**The first version of the PSDD constitution was adopted by membership February 2005
Past Presidents
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•Dave Garland 2007/2008
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•Jeff LaPrarie 2006
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•Cathy Moore 2005
Constitution
Revised April 5, 2009
Article 1: Name
The name of the Club shall be Puget Sound DockDogs and hereafter in this document may be referred to as the “Club” with references capitalized.
Article 2: Objectives
Objectives of our Club shall be:
•to support the governing body of sanctioned DockDogs® jumping events;
•to promote and conduct sanctioned DockDogs® events on a yearly basis under the rules of the DockDogs® Worldwide Organization;
•to support the sport of dog dock jumping;
•to educate the members and the public about the sport of dock jumping;
•to conduct training sessions, informal and formal events associated with dog activities;
•to protect and advance the interests of dog activities by encouraging safety, sportsmanlike competition and responsible dog ownership;
•to promote happy and fun dog activities;
•to maintain financial stability to insure the continuation of the Club and
•to serve the best interests of the Club’s members as they relate to the sport of dock jumping.
Article 3: Tax Status
The Club shall not be conducted nor operated for profit. None of the remainder funds of the Club’s activities, dues or donations shall serve to the benefit of any member or individual.
Article 4: Duties
The Club members shall adopt and may from time to time revise the By-laws as required to carry out the above objectives.
Article 5: Definition of Quorum
A Quorum is the minimum number of members required for a valid meeting.
Table of Contents
Article I: Membership
•Section 1: Eligibility
•Section 2: Dues
•Section 3: Good Standing
•Section 4: Election to Membership
•Section 5: Code of Ethics
•Section 6: Termination of Membership
Article II: Meetings and Voting
•Section 1: General Club Meetings
•OPTIONAL: Special Club Meetings
•Section 2: Board of Director Meetings
•OPTIONAL: Special Board of Director Meetings
•Section 3: Annual Business Meeting
•Section 4: Voting
•Section 5: Proxy Voting
•OPTIONAL: Meeting Notification
Article III: Directors and Officers
•Section 1: Board of Directors
•Section 2: Meeting Schedule
•Section 3: Quorum
•Section 4: Duties of Board Members
•OPTIONAL: Section 5: Expansion, Downsizing
•Section 6: Competitor’s Events
Article IV: Removal of Officers and Directors
Article V: Officers
•Section 1: Officers Terms
•Section 2: Duties and Powers of Officers
•Section 4: Date of Assuming Duties
•Section 5: Resignation, Demise, Removal
•Section 6: Members in Good Standing
•Section 7: Compensation
Article VI: Directors
•Section 1: Numbers, Terms
•Section 2: Date of Assuming Duties
•Section 3: Resignation, Demise, Removal
Article VII: The Club Year, Annual Meeting, Elections
•Section 1: Club Year
•Section 2: Annual Meeting
•Section 3: Elections
•Section 4: Nominations
Article VIII: Committees
•Section 1: Standing Committees
•Section 2: Committee Appointment Termination
Article IX: Expenses and Financial Responsibility
•Section 1: Authorization and Limitation
•Section 2: Temporary Deposits and Withdrawals
•Section 3: Responsibility
Article X: Discipline
•Section 1: DockDogs National Suspension
•Section 2: Violations of the Code of Ethics
•Section 3: Charges
•Section 4: Board Hearing
•Section 5: Expulsion
Article XI: Amendments
•Section 1: Proposals
•Section 2: Membership Vote
•Section 3: Notification
Article XII: Dissolution
Article XIII: Order of Business
Article XIV: Parliamentary Authority
Amendment 1: Code of Ethics
By-laws
Article I: Membership
Section 1: Eligibility
Membership shall be open to all people who support the purposes of our Club, are in good standing with both our Club and DockDogs® Worldwide and interested in promoting the sport of dock jumping. There is no restriction as to residence. The Club’s primary purpose is to represent participants residing in Western Washington.
There are several types of membership open to those people who subscribe to the purposes of this Club as follows:
Charter Members: Charter Members helped form the Club and either actively attended meetings prior to the application for affiliation or worked behind the scenes to support the efforts of the Club. Charter Members pay dues, are entitled to voting rights and participation in all Club events.
General Members: General Members are 18 years of age and older, entitled to voting rights and participation in all Club events.
