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By-Laws
The International Snowshoe Cat Association (TISCA)
ARTICLE I - NAME
Section 1 - The name of this organization shall be:
The International Snowshoe Cat Association
ARTICLE II - Objectives
Section 1 - The primary objectives of this club shall be:
a. To sponsor and promote the welfare of the Snowshoe cat, including both pedigreed and non-pedigreed (domestic/natural)
cats.
b. To sponsor special programs and otherwise promote the interest in and knowledge of the Snowshoe cat breed.
c. To cultivate friendship among and promote the interests of the owners, fanciers, exhibitors and breeders of the Snowshoe
cat.
d. To encourage breeding toward The International Cat Associations (TICA) standard for the Snowshoe breed.
e. To sponsor and promote the Snowshoe Rescue Network.
Section 2 - Other objectives of this club shall be:
f. To promote and encourage kindness to all animals and to assist in the prevention of cruelty and maltreatment of animals.
g. To encourage spaying and neutering of any and all cats not specifically being used as part of a viable breeding program
that conforms to the TICA standard for the Snowshoe breed, in order to reduce the excessive trend to over-population of, and
tragedy among unwanted cats.
h. To encourage breeding programs that supports the health and welfare of the cats, rather than breeding for profit.
ARTICLE III- Membership
Section 1 - Persons interested in the objectives of this club shall be eligible to apply for membership.
There are two types of membership:
General Membership
Annual fee for the United States (USA) is $10, International is $12 (to cover postage)
Entitles member to:
* Copy of Bylaws, Charter, Membership List
* May contribute on issues concerning the Snowshoe Cat
* The Snowshoe Mews (newsletter) or other club publications
* May contribute material for publication in the newsletter or other club publications
Breeder and Exhibitor Membership
Annual fee for the USA is $15, International is $17 (to cover postage)
* Breeder members are required to sign and adhere to the TISCA Code of Ethics
Entitles member to:
* General membership benefits
* Voting on issues concerning the Snowshoe Cat
* Listed in newsletter in breeder section
* On request, a listing and link on the TISCA web site
All members are entitled to apply for a web page on the TISCA web site. Web pages are available as follows:
One page (advertisement free), is $2 monthly, or $15 annually (with applicable set up fee). Membership entitles member
to one page.
One page, with advertisement, no monthly charge (with applicable set up fee)
Note: Additional pages will be available, but subject to the web hosts charge for additional space.
Set up fees are:
One page - $15
Two pages - $25 (see Note)
Three pages - $35 (see Note)
Four pages - $45 (see Note)
Section 2 - The dues of this club shall be paid annually, payable on or before 30 April of each year for the ensuing year.
Membership dues may be paid in US currency, or by barter/trade for services or other commodities of equal or greater value.
If paid by barter/trade, at a minimum, the Treasurer and President must agree that the value received is equal to, or greater
than the membership fees. Barter/trade may be in the form of a service (i.e., maintenance of the web site, publication of
the newsletter, etc), or a specific product (i.e., a graphics banner, etc).
Section 3 - Membership applications shall be accepted by any officer and submitted to the Membership Committee for approval.
Acceptance will be automatic unless either an officer or a member submits an objection in writing. If an objection or negative
report is received on an applicant, officers will be polled, and the application will be rejected unless a majority of the
officers agree to accept the member on a trial basis. If the member is accepted on a trial basis as an Inactive member, the
application will be reviewed quarterly. If no additional negative reports are received, the member will be accepted as a
member. Type of membership will be based on the type designated on the member's application. It will not be necessary to
submit a new application to change membership type, however, the request must be made in writing (email is acceptable).
Section 4 - A simple majority of votes shall be sufficient to reject an applicant. Tie votes shall be considered
as a rejection.
Section 5 - Notice shall be sent to each accepted or rejected applicant by the Secretary or by a Vice President.
Section 6 - Any husband, wife, partner or child of a regular member residing at the same address will be accepted as
an Inactive Associate member unless an Active membership is applied for. Any husband, wife or child of a regular member,
residing at the same address, who submits an application for an Active membership will pay one-half of the dues paid by regular
members. Inactive Associate members may not hold office or vote, but shall have all other privileges of regular members.
Any husband, wife or child of a regular member not residing at the same address must submit an application for Active membership.
Section 7 - Notice of dues renewal will be made not later than 31 March of each year. Upon failure to pay dues within
three months after the due date, the delinquent member shall be notified that their membership will be discontinued, with
a grace period of one month except in extenuating circumstances. Continuation of a delinquent membership shall require a
simple majority vote of the officers.
Section 8 - It shall be the duty of each member to uphold the purposes of The International Snowshoe Cat Association
club by carefully fulfilling the terms of all transactions concerned with cats, such as sales, stud fees and pedigrees, whether
such business is carried on with other club members or breeders or with the public at large. Upon receipt of a written complaint
from any injured party, the member will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Article IX of these By-laws.
ARTICLE IV - Affiliation
Section 1 - This club shall be a non-affiliated club. However, temporary affiliations for one to three months for specific
projects may be permitted by a majority vote of the officers. If a project runs more than three months, a new vote must
be obtained to continue the temporary affiliation.
