MISSOURI RANCH HORSE ASSOCIATION
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote working ranch or stock-type horses by educating the public on the versatility of these fine animals, promoting events to showcase their natural talents, and encouraging the public and MoRHA members to enjoy these horses in a safe and family-friendly environment.
Bylaws
Article I: Title and Objectives
Section 1: This organization shall be known as the Missouri Ranch Horse Association (MoRHA) and is a non-profit organization in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.

Section 2: The term for which it will exist is perpetual. If, for any reason, MoRHA shall cease to exist refer to Dissolution Bylaw.
Section 3: The purpose of MoRHA is to promote, educate and encourage the exhibiting of the ranch horse by providing ARHA approved shows, clinics and programs. These activities are intended for the average owner of a registered stock-type horse and provide an opportunity to participate in fun, friendly, family-oriented competition designed for any level horse and rider in which every contestant desiring to compete is given a fair and equal chance.
Section 4: All MoRHA events shall be run according to ARHA rules, unless otherwise noted in the MoRHA bylaws, rules and regulations, or other MoRHA directives.
Section 5: The fiscal year of MoRHA shall February 1 through January 31 of the next year unless otherwise determined.
________________________________________
Article II: Officers and Board of Directors
Section 1: Only current members in good standing with ARHA and MoRHA who reside in the State of Missouri and are over the age of twenty-one (21) as of the fiscal year may become Officers or serve on the Board of Directors. All Officers and Board members must agree to attend Board Meetings as set forth herein and must not have a felony conviction on record. At no time shall two immediate family members serve on the MoRHA board during any term. Immediate family members shall be defined as siblings, spouse, significant-other or parent/child relationships.

