GREAT DANE CLUB OF CANADA CONSTITUTION
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1
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Name
and Object
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1.1
Reference
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The
name of the Club shall be the Great Dane Club of Canada,
herein referred to as "the Club" and the area
of operation shall be Canada through three divisions:
Eastern (Ontario (excluding Northwest Ontario), Quebec
and the Atlantic provinces), Mid West (Northwest Ontario,
Manitoba, Saskatchewan), West (Alberta, British Columbia).
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1.2
Objects and Aims
The objectives of the Club shall
be:
· To encourage and promote the responsible breeding
and showing of registered Great Danes
· To encourage and assist the membership of the
Club in order to advance the interest of Great Danes in
Canada
· To conduct CKC approved events and to encourage
sportmanslike competition at all events
- To advance the breed to the highest standards possible,
in part through education of owners, breeders and the
public about the Great Dane, the problems that affect
it, and to hold in utomost regard the importance of responsible
breeding and selling programmes.
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1.3
Singular and Plural
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In
these By-Laws and other By-Laws of the Club hereafter
passed, unless the context otherwise requires, words implying
the singular number or the masculine gender shall include
the plural number or feminine gender as the case may be
and vice versa, and references to persons shall include
firms and Clubs.
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1.4
Governance
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1.4.1
This Constitution and any
future By-Laws shall be recognized as official Club
documents and shall be available to each member of
the Club and to each new member at the time of application
either in printed copy or online. A current, updated
Constitution adn By-Laws shall reside on the official
website of the Club (www.gdcc.ca) at all times.
1.4.2
No
member shall be absolved from the effect of the Constitution
and By-Laws by any allegation of not having received
them, or if ignorance of their contents.
1.4.3
The
By-Laws of the Club bind each member as though he
had inscribed his name and affixed his signature thereto.
1.4.4
The
financial liability of a member of the Club to creditors
of the Club is limited to the amount due from him
in respect to membership fees.
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2.
Membership
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2.1
Membership Year
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The
membership year of the Club shall begin on the first (1st)
day of January of each year and end on the thirty-first
(31st) day of December of each year.
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2.2
Membership Dues
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Membership
dues shall be payable on or before the first (1st) day
of January of each year. Membership dues are paid to the
Division Treasurer and then forwarded by the Division
Treasurer to the National Treasurer. Only those members
whose dues are paid for the current year may vote. Members
joining from January 1 - June 30 shall pay the entire
cost of the membership. Members joining from July 1 -
December 1 shall pay 50% of the membership cost. Those
members joining from December 1 -December 31 shall pay
the entire cost of the membership, which will include
the membership for the following year. During the month
of October the Divisional Secretaries will inform all
members of the division of the dues required for membership
for the ensuing year. Membership dues will also be listed
by the National Secretary in the Dane Data during the
last quarter of the year.
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2.3
Eligibility
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Any
person in good character, interested in the objects of
the Club shall be eligible for membership by being sponsored
by a member in good standing. Membership is a member who
has fully paid his fees owing to the Club and has fulfilled
all his financial obligations to the Club, to which he
is committed.
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2.4
Types of Membership
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2.4.1
Associate Membership:
shall
be every newly accepted membership and considered
temporary. Associate memberships shall exist from
the first day of membership approval for a period
of one calendar year. After one year, the associate
member shall be voted on for full membership by a
simple majority of the membership present at the next
meeting.
2.4.2
Voting
Membership
:
shall
be those persons over 18 years of age paying all fees
as designated and shall have all Club privilages including
the right to vote. To maintain this membership (and
the right to vote), the member must attend either
in person or via proxy/ballot 50% of Divisional meetings.
Persons not attending or partaking of 50% of their
Divisional meetings will be moved to a Non-Voting
Membership.
2.4.3
Non-Voting Membership
:
shall be those persons over
18 years of age paying all fees as designated and
shall have all Club privilages except the right to
vote, hold office or serve as members of the National
Committee.
2.4.4
Dual Membership
:
shall be those persons over
18 years of age paying all fees as designated and
shall consist of one (1) Full Membership with privileges
as outlined in 2.4.1 above, and one (1) Associate
Membership with privileges as outlined in 2.4.3 above.
2.4.5
Junior Membership
:
shall be those persons under 18 years of age, paying
all fees as designated and shall have all Club privileges
except the right to vote, hold office or serve on
the National Committee. Upon reaching the age of 18
shall be eligible for Full Membership upon payment
of the difference between the designated fee and the
fee paid for Junior Membership, and a majority vote
to accept the application at a regular meeting of
the appropriate division.
2.4.6
Honorary Life Membership
:
shall be any member in good
standing who has made an outstanding contribution
to the Great Dane breed. Life Membership shall be
proposed only by a member of the Executive and shall
be voted on at any Annual General Meeting by a majority
of Full Members present. Life Members shall have all
the rights of Full Membership and shall have been
a member of the Great Dane Club of Canada for a period
of twenty (20) years to be eligible. It is not expected
that there shall be more than one (1) Life Membership
proposed per year. Life Members shall not be required
to pay membership fees.
