BY-LAWS OF QUICKSILVER ENDURANCE RIDERS INC.

The name of this corporation shall be the Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc., a non-profit corporation.

The purpose for which this corporation is formed is to promote endurance riding, horsemanship and sportsmanship.

Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc. shall have a corporate seal having on its circumference the words: “Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc, incorporated on the 13th day of February, 1979.

Section 1. Senior Member

One aged 16 years and over. Senior member has full membership privileges.

Section 2. Junior Member

One who is under 16 years of age. A junior member has all privileges of membership except voting, holding office or committee chairmanship.

Section 3. Honorary Member

Distinguished individuals may be invited to this honor by majority vote of the members present and voting. Honorary member does not pay dues.

Section 4. Lifetime Member

Distinguished individuals may be invited to this honor by majority vote of the members present and voting. Lifetime member has full membership privileges.

Section 5.

Application for new membership shall be presented to the membership committee chairperson along with appropriate dues.

Section 6.

One copy of the By-Laws shall be issued for each new member.

Section 7. Dues

The amount of the membership dues shall be fixed yearly by the Board of Directors.

Section 8.

Membership shall run from January 1st to December 31st. Membership prior to July 1st, dues shall be the full amount. After July 1st, dues shall be ½ the annual amount. All dues are payable on January 1st and delinquent as of March 31st of each year.

Section 9. Termination

Membership shall be terminated by:

(a) Resignation: Any member may resign from the club upon written notice to the Secretary. No resignation shall be accepted until the member's dues are paid. (b) Automatic Termination: Failure to pay dues in the allotted time period will result in automatic termination. (c) Other Termination: By a 2/3 vote by secret ballot of those present and voting at a general membership meeting. A statement of cause will be presented to the members by the Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.

Section 1.

The officers of this club shall be President, vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three (3) Directors. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by these by-laws and by the parliamentary authority adopted by the club. The term of office shall be one calendar year.

Section 2.

No officer of the corporation may serve for more than three consecutive terms. Section 3.

Two members of the same family, living in the same household, may not serve on the Board of Directors at the same time.

Section 1.

The regular meeting of the club shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month unless otherwise ordered by the club or by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.

Special meetings of the club may be called by the President of by the Board of Directors, and shall be called upon the written request of five voting members of the club. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call and no other business may be transacted. At least five days notice shall be given except in cases of emergency.

Section 3.

Ten percent (10%) of the voting members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 1.

The officers of the club shall constitute the Board of Directors.

Section 2.

The Board of Directors shall have general supervision of the affairs of the club between its business meetings, fix the hour and place of the meetings, make recommendations to the club, and shall perform such other duties as are specified in these By-Laws. The Board shall be subject to the orders of the club and none of its acts shall conflict with action taken by the club.

Section 3.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, regular meetings of the Board shall be held on a day designated by the Board. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President and shall be called upon the writing of three members of the Board.

Section 4.

The Board of Directors shall have the power to acquire, possess, and dispose of the property of the club and to hold the same in trust for the use and benefit of the members of the club under their direction and approval. Neither purchase, nor sale of property, nor any expenditure of more than $300 shall be entered into without the affirmative vote of the majority of the members present and voting at a general membership meeting.

Section 5.

Five (5) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum in and of the Board of Directors.

Section 6.

If the Board has been informed that an officer will be unable to attend at least two meetings of the Board, the board may appoint a substitute. If an officer misses two consecutive meetings, the board may, by a 2/3 vote, declare the position vacant. A special election shall be called for the next general meeting. This must be stated in the call to the meeting.

Section 7.

A member of the Board of Directors may be removed for cause by a vote of 2/3 of the Board members present and voting at any regular Board meeting, including the annual meeting, or any Board meeting by special notice as here provided. At least ten (10) days written notice must first be given to the Board member stating the cause for which that member is proposed to be removed with sufficient clarity to satisfactorily identify the cause or causes, as well as the time, date and place of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which the matter of the proposed removal will be considered by the Board vote. The Board member or those Board members shall have the right to be present at the Board and that member or those members and the representative or representatives thereof to present their views and position. The Board may, in the event it is believed to be in the best interests of the corporation and the interested parties, grant such continuance or continuances and such further hearing or hearings as may be requested by any interested party in its sole discretion. Removal of a member of the Board of directors shall not deprive that member and his/her family of membership in the club.

