CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS of the Prairie Dachshund Club 1. NAME 1.1 The name of the club shall be: THE PRAIRIE DACHSHUND CLUB 1.2 The area of operation shall be the three prairie provinces of Canada, namely Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. While the area of operation will remain the three prairie provinces, members will be accepted from other areas. 2. OBJECTS 2.1 The objects of the Club shall be: a) To do everything possible to bring the natural qualities of the six breeds of Dachshunds to perfection. b) To encourage members, breeders and exhibitors to accept the standards of the Breeds as approved by the Canadian Kennel Club as the only standards of excellence by which Dachshunds shall be judged. c) To do everything in its power to protect and advance the interests of the Breeds and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, including obedience, field and den trials. d) To conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows, including obedience trials, pursuant to the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club. e) To conduct field and den trials pursuant to the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club. f) To abide by the principles of the Canadian Kennel Club Code of Ethics. g) The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit, and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues, donations or entry fees shall inure to the benefits of any member or individual. h) The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as may be required to carry out these objects. 3. MEMBERSHIP 3.1 The membership year shall be from January the first of one year to December thirty-first of the same year. 3.2 Privileges a) Only the regular and life members in good standing with the Club who are regular members in good standing of the Canadian Kennel Club shall be accorded the privilege of holding office on the Board Of Directors. Life members and Regular members may propose and vote on amendments to the Constitution, By-laws and make or second nominations and vote during Club elections and make or second and vote on motions at Club meetings. Associate members may make or second and vote on motions at Club meetings. b) All members are welcome to attend and contribute to meetings and all other functions and activities and to promote the objectives of the Club. 3.3 Types of Membership There shall be four types of Memberships as follows: a) Regular Members - Breeders, enthusiasts and /or owners of Dachshunds, living within the �Area of Operation�, provided they are eighteen (18) years of age or over, and eligible for individual membership in the Canadian Kennel Club are entitled to all privileges of the Club. b) Associate Members - Breeders, enthusiast and /or owners of Dachshunds, living outside the �Area of Operation�, provided they are eighteen(18) years of age or over. Associates are entitled to move, second and vote on ordinary business at any general meeting of the club at which they are in attendance. c) Junior Member - Persons who are eight ( 8 ) years of age or over but under eighteen ( 18 ) years of age, with a sincere interest in Dachshunds. Junior Members may not vote nor hold Office, but are otherwise entitled to all privileges of the Club. d) Life Members - Regular or Associate Members who have rendered long and meritorious service to the Club may have Life Membership conferred upon them after nomination to, or by, the Board of Directors, with a two-thirds majority vote of the members attending at the Annual General Meeting. Life Members shall be exempt from membership fees, but shall have all privileges of the Club, except that a Life member living outside the area of operations of the Club shall not hold a position on the Board. 3.4 Dues Membership dues shall be in such amount as set by a majority vote at an annual meeting of the membership or by written ballot cast by mail. Membership dues are to be paid on or before the first day of January of each year . No member whose dues are in arrears may vote. 3.5 Application and Approval of Membership Applicants for membership shall complete the �membership application form� and preferably have it endorsed by a member in good standing. If so endorsed, the membership application will be approved. In case of an application which is not endorsed, the Executive, after investigation, may endorse the application and accept or reject it. 3.6 Rejection of Membership Any individual rejected for membership by the Club will be provided with a written response. 3.7 Termination of Membership a) Memberships may be terminated as follows: 1. Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon providing written notice to the Secretary, provided all duties and obligations to the Club have been completed and settled in full. 2. Lapsing. A membership shall be considered lapsed and automatically terminated if such member�s dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the fiscal year. 3. Expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Section 11 of these by-laws. 3.8 Voting Privileges Only members in good standing shall be according the privilege of voting. 4. GENERAL MEETINGS 4.1 Annual General Meeting. There shall be one general meeting held on a date and at a place to be determined by the Executive of the Club. Usually this meeting will be held in conjunction with a specialty show or booster so as to draw the largest possible attendance. All members are to be notified by mail or electronic means of the agenda of such meetings at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.The quorum for all general meetings shall be those members present. A copy of the minutes of all general meetings, shall be mailed to all members as soon as possible after the meeting. 4.2 Special Meetings. The Executive may call a special meeting to deal with business considered too urgent to wait for the next general meeting. A special meeting may also be called at the request of the membership; in the case of special meetings called by the membership, a minimum of five members are required to make the request. Usually a special meeting will be held in conjunction with a specialty show or booster so as to draw the largest possible attendance. All members are to be notified by mail or electronic means of the agenda of such meetings at least fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting date.The quorum for all special meetings shall be those members present. Special meetings may also be called at the request of the membership. Special meetings called by the membership require a minimum of 5 members making the request. 4.3 Executive Meetings. Executive meetings or their equivalent shall be called by the President as frequently as necessary to conduct business on behalf of the Club. A quorum for a meeting of the executive shall be fifty percent of its members. The Executive may conduct its business by mail or electronic means. The Secretary-Treasurer shall conduct such meetings. 5. EXECUTIVE 5.1 The Executive The Executive shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Manitoba Director, Saskatchewan Director and Alberta Director, all of whom shall be residents of Canada and members in good standing with the Club and the Canadian Kennel Club. General management of the Club�s affairs shall be entrusted to the Executive. 