top of page

Safe Haven Animal Refuge Project Inc. Bylaws 

Safe Haven Animal Refuge Project Inc. BYLAWS  

 

Article 1. Name and purpose 

The name of the organization shall be “Safe Haven Animal Refuge Project Inc.” A non-profit corporation. The organization is created exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.   

1. Facilitate the rescue and adoption of homeless domestic animals of pure or mixed breed lineage, and placing adoptable animals into solid and stable homes, while providing long-term care for those animals not appropriate for adoption; 

2. Prevent cruelties of any form to all animals and to aid in the prosecution of such cruelties; 

3. Help relieve suffering of, and prevent cruelty to, animals through dissemination of information to and education of the public; 

4. Help reduce the numbers of homeless, relinquished, abandoned, and destroyed domestic animals through the dissemination of information to, and the education of the public, including, but not limited to, lectures, seminars, and shelter visits relating to humane and responsible treatment, adequate medical care, and sterilization. 

5. To rescue, rehabilitate, and find homes for animals in danger of euthanasia in animal shelters across the state of Georgia.  
 
Article 2. Membership 
The Organization will not have general membership. Financial supporters will be entitled “Donators,” while volunteers will be entitled “Volunteers.” Both Donators and Volunteers will have no rights to vote as directed by the Board of Directors. Volunteers will be required to submit an application, which will be subject to majority vote of the Board of Directors. Volunteers accepted into the Organization are allowed to participate in the activities of the Organization as described in Article I. Volunteers also have the right to financially support the Organization. Any person wishing to become an active foster home for the animals awaiting adoption will be required to comply with the policies and procedures of the Organization and will also be subject to majority vote of the Board of Directors. Foster Home Volunteers accepted into the Organization are allowed to participate in the activities as described in Article I. The Organization shall be authorized to pay reasonable expenses of Volunteers incurred on behalf of the Organization, upon submission of receipts, and to make payments in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I. Determination of eligibility will be made without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, or disability of the applicants. It does so in accordance with local, state, and federal law. 

 

Article 3. Powers 
The general powers of the Organization will be exercised, its property controlled and its business and affairs conducted by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the Board). The Board may act only by a majority vote of all the Directors of the Board in the matters declared in Articles 1 and 2. The Organization shall be authorized or empowered to pay reasonable reimbursements for actual and necessary expenses to further improve the health and well-being of the animals and to make payments in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article I.  No substantial part of the activities of the Organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and furthermore, shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distribution of statements) political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.  

 

Article 4. Meeting and Voting 

The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Organization. The Board shall also delegate responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Volunteers and Foster Home Volunteers. The Board shall consist of up to seven (7) and not fewer than three (3) members. The Board receives no compensation other than reasonable expenses after supplying receipts to the Treasurer. The Board shall meet at least twice a year in an agreed upon time and place. Actions required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting. All of the Officers entitled to vote must, individually or collectively, consent in writing to such action. Electronic mail shall be considered equivalent to any communication otherwise required to be in writing. Board members shall also be permitted to participate in meetings through telephone or online communication. All Board members shall serve unlimited year terms. A quorum must be attended by at least 60% of the Board members before business can be transacted or motions made or passed. An official board meeting requires that each Board member have written notice two weeks in advance. Any written notice is acceptable. 
 
There shall be four (4) Officers consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer . In the case of the board consisting of only three members, one member will hold both the Secretary and Treasurer positions. Their duties are as follows: 

  • The President shall be in charge of all of its activities and business, convene regularly, and treasurer positions.  

  • The President shall be responsible for keeping records of the board meetings, including overseeing the taking of minutes at all board meetings, sending out meeting announcements, distributing copies of minutes and the agenda to each Board member, and assuring that corporate records are maintained. 

  • The President shall manage the financial affairs of the Organization and shall be responsible for all funds, properties and securities held by the Organization. The Treasurer shall make a report at each board meeting, reviewing all receipts and disbursements of the Organization. In addition, the Treasurer shall provide a monthly financial report to all Officers.   

  • The Vice President shall serve as the President’s delegate as well as preside in the President’s absence.  

When a vacancy on the Board exists, the Secretary may receive nominations for new members from present Board members two weeks in advance of a Board meeting. These nominations shall be sent out to Board members with the regular Board meeting announcement, to be voted upon at the next Board member meeting. Resignation from the Board must be in writing and received by the Director. A Board member shall be dropped for excess absence from the Board if she/he has an unexcused absence from the Board meeting that year. A Board member may be removed for other reasons by a 60% vote of the remaining officers. 

 

 

Article 5 Fiscal Year 
The fiscal year shall be the calendar year. The fiscal year for the Organization shall be March 30.  

 

Article 6 Dissolution 
The organization may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the board. In the event of the dissolution of the organization, other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the organization nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the organization shall be distributed to any volunteers, but after payment of the debts of the organization, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of animals selected by the Board. 

 

Article 7 Order of business  
 

At General meetings, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows: 
 

  • Sign-in of Board Members  

  • Approval of minutes of last meeting 

  • Report of the President 

  • Report of the Vice-President 

  • Report of the Secretary 

  • Report of the Treasurer 

  • Reports of the Committees 

  • Unfinished business 

  • New business 

  • Adjournment 

Subscribe Form

Thanks for submitting!

©2023 by My Site. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page