Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association

Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules
(Revised January 21, 1995)

ARTICLE I 

SECTION 3:  MEETINGS:  The regular annual meeting of the members shall take place at a time and location set by the Board of Directors and shall be for the purpose of electing officers and directors as well as the transaction of other business.  Notice of the annual meeting shall be presented to each member by mail at least 30 days prior to said meeting date.

SECTION 4:  SPECIAL MEETINGS:  Special meetings of the members may be held at such time and place as designated by the President or a majority of the Board of Directors or by notice signed by not less than 20% of the members in good standing.

SECTION 5:  VOTING:  Payment of membership dues shall constitute voting rights.  Each member shall have one vote.  A majority vote of members present is necessary to pass resolutions at regular or special meetings.

SECTION 6:  BY-LAWS:  Consideration of changes in the Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association By-Laws shall require notification of the general membership.  The membership shall be notified of the meeting where the proposed changes are to be considered at least 30 days prior to said meeting.  Any changes require a majority vote of those members attending the meeting.

                                                                               ARTICLE III

SECTION 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The business of the Association shall be managed by the Board
of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall consist of five members elected each year, the three officers and the immediate past president.  The board will meet quarterly with at least 15 days noticed to be given before the meeting.  However, such notice may be waived by any director.  The Board of Directors may be polled on issued via the telephone and submit their vote in that manner:  however, All Directors must be polled in order for a measure to pass when relying on a telephone poll.  A copy of the meeting minutes shall be sent to each officer and director of the Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association.

SECTION 2:  OFFICERS:  Officers and duties shall be as follows:

            President:  to preside over all meetings of the association and to appoint any committees deemed
necessary for efficient operation.  To be eligible for election to serve as president of the association, one
must also be an elected director of the association.  The President will determine the time and location of
Board of Directors’ meetings.

            Vice President:  To assist the president and act for the president when the president is absent.

            Secretary-Treasurer:  To keep the minutes of the meetings, keep members informed of association
activities, keep the roster of memberships, keep financial records, and pay bills as directed by the Board
of Directors.

SECTION 3:  ELECTIONS:  A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President and will
consist of at least three board members who are not officers.  It will be the responsibility of the nominating committee to bring the nominations to the annual meeting.  Other nominations may also be made from the floor.

Ballots containing the committee recommendations, along with blanks for floor nominated candidates will be passed out for marking.  After marking and members signatures are on the ballot, the nominating committee will tally the votes.  The results of the vote count will be announced immediately and the new officers and directors will take office at that time.

                                                                             ARTICLE IV

SECTION 1:  AWARDS:

The Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association shall provide year-end awards in the amateur

division.  An exhibitor must have earned at least 10 state points in a given event to qualify for the year-end award for that event.  To be eligible for an award, a class must be offered in at least 40% of approved shows.

SECTION 2:  POINTS:  State points will be calculated in the same manner as that of the American Quarter Horse Association all-around points, and shall begin accumulating upon receipt of membership dues by the secretary of the Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association or show secretary.
SECTION 3:  State Points will only count for shows held on Saturday and Sunday, unless said show date coincides with an approved national holiday.  Approved holidays:  January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (but not the day after), and December 25.

                                                                RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.   An All-Around Amateur and Reserve All-Around Amateur award will be presented to the overall high point amateur and reserve amateur.  The exhibitor’ horse must have earned at least five state halter points to qualify for this award.

2.  An All-Around Novice Amateur and Reserve All-Around Novice Amateur award will be presented to the overall high point novice amateur and reserve novice amateur who has earned state points in at least three different novice events. 

3.  The Champion and Reserve Champion for each amateur class offered in the state shows will be recognized by the Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association with a year-end award providing that the winner of said award has earned at least 10 state points in that event.

4.  In the case of a tie for the championship year-end award, the honor of co-champion will be awarded only to the highest two point earners in that event, and there will be no reserve champion award for that

class.  In the event of a tie for reserve championship for a year-end award, the honor of co-reserve championship will be awarded to the two second highest point earners in that event.

5.  A special Amateur of The Year Award will be presented.  The selection committee is appointed by the President and consists of three members of The Alabama Amateur Quarter Horse Association.  This is a confidential committee, no one else knows the identity of the three members appointed by the President, Guidelines for the award are:  An amateur member who exhibits these three qualities:  Sportsmanship, Leadership and Friendship.

(Click to download ALAQHA By-Laws)