5.2 Duties of the Executive a) The President shall have all the duties and powers normally vested in the office of President; shall preside at all meetings of the Executive and all general meetings; and shall be a voting member of all committees. b) The Vice-President shall have all the powers and duties of the President in the event that the President is absent or unable to act. c) The Secretary-Treasurer shall maintain a record of the minutes of all Executive and General Meetings; shall receive all applications for membership and maintain an up-to-date membership list; shall attend to all correspondence regarding the affairs of the Club; shall receive all funds due to the Club and deposit the same in a bank account; shall pay from these funds all invoices promptly; shall maintain accurate records of the Club�s finances; shall prepare for the membership an annual financial statement; and shall maintain a record of all assets of the Club. d) Area Directors shall represent the interests of their areas in the transactions of the Club; shall be responsible for the shows of the Club if held in their area; shall recruit new members for the Club from their area; shall assist breeders and owners of Dachshunds in all matters pertaining to the breed. 5.3 Vacancies In the event of a vacancy occurring in the Executive, the Executive will appoint a member to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, that position shall be filled by the Vice-President and a new Vice-President shall be appointed by the Executive. 5.4 Terms of Office The term of office for all positions shall be two years. Officers may be re-elected. 6. CLUB YEAR The Club�s fiscal year shall be the membership year; it shall begin on the first day of January and end of the 31st day of December of the same year. 7. FINANCES The funds of the Club, with the exception of a specified amount to be designated as �Petty Cash� shall be placed in an account in the name of the Club at a branch of a Canadian chartered bank or credit union as authorized by the Executive. All cheques drawn from the Club account must bear the signature of any two of the Secretary-Treasurer, President or Vice-President. The members by a simple majority vote at a general meeting may order the audit of the financial records. 8. VOTING Only members in good standing shall be accorded the privilege of voting. 9. ELECTIONS a) The election of the Executive shall take place in the month of December. b) The Executive shall appoint any member in good standing to act as Election Chairperson. c) The Election Chairperson shall solicit nominations from the membership. Nominations must be submitted in writing before the last day of the month of October with the written permission of the nominee. d) The election shall be by secret mail-in ballot. e) Voting by proxy is not permitted. f) Directors must reside in the area they represent and are elected by those members residing within the region. 10. COMMITTEES 10.1 Standing and Special Committees The Executive shall appoint standing and special committees at their discretion. 10.2 Committee Appointments Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the Executive upon written notice being sent to the person whose services have been terminated. 11. DISCIPLINE 11.1 Canadian Kennel Club Suspension Any member who is suspended, debarred, expelled or deprived from the privileges of the Canadian Kennel Club shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period. 11.2 Complaints a) Any member may lay a complaint against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed. Written complaints containing details of the alleged misconduct must be filed with the Secretary-Treasurer b) The Secretary-Treasurer upon receiving such a complaint, within 30 days shall forward a copy of the complaint, along with a notice of hearing to the defendant, the complainant and each member of the Executive. c) The hearing date shall be set no later than 180 days from the date of receipt of the complaint. A minimum of three members of the Board must be present. Should a complaint be laid against the Secretary-Treasurer, then the President shall act in accordance with these by-laws. 11.3 Hearing The Executive shall ensure that both the complainant and the defendant are treated fairly and in accordance with the rules of natural justice. Should the complaint be sustained after hearing all evidence and testimony presented by the complainant and defendant, the Executive may by a majority vote of those present, impose an appropriate penalty. The Secretary-Treasurer shall then notify each of the parties of the decision within 30 days of the decision. 11.4 Expulsion a) Expulsion of a member from the Club shall be accomplished at an Annual General Meeting of the Club following a proper hearing and upon the recommendation of the Executive as stated in Section 3 of this Article. The President shall read the complaint and report the findings and recommendations of the Executive, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on his own behalf. The meeting shall then vote by secret written ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present shall be necessary for expulsion. b) At the discretion of the Executive, expulsion may also take place by mail-in vote consisting of a 2/3 majority of all eligible voting members in favour of expulsion. Proxy voting is not permitted. 12. AMENDMENTS 12.1 Proposal for Amendments Any revision and/or amendments to the Constitution and/or the By-laws of the Club shall be submitted to the membership via a special referendum ballot. The Executive of the Club shall be responsible for submitting such a special referendum ballot to the membership as directed by a majority of members present at a general meeting of the Club or on their own initiative. 12.2 Amendment by Vote Amendments to the constitution and by-laws must have two-thirds (2/3) vote of all eligible members. Voting must be by mail-in ballot; proxies are not permitted. Amendments may be proposed by the Board or petitioned from members. 12.3 Canadian Kennel Club Approval No amendment to the Constitution or By-laws shall become effective until it has been approved by the Canadian Kennel Club 13. DISSOLUTION a) The Club may be dissolved at any time by providing to The Canadian Kennel Club written documentation signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of that club who are in favor of this decision; proxies are not permitted. In the event of the dissolution of the club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary by the operation of the law, none of the property of the Club, nor any proceeds thereof, nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any members of the Club. After payments of the debts of the Club, its property and assets shall be given to a research project related to Dachshunds as selected by the Board of Directors. Such a project must be under the directive of a recognized research institution. 14. ORDER OF BUSINESS The order of business shall be determined by the President. Meetings shall be conducted according to Robert�s Rules of Order (most recent edition). 15. OTHER The use of the emblem or name of the Prairie Dachshund Club in any form of advertising by any member or group of members is prohibited, except by the Club itself with the approval of the Executive.
