Mission
Membership
History
Governing Documents
Mission
Pine tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization serving Maine’s blind and visually impaired residents who are partnered with specially trained guide dogs. Our mission is to promote complete acceptance of guide dog teams in all aspects of life.
Membership
PTGDU members engage in a wide variety of opportunities and activities that take place year-round throughout the state. The majority of members are current and former guide dog handlers. They may be students, teachers, attorneys, homemakers, state employees, entrepreneurs, volunteers, or retirees. But no matter their backgrounds, they all share a culture of acceptance, inclusion, peer support, diversity, equality, and respect.
Discover the unique advantages of being part of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users. Visit the PTGDU Members page to learn about our membership benefits, emergency veterinary expense fund, board and committee work, and more.
History
In 1997, the founders of PTGDU requested and received affiliate status in Guide Dog Users, Inc., a nationwide nonprofit organization that strives to promote civil rights and enhance the quality of life for working guide dog teams. During its formation, key funding was received from The American Council of the Blind of Maine and other generous supporters. Later in 2017, PTGDU was incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization in the state of Maine and received federal 501(c)(3) designation.
Governing Documents
At its inception, PTGDU created a constitution and bylaws to outline the organization’s purpose and help guide the actions of its Board of Directors. As time passes, these documents are routinely reviewed and updated as needed.
PINE TREE GUIDE DOG USERS CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1. NAME.
(A) The name of this organization shall be Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, hereinafter to be known as PTGDU.
(B) The name of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users shall not be used by any person or organization without the expressed written consent of the President and/or the Board of Directors of PTGDU.
ARTICLE 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this organization shall be:
(A) To promote the equitable inclusion of guide dog teams by State and local government agencies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the general public.
(B) To work for the standardization, enforcement and expansion of legal provisions, both civil and criminal, governing the rights and responsibilities of guide dog teams.
(C) To provide guide dog related support to current, former, and prospective guide dog handlers, including but not limited to peer support, mentoring, social inclusion, advocacy, and education.
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING.
(A) Any person 16 years of age or older may become a member of PTGDU upon compliance with the provisions and requirements of this constitution and such bylaws as may be adopted.
(B) The majority of PTGDU members shall be current or former guide dog users.
(C) All members in good standing shall have the right to cast their individual votes at any meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE 4. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.
(A) The officers of PTGDU shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Only members of PTGDU can be officers. No member can serve in multiple offices simultaneously. The President and Vice-President must be current or former guide dog users.
(B) All officers shall be elected. Elections shall be held during the fall membership meeting in odd numbered years for terms of two years.
(C) The board of Directors shall consist of the officers and four additional directors.
(D) The additional directors shall serve two-year terms with two being elected in odd numbered years and two being elected in even numbered years. Elections shall be held at the fall membership meetings.
(E) The officers shall perform the usual duties of their office as provided for in ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER, current edition, unless otherwise provided for by this constitution or such bylaws as may be enacted.
(F) The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of PTGDU between meetings of the membership. Board meetings may be held in person and/or by teleconference. A majority of the Board, including two current or former guide dog users, shall constitute a quorum at such meetings.
(G) All elections shall be by a majority vote of the board members present.
ARTICLE 5. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS.
(A) PTGDU shall hold at least two Membership meetings a year, one to be held in the spring and the second to be held in the fall during the same calendar year. Meetings may be held in person and/or by teleconference.
(B) One-third of the members shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.
(C) The President or a majority of the Board of Directors may call a special meeting. At least two weeks notice must be given to the membership in order to hold a special meeting.
ARTICLE 6. FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year of PTGDU shall be from January 1 through December 31st.
ARTICLE 7. RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.
(A) Any officer or director may resign from office by notifying the President in writing. The Board of Directors may, thereafter, in its discretion, elect a person to serve in the vacant office until the next annual meeting.
(B) Any officer or director may be removed from office for good and sufficient cause, as enumerated in the Bylaws, by a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors. However, the Board shall not vote to remove a person from office until the officer or director has been given written notice of the charges pending against him/her and has been afforded an opportunity to appear and defend against the alleged charges.
(C) At the next Membership meeting, the membership of this organization shall, if necessary, elect a person to complete any unexpired term for which the resigned or removed officer or director was originally elected.
ARTICLE 8. Amendments
(A) This Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members attending a regular or special meeting in which a quorum has been established, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been sent to the membership not less than 30 days prior to the meeting.
(B) All bylaw amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the members present at a regular or special meeting in which a quorum has been established.
ARTICLE 9. COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint the chairperson of all committees within the organization unless otherwise instructed by the membership or the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 10. AFFILIATION
This organization shall be affiliated with Guide Dog Users, Inc. and with the American Council of the Blind.
ARTICLE 11. DISSOLUTION
Upon a vote of dissolution by 85 percent of the active membership and after paying all of its debts and obligations, all remaining funds shall revert to Guide Dog Users, Inc. If this organization no longer exists, all funds shall revert to The American Council of the Blind.
PINE TREE GUIDE DOG USERS BYLAWS
1. DUES:
Annual dues of PTGDU shall be determined from time to time by a majority vote of the membership at any regular meeting. Of the dues, PTGDU shall remit to GDUI the amount prescribed by that organization and the remaining amount shall be retained for PTGDU purposes. All fees, membership and other requirements of affiliation with the American Council of the Blind shall be provided as determined by that organization. Annual dues shall be payable at each fall meeting and become delinquent as of January 1 of the following year.
2. FINANCES:
(A) The President and the Treasurer shall be responsible for the selection of a bank where PTGDU bank accounts shall be established.
(B) The Treasurer may issue checks upon the order of the President.
(C) Either the President or the Treasurer may sign checks on behalf of the organization.
(D) The Treasurer and the President shall not spend more than $50 without the approval of the Board of Directors or the membership.
3. VACANCIES:
If a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall assume the office. If a vacancy occurs in another office of the organization, the Board of Directors shall appoint a person to continue in that office until the next scheduled election as prescribed in Article 7 of the Constitution.
4. CONVENTION DELEGATES:
At the spring meeting of this organization, a delegate and an alternate delegate may be elected to serve at the annual convention of Guide Dog Users, Inc.
5. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE:
(A) Failure to attend three consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors without just cause.
(B) Failure to pay dues or otherwise comply with the membership requirement of PTGDU.
(C) Failure to perform the duties of office as prescribed by the constitution and bylaws.
(D) Performance of the duties of office in a manner that is detrimental to the aims and purposes of this organization.
(E) Conviction of a felony.
6. COMMITTEES:
The president may appoint one or more committees to address special interests of PTGDU as needed.
Reviewed and revised May 7, 2025