The Constitution outlines the rules by which ANDDA is run. It can only be changed by a 2/3 vote of the membership. The Bylaws are procedures and can be changed by the Board.

CONSTITUTION

of the

American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association Inc.

PREAMBLE

For the purpose of developing and promoting the Nigerian Dwarf breed as a dairy goat and of cooperating with all other organizations promoting dairy goats in general, we, the members of the American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association, do hereby adopt this Constitution as the fundamental law of the American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association.

ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association (ANDDA).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

Section 1: The purpose of this Association, which is to operate exclusively as a non-profit organization, is to promote and ensure the continued vitality of the Nigerian Dwarf goat as a true miniature dairy breed by:

Seeking recognition equivalent to that bestowed on the standard-sized dairy breeds.

Serving as the national Nigerian Dwarf goat breed association that represents Nigerian Dwarf goat breeders to multi-breed dairy goat registries.

Increasing breeders’ understanding of dairy goat management and conformation.

Encouraging closer fellowship among the Members through meetings, correspondence and the circulation of useful information, news and ideas.

Promoting the use of goat products, including, but not limited to, milk and milk products.

Cooperating with other organizations in the development of the dairy goat industry in general.

ARTICLE III - LOCATION

Section 1 - Offices: The home office of this organization shall be the address of the Secretary-Treasurer, or as otherwise specified by the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Territory of operations: Territory of operations shall be the United States and Canada, plus other areas as shall request service.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Qualifications: Any individual, family unit, firm or corporation interested in the promotion, breeding or sale of the Nigerian Dwarf goat, or in the dairy goat industry, may become a Member upon making proper application.

Section 2 - Applications: Applications for membership shall be presented to the Secretary-Treasurer and shall be accompanied by the annual dues.

Section 3 - Dues: Annual dues shall be set by the Board of Directors as needed to run the organization.

Section 4 - Membership Year: The membership year shall run from January 1 to December 31. Dues of members unpaid on March 31 shall be considered in arrears, and membership shall lapse.

Section 5 - Voting: A member must be in good standing for at least ninety (90) days (based on the closing date of the election), in order to be eligible to vote.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 - Board Membership: (Revised September 2008) The Board of Directors shall consist of seven (7) directors: the President,Vice President, one (1) Director-at-Large, and four (4) District Directors,two (2) from each of the two (2) districts. No individual may hold more than one such position.

Section 2 - Qualifications: An individual Member, in good standing for at least 90 days and at least 18 years of age, shall be eligible to run for and/or serve on the Board of Directors. In order to avoid potential conflicts of interest, a Director may not serve as an officer or director of another national Nigerian Dwarf goat breed-specific organization (registry, association or club) during his/her ANDDA term. In addition, no salaried officer or paid employee of ANDDA shall be eligible to hold a position on the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Elections: The President, Vice President and Director-at-Large shall be elected by postal ballot of the entire membership. District Directors shall reside in their respective districts. (See Article XV for exception.) District Directors shall be elected by postal ballot of Members residing in their respective districts.

Section 4 - Terms of Office: The term of office for all elected positions to the Board of Directors, shall be for two years. During the first year of this Constitution, the Director-at-Large, and the District Director from each district elected with the lower number of votes, shall have a term of one year.

Section 5 - Duties of the Board: The Board of Directors shall:

Have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal and enforce Bylaws not contrary to law, or this Constitution, that it deems necessary, concerning the conduct, management and activities of this Association, all, however, subject to revisions or amendment by the Members under the procedure as follows:

Under petition to the Secretary-Treasurer, by no less than twenty (20) members or twenty percent (20%) of the membership as of March 31, whichever is less, the proposal to revise or amend action of the Board of Directors shall be submitted to the Members by mail by the Secretary-Treasurer in the next newsletter, provided that mailing occurs within ninety (90) days of the receipt of said petition. Otherwise a special mailing must occur.

The voting shall be closed (marked ballots received by the Secretary-Treasurer or other individual as appointed by the Board of Directors) thirty (30) days after the referendum has been mailed to the Members.

Within fifteen (15) days following the close of voting, the tabulation is to be completed and the results declared by the President. The referendum shall become eligible when a favorable vote by two-thirds (2/3) has been obtained.

The petition must be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer within twelve (12) months from the date of the board action.

Report all decisions and actions to the membership via the next newsletter following action or by a special mailing if a there is no newsletter within ninety (90) days of the action.

Establish a two-year balanced budget after the election of new officers and in time for publication in the newsletter following the election.

Serve on behalf of, and act for, the membership on matters pertaining to the Association.

