As agreed at the Annual General Meeting held on 27th February 2005
1. NAME – the society shall be called British Canaan Dog Society, hereinafter called “the Society”.
2. OBJECTIVES – the objectives of the Society shall be:
2.1. To protect and promote the interests of the Canaan Dog, as founded by Prof. Menzel
2.2. To be a club for the benefit of its members, and to render all assistance possible to owners, breeders and exhibitors of Canaan Dogs
2.3. To organise seminars, lectures and various events.
2.4. To hold and share pertinent information and archives, which are readily available to all members.
3. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
3.1. The management and control of all affairs of the Society shall be in the hands of a Committee of no less than 3 and no more than six members, and the following Officers: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer.
3.2. The committee and officers shall be governed by the Society’s standard procedures for committees, which also contain the powers and duties of the Committee and Officers. The procedures may not be altered except at a committee meeting by a majority vote of 75% of those members present and entitled to vote.
3.3. No two members of the same household, immediate family or partnership may hold office simultaneously, and no officer may be an officer or committee member of any other Canaan Dog breed club.
3.4. The Officers and Committee shall be elected by secret postal ballot, to be scrutinized by an independent scrutineer, and the results announced at the Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the society’s rules
3.5. The Officers and Committee shall retire every year at the Annual General Meeting, but shall be eligible for and may offer themselves for re-election.
3.6. Officers and Committee Members shall have full voting rights at committee meetings, except the Chairman of the meeting who shall have a casting vote only where an equality of votes occurs. Voting at Committee meetings shall be by consensus and count by a show of hands, although any member present may request a secret ballot.
3.7. Should any Committee Member be unable to serve, for any reason, the position shall be declared vacant. Appointing the next unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of votes shall fill vacancies on the Committee arising between Annual General Meetings. Should no such candidates be available, the Committee shall have the right to invite any full members onto the Committee, until the next Annual General Meeting, to fill any vacancy.
3.8. Should any officer be unable to serve, for any reason, the next unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of votes shall fill the vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting. Should no such candidate be available, the position may be filled on a temporary basis from within the Committee until the next Annual General Meeting.
3.9. Any Officer or Committee Member wishing to resign from Office shall so notify the Secretary in writing. Such resignation shall be effective from the date of receipt by the Secretary, who shall report the resignation to the next meeting of the Committee.
3.10. Any Officer or member of the Committee absent from two consecutive meetings, except for reasons considered adequate by the Committee, shall be deemed to have resigned and the position become vacant.
3.11. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee, or hold any other Office or appointment within the Society.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1. The Society shall consist of an unlimited number of members whose names and addresses shall be entered in a Register.
4.2. The Society must send a list of members and their addresses and those of branch members where appropriate, to the Kennel Club with their Annual Returns and, if so requested, make an up to date list of members available for inspection by the members of the Society or by the Kennel Club.
4.3. Candidates for membership shall submit a completed application form, together with subscription fees in full, to the Secretary.
4.4. Election of members shall be by simple majority vote of the Officers and Committee. Membership shall run from the time of election. The Committee shall have the right to refuse membership.
4.5. Honorary Life Membership, free of liability for subscription, may be conferred upon any person in recognition of services rendered to the Society or to the Canaan Dog Breed. Such Honorary Life Members shall not be eligible to hold office unless otherwise qualified in accordance with these rules. Nomination and voting to be in accordance with the election of the Officers and Committee.
4.6. The Society shall have a Junior Membership for those up to the age of 18
4.7. Family membership to consist of up to 2 adults and their children up to the age of 18.
4.8. Application for overseas membership shall be available.
5. VOTING RIGHTS
5.1. All members, over the age of 16, provided they have paid all subscriptions and monies due to the Society, shall have power to attend and vote at any General or Special meeting, or to vote in an election.
6. SUBSCRIPTIONS
6.1. The membership year shall be from the 1st January to the 31st December. Subscriptions are payable annually to the Treasurer and fall due on 1st January, except that in the case of a member elected between 1st October and 31st December (both inclusive) in any year, the payment of the first subscription shall cover membership to the 31st December of the next ensuing year.
6.2. The Treasurer will notify members who have not paid their subscriptions by the 15th January, and if subscriptions have not been paid by 31st January (first class postmark), then the persons’ names will be removed from the Register and they cease to be entitled to any benefits or privileges of membership. Re-application will then follow the new member process.
6.3. The subscription shall be determined annually at the Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer shall recommend to the Annual General Meeting appropriate fees.
6.4. The committee will have the discretion to give one year’s complimentary membership. This must be reported at the AGM.
7. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
7.1. Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42j(5) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A42j(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Society.
