Current Constitution

We, the members of the Block & Bridle Club, in order to promote the improvement and increase the interest among students of Animal Science and to bring about closer relationships among men and women pursuing some phase of Animal Science as a profession, do, in convention assembled, hereby ordain and establish this, the Constitution of its Government.

First - To promote a higher scholastic standard and a more complete understanding of the field of Animal Sciences among student members.

Second - To promote Animal Sciences through the development of a program of activities, especially all phases of student Animal Science work in colleges and Universities.

Third - To bring about a closer relationship among all students pursing some phase of the Animal Sciences as a profession.

The charter members of this organization shall be the Animal Husbandry clubs of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

Section II: Election and Initiation -

Any student at an institution of collegiate rank offering a baccalaureate and/or associate program in the animal sciences who is interested in animal agriculture and in the furtherance of the ideals and goals of the Block and Bridle Club shall be eligible for membership.

No person shall be initiated into the organization save by an active collegiate club, except in the foundation of such clubs or by the clubs assembled in National Convention.

The collegiate club shall consider such candidates as have been approved by the membership committee. The membership committee shall consider all applications for membership and report on said application at the next meeting after their presentations.

No person shall be shall be invited to join any collegiate club except by approval of that individual chapter.

Honorary Membership may be conferred on any person actively identified with animal agriculture interests by unanimous vote of the collegiate club. Such honorary members shall owe no fees or dues and be subject to final approval by the National Secretary/Treasurer.

Section III: Resignation -

No member of Block & Bridle Club shall be permitted to resign or honorably depart from this club except by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the collegiate club.

Section IV: Expulsion -

Unbecoming conduct of a member may be punishable by expulsion.

Members who willfully obstruct the work of a club and whose continued presence is injurious to a club may be punished by expulsion.

No expulsion shall be made without formal charges and a duly held trial by the collegiate club and the findings approved by the executive council. A two-thirds (2/3) vote shall carry conviction.

Section V: New Member Candidates -

A candidate elected in due form shall be known as a nominee until duly initiated, at which time his/her name shall be sent to the National Secretary for entry in the National Membership Record.

New member activities shall be at the discretion of the local club; however, in no case will activities that are degrading and/or embarrassing to the individual nominee be tolerated by the National Block and Bridle Club.

No nominee shall be initiated into full membership until the full membership fee has bee paid.
 

Colors - The colors of the Block & Bridle Club shall be royal purple and navy blue.

Flower - Lilac.

This insignia shall never be changed.

Each year the National Block & Bridle Club shall hold an annual meeting of its members known as the National convention and these meetings shall be held at such places as shall be designated by the delegate body in attendance at the proceeding National Convention or by the elected National Officers (the Executive Committee).

Section II: Powers and Jurisdictions -

The National Convention shall be supreme, and its jurisdiction shall extend throughout and over the members of all clubs.

Section III: Delegates and Voting Rights -

Number - Each collegiate club in good standing shall be entitled to two delegates.

Credentials of the delegates from active collegiate clubs shall be approved and seated at each National Convention.

Expenses of delegates shall be the responsibility of each collegiate club.

Section IV: Quorum - A majority of delegates shall constitute a quorum at a
National Convention.

Section V: Votes -

Each elective national officer and past national president present in person shall be entitled to one vote.

Each active club shall be entitled to two votes if the delegates are present in person, except when any club has but one delegate present at a convention, that club shall be entitled to two votes which may be cast by the delegate present.

No voting by proxy shall be permitted.

Section VI: Notice of Meetings - The National Secretary-Treasurer shall issue a call to each club and to all past national presidents at least thirty (30) days prior to the convention. In time of war or dire necessity, the Executive Committee may postpone or prohibit the regular meeting or the convention.

Section VII: Presiding Officer - The National President shall preside at all regular meetings of the National Convention. In the absence, of the President the National Vice-President shall preside.  If neither of these officers is present, the National Convention shall elect a temporary presiding officer from its membership.

Section I: Officers - The National Officers of the Block and Bridle Club ranking in the order named shall be: National President, National Vice-president, National Secretary- Treasurer and National Editor. These four individuals shall constitute the executive committee of the national organization.

