The Utonagan Club - Rules & Regulations

The Utonagan Club

Utonagan - Spirit of the Wolf

	Name: The Club shall be called "The Utonagan Club" hereinafter referred to as "the Club".
	Objects: The Objects of the Club are:- 1) To promote in every way the general improvement of the breed. 2) Until such time as this can be done by the Kennel Club:- The registration of dogs, transfers of ownership, production of pedigree certificates etc. 3) The award of cups & ribbons 4) The award of certificates for such cups and ribbons and the approval of judges to award them. 5) The publication of a stud book. 6) The publication of a record of show results. 7) The publication of a regular newsletter. 8) To arrange social activities for the members of the Club. 9) To frame and enforce rules, bye-laws and regulations in furtherance of the above mentioned objects.
	Patron - The Club may have a Patron.
	President - There shall be a President who shall be elected by members at an Annual General meeting on the recommendation of the Committee and who shall remain in office during pleasure. Such person shall on acceptance of the office automatically become an honorary life member of the Club.
	Vice-President - There shall be as many Vice-Presidents as the members shall determine. All Vice-Presidents shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting by the members by a majority of those present and voting. Vice-Presidents shall on acceptance of office automatically become honorary life members of the Club.
	Officers and Committee - a) There shall be three Officers, a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers and Committee members of the Club shall be required to retire each year, but shall be eligible for re-election. b) Election shall be by ballot in person at the Annual General Meeting or by postal ballot, by members entitled to vote at general meetings. A member shall not be entitled to vote by post unless he shall apply in writing to the Secretary for a postal ballot at least 28 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Postal ballot papers shall be dispatched to such members with the agenda of business of the meeting and must be returned to the Secretary duly completed to arrive at least seven days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Votes case by post in accordance with this Rule shall be included in the votes counted at the Annual General Meeting. A member who applies for a postal ballot paper in accordance with this Rule shall not be entitled to vote in such election in person at the Annual General Meeting. c) Nominations of any new candidates must be signed by a member of the Club. No member may nominate more than one candidate for election. Those standing for re-election and new candidates must submit on the appropriate Club form comprehensive biographical notes of no more than 200 words which must include a declaration of professional and/or commercial interest in canine affairs and must state their age. These notes and the nominations or the intention to stand for re-election must reach the Secretary at least 21 clear days before the Annual General Meeting. d) Vacancies on the Committee caused by resignation, retirement, death or other reasons shall be filled at the next Annual General Meeting except that the person so elected will only serve for the term of the person he replaces. e) The Committee at its first meeting held after the Annual General Meeting in each year shall elect a Vice-Chairperson from it's own number who shall be, ipso facto, Vice-Chairperson of the Utonagan Club. The election shall be by secret ballot if more than one nomination is received for the post.
	Membership - The Club shall consist of ordinary members, there shall also be honorary life members, honorary members and overseas members, (henceforth all member will be referred to in the masculine). All members of the Club agree to adhere to the Rules and Regulations herein set out, the laws of the land pertaining to canine ownership, care and breeding, and the Rules and Regulations of the Kennel Club.
	Ordinary Members - The election of Ordinary members shall be vested in the Committee and shall be by ballot. A candidate is required to receive a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the meeting to which his name has been submitted. The candidate must be proposed and seconded by members of the Club who have at least one year's standing. A proposer and seconder warrant the eligibility of their candidate. The names of each candidate will be displayed on the website not less than 14 days before the day of the Committee ballot. Upon election the new member will be notified in writing and will be supplied with a copy of these Rules (by which Rules the member upon election expressly agrees to be bound). Upon election the name of the member will be published on the website.
	Honorary Life Members - A person may be elected an honorary life member of the Club at a General Meeting on the recommendation of the Committee. A member who has paid his subscription for 25 or more years may be proposed as an honorary life member by any member of the Club. Notice of a proposal to elect an honorary member must appear on the agenda of a General Meeting. Honorary life members shall have all the rights and privileges of a membership but shall not be liable to pay subscriptions.
	Honorary Members - The election of honorary members shall be vested in the Committee. Such members shall be exempted from paying the entrance fee or subscription but nevertheless shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership save the right to vote at a General Meeting and eligibility for election to the Committee or any Sub-Committee.
	Overseas Members - A person permanently resident overseas, whether a foreign or British National, may be elected an overseas member. The election of overseas members hall be in accordance with Kennel Club Rule A8 and overseas members shall enjoy all the privileges of ordinary members.
