CONSTITUTION OF THE OHIO COUNTY DOG WARDENS’ ASSOCIATION
Passed by two thirds (2/3) of the vote at the December 5, 2016 meeting.

ARTICLE I –BASIS OF ORGANIZATION

Section 1
This  corporation  shall  be  known  as  the  Ohio  County  Dog  Wardens’  Association  and  hereafter  is referred to as the “Association”.

Section 2
The  Association’s Executive Board and  members  shall  comply  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States, the State of Ohio, and all local ordinances in the performance of their duties for the Association.

Section 3
The Association shall forever remain a nonprofit organization and shall be incorporated in the State of Ohio.

Section 4
The Association’s name, or the name of any person in their official capacity within the Association, shall not be used in connection with any position or commercial interest or in any manner not related to the promotion of the Association’s objectives.

Section 5
The Association shall be recognized as non-discriminating against sex, race or religion.


ARTICLE II –OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE

Section 1
To promote effective, efficient and humane dog control programs for the health and safety of the public and their companion animals.

Section 2
Improve, promote, and obtain education, training, benefits, equipment, and adequate facilities for Dog Wardens and staff.

Section 3
Develop  professional  standards  and promote  certification  procedures for  Dog Wardens,  Deputies and Shelter  personnel  and  to  advance  the  health,  comfort,  morale,  and  welfare  of  all  Dog  Wardens,  their staff, and the communities they serve.

Section 4
Provide  liaison  with  other  organizations  and  groups  having  related  interests,  and  to  exchange information regarding animal control programs.

Section 5
Educate  the  public  of  dog  ownership  responsibilities,  and  promote  the  public’s  understanding  and cooperation with dog control programs.

Section 6
Provide  expertise  and  guidance  pertaining  to  dog  control  issues  to  officials  at  state,  county,  and  city levels of government while promoting justice and equality in the enforcement of dog control laws.

Section 7
Assist  and  appear  before  legislative  bodies  for  the  purpose  of  giving  professional  opinions  regarding existing  and  proposed  legislation  pertaining  to  dog  control  functions.  Proactively  seek  passage  of legislation that would advance the objectives and purposes of the Association.


ARTICLE III –MEMBERSHIP

Section 1
The  classes  of  membership  shall  be  (A)  Regular,  (B) Associate,  (C)  Honorary,  and  (D)  Corporate.Prospective members of either class shall meet the requirements identified under Article IV Sections 2 through 4 and those identified below:

(A) Regular Members
All Chief Ohio County Dog Wardens and Ohio Sheriffs appointed by a Board of County Commissioners as the County Dog Warden are eligible for regular membership.

(B) Associate Members
All  Deputy  Wardens  and  support  staff  of an Ohio  County  Dog Warden department, Ohio animal care/control officers, Ohio humane agents/cruelty investigators, Ohio sheriff’s deputies and Ohio police officers are eligible for associate membership.(

C) Honorary Members
Any Regular or Associate Member that has retired, in good standing, in accordance with Ohio PERS or PERS LE service credit qualifications in effect at the time of their retirement and that meets one of the following service credit requirements:

(1) Retired with full service credits.

(2) Retired with less than full service credits and are nominated for honorary membership by a Regular Member of the Association and approved by the Executive Board.

(D) Corporate Members
All  companies  and  organizations  whose  products  and  services  may  be  utilized  by  the  Association  or Association members’ departments are eligible for Corporate Membership.

Section 2–Privileges of Membership
All members shall be entitled to the Association’s email updates and to attend the Association’s Executive Board Meetings, Regular Meetings and trainings.

(A) Regular Members
Shall  receive all  benefits  of  the  Association’s affiliation  with  the  County  Commissioners  Association  of Ohio, and shall be entitled to one (1) vote on matters pertaining to the Association and Executive Board elections.Regular Members are entitled to hold office on the Executive Board of the Association.

(B) Associate Members
Shall only be  entitled  to  one  (1)  vote  for  election  of an Associate Director.Only  Associate  Members may nominate and elect the Associate Director.

(C) Honorary Members
Shall be entitled to a lifetime Association membership and are exempt from Association dues.

(D) Corporate Members
Shall  be  provided  with  promotional  opportunities  at  the  Association’s Regular  Meetings and  shall  be recognized on the Association website.

