THE SCOTTISH SHETLAND SHEEPDOG CLUB 

Rules and Regulations 

1.      Name and Object of the Club 

The Club shall be called “The Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club” and its objects shall be to encourage and promote interest amongst owners, exhibitors and breeders of Shetland Sheepdogs, supporting shows and doing all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed according to the standards approved by the Kennel Club. 

2.     2         Establishment and Constitution 

That the Club consist of Patron, Hon. President, Hon Vice President, President and Vice President, Hon Secretary and Treasurer (of which the latter two may be combined) together with a committee of twelve (thirteen if the posts of Secretary and Treasurer are combined) and an unlimited number of members, whose names and addresses shall be kept by the Hon. Secretary.  The number of Hon. Vice Presidents shall be limited to six who may attend committee meetings without the power of a vote.  Each candidate for membership shall be proposed and seconded by fully paid up Members with one years Membership of the S.S.S.C. and approved by the Committee.  Each new Member shall be entitled to vote at an A.G.M. or S.G.M. one year after approval by the Committee.       No member is eligible as a Committee Member unless they have three years continuous Membership.  Only current Members of the Committee may stand for election for office.  Rule 5 shall apply in any exceptional circumstances. The Committee reserves to itself the right to award Honorary Memberships for the services to the club. No Honorary Member so created shall have voting rights. 

3.  The annual subscription shall be such amount as agreed by members at the A.G.M..  Membership shall be Single, Joint, Senior Citizen (Over 60), Juniors (Age limit 16 years).  Juniors shall not be entitled to vote or participate in any Club Discussion. Junior members on reaching the age of 16 years are automatically moved to the Adult membership to start on their birthday, on payment of Adult fee. Membership due on 1st January each year.  Notice of resignation must be given before that date.  Members joining after 30th September in any year shall not be liable for their subscriptions until 1st January, 15 months later.  No other form of payment shall  entitle to membership of the Club.  Any lapsed member wishing to rejoin at a later date shall apply for re-admission. 

4.  That the affairs and management of the Club be conducted by the Committee consisting of the aforesaid twelve members, together with the President, Vice-President, and the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be ex-officio members of the Committee.  In the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall take his place, failing which the Chairman shall be elected by vote of the majority present.  Seven shall form a quorum at any Committee meeting, of which due notice had been given by the Hon. Secretary.  Committee meetings to be called by email/post. 

5.  The Committee shall have the power to deal with any question not provided for by the Rules also to fill any vacancy, if thought necessary, in their numbers, such selection being confirmed at the first General Meeting ensuing.  The financial year of the Society shall be from 1st January to 31st December.  The accounts shall be audited and a copy of the balance sheet sent to all members. 

6.  That the Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held early in each year, or at a convenient date and place fixed by the Committee.  The Committee shall have the power to call additional General Meetings at  any time deemed necessary in the interests of the Club and the Hon. Secretary on a written requisition by the President of five members of the Club shall call General Meetings.  At least 14 days notice shall be given of all General Meetings, which shall be called by intimation from the Secretary.  The Notices calling any General Meeting shall specify the business thereof, to which alone discussion shall be called.  The Office Bearers and Committee will serve for a period of three years with one third retiring each year.  Retiring Committee members shall be eligible for re-election.  All items for inclusion in the agenda of the Annual General Meeting to be in the hands of the Secretary by 31st January. 

7.  That it be competent for the Hon. Secretary to call a Committee Meeting on consultation with the President whenever the business on hand warrants, or to transact such business by letter/email to the President and Committee.  The replies of one half of the members of the Committee must be obtained before such business shall be considered as having been sanctioned. 

8.   The notice of any proposal alteration in the Rules, Constitution of the Club, of Standard of the Points, be lodged in writing with the Hon. Secretary prior to 30th November of each year.  Such notice of motion must clearly define proposed alteration or addition, and bear the proposer and seconder’s signature, but no alteration may be made, except at an A.G.M. or S.G.M. and such alterations shall not be brought into force until the K.C. have advised and given its approval of the Alteration. 