	Subscriptions - a) The Annual Subscription for ordinary members shall be such sum as the members shall determine from time to time at a General Meeting. All such subscriptions shall become payable in advance on 1st January each year. b) If a member's subscription remains unpaid by 31st March next after it has become due the Committee shall have the power to strike that member's name from the list of membership and he thereupon ceases to be a member. c) In special cases the Committee shall have the power to remit the whole or part of a member's annual subscription.
	Payment of First Subscription - a) No newly elected member shall be entitled to any of the privileges of membership until he has paid the first subscription. The newly elected member shall be liable for the full amount of the annual subscription no matter on which date of the year he is elected. b) If the member does not pay the first subscription within 2 months of election his membership shall be void, unless he satisfies the Committee that delay in payment was due to absence from the United Kingdom or other sufficient cause.
	Privileges of Membership - An ordinary member's privileges shall include:- Invitations and Free Admittance to Club events and Shows Copies of each publication of the:- a) Quarterly Club Newsletter (The Ute-lett) b) Annual Stud book (upon request) c) Annual Breed Record Supplement (upon request) d) Free online advertisement for Stud dogs e) Free online advertisement of registered puppies for sale f) Free link from website to breeders/stud owners website/email g) Discounts on Merchandise
	Notice - Every member shall from time to time communicate his address to the Secretary. All notices posted, telexed or otherwise delivered to the United Kingdom address notified to the Secretary shall be deemed to have been duly given to the member 3 days after the date of despatch of the notice if the member lives in the United Kingdom or 10 days after the date of despatch of the notice if the member lives outside the United Kingdom.
	Resignations - A member may resign his membership by giving the Secretary notice in writing to that effect. If a resignation is received after 15 December in any year the member shall be liable to pay his subscription for the following year.
	Suspension and Expulsion of Members - The Committee shall have power to suspend for a period not exceeding 12 months or to expel any member who infringes any of these Rules or bye-laws or whose conduct, whether at Club events or elsewhere, is in the opinion of the Committee injurious to the good name of the Club or renders him unfit for membership. No member shall be suspended or expelled without first being summoned before the Committee and full opportunity afforded to him to advance an explanation or defence, and then not unless two thirds of the Committee then present shall vote for his suspension or expulsion. The Committee shall have power to exclude the member from any Club events pending the hearing of the case against him. A suspended member shall not be entitled to attend any Club meeting nor vote at any election nor hold office during suspension, but he shall remain liable to pay his subscription.
	Any Member who shall be suspended under the Kennel Club Rule A42.j.(5) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A42.j.(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Club.
	If the conduct of any Member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Club, be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interest of the Club, the Committee of the Club 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 Club shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her. 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 Club, 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 conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.
	Should any member of the Club be expelled for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, Dog Shows, Trials or Competitions, the Club will report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within seven days and supply any particulars required.
	Effect of Ceasing to be a Member - Any persons shall, upon ceasing to be a member of the Club, forfeit all right to claim upon the Club and its facilities, property and funds.
	Annual General Meeting - There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the Club held on a date fixed by the Committee not later than 30 June each year (provided that not more than 15 months shall elapse between each meeting) for the following purposes: a) To receive a report from the Committee in respect of the Club's activities since the previous Annual General Meeting. b) To receive and consider the Club accounts for the preceding financial year and to receive the auditor's report thereon. c) To elect the President (if the office be vacant), the Vice-President, Officers and members of the Committee. d) To appoint an auditor for the ensuing year. e) To discuss or decide any matter of general business duly submitted to the meeting. Members shall receive no less than 28 days notice in writing of the Annual General Meeting. No member save with the consent of the Chairperson of the meeting may bring any matter before the meeting unless he has given notice of motion in writing to the Secretary in respect of such matter not less than 20 days prior to the meeting. The agenda of business shall be dispatched to members no later than 14 days prior to the meeting, (although points for discussion may be received up to 48 hours prior to the meeting).
	Special General Meeting - The Committee may by circular call a Special General Meeting at any time and shall call such a meeting upon the requisition addressed to the Secretary and signed by not fewer than 6 members or by one fifth of the members entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting. Members shall receive 14 days notice in writing of a Special General Meeting. In the event of the Committee failing to convene a Special General Meeting within 28 days of the receipt by the Secretary of a requisition for such meeting, the requisitionists may call a Special General Meeting to be held not later than 56 days after the deposit of the requisition with the Secretary.