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2.5
Application for Membership
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2.5.1
Each applicant for membership
shall be proposed by a member in good standing at
any monthly meeting, on a form as approved by the
Board of Directors and which shall provide that the
applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws
and Code of Ethics of the Great Dane Club of Canada.
2.5.2
Any
individual rejected for membership by the club must
be provided with a written explanation.
An applicant who has not been
approved by a division may appeal, in person or in
writing, at the next Annual General Meeting of the
Club provided the Notice of Appeal is given thirty
(30) days prior to the date of the meeting so that
it may be shown on the Agenda. Representation will
be allowed by both the applicant and the defending
Division, following which the Club may elect the applicant
by favorable vote of ninety (90%) percent of the voting
members present.
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2.6
Approval of Membership
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Accompanying
the application the prospective member shall submit the
appropriate dues for the current year. The application
will then be read at a regular division meeting and noted
in the minutes. A simple majority vote of members present
at the following meeting is required to declare the applicant
as an associate member. After one calendar year, the associate
member shall be voted on for full membership by a simple
majority vote of the membership present at the next meeting.
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2.7
Termination of Membership
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2.7.1
Termination
of membership may occur as a result of resignation,
failure to renew, expulsion by the club, or as a result
of deprivation, suspension, debarment, expulsion or
termination of Canadian Kennel Club membership as
imposed by the Canadian Kennel Club's Discipline Committee.
2.7.2
A
membership shall be considered lapsed as of January
1. A grace period of 30 days shall be granted to the
member to pay their dues.
2.7.3
A
lapsed membership will be automatically terminated
as of January 31, at which time the member must re-apply
for membership.
2.7.4
Upon re-application and approval of any lapsed membership
by simple majority vote of all members present at
a divisional meeting, the membership shall be declared
an Associate Member. After one year, the associate
member
shall be voted on for full membership by a simple
majority of the membership present at the next meeting.
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2.8
Voting Privileges
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Voting
privileges are as outlined above in 2.4 Types of Memberships.
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3.
General
Meetings
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3.1
Annual General Meetings
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3.1.1
At every Annual General Meeting,
in addition to any other business that may be transacted,
the report of the directors and the financial statement
shall be presented, and a Board of Directors elected
for the ensuing year. The Annual General Meeting of
the Club shall be held in conjunction with the Club's
Annual Specialty Show at a place, date and hour designated
by the President in keeping with the Specialty Show
Guidelines (which are elsewhere in this constitution.
3.1.2
Notice of the meeting shall
be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to each member
at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of
the meeting. The quorum for the Annual General Meeting
shall be twenty five percent (25%) of all Voting Members
in good standing represented by ballot or in attendance
at the meeting
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3.2
Attendance at Annual General Meeting
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Attendance
at the Annual General Meeting of the Great Dane Club of
Canada shall be limited to members only, with the exception
of the impartial inspectors required for the election
of officers.
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3.3
Special General Meetings
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3.4.1
Special General Meetings may
be called by the President or by a majority vote of
the members of the Board of Directors who are present
at a meeting of the Board of Directors or upon receipt
of a petition signed by ten (10) full members of the
club who are in good standing.
3.4.2
Such meetings shall be held
at such hour and place as designated by the Board of
Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed
by the Secretary to each member no less than forty-two
(42) days prior to the meeting. The notice of the meeting
shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other
Club business may be conducted at that time. The quorum
for the meeting shall be twenty percent (20%) of voting
members.
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3.4
Board Meetings
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Meetings
of the Board of Directors of the Club shall be held at
a date, place and time as designated by the President
and may be dictated by geographical residential location
of the members of the Board of Directors. Should a physical
meeting of the Board be impossible, business may be transacted
by mail, email, or telephone through the Secretary. At
no time shall any decisions be made until all the members
of the Board have had a chance to vote.
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3.5
Adjournments
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Any
meetings of the Club or of the Directors may be adjourned
at any time and from time to time and such business may
be transacted at such adjourned meeting as might have
been transacted at the original meeting from which such
adjournment took place. No notice shall be required of
any such adjournment. Such adjournment may be made notwithstanding
that no quorum is present.
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3.6
Quorum of Members
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A
quorum for the transaction of business at any divisional
meeting of members shall consist of not less than five
members present in person (except where specific quorums
are required for annual or special meetings detailed elsewhere
in these by-laws); provided that in no case can any divisional
meeting be held unless there are three members present
in person.
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3.7
Notice of Meetings
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No
error or omission in giving notice of any annual, general
or regular meeting of the Board of Directors or adjourned
meeting whether regular or annual or general, to the members
of the Club shall invalidate such meetings or make void
any proceedings taken there at and any members may at
any time waive notice of such meetings and may ratify,
approve and confirm any and all proceedings taken or had
there at. For the purpose of sending notice to any member,
director or officer for any meeting or otherwise the address
of the member, director or officers of the Club shall
be his last address recorded on the books of the Club.
