BYLAWS
OF
RACING HOME GREYHOUND ADOPTION
ADOPTED JUNE 30, 2004
![[Racing Home Greyhound Association Logo]](images/greyhoundlogo.gif)
BYLAWS
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Racing Home
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Racing Home Greyhound Adoption, hereinafter also known as RHGA, is organized as a non-profit, volunteer organization which is governed by a Board of Directors and voting members. All Greyhounds released to RHGA shall become the property of RHGA.
Our mission is to find homes for retired, racing greyhounds regardless of age or medical condition. We provide veterinary care and ongoing medication as needed. By placing them in a foster home as they come off the racetrack, we can provide food, shelter, training, loving and socialization to the dogs during their transition to an adoptive home. Once adopted, we provide continued support for the dog and the adoptive family to assure a successful fit. We will also accept any Greyhound into our program who can no longer be cared for by the adoptive family, regardless of reason.
Serving our local, statewide and nationwide communities, RHGA provides:
The principal office of RHGA will be located at 3514 West Charleston Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85308, or at such other address as may be designated by the Board.
The mailing address for RHGA will be:
RHGA may also conduct business at other locations within and without the State of Arizona, as may be designated from time to time by the Board, and the business of RHGA from such other locations will be transacted with the same effect as that conducted at the principal office.
The Board of Directors is composed of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All are voting members. All officers of the board are elected annually by vote of the voting membership. There shall be a verbal nomination and a verbal second. The individual so nominated must also accept the nomination. A show of hands vote will be cast and the majority will rule. The Board is responsible for setting the general policies and procedures of RHGA and for settling specific policy disputes among members. The Board is responsible for suggesting additions or deletions to the Bylaws of RHGA. The Board is responsible for appointing additional voting members as needed to perform various specific roles as directed by the board. These positions will include, but are not limited to, Adoption Coordinator, Foster Coordinator, Fund Raising Coordinator, Event Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Media Coordinator, Track Coordinator, and Website Coordinator. The Board may create or dissolve voting positions as needed.
Responsible for providing overall direction. Conducts membership meetings in a formal and expeditious manner. The president is authorized to make emergency decisions on behalf of the organization when the health, safety and welfare of a Greyhound is at stake.
Conducts all business of the organization in the absence of the President.
Records minutes of all meetings and distributes them to the members. The Secretary records attendance at meetings. The secretary coordinates the publication of a quarterly newsletter. The Secretary maintains the files of RHGA.
Responsible for the finances of the organization. This includes payment of bills and reimbursement of members for expenses incurred on behalf of RHGA. The Treasurer prepares a monthly financial statement, showing income and expenses, which should be presented at each general meeting. The Treasurer also prepares an annual financial report.
Receives applications from person(s) wishing to adopt a Greyhound; reviews all information submitted and makes a determination as to suitability. Coordinates the home visit and applicant interview to determine which Greyhound would be best suited to applicant. Coordinates transfer from foster home to adoptive home and completes adoption at the end of a two week trial period.
Arranges veterinary appointments for Greyhounds coming off the track, determines the best foster home placement for each Greyhound, prepares foster/adoption packet for each Greyhound, ensures that each Greyhound has a collar (with RHGA tag affixed), leash and muzzle, contacts all foster homes on a regular basis to assess progress of the Greyhounds; provides assistance and guidance to the foster home. Recruits new foster homes through flyers, posters, newsletters, classified ads, and pet oriented businesses.
Contacts persons who have volunteered to help RHGA, and after an orientation, determines what their particular interests are and refers the volunteers to the appropriate Coordinator or other member.
Oversees all fundraising activities and approves the purchase of any merchandise to be used for fundraising purposes.
Plans events, coordinates volunteer participation, and oversees all events with the intent of showcasing the Greyhounds and educating the public about them.
Works closely with the Event Coordinator and Fundraising Coordinator to arrange print, audio or video coverage of events and activities.
Works with the Greyhound Owners at the track and arranges for the release of dogs to RHGA. Provides any available background information for each Greyhound.
Manages the Website, ensures that all information is added, updated and deleted in a timely manner.
