Ferrets Anonymous Bylaws

Updated September 19, 2011.  Please note – it appears that several updates to our bylaws are missing.  If anyone has a version newer than March 2006 please let us know!

i Organization – These bylaws are organized to comply with IRS Regulations pertaining to 501©4 organizations

1 Name 

The name of the organization is Ferrets Anonymous

2 Purpose

The purposes of Ferrets Anonymous are to:

• Promote legalization of the domestic ferret in California
• Assist in the rescue of ferrets threatened by the ban
• Educate members and the public about domestic ferrets

3 Membership

Membership in Ferrets Anonymous is open to all individuals who support and are willing to help with efforts to legalize domestic ferrets in California.  There are no regular dues, however contributions are encouraged.  A fee may be charged for the newsletter

4 Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Ferrets Anonymous shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Chair and six members elected at large.

The President is responsible for setting the goals of Ferrets Anonymous and overall management.

The Vice President is responsible for assisting the President and serving as President when the president can’t perform the duties.

The Secretary is responsible for all record keeping, and contact wth local ferret clubs in California and is responsible for producing a manual on how to run and manage a Ferrets Anonymous chapter for distribution to anyone interested in a local ferret club in California
The Treasurer is responsible for tracking and reporting all financial matters, and abiding by the budget.
The Membership Chair is responsible for contact with local FA Chapters and producing a manual on how to run and manage a Ferrets Anonymous chapter for distribution to anyone interested in a local ferret club in California.

The Board of Directors may hold a meeting of the entire Board at the request of the Presidnet, at the request of at least four (4) members of the Board.  The Board is also authorized to conduct business by phone or mail, as long as each member is allowed to participate in any decision.  A member of the Board may be removed from the Board for any reason deemed appropriate by a vote of   70% of the entire Board.  Meetings are required to be announced to the Board at least one (1) week for a physical meeting, unless deemed an emergency by the President.

5 Annual Meeting

Ferrets Anonymous will hold a meeting once a year open to all members.  The preferred date of the meeting is the first Saturday after St Patrick’s Day.  The Board of Directors will schedule the meeting and announce it at least ninety (90) days in advance to the membership. The purposes of the meeting will be:

A)    Elect officers and conduct the organization’s business
B)    Hold a ferret show a the discretion of the Board when ferrets are legal
C)    Establish policy that is not otherwise covered by these bylaws

All member s of the Board shall be elected at an annual statewide meeting of Ferrets Anonymous.

6 Local Chapters

Local chapters are encouraged to organize to promote our goals in their communities.  A local club may consider itself affiliated with Ferrets Anonymous if they agree to adhere to these bylaws. Local chapters are entitled to have their activities listed and promote in the Ferret Legalization Update and receive the promotional materials provided by Ferrets Anonymous.  Local chapters may affiliate with other ferret organizations at the same time.  Each local chapter should have two (2) contacts are required to hold at least six (6) meetings a year.
Additional local chapters may form by agreeing to these bylaws and informing the President.

Contacts in each local chapter are selected by members of that local chapter.  A contact may be removed as contact by a majority of vote of the members at a meeting, provided that a special meeting notice is published in the newsletter in enough times to e received by members in that area.  Recognizing that different Ferrets Anonymous meetings run differently, the recalled contact is free to start a new chapter.

7 Anonymity

Until the domestic ferret is legal in California, no mailings or notices can be sent to our members that identify our organization or our members as having anything to do with ferrets or any illegal activities.  All publications of Ferrets Anonymous, including the newsletter are to be cleared by a three member panel to be selected by Attendees at the Ferret Round Up.  The Newsletter Proofing Committee will consist of the editor of the newsletter, the President of the organization and one other member to be determined.

8 Bylaws

These bylaws can only be amended at a statewide meeting of Ferrets Anonymous and requires a two-thirds vote of those voting to make a change.

• Next >