ARTICLE V - Scope
Section 1 - This club is intended primarily to serve the interests of the owners, fanciers, exhibitors and breeders
of Snowshoe cats internationally.
ARTICLE VI - Meetings
Section 1 - Formal meetings shall be held on such dates and at such time and place as the President or a simple majority
of the Officers shall designate. Due to the unique nature and geographical location of the members of this club, meetings
may be conducted via internet.
Section 2 - Special meetings may be called from time to time if necessary for the transaction of important business
and may be called by the President, a simple majority of the Officers, or upon written demand of five or more members. The
business at this meeting shall be limited to that mentioned in the call or written demand.
Section 3 - Members shall be notified of any meeting which affects the By-laws or charter for this club, and of any
formal meeting. Members shall be provided copies of any decisions affecting the entire membership of the club.
Section 4 - A simple majority must consist of at least five Active officers. A majority must consist of all officers.
A full majority must consist of all officers, and a majority of the membership in response to a written poll, which may be
posted on the internet or may be emailed, or may be mailed, or may be a combination of any of these methods.
Section 5 - When physical meetings are held, a simple majority must be present for the transaction of business, or
the transaction must be reported via internet to the club officers and/or membership with a vote required before the transaction
can be approved.
ARTICLE VII - Officers
Section 1 - The officers of this club shall consist of a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer,
one or more Rescue Network Coordinators and/or one or more Counselors and the Founder/Councilor. When the officers consist
of more than one Vice President, they may work independently of each other, except when acting in the President's absence.
At such times, the President will designate whether one or the other, or both are in charge. When both are in charge, any
business transactions will require that both vote or agree on the transaction. The offices of the Corresponding Secretary
and Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the President, a simple majority of the officers, or by vote of the club
membership.
Section 2 - The management of the business and affairs of this club shall be under the direction of a Board of Directors
which shall be made up of the elected and/or voluntary officers of this club, to include the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary,
Treasurer, Rescue Network Coordinator and the Founder/Counselor.
Section 3 - Officers shall be elected during February of each year and shall take office on 01 April to serve for the
ensuing year or until their successors are duly elected. In the event that no new officers are nominated for election, members
may volunteer and be elected. Membership votes must equal a minimum of sixty percent of the membership. If insufficient
membership votes for election are received, the current officers may accept the membership vote, or they may vote for a new
or replacement officer until such time as a sixty percent membership vote can be accomplished.
Section 4 - Vacancies in offices shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the remaining officers.
ARTICLE VIII - Duties of Officers
Section 1 - The President shall preside at all meetings of the officers and members, and shall perform other duties
are incidental to his office. He shall be ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 2 - The Vice President(s) shall perform all of the duties of the President in the absence of that officer.
Section 3 - The Secretary shall keep copies of all email correspondence for meetings via internet, or minutes from physical
meetings and shall present them at ensuing meetings when requested. The Secretary shall notify members of regular and special
meetings at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting to allow the members to contact officers and provide input on
items on the agenda, and will provide a copy of the agenda for the meeting to the officers and members.
Section 4 - The Treasurer shall receive and have custody of all monies and shall deposit same in a bank account in the
name of the club. He shall keep an account of all receipts and expenditures and shall render a financial report quarterly
to the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall keep a record of all members of the club, with their names, mailing addresses,
email addresses and telephone numbers. A copy of the membership list will be provided to the President and Secretary when
a new member is added, or when a member is removed. A copy of the membership list will be provided to any member of the
officers as requested. A copy of the membership list will be provided to all current members at least once a year on or before
1 April, or after election results have been recorded, and membership dues received. Disbursement of all monies with the
exception of miscellaneous business expenses up to $100 shall be by direction of the President and/or Founder/Councilor, or
by a majority vote of the officers and/or membership.
Section 6 - On or before 1 April of each year, the President, Secretaries and Treasurer shall prepare an annual report
for the club, to include an annual financial report.
ARTICLE IX - Discipline and Contingencies
Section 1 - Discipline - The Officers of the club may suspend or expel from the membership, any person who, after a fair
and impartial hearing shall be found guilty of violating any of the rules of this club, or of conduct detrimental to this
club, or to the Snowshoe Cat, or to the cat fancy. If the member is suspended or expelled and has a web page affiliated with
TISCA, their web page will be suspended or removed from the TISCA web site.
Section 2 - In the event that the elected officers do not fulfill their duties to the point that the club is in danger,
the Founder/Councilor may declare an emergency and shall have the authority to remove the delinquent officer(s) and instigate
an emergency election.
Section 3 - In the event that a breeder member fails to sign or adhere to the TISCA Code of Ethics, the Officers of
the club will suspend or expel from the membership any breeder who, after a fair and impartial hearing shall be found guilty
of violating the TISCA Code of Ethics. If a breeder is suspended or expelled and has a web page affiliated with TISCA, their
web page will be suspended or removed from the TISCA web site.
Section 4 - In the event that this club disbands for any reason, the Founder/Councilor will work with the President,
Treasurer and/or other officers to determine a fair and impartial disbursement of all monies in the clubs bank account between
either the members, or to one or more rescue organizations, or a combination of the two options.
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