NAME & OBJECTIVES

 Section 1

 The name of the Association shall be “The Inuit Dog Association “

Section 2

 The objectives of the Association shall be:

 To improve and promote in every way the Northern Inuit dog.

 To encourage the highest standards in breeding registered Northern Inuit dogs and to do all possible to bring the Northern Inuit dogs’ natural qualities to perfection.

 To gain Kennel Club Recognition of the breed.

 To offer help and advice to owners, breeders and other interested parties.

 To bring together members and their dogs (pet or show quality) at shows and social events held at various venues during the course of each year.

 To establish and run a breed rescue programme to protect and save the Northern Inuit dog from impound, abusive environments and whenever needed.

 To research genetic defects of the Northern Inuit dog to help breed healthier dogs.

 To promote canine education, good husbandry and responsible ownership of the Northern Inuit dogs as with all dogs.

 To publish a quarterly newsletter, up to date website and use any medium available as a means of communication among members.

To make available when possible pedigrees/family trees of all member’s dogs.

 Section 3

 The Inuit Dog Association shall not be operated or conducted for profit and no part of any profits, residues, or remainders from dues, donations or events shall not be used for the benefit of any member or individual.

  By-Laws

 1. Committee

The Association Committee shall consist of a maximum 14 members including the 4 Association Officers, and covering the following positions

 and any other position necessary for the running of the Association.

 A committee member may hold more than one position with the exception of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who may not hold both positions.

 Temporary positions can be appointed within the committee with the committee members approval on an acting short term basis only, as needs fit, until such time that the absent committee member can resume their position.

 Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, are Association Officers and shall be elected by the members at an AGM and shall remain in office for a period of three consecutive years, after which they shall retire, but shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.

 Committee members in all other offices shall serve for a two-year period, after which they shall retire, but shall be eligible for re-election without nomination.

 Ordinary Committee members will serve for one year, after which they shall retire, but be eligible for re- election without nomination.

 All offices shall be unpaid

 Only current members of the Committee may stand for election for Association Officers.

 A candidate nominated for a position on the committee must be proposed and seconded by members of the Association, with the consent of the nominee.

All committee members will undertake their positions with full acceptance of the time and commitment required for their particular post. They will adhere to the constitution and code of ethics in their entirety. They will always give an unbiased/unprejudiced view on all matters for the benefit of TIDA. They will comply with all statutory and “good practice” methods in all TIDA matters. All information and “knowledge” acquired and known must be treated as confidential to TIDA during and after their term of office. It is a requirement that all committee members are responsible to TIDA and is important to always act in a professional and responsible manner at all times. Any issue brought to the attention of the committee will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action being taken.

 Any person that has at any time been convicted of cruelty to any animal cannot apply for a position on the committee.

 Nominations of candidates for election must reach the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.

 The committee shall be empowered to deal with any question not provided for by the rules, or in the event of any vacancy on the Committee by death, resignation, or otherwise, occurring after the AGM, the Committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Committee. Those co-opted shall hold office until the next GM of the Association at which an election of Committee members takes place.

 Each member present at a committee meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion, except in the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson, or Vice Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, shall have a second or casting vote without further consultation.

 The committee can invite any person or persons whether members of the Association or not to attend any meeting to assist the committee, but such person shall not be entitled to vote.

 The committee may call an emergency meeting whenever the need is felt with a minimum of 3 committee members present including either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. Any decisions made at such meeting can be overruled at the next programmed committee meeting with the previously agreed item on the agenda.

 The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson have the right to call a committee meeting or at the request of at least three committee members.

 Minutes of all meetings shall be circulated to all committee members at the earliest convenience.

 Minutes of all meetings shall be published in a format easily accessible to paid up members as soon as possible after a meeting, they will also be made available at the annual AGM and at members’ specific request.

 Six members of the committee shall be deemed to form a quorum at any committee meeting including the Chairperson, or Vice-chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson.

 Any committee member who fails to attend within the course of three consecutive meetings without due cause, will not be eligible for re-election the following year.

2. Sub-Committees

 In addition there shall be 2 sub-committees, accountable to the full committee. Each shall be chaired by the Chairperson or Vice-chairperson of the full committee, and each will consist of 4 full committee members and other members of the Association as required to fulfil their responsibilities. Meetings of the sub-committees will be on an ad-hoc basis as necessary, minutes will be taken and any decisions made will be subject to ratification by the full committee.

 Breeding sub-committee

 Will be responsible for formulating and over-seeing a breeding programme which will enhance the future well-being of the Northern Inuit dog. They will also be charged with establishing a definitive standard for the breed, which will lead to Kennel Club recognition.