Section 3 –Members In Good Standing
Active members who have paid their dues, in accordance with Article IV Sections 2 through 4,for the fiscal year shall be in good standing with the Association.

Section 4 – Expulsion
The  Executive  Board  may  recommend  the  expulsion  of  any  member  for  any  conduct,  which  detracts from  the  dignity  or  impairs  the  good  name  of  the  Association,  or  is  likely  to  endanger  the  welfare, interest or character of the Association. Such expulsion shall require a simple majority of votes cast by the Executive Board present at any Regular or Executive Board Meeting. An expelled member has the right to appeal such action, and may request a hearing before the Executive Board at the next Regular Meeting. An appeal must be submitted in writing within thirty (30) days of the expulsion.


ARTICLE IV –FINANCIAL

Section 1 – Fiscal Year
The Association shall have a fiscal year running from January 1st to December 31st.

Section 2 – Dues
The  dues  of Regular, Associate and Corporate  Members shall  be  recommended  by  the Executive Board and  approved  by  a  two-thirds  (2/3)  vote  of  the  members  present at any  Regular  Meeting provided at least thirty (30) days’ notice of said vote has been given to the Association members via e-mail, mail, the Association website or other distribution.

Section 3– Payment of Dues
Dues shall be payable on or before March 1stof each calendar year. No member shall be permitted to exercise  any  right  or privilege of  membership  while  his/her dues are delinquent.  Nonpayment of dues by April 1st shall result in the member being dropped from the membership roster.

Section 4 – Delinquent Payment of Dues
Dues paid after April 1stwill reinstate members’ rights and privileges of membership, but may be cause to exclude members’ affiliationwith the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.

Section 5–Transferring Membership
Membership may be transferred to a person other than the original applicant, in accordance with Article III Section 1,due to changes in personnel.

Section 6–Training Fund
Fifty percent of each year’s dues collection may be placed in an interest bearing account to be known as the Educational Program and Training Fund. The collection of the fifty percent of each year’s dues shall  be  suspended  when  the  amount  in  the  fund  reaches  fifty  percent  of  the  Association’s  year-end proceeds. Whenever the dollar amount in the fund is below the cap, the disbursement percentage shall be  reinstated  until  the  amount  in  the fund  reaches  the  cap.  The  Executive  Board  shall  establish  an Educational  Program  and  Training  Fund  budget  for  the  upcoming  year  not  to  exceed  the  cap.  The annual  training budget  may  include  separate  but equal  disbursements  to  the four  regions  of the  state for purposes stated in Article II Section 3.


ARTICLE V –OFFICERS

Section 1
The Officers of the Association shall be nominated and elected by Regular Members of the Association at the December Regular Meeting of the Association and shall take office at the first Executive Board Meeting the following year.

Section 2
The Officers of the Association shall consist of the Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, and  Treasurer.  Each Officer may  appoint  one  (1)  member  in  good  standing  to  serve  on  the Association’s Training Committee.

Section 3
All persons nominated or appointed as an Association Officer shall be a member in good standing, in accordance with Article III Section 3. Nominations or appointments for members in good standing that
have  been  members for  less  than  one  (1)  year  require  Executive  Board  approval  by  vote prior  to  the nomination or appointment.

Section 4
Term of office shall be two (2) years for the Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The term shall coincide with the Ohio General Assembly’s two-year legislative cycle.

Section 5
No  member  shall  serve  more  than  two  consecutive  terms  as Past  President,  President,  Vice  President, Secretary  or  Treasurer  unless  completing  the  remainder  of  an  appointed  term  or  unless  no  other candidates are running for the same office.


ARTICLE VI –BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1
The Northwest,  Northeast,  Southwest  and  Southeast Board  of  Directors  of the Association shall  be nominated and elected  by  the Regular  Members of  the  Association.  The  Associate  Director  shall only be nominated and elected by the Associate Members of the Association. All elections shall be held at the December Regular Meeting and shall take office at the first Executive Board Meeting the following year.

Section 2
All  persons nominated  or appointed  to  the Board  of  Directors  shall  be a member  in good  standing,  in accordance with Article III Section 3. 