Section 2: The elected Officers and Directors of the Association will consist of a minimum of five (5) directors and/or officers and not more than ten (10) directors or officers at one time. All officers are members of the Board of Directors. The officers will consist of President, Vice President, Charter Secretary, Treasurer, and Administrative Secretary. In addition to the officers, there shall be no more than five (5) additional directors. In addition to the designated officers, the appointment by the President of a Show Manager, Charter Representative (if the President chooses not to hold the position of Charter Representative), Youth Director, and Communications/public relations Director shall be made from among the members of the Board of Directors. An officer and/or a director may hold one or more of these positions, i.e. Youth Director and Charter Representative, Show Manager and Youth Director. A director or officer shall be able to fill any two of the officer positions, but no more than two, i.e. President and Charter Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President. The President may not hold the Treasurer office. The Treasurer may not hold the office of Secretary or Administrative Secretary.
The elected board may appoint up to three (3) or more directors if they choose to do so. The Officers and Board of Directors are to be elected by the current Board of Directors and shall be considered from those nominations placed by the general membership and/or proposed by a director or officer. These positions will be voted upon at the last director’s meeting each year.
Section 3: The President, Vice President, Charter Secretary, Administrative Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of two (2) years. Members of the Board shall serve for staggered two-year-terms. Each year, one-half of the Board shall be elected or reelected.
Section 4: its Officers and its Board of Directors shall manage the business of this association.
Section 5: The Officers and its Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make, amend, repeal, and enforce such rules and regulations, not contrary to law, or this Constitution and Bylaws, as they deem necessary concerning the conduct, management, and activities of MORHA, the admission, classification, qualification, supervision, and expulsion of members, removal of officers, the rules and regulations setting the procedure of such suspension, expulsion or removal, the fixing and collection of dues and fees, the expenditure of money, the auditing of books and records, the conduction of shows, contests, and exhibitions and other details relating to the general purposes of MoRHA, subject to the approval, revision, or amendment by the members at any regular or special meeting of the members called in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 6: In the event there is a vacancy of an Officer or Board member, whether caused by death, resignation, disqualification, termination, or any other cause, the President shall have the authority to appoint an individual to fill the unexpired term of any such Board Member.
Section 7: As founding members Mike Kavanagh and Janee Kavanagh shall have lifetime memberships to MoRHA. Mike Kavanagh will be a lifetime member of the Board of Directors until he voluntarily resigns his directorship position.
Section 8: During his or her term of service, any Director who misses three consecutive regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be immediately terminated as a Board Member. The President may grant a Board Member one excused absence for illness or other emergency.
Section 9: Each President of MoRHA shall become an automatic Director for one term after his or her term as President expires.
Section 10: The Board of Directors, from time to time, may create and empower committees, general or special.
________________________________________
Article III: Election of Officers and Directors
Section 1: A nominating committee selected by the President, and composed of members of the Board of Directors will name Nominations for the elected Officers and Directors of the Association. There will be at least one (1) nomination for each elected position. The nominating committee will report their nominations to the President no less than thirty (30) days before the last annual meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Any member in good standing may recommend the name of a candidate for the elected officers or as a potential member of the Board of Directors. These names will be included as nominations. Nominations are closed thirty (30) days before the date of the January Board of Directors meeting or the final officers and directors meeting of the fiscal year. Members will be reminded to make nominations on the MoRHA webpage, the club newsletter and/or e-mail.
Section 3: The Board of Directors shall consist of at least five (5) and not more than ten (10) members. One half of the directors are to be elected or re-elected each year and their term of office shall be for two years. The past President will automatically serve as a director for one term.
Section 4: The President, Vice President, Charter Secretary, Administrative Secretary and Treasurer shall serve for a term of two years and may be reelected after this term.
Section 5: The election of Officers and Directors shall be performed by the current officers and Board of Directors and such election shall be held at the fiscal year-end meeting of the Board of Directors and shall be done by a closed ballot.
Section 6: Appointed Directors will serve a term of one year and will be eligible to serve a full term if elected.
Article IV: Duties of Officers
Section 1: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Association and will preside at all meetings of the Association. The President shall conduct the business of MoRHA in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws and other rules and regulations of MoRHA.The President will appoint all special and standing committees and conduct the business of the Association in accordance with the bylaws, rules, and regulations. The President will hold the position of Charter Representative unless he elects to appoint someone to fill this position. The President will be an ex-officio member of all committees. Furthermore, he or she may also head a committee if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. The President will serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors and manage the affairs of the Association. He/she may sign, with the secretary or any other proper officer of the Association thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Association, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed and in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of the President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 2: It will be the duty of the Vice-President to perform all duties of the President in the case of the President’s absence, disability, resignation, or removal.
Section 3: It will be the duty of the Immediate Past President to bring continuity to the newly elected Officers and Board Members and he/she will be a voting member of the board for one term.
Section 4: A Charter Secretary shall be appointed to conduct all official business with MoRHA and the American Ranch Horse Association (ARHA). The Charter Secretary shall not hold the position of Treasurer. The Charter Secretary shall set the agenda with input from the President and the Administrative Secretary. The Charter Secretary shall work in close harmony with the President and the Administrative Secretary. The Charter Secretary shall work in close harmony with the Show Manager in the keeping of the official exhibitor records necessary as deemed by ARHA. The Charter Secretary may also serve as the Administrative Secretary.
Section 5: An Administrative Secretary shall be appointed by the President and shall keep the minutes of all meetings. The Administrative Secretary shall not also hold the Treasurer position. The Secretary’s duties will consist of issuing all notices of meetings of the Board of Directors and members of MoRHA; keep the master membership roll; issue membership cards or certificates; conduct, supervise, count, and record the balloting of all elections; and perform such other and further duties as designated from time to time by the President. The Secretary shall report and function in close harmony with the President and the Charter Secretary. The Administrative Secretary may also serve as the Charter Secretary. The Administrative Secretary shall be in charge of all correspondence including memberships and will keep an updated membership list.
Section 6: The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial business of the organization. Duties will consist of maintaining a checking account with signature cards for both the Treasurer and the President. The Treasurer shall collect all monies due to the organization in the course of regular operations. The Treasurer shall ensure that all expenses are disbursed properly and timely. The Treasurer will report accurately to the President and the Board of Directors at regular meetings and complete a detailed annual report for the end of each fiscal year. The Treasurer will comply with and participate in all required audit activities.
Section 7: The officers shall be in charge of the daily operational responsibilities of the organization, including, but not limited to decisions necessary for continuity of all functions. The Officers shall not involve the Association in agreements exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) without the consent of the Board of Directors.
Section 8: The President shall have the authority from time to time to create additional appointive offices and may delegate and assign to any such office the duties and responsibilities he or she deems in the best interest of MoRHA and necessary for its efficient operation.
Section 9: Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed by 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors. However, in its judgment, the best interest of the Association would be served thereby, by such removal shall without prejudice in the contract right, in any, if the person is so removed.
Section 10: Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or other will be filled by means of succession for the remaining term of said office with the exception of the Immediate Past President. In the event that all Officer Positions become vacant, an Executive Director will be appointed by the Board and perform the duties of the Officers until an election is held at a special or the Annual Meeting of the Association. In the event the Board is unable to appoint an Executive Director, it will become the responsibility of the membership to appoint an Executive Director.
________________________________________
Article V: Duties of Board of Directors
Section 1: The Board of Directors shall have general charge of the affairs and finances and property of the Association, to which they shall report at the annual meeting.
Section 2: The Board of Directors will be empowered to fill officer (i.e. such as treasurer) vacancies occurring in said Board. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining Officers and Directors of the Association. Said appointee must still come under the criteria of Article II, Section 1 of these bylaws. A director appointed to fill that vacancy will continue to hold this position for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office.
Section 3: The Officers and Directors that make up the Board of Directors are responsible for attending all MoRHA meetings at such time and place, as they shall determine. Notice and purpose of any special meeting shall be given at least five (5) days in advance by mail, phone, fax, or email to each Director. The “attendance” of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of two thirds (2/3) of the Officers and Board members, a majority of such quorum shall decide upon any question that may come before the meeting.
Section 4: Any Board of Director member that misses More than three (3) unexcused meetings per year may be replaced by the remaining Board of Directors. Unexcused shall be defined as without prior notice to the President or Secretary. Honorary directors are exempt from the absenteeism rule.
Section 5: Each Director and Officer shall be indemnified by the Association against any liability and/or expenses reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with the defense of any action suit, or proceeding instituted in which he/she may be made party defendant by reason of his/her being or have been a Director or officer of the Association. Liability and/or expense shall include the cost of reasonable settlement made with a view of avoiding the cost of litigation and the payment of any judgment or decree entered in such action, suit, or proceeding. The Association shall not, however, indemnify such Director or officer with respect to matters as to which he/she shall be finally adjudged in any such action suit, or proceeding to have been derelict in the performance of his/her duties as such officer or Director, and in no way shall anything herein be so construed as to authorize the Association to indemnify as such director or officer against any liability he/she would be subject to by reason or willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his/her office. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which any Director or officer may be entitled as a matter of law. Said indemnity shall also ensure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrator of such person.

