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East Tennessee Riding Club

470 Tuskeegee Drive

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURE

This procedure is intended to formalize the process for becoming a member of the East Tennessee Riding Club (ETRC)

Membership is open to all who agree to abide by the rules of the organization.

Applicants must be given a copy of the current Constitution, by-laws and any other rules in effect at the time of application.

A current regular member of the ETRC must interview the applicant and explain the rules to the person(s) applying for membership. The rules discussion must include stall occupancy policies, work requirements, club participation and financial responsibility. Both applicant and the member must sign the application form.

Membership is by application only.

Applicants must complete the membership form, and submit it with the full amount of the Fee and pro-rata dues. Dues are pro-rated by the full month for the remainder of the calendar year.

Members must be voted into membership by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Applications and accompanying fees must be submitted in time to be considered by the Board of Directors at a regular meeting of the Board.

The member who interviewed the applicant and explained the rules must be present at the Board Meeting to present the applicant for consideration. The Board may also question the member for information about the applicant.

Membership is probationary for ninety (90) days and may be revoked at any time during that period for cause.

The Board may revoke probationary membership without recourse for any reason deemed sufficient. Such reasons may include (but are not limited to): bad checks for membership or user fees, failure to pay fees, violence toward or verbal abuse of another member, neglect of abuse of an animal as determined by the Health and Safety Committee, a reprimand from the Board for the disregard of Club rules.

Dues paid in consideration of membership will not be returned if a probationary membership is terminated.

 

Membership must renewed annually during the period set by the Board.

Dues are annual: the Board of Directors determines the monetary amount at the January meeting, and are payable at that time. The Board may extend the period of payment, but failure to pay the entire amount of dues in the period allowed is cause for revocation of membership.Any member whose membership is terminated for non-payment of dues must reapply as a new member. All outstanding dues and fees must be paid before such application will be considered. Any member who allows their membership to lapse through non-payment of dues must reapply and pay full years dues at the time of application. Members who do not pay dues in a timely fashion must vacate their stall within ten (10) days of the lapse of membership.

Membership may be revoked, canceled or not renewed after the probationary period for the following reasons:

• Failure to pay annual dues.
• Failure to pay user fees on a timely basis as established by the Board of Directors.
• Threats of violence toward, or verbal abuse of another member.
• Three reprimands (cumulative in any twelve month period) by the Board of Directors for violations of club rules.
• Failure to perform required work hours or failure to pay the monetary sum in lieu of the required work hours as set by the Board of Directors.
• Abuse or neglect of a horse or other animal.
• Theft or misappropriation of club property or that of another member.
• Conduct that brings discredit to the Club or to horse sports in general.
• Failure to participate in Club activities, including workdays, horse shows, special events, Club meetings, elections, etc.