About Mildcats

Mission Statement

Founded on the conviction that all living beings warrant dignity and respect, Mildcats At ASU is dedicated to ensuring the long-term welfare of the homeless cat population on the campus of ASU. To this end, Mildcats At ASU endeavors to:

• Provide humane means of controlling the homeless cat population on ASU campus through the trap, neuter and return (TNR) process.

• Find permanent loving homes for those homeless cats deemed adoptable.

• Protect the health of human population at ASU by providing rabies inoculations for and continuing to monitor the health of those cats that have undergone the TNR process.

• Educate the university populace about the responsibilities of pet ownership.

• Provide resources to individuals who have lost an animal, found an animal, or are considering re-homing their pet. Resources are not restricted to the needs of felines, but shall be provided for any animal in jeopardy of losing its home.

Membership Dues

Members of Mildcats At ASU shall pay $10.00 per year in dues. Annual dues shall be deposited into the organization’s bank account to meet operation expenses. We also provide on online method of payment through PayPal.

Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of this organization is Mildcats at Arizona State University. The name is not intended to imply affiliation with the University of Arizona Wildcats or any other organization.

ARTICLE II. BACKGROUND

Mildcats at Arizona State University was founded under the name of Wild Cats at Arizona State University in January of 2002. The name of the organization was changed to Mildcats at Arizona State University on August 8 2002 by means of a popular vote. A bank account under the name of Wild Cats at Arizona State University was established in May of 2002. Mildcats at ASU was registered as a nonprofit organization in Arizona in October of 2003. Federal 501(c) (3) status received March 1, 2005. April 2007 classified also as a 509 (a) (2), a public charity.

ARTICLE III. MISSION

Founded on the conviction that all living beings warrant dignity and respect, Mildcats at Arizona State University is dedicated to ensuring the long-term welfare of the homeless cat population at Arizona State University.

ARTICLE IV. OBJECTIVES

Mildcats at Arizona State University endeavors to:

Section 1.

Provide a humane means of controlling the homeless cat population at Arizona State University through the Trap, Neuter, and Return process.

Section 2.

Find permanent, loving homes for those homeless cats deemed adoptable.

Section 3.

Protect the health of Arizona State University’s human population by providing rabies inoculations for and monitoring the health of those cats that are trapped and returned to campus.

Section 4.

Educate the university populace about the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Section 5.

Counsel and provide resources to individuals who have lost an animal, found an animal, or are considering re-homing their pet. Counseling services and resources are not restricted to the needs of felines, but, rather, shall be provided for any animal in jeopardy of losing its home.

ARTICLE V. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Qualification of Members

Qualifications and rights of individual membership in Mildcats at Arizona State University are open to any person whose membership is not precluded under applicable law and who wishes to promote the mission and objectives of the organization.

Section 2. Good Standing

A member in good standing with Mildcats at Arizona State University is entitled to vote and to serve on the Board of Directors of Mildcats at Arizona State University.

Section 3. Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated if the Executive Committee believes the member has acted in a manner contrary to the interests of Mildcats at Arizona State University.

Section 4. Protecting the Good Name of the Organization

The name of Mildcats at Arizona State University or any of its derivations (including “Mildcats”, “Mildcats at ASU”, etc.) shall not be used for the endorsement or sale of products and/or services without written approval of the Executive Committee. Violations shall be reported to the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI. DUES

Membership due is $10 annually, due in January.

ARTICLE VII. AFFILIATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Mildcats at Arizona State University allows alliances with other organizations, so long as the organization supports and does not in any manner contradict the Mission and Objectives of Mildcats at Arizona State University. The Executive Committee shall determine the appropriateness of forming an alliance with an organization.

ARTICLE VIII. GENERAL MEETINGS

Section 1. Composition.

“The Membership” refers to all members in good standing with Mildcats at Arizona State University.

Section 2. Function.

The Membership is the legislative body of Mildcats at Arizona State University. It has full power and authority over the affairs of Mildcats at Arizona State University within the limits set by these Bylaws. It has authority to review decisions made by the Executive Committee and to accept or reject them.