Section 3
The  Board  of  Directors  shall  consist  of five (5)  members.  The  following  constituencies  are  each afforded one director:

Northwest Director
Allen,  Auglaize,  Crawford,  Defiance,  Fulton,  Hancock,  Hardin,  Henry,  Logan,  Lucas,  Marion,  Mercer, Morrow,  Ottawa,  Paulding,  Putnam,  Sandusky,  Seneca,  Shelby,  Van  Wert,  Williams,  Wood,  and Wyandot counties.

Northeast Director
Ashland,  Ashtabula,  Carroll,  Columbiana,  Coshocton,  Cuyahoga,  Erie,  Geauga,  Harrison,  Holmes, Huron, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne Counties.

Southwest Director
Adams,  Brown,  Butler,  Champaign,  Clark,  Clermont,  Clinton,  Darke,  Delaware,  Franklin,  Fayette, Greene,  Hamilton,  Highland,  Madison,  Miami,  Montgomery,  Pickaway,  Pike,  Preble,  Ross,  Scioto, Union, and Warren counties.

Southeast Director
Athens,  Belmont,  Fairfield,  Gallia,  Guernsey,  Hocking,  Jackson,  Lawrence,  Licking,  Meigs,  Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Vinton and Washington counties.

Associate Director
Represents  all  Associate  Members  of  the  Association. One  (1)  Associate  Director  shall  serve  on  the Board  of  Directors  and  shall only be  nominated  and  elected  by  the  Associate  Members  of  the Association.

Section 4
Term  of  office  shall  be  two  (2)  years for  Northwest,  Northeast,  Southwest,  Southeast  and  Associate Directors.  Southwest  and  Northeast  Directors  will  begin  their  terms  in  the  even  number  years. Northwest, Southeast and the Associate Directors will begin their terms in the odd number years.

Section 5
No  member  shall  serve  more  than  two  consecutive  terms  as Northwest  Director,  Northeast  Director, Southwest  Director, Southeast  Director or  Associate  Director unless  completing  the  remainder  of  an appointed term or unless no other candidates are running for the same office.


ARTICLE VII –DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 – Executive Board
The Officers and the Board of Directors of the Association shall be collectively known as the Executive Board.

Section 2 –Past President
The Past President will serve as the chairperson of the Nominating Committee. He/she will serve as an advisor  on  matters  and  procedures  for  the  Association.  He/she  shall  act  as  the  Association’s parliamentarian and ombudsman. He/she shall assume all of the duties of the President in the event of death, absence, inability to act or vacancies in both the President and Vice President positions. He/she while acting  as  President  shall  appoint  members,  in  accordance  with  Article  III  Section  1,  Article  V Section  3,  and  Article  VI  Section  2,  to  fill  vacancies  in  the Executive  Board.  The  appointments  shall remain in effect until the next regular election.

Section 3 – President
The President shall be the chairperson of the Executive Board and shall be the presiding officer of the Association.  He/she  shall  see  that  all provisions  of  the Constitution are  enforced.  He/she  shall  be responsible  for  the  prompt  execution  of  all  resolutions  and  orders  adopted  by  the  Association.  Other duties include  the  deliverance  and  submission  of  an  annual  written  report  at the  December  Regular Meeting pertaining  to  the  goals  and  accomplishments  of  the  Association,  acting  on  behalf  of  the Association  with  the  consent  of  the Executive Board,  establishing  committees  with  the  input  and consent  of  the Executive Board and  serving as  the Association’s  liaison  with  other  organizations. The President,  in  accordance  with  Article  III  Section  1,  Article  V  Section  3,  and  Article  VI  Section  2,  shall appoint members to fill vacancies in the Executive Board. The appointments shall remain in effect until the next regular election.

Section 4 – Vice President
The Vice  President shall  serve  as  the  chairperson  of  the Training Committee.  He/she  shall  acquaint himself/herself  with  all  activities  of  the  Association  while  assisting  the  President  in  the  execution  of
such. He/she shall assume all of the duties of the President in the event of death, absence,inability to actor vacancy in the President position. 

