Constitution!
OBJECTIVES
1. To encourage people to work their sled dog in the pursuits for which they were intended.
2. The cooperation of owners and sled dog lovers for the good of the dogs, the exchange of views and information on all subjects appertaining to the dogs.
3. Sled Dogs participating in events organised by the Sled Dog Association of Scotland should be as follows: - KC Registered and one of the following breeds: Alaskan Malamute
Canadian Eskimo / Greenland Dog
Samoyed
Siberian Husky
Or any of the above holding a recognised breed club Welfare Number.
- Fall within the “open” group and be registered on the Club’s Open Sled Dog Register.
Definition of Sled Dog
The definition of a sled dog shall be:
“A dog which demonstrates a willingness to be harnessed and the desire and ability to participate in the activity for which it is harnessed, and which is adequately trained and conditioned for such activity.”
COMMITTEE
1. The management of the Association shall be in the hands of the Committee consisting of the Chairperson (elected annually by the Committee), Secretary, Treasurer and a minimum of 3 other members. There will be a maximum of 10 members including officers.
2. All Committee members shall retire biannually but shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual
General Meeting. The Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary shall retire annually but shall also be eligible for re-election.
3. Meetings of the Committee shall be held quarterly or as may additionally be necessary and should consist of a quorum of 5.
4. The Chairman has deciding vote in the event of a split Committee vote.
5. Committee shall be elected by means of a postal ballot.
6. All Committee shall have the right to vote.
7. The Secretary and Treasurer will be elected by the Committee.
MEMBERSHIP
1. Anyone interested in sled dogs and sled dog pursuits is eligible to become a member.
2. Annual membership fees shall be sent to the Membership Secretary by 5th April. If membership fees remain unpaid after 5th June the Committee shall have the power to erase the member from the list of members, but if the Committee shall subsequently receive a satisfactory explanation, the member may, at the discretion of the Committee and on payment, be re-admitted to membership.
FEES/JOINT MEMBERSHIP/JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP
1. Fees are as follows:
i. Single membership will be £12.00.
ii. A partnership (2) is eligible for joint membership at a subscription of £15.00, each partner being eligible to vote at meetings.
iii. A young person under the age of 16 is eligible for membership at a subscription of £4.00, provided parents/guardians are members of the SDAS. Juniors are ineligible to vote at meetings.
2. Membership fees may be amended at the AGM.
3. Minutes of the Annual General Meetings will be made available in the club magazine, Sled Dog Ecosse.
GENERAL MEETINGS
1. The Annual General Meeting will be held on the Saturday afternoon of the last event of the series each year and will cover the following:
i. The election of Officers and Committee
ii. Rules of the Association
iii. Financial Matters/Membership Fees
iv. AOB
2. Members will receive seven weeks notice of an Annual General Meeting to allow for Agenda circulation and registration of proxy votes as laid out in 3.
3. Amendments to the Association's Rules can be made at an AGM or SGM without the requirement of a subsequent postal ballot, with the proviso that members be given the opportunity well ahead of the meeting, to submit items for inclusion in the Agenda. The aforementioned Agenda will be circulated throughout the membership prior to the meeting to allow those not able to attend to register their votes by proxy.
4. Any alterations to Rules passed at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting shall not be brought into force until the Association has been advised.
ASSOCIATION ACCOUNTS
1. A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Association into which all revenue of the Association shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two officers, one of whom will be the Treasurer.
2. The accounts shall be kept by the Treasurer. Auditors shall be appointed at each AGM who shall audit the Association's Accounts for the ensuing year before the AGM.
ASSOCIATION PROPERTY
1. The property of the Association shall be vested in the Officers and in the event of the Association ceasing to exist, a General Meeting shall be called and the assets shall be disposed of on the decision of the existing Committee.
2. All trophies and Cups accepted by the Association must be an outright gift to the Association. Cups will be returned to the donator or sponsor in the event of the Association ceasing to exist.
EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
1. If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Association, be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Association, the Committee of the Association may at a meeting determine that a Special General Meeting of the Association shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.
2. Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising of the place, date, and hour of the meeting.
3. If, at the meeting, a resolution to expel is passed by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of members for one year.