________________________________________
Article VI: Meeting of Members of the Association
Section 1: An annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place designated by the Officers and Board of Directors. Written notice will be given to each member no less than ten (10) days before the Annual meeting of the Association stating the date, time, and place of said meeting.
Section 2: Special meetings of the Members of the Association may be called by direction of the President, or majority of the Board of Directors with no less than ten (10) days notice regarding items needing immediate attention. Said notice shall state in writing the date, time, place, and purpose of said meeting. Only such business as is set forth in the written notice of said special meeting shall be transacted at said meeting.
Section 3: The order of business at any regular meeting of the members shall be as follows:
a. Roll call
b. Proof of due notice
c. Reading and disposal of minutes
d. Report of Officers and Directors
e. Election matters, if any
f. Unfinished business
g. New business
h. Adjournment
________________________________________
Article VII: Membership
Section 1: Any individual of good character and reputation interested in ranch horses may become a member of this Association.
Section 2: Members shall be admitted and retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Missouri Ranch Horse Association.
Section 3: Each member of the Association shall pay annual membership dues to MoRHA. Said dues are due and payable at the commencement of each calendar year. The calendar year of the Association will be January 1 through December 31 of each year.
Section 4: All dues to the association shall be set by the Officers and Board of Directors
Section 5: All monies paid to MoRHA must be in US funds.
Section 6: Membership in MoRHA is a privilege, not a right, application for which shall be made on forms and by fees and procedures prescribed from time to time by MoRHA. Membership or application therefore, may be terminated or rejected by the Board of Directors for cause detrimental to the interest of MoRHA, its programs, policies, objectives, and harmonious relationship of its members, as determined by the Board of Directors.
________________________________________
Article VIII: Annual Statements
The Officers and Board of Directors shall present at each annual meeting of the Association a full and complete statement of the business and affairs of the Association for the preceding year. Such statements shall be prepared and presented in whatever manner the Officers and Board of Directors deem advisable and need not be verified by certified public accountant, unless the Board of Directors feel that such verification of the statement is warranted.
________________________________________
Article X: Amendments
Amendments to the bylaws may be presented to MoRHA Officers and Board of Directors as needed. These amendments will be voted on by the Board of Directors and/or held over for discussion and research by a bylaws committee before additional discussion and approval or disapproval by the Board of Directors and Officers.
Dissolution Bylaw
In the event of the dissolution of MoRHA, any assets remaining after club liabilities have been met will be turned over to another organization having similar nonpartisan, non-profit objectives as determined by a majority vote of the remaining members of MoRHA. In such an event, a special meeting of the remaining members of MoRHA will be called with no less than thirty (30) days notice of said meeting.