Section 3. General Meetings.

General meetings shall be held on a regular basis, at intervals deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

Section 4. General Notice.

Notice of meetings shall be communicated to the Membership electronically or by telephone (if necessary) at least two days prior to the meeting.

Section 5. Quorum.

Those members in good standing present at the beginning of a general meeting shall constitute a quorum for all business of the organization.

Section 6. Parliamentary Procedure.

Robert's Rules of Order shall govern all parliamentary procedure. The First Vice President of the organization shall preside over parliamentary procedure.

Section 7. Amendments to Bylaws.

The quorum of the Membership has the power to amend these Bylaws by a two-thirds majority vote.

Section 8. Voting.

Voting may be by voice, show of hands, or ballot at a meeting or may be conducted in absentia by mail or electronic ballot. Unless amending the Bylaws, a simple majority vote is all that is required.

Section 9. Business between General Meetings.

The President is authorized to consult the Executive Committee concerning decisions that must be made between general meetings. All decisions requiring a vote must be presented to the Membership.

ARTICLE IX. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Executive Committee.

The elected officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Mildcats at Arizona State University. The elected officers shall be the President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President and the Treasurer. These shall constitute the voting members of the Board. The Secretary is appointed by the elected members of the Executive Committee and does not have voting privileges.

Section 2. Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. It shall be comprised of one to five individuals with expertise relevant to the Mission of the organization. The Advisory Committee is responsible for counseling the Executive Committee on technical and ethical matters related to the Mission of Mildcats at Arizona State University. At least one member of the Advisory Committee shall be an employee of Arizona State University.

Section 3. Terms of Office for the Board of Directors.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will serve a one-year appointment. Term limits will not be enforced, unless the Membership votes to amend the Bylaws. The terms of the Advisory Board members of the Board of Directors will be determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 4. Duties and Powers.

The Board of Directors shall constitute the Mildcats at Arizona State University’s governing body, shall manage Mildcats at Arizona State University, and shall plan for and have responsibility for all Mildcats at Arizona State University operations, finances, policies, and membership affairs, both current and long-range. The Board of Directors may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as shall be deemed advisable.

The Board of Directors is subject to any provision and limitations delineated in the State of Arizona’s nonprofit statutes and any other applicable laws. The Board of Directors is also subject to any limitations of the Mildcats at Arizona State University’s Articles of Incorporation.

Section 5. Board of Directors Meetings.

A vote by the Executive Committee shall determine the date, time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will meet as necessary and at such times and places as the Executive Committee deems appropriate.

Section 6. Action between Meetings.

The Executive Committee may act on matters on behalf of the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board. The President, in consultation with the Executive Committee, and upon gaining a majority agreement from the Executive Committee, may act upon matters on behalf of Mildcats at Arizona State University between meetings. All such actions shall be recorded by the Recording Secretary and included in the minutes of the next meeting.

Section 7. Quorum.

A quorum consists of the four voting members of the Executive Committee.

Section 8. Vacancies.

President. If the office of the President is vacated, the First Vice President shall assume the position of President and shall serve for the duration of that term.

First Vice President. If the office of the First Vice President is vacated, the Second Vice President shall assume the position of First Vice President and shall serve for the duration of that term.

Second Vice President. If the office of Second Vice President is vacated, the Executive Committee shall appoint an individual to the office until the next General Meeting, at which time a special election will be held to select a new Second Vice President who will serve the duration of the term.

Treasurer. If the office of Treasurer is vacated, the Executive Committee shall appoint an individual to the office until the next General Meeting, at which time a special election will be held to select a new Treasurer who will serve the duration of the term.

Secretary. If the office of Secretary is vacated, the Executive Committee shall appoint a new individual to the office.

Appointed Members. If there is a vacancy in the office of any appointed member, the President, at the approval of the Executive Committee, may appoint a person to fill said vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term.

