Southwest Working Dog

Association

 

Constitution and Bylaws

 

Article I

 

Name of Club:

 

The name of this club is “Southwest Working Dog Association” and shall be known as such.

 

This club known as Southwest Working Dog Association, here after referred to as SWDA or “club” and was founded in November 2001.

 

Article II

 

Objectives of the Club:

 

• To train dogs for the sport of Schutzhund.
• The promotion of working dogs for the sport of Schutzhund, police work, search and rescue work as well as other working dog competitions and trials.
• Support movements that demonstrate the advantages of Schutzhund training.
• Support and organize trials for Schutzhund.
• Support the use of dogs by police departments.
• To interest and educate the public about Schutzhund, police dogs and search and rescue training.
• To preserve the German Shepherd Dog in accordance with the USA Breed Standard as a working dog, to promote humane training methods for the working dog and to support responsible dog ownership and breeding practices.
• To support members with other breeds in accomplishing their goals and objectives.

 

Article III

 

Club Status:

 

This club shall be conducted as a non-profit organization. All dues, levies and other income shall be disbursed to promote the objectives of the club, club related social activities, equipment and debts incurred by this club.

 

 Article IV

 

Termination of Club:

 

The club may be dissolved at any time by majority vote of the Executive Board Members and approval of the Training Director or at the decision of the Training Director. In such case, payment of all debts and liabilities of the club will be made, to include pro rated dues reimbursement to all active full members in good standing. Any remaining funds will be retained for use at the decision of the Training Director. Club equipment will remain in the control of the Training Director.

 

Article V

 

Membership and Visitors:

 

The club shall consist of the following members and all members must be current members in good standing with the United Schutzhund Clubs of America:

 

Full Members – A Full Member shall be defined as:

 

This person has attended club training secsessions an Applicant Member for up to six consecutive months. Their training dues are current and have been paid in a timely manner. They have the same training goals and objectives as this club. They commit to assist in club related activities / events, to train all three phases of schutzhund both on their own and with the club (tracking, obedience, protection) and to attend at least eighty percent (80%) of scheduled general club training for obedience and protection and attend at least one (1) scheduled general club tracking session out of every four (4) scheduled tracking sessions, they accept rotation in the training day food list, they adhere to all club rules and bylaws. They have signed a Hold Harmless / Liability Release pertaining to SWDA, members of SWDA and the property owners. Their full membership status has been unanimously approved by the board and approved by a majority vote of the general membership.

 

These members shall be entitled to attend board meetings, hold office when a board position becomes available when the board has approved them for such position. These members have full club privileges, to include a full vote in General Board Meetings and Issues, use of all club designated facilities during training times, use of club equipment, training assistance and direction by the Training Director and benefit in all advantages of this club. 

 

Associate Members – An Associate Member shall be defined as:

This person has attended club training secession as an Applicant Member for up to six consecutive months. Their training dues are current and have been paid in a timely manner. They have the same training goals and objectives as this club but are unable to make the commitment needed to hold a Full member Status (ie; they have work or family commitments that would not allow them to attend at least eighty percent (80 %) of scheduled training sessions. They have a older or retired dog, they are not focused at this time in attaining a schutzhund title or similar reasons that would not allow them to meet the Full Member requirements). They commit to assist in club related activities / events, adhere to all club rules and bylaws. They have signed a Hold Harmless / Liability Release pertaining to SWDA, members of SWDA and the property owners. Their Associate membership status has been unanimously approved by the board and approved by a majority vote of the general membership. As an Associate Member they may only train with the club 1 session per month (twelve (12) times per year unless they are entered in a SWDA Event in which case they may train to prepare for the event starting 5 weeks prior to the event. The Associate Member must contact the club to inform them that they will be attending a training session. An Associate member is not on the food rotation list.

 

Honorary Members – A Honorary Member shall be defined as:

 

These members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors (officers), for those persons who have rendered valuable service to the club, the sport of Schutzhund, the German Shepherd Dog or a service dog organization. Honorary member status may be revoked at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of the general membership.

