Part A. Membership, Notices and Meetings
Section 1.
There shall be three (3) classes of membership: Regular, Associate and Honorary Life. The qualifications and voting privileges of each class are as follows:
- Regular Member
- An individual of majority actively engaged in the breeding of a thoroughbred horse domiciled in Louisiana that he/she owns or whose ownership interest in multiple breeding horses domiciled in Louisiana totals fifty percent (50%). Actively engaged is defined as the mating of a thoroughbred mare with a thoroughbred stallion and/or foaling a thoroughbred mare in each membership year. Ownership of the breeding entity on the membership application shall correspond with the mare’s registration and accreditation of said mare’s foals or stallion’s registration recorded with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Such members shall have one vote only. (Revised 12/13/19)
- A Legal Entity, (Corporation, Partnership, LLC, LLP, Estate, Farm, other than an individual), actively engaged in the breeding of a thoroughbred horse domiciled in Louisiana which owns at least one thoroughbred breeding horse domiciled in Louisiana or whose ownership interest in multiple breeding horses domiciled in Louisiana totals fifty percent (50%). The voting right of the members, partners or shareholder of any such entity is determined as follows:
i. Determine the percentage of ownership interest of each qualified breeding horse owned by the legal entity;
ii. Combine all such ownership interests of the legal entity to determine a total ownership interest;
iii. if the total ownership interest combined equals or exceeds a 50% interest in qualified horse or horses the entity shall be entitled to designate a member, partner or shareholder, with the right to vote;
iv. The entity shall be allowed to designate only one member, partner or shareholder with the right to vote;
v. any person designated with the right to vote pursuant to this sub-section must be a dues paying regular member and is entitled to only one vote. (Revised 12/13/19)
(B) Associate Membership:
Persons not eligible for membership under (A) above or (C) below are eligible to be associate members with no voting rights. However all other rights and privileges awarded a regular member are received. (Revised 04/10/12)
(C) Lifetime Membership:
(1) Honorary Lifetime: A membership bestowed on an individual or legal entity
by the Board of Directors or the membership of the LTBA because of their
contribution of time, talent and service which has been of great value to the
LTBA. The Honorary Life Member shall pay no dues but shall enjoy all the
Benefits of Regular Membership
(Revised 12/13/19)
(2) Lifetime: A membership paid by a one-time fee determined by the Board of
Directors that entitles an individual membership rights to the LTBA. The
member is entitled to one vote provided he/she meets the qualifications of
Regular Membership. Although the member’s fee is fully paid, that member
must complete the membership application each year and submit to the
LTBA office. If such member fails to meet the qualifications of Regular
Membership at any time, such member shall be considered an Associate
member with no voting rights. (Revised 04/10/12)
Section 2.
An eligible person and/or entity must apply for membership in the appropriate class and, be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Upon such approval and the LTBA certifying that the current membership dues have been paid, membership shall be awarded. The dues shall be refunded if the application is not approved.
Section 3.
Only a Regular Member and Lifetime Member shall be entitled to vote, subject to the voting rules. An Associate Member is not entitled to vote. A voting member is entitled to one vote and one vote only regardless of member classification. (Revised 04/10/12)
Section 4.
Upon the filing of a written complaint about any member on the LTBA complaint form, an investigation will be performed by the LTBA, after which the member complained of shall be given reasonable notice of the complaint and an opportunity to be heard. The Board of Directors, after the hearing, upon 75% vote of the directors present, may take any action against the member deemed appropriate to protect the interests of this Association, including the sanctions of expulsion from, termination of, or suspension of membership.
Section 5.
The Board of Directors shall establish the amount of dues and the dates by which the dues and any accompanying delinquency fees must be paid.
Section 6.
No person shall be entitled to vote, at any meeting including the Annual Membership Meeting, unless the dues and delinquent fees, if any, have been paid in full not less than sixty (60) days prior to such vote and/or meeting.
Section 7.
The membership year is July 1st through June 30th of the following year. Membership in this Association is not transferable or assignable.
Section 8.
Any member who is (1) convicted of a criminal offense which would be a felony under the laws of the United States of America or of the State of Louisiana and is not pardoned or has not completed probation or parole supervision, (2) convicted of a criminal offense which would be a misdemeanor under the laws of the State of Louisiana, which offense is related to the sport of racing or to the business of breeding, and is not pardoned or has not completed probation or parole supervision or (3) under a final order of the Louisiana State Racing Commission suspending or terminating any racing privilege or right in this State, the Board of Directors may terminate the membership of a member of this association by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board of Directors. Upon such termination, the member of this Association shall not have initiation or application fees returned or dues returned.
Section 9.
There shall be an annual meeting of the members held 30 days after written notice by mail of this date, time and place of the meeting, which shall have been determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 10.
Special meetings of the members may be called by the President, by the Board or Directors, or by 20% of the members in good standing, which meetings shall be held at the offices of this Association (unless the Board of Directors designates otherwise). The members shall be given 30 days written notice by mail of the date, time, place and purpose(s) of the meeting.
Section 11.
The depositing of written notice, postage prepaid, in the U.S. mail, addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the records of this Association constitutes written notice.