Florida Lionhead United Fanciers
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I NAME
This specialty club shall officially be known as Florida Lionhead United Fanciers (FLUF).
ARTICLE II OBJECTIVE
Section 1. To educate, promote, encourage and develop the Lionhead rabbit in Florida.
Section 2. To provide membership and assistance to people interested in the breeding and showing of the Lionhead.
Section 3. To work in close coordination with local clubs, NALRC and the ARBA to provide a friendly and informative atmosphere for raising and showing the Lionhead.
Section 4. This shall be a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1.Any person engaged in raising Lionhead rabbits or any person interested in the Lionhead rabbit breed may become members of this club by payment of the dues set by the club.
Section 2. The Members and or the President (via recommendation to the Executive Committee) reserve the right to accept or reject, for any just cause, any application for membership or renewal.
Section 3. Memberships Defined.
a) A Single Adult Membership is open to anyone who has reached their 18th birthday by the date of joining the club, or any youth member who has passed their 18th birthday and wishes to convert their youth membership to an adult membership. Each Single Adult membership is entitled to one vote in club affairs.
b) Single Youth Membership is open to anyone who has not reached his or her 19th birthday. Birth dates must be supplied with the membership application.
c) Family Membership is open to anyone regardless of age who lives at the same address. All persons who have not reached their 18th birthday must supply their birthdate on the membership application for Florida Lionhead United Fanciers’s bookkeeping purposes.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
Section 1. The offices of the club shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and three or more directors. These six shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The following offices shall be elected from and by the membership by mail ballot. Ballots will be mailed out January 1st and the election will close February 15th. The election of President and three Directors biannually for a two-year term, in odd years. The election of Vice President and three Directors biannually for a two-year term, in even years.
Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be appointed by a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Committee, to serve a term of three years.
Section 4. A member to be eligible for any office must be a current member of the ARBA, NALRC, and the Florida Lionhead United Fanciers in good standing.
Section 5. The term for all officers shall begin at the time of the annual ARBA Convention.
Section 6. Nominations will be accepted by mail or electronically during April to May each year of the ARBA Convention.
Section 7. Vacancies in any office shall be filled by appointment of the President, subject to a simple majority vote of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE V DISCIPLINE
Section 1. Charges of misconduct may be filed by any member against any other member. They must be in writing and filed with the Secretary/Treasurer or the President.
Section 2. Any member against whom charges have been filed shall be furnished with a complete statement of the charges by the Secretary/Treasurer or the President and shall be allowed 30 days to file a reply.
Section 3. The charges, together with the reply, if any has been received, shall be made available to each Executive Committee Member for consideration. The Executive Committee may, be simple majority vote, reprimand, suspend, or expel the member.
Section 4. Any member suspended or expelled shall not be eligible for reinstatement within one year of the date of suspension or expulsion. Reinstatement must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Section 5. If an officer, director, committee chairperson or committee member does not fulfill his/her duties or shows lack of interest in club matters, they shall be reviewed in the same manner as outlined in Section 2 and 3.
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS
Section 1. There shall be at least one meeting per year.
Section 2. The President may call special meetings as necessary to conduct the business of the club.
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any member in good standing may propose amendments to the Constitution.
Section 2. The proposed amendment is to be sent to the Secretary who shall forward it to the Constitution & By-laws Committee for review of merit or conflicts. If no conflicts with the Florida Lionhead United Fanciers or the ARBA are found, the proposal shall be forwarded along with the Committee’s findings to the Executive Committee, within 90 days of receipt by the Constitution Committee.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall review the proposal for merit. If the Committee finds favor, a ballot shall be drawn and mailed to each eligible voting member. Polls closure will be figured at a minimum of 15 days plus the expected date of receipt by the voter.
Section 4. A 2/3 rd majority vote of all ballots returned shall constitute acceptance. The President shall be notified of the final count. The new proposal shall become effective 30 days after notification to all members.
ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION
Section 1. In the event of the dissolution of this organization, all monies and/or holdings shall be given to the ARBA Youth Scholarship Fund.
ADOPTED: December 11th, 2025
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1. All memberships to be annual and to commence upon payment of dues.
Section 2. Each adult member, or members over the age of 14 in a family membership, is entitled to one vote. Members over the age of 14, who hold non-family membership, are entitled to one vote in all elections and voting issues.