Approve Presidential appointments to standing and special committees, and other appointments deemed necessary for the Association to carry out its Purpose as outlined in this Constitution.

ARTICLE VI - ELECTIONS (Revised September 2008)

Section 1 - Nominations: The Board of Directors shall no later than February 1 of each year appoint an Election Committee which shall includeand be chaired by a Director that is not up for re-election. This committee will be responsible for seeking at least one nomination for each Director and Officer position to be filled according to the policy and procedures adopted by the Board. Opening of nominations will be announced to the membership and the membership shall be given an opportunity to submit nominations to theCommittee by whatever means are available (mail, email, phone, or other means). The Committee will confirm that the nominee is willing to serve. All nominees that have confirmed their willingness to serve will be included on the ballot. No individual may be nominated for more than one position. If an individual is nominated for more than one position, they may choose which position they wish to be considered for. Nominations will close on May 1.

The Election Committee shall ensure that the ballot is prepared in accordance with the procedure determined by the Board of Directors and provided to the membership as soon as possible after nominations close.There will be no provision for write in candidates. Balloting will close (must be received by the Election Chairperson or other individual as determined by the Election committee and approved by the Board of Directors) on June 15. The Election Chairperson, or designee as determined by the Board, will tabulate the results and notify the Board of Directors. Elected members will take office on July 1 or when the electionis closed.

If deadlines are missed, the election process will be followed as close to the defined dates as possible. Sitting members shall remain in
office until the new election is completed.

If no candidate can be secured, the Board may at any time after the election appoint someone to the position to serve until the next election.

Section 2 - Election: A ballot listing the candidates for each position is to be mailed no later than May 15 to all eligible Members. Balloting will close (must be received by the Election Chairperson or other individual as determined by the Election committee and approved by the Board of Directors) on June 15. The Election Chairperson will tabulate the results and notify the Board of Directors, the candidates, the Newsletter Editor and the Secretary-Treasurer by June 20.

Section 3 - Commencement of Office: Newly elected Officers and Directors shall begin their term of office on July 1 and shall hold office for two years. (Except as noted in Article V, Section 4.)

Section 4 - Vacancies: With the exception of the President, whose duties would be assumed by the Vice President, any vacancy on the Board of Directors with a remaining term of over 1 year shall be filled by a special election within sixty (60) days of the vacancy. Positions vacated with a remaining term of one year or less shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, within thirty (30) days of the vacancy.

ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS

Section 1 - President: The President shall be responsible for:

Maintaining a general oversight of the affairs of the Association.

Presiding at all meetings of this Association and of the Board of Directors.

Appointing, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, the chairperson and members of all committees, and making other appointments deemed necessary for meeting the Purpose as outlined in this Constitution.

Seeing that all committees are functioning properly and the reports are received in a timely manner.

Serving as an ex-officio member of all committees of this Association.

Serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 2 - Vice President: The Vice President shall:

Perform the duties of the President in the absence, inability or failure (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the President to act, or upon request from the President.

Serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Secretary-Treasurer: The Secretary-Treasurer shall:

Be appointed, by the Board of Directors, to a term of three years, renewable at the end of the term. This appointment shall have the force of a contract, which may be broken only if:

The Secretary-Treasurer, as determined by the Board of Directors, fails to perform the duties of the office as prescribed in this Constitution and Bylaws.

The Secretary-Treasurer voluntarily resigns. In this case, the Secretary-Treasurer will be asked to hold office for no more than ninety (90) days while a successor is chosen.

The Secretary-Treasurer and the Board of Directors mutually agree to void the appointment.

Be the corresponding and recording officer of the Association and shall:

Keep a record of all memberships.

Collect all revenue due the Association and disperse any obligations of the Association and provide a detailed accounting of those transactions to the Board of Directors and Newsletter Editor on a quarterly basis.

Issue all notices of meetings.

Prepare an annual report, to be presented at the annual meeting and published in the newsletter, to include but not be limited to, the number of memberships in the Association, a summary of all financial transactions for the fiscal year, the results of the audit and a complete inventory of property of the Association.

Perform other duties that are incidental to the position or as directed by the Board of Directors.

Prepare detailed minutes of all business meetings, including how each member of the Board of Directors has voted on all motions, and shall:

Enter these minutes in a well-bound book as a permanent record.

Exercise due diligence in preparing the minutes so that they may be correct in every detail, as far as possible.

Send a condensed form of the minutes, including a summary of all action by the Board of Directors, to the Newsletter Editor for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Prepare copies of the detailed minutes for distribution, at no charge, to all Members requesting the same.

