By-laws

P.A.W.S. By-Laws

ARTICLE I – NAME, PURPOSE

Section 1: Name. The name of the organization shall be Pets Are Worth Saving, Inc., incorporated as a 501(c) (3) organization under the laws of the state of Alabama; this name and /or PAWS, Inc. shall be used as the name of the organization for all corporate matters. PAWS fiscal year shall commence January 1 of each year and shall end December 31 of each year.

Section 2: Purpose: PAWS was formed to create a network of individuals dedicated to the facilitation of the adoption of abandoned escuing and adopting companion animals to permanent homes; to raise funds to support a spay/neuter program; to raise funds to establish a no-kill animal sheltercommunity for Northwest Alabama and to raise funds for programs that educate people on the compassionate treatment and care of companion animals.

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Membership classes and dues are determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2: Voting membership is open to any current individual member/sor group in good standing for amendments or resolutions that support interested in the purpose statement in Article 1, section 2 of these bylaws, placed before the voting membership during an annual or special meeting.. Continuing membership is contingent on being up to date on membership dues.

Section 3: Membership renewal shall be 1 year from the date joined. Dues notices shall be sent out the month prior to the lapse of the membership.

Section 4: Any member convicted or charged with animal or human cruelty, neglect or abuse is dismissed as a member. If charged and it is later established that charges were unfounded by appropriate government agency and appropriate notification given to the Board, the membership may be reinstated.

Section 5: The organization shall keep a written roll of the members and the respective date joined.

ARTICLE III - MEETINGS

Section 1: The date of the regular annual meeting should be within six months of the end of the fiscal year, shall beand the time and date set by the Board of Directors. who shall set the time and place.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by a simple majority of the Board of Directors. A petition signed by 25% of the voting members may call a special meeting. Notification of special meetings shall be sent no less than 10 days prior to the special meeting.

Section 3: Notice of each meeting shall be communicated to each voting member not less than 10 days prior to meeting by the most cost effective and expedient means available and notification shall be sufficiently communicated if posted on the organizational web site..

ARTICLE IV – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1: Board Role, Size, Composition. The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of PAWS. The Board shall have at least 5 and no more than 9 members. The board receives no compensation.

Section 2: Meetings: The board shall meet at least quarterly, at an agreed upon time and place.

Section 3: Board Elections. The board shall nominate and approve new members to the board. All board members shall serve three-year terms, but are eligible for re-election. No board member shall serve more than two three-year terms.

Section 4: Quorum. A quorum must be attended by at least two-thirds of the sitting board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed.

Section 5: Officers and Duties. There shall be four officers of the Board of Directors consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors.

• The President has responsibility for the day to day operation of the organization in accordance with the articles of incorporation and the bylaws. He shall convene regularly scheduled Board meeting, shall preside or arrange for other members of the executive committee to preside at each meeting in the following order: Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
  

• The Vice President will function in the absent of the president. He has oversight of all programs and will work in concert with the program managers to insure the proper operation in accordance with the articles of incorporation, bylaws. and program directions. will chair committees on special subjects as designated by the board.
  

• The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of Board actions, including overseeing the taking of minutes of all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained.
  

• The Treasurer shall make a report at each Board meeting. Treasurer shall chair the finance committee, assist in the preparation of the budget, help develop fundraising plans, and make financial information available to Board members and the public.

Section 6: Special Meetings. Special meeting of the Board shall be called upon the request of the President or one-third of the Board.Refer to Article III, Section 2.

Secretary shall send notices of meeting no later than 7 days before special meeting.

Section 7: Absences: A Board member absent from four consecutive Board meetings shall may be dropped dismissed from the Board and notified in writing.

Section 8: Removal of a Board Member: A Board Member may be dismissed for cause when he/she fails to function for the best interest of the organization as set forth in Article 1, Section 2 and upon a majority vote of the remaining Board.

ARTICLE V - COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Board may create committees as needed. The President (or Board) appoints all committee chairs.

ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS

Section 1: These Bylaws may be amended when necessary by a two-third majority of the Board of Directors. Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Secretary to be sent out with regular Board announcements.