Revised 9/13/21
ARTICLE I. NAME, LOCATION, AND NAME OF NEWSLETTER
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Brazos Association for Classical Horsemanship (hereinafter
referred to as “BACH” or “the association”).
Section 2. The location of BACH shall be Bryan/College Station, Brazos County, Texas.
Section 3. The official newsletter of the association shall be called BACH NOTES.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Section 1. The purpose for which the association is organized is to promote the practice of classical horsemanship
based in dressage for horse and rider by organizing, supporting, and/or managing educational opportunities to that
end.
Section 2. The association will be operated as a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership is open to anyone interested in dressage or eventing. Membership is effective upon completion
of a registration form and payment of prescribed dues on an annual basis.
Section 2. Membership registration form shall include Release of Liability for all BACH events and programs.
Section 3. Membership classifications may include enrollment as a USDF GMO Member but are not required to.
Membership classifications may be changed through a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Every member of BACH agrees that she or he shall abide by the bylaws of BACH and by all rules, policies,
and procedures set forth by the BACH Board of Directors in the effort to conduct the business of BACH consistent with BACH’s purpose, mission, and beliefs.

ARTICLE IV. DUES, MEMBERSHIP YEAR, AND FISCAL YEAR
Section 1. The dues amount shall be decided by the Board of Directors annually and are payable on December 1.
Section 2. The membership year shall begin on December 1 and end on November 30.
Section 3. The fiscal year will run from January 1 to December 31.

ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1. The Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the “Board”) shall consist of five (5) to nine (9) members in total, four of which shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall be elected annually by the membership.
Section 2. The Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These positions must be filled by separate individuals. Each person elected to an Officer position must be a BACH member in good standing when elected and throughout their one-year term of service. Officers must maintain a BACH membership including USDF GMO Member status as long as BACH qualifies as a USDF GMO.
Section 3. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer may serve in the same position for a maximum of two consecutive terms. After serving two consecutive terms, an individual must sit out one year from a position before being eligible for reelection to the same position again.
Section 4. Duties of the Officers
A. President – The President shall prepare the agenda and preside at all Board meetings, appoint committee chairs, and oversee the general operation of BACH in accordance with the Bylaws. The President shall perform other duties that pertain to the office. The President shall update insurance coverage and activate appropriate insurance for BACH events. The President shall be ex-officio member of all committees and shall act as the representative of BACH.
B. Vice President – The Vice President shall assist the President in all his/her duties and perform Presidential duties in the absence or disability of the president and shall assist in the organization of activities, programs, and/or events.
C. Secretary – The Secretary shall record the minutes of the Association’s Board meetings, read the minutes of the past meeting, provide the Communications Chair with a synopsis of the meeting, handle Association correspondence and in general perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary.
D. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall keep records of the Associations’ finances. Records will be always open for inspection by the membership and will be presented for review annually and at the discretion of the President.
Records must be current at the conclusion of each Treasurer’s term in office. The Treasurer will provide and present a report of financial transactions at each Board meeting.
Section 5. Additional Board of Directors Positions and Duties
A. Membership Chair – Responsible for maintaining membership records, to include Releases of Liability for BACH events; providing the Communications Chair with an updated membership list; maintaining the list of members and other relevant data related to the members (scores, etc.). Duties of this position shall fall to the President if no Board member other than an Officer is able to fill the role.
B. Activities Chair – Coordinates all activities in accordance with current membership needs and interests in consultation with the Board of Directors. Includes both mounted and unmounted events. Duties of this
position shall fall to the Vice President if no Board member other than an Officer is able to fill the role.
C. Communications Chair – Responsible for all media and branding representing BACH, including but not
limited to preparing and distributing the newsletter in accordance with the aims and goals of the
organization, maintaining the BACH website, and updating social media accounts. Duties of this position
shall fall to the Secretary if no Board member other than an Officer is able to fill the role.
D. Development Chair – Responsible for identifying and developing external sources of funding for BACH.
Examples include but are not limited to fundraisers, donors, grants, or prize opportunities. Duties of this
position shall fall to the Treasurer if no Board member other than an Officer is able to fill the role.
E. If all positions above are filled, and a ninth Board member is elected, this member may serve as a Board
Member “At Large” with duties to be determined at the discretion of the President.
Section 6. The duties of Board members are to attend all Board meetings and to oversee all functions of the Association in accordance with these Bylaws and Board Member agreements. If Board of Director positions other than the Officer positions are not filled, their duties shall fall to the appropriate Officer. No individual shall hold more than two board positions concurrently.