Section 8.

The regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open for attendance by any member in good standing. In order to speak at said meeting, the member must be placed on the agenda prior to the meeting.

Section 1.

No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated. Nominations for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Members will be accepted from the floor at the October general meeting. Nominations may be made by any member in attendance provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his name is proposed, and provided further, that if the proposed candidate is not in attendance at this meeting, his proposer shall present to the secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his willingness to be a candidate. A candidate for an office who is not elected is automatically nominated for a position on the Board of Directors unless said candidate declines to run.

Section 2.

The names of the candidates nominated will be mailed prior to the November general meeting. At the November general meeting the officers and board shall be elected by the general membership.

Section 3.

Elections shall be by secret ballot. An absentee ballot shall be provided for any member who wishes one by contacting the President; provided the request is made two weeks prior to the election. The absentee ballot shall be sent by the election committee with a self-addressed stamped envelope included marked “BALLOT”. The tellers shall put the member's name on the outside of the envelope. The ballot shall not be opened until the night of the election after the teller has verified the member is not present. The tellers shall then open the envelope and place the folded ballot in the ballot box before the other ballots are collected.

Section 4.

A single membership may cast one (1) vote.

Section 1.

All such records, correspondence and materials are the sole property of the Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc.

Section 2.

Any person not returning such records, shall be liable for the costs of hiring professional assistance to reclaim or reconstruct said records.

These By-Laws may be amended at any meeting of the club by a 2/3 vote of those present and voting provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous meeting and has been mailed with the call to the meeting. The maker and seconder must be identified. If the proposal comes from the Board or a committee, no second is required.

The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the club in all cases, which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.

Section 1.

A ¾ vote of the members present and voting is required for dissolution of this club.

Section 2.

Whenever member approval is required for removal of a director, amending articles of incorporation or dissolution, the vote must be unanimous by those entitled to vote unless the notice of the meeting stated the general nature of the proposal. (This may not be varied in By-Laws or articles. See California Corporations Code, Sec. 9411.)

Section 3.

In cases of dissolution, the assets of the club will be distributed to the University of California at Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

At meetings of the club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:

Call to Order
Minutes of Previous Meting
Correspondence
Report of Treasurer
Report of Committees
Election of Officers and Board (election meetings)
Unfinished Business
New Business
Programs
Announcements
Adjournment

At meetings of the Board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority of those present and voting, shall be as follows:

Reading of minutes
Report of Treasurer
Report of Committees
Unfinished Business
New Business
Adjournment

Section 1. Membership

The membership committee shall be appointed by the President. It shall be the duty of the committee to be responsible for all matters pertaining to membership according to these By-Laws.

They shall inform new members of the functions of the organization. They shall provide information on new members to the club secretary and the newsletter editor. They shall provide the new members with copies of the By-Laws.

Section 2. Program

The program committee shall be appointed by the President. This committee shall plan programs for the monthly meetings and inform the newsletter editor so the general membership may be notified.

Section 3. Goodwill

The goodwill committee shall be appointed by the President. This committee shall act on behalf of the club in matters of serious illness, bereavements of members and any special events of importance to individual members.

Section 4. Trails

The trails committee shall be appointed by the President. The trails committee shall be responsible for keeping the club members informed of developments pertaining to trails.

The committee shall act as the club's representatives at political meetings, city council meetings, county board of supervisor's meetings, or any other meetings pertaining to trails, which may be of interest to the club.

Section 5. Spring Ride

Prospective candidates for ride manager must submit an application in writing to the board. The application is to include a brief outline stating ideas on how the ride is to be planned and managed. The ride manager shall be responsible for choosing the heads of ride committees by February. The ride committee shall be given various responsibilities to follow through on up to and during the time of the ride as deemed necessary by the ride manager. The ride manager must report to the board at each monthly board meeting on the progress of ride plans. A ride budget must be submitted to the board to be approved and then submitted to the general membership.

