North Shore Kennel Club Working Rules
Effective November 12, 2003
This document supercedes all the prior "N.S.K.C. Policy Statements" and "Working Rules" documents.
North Shore Kennel Club Working Rules
Effective November 12, 2003
This document supercedes all the prior "N.S.K.C. Policy Statements" and "Working Rules" documents.
The North Shore Kennel Club, Inc ., is an organization of hobby breeders and exhibitors, dedicated to the preservation of their respective breeds and to the development of mentally and physically sound pure bred dogs by bringing their inherent qualities close to their individual breed standards and potential.
I. MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership in NSKC Inc.Membership is a privilege and not a right. Membership in N.S.K.C. is available to persons in good standing with the American Kennel Club who will agree to abide by the purposes, goals and policies of the NSKC. The privilege of membership shall not be used to further any commercial activity. The Board of Directors of N.S.K.C., as a matter of policy, reserves the right to prohibit member activity at N.S.K.C. shows and/or functions, which could result in that member's monetary gain.
B. APPLICANT OBLIGATIONS
Applicants are required to have attended at least two club general membership meetings and/or have been on record as having helped at two club functions. Membership Applications may be obtained from the Membership Chairperson. Each candidate for membership must obtain the signatures of two sponsors who are full members in good standing with N.S.K.C. for more than one year and who are personally acquainted with the candidate. Those applicants who do not have club member sponsorship because they are new to NSKC members are required to submit letters of recommendation from two other reputable people with a similar area of canine interest or other dog club affiliation.
C. PROCESSING MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS
Completed Membership applications shall be returned to the Membership Chairperson, who will present the names of the prospective members to the Board of Directors for their consideration at the next regular Board Meeting. Applications are not considered complete until the Board has received the required letters of recommendation.
Following review, the Board will publish the names of all candidates in the next issues of the Newsletter, and based on the response from the member-at-large, will instruct the Corresponding Secretary to inform the candidate of the action taken on the application for membership, by the Board. In a case of unfavorable action, no reason need be given to the applicant. Upon acceptance the applicant will be sent the current membership list from the Membership Chairperson.
D. PROPOSING CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP
In proposing a candidate for membership, the Sponsor is attesting to the following:
1. Candidate's ethical practice as a breeder, exhibitor, or owner.2. Candidate's ability to understand, protect and breed to the standard;
3. Candidate's involvement in and knowledge of good breeding practice;
4. Quality of Candidate's work done for other pure-bred dog clubs;
5. Sponsor's recent personal knowledge of the candidate, normally for al least one year.
The Sponsor is required to write a letter to the Board with information on the above points, which apply.
E. CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
As defined in the club By-Laws, Article 1 Membership Section 1.
F. OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Members are expected to attend meetings; to engage actively in Club events and to be available when called upon to undertake tasks inherent in the responsibilities of Club membership; to support the Club's events, Point shows and Match shows by working on committees, stewarding, and/or supporting their breed with trophies.
For any members to qualify for and receive awards in any given year, members must assist the club during at least one club event or attend at least two membership meetings prior to the N.S.K.C. Annual Meeting.
Obedience challenge trophy will be restricted to owner handlers only.
For any member to qualify for participation in the N.S.K.C. breeders referral program members must assist the club during at least two club events in the prior year.
G. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
A. The Board of N.S.K.C., by a majority vote, may confer Life Membership on a member whose N.S.K.C. activities over a period of many years have promulgated the best interests of N.S.K.C.B. Life Membership shall be dues free, with voting privileges, and shall include the receipt of all club notices and publications.
H. NEWSLETTER & MEMBERSHIP LISTAll members in good standing shall receive the Newsletter and a current membership list on a regular basis. The Membership List is for Club use exclusively and may not be given to any external group or organization, for any purpose whatsoever . Any club member may elect to receive club publications via electronic mail when available in that format.
I. EXPULSION
A membership may be terminated by Expulsion as provided in Article X of the By-Laws. Expulsion of a member from the North Shore Kennel Club may be accomplished at the next Board Meeting following a Board hearing, and upon the Board's recommendation. The member shall have the privilege of appearing on his/her own behalf though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The president shall read the charges and the Board's findings and invite the member, if present, to speak on his/her own behalf. The Board shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A unanimous vote of those present at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion.
J. CHARGES
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interest of North Sore Kennel Club. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Recording Secretary, together with a deposit of Ten Dollars ($10.00), which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board. The Recording Secretary shall promptly notify the Board, which shall fix a date of hearing by the Board of no less than four weeks nor more than two months thereafter. The Recording Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by Registered Mail, with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the member may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.
K. BOARD HEARINGS
Both Complainant and Defendant shall be treated uniformly in all respects. In the event that either Complainant, Defendant, or both, or their witnesses are unable to attend such a hearing, any party will be allowed to present evidence by affidavit or deposition or by interrogatories in the same manner as can be done in a court of law. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the Complainant and Defendant, the Board may, by unanimous vote, suspend the Defendant from all privileges of North Shore Kennel Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. If it deems that penalty insufficient, it may recommend expulsion. In such cases, the suspension shall not restrict the Defendant's right to appeal before the Board at the next ensuing meeting which considers the Board's recommendation. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Recording Secretary. In turn, the Recording Secretary shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.
L. DISCIPLINE
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of the American Kennel Club shall be automatically suspended from the privileges of the North Shore Kennel Club, for a like period.