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4.
Board
of Directors
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4.1
Composition of the Board
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The
Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President,
two (2) Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer,
the four Directors; all of whom
shall be members in good standing and residents of Canada.
The election of the Board of Directors shall take place
at the Club's annual meeting. Management of the Club's
affairs shall be entusted to the Board of Directors.
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a)
The elected officers of the
Great Dane Club of Canada, Inc., shall consist of
President
Past President
First Vice President
Second Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
b)
There
will be four (4) elected Directors; comprised of at
least one from each division.
c)
All
officers and directors shall be elected by the members
by ballot at the Annual General Meeting or at the meeting
following the time any of the said officers cease to
hold office owing to death or resignation.
The
Directors must reside in the region they represent and
are elected by the members residing in that respective
region.
d)
The
officers of the Club shall be elected for a period of
two (2) years or until their successors are elected.
e)
The
duties of the elected officers and directors are as
outlined.
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4.2
Remuneration of Directors
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The
directors shall receive no remuneration for acting as
such.
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4.3
Indemnities to Directors and Others
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Every
director or officer of the Club or other person who has
undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf
of the Club, shall at all times, be indemnified and saved
harmless out of the funds of the Club for all costs, charges
or expenses incurred on behalf of the Club except such
costs, charges or expenses as are occassioned by his own
willful negligence or default.
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4.4
Auditors
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The
Board of Directors may, at any Annual General Meeting,
appoint an auditor the audit the accounts of the Club,
to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting,
provided that the Directors may fill any casual vacancy
in the office of the auditor. The remuneration of the
auditor shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
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4.5
Minutes of the Board of Directors and Committee Meetings
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The
minutes of the Board of Directors or the minutes of Committee
meetings shall not be available to the general membership
of the Club, but shall be available to the Board of Directors,
each of whom shall receive a copy of such minutes.
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4.6
Vacancies
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4.6.1
The office of a member of the
Board of Directors shall be automatically vacated:
i)
if
a Board member shall resign his office by delivering
a written resignation to the Secretary of the Club;
ii)
if
he develops an illness which leaves him medically unfit
to serve on the Board
iii)
if
he becomes bankrupt or suspends payment or compounds
his creditors;
iv)
on
death
4.6.2
If
any vacancy occurs, the Board of Directors by a majority
vote may, by appointment, fill the vacancy by a qualified
member of the Club.
4.6.3
A
retiring member of the Board of Directors shall remain
in office until the dissolution or adjournment of the
meeting at which his retirement is accepted and his
successor is elected. The succeeding Board member shall
hold office until the next election of the Board of
Directors.
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4.7
Powers of Directors
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4.7.1
The Board of Directors of the
Club may administer affairs of the Club in all things
and make or cause to be made for the Club, in its name,
any level of contract which the Club may lawfully enter
into and, save hereinafter provided, generally, may
exercise all such powers and do all such other acts
and things as the Club is by its charter or other wise
authorized to exercise and do.
4.7.2
The
Board of Directors shall have the power to authorize
expenditures on behalf of the Club for the purpose of
furthering the objectives of the Club. The Board of
Directors shall have the power to enter into a trust
arrangement with a trust company for the purpose of
creating a trust account in which capital and interest
may be made available for the benefit of the Great Dane
Club of Canada, Inc., in accordance with such terms
as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
4.7.3
The
Board of Directors shall take such steps as they may
deem fit to enable the Club to acquire, accept, solicit
or receive legacies, gifts, grants, settlements and/or
donations of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of
furthering the objectives of the Club.
4.7.4
The
Board of Directors may provide for the creation of Committees
to advance the work of the Club. Such committees shall
always be subject to the final approval and authorization
by the Board of Directors.
4.7.5
The Board of Directors may appoint such agents and engage
such employees as it shall deem necessary from time
to time and such persons shall have authority as prescribed
by the Board of Directors at the time of such appointment.
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4.8
Officers
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The
Officers of the Club shall be a President, a Past President,
two (2) Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer an Awards
Officer and a Webmaster.
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4.9
Duties of Officers
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All
officers of the Club shall be members of the Great Dane
Club of Canada, Inc., and members of the Board of Directors
of the Club and shall cease to be officers if they cease
to be members of the Board or if they are removed from
the Board of Directors.
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4.9.1
The President shall be the chief
executive officer of the Club. He shall preside at the
Annual General Meeting, if present; have the responsibility
of the affairs of the Club; and see that all orders
and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried
into effect.
4.9.2
The
Past President position was created in the National
in order that the current President be able to benefit
from the experience of the Past President.