Section 5 – Secretary
The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of all Regular and Executive Board Meetings of  the  Association  and  shall  maintain  a  permanent  record  of  such  proceedings  including  a  record  of attendance.  He/she  shall  provide  all  members  with  copies  of  minutes  from all  Regular  and  Executive Board Meetings. He/she shall maintain both an updated email and regular mailing list and membership roster. He/she shall attend to all necessary correspondence on behalf of the Association and maintain records of all such correspondence.  He/she shall assume all of the duties of the President in the event of  death,  absence,  inability  to  act  or  vacancies  in  the  President,  Vice  President  and  Past  President positions.  He/she  while  acting  as  President  shall  appoint  members,  in  accordance  with  Article  III Section  1,  Article  V  Section  3,  and  Article  VI  Section  2,  to  fill  vacancies  in  the Executive  Board.  The appointments shall remain in effect until the next regular election.

Section 6 –Treasurer
The  treasurer  shall  have  the  charge  and  custody  of  the  financial  records of  the  Association.  He/she shall  be  responsible  for  all  funds  of  the  Association,  for  depositing all  monies in  the  name  of  the Association,  collecting  dues  from  membership  and  maintaining  a  roster  of  all  members  of  the Association in  collaboration  with  the  Secretary,  and  collecting  there venues  owed  to  the  Association.  He/she  shall  disperse funds for  authorized  purposes,  and pay all  current bills.  He/she  shall  present  a Treasurer’s  report  at  Executive Board Meetings and  submit an  annual written  report at  the December Regular  Meeting.   A  detailed  year-end  statement  is  to  be prepared  and distributed  to  all  members  by the 31st of January following each fiscal year.He/she shall assume all of the duties of the President in the  event  of  death,  absence,  inability  to  act  or  vacancies  in  the  President,  Vice  President,  Past President  and  Secretary  positions.  He/she  while  acting  as  President  shall  appoint  members,  in accordance with Article III Section 1, Article V Section 3, and Article VI Section 2, to fill vacancies in the Executive Board. The appointments shall remain in effect until the next regular election.

Section 7–Board of Directors
The Board of  Directors’ duties  shall  consist  of  representing  the  members of  their  constituencies, planning,  promoting  and  arranging  for  meetings,  trainings or  educational  functions,  presiding  at  such meetings, facilitate  retaining  and  recruitment  of  members in  the  Association,  and  furthering  the  goals and objectives of the Association.The Board of Directors shall submit an annual written report on the state of affairs at the December Regular Meeting.

Section 8–Quorum
For  the purposes  of  transacting  official  business,  a  quorum  of  the  Executive Board  shall  consist of at least six (6)members of the Executive Board present.

Section 9 – Vacancies
Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Directors occurs, the President shall appoint, in accordance with Article III Section 1, Article V Section 3, and Article VI Section 2,a member in good standing from that constituency  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Board.  Whenever  a  vacancy  in in  the  Officers occurs,the  President  shall  appoint,  in  accordance  with  Article  III  Section  1,  Article  V  Section  3,  and Article  VI  Section  2, a member  in  good  standing subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Board.  An appointment to the office of Past President must be a Past President from the Association or the office shall remain vacant until it can be filled by a Past President from the Association.

Section 10 – Removal From Office
In  the  event  that  any  Executive  Board  member  shall  miss three  (3)consecutive Regular  Meetings at which he or she was not represented by an alternate appointed in writing or via email submitted to the Executive  Board  in  advance  of  the  meeting,  the  President may declare  the  position  vacant  and  shall appoint, in accordance with Article III Section 1, Article V Section 3, and Article VI Section 2,with the approval  of  the  remaining  members  of  the  Executive  Board,  a member  in  good  standing to  complete the term of office as stipulated in Article III. A removed member of the Executive Board has the right to appeal such action, and may request a hearing before the Executive Board at the next Regular Meeting of the Association. An appeal must be submitted in writing within thirty (30) days of removal.

Section 11 – Records
All  records,  reports,  correspondence,  etc.  are  to  be  considered  property  of  the  Association  and relinquished to the President upon leaving any office.

Section 12 – Board Expenses
All Executive Board Officers, meaning Past President, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors shall be provided lodging,training and conference costs. Benefits shall be paid directly  to  vendor  or  site  by  the  Treasurer. No  cash  benefit  shall  be  received  by any  member  of  the Executive  Board.The President  may  request  Executive  Board  members  to  attend  special  Board meetings to inspect pre-conference sites. Executive Board members may decline from this section.