M. DUES & EXPENDITURES
The Treasurer mails dues notices to members on or before January First. One notice only will be sent. Dues shall be subject to change by a 2/3 vote of the Board Members whose dues remain unpaid by April First shall be considered as lapsed and the membership considered terminated; however, the Board may grant an additional extension of ninety days to delinquent members in cases of well considered extenuating circumstances. The Board may reinstate lapsed members, upon request, by a 2/3 vote. In such cases, a $10.00 reinstatement fee and the payment of dues in arrears is required. Lapsed members must follow the normal application procedure, except that they shall become full members if reinstated by the Board. In no instance is a member entitled to vote while dues are unpaid. No reinstatements will be made during a thirty-day period prior to the Annual Meeting and Election of Officers or then days prior to the mailing of meeting notice.
No member working on club projects may spend more than $100 without the prior approval of the board. In the case of approved and budgeted projects expenditures may not exceed the approved budget.
II. POLICY REGARDING DUTIES OF OFFICERS
A. PresidentIn addition to the duties of the office cited under Article III of the By-Laws:
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all temporary and Standing Committees except the Nominations Committee. The President shall coordinate the work of the various committees and the officers and shall report the status of all work in progress to the full Board of Directors, on a regular basis and in a timely fashion. Such report shall be made at the Corporation's regular meeting or may, in special cases of emergency, be communicated by writings or by telephone, to the individual Board members. The President may delegate this responsibility to the First and/or Second Vice-Presidents. The President shall deliver an annual report to the Membership-at-large at the Corporation's Annual Meeting, which report shall contain, but not be limited to, a statement of the condition of the Corporation and a summary of the activities and accomplishments for the previous year.
B. First Vice-President
The First Vice-President shall assume and exercise the duties of the President in the President's absence, in capacitance or death. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the First Vice-President shall assume the office of President and serve until the next Annual Meeting and Election of Officers, subject to the assent of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors. The First Vice-President shall assume such duties and responsibilities as the President or the Board of Directors may from time to time require, and shall assist the President in the preparation of the Annual Meeting. One of the requirements to become eligible to assume the office of First Vice-President is that such individual shall have been Show Chairperson for at least one A.K.C. Point Show.
C. Second Vice-President
The Second Vice-President shall assume the duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President and First Vice-President, but on a temporary basis only. The Second Vice-President shall act as Program Chairperson, keep an inventory of club property and perform any duties delegated by the President or required by the Board of Directors.
D. Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct all the correspondence of the Corporation and shall keep full records of the same; oversee the roll of the membership with their addresses and telephone numbers, which shall be furnished to each member by April First of the current year of the office; shall notify the membership of the Annual Meeting and Election of officers. The Corresponding Secretary may use a secretarial service to assist in printing and mailing as becomes necessary. The name of the Corresponding Secretary shall be filed with the A.K.C. for inclusion in the Gazette.
E. Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings and of all votes of the Corporation; shall notify the Board Members in writing, at least seven days in advance, of all meetings of the Corporation; and shall mail to each member of the Board a copy of the minutes of all meetings of the Corporation. The Recording Secretary may use a tape recorder to assist in the recording of minutes of Board meetings. The Recording Secretary shall act as liaison between the Board and the Editor of the Newsletter for any items the Board wishes to make known to the membership and shall assist the Corresponding Secretary in any manner the Corresponding Secretary or the Board may request. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of the winnings of various awards and winners of the Challenge Trophies. The Recording Secretary shall prepare an Annual Report.
The Recording Secretary shall oversee the filing and maintenance of information related to club events. This shall contain copies of current newsletters, flyers of the club events, newspaper clippings and photographs of show winners; i.e. Best in Show and Group Winners, and any other pertinent materials. The scrapbook should also contain a listing of recipients of all awards :Thibeault , Eagle-Nest as well as all awards for Champions and Obedience degree dogs.
F. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall collect and receive all money due or collectable by the North Sore Kennel Club, Inc., which will be deposited in a bank satisfactory to the Board, in the name of North Shore Kennel Club, Inc. These accounts shall be under two names for withdrawal, one the Treasurer and the other the President. The books shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board, and the Treasurer shall report, at every Board Meeting, the status of the Corporation's finances and every item or receipt or payment not reported before. The Treasurer shall render an account of all monies received and expended during the current fiscal year and all outstanding debts owed to the Corporation. The Treasurer shall be bonded, the premiums for which shall be paid by the Corporation annually during the month of November. The books shall be audited by a committee of a minimum of three members chosen by the Board.
G. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the above officers and at least five persons elected under the club's nominations process.
H. American Kennel Club Delegate
The President with the approval of the Board appoints the A.K.C. Delegate yearly. The Delegate receives actual expenses incurred in attending the quarterly meetings. The A.K.C. Delegate is expected to keep the Board informed on A.K.C. activities, and, when questions arise, he/she is expected to vote according to the views of the majority of the Board. If the A.K.C. Club Delegate is not a current member of the board, the delegate is expected to attend board meetings as a non-voting member.
I. Resignations
Resignation of an officer is an automatic resignation from the Board. Any member of the Board, who misses three consecutive meetings, may be requested to resign from the Board at the discretion of the Board.
J. Club A.K.C. Point Shows
The President, A.K.C. Delegate, Chief Steward, Hospitality, Obedience Chairman and Show Chairman will not show at N.S.K.C. point shows.