4.9.3
The First Vice President shall, in the absence or disability
of the President, perform the duties and exercise of
the powers of the President and shall perform such other
duties as imposed upon him by the Board of Directors.
4.9.4
The
Treasurer shall have custody of the funds and securities
of the Club and shall keep full and accurate accounts
of all assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements
in proper books belonging to the Club and shall deposit
all monies, securities and other valuable effects in
the name and to the name and to the credit of the Club
in such chartered bank or banks, or in the case of securities
in such registered dealer in securities as may be designated
by the Board of Directors from time to time. He shall
disburse the funds of the Club under the direction of
the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the President and
Directors at the annual meeting, or whenever required
of him, an account of all the transactions and a statement
of the financial position of the Club. He shall also
perform such other duties as may from time to time be
directed by the Board of Directors.
4.9.5
The
Secretary shall carry on the affairs of the Club generally
under the supervision of the Board of Directors and
shall attend the Annual General Meeting and act as clerk
and record all facts and minutes of all proceedings
in the books to be kept for that purpose. He shall give
or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the members
and of the Board of Directors and shall perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
or President, under whose supervision he/she shall be.
The Secretary shall maintain an up to date list of the
Board of Directors and their current address.
4.9.6
The Awards officer shall be
responsible for receiving andtabulating all annual awards
applications and for maintaining the historical records
of the Club awards.
4.9.7
The Webmaster shall be responsible for maintaining the
accuracy and data of the GDCC website, ensuring timely
updates of the Club Constitution and all other information.In
the instance of the Constitution, updates and/or changes
passed must be reflected online within 3 weeks of the
change.
4.9.8
The Awards officer and the Webmaster shall be considered
Officers of the Club however neither position will have
a seat on the National Executive, nor will they have
National Executive voting privileges. The duties of
all other officers of the Club shall be such as the
terms of their engagement call for or the Board of Directors
requires of them.
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4.10
Execution of Documents
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Contracts,
documents, or any instruments in writing requiring the
signature of the Club shall be signed by two officers
- the President or First Vice President, and the Secretary.
All contracts, documents and instruments in writing so
signed shall be binding upon the Club without any further
authorization or formality. The Board of Directors may
from time to time by resolution appoint an officer or
officers on behalf of the Club to sign specific contracts,
documents and instruments in writing. The Board may give
authorization to any dealer in securities for the purpose
of transferring of and dealing with stocks, bondd and
other securities of the Club. The seal of the Great Dane
Club of Canada shall be affixed to contracts, documents
and instruments in writing signed as aforesaid or by any
officer or officers appointed by resolution of the Board
of Directors.
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5.
Finances
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5.1
Fiscal Year
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The
fiscal year of the Club shall begin on the first (1st)
day of January of each year and end on the thirty-first
(31st) day of December of each year.
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5.2
Books and Records
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The
Board of Directors shall see that all necessary books
and records of the Club required by the By-Laws of the
Club or by any applicable statue or law, are regularly
and properly kept.
All
cheques drawn from the club will require the signature
of two club officers in Article 4 Section 4.10
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5.3
Annual Budget Date of Meeting
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If
the Treasurer is not present at the Annual General Meeting,
then written rationale must be submitted with the proposed
budget.
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6.
Club
Year, Voting, Nominations, Elections
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6.1
Club Year
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The
Club Year
shall
begin on the first (1st) day of January of each year and
end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December of each
year.
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6.2
Voting of Members
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At
all meetings of the Club every question shall be decided
by a majority of votes of Full Members present in person,
where directed by the Board of Directors, where represented
by written ballot. Voting by proxy is not permitted at
Divisional, National,or Special meetings, including the
Annual General Meeting. Every question shall, in the first
instance, be decided by a show of hands unless a vote
by ballot be demanded. In the case of a tie vote, whether
by a show of hands or ballot, the President is entitled
to a second or casting vote. The Board of Directors may
decide to submit specific questions for a decision of
the members by written ballot cast by mail.
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6.3
Voting Privilages
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6.3.1
All members in good standing
have the right to vote at all meetings of the Club either
in person or by written ballot.
6.3.2
All
written ballots must be registered
with the Secretary, in writing, prior to the call to
order of the meeting.
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6.4
Voting Procedures
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At
the Annual General Meeting, in addition to votes in person,
official ballots will be accepted. Ballots, to be valid,
must be received by the Secretary in a sealed envelope
and will be taken to the Annual General Meeting, there
opened and counted by two (2) impartial (non-members of
the G.D.C.C.) inspectors.
Voting by proxy is not
permitted.
The person receiving the largest number of votes shall
be declared elected. The elected Officers and Directors
shall take office the first (1st) day of January. Each
retiring officer shall turn over to his successor all
files, records, etc. of that office at that time. If any
nominee at the time of the meeting is unable to serve
for any reason, such nominee shall decline the office
and the vacancy shall be filled by the new Board of Directors
in the manner provided for in Article 3, Section 3 (b).