Awards: Ride awards are to include:

1. Don Crutchfield Award – First Quicksilver Senior
2. John Plaggmier Award – First Quicksilver Junior

Section 6. Fall Ride

Prospective candidates for ride manager must submit an application in writing to the board. The application is to include a brief outline stating ideas on how the ride is to be planned and managed. The ride manager shall be responsible for choosing the heads of ride committees by July. The ride committee shall be given various responsibilities to follow through on up to and during the time of the ride as deemed necessary by the ride manager. The ride manager must report to the board at each monthly board meeting on the progress of ride plans. A ride budget must be submitted to the board to be approved and then submitted to the general membership.

Awards: Ride awards are to include:

3. Don Crutchfield Award – First Quicksilver Senior
4. John Plaggmier Award – First Quicksilver Junior

Section 7. Newsletter

The Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc. shall have an official publication with the name of Quicksilver Quips. The Quicksilver Quips shall be mailed on the 1st of each month.

Staff shall be appointed by the President.

The Newsletter shall contain:

(a) Board meeting date, time, place and address;
(b) General meeting date, time, place and address;
(c) Upcoming ride dates and other events;
(d) Ride results, including all QSER finishers, when available;
(e) Letters to the editor column;
(f) Candidates nominated for office and election results;
(g) Any other information, articles and stories of interest to the membership.
(h) Financial reports and minutes of the club.

Section 8. Awards

The awards committee shall be appointed by the president. The committee's duties and responsibilities shall include:

1. Tabulating points for the year-end awards.
2. Putting on the awards banquet, including procuring the awards.
3. Yearbook and/or calendar, if any.

In order to participate in the year-end awards program, a member must contribute to the club in some way that calendar year. This may include, but not be limited to contributing to the monthly newsletter, being a member of the board, attending monthly meetings (excluding the Awards Banquet and Christmas Party), chair a committee, member of a committee, help or contribute to the Quicksilver Spring/Fall Classic, Poker Ride or Moonlite Ride, etc.

Points shall be tabulated according to the current AERC riding with the following exceptions:

1. All endurance rides, including limited distance, will be counted for full mileage points;
2. There will be no top ten points counted for rides of less than 50 miles.
3. Ride and Tie mileage will be counted as a separate category;
4. Crew mileage will be counted as a separate category;
5. In order to receive points for the entire year, a rider must be a member of the Quicksilver Endurance Riders, Inc. prior to July 1st of the current ride year. A rider joining the club after July 1st of the current ride year shall receive retroactive points up to and including 30 days prior to the date of joining the club.
6. It shall be the rider's responsibility to notify the awards committee of their points.

The Eleanor Norton Award shall be chosen as follows:

This award, given in the memory of Eleanor Norton, is a sportsmanship award, given to the club member that exemplifies the meaning of the word “sportsmanship.”

The committee shall consist of the most current recipient of the Eleanor Norton Award and two general members, not serving on the Board. They shall be elected by the membership at the general meeting three months prior to the awards banquet.

Any nominations and recommendations for a possible recipient be submitted in writing or by telephone, along with the accompanying reasons as to why a particular candidate is to be chosen to any or all of the committee members no later than two months before the awards banquet.

The committee is to carefully and diligently consider any and all recommendations and reach a final decision on time to meet the yearbook deadlines, or, if there is no yearbook, one month prior to the awards banquet.

An Eleanor Norton Award does not have to be given each year but is only given with the committee feels that there is a suitable candidate.

The Horse of the Year shall be chosen as follows:

Quicksilver Horse of the Year Award shall be given to one horse owned and/or ridden by a current Quicksilver member each year separate from the Hall of Fame Award. Horse of the Year shall demonstrate outstanding achievement in a single ride season in one or more of the following categories:

1. Outstanding performance at high profile endurance riders.
2. Outstanding accumulative record for the year (high mileage, numerous wins, numerous best conditions or top tens)
3. Multiple offspring of a broodmare or stallion showing outstanding performance in a single ride season.
4. Any horse able to overcome adverse conditions (orphaned, serious illness or injury – not race related --, etc.) and able to begin or continue an endurance career.

A horse may only be selected as Horse of the Year one time.

A committee of 3 shall review nominations submitted by the membership and select an individual that best deserves to be named as Quicksilver Horse of the Year. If no horses are nominated by the membership, the committee may select a recipient for the award.