Section 9. Removal of Board Members.

The Executive Committee has full authority to remove an elected or appointed Board member for just cause. Removal shall be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee, at a duly held meeting of the Executive Committee at which a quorum is present, provided that a notice of the proposed removal and the basis of such removal shall have been sent in writing to all of the Executive Committee members 2 weeks before final action is taken on such removal. The notice shall include the date, time, and place of the meeting at which said action shall be considered. The Officer in question shall have the opportunity to present any relevant information, in writing, in person, or through a representative, to the Executive Committee before final action is taken.

ARTICLE X. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. President.

The President shall act as the executive officer for Mildcats at Arizona State University. The President shall arrange for meeting sites, set the agenda and preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and/or the Board of Directors. The President shall motivate, educate and interact with all Board members. The President shall countersign all contracts and other instruments of Mildcats at Arizona State University, exercise general leadership and supervision over the affairs of Mildcats at Arizona State University in implementing its purposes, and execute such additional duties as defined by the Executive Committee of the organization.

The President shall, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoint members to the Advisory Board positions, committee chairs, and ad hoc committees as the Executive Committee deems necessary. In the President's absence, the President's duties shall be assumed by the First Vice President who may be succeeded by the Second Vice President.

Section 2. First Vice President.

The First Vice President shall serve as parliamentarian for all meetings and shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and shall assist and confer with the President in a leadership capacity within the organization. The First Vice President will also represent the President if the President is unable to attend a function or meeting.

Section 3. Second Vice President.

The Second Vice President shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and the First Vice President. The Second Vice President oversees the organizational details of Mildcats at Arizona State University and works in coordination with the Treasurer and Secretary to provide reports to them and from them to the Executive Committee when these members are not in attendance at Board meetings.

Section 4. Secretary.

The Secretary is a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The Secretary is responsible for taking, amending, and disseminating minutes at all meetings of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and full Membership meetings; disseminating the minutes to all Board members; submitting the minutes for publication in the password-protected section of the Mildcats at Arizona State University web site; amending minutes and archiving the minutes as hardcopies; archiving as hard copies and, when possible, in electronic files, any forms, protocols or position papers and pertinent list serve discussions developed by the organization.

In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of Mildcats at Arizona State University, the President will appoint a member to keep minutes of that meeting.

Section 5. Appointed Members of the Board of Directors.

The duties of the appointed members of the Board of Directors include the general responsibilities, described elsewhere in these Bylaws.

ARTICLE XI. ELECTIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1. Election.

Election of the President, the First Vice President, the Second Vice President, and the Treasurer shall be voted on by the entire Membership.

Section 2. Qualifications.

To be an elected officer, the individual must have been a member of Mildcats at Arizona State University for at least six months prior to running for office.

Section 3. Length of Term.

The President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Treasurer shall serve for one year in each capacity.

Section 4. Commencement of Term.

Upon election, each officer shall assume the duties of the office at the next scheduled Board meeting and will continue to serve for the duration of the term.

ARTICLE XII. MODE OF ELECTIONS

The Nominations Committee, consisting of the President, the First Vice President, and the Second Vice President will prepare a slate of nominees for each vacant office. The committee will identify at least one candidate for each office. Members shall be informed of the process of the call for nominations as well as the slate of nominees in a timely manner.

ARTICLE XIII. DISSOLUTION

If for any reason there should be a need to dissolve Mildcats at Arizona State University, its funds shall be used only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these Bylaws. No part of said funds, after payment of any and all debts of Mildcats at Arizona State University, shall be distributed to the members of Mildcats of Arizona State University. On dissolution of Mildcats at Arizona State University, any funds remaining after payment of debts shall be distributed to one or more qualified charitable, philanthropic organizations that have a Mission(s) that parallel the Mission of Mildcats at Arizona State University, as determined by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XIV. STANDING RULES

The Executive Committee will establish additional general procedures for the operation and management of Mildcats at Arizona State University. These are referred to as the Standing Rules.