	Resolutions At General Meetings - The subject matter of any resolution passed by a majority of members at a General Meeting shall not be reconsidered until the next but one General Meeting of members.
	Quorum At General Meetings - A general meeting may proceed to business if 12 members are present within half an hour after the time fixed for the meeting. Otherwise the meeting, if convened on the requisition of the members, shall stand dissolved but, if convened by order of the Committee, it shall automatically stand adjourned to the week following at the same day and time. If a quorum is not present at the adjourned meeting, the meeting shall stand dissolved. Any other adjournment of a general meeting shall be on 5 clear days notice.
	Voting at General Meetings - Each officer, honorary life member and ordinary member present at a general meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion, except the chairperson of the meeting who shall have a casting vote only.
	Attendance at Committee Meetings - The Committee shall have power to invite any person or persons whether members of the Utonagan Club or not to attend any meeting to assist the Committee but such person or persons shall not be entitled to vote there at.
	Notice of Committee Meetings - The Committee shall receive 7 days notice in writing of meetings together with the agenda. No matter may be dealt with unless appearing on the agenda, save matters of ordinary office routine or matters arising out of the minutes of the previous meeting or matters which are urgent in the opinion of the chairperson of the meeting.
	Age of the Committee Members - No person other than the President and Vice-President may serve on the Committee after reaching the age of 75 years. Except that those Committee members reaching the age of 75 years may continue to serve only until the next Annual General Meeting.
	Quorum at Committee Meetings - 10 Members of the Committee shall be deemed to form a quorum at any committee meeting except that 3 shall form a quorum for a disciplinary hearing.
	Voting and Resolutions at a Committee Meeting - Each member present at a Committee meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion except in the case of an equality of votes the chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. The subject matter of a resolution passed by a majority of members at a Committee meeting shall not be reconsidered within 3 months of such resolution being passed save for matters under Kennel Club Rules A20 & A42.
	Declaration of Interests - A member must disclose to the chairperson of a Committee on which he sits any interest which may conflict with the proper consideration of a matter under discussion. If the disclosing member is the chairperson of the Committee in question he shall disclose his interest to the next most senior member. The meeting shall thereupon decide whether that member may participate in and/or vote upon said matter.
	A Banking Account shall be opened in the name of the Club into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two or more officers.
	The financial year of the Club will be 1st January - 31st December.
	The Rules of the Club may not be altered by the Club except at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, notice of which includes details of the proposal to alter the Rules. Such alterations shall not be brought into force until the Kennel Club has been advised and has given its approval of the alterations. New Rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirements shall be adopted immediately and be included in the Club's annual meeting. 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 which in the opinion f the Chairman of the meeting are urgent.
	In the case of the Club being wound up or ceasing to be a Registered Club, any cups or trophies will be distributed to those who last won them. Any monies or assets other than cups or trophies shall be gifted to Utonagan Breed Rescue.
	In the case of the Club being wound up or ceasing to be a Registered Club under these Regulations, a final statement of audited accounts with a record of the disposal of the property of the Club shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within six months and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Club on the last return furnished to the Kennel Club, will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Club.
	The Kennel Club shall be the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Club in all cases relative to Canine or Club matters.
	The Club shall under no circumstances join any Federation of Societies or Clubs.
	No Person whilst an un-discharged bankrupt may serve on the Committee of or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Club.
	The Club will maintain an up to date list of members and their addresses, and those of branch members where appropriate, and, if so requested, make a list available for inspection by the Kennel Club and members of the Club. A declaration of the numbers of members of the Club must be made with Annual Returns.
	The accounts will be certified annually and presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting. Note: Certification of accounts must be carried out by one qualified Accountant or two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience.
	Not less than fourteen clear day's notice shall be given in writing to the members of a General Meeting, except when notice of the Annual General Meeting may be given by publication in the Canine Press (Our Dogs & Dog World). Such notice must contain all the relevant information concerning the meeting and business to be conducted and be published not less than fourteen clear days before the date of the meeting. No business other than that named in the notice shall be brought before a Special General Meeting.
	The Officers acknowledge that during the months of January each year Maintenance of the Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club whether by the Secretary or by Direct Debit, for continuance of registration and that by 1st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in the Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of the Title of Societies and Breed Councils and the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities, will be forwarded to the Kennel Club. The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any change of Secretary of the Club which may occur during the course of the year.