Commencing with January 1999, provision will be made to
accept ballots by electronic mail at divisional meetings.
Commencing with the 1999 Annual General Meeting, provision
will be made to accept ballots by electronic mail for
national meetings.
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6.5
Elections
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6.5.1
No member may be a candidate
in a Club election who is not a Full member of the Club,
in good standing.
6.5.2
The divisional chairman shall contact the members in
their division and solicit nominees for office and obtain
their resumes. The chairmen shall forward these to the
Secretary four (4) weeks prior to the Annual General
Meeting. The Secretary shall cimpile the list of candidates
and resumes and forward same to each full member with
the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting at least three
(3) weeks prior to the meeting.
6.5.3
Additional
nominations may be made by written petition to the Secretary,
and received by him at least four (4) weeks prior to
the Annual General Meeting. The petition must be accompanied
by the nominee's written acceptance and resume.
6.5.4
Elections
will be conducted by secret ballot. Accompanying the
Agenda and list of candidates and resumes, the Secretary
will, three (3) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting,
mail to each full member in good standing a ballot listsing
all candidates, together with a blank envelope and a
return envelope addressed to the Secretary marked "Ballot"
and bearing te name of the member to whom it was sent.
After marking this ballot, each member shall seal it
inside the blank envelope. This envelope will, in turn,
be sealed inside the envelope addressed to the Secretary
and shall be mailed or delivered to the Secretary to
reach him priore to the commencement of the Annual General
Meeting.
6.5.5
At
the Annual General Meeting the inspectors shall check
the returns against the list of full members in good
standing and certify their eligibility. The outer envelopes
shall then be opened and discarded; the blank envelopes
given to the inspectors for the election.
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7.
Committee
Appointment and Termination
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The Board my appoint committees
as required to advance the objectives and work of the
Club. The Board shall establish the terms of reference
for a committee and shall appoint the members of the committee
with an indication of the term for the appointment. Any
committee or committee member appointment may be terminated
by a majority vote of the Board.
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8.
Discipline
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8.1
Suspension from a Kennel Club
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Any
member who is suspended from the privileges of any Kennel
Club shall automatically be suspended from the Great Dane
Club of Canada.
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8.2
Suspension from the Great Dane Club of Canada
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Any
member having willfully infringed any rule of the Club
or having been found guilty of conduct which is detrimental
to the character or interest of the Club, or the health
and well-being of a Great Dane shall be suspended. Any
member suspended shall, for the period of his suspension,
forfeit all his rights and privileges as a member of the
Great Dane Club of Canada.
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8.3
Procedure for Filing Charges against a Member
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Any
member may prefer charges against a member for alleged
misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Breed
and/or Club, or the health and well being of a Great Dane.
Written charges must be filed in duplicate with the National
Secretary along with a deposit of twenty-five dollars
($25.00).
The Secretary shall promptly notify the Board of Directors
and, at the direction of the President, set a date, time
and place for a hearing. A minimum of three (3) Directors
present is required for the hearing; the presense of all
Directors may be impossible due to geographical location.
In that case, the opinion of all other Directors must
be received in writing and presented to the hearing. The
Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges
to all the Directors, and the accused member inviting
him to attend the hearing and offering an assurance that
the defendant may personally appear in his own defense
and bring witness if he so wishes. If the accused member
is unable to attend the hearing, he may give his defense
in writing not less than two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.
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8.4
Board Hearing
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Should
charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and
testimony presented by the complainant and defendant the
Board may, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors,
suspend the defendant of the privileges of the Club for
not more than twelve (12) months from the date of the
hearing or until the next Annual General Meeting, reducing
the member's membership from Full (if applicable) to Associate.
If this should be deemed insufficient, it may also recommend
to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such
case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant's
right to appear and his right to a hearing before the
entire membership at the Annual General Meeting which
will consider the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
Immediately after the Board has reached a decision its
findings shall be put in writing by the Secretary who
shall, in turn, notify each of the parties of the decision
and penalty, if any.
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8.5
Disqualification of Board Member
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Any
member of the Board that is negligent in his responsibilities
may, at the discretion of the rest of the Board of Directors,
be disqualified and another appointed.
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8.6
Expulsion
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Explusion
of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at
a General meeting of the Club following a complaint, hearing
and recommendation by the Board fo Directors as provided
in Section 4 of thisArticle. The defendant shall have
the privilege of appearing on his own behalf though no
evidence shall be taken at the meeting.
The Secretary shall report to the Board of Directors findings
and recommendations and shall invite the defendant, if
present, to speak on his behalf. The meeting shall vote
by secret, written ballot on the findings. A negative
vote of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Full Members
present
in good standing shall be necessary for
expulsion. If expulsion is not voted the suspension shall
stand.
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9.
Ammendments
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All
amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws and Breed Standard
must have two-thirds (2/3) vote of all eligible members.
Voting must be by mail in ballot; proxies are not permitted.
