top of page

CONSTITUTION 
AND 
BY-LAWS

OF THE AMERICAN ARGENTE BRUN RABBIT CLUB

Constitution

ARTICLE I: Name

Section A: Name – This association shall be known as the American Argente Brun Rabbit Club.

ARTICLE II: Object

Section A: Object – The object of this Association shall be:

  1. to promote interest and encourage improvement of the Argente Brun rabbit as a distinct breed, in the areas of fancy.

  2. to provide information to those interested on all matters pertaining to the Argente Brun Rabbit.

  3. to develop the initial STANDARD OF PERFECTION, for the Argente Brun Rabbit in conjunction with the ARBA, and to revise such STANDARD whenever necessary, upon approval of the American Argente Brun Rabbit Club. 

ARTICLE III: Affiliation

Section A: – This association shall be affiliated with the American Rabbit Breeder's Association, Inc.

Section B: – Any ARBA Chartered club may affiliate with the AABRC by application, payment of a fee of five dollars ($5) and approval of the secretary/treasurer. No Specialty club may use American in its official title. ​

ARTICLE IV: Membership

Section A: – Any person may apply for membership by submitting a completed membership application along with payment. By submission of an application for membership, the applicant agrees to comply with all rules, regulations, and mandates of the AABRC.

Section B: – Membership dues $10.00 per adult per year; youth membership $8.00 per year, Couple/Partnership is $15.00 annually and $25.00 for a family per calendar year. 

Section C: -  Three (3) year membership shall be available for a fee of $25.00 per adult; $35.00 for H&W/Partnership, Youth $20.00, and Family Membership $60.00.​

  1. Two (2) Members in the same household will be considered a partnership unless stated H&W.

  2. A youth is any person under the age of 19 or per American Disabilities Act (A.D.A).

Section D: - Membership shall be acknowledged by a Membership Card, issued by the American Argente Brun Rabbit Club and signed by the Secretary.​

Section E: - All memberships shall run from January 1st until December 31st of the year. New members joining at or after the ARBA Convention will be considered paid through the following year. 

Section F: - Members who do not renew within forty-five (45) days of expiration date on their card shall be dropped.

Section G: - Life Membership - Life memberships shall be entitled to all membership privileges.

  1. Members of this organization with 20 years consecutive, uninterrupted, years of membership shall be granted a life membership.

  2. Any other member may become a life Member upon payment of two hundred dollars (US$200.00), which sum shall be received in lieu of all annual dues. 

  3. The executive committee may grant Life Membership to individuals whom they determine to be deserving of this honor. 

Section H: - An Honorary Life Membership may be granted to any member of this organization whose dedication to the Argente Brun breed has been deemed outstanding by majority vote of the Executive Committee. Honorary Members shall be exempted from all dues but shall have no right to vote unless also a regularly paid member in good standing. ​

Section I: - Complaints and charges of misconduct shall only be made by members and be presented in writing, to the Executive Committee for action.

  1. Appeals MUST be submitted DURING the General Membership Meeting at the breed National show or at the ARBA Convention.

  2. A two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of the Membership present shall cause the appeal to fail or continue to a ballot of the entire membership. 

  3. The cost of the ballot will be the responsibility of the person seeking the appeal.

  4. The decision of the entire membership vote will be final. 

Section J: - Members may not vote by proxy during bi-annual meetings. ​

ARTICLE V: Officers

Section A: – The elected Officers of this Club shall consist of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary/Treasurer, Minimum of Five (5) Adult Directors. These Officers shall compose the Executive Committee. 

Section B: – The Youth Liaison(s), may be appointed by the EC annually having full member of the BOD voting and discussion privileges. The Youth Liaison(s) is an optional position as directed by the Executive Committee. 

Section C: -  All Officers shall be elected for a Two (2) year term. Election of the offices of Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and (3) Directors shall be held in the odd years, Election for the offices of President and at least Two (2) Directors shall be held in the even years. The first membership elections will begin in the year 2017.

Section D: - All elected Officers shall take office November 1st following the election. 

Section E: - Any vacancy, which may occur, shall be filled by appointment of the President and confirmed by the EC.  If any Officer or Director fails in the fulfillment of his/her duties and/or display a lac of interest in AABRC matters, the EC, by simple majority vote, request that Officer or Director to resign. If he/she fails to resign, the EC may, by simple majority vote, declare the office vacated. 

​

ARTICLE VI: Duties of Officers

Section A: – The President shall preside at all executive meetings of the club, act as chairman of the Executive Committee, appoint all committees, appoint an Election Commissioner to count the ballots, and perform other duties pertaining to the office. In the case of a tie, the president shall cast the deciding vote.  

Section B: – The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the president in his absence or in case of his/her inability to serve. 