Household Members: The spouse, significant other, or child of a Charter or General member. Adult household members, 18 years of age and older, are entitled to voting rights. All Household members are entitled to participate in Club events.
Honorary Members: Any individual who has served the Club in a significant way may be chosen by the Board of Directors as Honorary Member. Honorary membership is approved by a 66% vote of the Board members, including at least two Officers. An Honorary Member is not entitled to vote or hold office as either an Officer or Director. No dues are required of an Honorary Member. Honorary Members are entitled to participate in Club events.
Section 2: Dues
Membership dues shall not exceed the amounts designated by the Board of Directors. Dues are payable on or before March 31 annually. Members are not eligible to vote if dues are unpaid for the current year.
Every March, the Secretary will email all Club members a statement of dues for the current year.
Section 3: Good Standing
Membership in good standing requires payment of dues in full. If payment of dues is past due over 90 days, membership shall be terminated. Payment of all outstanding dues reinstates membership.
Article I: Membership continued
Section 4: Application for Membership
Each applicant for membership shall apply on the application form approved by the Club’s Board of Directors. The applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, By-laws and rules of Puget Sound DockDogs. Membership shall not be discriminated on the basis of race, color, nationality, sex, religion or sexual orientation of its members nor on the basis of breed, size, neutered / intact status, pure or mixed breeding of any dog(s) owned by members.
Membership is established for applicants as follows: 1) attend at least two Club sponsored activities; 2) submit a membership application including applicant’s name and contact information with the signatures of two sponsoring Club members: 3) pay dues and 4) receive a majority approval vote of the Club’s Board members, including at least two Officers. It is at the discretion of the Board of Directors if circumstances warrant alternative dues.
Approval or denial of membership will be promptly conveyed to the applicant via email. Any applicant whose membership is declined must wait a minimum of 180 days before reapplying for membership. The Board of Directors must report to the Club’s membership on a quarterly basis the number of applications that have been declined.
Section 5: Code of Ethics
All members must follow the DockDogs® Code of Ethics (see Amendment 1). Failure to abide by the Code of Ethics can result in disciplinary action and/or expulsion as provided in the Discipline section of these By-laws.
Section 6: Termination of Membership
Membership may be terminated, without refund of paid dues or other contributions unless determined otherwise by the Board of Directors, by the following means:
•Resignation: except when in debt to the Club, any member may resign by giving written notice to the Secretary
•Lapsing: membership shall lapse and be automatically terminated if a member’s dues remain unpaid 90 days after the annual March 31 due date. The Board of Directors may grant by majority vote, including at least two Officers, an extension with sufficient cause for a group or individual as deemed appropriate.
•Reinstatement: Payment of all outstanding dues reinstates the member.
•Expulsion: membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in the Discipline section of these By-laws.
Article II: Meetings and Voting
Section 1: Club Meetings
a)General Club Meetings
General Club meetings shall be held four times a year. The Club meetings will be held at a location within the greater Puget Sound area. The location, date and time of the meetings will be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers. Notice of General Club meetings shall be emailed by the Secretary no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.
A quorum for General Club meetings is 33% of members, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing with the Club.
b)Special Club Meetings
Special Club meetings to discuss extraordinary circumstances may be called by either the President or a majority vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing with the Club. Notification by email of the location, date, and purpose of Special Club meetings will be sent by the Secretary no less than three (3) days prior to the meeting. No other Club business may be transacted at the Special Club meeting.
A quorum for Special Club meetings is 33% of members, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing with the Club.
Section 2: Board of Director Meetings
a) Board of Director Meetings
Board of Director Meetings shall be called by the President. Board meetings shall be held a minimum of four times a year via either teleconference or at a location within the greater Puget Sound area. Notice shall be emailed no less than three (3) days prior to the date of the board meeting including location, date and time. Any Club member in good standing is welcome to attend Board Meetings. With a minimum 48 hour advance notice, Club members may submit a written request for an agenda item they would like to discuss.
A quorum for Board of Director meetings is 66% of Board members, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing with the Club.
b) Special Board of Director Meetings
Special Board of Director meetings to discuss extraordinary circumstances may be called by the President or by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request of at least three board members. The Secretary shall email notification no less than three (3) days prior to the meeting or teleconference with the purpose, location, date and time.
A quorum for Special Board of Director meetings is 66% of board members, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing with the Club.
Section 3: Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting will be held during the month of March.
