Section 1. Election
A. There shall be seven directors elected from the Association voting membership that serve three-year terms. Terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the directors are elected each year.
B. Candidates must be voting members that are current with dues payment, own a Morab registered in the voting members name with IMR, have served as a volunteer for IMBA in some capacity, be a member in the year prior to the year in which the ballot will be cast or by petitioning the BOD and receiving approval, and not currently being considered for removal from membership. The Nominating Committee shall notify any member who submitted a biography but does not qualify; such individual may appeal to the BOD for approval. Each candidate must submit his/her biography such that it is received by the Nominating Committee Chair by August 15. The biographies may not include references to another candidate running for the IMBA Board of Directors, either to encourage or discourage members from voting for that candidate. The Nominating Committee shall review each biography to assure that this guideline is met and shall promptly return biographies to candidates with an explanation if this guideline is not met. The Nominating Committee shall accept a valid biography regardless of any spelling or grammatical errors and shall not edit the biography but print as presented. There is a maximum of 550 words for the biography and a form shall be available for candidates on the website. [Adopted Nov. 2008]
C. At least one nomination will be placed for each position, with accommodations made for write-in entries. A write-in candidate may be elected but must have the same qualifications as a nominated candidate to hold a seat on the BOD. [Adopted Nov. 2008]
D. Ballots for directors nominated by the Nominating Committee shall be mailed to the voting membership no more than 45 and no less than 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting of Members. Ballots must be mailed to the location designated on the ballot and must be post-marked at least 7 days prior to the Annual Meeting of Members. A person whose application to join IMBA is postmarked by September 15 will receive a ballot for the current year; after that date the membership will be carried into the next year. [Adopted Nov. 2006]
E. Vacancies shall be filled by the BOD from the voting membership.
F. A board member may resign by submitting a written resignation to the Chairperson. The resignation is effective as soon as it is received. If a board member resigns mid-term, he/she must be re-elected to serve again on the board. [Adopted Nov. 2009]
G. As membership increases, the number of BOD may increase in increments of 2 directorships to maintain an odd number total. At least one director may be elected from each region if the region has at least 25 voting members prior to a June 15th deadline for nominations. If a region with 25 members fails to offer a nominee by the June 15th deadline before the Annual Meeting of Members, the total number of board members shall remain an odd number.
Section 2. Oath of Office
Before taking office, each director will sign in front of one non-family member witness, date and file with the Registrar, the following Oath of Office: “I do solemnly pledge that I will, to the best of my abilities, perform the duties of this office. At the close of my official term, I will turn over to my successor, all books, records and other properties, including funds, of the Association, that may be in my possession. I will also deliver all such properties to the Association upon lawful demand. During my term of office for the IMBA, I will not serve as a director/officer of any other Morab, Arabian, or Morgan Registry. I will at all times devote my efforts to further the objectives and best interests of the Association.” The Registrar will send a copy of the signed oath to the Secretary for his/her files.
Section 3. Duties and powers
The BOD shall have authority and responsibility for the following:
Enter into contracts, pay debts, make investments, keep a good accounting of all financial transactions, establish and set pay and/or benefits for an Association Executive and/or staff; approve and remove Association memberships, appoint the Executive Director, Registrar, Webmaster and approve committee members nominated by the Chairperson.
A director must be a member in good standing throughout his/her term of office. If a director allows his/her membership to lapse for 2 months, the chair shall immediately call for the director’s membership or resignation. If the director fails to renew his/her membership within a month after the chair person’s notice, that director is effectively removed from office. A director convicted in a court of law of a felony is effectively removed from office unless as otherwise determined by the board. [Adopted Nov. 2008]
Section 4. Expenses
Directors who incur pre-authorized expenses in the performance of their authorized duties shall, upon approval by the Executive Committee, be reimbursed when such expenses are itemized and presented to the respective Association officer.