Revised 12-01-08
________________________________________
MISSOURI RANCH HORSE ASSOCIATION
RULES & REGULATIONS
These rules and regulations are set by the Officers and Board of Directors of the Missouri Ranch Horse Association and will be reviewed annually.
Section 1: Membership Fees
Upon purchase of a MoRHA Membership, member agrees to abide by the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of ARHA and MoRHA. A MoRHA membership is not required to participate in a MoRHA event as long as the participant provides proof of a current ARHA membership, but a MoRHA membership must be purchased to be eligible for MoRHA year-end points to accumulate. MoRHA points before current MoRHA membership shall not be included in the overall year-end-award point totals. Only those points accumulated after membership in MoRHA for the current year is paid in full shall be included in year-end-point standings. No points from ARHA or other ARHA-Charter earned points shall be included in MoRHA year-end-point standings for year-end awards in the MoRHA organization.
A. Annual family membership $25.00.
B. Annual individual membership $15.00
Section 2: Disciplinary Procedure
Any member or non-member may be disciplined or suspended from the Association and may be denied all privileges of the Association by the Officers and Board of Directors, whenever it shall have been established by satisfactory evidence in a hearing conducted by the Officers and the Board of Directors that such a member or non-member has knowingly and willfully violated any Bylaws or Rules of the Association. Anyone who becomes a member of MoRHA or becomes involved in a contractual agreement with MoRHA accepts to be bound by all the Bylaws and Rules MoRHA and renounces to any recourse, which he/she may have against MoRHA, so long as the latter acts in good faith in compliance with the Bylaws and Rules.
A. Whenever anyone shall be accused of any violations, he/she shall be given not less than thirty (30) days written notice of a time and place for hearing such accusation by the Officers, Board of Directors, or by an appropriate committee, at such time and place he/she will have the opportunity, in person or by counsel to be heard and to present evidence in his/her behalf, and to hear and refute evidence offered against himself/herself.
B. When a member or non-member is disciplined or suspended, the name of such member or non-member will be published in the MoRHA Newsletter and on the MoRHA web site.
C. Any other disciplinary procedures regarding Show Conduct, abuse to horse, judge, show management, or contestants, etc, refer to the ARHA Handbook or your ARHA Show Representative.
D. The decision and action of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding on all parties. Any member or non-member may be suspended and/or denied privileges of MoRHA, by the approved show official or official thereof, or may be denied privileges of the MoRHA by the Treasurer of MoRHA for the failure to pay when due any obligation owed to MoRHA or for giving an insufficient check for entry fees, stall fees, office charges, premiums or any other fees, charges connected with the exhibition of ranch horses, provided, however, that fifteen (15) days before action by the Treasurer, written notice of the account due and the intention to suspend or withhold privileges of MoRHA shall be delivered to such members or non-member. Any suspension and denial of privileges under this section shall terminate upon full payment of the obligation due MoRHA. Every notice required by these rules and regulations may be served by delivery of a copy of the notice to the person to be served, or his/her attorney, either in person or by mail, postage prepaid, to his/her last known address as it appears on MoRHA's records and upon mailing such notice, shall be deemed received by such person when it is deposited in the United States mail.
E. There shall be a $25 charge for all retuned checks. Furthermore, any unpaid bills by a member or non-member (entry fees, stall fees, shavings fees, advertising fees, sponsor commitment fees, etc) past sixty (60) days may be subject to disciplinary procedures. (Notification of ARHA if not paid within 14 days. Failure to pay debt in full within 14 days will result in suspension of MoRHA privileges until debt is paid in full). Members and nonmembers with an outstanding debt to MoRHA shall relinquish all privileges until a Cashier's Check or Cash pays the debt in full. A second violation of an insufficient check will result in all future MoRHA transactions to be on a "cash only" basis.
Section 3: Conduct and Protests
Any complaint or protest must be in writing and filed with the Secretary at the MoRHA office. Upon receipt, all complaints or protests will be referred to the MoRHA Officers and Board of Directors for investigation and recommendation. If, in the Officers and Board of Director’s judgment, it is not sufficiently serious to warrant a full hearing, thereon, they will report the same with a recommendation for appropriate action. Any complaint or protest must be accompanied by a cashier's check, certified check, money order, or cash for $100.00 (one hundred dollars), must be in writing, and filed with MoRHA within ten (10) days of the incident. If the protest is disallowed, the protest fee will not be refunded. If the protest is allowed, the protest fee will be refunded.
Furthermore, the person filing the protest will be liable for the cost of such protest and all damages which may result there from, if the protest is not sustained. In the event the Officers and Board of Directors does not uphold the complaint, the complaintee will be responsible for any cost incurred.
Section 4: All meetings of the Officers and Board of Directors will be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order.
Section 5: Exhibitor Requirements
A. Every person competing in an ARHA approved class must possess and present a current ARHA membership card or copy of card issued by ARHA when making entry. An exhibitor that is not an ARHA member may fill out an ARHA membership application at the show. Amateur applications must be approved by (2) current ARHA members that are not members of the applicant’s immediate family.