Section C: -  The Secretary/Treasurer shall conduct the correspondence of the Club, notify the members of meeting, keep an accurate record of all minutes, membership rosters, notify members of expiring memberships, issue sanctions for the AABRC, and collect all dues. As Treasurer, he/she shall keep an accurate record of all incomes and expenditures, pay all claims as properly approved by the club or Executive Committee, submit a financial statement to the membership annually, and to the Executive Committee quarterly.

Section D: - The Newsletter Editor, appointed by the President, will publish a quarterly club newsletter and breed happenings for submission into the domestic Rabbit Magazine. 

Section E: - The executive Committee shall carry out the decisions of the Club and transact all necessary business for the welfare of the Club. 

Section F: - The President shall appoint an Auditing Committee to audit The Treasurer's records annually, prior to September 1st. 

Section G: - The President shall appoint a Webmaster to serve as the Website Committee Chairperson and manage the AABRC official website. 
 

​

ARTICLE VII: Elections

Section A: – Any member, in good standing, wishing to run for office shall request a nomination petition from the Secretary. A petition will be forwarded for completion and will require the signatures of three (3) members in good standing. Petitions must be returned to the Secretary for validation prior to being placed on the ballot. 

Section B: – All petition must be post-marked and mailed to the Secretary by June 1st of the election year. 

Section C: -  All members in good standing above the age of twelve (12) years shall have full voting rights. 

Section D: - A ballot for elections shall be post-marked and mailed to all members no later than July 1st. Completed ballots must be post-marked and mailed to the Election Committee no later than September 1st of the election year.

Section E: - The Election Committee shall count the ballots and inform the current President and Secretary of the results. 

Section F: - The results of the election shall be announced and be published in the newsletter or in electronic format to the general membership. ​

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings

Section A: – There shall be two mandatory meetings a year. One meeting will occur at the Annual Convention of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the other at the annual American Argente Brun Rabbit Club National Show in spring. 

Section B: – There shall be seven (7) members present to constitute a Quorum.

Section C: -  Robert Rules of Order, latest revised edition, shall govern all parliamentary procedures.

Section D: - All decisions at the biannual meetings shall be final, unless altered by a majority vote by the membership, or by mailed ballot; Should the need arise, the President may call a meeting of the AABRC Executive Committee at any time by means of mail correspondence, telephone conference or electronic communication (i.e., email, fax transmission, Facebook). These meetings may also take place in an electronic format. 

Section E: - The annual Spring Show date shall be decided by the Executive committee in conjunction with the Show Committee. ​

ARTICLE IX: Amendments to the Constitution

Section A: – An amendment may be presented for consideration, if signed by three (3) members in good standing. 

Section B: – Any amendment to be voted on by the membership shall be with elected ballots.

Section C: -  A Two-thirds (⅔) majority of the cast votes is required for adoption of the amendment. 

Section D: - Proposed amendments to the C (and By-Laws) shall be printed in newsletter/posted on the website or in electronic format at least 14-days prior to issuance of ballots. ​

ARTICLE X: Committees

Section A: – A Standards Committee shall consist of a Chairperson and committee of four (4) members shall be appointed by the President for the periodic reviewing of the Breed of Standard for the Argente Brun rabbit, the suggested standard changes from the club membership and make recommendations to the president an secretary. This Committee shall remain intact throughout the tenure of the President who appointed it.

Section B: – The Constitution, Bylaws & Resolution Committee consisting of a Chairperson and two (2) members shall be appointed by the President. The task of this Committee shall be to receive, act upon, and present proposed amendments and changes to the Constitution to the vote of the membership. The committee shall remain intact throughout the tenure of the President who appointed it. 

Section C: -  An Election Committee consisting of a Commissioner and two (2) members shall be appointed by the President prior to each election for the purpose of receiving and counting returned ballots. The Committee shall be disbanded upon completion of its duties, and submission of its report. 

Section D: - An Audit Committee consisting of three (3) members shall be selected by the President for the purpose of auditing the Treasurer's records annually. This committee shall remain intact until its services are not longer needed and it shall be dismissed by President. 

Section E: - A Website Committee consisting of a minimum of two (2) members shall be selected by the President for the purpose of recommending the  scope and content of the AABRC website to the executive Board. The Website Committee shall be responsible for updating the website. ​

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I: Order of Business

Section A: – The order of business at all meetings of the AABRC or Executive Committee shall be as follows:

  • Roll Call,

  • Reading of Minutes of Previous meetings,

  • Report of Executive Committee,

  • Report of Secretary/Treasurer,

  • Report of Committees,

  • Reading of communications, 

  • Unfinished business,

  • New business,

  • Discussion,

  • Adjournment.​

ARTICLE II: Incorporation

Section A: – The Argente Brun Rabbit Club shall be incorporated as a non-profit organization. 