Section 7. Good standing, as it relates to Board Members, is defined as being a BACH member of appropriate classification for the position, and meeting the standards of participation and conduct set forth by the Board Member agreement signed upon election.

ARTICLE VII. ELECTIONS
Section 1. A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President. At a minimum, the nominating committee shall be composed of one Board member and two Association members not serving on the Board. Additional members may serve on the committee at the Board’s discretion. The committee shall propose a complete slate of\ officers to the entire membership by November 1st.
Section 2. The election of the Board shall take place via email ballot or other written means and will be determined by a simple majority vote of members who vote. Voting will close December 1st and results announced shortly after.
Section 3. Newly elected Board Members will begin their term of service on January 1st following the election.

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES
Section 1. Funds shall be used in accordance with the purposes of the Association.
Section 2. Expenditures for items totaling more than $100 must be approved in advance by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 3. Appropriate liability insurance must be maintained by BACH and activated by the President as directed by the Board.
Section 4. If the Association shall dissolve and terminate its functions, any remaining funds shall be donated to the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE IX. QUORUM
Section 1. Members in good standing present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum. Decisions may be made by a simple majority vote of the members present.
Section 2. A quorum of the Board of Directors consists of four members. Any action by the Board requires a minimum of four affirmative votes or a simple majority of the Board of Directors present, whichever is greater. Directors are expected to abstain from voting on decisions involving any conflicts of interest to them.

ARTICLE X. VACANCIES AND PROVISO FOR REMOVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Excepting the office of President or Vice President, a vacancy in an Officer position for any reason may be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term. Replacement in the office of President or \ Vice President shall be voted on by the membership.
Section 2. Proviso for removal of the Board of Directors: A Board member is expected to resign if he/she can no longer fulfill his/her duties or have excessive absences (two successive meetings) without making provision for adequate coverage of responsibilities. Should the errant member not resign, a Board appointed Board member will be directed to discuss the problem with the member and present the case to the Board. The Board, in executive session, shall decide on the removal of the Board Member in question.

ARTICLE XI. COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Board shall form and constitute committees as required.

ARTICLE XII. MEETINGS
Section 1. The Board shall hold a minimum of six (6) “Board Meetings” per year. Regular Board Meetings shall be open to the membership. Other meetings shall be called by the Board of Directors as needed. The President shall call executive session (closed) Board Meetings at his/her discretion.
Section 2. Membership meetings, excluding Board Meetings, shall be held at least twice annually. Members shall be notified of meeting time, dates, and locations. Events and programs can be counted as a meeting.

ARTICLE XIII. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the Board of Directors and Membership meetings when not in conflict with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XIV. DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. BACH leadership will make a good faith effort to operate in accordance with these bylaws. If BACH is not operating in accordance with any part of these bylaws for a period of one month, a vote shall be taken by the entire membership for the Association to dissolve and terminate its functions.
Section 2. If an Officer position remains open on January 1st following an election, a vote shall be taken by the entire membership for the Association to dissolve and terminate its functions.
Section 3. In the event of a vote for dissolution, BACH will dissolve and terminate its functions if half of the current membership casts a vote, and of those members who vote, a simple majority is in favor.

ARTICLE XV. INTERPRETATION, AMENDMENTS, AND REVIEW OF BYLAWS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority to interpret these bylaws, and its decision on all questions shall be final, binding, and conclusive.
Section 2. Amendments to the bylaws may be submitted to the Board for consideration at any time. Recommended changes by the Board will be submitted to the membership for comments and subsequent vote. The amendments will be approved if accepted by three-fourths of the membership that cast a vote.
Section 3. The Bylaws shall be reviewed every five years. The President may appoint a Review Committee. Any proposed changes or amendments will be made in accordance with Article XV, Section 2.