Constitution and Bylaws

(Includes revisions to the end of 2017)

ARTICLE 1

NAME: The name of the organization will be The Basset Hound Club of Canada or Le Club Canadien du Basset Hound.

The designation Basset Hound Club of Canada shall include the Basset Hound Club of Canada (British Columbia), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Alberta), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Saskatchewan), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Manitoba), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Ontario), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Quebec), the Basset Hound of Club of Canada (New Brunswick), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Nova Scotia), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Prince Edward Island), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Newfoundland), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (the Yukon), the Basset Hound Club of Canada (Northwest Territories).The Basset Hound Club of Canada (Nunavut)

ARTICLE 2

OBJECTS: The objects of the Club shall be the advancement in every legitimate manner possible of breeding, obedience trials, field trials, tracking trials and the holding of conformity shows of the BASSET HOUND; the protection of the interest of their breeders and owners; and the dissemination of knowledge regarding same. Furthermore, it shall be the duty of every member to practice only the highest standards of breeding and the distribution of knowledge in the interest of bettering the breed.

ARTICLE 3

MEMBERSHIP: The Club shall consist of associate, regular, life and honorary members.

(a) associate member; who has all membership privileges except voting rights. An associate member may become a voting member after two years and approval of the executive. Request to be made in writing by said member to the executive.

(b) Voting – Those members who have been approved by the Executive and by a majority of members in good standing and have all the rights including voting.

(c) Life – Those members who have performed some outstanding service to the Basset Hound breed and/or who have been members in good standing for a minimum of 25 Years of accumulated service. Approval of this class of membership will be given unanimously by the Executive and membership. Life members are eligible to vote and run for office.

(d) Honorary – Any non-member who has performed some outstanding service to the Basset Hound Club or to the Basset Hound breed. Approval of this class of membership will be given by the Executive and the membership. Honorary members cannot vote nor run for office unless they become paid-up members.

ARTICLE 4

ELIGIBILITY:
No person shall be eligible for or continue to enjoy their membership who:

(a) Those who have been convicted of cruelty to animals

(b) Are under suspension or expulsion by the Canadian Kennel Club

(d) Is indebted to the Basset Hound Club of Canada in any way for a period of longer than three (3) months after account is due, unless satisfactory arrangements have been made for payment of same.

(e) Those who are involved in providing puppies, dogs or related services to commercial pet wholesalers, retailers or raffles.

ARTICLE 5

OFFICERS: The Officers of the Club shall be the President, Secretary and Treasurer. Along with the officers, the following positions shall form the Executive Committee; Past-President, Vice-President, Show Chairman, Field Trial Chairman, Obedience Chairman All Ears Editor and five Directors, representing 4 of the 6 regions as designated by the CKC, elected from the members for a term of two years. The retiring President shall serve on the Executive for two years following his or her term of office as Past President.

Any member wishing to hold an executive position in The Basset Hound Club of Canada must have been a member in good standing for at least two years, and serve on a minimum of at least one committee during that time.

ARTICLE 6

AMMENDMENTS: Any motion to change, add to or delete from the Constitution and/or By-Laws shall be printed in “All Ears” and sent to each member 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE 7

BY-LAWS: The Basset Hound Club of Canada shall have the power to form and enforce a set of by-laws and from time to time add to, modify or rescind.

BY-LAWS

1. MEETINGS:

(a) Annual General Meeting:

The Annual General Meeting will be held between 15 October and 15 November, at the discretion of the Executive.

(b) General Meetings:

There shall be a minimum of two general meetings. One of which will be prior to (same day as) the AGM, and one Annual General Meeting during a twelve-month period. If more general meetings should be necessary, they will be at the discretion of the President, at a time and place decided on by the President, after consultation with the Executive.

During a twelve-month period, there shall be held four Executive meetings, and more if they should be necessary, at the call of the President.

(d) Special Meetings:

Special meetings may be called by the President or the Executive on petition of five Club members in good standing. The business shall be notified to the members and ONLY that business shall be on the agenda.

