Hampton Roads Schutzhund Club

Constitution and Bylaws

ARTICLE I Name of Club

The name of this association is the Hampton Roads Schutzhund Club and shall be known as such.

ARTICLE II Object of the Club

1. To train dogs and handlers for the sport of Schutzhund.

2. The promotion of working dogs for the sport of Schutzhund, police work and search and rescue work.

3. To support and organize trials for Schutzhund, as well as, conformation evaluation events.

4. To interest and educate the public about Schutzhund, police and search and rescue training.

5. To preserve the German Shepherd Dog in accordance with the breed standard as a working dog, to promote humane training methods for the working dog and to support responsible dog ownership and breeding practices.

ARTICLE III Nonprofit

This club shall be conducted as a nonprofit organization. All dues, levies, and other income shall be disbursed to promote the objectives of this club, along with the associated social activities of this club.

ARTICLE IV Dissolution

The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of two thirds (2/3) majority vote of its active members in good standing. In such a case, after payment of all debts and liabilities of the club, its assets and property shall be divided equally among the active members in good standing.

ARTICLE V Membership

Section A: The club shall consist of five types of membership.

1. Active members - These members are actively training dogs and are progressing towards their goals in Schutzhund. These members are required to be members of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USA). These members are entitled to vote, hold office and enjoy all the benefits of this organization.

2. Associate members - These members are not actively training dogs or have attended less than 6 training sessions in a 6-month period or new members that have not demonstrated satisfactory progress towards earning the “BH” (begliethund) title. These members are not required to be members of USA. These members will not vote or hold office.

3. Family Membership – A family membership shall recognize two (2) persons in a family as individual full members of HRSC with all rights and privileges as described in part “1” above. The dues for a family membership shall be one and one-half (1 ½) times the dues for a full membership.

4. Honorary members - These members may be elected at large from those who have rendered valuable service to the club or the working dog movement. These members may not vote or hold office.

5. Student Membership – This membership is available to any person who is a full-time student. The Board of Directors (hereinafter “Board”) shall determine dues and privileges of membership. Student members shall not be eligible to hold office or serve on any committee except as determined by the Board. Parental or guardian consent is required for those under the age of 18.

Section B: Application for Election of Membership

1. Applications for membership shall be made to the Secretary in writing upon forms provided.

2. Applicant shall attend and participate in four (4) training sessions.

3. Election to active membership shall require approval of the club. Election to active membership shall require approval by three-quarters (3/4) of the members present.

4. The Board shall appoint honorary members.

Section C: Resignation

Any member may resign at any time and may be deleted from the membership upon receipt of resignation, in writing, by the Secretary.

Section D: Suspension

1. Any member may be suspended by a three-quarter (3/4) majority vote of the Board or automatically as provided for elsewhere.

2. Any member under suspension shall not be entitled to vote or participate in training sessions.

3. Any member under suspension for four (4) months shall be expelled from membership automatically.

4. Any active member who does not renew their membership to USA, and this club’s secretary is notified by the USA Treasurer of said fact, will have thirty (30) days in which to renew their USA membership and provide the Club Secretary with a photocopy of that membership card with expiration date. Failure to renew USA membership and or to provide proof of membership will result in suspension.

ARTICLE VI Dues and Special Levies

Section A: Dues and Fees

1. Membership dues and fees will be determined by the Board and approved by the general members.

2. Annual membership dues are to be paid in January of each year. A photocopy of a USA membership card showing the expiration date shall be included for active members when membership fees are paid.

3. A training fee for each dog worked is assessed each club training day.

4. Active members are responsible for keeping their USA membership current. This fee is determined by USA and includes the subscription to Schutzhund USA.

Section B: Special Levies

The membership may approve by a majority vote the collection of special equal levies against the membership to meet the expenses of the club.

Section C: Nonpayment of Dues or Special Levies

1. The Secretary/Treasurer shall notify a member whose dues remain unpaid one (1) month after they are due in writing. If said dues remain unpaid for another thirty (30) days, the membership shall be automatically suspended.

2. Any member whose share of a special levy remains unpaid for one (1) month after approval by membership vote shall be so notified in writing by the Secretary/Treasurer. If said levy remains unpaid for another thirty (30) days, the member shall be automatically suspended.

ARTICLE VII Charges for Misconduct

Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be preferred in duplicate and forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer of the club with a deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00), which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. Only the Board shall hear all charges. The accused member must be allowed to present his case to the Board. Any member against whom charges have been filed may, by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the Board, be suspended for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days or expelled from membership.

ARTICLE VIII Board of Directors

1. The control and management of the affairs of the club shall be vested in the Board.

2. The Board shall consist of:

a. President

b. Vice President

c. Secretary/Treasurer

d. Director(s) at Large - who shall be elected from the Active Members.

e. Training Coordinator - appointed by the Board for a specific term.