Section B: – The Constitution, Bylaws & Resolution Committee consisting of a Chairperson and two (2) members shall be appointed by the President. The task of this Committee shall be to receive, act upon, and present proposed amendments and changes to the Constitution to the vote of the membership. The committee shall remain intact throughout the tenure of the President who appointed it. ​

ARTICLE II: Shows

Section A: – A fee of $10.00 shall be collected from any club desiring to sponsor an Official AABRC Sweepstakes Show sanction.  OPEN $10.00; YOUTH $8.00 (Youth free if requested with open) 

Section B: – The AABRC shall select a first and second choice of judges, who shall be recommended to judge Argente Brun at the National ARBA Convention Show. This selection will be made at the Convention each year for the next year. ​


Section A: – Club rules shall be established as deemed necessary by the EC and shall be followed after acceptance.
Section B: – Club rules shall not be considered part of the By-Laws and may be
amended by the EC or a 2/3 majority of the membership at one of the biannual
meetings.

ARTICLE IV: Club Rules

SWEEPSTAKES RULES

An Argente Brun Sweepstakes system stimulates interest and competition among Argente Brun breeders nationally. A member is granted points for regular classes and for Best and Best Opposite Sex Argente Brun. 

 

The total number of points earned by a member at each sanctioned show is tabulated and totaled during the year by the Sweepstakes Secretary. The Sweepstakes year shall run concurrent with the dues year. The top five members at the end of the year shall receive awards from the National Argente Brun Rabbit Club. The top five members shall be decided by the highest total points. Awards shall be presented at the A.R.B.A. Convention.

​

  1. "The show sponsoring club must apply to the American Argente Brun Rabbit Club for sanctions at least thirty 30 days prior to the show. Late sanctions maybe accepted at Secretary’s discretion."

  2. The full name of the sponsoring club, the town, state, and date(s) must begiven, as well as the A.R.B.A. Sanction number for the show.

  3. Sanction fee must be forwarded, OPEN SANCTION; $10.00 YOUTHSANCTION; $8.00. Youth free when requested with OPEN. If no Argente Brun were shown, the host club may request a free sanction for their next show. A free sanction request card will be mailed to the club after the show report is received.

  4. The show giving club must offer $5.00 for Best Argente Brun and $3.00 for Best Opposite Argente Brun (or awards of equal or greater value), provided 10or more Argente Brun are shown in OPEN or YOUTH competition. If less than 10 are shown payment of these specials will be at the discretion of the sponsoring clubs.

  5. The Sweepstakes offer must be stated in the Show Catalog or premium list showing the name of the Club, Secretary and address and yearly dues. A page from same must be returned with the sweepstakes report the Sweepstakes Secretary.

  6. The report form provided must be filled out completely and returned to the Sweepstakes Secretary within thirty (30) days. Names and Addresses of Exhibitors are very important. Incomplete reports will be returned.

  7. A separate Sweepstakes will be conducted based on the points earned competing in paid Argente Brun (Breed) fur class.

  8. Sweepstakes points shall be calculated on the first five (5) places. In each of the six (6) regular classes plus fur. First place in class earns six (6) points times the number of rabbits in the class. Second earns four (4) points times the number of rabbits in the class. Third place earns three (3) points, fourth place earns two (2) points and Fifth place earns one (1) point on the same basis. Also, one (1) point times the total number of Argente Brun exhibited will be earned for Best of Breed and ½ point times the total number of Argente Brun shown for Best Opposite Sex. Note: The number of rabbits in a class is based upon the actual qualified eligible entries judged.

  9. Reserve in Show or Best of Group at the ARBA National Convention, or equivalent at a National American Argente Brun Rabbit Club Official Sweepstakes Show, will be awarded 200 points. BEST IN SHOW will be awarded 500 points. At the ARBA Convention and The spring National Show points will be calculated as follows: First Place--12 x the number in the class, Second Place--10 x the number in the class, Third Place--8 x the number in the class, Fourth Place--7 x the number in the class, Fifth Place—6 x the number in the class, Sixth Place--5 x the number in the class, Seventh Place--4 x the number in the class, Eighth Place--3 x the number in the class, Ninth Place--2 x the number in the class, Tenth Place--1 x the number in the class.

  10. Youth shall receive awards with the aforementioned specials, the same as open sweepstakes (Youth). Value and style of the awards shall be set by the Executive committee and Trophy Chairperson.

YOUTH SWEEPSTAKES RULES

An Argente Brun Sweepstakes system is provided to stimulate interest and competition
among the Argente Brun Youth Breeders nationally. A youth member is granted points
for regular classes and for Best and Best Opposite Sex Argente Brun on the same basis
as the Open adult classes.


To benefit Youth participants, when Youth sanctions are requested with Open sanctions,
there will be no additional charge for the Youth. In order to encourage Youth entries and
participation, Youth points gained while exhibiting in regular open show classes will be
automatically tabulated and sent the Youth Sweepstakes Chair.
Argente Brun- Sans pareil (Without equal)
last updated September 2021

Argente Brun- Sans pareil (Without equal)


last updated September 2021

bottom of page