(e) Notices:

The Club Secretary shall publish or have published, notices for all meetings. Notices will be sent via electronic media to arrive at least seven days prior to the general meeting and the Executive meeting, fourteen days for a special meeting and thirty days for the Annual General Meeting: the foregoing procedure to be followed unless a tentative agenda is published in the spring edition of All Ears.

(f) Quorum:

Four for an Executive Committee meeting and eight for other meetings.

(g) Voting:

Voting at all Executive meetings and general affairs shall be by a show of hands, counted by the Chairman. A recount will be ordered if requested immediately following the announcement of the result. Nominations for election of officers to be done at the Annual General Meeting. Voting will be by secret ballot. A simple majority of votes will prevail; i.e. 50% + 1, except the election of a life or honorary member, which will be unanimous.

(h) AGM Limited Proxy Voting:

Proxy notices will be published by the B.H.C.C. club Secretary no later than 01 September each year, and must be returned to the Club Secretary no later than 10 October each year. Proxies must be completed in full and may be emailed back to the club Secretary. Proxies not completed correctly will be considered “spoiled” and will not be recognized. Returned Proxies will be counted towards quorum requirements. The B.H.C.C. will only recognize Proxy notices from those members in good standing. The Proxy is only valid for the Annual General Meeting in which it was given. The proxy shall be revoked if the if the signing member listed attends in person. Proxies are not transferable to any other club member or individuals.

2. DUTIES OF OFFICERS:

President:

The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Club and shall have the general powers and duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of President of similar organizations. They shall be the authorized co-signor of cheques, with the Treasurer being the other. They shall preside at all meetings of the Executive and members. They shall be an ex officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee. The President will be elected for a term of two years, but cannot run for office for two consecutive terms. When the position of President has not been filled by the Nominating Committee, the existing President may be asked by the assembly present at the AGM to serve one additional year or a series of one- year terms, until the position is filled by regular means.

Vice-President:

If the President is absent or unable to act, their duties and powers may be exercised by the Vice-President.

Secretary:

The Secretary shall keep an accurate minute of the proceedings of all meetings of the Club except committee meetings. They shall attend to all Club correspondence, except where the President delegates this to a committee or other officer. They shall notify the officers of the time and place of Executive Committee meetings, at least seven days' notice being given; the foregoing procedure to be followed unless a tentative agenda is published in the spring issue of All Ears.

Treasurer:

The Treasurer shall receive and give receipts for all funds of the Club. They shall pay all bills and expenses incurred by the Club, when authorized to do so by the membership. They shall keep an accurate record of all income and expenditures in a format agreed to by the Club. The Treasurer shall submit an annual financial statement, which shall be audited. They shall also give a report on the financial status of the Club, at each General and Executive meeting. The Treasurer of the Club is, by way of his election, responsible for all accounts in the Club's name or in trust of the Club. The Treasurer and the Secretary shall each be allowed a petty cash fund of $50.00 The Treasurer shall be the official purchasing agent for the Club. The books and accounts may be inspected at interim dates, on request of the Executive members or Auditor

Auditor:

The Auditor shall report and make recommendations of such annual audit to be submitted at the Annual General Meeting. The Auditor will have the normal powers of inspection which go with the office and may request the surrender of any proof or books that may assist them in fulfilling their duties.

Nomination:

A Nominating Chairperson and two members shall be chosen by the Executive less the President. Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be running for office and the President shall not be on the Nominating Committee. Members need not be present to be nominated, but the absent nominee's approval to stand must be presented to the Secretary in writing, before the nominations are opened. Nominees may be added from the floor at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations are not required to be seconded. Nominations shall be declared closed after three unsuccessful calls for further nomination.

Election Procedure:

The election procedure will be as per Bourinot's Rules of Order.