Section II: Election -

The National Officers shall be elected for a term of two (2) years by a majority vote of the delegates assembled at the National Convention.

The nominating committee shall consist of three past national presidents, with the most immediate past-president serving as chair.

It is recommended that the National Secretary-Treasurer and
the National Editor serve two (2) consecutive terms after which they may be elected to the office of National Vice-President and then to National President.

Amendments to this constitution may be made by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the official delegates present at the National Convention or by the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the collegiate clubs, providing statements of such prepared amendment have been given to each club at least thirty (30) days previously.   Collegiate clubs shall submit a statement of approval or disapproval if so requested by the National Secretary-Treasurer.

PARAGRAPH I: Duties of National Officers -

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, enforce a rigid observance of the Constitution and By-laws of the organization, appoint committees not already provided for, see that officers perform their official duties, inspect the result of balloting when deemed necessary, and sign official documents of the organization.

It shall be the duty of the Vice-president to assume the duties of the President in the absence of that official, to work with newly organized collegiate clubs seeking membership and to assist in the promotion of the best interests of the organization as the President may direct.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer:

To keep the minutes of all meetings, notify all members of their appointments to committees, conduct the correspondence of the organization, and make an annual report of the work of the club.

To receive all money due to the organization, pay all bills signed by the President, keep an accurate account of the finances of the organization, and make an annual report thereof. The Secretary-Treasurer, upon taking office, shall be required to furnish a bond of one thousand dollars ($1000.00), such bond to be paid for from the National Treasury and purchased from a reliable bonding company.

It shall be the duty of the Editor to collect, compile, edit, record, publish and distribute information concerning or of interest to Block & Bridle Club members.

PARAGRAPH II: Government of Collegiate Clubs -

Composition - Executive Committee of the Block & Bridle Club shall issue charters to petitioning groups upon the approval of their petition by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a National convention or by a consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all the clubs between conventions.

Petition - A petition for a charter shall follow guidelines established by the Executive Committee of the national organization. The petition shall be prepared by the petitioning body under the direction of the National Vice-President and submitted for presentation to the delegates assembled at the National Convention.

Installation - Chapters may be installed either by formal initiation or by representative present at the National convention. A copy of the induction ceremony shall be sent to the officers of the chapter upon request.

Powers and Duties - The powers and duties of each collegiate club shall be as follows:

The sole right to initiate members into clubs except at the National Convention.

To adopt and enforce for its own government, rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the National Block & Bridle Club.

To levy and collect fees, taxes, dues, fines and accounts for national and local club purposes.

Meetings - Collegiate clubs shall meet twice a month during the school year, except when such meetings conflict with the regulations of their college or university.

Quorum - A quorum of a collegiate club shall consist of a majority of all its active members.

Names - The collegiate club officers ranking in order named shall be: Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, Marshall and Faculty Advisor(s). Other local officers may be added at the discretion of the local club.

Elections - The officers of the collegiate clubs shall be elected and installed before the end of each spring semester or term and their names and addresses sent to the National Secretary-Treasurer. The Faculty Advisor(s) may be elected by the club subject to the approval of the head of the Department of Animal Sciences or appointed by the head of the Department of Animal Sciences, whichever is customary with the club. At the discretion of the local chapter, new officers may be selected for each term, with the additional election and installation being scheduled before the end of the fall term.

Duties -

The duties of the President of a collegiate club shall be the same as for the National President; namely, it shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, enforce a rigid observance of the Constitution and By-Laws of the organization, and see that officers perform their official duties; inspect the results of the balloting when deemed necessary; sign all orders drawn by the Secretary and other official documents of the organization.

The duties of the Vice-President of a collegiate club shall be the same as for the National Vice-president ; to wit. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assume the duties of the President in the absence of that official and to assist in the promotion of the best interests of the organization as the President may direct.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of a collegiate club to keep the minutes of all meetings, issue all orders and notices required, conduct all correspondence of the club, and make an annual report of the work and the accomplishments of the club.

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of a collegiate club to receive all money due the club, keep an accurate account of all finances of the club, collect all dues and assessments, and pay all bills owed by the club.

It shall be the duty of the Marshal of a collegiate club to preserve order in meetings, prepare and collect ballots, administer oaths of office, and answer all summons while clubs are in session.