 

Applicant Members – Applicant Members shall be defined as:

 

An Applicant Member is a person who has expressed a desire to join the club. This person will be an Applicant Member for a period of time, not to exceed one hundred eighty days (6 months). They have signed a Hold Harmless / Liability Release pertaining to SWDA, members of SWDA and the property owners.  They must pay the club dues established for an Applicant Member. They will have no obligation to join the club and they can elect not to continue as an Applicant Member. The club reserves the right to terminate the relationship with the Applicant Member at any time, with or without cause and explanation. If the Applicant Member is terminated their dues will be reimbursed on a pro rated basis. During the one hundred eighty-day period (6 months) the Applicant Member will be assigned a “mentor” this person will be a Full Member of the Club and will aid the Applicant Member by answering questions and teaching them the responsibilities of membership in the club. The Applicant Members will be expected to participate in training and club activities. This will allow the club members to get to know the Applicant Member and allow the Applicant Member to become familiar with the club members and training program. At the end of the one hundred eighty-day period the Board of Directors will vote to accept or not accept the Applicant Member as a Full Member and approved by a majority vote of the general membership

 

Visitors – A Visitor shall be defined as:

 

A non-club member who has no interest in joining the club, but would like to participate in a training secession or a prospective new Applicant member visiting the club to see if they have interest in applying for membership.

 

This person must contact a board member and request permission to visit and participate in a scheduled training session. The training director must approve these sessions. During these training sessions the Visitor will have use of the training field and limited use of club equipment. Training assistance and direction by the Training Director will be available upon request. A field and equipment fee may be required and is payable prior to training. All Visitors must sign a Hold Harmless / Liability Release pertaining to SWDA, members of SWDA and the property owners a Hold Harmless / Liability Release prior to the training session. Visitors can be asked to leave at any time during the training session if the Training Director feels their behavior is inappropriate. A Visitor will be limited to no more than three (2) consecutive visits without board approval.

 

Suspension of membership:

 

A members club privileges have been suspended for a period of time to be determined by the board or until the board votes on the members continued club status. A member under suspension shall not be entitled to any of the privileges of a club member.

 

Any member may be suspended by a vote of the Board of Directors or the Training Director or automatically for major infractions as defined below, but not limited to listed infractions. A member on suspension may have their membership terminated by a majority vote of the Board Members and approved by a majority vote of the general membership or by decision of the Training Director without club approval.

Club dues will be due during the time of suspension.  

 

A member will be suspended for the following:    

 

• Failure to pay club dues in a timely manner.
• Failure to renew their USA Membership.
• Failure to adhere to club rules and bylaws.
• Inhumane or abusive treatment of a dog.
• Failure to comply with safety requests of the Training Director.
• Unsafe dog handling.

 

Termination of Membership:

 

A member’s club status is terminated upon a majority vote of the Executive Board of Directors and approved by a majority vote of the General Membership or by decision of the Training Director with or without club approval.

A member’s membership status does not need to be suspended prior to termination. A member may be terminated by a majority board vote at any time. Club dues will be reimbursed on a prorated basis after any member’s club debts are settled.

 

Article VI

 

Dues and Assessments:

 

Full Member - $ 350.00, per year, for one person and one dog.

$ 50.00 fee may be required for additional dogs (Training Directors’ decision). Designated Club Helpers will receive a discounted membership (Training Directors decision).

Associate Member - $ 180.00 per year , for one person and one dog (12 training sessions

 per year)

Honorary Member – No annual membership dues. An Honorary Member is one person

with up to two dogs. A $75.00 dog fee may be required for each additional dog.

Applicant Member – $40.00, per month for up to six months. Membership dues will be required when membership is granted and months paid will be adjusted from yearly dues.

Visitor - $10.00, per session and an additional $5.00 per additional dog. A two-dog limit may be enforced.

 

Membership dues payment schedule:

 

Annual membership dues are payable when you join the club and annually by the 20^th day of January. Members joining after the month of June will be charged half the annual dues.     

 

Payments are to be made to the club Treasurer or in the absence of the Treasurer any Executive Board Member.

 

Failure to pay dues will result in suspension.  Suspension for failure to pay dues may result in membership termination, based upon a board vote.

 

Assessments:

 

$75.00 assessment may be levied for each additional dog above the allowed number of dog(s) as described in your specific membership.

 

Payments are to be made to a Club Officer.

 

The membership may approve by a majority vote, the collection of general assessments, against the club members to meet the clubs financial obligations. General assessments for unforeseen expenses may be levied when approved by a majority vote of the general board.

Persons with unpaid assessments will have their membership placed on suspension.