Amendments may be proposed by the Board or presented by
two members. Amendments
must be submitted in writing to the Secretary four (4)
weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting and contained
in the Agenda which is sent to all members. Any changes
to the Constitution and By-Laws, housekeeping or otherwise,
must be circulated to and approved by the membership.
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10.
Dissolution
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The
Club may be dissolved at anytime by providing to the Canadian
Kennel Club written documentation signed by at least two-thirds
(2/3) of the members of the Club who are in favour of
the dissolution; proxies are not permitted.
In
the event of dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary
or involuntary or by the operation of the law, none of
the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor
any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any member
of the Club, but after assessment of its liabilities,
shall be distributed to one or more organizations having
cognate or similar objectives, at the discretion of the
membership as constituted at dissolution. Where a division
has jointed the Club from a previous Club, all monies
and assets which were in the possession of the division
prior to joining the Great Dane Club of Canada, Inc.,
shall be returned to the original Club.
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11.
Order
of Business
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At
meetings of the Division, Board of Directors or Annual
General Meetings, the order of business shall be as follows:
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-
Roll Call
- Minutes of last meeting
- Report of the President
- Report of the Treasurer
- Report of the Secretary
- Report of Committees
- Elections of Officers and board (AGM)
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Adjournment
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12.
Annual
National Specialty Show Guidelines
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12.1
The Annual National Specialty Show of the Great Dane Club
of Canada is to be held during the month of July, August
or September (Note: these months offer better weather
and vacation time, which should attract more exhibitors
and increase entries). Should these dates be a problem
for the hosting division, theymust apply for approval
for different dates from the National Executive.
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12.2
The Annual National Specialty
Show is to be held the middle day of a three (3) day show
circuit, ie. Saturday on a Friday-Saturday-Sunday show
weekend, or Sunday on a Saturday-Sunday-Monday show weekend.
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12.3
The Annual General Meeting is
to be held the day or evening preceding or following the
Annual National Specialty Show.
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12.4
The Annual Banquet and Awards
Presentation is to be held the evening of the same day
as the Annual National Specialty Show. Recipients of the
Annual Awards shall receive a keeper trophy at the Annual
Banquet. Should the recipients not be present, notification
of their award along with the keeper trophy shall be sent
to them no later than two (2) weeks after the Annual Banquet.
Failure to notify recipients of their awards, and/or failure
to supply keeper trophy within 3 weeks of Annual
Banquet shall result in the levy of a $100.00 fine against
the division, payable to the National account.
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12.5
In conjunction with the Annual
National Specialty Show, a C.K.C. sanctioned Obedience
Trial will be held.
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13.
Fund
Requests
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13.1
All requests to the National body
for donations of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more, or extraordinary
expenses outside the normal operation of the Club must
be submitted as a motion for unanimous approval by the
Board of Directors.
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13.2
All requests to a division for
donations or extraordinary expenses shall be submitted
as a motion for divisional member approval.
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14.
Standing
Resolutions
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The
Secretary keep attached to the Constitution and By-Laws,
Standing Resolutions of the Club which are intended to
have more or less permanent effect.
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15.
Rules
and Regulations for Divisions
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15.1
Each Division and its members
shall abide by the objectives of the Club, its Constitution,
By-Laws and Guidelines for Breeders.
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15.2
Each Division shall have a Chairperson,
Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer
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15.3
Each Division shall hold meetings
at a date, time and place determined by the Chairperson
in order to run the affairs of the Division. The Chairperson
shall call as many meetings as he deems necessary.
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15.4
Each Division shall hold internal
elections in November, the elected officials taking office
the first of January for a one (1) year term.
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15.5
Each member shall pay the required
membership fee to the National Treasurer to administrate
the Club.
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15.6
Each division will maintain a
bank account in the name of the Great Dane Club of Canada,
______ Division. The signature of two officers of the
Division (or) one officer and a member of the division
(in good standing) voted on by the Executive of the Division,
must be on all cheques.
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15.7
Each Division must keep accurate
financial records.
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15.8
Each Division shall send a copy
of their minutes and financial record to the National
Secretary.
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15.9
Each Division shall encourage
and promote Great Danes by helping any and all Great Dane
owners, and by arranging booster shows, and as they gain
strength and knowledge, by holding sanction matches and
hosting specialty shows.
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15.10
All members must be Full Members
in good standing in order to vote on Division matters.
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15.11
Each Division shall handle their
own internal problems.
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15.12
Meetings of Divisions and Committees
may be held at any time and place to be determined by
the Division and Committee Chairperson.
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15.13
A minimum of ten (10) Members
is required to form a Division of the Club.
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15.14
A minimum of 2 divisional executives must be present at
every divisional meeting, preferably the Chairperson and
Secretary, or their acting representatives.
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GREAT DANE CLUB OF CANADA
CODE OF ETHICS
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1.