B. Failure to present ARHA and MoRHA cards or copy of cards will result in denial of entry.

C. MoRHA points shall count only after payment of MoRHA membership has been made or after intention to join MoRHA has been made on entry form together with a blank check left with the MoRHA office staff prior to the beginning of the MoRHA show in order for those points obtained at that show to count towards year-end awards.
Section 6: Description of All Aged, Amateur & Youth ARHA Classes
A. All Aged: Classes are open to all contestants regardless of age or status possessing a current ARHA card or copy of card.

B. Amateur: Must possess and present a current ARHA Amateur Card or copy of card.

C. Youth: Must be 18 years (or under) of age on January 1, possess and present a current ARHA Youth Card or copy of card.
Section 7: MoRHA Year End Awards
The following Year End Awards will be presented.
A. First and Second place awards will be presented to the top (2) two point earners of each class.
B. Only MoRHA and ARHA points accumulated at MoRHA shows shall be eligible for high-point award consideration. Points awarded at other ARHA-charter affiliate than MoRHA shows, shall not be eligible for MoRHA year-end-award totals.
C. Horse owner and exhibitor must be a member in good standing with ARHA & MORHA at the time of competition and at the time of Year-End-Award totaling for points to count toward year end awards.
D. Points are to accumulate on a one-horse, one-rider format for youth and amateur classes. Points are to accumulate on an individual horse in all-aged classes.
E. Points shall accumulate as according to the ARHA guidelines, with the exception of one MoRHA point given to any horse showing in a class with only one exhibitor in that class unless the exhibitor is disqualified (DQ'd) resulting in no points being awarded. This MoRHA point shall be eligible towards MoRHA year-end-awards totals.
F. Year End awards will be presented at an Awards Banquet in January or February of the following year.
G. MoRHA will post the Year-To-Date Standings in the MoRHA Newsletter and/or on the MORHA web site.
H. Special Achievement Awards may be presented at shows at the discretion of the awards committee and approval of the Officers and Board of Directors.
I. Rookie of The Year Award: Any MoRHA member who is showing in a MoRHA riding event for the first year and who has not accumulated any riding event points in a recognized breed show will be eligible for the “MoRHA Rookie of the Year Award.” This award will be based on the overall high-point accumulation by said member.
J. All current MoRHA members in good standing shall be eligible for year-end-awards consideration without remuneration towards such awards.

Section 9 – Amendments or additions to Rules and Regulations
A. These rules and regulations of MoRHA are voted on and ratified by the Officers and Board of Directors and need not be presented to the General Membership for approval.

B. Any changes to these rules and regulations must be proposed and presented by members of the Board of Directors and presented to the Officers and Board of Directors of the MoRHA on or before the last meeting of the current year. The Officers and Board of Directors will then discuss these rules and regulations. Any additions or changes to these proposed rules would be discussed at a rules committee meeting and submitted for rework if necessary and voted on. If final revisions are necessary they will be discussed at the following meeting, voted on, and ratified at or by the first meeting of the year. Any revised rules will be supplied to the General Membership through MoRHA avenues such as newsletters, personal mailings, and website information or in rulebook format.

C. Any and all interpretation decision to these Bylaw, Rules, and Regulations shall be the responsibility of the Chairperson of the Bylaws Committee and will advise the Officers and Board of Directors as to the meaning and/or purpose of said rule or Bylaw in question.
Copyright © 2008 Missouri Ranch Horse Association (MoRHA). All rights reserved.

Revised: 12-01-08
Revised: 12-04-09
Approved revision: 01/04/10