 

Article VII:

 

General Responsibilities and Descriptions

Training Director and Executive Board of Directors :

 

The Training Director will over see and hold final approval / disapproval (Veto) of all actions of the Executive Board and the General Members. The Training Director will not sit on either board as a voting member.

 

The Executive Board of Directors shall exercise the control and management of the club affairs. The Executive Board of Directors will consist of the following positions.

 

• President
• Vice President 
• Treasurer

 

All Executive Board Members have an indefinite term, however Board positions are reviewed annually. A Board member can be voted out of their position by the remaining Board members majority vote and with approval of the Training Director. A Board Member may be removed from their position by the Training Director. A Board member may at any time resign their position. Open Executive Board Member positions will be filled by nomination from the Training Director and a majority vote of the Executive Board / General Membership (all SWDA Members).

 

• Board of Directors meeting date will be subject to board availability, meetings will be held no less then bi annually.
• Board of Directors meetings shall be called by the President and shall proceed or follow regular general membership meetings and meetings shall be open to all club members.
• The President or Training Director may call an unscheduled Board of Directors meeting.
• The Executive and General Membership resolves all business by majority vote, all Board members must vote unless proxy is given. A majority of the Executive Officers being present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum to conduct regular business.
• The Treasurer shall provide a profit and loss statement at each Board of Directors meeting.
• All disbursements of club funds must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board of Directors.
• The Board shall appoint committees to assist with club related activities and events.
• Annually the Board shall evaluate the clubs financial status, dues structure and equipment needs.
• The Executive Board of Directors shall determine training days and field availability.

The Executive Board shall review each member’s membership annually and vote to continue a member’s membership. To continue membership the Board must unanimously agree.

 

 Article IIX

 

Executive Board of Directors / Officers Scope of Responsibilities:

 

Training Director - will over see and hold final approval / disapproval (Veto) of all actions of the Executive Board and the General Membership. The Training Director will not sit on either board as a voting member. As Training Director he/she shall be responsible for maintaining all training equipment and ensuring the equipment is in good working condition. He/She will determine the clubs-training schedule. He/she will evaluate each dog’s temperament, drives and eligibility for training. He/she will determine what phases of training the dog will be allowed to participate; he/she will evaluate the handler’s level of skill. The member will only participate in phases of training when approved by the Training Director. The level and frequency of participation in protection work will be determined by the Training Director.

 

 

President – The President shall preside at all meetings of the club. He/she will be responsible to ensure that all other Board Members / Officers are adequately performing their functions. Oversee all advertising, mailings and promotional activities. Assign members duties to assist with the club events (trials, training seminars, ect.) maintenance & other club needs as they arise. The President working with the Vice President shall determine the need for and the scheduling of Club Meetings.

 

Vice President  – The Vice President will assume the Presidents responsibilities in his/her absence. The Vice President shall greet all visitors and ensure all liability agreements are executed; fees are paid prior to training and control visitors location and movements at the training grounds. He/she shall provide hospitality, club information, training schedules, membership packets and provide education and promote positive relations with the interested public. The Vice President will assign the duties of secretary to a full member of the club, in the event no member is available to perform the duties of secretary the Vice President shall complete these duties. The Vice President will be responsible to ensure all paperwork is complete and accurate. He / She will act as contact person for all club activities.

 

Treasurer  – The Treasurer will be a Full Member of the club and a club officer.  He/she shall maintain current and accurate club accounts, ensure that all club debts are brought to the boards attention and paid in a timely manner. He/she must submit a financial report/ profit and loss statement at every board meeting. He/ She will disbursement of funds will be made by the treasurer or any other club officer on the account signature card. The board must approve the disbursements and a receipt for debts must be presented prior to payment. He/ she will ensure that all club dues and fees are collected in a timely manner and inform the board of any outstanding balances owed to the club. He/she shall collect and document all monies collected for equipment and refreshments.

 

Amendments:

 

The Executive Board of Directors can at any time, upon a majority vote recommend to the Training Director the need to make amendments to the Club By –Laws.    

  

Parliamentary Authority

 

The current addition of “Sturgis” shall govern this association in all parliamentary situations that are not covered in the laws, or in these constitutions and by – laws, or adopted rules. In case of conflict between the provisions of the constitution and by – laws and the parliamentary provisions of “Sturgis” the provisions of this constitution and by – laws shall prevail as guidelines for resolution of situations that may arise.