Article II: Meetings and Voting continued
Section 4: Voting
Every member who is 18 years of age and older and in good standing with dues paid for the current year is entitled to one vote at Club meetings.
Section 5: Proxy Voting
Proxy voting is allowed. To be effective a Proxy must be either written with date and signature of the Club member or emailed and received by the Secretary prior to the vote during which the Proxy representation is in effect. The Proxy designates the person who shall vote in place of the member. Each Proxy is effective for only one meeting. A new written or emailed Proxy must be provided to the Secretary by the Club member prior to each subsequent meeting during which such Proxy representation is desired.
Section 6: Meeting Notification
The means of meeting notification is email. If a Club member should require an alternate means, the member shall make arrangements with the Club’s Secretary.
Article III: Directors and Officers
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of four Officers and five Directors; all of whom shall be Club members in good standing.
Section 2: Meeting Schedule
The Board of Directors shall meet to conduct business a minimum of four times during the calendar year.
Section 3: Quorum
A quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be 66% of Board members, including at least two Officers.
Section 4: Duties of Board Members
Board Members shall attend at least 75% of Board Meetings and actively participate in the business of the Club. If a Board Member does not comply with the participation requirement, they may be removed as a Board member based on “Article IV, Removal of Officers and Directors”.
Section 6: Conflict of Interest
No Board Member shall serve in any capacity for a DockDog competitor’s club, event, demonstration, sales, profit, membership, sponsor, or affiliated organization without approval by majority vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers.
Article IV: Removal of Officers and Directors
If an Officer or Director fails to fulfill the duties of his or her office as set forth in these By-laws, the other members of the Board may notify that Officer or Director in writing of such non-performance. If the Officer or Director continues to fail to fulfill the duties of the position the other Board members may, by majority vote, remove the Officer or Director and appoint a replacement in accordance with these By-laws at a Board of Directors or Special Board of Directors meeting with the required quorum as stated Article II, Section 2 of these By-laws.
Article V: Officers
Section 1: Officers’ Terms
The Club's Officers shall be: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected to 2 year terms by the Club’s members. The President and Treasurer shall be elected in odd years and the Vice President and Secretary in even years.
Section 2: Duties and Powers of Officers
President
•The President presides at all Board, Member and Special meetings;
•shall represent the Club at those occasions that require representation;
•may call regular and special meetings as needed;
•may preside as chair of any or all committees or may appoint the chair of such committees and
•shall exercise supervision over both the Board and the general membership as a body, to ensure that both are functioning in accordance with these By-laws.
Vice President
•In case of disability or absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.
Secretary
•The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Club and Board as well as all matters of which a record shall be ordered by the Club;
•have charge of the correspondence;
•notify members of meetings, notify Officers and Directors of their election to office;
•maintain the active Club members list with their contact information;
•email annual dues notices and
•carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these By-laws.
Article V: Officers / Section 2: Duties and Powers of Officers continued
Treasurer
•The Treasurer shall collect and receive all monies due or belonging to the Club. Bank accounts and monies shall at all times be open to inspection by the Board of Directors;
• report at every meeting on the condition of the Club’s finances itemizing every item of receipt or payment not before reported;
•present an accounting of all monies received and expended during the previous fiscal year at the annual member meeting;
•file all tax returns and pay tax liabilities;
•supervise fiscal budgeting and
•assist the succeeding Treasurer, if requested, who has been either elected or appointed to the position. Treasurers are accountable to the Club and will assist with taxes and finances applicable to their term.
Past Officers
•Past Officers shall assist the Club’s officers as mentors and be available for questions and guidance on Club activities, meetings, and other Club business, including discipline.
Section 4: Date of Assuming Duties
Officers shall assume office immediately at the Annual Business meeting when the elected Officers are announced.
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Section 5: Resignation, Demise, Removal of Officer
In the event of the resignation, demise, or removal of any Officer, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Director to fill the vacancy for the remainder of that Officer’s term. The Board of Directors will appoint a Board member in good standing to fill the vacated Officer position.
Section 6: Members in Good Standing
All Officers shall be members in good standing as defined by these By-laws.
Section 7: Compensation
All Officers shall serve without compensation.
Article VI: Directors
Section 1: Numbers and Term
There will be five Directors elected to one year terms in accordance with the directives of the Nominating Committee and procedure as described in these By-laws.
Section 2: Date of Assuming Duties
Directors shall assume office immediately after election at the Club’s Annual Business Meeting when the elected Directors are announced.