It shall be the duty of the collegiate club President to appoint committees which may include those whose duties shall be as follows:

The Executive Committee shall consist of all officers of the club, chairmen of standing committees, and all duly selected chapter faculty advisors. This committee shall have jurisdiction in all matters not especially delegated to some other committee.

The Membership Committee shall investigate and report on all persons desiring membership.

The Publicity Committee shall have charge of all nature of publicity having to do with the activities of the club.

The Social Committee shall promote the social welfare of the club.

The Finance and Auditing Committee shall consist of three members. Its duties shall be to audit financial reports and to promote the financial interests of the club.

The Faculty Advisor or Advisors are the official representatives (s) of the faculty. It is his/her (their) duty to work closely with the club members and to serve as a source of advise, encouragement and leadership.

PARAGRAPH III: Dues -

Each collegiate club shall pay the National Secretary-Treasurer five dollars ($10.00) for each new student member at the time of his/her initiation. No annual dues shall be charged by the National Block & Bridle Club. Local dues shall be left to the discretion of each collegiate club.

PARAGRAPH IV: In all questions of parliamentary procedure, Robert's Rules of Order shall be the authority.

PARAGRAPH V: A statement of the business of the past fiscal year shall be published by the National Editor and made available to each local club each year. This shall include a financial statement and directory of clubs.

PARAGRAPH VI: The By-laws of the club may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the official delegates present at the National Convention or by approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the collegiate club, providing statement of such prepared amendment has been given to each club at least thirty (30) days previously.

PARAGRAPH VII: All candidates for initiation, after they have met the requirements as set forth in the Constitution, shall be formally initiated by the induction ceremony.

PARAGRAPH VIII: No student may be initiated before the national dues and any local chapter membership fees have been paid.

PARAGRAPH IX: Upon the entrance into the duties of an office, each officer shall be required to take the following oath, administered by the installing officer: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully perform the duties of (naming the office) and do all that I can to support the Constitution and By-laws of the Block & Bridle Club".

PARAGRAPH X: All orders for badges and other jewelry may be sent directly to the official jeweler as designated by the Executive Committee.

PARAGRAPH XI: Sectional Organization -

Sectional Block & Bridle organizations, patterned after the geographical areas of the sections of the American Society of Animal Science, shall be permitted. They shall be encouraged to meet at the Animal Science meeting within their respective sections.

Each sectional organization may elect a section vice-president and secretary annually.

All duly elected sectional vice-presidents shall be considered as national officers and shall serve as members of the National Executive Council. It shall be the vice-president's responsibility to plan, organize and implement a sectional meeting and program for Block & Bridle members in his respective section.

Candidates for sectional office shall be undergraduate students who will not complete their baccalaureate and/or associate degree prior to termination of their term of office. Each chapter within the appropriate section may nominate one member for sectional office.

Each chapter shall be allowed two voting delegates to the sectional business meeting, but other members, advisors and guests may attend and participate in all but voting. Selection of sectional officers shall be by a balloting of voting delegates. A majority of votes cast shall be necessary for election. If a majority is not obtained on a given ballot, the candidate receiving the smallest number of votes shall be eliminated from consideration and additional balloting conducted in like manner until one candidate received a majority vote.

PARAGRAPH XII: Affiliate Membership in American Society of Animal Science -

Collegiate chapters may become affiliate members of the American Society of Animal Science by payment of single membership dues of the Society. Such chapters shall be eligible to receive copies of the Journal of Animal Science and other publications of the
Society and members may attend sectional and national meetings of the Society.

PARAGRAPH XIII: Student clubs at Junior Colleges shall be eligible for membership in the National Block & Bridle Club, providing the club has a primary interest in animal agriculture and prescribes to the objectives of the Block & Bridle Club. Petition for membership and voting to membership shall be as prescribed in PARAGRAPH II, By-laws.

Junior college clubs shall be eligible to compete for national awards. Junior college clubs shall be allowed the same participation and voting privileges in sectional and national meetings as clubs from four-year colleges.

PARAGRAPH XIV: Transfer of Membership - National Block & Bridle membership of the individual member shall be transferable from one club to another pending approval by the receiving club and subject to conditions prescribed by them.

Constitutions