1. The President shall call regular meetings of the Board at least quarterly. The Board meetings may precede or follow the general membership meetings.

2. The President or three Directors acting in concert shall call special meetings of the Board.

3. A majority of the Directors in office being present shall constitute a quorum to conduct regular business. The Board shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur between elections except that of President.

4. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of the Board and general meetings and shall have such notes available to any member at any time.

5. The Board shall have general supervision over all disbursements of the Secretary/Treasurer and shall appoint an auditing committee to consist of three (3) members of the Board who shall audit accounts and records annually and prior to all elections.

6. The Board shall have the power to appoint committees and assistant officers.

ARTICLE IX Officers and their responsibilities

1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings and act as the chief executive of the club. He/she shall be a member of all committees.

2. Vice President: The Vice President shall in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the President. He/she will officially greet visitors and control their location and movements at the training grounds while dogs are in training.

3. Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer shall have charge of all correspondence, keep the records and roll of members, the minutes of meetings and Board meetings, and election results. He/she shall receive, collect and disburse all funds of the club. Disbursements shall be made only by signed vouchers, which shall be kept as a part of the permanent record system, which shall include an account book of receipt and disbursements. He/she shall render a formal statement regarding the club funds annually and informally at all regular meetings.

ARTICLE X Election of Officers and Directors

1. The Officers and Directors shall be elected by the Active Membership in good standing for a term of one (1) year by secret ballot, at an annual meeting of the club. All officers and directors shall assume office immediately following the announcement of election results.

2. Nominations for Officers and Directors can be made thirty (30) days prior and up to the date of the election. All nominations must be seconded. Prior to the election, the Secretary/Treasurer shall receive consent to hold office from all nominees, this may be written or verbal.

3. Any Active Member whose membership has lapsed or who has not renewed their USA membership or who has not paid their dues, fees or levies shall be disqualified from voting or holding office.

ARTICLE XI Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of “Sturgis” shall govern this association in all parliamentary situations not covered in the law, or in the constitution and bylaws, or adopted rules. In case of conflict between the provisions of the constitution and bylaws and the parliamentary provisions of “Sturgis” the provisions of this constitution and bylaws shall prevail.

ARTICLE XII Meetings

The general membership meeting to conduct business shall be held in conjunction with the training sessions. Unless otherwise announced, these meetings shall be held on the date of the first training session of the month.

ARTICLE XIII Constitutional Amendments

1. The Constitution and Bylaws may be amended, altered or appealed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the active members in good standing.

2. Any proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be formally read at the monthly meeting preceding the meeting at which actual voting takes place, and shall appear in the minutes of that meeting.

ARTICLE XIV Training Coordinator

The Board shall appoint a Training Coordinator for a term of one (1) year. He/she shall fulfill the requirements to maintain a satisfactory and successful training program. He/she will be an active member in good standing. He/she shall be in charge of all club training at the training grounds during normal training hours. Should the training coordinator hold an office, an additional member at large will be elected as a Board member. The Training Coordinator, his/her assistants, other trainers or helpers shall not be reimbursed for club activities.

ARTICLE XV Training

1. It is the policy of the club that all members and their guests sign in, in the logbook while on field whether training or on a work party for the club.

2. It is the policy of this club that one (1) dog per person will be given priority over extra dogs. The training of extra dogs at any one session can be done only with the consent of the Training Coordinator and must not interfere with the timely training of other dogs. Extra dogs (and nonmember dogs) may be trained last in the session.

3. Extra dogs owned by club members that are under six (6) months of age may be tied out during a training session or brought to the session for socialization without paying the extra dog fee, provided that such action does not interfere with the training of the other dogs. Any substantial training or evaluation of a new dog or puppy will require a testing/evaluation fee.

4. Prospective members and guests of members may attend any training session. They may not enter into training activities of the club, except by the consent of the Training Coordinator or the presiding club officer. Before participating they must first register with the Secretary/Treasurer and pay the fee.

5. The Training Coordinator may require any member at anytime to demonstrate their dog’s progress in phases other than the protection phase. In order for any dog to participate in the protection phase, the Training Coordinator must be convinced that the dog is genuinely being trained for the sport of Schutzhund. The Training Coordinator reserves the right to refuse protection training for any dog.

6. A member cannot participate in training sessions unless their membership fees are paid in full.

ARTICLE XVI Empowered Representative

One member shall be elected by the active membership to serve as a club delegate to the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. This person will be elected during annual elections. This person shall be a member in good standing. This person will be empowered to represent the club in all matters and will be a member of the Board of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.

ARTICLE XVII Club Dues to the United Schutzhund Clubs of America

The Club must pay to the treasurer of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, an annual fee as prescribed by that organization, upon the date affiliation with the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, and every year (anniversary date) thereafter.