Section 3. Membership dues shall be recommended by the Executive Board for approval by the members at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE II DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership or the Executive Committee. He/she shall appoint all committees, fill all vacancies in office by appointment and perform such other duties as pertains to the office of President.
Section 2. The Vice President shall perform all duties of the President, in any instance of his/her absence or disability. In the event of vacancy of the office of President, the Vice President shall automatically assume the office.
Section 3. The Secretary/Treasurer shall receive membership applications and issue new members a membership card and Constitution and By-Laws, within 60 days of receipt of the application. Shall consult with and advise the Executive Board on any unusual matters. Keep accurate records of all members, notify all officers and members, as it is appropriate, of the time and place of all meetings. Shall notify all delinquent members; any member who fails to renew their membership within sixty (60) days will be dropped from the rolls. Shall conduct correspondence and other general business of the club when so authorized by the President. Shall publish membership lists annually. Shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by The President. Shall be custodian of all general funds, shall maintain a bank account in the name of the Florida Lionhead United Fanciers and maintain a set of records suitable for the Executive Committee. Shall submit an oral report at each regular meeting of the club and publish annually a written financial report. Shall receive all money due to the club and shall pay all debts that are justified for the successful operation of the club.
Section 4. The Executive Committee shall have the power to transact the business of the club, act upon charges brought before them, formulate rules and decide all questions of policy brought before them.
ARTICLE III COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint all committees subject to the approval of a simple majority of the Executive Board. Executive members must respond within 10 days of appointment notification.
Section 2. Any special committee deemed advisable by the President may be appointed for that function and upon completion of their assignment shall automatically be discharged.
Section 3. Standing committees shall consist of:
1) Constitution and By-laws Committee: Shall continuously monitor the Constitution and By-Laws to ensure their current effectiveness and continuity; receive and review and act upon any proposals, for correct grammar and conflicts with the current document or the ARBA; prepare and send a current copy to the Secretary annually; make suggestions for revisions as deemed necessary
2) Auditing Committee: To be composed of two members in good standing who shall audit the books annually and furnish a report to the Secretary and the Executive Committee.
3) Show Committee: Shall receive bids for the National Specialty Show, assist the host club to ensure the show rules are adhered to and help to and procure awards, adopt and/or follow procedures necessary for the smooth and efficient running of the Show.
4) Election Committee: Members may not be a candidate for any office. Duties are to receive petitions for office, prepare, receive and count the ballots, maintain a record of received ballots, file cast ballots for one year after each election.
ARTICLE IV VOTING PROCEDURE
Section 1. All Candidates for office must be a member in good standing of the ARBA and the Florida Lionhead United Fanciers.
Section 2. The nominations must be in writing, and submitted to the Election Committee Chairperson Florida Lionhead United Fanciers Secretary during the months of April & May. Ballots are to be mailed first class postage. Returned ballots must be received at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the start of the National ARBA Convention. Returned ballots will be opened by the Committee before the annual meeting is called to order. Tabulated results will be announced and published in the next occurring newsletter.
Section 3. All voting must be done in person or by mail.
ARTICLE V PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. The rules of parliamentary procedure in Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of Florida Lionhead United Fanciers. Unless otherwise specified in the Constitution and ByLaws of the Florida Lionhead United Fanciers. The Vice President shall be responsible for maintaining parliamentary order and shall be provided with a copy of Roberts Rules of Order by the club.
ARTICLE VI ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section 1. The order of business shall be:
Call to order and welcome
Roll call of officers
Reading of the minutes
Treasurer’s report
Election results
Report of Officers
Report of Committees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at the Annual Meeting, Special meeting, and/or the National Specialty Show provided all proposals are printed in the newsletter at least 60 days before said event.
Section 2. Any member in good standing of Florida Lionhead United Fanciers may propose an amendment to the ByLaws. The amendment shall be sent to the Constitution & By-Laws Committee Chairperson who shall forward said copy to each Executive Board member along with any recommendations, within 30 days of receipt.
Section 3. The By-Laws may be amended by a simple majority of all eligible voting members returning a ballot.
Section 4. Ballots are to be mailed no later than 60 days prior to the meeting. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than 30 days prior to the meeting.
Section 5. A simple majority vote shall constitute acceptance and the proposal shall become effective immediately upon passage.
ADOPTED: December 14th, 2025