This is an unofficial fast-downloading version of the bylaws of the Rivanna Schutzhund and Police club.  The official version is here.

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ARTICLE I Name of Club

The name of this association is "Rivanna Schutzhund and Police Club" and shall be known as such.

ARTICLE II Object of the Club

  1. Train dogs for the sport of schutzhund.
  2. Promote working dogs for the sport of schutzhund, police work and search and rescue work.
  3. Support movements that demonstrate the advantages of schutzhund training.
  4. Support and organize trials for schutzhund.
  5. Support the use of dogs by police departments.
  6. Interest and educate the public about schutzhund, police, and search and rescue training.
  7. Preserve working dog breeds in accordance with the breed standards, promote humane training methods for the working dog and support responsible dog ownership and breeding practices.

ARTICLE III

This club shall be conducted as a nonprofit organization. All dues, levies and other income shall be disbursed to promote the objectives of this club, along with associated social and educational activities.

ARTICLE IV

The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the board of directors. In such case, after payment of all debts and liabilities of the club, its assets and property shall be divided equally among the active members in good standing.

ARTICLE V Membership

Section A: The club shall consist of three types of members.

  1. Active members -- Active members shall be entitled to vote, hold office, and benefit in all the advantages of this organization. All active members must also be members of USA.
  2. Junior members -- Children under the age of 18 may train dogs and participate in the activities of the club. Junior members must have a signed parental consent form. Junior members may not vote or hold office.
  3. Honorary members -- Honorary members may be elected at large from those who have rendered valuable service to the Club or the police dog movement. They are not entitled to vote or hold office.

Section B: Application for Election to Membership

  1. Applicant shall attend four (4) training sessions as a non-member.
  2. Applications for membership shall be made to the secretary in writing upon forms provided.
  3. The application shall be voted upon at the next meeting of the club. Election to active membership shall require approval of the club. Election to active membership shall require approval by three-quarters (3/4) of the members present.
  4. The Board of Directors shall appoint honorary Members.

Section C: Resignation
Any member may resign at any time and may be deleted from the membership upon receipt of resignation, in writing, by the Secretary.

Section D: Suspension

  1. Any member may be suspended by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors or automatically as provided for elsewhere in these bylaws.
  2. Any member under suspension shall not be entitled to vote or participate in training sessions.
  3. Any member under suspension for four (4) months shall be automatically expelled from membership.
  4. Any member who does not renew their membership to USA and this club's secretary is notified by the USA Treasurer of said fact will have thirty (30) days in which to renew their USA membership and provided the Club Secretary with a photocopy of that membership card with expiration date. Failure to renew USA membership and provide proof of membership will result in suspension.
  5. A member may be suspended for inhumane training or for unsportsmanlike conduct at club or public dog sport events.

ARTICLE VI Dues and Special Levies

Section A: Dues and Fees

  1. Individual Membership dues, for one person with one dog, are $100 per year.
  2. Family Membership dues, for two people living at the same address each with one dog, is $140 per year.
  3. Junior Membership dues are $50 per year for children not included in a family membership.
  4. There is an extra dog fee for members wishing to work more than one dog six (6) months or older at a training session.  This fee is set by the Board of Directors and published in the club rules.
  5. There is a training fee for non-members.  This fee is set by the Board of Directors and published in the club rules.
  6. Membership dues are due on January 1.  A photocopy of a USA membership card showing the expiration date shall be included when membership dues are paid.  Members joining six (6) months after that date will be charged 1/2 of the annual dues.
  7. An applicant for membership who is not a member of USA must join USA before being voted on as a member.  After the first year, a member is responsible to keep his or her USA membership current.

Section B: Special Levies
The board may approve by a majority vote the collection of special equal levies against the membership, to meet the expenses of the club.

Section C: Nonpayment of Dues or Special Levies

  1. The Secretary/Treasurer shall notify an active member whose dues remain unpaid one (1) month after the anniversary date in writing.  If said dues remain unpaid for another thirty (30) days, the membership shall be automatically suspended.
  2. Any member whose share of a special levy remains unpaid for one (1) month after approval by membership vote shall be so notified in writing by the Secretary/Treasurer.  If said levy remains unpaid for another thirty (30) days, the member shall be automatically suspended.

ARTICLE VII Charges for Misconduct

Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the interests of the club.  Written charges with specifications must be preferred in duplicate and forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer of the club with a deposit of $100, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. All charges shall be heard before the Board of Directors only.  The Board shall fine, suspend, or expel from the club or take such other measures as may be deemed advisable.  The accused member must be allowed to present his case to the Board.  Any member against whom charges have been filed may, by a three quarter (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors, be suspended for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days, or expelled from membership.

ARTICLE VIII Board of Directors

  1. The control and management of the affairs of the club shall be vested in the Board of Directors, consisting of at least three (3) but not more than five (5) members.
  2. The Board of Directors shall consist of:
    a. President
    b. Secretary/Treasurer
    c. Training Director

In addition, the Board shall appoint a Training Director, for an indefinite term, who shall also be a voting member of the Board of Directors.  The Training Director may be an officer of the club.  Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President at least quarterly.  Board meetings may precede or follow regular general membership meetings or be held at such other times as are necessary to conduct the business of the club.

Schutzhund Village