Membership is open to all persons interested in Greyhounds. There are two types of membership:
Voting Members: Officers and Voting Members as outlined in Article V. Voting Members must have attended four meetings per year and donated 120 hours of volunteer time per year.
Non-Voting Members: Any person who has a Greyhound, whether it be adopted through RHGA or not, or who is interested in Greyhounds.
Board meetings shall be called by the Board of Directors as needed, but at least quarterly. Board meetings are open to the membership of RHGA in accordance with the Open Meeting Law of the State of Arizona. The date, time and location shall be determined by the Board and announced by the Secretary.
Special meetings of the membership may be called by the President or a petition of 25% of the voting membership.
Voting: All Officer and Voting Members shall have one vote. Votes must be cast in person or via e-mail with prior approval.
RHGA has established detailed Policies and Procedures for the following:
The Board of Directors may revise and amend these Policies and Procedures from time to time. Such revision or amendment requires a majority vote of all voting members of the Board.
The Board of Directors may also establish additional Policies or delete current Policies and Procedures from time to time. Such action requires a majority vote of all voting members of the Board.
All written communication, plans, manuals, and all related documents are the property of RHGA. In the event a volunteer or Board Member resigns or does not seek re-election, the files are to be turned over to the Secretary.
Whenever a volunteer obtains an asset (i.e. crate, telephone, fax machine, etc.) the volunteer will sign a form indicating he/she has received the asset. The "Asset Borrowed Form" should be returned to the Treasurer, who will maintain a file of all assets held by RHGA volunteers. If/when a volunteer resigns, the property must be returned to RHGA within ten (10) days, unless arrangements have been made in writing. When the property is returned, the Treasurer will make a notation on the "Asset Borrowed Form" stating that said asset was returned. One copy of the form will be sent to the volunteer and one will remain in the Treasurer's file.
Any property not returned within ten (10) days, or other reasonable time frame established by the Board of Directors will result in RHGA seeking payment in full for the asset not returned, which may result in legal proceedings if the individual refuses to pay for or return the asset(s).
Any communication that is placed on RHGA letterhead MUST be approved by the President, or a majority of the Board Members, prior to being distributed in any manner (includes mail, fax, modem).
No deviation or re-design of the RHGA letterhead or logo may be used, and the RHGA letterhead may not be scanned into any computer program to be used in communication without the expressed permission of the Board.
A Newsletter will be published quarterly. Advertisements may be solicited. A "Dogs Available" will be included as needed. The content of the Newsletter is up to the Secretary, but should be reviewed by at least one other Board Member and the President. Additional Newsletters are occasionally published when there is an over-abundance of dogs in the program, when financial resources have been severely depleted, or news of interest to members needs to be known in a timely manner.
All expenditures other than veterinary care over $50.00 require the approval of a member of the Board.
Payment of veterinary expenses is first priority. All veterinary procedures beyond routine must be approved by a Foster Coordinator or designee prior to treatment of the Greyhound. All veterinary bills for which there are receipts which are routine and have been pre-authorized by the Foster Coordinator will be reimbursed in full by RHGA.
The Treasurer will pay all veterinary invoices promptly.
Long distance telephone charges will be reimbursed on a limited basis. Certain volunteer positions, as determined by the Board of Directors, will have all documented calls reimbursed monthly or as funds are available.
Original receipts are required for all boarding, veterinary expenses, microchipping, grooming, etc. No reimbursement will be approved without a receipt. Reimbursement is made on a monthly basis.
All request for personal reimbursement shall be made on a "Request for Reimbursement Form". The receipt will be attached.
RHGA adoption fees will be determined by the Board of Directors and may be adjusted by majority vote of the Board.
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by a majority vote of the members in attendance at a membership meeting. Notification of the membership will be made by mail or e-mail of any proposed changes to these Bylaws at least 15 days in advance of the membership meeting.
The Board may propose changes or additions to these Bylaws by a majority vote. The Board must then notify the membership in writing prior to the next membership meeting of said proposed changes or additions. A majority vote of the members in attendance shall be needed to approve any changes or additions.
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am the duly-elected and acting President of Racing Home Greyhound Adoption, an Arizona non-profit organization, and that the foregoing constitutes the Bylaws of said organization as adopted by the Board of Directors thereof, on June 30, 2004.