Arrange for an audit, by a Certified Public Accountant or by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, of all accounts and financial records of the Association.

Not obligate the Association for any accounts, contracts or indebtedness except by action of the Board of Directors.

Maintain a permanent file of all minutes and financial records of the Association, and shall pass said files intact to his/her successor.

Be bonded if requested by the Board of Directors. The Association shall pay any bonding fees.

ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Revised March, 2010)

Section 1 - Regular Meetings (ongoing meetings) :
On-going business will be conducted through Internet discussion mailings or via other Internet-based communication applications. While normal meeting procedures and rules will be used in regard to quorums, votes, and motions, these meetings will not be "called to order" nor "adjourned." In some special emergency situations, the on-going meeting may be adjourned, with a specific date/time set for a new call to order.

Section 2 - Special Meetings: The Board may elect to have a face-to-face meeting annually. Whenever possible, this meeting will be held at a national event such as the ADGA Convention.

Section 3 Quorum for Meetings
A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the members of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or provisions of law, no business shall be considered by the Board at any meeting at which the required quorum is not present. In the case of online meetings, members shall be deemed to be present unless they have notified the Board of Directors or the President, of their absence.

Section 4 - Conduct of Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the President, or in his or her absence, the Vice President, or in the absence of each of these persons, by a Chairperson chosen by a majority of the Directors present at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the Board, provided that in his or her absence, the presiding officer shall appoint another person to act as Secretary of the Meeting. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Board of Directors in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any other special rules the Board may adopt. The issue in all voting of the Board of Directors shall be determined by a simple majority of the votes cast.

Section 5 - Action Without Meeting
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board, individually or collectively, consent in writing to that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors. Notice of such written consent or consents will be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the next subsequent meeting of the Board.

ARTICLE IX - MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

Section 1 - Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the Members shall be held each calendar year at such time and place as the Board of Directors shall designate. Notice of annual meetings shall be sent to each Member at least thirty (30) days in advance. In the event the Board of Directors does not on or before January 1 of each year designate a time and place for the annual meeting to be held, the President shall designate a time and place therefore.

Section 2 - Proxy Vote: The newsletter preceding the annual meeting shall contain a proxy vote for use at the annual meeting by those Members unable to attend.

Section 3 - Quorum: Ten percent (10%) of the membership as of March 31 or ten (10) Members, whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of Members.

ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES/SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

Section 1: The President, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, shall create, and appoint members to, those standing and special committees and make other special appointments as deemed necessary for the Association to achieve the Purpose as outlined in this Constitution.

ARTICLE XI - CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 1 - Petition: To amend the constitution, a petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the membership as of March 31 or twenty (20) Members, whichever is less, or by three (3) members of the Board of Directors, must be submitted to the Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 2 - Balloting: The Secretary-Treasurer shall prepare and mail, within thirty (30) days from receipt of the petition to amend, to all Members eligible to vote, a ballot containing the proposed amendment(s) as well as a brief description of the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating the amendment(s). Voting shall close (all votes received) thirty (30) days following the postmark of the mailing of the ballots. The ballots are to be received by the Secretary-Treasurer, or other person as designated by the Board of Directors. The results of the balloting are to be included in the next newsletter.

Section 3 - Amending the Constitution: In order to successfully amend the Constitution, a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of all votes cast is required. All constitutional amendments are effective upon adoption, unless the amendment states otherwise.

ARTICLE XII - REDISTRICTING

Section 1: Redistricting shall be done not more often than every five years and shall be done by the Director-at-Large and the four (4) District Directors serving as a committee. Each state in its entirety shall be placed in a given district. The membership of each district should be approximately equal to that of the other. No gerrymandering of lines shall be permitted. No Director’s term shall be shortened by virtue of his residence being moved to another district in the process of redistricting, and no additional Directors shall be elected or chosen by virtue of redistricting.

ARTICLE XIII - LIABILITY (Revised September 2008)

Section 1: The property of Members, Directors and Officers shall not be subject to the payment of Association debt to any extent whatever.
This corporation will indemnify its Directors and Officers to the fullest extent allowed by law.

ARTICLE XIV - PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Section 1: On questions of Parliamentary Procedure on which this Constitution is silent, the latest edition of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern.

ARTICLE XV - DISSOLUTION

Section 1 - Determination of Dissolution: In order for this Association to dissolve, a resolution is to be presented to the membership and requires a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all votes cast by the entire membership body.

Section 2 - Distribution of Assets: Upon dissolution of this Association, any funds remaining after all obligations of the Association are completed, shall be donated to Caprine-related charitable organizations