 Events sub-committee

 Will be responsible for arranging, organising and managing all events promoted by the Association during the year.

 General

 Title

 All TIDA publications, photographs that are copyright of TIDA , prizes, donations etc. completed, undertaken, given or otherwise on behalf of TIDA shall remain the sole property of TIDA. All projects, undertakings etc. paid for by the party with committee approval shall be reimbursed in full for all receipted and valid agreed expenses.

 Health and Safety.

 All members of TIDA will at all times be fully safety conscious with particular regard to the general public. They will conduct themselves and their dogs in a safe and responsible manner at all times.

 TIDA undertake to ensure that adequate insurance is in place that will cover the committee, members and the general public for any eventuality at all events.

 3. Membership

 There shall be five types of membership.

 One years reduced membership on purchase of a first TIDA registered Northern Inuit puppy.

Regular membership : A regular member has one vote.

Family membership : A family membership has two votes

Honorary membership : an honorary member shall not pay dues but shall not have a vote.

Honorary Life membership : An Honorary life member shall not pay dues for the lifetime of the member.

 Membership Fees

 The amount decided by the members from time to time at the AGM is payable at the time of application for membership.

 The Committee shall reserve the right to refuse Membership. The Committee shall reserve the right to revoke membership if a member’s behaviour is detrimental to the association, with no refund of fees.

 Termination of membership

 By resignation

By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such members dues remain unpaid ninety days after their due date.

By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion upon committee decision in accordance with the rules of this constitution and code of ethics.

 Register of members

 The committee will keep an up to date register of members for the sole use of TIDA and in conjunction with any application to the KC for recognition of the breed.

The register of members must include the following particulars of each member.

The full name and residential address of the member.

The date of admission as a member

A detailed account of Northern Inuit dogs owned or part owned by any member or any dog the member may have an interest in.

 4. Association Accounts

 A banking account shall be held in the name of the Association at a bank or building society approved by the committee, into which all revenue of the Association shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signature(s) of the Treasurer and either of two named signatures. The Association accounts will be audited and certified annually by an outside qualified accountant or two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience and presented to the members at the AGM.

  5. Amendments to Rules

 The rules of the Association may not be altered except at a GM, the Agenda for which contains specific proposals to amend the rules. Any approved alterations or amendments shall be adopted immediately and be included in the Association constitution with effect from the societies GM.

 6. Dissolution

 The Association may be dissolved at any time by written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. In the event of dissolution of the Association none of the property of the Association, nor proceeds thereof, nor any assets of the Association shall be distributed to any members of the Association, but after payments of the debts of the Association, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs, selected by the Association committee.

 7. Suspension and expulsion of members

 If a member’s conduct or behaviour infringes, in the Committee’s opinion, these Rules, constitution, code of ethics etc, or is injurious to the good name of the Association, the Committee can, during a Committee meeting in which agenda is included the consideration of the member’s behaviour, call a Committee meeting in which it shall process the disciplinary actions against the said member, who shall be notified in writing with the date, time and place of such meeting, and given the opportunity to appear before the Committee to advance an explanation or defence. Two thirds of the Committee members, including either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, must decide what disciplinary actions the Committee takes against the said member. If a member is found guilty of breach of these Regulations, or that his/her conduct is injurious to the good name of the Association, the Committee will have the right to suspend, and/or expel the said member.

Any complaint against a member must be put in writing to the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson if the complaint is made by or is in relation to the Chairperson.

 A suspended member shall not be entitled to attend any Association meeting, unless on appeal, nor vote at any election nor hold office during suspension. No member so expelled shall have claim against the Association nor be entitled to repayment of any part of his subscription, and shall forthwith upon demand, return to the Association any property being the property of the Association that are in his/her possession at the time of such expulsion.

 A suspended member may appeal in writing against any decision given against them to be heard at the next GM where the member will be invited to attend.

 8. Annual General Meetings

The financial year of the Association shall be from the 1st of September to the 31st of August.

The AGM of the members of the Inuit Dog Association shall be held during the last four months of the calendar year at such a place and time as the committee shall appoint.

Seven members shall form a quorum at general meetings and must include either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, but preferably both should attend.

Matters for inclusion on the agenda must reach the Secretary not less than two weeks before the date on which the AGM is held.

Preliminary notice of the AGM may be notified by post or email to the membership, inviting suggestions for matters to be included in the agenda to be addressed to the Secretary.

No business shall be conducted or resolutions voted on at the AGM except those matters properly notified on the agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those which in the opinion of the Chairperson of the meeting are urgent. The agenda will be circulated to members at the AGM.

Only persons who are fully paid up members of the Inuit Dog Association may send items for the agenda or attend the AGM.