers of the Chapter and the Appointed Committee Chairs.
Section 2: Responsibilities:
The Chapter Executive Board shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the BVD Chapter and for the implementation of motions adopted by the membership.
Section 3: Meetings:
The Chapter Executive Board shall meet as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.
ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
Section 1: Regular Meetings:
The Chapter shall hold a minimum of five meetings annually. The awards banquet shall be held between November 1 and January 31. All meetings are open to the membership. Notice of the meetings will be emailed to the membership.
Section 2: Special Meetings:
A special meeting may be called by a quorum (1/3) of the members or announced by the Executive Board. The time and place shall be announced by mail to all members at least seven (7) days in advance.
Section 3: Quorum:
The quorum for any Chapter meeting shall be two members of the Executive Board plus three (3) additional members. A majority of the votes received shall determine the officers elected.
Section 4: Adoption of Motions:
Except as otherwise specified in these By-laws, a majority vote of the members present, and voting shall be required for adoption of a motion at a properly called meeting of the Chapter.
ARTICLE IX
Delegates to the RMDS Board of Governors
Section 1: Selection: Delegates to the RMDS Board of Governors shall be elected by the Chapter and shall meet requirements specified by the RMDS Constitution and By-laws.
Section 2: Decreased Voting Rights: In the event the Chapter’s voting rights at the RMDS Board of Governors meeting are less than the number of elected delegates, the Chapter President shall select from the elected delegates those who will represent the Chapter at the RMDS Board of Governors.
Section 3: Increased Voting Rights: In the event the Chapter’s voting rights at the RMDS Board of Governors meeting are greater than the number of elected delegates, the Chapter President may either appoint additional delegates or distribute the voting rights equally amongst the elected delegates. ARTICLE X Elections Elections shall be held annually at the October regular meeting for the purpose of choosing Chapter Officers and delegates to the RMDS Board of Governors. In the event of a vacancy in a Chapter Office, elections shall be held to fill the office at any regular meeting or any special meeting, provided notice of the pending election was stated in the written notice of the special meeting. Candidates must receive a majority of the votes among the members present at the meeting. Contested elections shall be decided in favor of the candidate receiving the most votes. New officers will begin their duties in January of the following year. ARTICLE XI Amendments These By-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Chapter by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided written notice of the purport of the proposed amendment was provided to the membership at least thirty (30) days but not more than sixty (60) days prior to the meeting. ARTICLE XII Dissolution Upon dissolution of this Chapter, all its assets shall be paid or transferred to one or more exempt organization(s) of the kind described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. ARTICLE XIII Parliamentary Authority Roberts’ Rules of Order, Newly Revised shall govern all meetings of the Chapter to the extent they do not conflict with these By-laws.
Bylaws Amended – 04/8/2024.
BOULDER VALLEY DRESSAGE
Standing Rules
OFFICERS:
It is recommended that there be one (1) President, one (1) Vice president, one (1) Secretary, and one (1) Treasurer.
MEMBERSHIPS:
Members of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society (RMDS) may elect to be members of Boulder Valley Dressage (BVD). Dues shall be paid directly to RMDS, who in turn pays BVD, an amount due to the Chapter. The amount will be determined by RMDS. Additional family members will not have a vote.
1. Dues for the following year will be determined by the Executive Board and announced to the membership after the parent organizations have established their fee structures.
2. A family membership shall be available to two or more members living at the same address and entitles that membership to one vote.
3. The Executive Committee will revoke membership if a member participates in an act prejudicial to the best interests of BVD/RMDS per due process.
APPOINTED COMMITTEES:
1. The Awards Chair shall be responsible for determining all winners based on year-end results provided by RMDS. Chair is also responsible for management of awards as directed by the club.
2. The Publicity Chair shall be responsible for the web site, newsletter and advertising as directed by the club.
3. The Education Chair shall be responsible for events and clinics as directed by the club.
4. The Show Chair shall plan, execute, and evaluate BVD horse shows as directed by the club.
AWARDS:
A. Requirements:
1. Awards may be earned only at competitions recognized by RMDS.
2. Owner, rider, and horse must be current members in good standing of RMDS and the rider must be a BVD member at the times the scores are accrued to count for year-end awards.
3. The median score will be based on a minimum of three (3) scores from a minimum of three (3) RMDS recognized shows, two (2) of which must also be USEF/USDF recognized; from three (3) different judges and three (3) different rides, two (2) of which must be from the highest test of the level. FEI levels and Freestyles will be based on a minimum of three (3) rides from a minimum of three (3) shows and three (3) different judges.
4. All Members are automatically eligible for Year-End Awards.
5. Scores obtained from RMDS will be recorded according to the RMDS Standing Rules, Rule V. Awards – Year- End, A.
Eligibility:
6. To be eligible for BVD Year-End Awards, Members must volunteer for a minimum of four (4) hours at any RMDS or BVD function and/or attend two (2 BVD meetings during the awards/competition year, October 1 – September 30.
B. Award Year:
The award competition year will be October 1 through September 30.
C. Computation:
1. Eligible scores will be recorded at each level.
2. The top 80% of all recorded scores will be used in calculating The median is the middle score when all scores are ranked from highest to lowest. For an even number of scores, the two middle scores are added together and divided by two.
D. Year-End Awards
1. Introductory Level through Grand Prix will use scores that are RMDS recognized shows, at least two (2) of which must also be USDF/USEF recognized. (See above – A. Requirements 3.)
2. Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons, along with Third through Eighth place ribbons, will be awarded in the A/A, JR/Young Rider and Open Divisions at each Level.
3. Keeper ribbons will also be awarded to all BVD “Special Awards” (Dressage Pony of the Year, Truska Valla Award, etc.) winners.
E. Perpetual Year-End Trophies for BVD
1.Trophies must be returned, clean and in good condition, as well as properly packaged in the provided container, by October 30th of the year to the BVD Awards Chair. If not returned, the member will no longer be in good standing.
2 Recipient or agent will be required to sign an acceptance of liability form at the banquet. 3. The winner, or their agent, must pick up all of their awards at the Awards Banquet, or arrange to pick up Awards from the BVD Awards Chair after the banquet.
Amended April 8, 2024