Committees:

The Executive, at the first meeting following the AGM, will appoint the following Committee Chairmen: Membership, Public Relations, By-Laws, Awards, Education, Auditor, Nominating, Picnic, Hospitality. The Committee Chairmen will appoint members as required. Other special committees may be formed if required. The Executive will fill any vacancy in the Executive for the balance of the term.

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct1. Members of the Basset Hound Club of Canada will abide by the Constitution & Bylaws of the Basset Hound Club of Canada and that of the Canadian Kennel Club.

2. Members will monitor the needs of all dogs in their care and will provide adequate food, water, shelter and opportunity for exercise and veterinary care for each dog.

3. Breeding will be directed towards producing Basset Hounds of exceptional quality in breed temperament, Basset Hound type and structure. Only healthy mature dogs and bitches which posses characteristic breed type, sound structure and sound temperament will be bred. All mature breeding stock should be tested for those congenital defects that most commonly affect Basset Hounds with the results being a determining factor in the breeding program. The breeder agrees to use the Canadian kennel Club non – breeding contract on the sale of immature pet / show stock or until the potential of the animal is known. Basset Hounds are very versatile and participation in all aspects of the sport is encouraged.

4. Members should not undertake the breeding of a bitch unless they are prepared to act responsibly regarding the disposition of the resultant puppies. Members shall be discriminating in the placing of puppies and adult hounds, choosing environments in which the Basset Hound will receive suitable care and affection and will not be misused

5. Members of The Basset Hound Club of Canada will follow good business practices and ethics in breeding and sales contracts and will honour all agreements. Written agreements in all dealings regarding the Basset Hound are strongly encouraged.

6. No member of this club shall engage in the wholesaling of litters or the selling of breeding stock to commercial operations (puppy mills and or pet shops) No member will offer or supply Basset Hounds for prizes, raffles, or lotteries. No member shall be engaged in the breeding of “Designer Dogs” (mixed breeds).

7. No member shall engage in false or misleading advertising or misrepresentation of his / her Basset Hounds or those of competitors.

8. All members of The Basset Hound Club of Canada shall conduct themselves in all aspects of the sport of dogs in a manor designed to reflect credit upon our breed and our club.

Discipline:

(1) The Executive shall have the power to suspend, expel or reprimand any member if, in their opinion, he/she has violated any By-Laws or Constitution of the Club or the Canadian Kennel Club. Person under suspension may appeal to the membership at the next General Meeting. A majority vote will prevail. It is the responsibility of a member wishing reinstatement in The Basset Hound Club of Canada to notify the Secretary that their status with The Canadian Kennel Club has been restored.

(2) If an elected member of the Executive is absent from three Directors meetings, they may be asked by the President to resign.

Fees:

Annual fees will fall due January 1 of each year. Any member not having renewed by March 31 will lose his member privileges. New members paying fees after October 31 will be considered paid up to December 31 of the following year. Fees will be set at the Annual General Meeting each year, payable only in Canadian funds

Order of Business:

The order of business at all meetings of the Club and Executive shall be:

1. Roll call
2. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
3. Correspondence
4. Reports
5. Old business
6. New business
7. Election for Annual General Meeting
8. In the interest and welfare of the Club

General Administration:

1. Judges:

Selection of judges for Specialty shows will be carried out by the Executive on the recommendation of the Show Committee, from names put forward by members. No judge should be approached until final selection is made

2. Membership:

The Membership Chairman is empowered to accept memberships, subject to Executive endorsement. A membership rejected by the Membership Chairman will come forward to the Executive.

3. Expenditures:

All expenditures should, wherever possible, have the approval of the general meeting. When this is not possible, the Executive is empowered to spend up to $500 per item without general meeting approval. Chairmen of the following committees: Show (including trophy), Field Trial, All Ears, Ways & Means, Picnic; shall submit a budget request to the Treasurer by the end of February each year.

Rules of Order:

The rules of order of the Club shall be those in Bourinot's Rules of Order, where they are not inconsistent with the Club's Constitution and By-Laws. .