9.   Voting, all card votes shall be recorded on official voting papers, sent  out by the Club for the purpose specified. 

10. That no notice affecting the Rules of Constitution of the Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club of the Standard of Points shall be passed except as provided for by the foregoing Rules and no Expense shall be incurred by the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer or Committee beyond the funds of the Club. 

11. That any member can withdraw from the Club, on giving notice to the Secretary (such member retiring to have no claim whatever on the Club), provided always that such member shall be liable for his subscription for the current year in which he gave notice. 

12.  Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42j(4) and/or any Member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A42j(8) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Society for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification.  If the conduct of any Member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Society be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character of interest of the Society, the Committee of the Society may, at a Meeting the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Society shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.
Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising the place, date and hour of the Meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation.  If at the Meeting, a resolution to expel is passed by a two thirds majority of the Members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of Members and he/she shall thereupon cease for all purposes to be a Member of the Society except that he/she may, within two calendar months from the date of such Meeting, appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such condition as the Kennel Club may impose. 

13.  Judging List    (contact committee for details) 

14. That the Committee or any Sub-Committee appointed by it for the purposes, shall have the power to elect District Representatives if considered necessary in the interest of the Club. 

15.  A person on becoming a member  binds himself or herself to abide by those Rules and Regulations.  In the event of a member appealing, the Kennel Club’s decision shall in all cases be final. 

16.  If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remain, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever the same shall not be paid nor distributed amongst the Members of the Club, but shall be transferred to some other Club in Scotland bearing similar aims and objects, to be determined by the Members of the Club at or before the time of dissolution.  All Challenge Cups etc, the property of the Club, which have not been won outright at the time of dissolution shall be returned to the Donor, their heirs, executors or assignees. 

17.  The Club shall open a Banking Account in the name of the Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid, and from  which withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two or more officers. 

18. The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the Rules and Regulations of the Society and in all cases relative to Canine or Society matters. 

19. The Club shall not join any federation of Societies or Clubs. 

20. That the Society will make a list of Members and their addresses available for inspection if so requested by the members of the Society or by the Kennel Club. 

21. The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by the Secretary for the continuance of registration and that by the 31st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in Kennel Club regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies and Breed Councils and affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities, will be forwarded to the Kennel Club.  The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any change of Secretary of the Society which may occur during the course of the year. 

22. The members of the Committee and of any Sub-Committee thereof, the Officers of the Club and the Auditor(s) shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Club against all loss, costs and charges, which they may respectively incur or be put to account of any contract, deed, act, matter or thing done, entered into, executed or permitted by them respectively on behalf of the Club, and each of them shall be chargeable only for so much money as he/she may actually receive, and they shall not be answerable for the acts, receipts, neglect or defaults of each other, but each of them for his/her own acts, receipts, neglects of defaults only.  Neither they, nor their heirs, executors or administrators shall be liable for any loss expense happening to the Club through the insufficiency of deficiency of title to any property  acquired for or on behalf of the Club or for the insufficiency of deficiency of any obligation or security in or upon which any funds of the Club shall be invested or for any loss or, damage arising from the Bankruptcy, insolvency or wrongful act of any person with whom monies, securities or effects shall be deposited for any loss, damage, or misfortune whatsoever which shall happen in the execution of the duties of his/her office in relation thereto unless the same shall happen through his/her own wilful neglect, breach of duty or breach of trust. 

SCOTTISH SHETLAND SHEEPDOG CLUB

GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the Scottish Shetland Sheepdog Club undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.

Club Members

  1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if, and when required.
  2. Will agree, without reservation, that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, may report such operations to the Kennel Club.
  3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
  4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
  5. Will not create demand for, nor supply puppies that have been docked illegally.
  6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or the breed.
  7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
  8. Will ensure that their dogs wear tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
  9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
  10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy life and will help with the rehoming of a dog if initial circumstances change.
  11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
  12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
  13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly, or indirectly, allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
  14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of the dog.
  15. Will be encouraged to carry health tests, especially eye tests, on all breeding stock before breeding.
  16. Will at no time consider merle to merle or merle to sable matings.

 

Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from Club membership and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.