Article VI: Directors continued
Section 3: Resignation, Demise, Removal of Director
In the event of the resignation, demise or removal of a Director, the Board of Directors shall appoint a Club member in good standing to fill that vacancy for the remainder of that Director’s term. The new Director will be approved by a majority of the remaining Board Members, including at least two Officers at a Board of Directors or Special Board of Directors meeting at which a quorum is present.
Article VII: The Club Year, Annual Meeting and Elections
Section 1: Club Year
The Club's fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
Section 2: Annual Meeting
The annual meeting shall be held in the month of March, at which Officers and Directors for the ensuing terms shall be elected by secret ballot from among those nominated in accordance with these By-laws. They shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring Officer shall turn over to the successor in office all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
Section 3: Elections
The nominated Officer and Director candidates who receive the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected.
Section 4: Officer and Director Candidate Nominations
No person may be a candidate in a Club election who has not been nominated. The Board of Directors shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of three Club members, not more than two of whom may be on the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall name a Chairman by majority vote. It shall be the Chairman’s duty to call a committee meeting on or before February 15. The committee shall nominate one or more candidates for the vacating Officer and Director positions. After securing the consent of each person so nominated, the nominating committee shall immediately report their nominations in writing to the Secretary.
All nominees for the position of “Director” are required to have first been a Club member in good standing for at least one year prior to election. Any nominee for the position of “Officer” must have first held the position of Club Director for a minimum of one year prior to election. If, after utilizing the above criteria, the Nominating Committee is unable to provide a complete slate of candidates with a minimum of one nominee for every vacating Officer and Director position, the Board of Directors may nominate Club members in good standing to complete the slate of nominees. Approval of these nominees requires a quorum present at a teleconference or meeting as defined in these By-laws with a 66% vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers to confirm the nominees. Nominations for vacating Officer and Director positions may be taken from the floor at the member meeting prior to the vote, provided that the person so nominated does not decline when their name is proposed and meets the experience requirements of Officers and Directors as defined above.
Article VIII: Committees
Section 1: Standing Committees
The Board of Directors may annually appoint standing committees to advance the work of the Club in such matters as sanctioned Jumps, training / fun day events, annual awards, membership and other fields which may well be served by committees. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board of Directors. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board of Directors to aid it on particular projects.
Section 2: Committee Appointment Termination
Any committee appointment may be terminated by a 66% vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers upon written notice to the appointee. The Board of Directors may appoint successors for any person whose services has been terminated.
Article IX: Expenses and Financial Responsibility
Section 1: Authorization and Limitation
Expenses from the Club’s bank account may only be used for Club related purposes as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. Between Board meetings, expenses may be authorized by email consent with a 66% vote of Board members, including at least two Officers.
The President has the authority to utilize funds and approve expenses up to $250 each calendar month, without prior approval from the Board of Directors. The set limit may be revised to meet operational requirements. Adjusting the set limit may be authorized by a 66% vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two Officers.
Section 2: Temporary Deposits and Withdrawals
It is permissible for the President and Treasurer to utilize the Club’s bank account to transfer, retain, and distribute funds that are allocated for special purposes as required. Such items may include the holding of donations to charities in order to provide one lump sum, funds set aside for special projects, or to facilitate a loan for a Club related expense. Items of this nature will be accounted separately and not reported as available Club funds. Any monetary interest gained during the time held will become property of the Club.
Section 3: Responsibility
It is the responsibility of all Board members to insure that the Club’s money is being utilized appropriately.
It is a primary responsibility of the Treasurer to know the available funds, maintain budgets and protect the account to the best of his or her ability. It is also the Treasurer’s responsibility to report unauthorized expenditures and any other financial concerns to the Board of Directors as soon as irregularities are detected.
Article X: Discipline
Section 1: DockDogs Worldwide Suspension of Club Members
Any member whose privileges are suspended by DockDogs Worldwide Association shall be automatically suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period of time. If a Club member is expelled from DockDogs Worldwide Association, he or she may be expelled from this Club as provided in Article X, Section 5 of these By-laws.
Section 2: Club Member Violations of the Code of Ethics
Violations of the Code of Ethics will not be tolerated. Charges may be preferred against a Club member for violations of the Code of Ethics by members of this Club, the DockDogs Worldwide Association or Event Judges and Officials. If charges are brought at the DockDogs Worldwide level, the DockDogs Worldwide Disciplinary Procedure shall be followed.