Breeding
Guidelines
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1.1
Clearances
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It
shall be required that any member owned or leased animal
used in breeding shall first receive radiographic clearance
by a qualified radiologist from a recognized veterinarian
university or University of Orthopedic Foundation, certifying
the animal as having normal hips. This clearance shall
be required of the sire and dam of the litter including
prospective dam which is brought to a member-owned stud
dog. No breeders will knowingly use a dog with abnormal
bone structure for breeding purposes.
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1.2
Responsibilities of the Owner of the Stud Dog
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a)
It is required that a male be
at least 18 months of age prior to being used as a stud.
b)
The
stud dog owner shall explain and discuss the financial
and moral obligations the breeder has to the puppies
ie.
i) Food and Supplements
ii) Veterinary Work: immunizations, worming,
cropping
c)
A
stud dog owner may see the litter in order to protect
his own interests, unless prohibited by extreme distance.
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1.3
Responsibilities of the Owner of the Brood Bitch
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a)
It is required that a bitch
be at least 24 months of age and have had one season
prior to begin bred, and at least 12 months or one season
between breedings.
b)
The
owner of the bitch shall be prepared to meet any expenses
however unexpected due to whelping and raising a litter
ie.
i) Food and Supplements: pre & post-
natal maintenance of the dam, possible supplementary
feeding of the puppies.
ii) Veterinary Care: caesarian section if
needed, necessary medical care of the puppies, immunizations,
cropping, worming.
c)
It
is recommended that the owner of the bitch shall cull
or agree to place non-breeding contracts on all pet
puppies.
d)
The
breeder is required to give complete written diet care,
instructions and pedigree with each puppy sold from
the litter and make themselves available to the buyer
for suggestions and advice. It is recommended that no
puppies leave for a new home prior to seven (7) weeks
of age.
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1.4
False Advertising
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It
shall be the responsibility of Club members not to use
false or misleading canine advertising.
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1.5
Breeding "Very Serious Faults"
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It
shall be the responsibility of the Club members to ensure
that no Great Dane with "VERY SERIOUS FAULTS"
as defined in the Canadian Kennel Club Standard shall
be used for breeding.
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1.6
Colour Breeding Guidelines
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Those
combinations of colour (as defined by the official Canadian
Kennel Club Standard of Great Danes) which are to be bred
together shall be as follows:
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a)
Fawn to be bred to fawn or brindle,
which have only fawn or brindle behind each parent for
three (3) generations and, if possible, no appearance
of any othercolour for six (6) generations.
b)
Brindle
to be bred to brindle or fawn, which have only fawn
or brindle behind each parent for three (3) generations
and, if possible, no appearance of any other colour
for six (6) generations.
c)
Harlequin
to be bred to harlequin or harlequin breeding, which
have only harlequin breeding behind each parent for
three (3) generations and, if possible, no appearance
of any other colour for six (6) generations.
d)
Black,
which are black-blue bred to be bred to blacks or blues
which are three (3) generations of black-blue breeding
behind each parent and, if possible, no appearance of
any other colour for six (6) generations.
e)
Blue
to be bred to blue or black, which are three (3) generations
of black-blue breeding behind each parent and, if possible,
no appearance of any other colour for six (6) generations.
f)
Harlequin
to be bred to black which have only black or harlequin
breeding behind each parent and, if possible, no appearance
of any other colour for six (6) generations.
g)
Black
to be bred to black or harlequin breeding which have
only black or harlequin breeding behind each parent
or to blue which has only blue or blue-black breeding
behind each parent for three (3) generations and, if
possible, no appearance of any other colour for six
(6) generations.
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1.7
Physical Abnormalities
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Any
Great Dane Club of Canada member having a litter of puppies
in which there is any puppy or puppies with physical abnormalities
(ie. cleft palate, deafness or blindness) shall destroy
or cause to be destroyed that puppy or puppies prior to
the animal's fifth week birth date
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The
method used to destroy any such puppy shall be by humane
lethal injection by licensed veterinarian.
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1.8
Moral Obligation
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Every
member of the Great Dane Club of Canada has a moral obligation
to every puppy of their breeding (sire or dam) which becomes
a ward of any rescue organization or humane society.
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GREAT DANE CLUB
OF CANADA STANDING RESOLUTIONS
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1.
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Code of Ethics
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by
Alison Jones, seconded by John Kuntze
"that the current Section 16 of the Great Dane Club
of Canada Constitution (Guidelines for Breeders) be deleted
and that this section become a separate document titled
Great Dane Club of Canada Code of Ethics."
Motion Carried July 26, 2003
Motion Moved by Alison Jones, seconded
by JoAnne Warner
"that the revised Breeder's Guidelines be accepted."
Motion Carried August 20, 1999
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2.
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Insurance
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Vicky
Lanyon, seconded by Glen Tait
"that the Club purchase liability insurance that
covers all Divisions"
Motion Carried August 11, 2000
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3.