7.2. If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Society, be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Society, the Committee of the Society may, at a meeting the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Society shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.
7.3. Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising the place, date and hour of the meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. 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, and he/she shall thereupon cease for all purposes to be a member of the Society except that he/she may, within two calendar months from the date of such meeting, appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such condition as the Kennel Club may impose.
7.4. If the Society expels any member for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, dog shows, trials or competitions, the Society must report the matter in writing to The Kennel Club within seven days and supply any particulars required.
8. MEETINGS
8.1. Annual General Meetings.
8.1.1. An Annual General Meeting will be held in February or March to receive the report of the Committee, the balance sheet, to elect Officers and Committee and to discuss any proposal duly placed on the Agenda, of which prior notice has been given to the Secretary. No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those that, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, are considered urgent.
8.1.2. Not less than eight clear weeks before the date of the Annual General Meeting, the Secretary will send to all members a Notice of Meeting containing a request for items for the agenda and proposals and nominations for Officers, Committee Members and Honorary Members. Nominations bearing the assent of the nominee in writing shall be proposed and seconded by two members and submitted to the Secretary six clear weeks prior to the date of the AGM. Ballot papers will be sent to all members four weeks prior to the AGM, and must be received by an independent scrutineer two weeks prior to the AGM. New candidates must have been members for one full year and submit biographical notes of no more than 100 words. No member may propose themself.
8.1.3. Four clear weeks before the Annual General Meeting the Secretary will send to all members and agenda accompanied by the balance sheet, list of nominees for election together with their biographical notes, ballot papers when necessary, and any other relevant paperwork
8.1.4. Voting at Annual General Meetings
8.1.4.1. Each eligible member present at an annual general meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion, except the Chairman of the meeting who shall have a casting vote only, where an equality of votes occurs.
8.1.4.2. Voting shall be by a show of hands, unless a request for a secret ballot is made. Such requests must be proposed and seconded.
8.1.5. A quorum for Annual General Meetings shall be two executives and three members.
8.2. Special General Meetings
8.2.1. A Special General Meeting may be convened at any time, either by the Committee or by written requisition addressed to the Secretary and signed by no fewer than fifteen members, or one fifth of members whichever is the greater. Members shall receive at least six clear weeks notice and agenda in writing of a Special General Meeting.
8.2.2. No business other than that detailed on the agenda can be discussed.
8.2.3. Voting at Special General Meetings
8.2.3.1. Each eligible member present at an special general meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion, except the Chairman of the meeting who shall have a casting vote only, where an equality of votes occurs.
8.2.3.2. Voting shall be by secret ballot and require a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote to be brought into effect.
8.2.4. A quorum for Special General Meetings shall be two executives and three members.
8.3. Committee Meetings
8.3.1. Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary, but at least three times per year.
8.3.2. A quorum for Committee Meetings shall be one officer and three committee members.
8.3.3. The Committee shall have the power to invite any person or persons, whether members of the Society or not, to attend any meeting to assist the Committee, but such person or persons shall not be entitled to vote thereat.
8.3.4. The Committee shall receive at least fourteen days notice in writing of meetings, together with the agenda and any other relevant papers.
9. ACCOUNTS
9.1. The financial year shall be from the 1st January to 31st December
9.2. A banking account(s) shall be held in the name of the Society at a Bank approved by the Committee, into which all revenue of the Society shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall be made on the signatures of any two Officers. At no time shall any Officer sign a blank cheque.
9.3. The Treasurer shall maintain a proper book of accounts showing receipts and payments and prepare an Income Expenditure Account and balance sheet made up to the 31st December each year for submission to the elected auditors.
9.4. The accounts to be independently audited annually. Certification of the accounts to be carried out by (i) a qualified accountant or (ii) by two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience.
10. AMENDMENTS TO RULES:
The Rules of the Society may not be altered except at a general meeting, the notice for which contains specific proposals to amend the rules. Any proposed alteration to the rules may not be brought into effect until the Kennel Club has been advised and approved the alteration. New rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirements shall be adopted immediately.
11. ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB. The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, maintenance of title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for continuance of Registration and that by 31st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies and Breed Councils and the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities be forwarded to the Kennel Club.The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any changes of Secretary of the Society which may occur during the course of the year.
12. KENNEL CLUB FINAL AUTHORITY. The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the society in all cases relative to canine or society matters.
13. The Society shall not join any federation of societies or clubs.
14. DISSOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY: The Society shall not be dissolved except at a Special General meeting called for that purpose.
15. NOTICES: All notices shall be sent to the last address of the respective members as recorded in the Register of Members and shall be considered as duly received when such notices are posted. Members shall advise the Secretary in writing of any change of address.