Constitution, Rules, and Ethics

CONSTITUTION & RULES: BEAUCERON CLUB UK (The Club)

1. NAME AND OBJECTS OF THE CLUB:

The Club shall be called Beauceron Club UK and its objects will be to foster and promote the welfare and interest of the breed generally, always bearing in mind that the Beauceron is a working dog. To promote and encourage the following activities: breed and obedience shows, working trials, Agility, Flyball and Heelwork to Music.

2. MEMBERS:

The Club shall consist of an unlimited number of members and Honorary Life Members, who shall be persons interested in the promotion of The Beauceron, of the breeding, showing and training of The Beauceron. The Club must make a list of members and their addresses available for inspection if so requested by the members of the Club or by the Kennel Club.

3. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS:

Members shall be empowered to recommend as Honorary Life Members any person they feel merits such distinction and whose appointment they consider to be beneficial to the interest of the Club. They shall be exempt from paying the annual subscription and shall take no part in the management of the Club, but otherwise shall enjoy the full benefits of Membership. They must be elected annually at the AGM.

4. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP:

Applicants for membership must apply in writing to the Secretary. The Application to include Proposer and Seconder who are both members. Each name will be considered by the Committee, who reserve the right to refuse membership. Those people applying for membership after previously resigning through a dispute with the Club will be refused membership.

5. SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Annual Subscriptions shall until further notice be:

Single membership £10.00 per year
Joint Membership £18.00 per year

The Committee shall have the power to vary the rate of subscription from time to time as may be deemed suitable, but any such variation must be ratified at an AGM before they can operate.

6. MEMBERS IN ARREARS:

No member shall be allowed to vote, compete for Club Prizes or trophies confined to members, or in any way whatsoever enjoy any privileges of membership, whilst their current subscription and any debt due to the Club remains unpaid, and for which application has been made. The Committee shall have the power to erase the name from the list of members any member whose subscription is still unpaid 3 months after the due date, providing that application has previously been made. If the Committee shall subsequently receive a satisfactory explanation, the member may, at the discretion of the Committee, and on repayment of the arrears for the current year, be re-admitted to membership.

7. MANAGEMENT:

The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee of not more than 10  Members, plus Secretary and Treasurer. All Officers shall be Honorary and no member shall be allowed to make the Club a means of private speculation or trade, or to derive financial profit through it. In the event of the necessity of the post of Secretary may be filled by the appointment of an additional person as Secretary, who shall be ex-officio and who shall not have a vote on the Committee. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee of or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.

8. QUORUM:

At a committee meeting the quorum shall consist of at least six members actually elected and serving on the Committee at the time the meeting is held.

9. ATTENDANCE AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

Any Officer or Member of the Committee failing to attend two consecutive committee meetings may be suspended, at the absolute discretion of the Committee unless illness or some other acceptable explanation is given to the Committee.

10. VOTING

At all Committee meetings each officer and member shall have one vote on each motion. In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have an extra casting vote. Postal / proxy votes are not allowed. At an AGM or Special General Meeting the same procedure will apply. Except for Founder Members, no member may participate in any Club vote, at any meeting, until they have completed a full twelve months unbroken paid up membership.

11. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE:

Serving Officers and Committee must retire every other year in rotation. 50% of each must retire annually. All Officers and Committee Members shall be eligible for re-election and they must notify the Secretary in writing accordingly, at least six weeks prior to the AGM. New nominations either as an Officer or Committee Member, must be proposed and seconded by fully paid up members in writing, and confirmed by the written agreement to stand of the person concerned and should reach the Secretary at least 28 days before the AGM. Only fully paid-up members present at the AGM may be elected to any office or to the Committee. A complete list of candidates, together with the names of the respective proposers and seconders shall be circulated to members with the agenda of the AGM. Election shall be by those members present at the AGM. Should vacancies occur on the committee during the year, the committee has powers to co-opt the maximum of two (2) other members. Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next AGM of the Club at which an election of Officers and Committee takes place. Candidates for the committee must be paid up members for one (1) year.

12. THE PATRON & PRESIDENT:

A Patron and President may be elected by the membership at an AGM and will have full voting rights. The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected at the AGM as required. The Chairman is elected by the new Committee at the first Committee meeting following the AGM. No two Officers shall reside in the same household and/or be legal partners.

13. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE:

The Management of the Club shall be wholly vested in the Committee which shall have the power to call meetings, to make any necessary bye-laws and rescind the same, and to arbitrate in disputed matters. The Committee shall have the sole power to deal with the funds and property of the Club, in its absolute discretion and to deal with any questions or matters not provided for in these rules.

14. MEETINGS:

Committee meetings will be called by the Secretary as often as deemed necessary. Except in any emergency at least 10 days advance notice must be given in writing to all Committee Members and the time and venue stated. There shall be General and Special meetings, as often as the Committee deem necessary. A Special General Meeting must be summoned by the Committee if 10 members send in a written and signed application for such a meeting, stating the subject to be discussed. Members shall be notified by the Secretary, in writing, of the date, place and time, fourteen days in advance of the meeting and, in the case of a Special General Meeting to consider the expulsion the Secretary shall take additional action, as under Rule 23. No business other than that named in the notice shall be brought before a Special General Meeting. Any notice under these rules shall be sufficiently served, if posted and addressed to any member, at his last known address. Any decision taken at the AGM shall be valid and binding for the whole of that year and shall not be available for discussion at a Special General Meeting during the ensuing year.

15. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM):

The financial year of the Club shall be from the 1st January to the 31st December in each year. An AGM shall be held annually, not later than the 31st March.

1. to receive the reports of the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
   b. to receive the Club’s Balance Sheet.
   c. to elect the Patron, President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee and Auditor.
   d. to discuss any items appearing on the agenda.

No business shall be transacted at an AGM unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters, or those which, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Meeting, are urgent. At least 28 days notice shall be given of the date, time and venue of the AGM. All items for the agenda for the AGM must be received by the Secretary three weeks before the meeting.

The Agenda for the AGM shall be issued fourteen days before the meeting.

16. MINUTES OF THE MEETING:

The minutes of the proceedings of all meetings shall be kept by the Secretary and the minutes of the last preceding meeting shall be circulated to the Committee Members and confirmed by vote. The records of the Club can be made available for inspection by any paid up member of the Club, giving reasonable notice in writing.

17. CLUB ACCOUNTS:

A Banking Account shall be opened, into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid. Withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two or more Officers, one of whom must be the Treasurer. All pre-agreed expenses incurred by the Secretary, or other members of the Committee, or any member on behalf of the Club shall be defrayed out of the funds of the Club.

18. BALANCE SHEET AND AUDIT:

An Annual Balance Sheet showing the financial position of the Club shall be drafted by the retiring committee for presentation to the AGM, having first been certified by the Auditor, or Auditors appointed at the previous year’s AGM. A copy of the Balance Sheet shall be available at the AGM.

19. SHOWS AND TRIALS:

Where possible the Club shall promote such Shows and Trials as the Committee may deem expedient, within the Club Area, and either in, or without connection with any other show or exhibition as the Committee may direct. The venue of such events shall be decided by the Committee always bearing in mind the desirability of holding such shows and trials from time to time, over all parts of the Club area.

20. PRIZES, CUPS AND TROPHIES:

The Committee shall decide upon the value and nature of any prize to be offered as applicable. Any and all cups and trophies donated to the Club shall be deemed to be the sole property of the Club and it is only under these conditions that they are accepted. Such cups and trophies shall be awarded in accordance with the wishes of the donor, and may not be re-allocated without their express permission. On the event of the donor not being traceable, the Committee may, after a six month period, make any such changes as it deems to be in the best interests of the Club. Cups, Trophies and Special Awards, unless specifically stated otherwise, shall be available only to fully paid-up members; if the winner is a non-member, no award on that occasion shall be made.

21. WITHDRAWAL FROM MEMBERSHIP:

It shall be competent for any Honorary Life Member, or Member to withdraw from the Club on giving notice, in writing to the Secretary but any member leaving the Club, shall remain liable for all subscriptions due and not already paid, including that due for the then current year, and shall not be entitled to receive back any money paid to or on account of the Club during Membership, or have any claim against the Club, except under Rule No. 17.

22. RESPONSIBILITY:

The Club will not be held responsible for any decisions or arrangements relating to Club matters made by any of its members, except those discussed and agreed by Committee or at an AGM.

23. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS:

Beauceron Club UK will not tolerate the use of abusive, threatening or defamatory language, verbally or in writing, towards or about its members.

Any member who shall be disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A11.j. (5) and/or Kennel Club Rule A11.j.(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Society. 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. 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.

24. WINDING UP:

In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, for any reason, the donors of the Cups and Trophies shall be consulted, where possible, and each Cup or Trophy shall be disposed of in accordance with the wishes of the donor. A Special General Meeting shall be called to decide upon the disposal of any remaining assets after all outstanding liabilities have been discharged. The Kennel Club shall be notified as soon as a decision is made to wind up the Club and, within six months of such date they shall be supplied with a final statement of the account and a record showing disposal of all Club property.

25. ALTERATION OF RULES:

The Rules of the Club may not be altered except at an AGM or a 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 to the alterations.

26. KENNEL CLUB AUTHORITY:

The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Club, and in all cases relative to canine or Club matters.

27. FEDERATION OF CLUBS:

The Club shall not join any Federation of Societies or Clubs.

28.  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.

29. MEMBERSHIP LIST:

The Club will make a list of members and their addresses available if so requested by members of the Club or by the K.C.

30. BREED SOCIETY JUDGES LIST:

Registered Breed Societies must produce a list of Judges each year which must be submitted to the Kennel Club as part of the Society’s Annual Returns. The purpose of Breed Society Judges Lists is to indicate to interested parties those persons a Breed Society would support at differing levels of judging. Membership of the Society must not be a prerequisite for inclusion in the lists. Judges lists should be divided into three parts namely, A1, A2 and B and must indicate the date on which the list will expire. On expiry a new list must be compiled.

A1 List – must indicate persons whom the Society would support and who have previously been approved by the Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates in the breed.
A3 List – must indicate all persons the Society would support to award Challenge Certificates but, who as yet, has not been approved by the Kennel Club.
B List – must indicate all persons the Society would support to judge the breed without Challenge Certificates.
C List – all new people starting to judge the breed.

COMMON CODE OF ETHICS/CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

1. Abide by the constitution and Rules of the Club and the Kennel Club.
2. Keep accurate breeding records, registration papers and pedigrees.
3. All stud services and sales arrangements shall be mutually agreed upon, stated in writing and signed by all parties involved.
4. All advertising shall be honest and not in any way misrepresentative or fraudulent.
5. Maintain best possible standards of canine health, cleanliness and care.
6. All breeding stock shall be x-rayed for Hip Dysplasia and Eye testing under KC/BVA recognised schemes.
7. Only Kennel Club registered Beaucerons to be used for breeding.
8. All dogs offered at stud shall be in good health and free from communicable diseases and serious faults as listed in the breed standard and will not mate a bitch in contravention of Item 9. Owners of stud dogs share the same responsibility for puppies as the breeders.
9. No bitch shall be bred from more often than once per 12 (twelve) calendar month period, or whelp before 2 (two) years of age, and should be in good health and free from communicable diseases and serious faults as listed in the breed standard. Breeders are encouraged to have their puppies tattooed and/or micro chipped for identification purposes.
10. Honestly evaluate the quality of all Beaucerons and fairly represent that evaluation. For any puppies that appear to be sub-standard, the breeder/s have the following options available to them. They could be:-

(i) No breeding contract signed and endorsed by the K.C. or papers withheld.

(ii) An agreement in writing by both parties to Spay or Castrate at an appropriate age.

11. No puppy shall leave the breeder/s under eight weeks of age.
12. Breeders should maintain an interest in the welfare of all puppies that they breed and should at any time be prepared to rehouse them.
13. Furnish records to each buyer of all inoculations and worming, pedigree and Kennel Club registration or transfer documents, unless written agreement is made at the time of sale that K.C. registration papers are withheld.
14. All members shall conduct themselves at all times in such a manner as to reflect credit on the ownership of the Beauceron and membership of the Club/Society.
15. The mating together of two Harlequin Beaucerons is prohibited.
16. Members will, when breeding dogs, adopt as a minimum standard the principles, requirements and recommendations as embodied in the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder Scheme. It is strongly recommended that members who breed should apply to join the scheme.

THE KENNEL CLUB GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Breeders/Owners:

1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes. 
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind.  Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.