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Membership Dues
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Cindy
Powell, seconded by Kevyn Oyhenart
"that membership fees for 2004 shall be:
Dual - $30; Voting - $22; Non-Voting - $15; Junior - $15."
Motion Carried July 26, 2003
Motion for no change to membership dues was approved at
2004 AGM.
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4.
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National Awards
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Cindy
Powell, seconded by Randy White
"that the National bank account pays for the National
Awards keeper trophies (Member of the Year, Richmore Obedience
Trophy, Breeder of the Year and Blue Ribbon Puppy of the
Year) that are awarded on a yearly basis with a spending
cap of $120 per year, host division of the National Specialty
would choose the keeper trophies."
Motion Carried July 26, 2003
Motion Moved by Kelly Tait, seconded by Elaine Dixon
"that any Great Dane may be eligible for any National
or Division Great Dane Club of Canada Award provided
that at least one owner is a member in good standing
of the Great Dane Club of Canada."
Motion Carried August 11, 2000
At the request of the donor of the Richmore Obedience
Trophy, Grete Fuchs, all owners of the Great Dane receiving
this award must be members in good standing of the Great
Dane Club of Canada.
Motion Moved by Randy White, seconded by Alison Jones
"Changes, additions, deletions to the criteria
of National Awards which are
Club
created
(ie. Blue Ribbon Puppy of the Year, Breeder
of the Year), must be proposed via a motion or motions
and voted on by the voting membership at an Annual General
Meeting."
Motion Carried June 6, 2009
Motion Moved by Randy White, seconded by Alison Jones
"Changes, additions, deletions to the criteria of
National Awards which are
sponsored
(ie. Richmore
Obedience Award), must be made by the sponsor. Members
proposing a
change, addition, deletion to the criteria must do so
by contacting the sponsor who shall make the final decision.
In the event the sponsor is unable to maintain the award,
it shall be maintained by the National club and changes,
additions, deletions must be proposed via a motion or
motions and voted on by the voting membership at an Annual
General Meeting."
Motion Carried June 6, 2009
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5.
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National Specialty
Best of Breed Award
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Anne Stewart,
seconded by Donna Conod-Varro
"that the National provide an award for Best of Breed
at each year's National Specialty, to a maximum cost of
$100, the host Division will choose the award."
Motion Carried September 21, 1996
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6.
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National Specialty
Perpetual or Memorial Trophies
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by John Kuntze,
seconded by Elsie May Kuntze
"that the existing perpetual trophies be replaced
with plaques on which the winner's names shall appear."
Motion Carried August 20, 1999
Motion Moved by Lisa Dias, seconded by Peggy Clark
"that anyone presenting an annual trophy for the
National Specialty must be prepared to provide keeper
trophies for a period of seven (7) years."
Motion Carried September 21, 1996
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7.
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President's Travel
Expenses
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Carmen
Miskiman, seconded by Peggy Clark
"that the President should be in attendance at all
National Specialties, but should not have to bear the
expenses of traveling, ie airfare, if the Specialty is
being held in another province other than where the President
resides.
Motion Carried (21 For; 6 Opposed) September 16, 1994
Motion Moved by Randy White, seconded by Kelly Tait
"In the event the President is unable to attend,
the duty of National Executive representation shall turn
to the 1st Vice President, then 2nd Vice President, then
Secretary, then Treasurer respectively."
Motion Carried (Unanimous) June 6, 2009
Motion Moved by Carmen Miskiman, seconded by Peggy
Clark
"that maximum contribution to cost of airfare be
set at cheapest available excursion fare, to a maximum
of $500."
Motion Carried (20 For; 7 Opposed) September 16, 1994
Motion Moved by Randy White, seconded by Kelly Tait
'"To increase the maximum contribution to cost
of airfare,
from $500.00 to $900.00"
Motion Carried (Unanimous) June 6, 2009
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8.
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Rescue
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Back
to Top
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Motion Moved by Randy
White, seconded by Alison Jones
Motion Carried June 6 2009
1. Every division of the Great Dane Club of Canada shall
support a rescue program including surrenders, fostering,
and adoptions. The rescue program may be created, managed
and operated by the Division, or, the Division may support
an outside rescue organization in their region providedthat
organization meets an acceptable level of care as determined
by the Division.
2. Where the division supports its own rescue program,
or that of an outside rescue organization, the division
must ensure that each Great Dane surrendered to rescue
shall have a temperament assessment and medical examination
by licensed veterinarian performed.
3. Where the division supports it’s own rescue program,
or that of an outside rescue organization, the division
must ensure that each Great Dane surrendered to rescue
shall be sterilized either prior to leaving the care and
control of rescue or as a condition of adoption.
4. Each division shall support the rescue efforts of all
other divisions. Support shall consist of financial assistance
if requested, sharing of information for the
purposes of adoptions, surrenders, or any other matter
related to the health and welfare of Great Danes.
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