Please Note: The following letter and explanation of Bylaw Amendment proposal has been emailed to all current MNRC member clubs. Membership dues were to be paid by Aug 1 in order to be eligible to cast a ballot for this years elections .
Dear MNRC Member Club Contact and Delegate,
The document below is a bylaw amendment change proposal submitted by the MNRC Board of Directors Governance Committee.
Please read it carefully as it relates to the manner we conduct voting/ballot processes in the future. It is our vision that electronic voting and the new timelines will prevent confusion and improve the process for electing officers and the adaptation of by-law amendment.
Annette T Pacheco, President
PROPOSED BYLAWS AMENDMENT
Name of Club Master National Retriever Club Date July 23, 2026
Name of Delegate MNRC Governance Committee
Current Bylaws affected: Article Ill Section 1 Page 6
Current Bylaws affected: Article VII Section 4 Page 10
Current Bylaws affected: Article XI Sections 1, 2, and 3 Pages 19 and 20
Current Wording
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DUES
SECTION 1. Initiation Fees and Dues
The amount of the annual dues may be changed at any annual meeting. If no action is taken at any such meeting, they shall continue in the amounts as last previously established. The dues are not prorated monthly. Notice and demand for payment of such dues shall be given by the treasurer to each member club on May 1 of the year to which the dues are applicable, and payable forthwith upon receipt of such notice. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the member clubs at the annual meeting, by majority vote (vote implies eligible electronic votes and in person) of the delegates and proxies present, from according to the Board of Directors the authority to fix the initiation fee or dues within specified limits.
ARTICLE VII
GOVERNMENT
SECTION 4. Election of Officers and Directors
The Directors and Officers, except President, shall be elected at a meeting to be called annually by the President, to be held in conjunction with the Master National Hunting Retriever Test. Officer terms (except President) shall be for four (4) years. Terms shall commence on October 1, or until the election and qualification of their successors. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of all clubs at such meeting, but regional Directors shall be elected by majority vote of only such clubs as are in their respective regions.
ARTICLE Xl
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments
These by-laws may be amended at any meeting of member clubs, but notice of any proposed amendments shall be filed in writing with the Secretary by any committee appointed by the President for that purpose, or by at least two member clubs in good standing. Such filing must occur at least fifty-five (55) days prior to any such meeting. A copy thereof shall be sent by the Secretary by mail to each member club and to each delegate, at least forty (40) days before such meeting. The delegates from at least two member clubs in good standing may propose substitute amendments to the proposed amendments by mail to the MNRC Secretary 20 days prior to such meeting.
SECTION 2. Required Vote
An affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the member clubs represented (for voting,
‘represented’ implies total ballots cast from the member clubs participating in any meeting [virtual or otherwise]) at any meeting shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment, notice of which has been given in accordance with Section 1.
SECTION 3. Votes and Ballots
Amendments to the Bylaws may be decided either by mail/email vote, at the Annual
Meeting, or a special called meeting. Ballots may be returned to the Secretary by regular U.S. Postal Service First Class mail or electronic transmission. They must be received no later than 60 days after the mailing of the ballot with that date stated in the cover letter. All results with votes by clubs shall be posted.
Proposed Bylaws Amendment
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP FEES AND DUES
SECTION 1. Initiation Fees and Dues
The amount of the annual dues may be changed at any annual meeting. If no action is taken at any such meeting, they shall continue in the amounts as last previously established. The dues are not prorated monthly. Notice and demand for payment of such dues shall be given by the treasurer to each member club on May 1 of the year to which the dues are applicable, and payable forthwith upon receipt of such notice. Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the member clubs at the annual meeting, by majority vote (vote implies eligible electronic votes) of the delegates, from according to the Board of Directors the authority to fix the initiation fee or dues within specified Limits.
ARTICLE VIl
GOVERNMENT
SECTION 4. Election of Officers and Directors
The Directors and Officers, except President, shall be elected prior to the annual meeting, which is called by the President and is to be held in conjunction with the Master National Hunting Retriever Test. Officer terms (except President) shall be for four (4) years, Regional Director terms shall be for two (2) years. Terms shall commence on October 1, or until the election and qualification of their successors. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of all clubs, but regional Directors shall be elected by majority vote of only such clubs as are in their respective regions.
Nominations for open Officers and Directors positions shall be filed with the Secretary no later than sixty (60) days prior to the Annual Meeting. Ballots for Officer and Director positions shall be made available electronically to eligible clubs no later than 45 days prior to the Annual Meeting. Voting shall close 30 days after ballots are made available to eligible clubs.
ARTICLE Xl
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed by any committee appointed by the President for that purpose, or by at least two member clubs in good standing. Notice of proposed amendments shall be filed by email with the Secretary according to the following timelines:
Filing must occur at least ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting. A copy thereof shall be sent by the Secretary to each member club and to each delegate at least seventy-five (75) days prior to the annual meeting:
Delegates from at least two member clubs in good standing may propose substitute amendments to the proposed amendments. These substitute amendments must be emailed to the Secretary at least sixty (60) days prior to the annual meeting.
SECTION 2. Required vote
An affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the member clubs represented shall be necessary for the adoption of any amendment, notice of which has been given in accordance with Section 1. For voting, ‘represented’ implies total electronic ballots cast from the member clubs participating in any election.
SECTION 3. Votes and Ballots
Amendments to the Bylaws will be decided by electronically submitted votes. Ballots will be made available to the member clubs no later than forty-five (45) days prior to the annual meeting. Voting will close no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the annual meeting. Each club gets One (1) vote but may have up to two (2) registered voters.
Rationale
The MNRC Board of Directors is proposing these changes to ensure votes cast by each member club are counted in an accurate and timely manner.
The Bylaw Voting Amendment establishes electronic ballots as the only method for casting votes on bylaw amendments and for electing officers and directors. This amendment also establishes new timelines to ensure all votes by member clubs are counted ahead of the annual meeting.