DRM Bylaws

Distance Riders of Manitoba

Bylaws & Constitution

Created September 25, 1992, amended February 12, 2011 & November 7, 2015

  1. Objectives
    1. To encourage the selection, care and training of horses for sports of long distance riding.
    2. To encourage and maintain high standards of sportsmanship and horsemanship of competitors.
    3. To organize rides which follow rules established by the various sanctioning bodies of the sport.
    4. To maintain proper records and present annual awards.
    5. To ensure that all rides are run humanely to avoid cruelty to competing equines.
    6. To encourage the growth and popularity of long distance riding.
    7. To foster good will and understanding between members, horse owners, land owners, and conservation authorities.
    8. To develop and establish new trails and maintain existing trails.
  2. Membership
    1. There shall be three classes of membership which shall be admitted, retained, permitted to withdraw, or expelled under such terms as the Board of Directors shall adopt from time to time.
    2. Voting privileges are extended to all paid up members who are over 18 years of age, in good standing, and who have been a member for at least six months prior to the vote.
      1. Single Membership – entitled to one vote at general meetings
      2. Family Membership – persons in one family (common residence), entitled to a maximum of two votes
      3. Student
    3. Membership year is November 1 through October 31
    4. Membership fee schedule subject to revision by Board of Directors.
    5. Fiscal year is November 1 through October 31.
  3. Board of Directors
    The directors shall be selected by the membership at the annual general meeting. Once directors have been selected, the positions of President and Vice President shall be filled by membership vote. All other directorship positions shall be appointed by the President.Directors of the Association shall be as follows:

    1. President
    2. Vice President
    3. Secretary
    4. Treasurer/Membership
    5. Board Member at Large

    Board member duties may be assigned differently on an annual basis. For instance, the Vice President and Secretary may be two directors, and the Treasurer and Membership may be two directors, or a different grouping of duties may occur depending on Board resources.

  4. Meetings
    1. The Annual General Meeting will be held each November. A written financial report shall be provided to each member at this meeting. Elections for Board of Directors shall be held. A quorum consists of 35% of voting members.
    2. Directors’ meetings shall be called by the President or any two board members. Three board members shall constitute a quorum providing all board members have been notified.
    3. General meetings shall be called by the Board of Directors, and notice in writing shall be sent to all members 21 days prior to said event. DRM meetings shall conform to the generally accepted parliamentary procedures as quoted in “Roberts Rules of Order, Revised”.
    4. If a director misses four consecutive board meetings without due cause, the Board of Directors may, at their discretion, ask for that person’s resignation.
    5. Should a director not be able to fulfill his/her commitment, the Board of Directors may appoint another member to fill that position until the next annual election.
    6. Board of Director terms shall last for two fiscal years on a rotating basis.
  5. Assigned Duties
    1. The President, or in his/her absence, the Vice President, shall preside at all meetings of DRM to ensure that the objectives and rules of DRM are strictly observed, and he/she shall have general supervision over all activities of DRM. At general meetings, when a vote is taken, the President, or in his absence, the Vice-President, shall not cast a ballot except in the case of a tie when he/she shall have the deciding vote.
      In the absence of the President, the Vice President in order of election, shall assume all duties and responsibilities of the President. When not acting in the capacity of the President, the Vice President shall participate as a committee member with according voting privileges.
    2. The Treasurer shall have the following responsibilities
      1. have custody of all accounting records of DRM.
      2. shall control the collections and receipts of all monies payable to DRM.
      3. supervise the keeping of all accounts of DRM.
      4. shall direct the deposit of all monies and valuables in the name and the credit of DRM at such bank as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
      5. responsible for the seal (once a seal is attained) which shall be used and affixed in the presence of the Treasurer acting under instructions from the Board of Directors.
      6. Shall pay all just and appropriate expenses and debts of DRM.
    3. The Secretary shall have the following responsibilities
      1. keep records of all meetings and
      2. maintain all necessary correspondence.
  6. Signing Authority
    The President, Vice President and Treasurer shall have the authority to sign cheques issued on behalf of DRM and all cheques issued shall be approved by any two of these members, one of which must be the Treasurer.
  7. Bylaw Amendments
    The Bylaws may be repealed or amended at any general meeting, under the following conditions

    1. That at least 30 days written notice has been given for the meeting and for specifying the intended changes to the bylaws
    2. A majority of not less than 75% of the voting member in attendance must approve the changes to the bylaws