ARTICLE VIII –ELECTION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1
The  election  of  the  Executive  Board  shall  take  place  at  the December  Regular  Meeting of  the Association and will fill those positions which are vacant or expiring due to term limits.

Section 2
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Past President, consisting of three (3) members in good  standing and  shall  seek  qualified  candidates  for  vacant  offices.  Nominees  for  such  vacancies shall be members in good standing.

Section 3
The Nominating Committee shall submit at least two nominations for each office at the meeting of the Association. All  nominations for  Board  of  Directors shall  be  submitted  from  a  majority  of  the constituencies’ current members. In the absence of more than one nomination, a write-in blank will be provided on the ballot. Proposed candidates shall submit letters of intent to the Nominating Committee. Motions for nominations shall also be accepted from the floor, and must have a second.

Section 4
A Simple majority of those members present and voting shall be decisive.Section 5The  chairperson  of  the Nominating  Committee shall  organize  and  preside  over  all  details  of  the election, and  supervise  the  voting and  tabulation  of  ballots.  The Nominating  Committee shall  tabulate the ballots, announce the new Officers, and make a written record for the Association’s official records.


ARTICLE IX –MEETINGS

Section 1 - Executive Board Meetings
The   Executive   Board   shall   conduct   monthly   Executive   Board Meetings either   in   person,   via teleconference  or  video conference. Each  Executive  Board Meeting shall  be  held consecutively  to  the
Regular Meetings of the Association. All Association members are permitted to attend Executive Board Meetings.  The  Executive  Board  may  enter  Executive  Session during  Executive  Board  Meetings.  Only Executive  Board  Members  and  their  designees,  as  related  to  the  topic  to  be  discussed, may  preside during Executive  Session. Executive Session  shall  not  persist for  more than fifty  percent  (50%)  of the scheduled  meeting. The  President  may  cancel  Executive  Board  Meetings  due  to  inclement  weather, conflicting events, and lack of quorum or for other legitimate reasons but may not cancel more than six(6) Executive Board Meetings annually. A minimum of four (4) Executive Board Meetings shall be held in person.

Section 2–Regular Meetings
The  Executive  Board  shall  conduct  monthly  Regular  Meetings  either  in  person,  via  teleconference  or video conference.  The  President  may  cancel  Regular  Meetings  due  to  inclement  weather,  conflicting events or for other legitimate reasons but may not cancel more than six (6) Regular Meetings annually. A  minimum  of  four  (4)  Regular  Meetings  shall  be  held  in  person. The  Association  shall  conduct business at its Regular Meetings without regard to the number of members present. A simple majority of those members present and voting shall be decisive.

Section 3
The rules of order as contained in Roberts Rules of Order, current edition, shall govern this Association except when inconsistent with the Constitution of the Association.

Section 4
Association elections, training and professional development will be the primary focus of the December Regular Meeting.

Section 5
A  Special  Executive  Board Meeting may  be  called  by  the  President,  two  members  of  the Executive Board,  or  three Regular  Members of  the Association.  A  written  request  for  such  meeting  must  be received by the Secretary at least fourteen (14) days before the requested meeting date. The request shall state the exact purpose of the meeting and shall be the only topic discussed. The Secretary shall submit a  meeting  notice to  the Executive Board Members at least ten (10)  days before  the  requested meeting date. The meeting notice shall include a copy of the written request for this meeting and state the date, time and place where the meeting will be held.

Section 6
An  emergency  meeting  may  be  called  by  any Regular  Member of  the  Association. An  emergency meeting shall only be called if there is a national, regional or local disaster where the welfare of animals is threatened. Section 7 time requirement waived.

Section 7
Except as otherwise prescribed the notice of the time, location, and agenda of the Association related meetings shall be given to each member either via e-mail, mailed to the address as listed on the roster of membership maintained by the Secretary or posted to the Association website at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting date. 


ARTICLE X –AMENDMENTS

Section 1
Amendments to this Constitution may be made at a Regular Meeting of the Association by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the Regular Members present. Such amendments, however, shall have been submitted to the  Secretary  of  this  Association  at  least thirty(30)  days  prior  to the meeting date and  the  Secretary shall  send  a  copy  of  such  proposed  amendments and  notice  of  the  proposed  meeting  purpose,  date and time to each member of the Association thirty (30) days prior to the Regular Meeting at which said amendments shall be voted on.