Section 3: Charges against a Club Member
Any Club member may prefer charges against another Club member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or for a violation of the Code of Ethics.
Written charges with specifications must be filed with the Secretary of the Club. The Secretary shall also either email a copy of the charges to all Board member or present the charges at a Board meeting. The Board of Directors shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or a violation of the Code of Ethics. If the Board of Directors considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or a violation of the Code of Ethics, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the Board of Directors not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter.
The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused Club member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing as well as an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.
Section 4: Board of Directors Hearing
The Board of Directors shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing. Both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in this regard.
If the charges are sustained by a 66% vote of Board members, including at least two officers, after all the evidence and testimony has been presented by the complainant and defendant, the Board may suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. Immediately after the Board of Directors Hearing, the findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify both parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.
If Club member suspension is deemed insufficient punishment, the Board of Directors may recommend expulsion.
Article X: Discipline continued
Section 5: Expulsion
A Special Club meeting, as defined in these By-laws, shall be called to ratify the Board’s recommendation for expulsion. The Special Club meeting shall be held within 60 days but not earlier than 30 days after the date of the Board's recommendation of expulsion. The Secretary will email members notice of the location, date and time of the Special Member meeting no less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.
Expulsion of a member from the Club may only be accomplished at a Special Club meeting following the Board of Directors Hearing. The defendant’s suspension shall not restrict his/her right to appear before his/her fellow members and speak on his/her own behalf. No evidence shall be presented at this meeting. The President shall read the charges with the Board of Directors’ findings and recommendation.
Club members shall vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A majority vote of the members, including at least two Officers, is necessary to authorize expulsion. If expulsion is not authorized, the Board's suspension of the Club member shall stand.
Article XI: Amendments
Section 1: Amendment Proposals
Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws may be proposed by either the Board of Directors or a written petition sent to the Secretary that has been signed by 33% of Club members, including at least two Officers; all of whom are in good standing. Amendments proposed by member petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors. All amendments must be submitted to the members for a vote at a Member meeting within 90 days of the date of either the Board meeting or the date the member petition was received by the Secretary.
Section 2: Membership Vote
The Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the members, including at least two Officers, at any Member meeting called for the purpose amending the Constitution and By-laws. The proposed amendment(s) will be included in the email notice to the members with location, date and time of the meeting no less than ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting.
Section 3: Notification
All amendments, changes or deletions to the Constitution and By-Laws must be submitted to the DockDogs Worldwide Association office within 30 days of passage.
Article XII: Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved by the written consent of not less than 66% of the members, including at least two Officers. In the event of the dissolution of the Club whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law none of the property of the Club, proceeds thereof or any assets of the Club shall not be distributed until payment of all debts of the Club have been paid. The Club’s property and other assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs or another DockDogs Club as determined by the 66% vote of the Board of Directors, including at least two officers.
Article XIII: Order of Business
At meetings of both the Board and the Club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
•Roll Call
•Minutes of last meeting
•Report of President
•Report of Secretary
•Report of Treasurer
•Reports of Committees
•Election of Officers and Directors
•Approval of new members
•Unfinished business
•New business
•Adjournment
Article XIV: Parliamentary Authority
Anything not covered by the Constitution, By-laws or Standing Rules shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order, Revised.
Amendment I: Code of Ethics
OBJECTIVES: Training and competing with any dog shall be done with emphasis placed on developing good health, sound temperament, willingness to work and other outstanding dog characteristics.
SPORTSMANSHIP: All Club members shall at all times display good sportsmanship and conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect well upon our dogs and our sport. When at home, traveling, competitions and motels or hotels, Club members will treat everyone including competitors, judges, officials, and spectators with respect and courtesy. Members shall not malign DockDogs, other competitors or their dogs.
HEALTH: All Club members agree to maintain good standards of health and care of their dog(s), including proper veterinary care, adequate quality food and water, and proper socialization.
Members shall not use any means to derive better results during training or competition from their dog that are illegal, not prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for a medical condition, artificial and / or harmful to their dog(s).
Under no circumstances will abuse of animal(s) or human(s) be tolerated.
ENFORCEMENT: All members shall agree that receipt by the Board of Directors of written allegations of violations of this Code of Ethics shall be investigated and acted upon according to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Club.
