1. That this Club be called "BRITISH CHOW CHOW CLUB".
2. OBJECTS OF THE CLUB
The objects of the Club shall be to promote the breeding and improvement of pure bred Chow Chows, to support shows etc. and do all in its power to protect and advance the interests and welfare of the breed.
3. MEMBERSHIP
The Club shall consist of a Patron, President(s), Vice President(s) and an unlimited number of members whose names and addresses shall be recorded for that purpose by the Secretary, the list shall be open for inspection by the Kennel Club and members of the Club subject to GDPR.
4. MANAGEMENT
The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Cup Steward, Media Administrator and no more than 16 members (6 to form a quorum, one of whom must be an Officer). President(s) and Vice President(s) shall be ex-officio members of the Committee. The Committee shall meet as often as may be deemed advisable, but at least once every four months.
The Committee shall conduct the business of the Club. It shall also have power to deal with any matter not provided for by the rules, provided that any such decisions are submitted to the next General Meeting of the Club.
Any member of the Committee failing without cause to attend three consecutive meetings of the Committee when properly summoned shall cease to be a member of the Committee.
No member of the Club while serving on the Committee of any other Club devoted exclusively to the interests of the Chow Chow, shall be eligible to serve on the Committee of this Club.
5. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(a) The Patron shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting of the Club and shall hold the office for life or until resignation.
(b) President(s), Vice President(s), Officers and Committee shall be elected by ballot at every Annual General Meeting.
Nominations shall be invited from fully paid up members with the notice of the Annual General Meeting. Nominations in writing supported by the signatures of the two members and indicating the willingness of the nominee (who shall have been a member of the Club for the preceding twelve months) to serve in the capacity nominated must reach the Secretary 14 days prior to the meeting. Any nominations as an Officer shall be automatically deemed as a member of the Committee unless the contrary is indicated.
If more nominations than the number of posts are received, a ballot will take place at the Annual General Meeting.
A member shall have as many votes for each position as there are vacant posts. Votes will be counted at the Annual General Meeting by a Scrutineer appointed by the Committee.
In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote or may decide the way which the opinion of members may be taken.
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members on to the Committee in the event of positions becoming vacant between Annual General Meetings.
Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next Annual General Meeting, at which an election of Officers and Committee takes place.
6. OFFICERS
The Officers of the Club shall be a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Treasurer, a Cup Steward and a Media Administrator.
7. SUB-COMMITTEE
The Committee may appoint Sub-Committees for any special purposes, and may delegate to them such of the powers of the Committee as they may think fit.
8. FINANCE
A Banking Account shall be held in the name of the Club, into which all revenue of the Club shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signatures of two of the Officers of the Committee, one of whom must be the Treasurer. The accounts must be certified annually and presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting. Certification of the accounts must be carried out by one qualified Accountant or two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience. Those undertaking the certification must be independent from those who prepared the accounts.
9. SUBSCRIPTION
The Annual Subscription shall be such amount as agreed by the members at the Annual General Meeting, and notified to the Kennel Club. No members shall be eligible to compete for prizes, vote at meetings, or in any way participate in the advantages of the Club until their subscription is paid. Joint membership may be granted for two persons owning or exhibiting dogs in partnership. No member whose subscription is unpaid shall be entitled to any of the privileges of membership.
10. VOTING RIGHTS
Each member shall be entitled to one vote immediately upon acceptance of membership. Joint Memberships – one vote each member of partnership.
11. MEMBERS UNDER SUSPENSION BY THE KENNEL CLUB
Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42j(8) shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification. If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Club, be injurious or be likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Club, the Committee of the Club may, at a meeting, the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the member, determine that a Special Meeting of the Club shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her. Notices 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 of the Club, 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 conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.
If the Club expels any member for discreditable conduct in connection with Dogs, Dog Shows, Trials or Competitions, the Club must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within seven days and supply the particulars required (Kennel Club Rule C.3.a(7)).
12. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The financial year of the Club shall be from 1st January to 31st December. The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th June each year (15 members to form a quorum). Each member shall have one vote, such voting to be by show of hands, or as decided by majority at the meeting, and in the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
A General Meeting of the Club called the Annual General Meeting shall be held every year for the following purposes:
(a) To receive the report of the Committee on The affairs of the Club for the past year. Such report to be presented by the Chairman.
(b) To receive the Accounts of the Club and report on it's finances which shall be presented by the Treasurer.
(c) To elect the Officers and Committee of the Club for the ensuing year.
(d) To discuss only resolutions placed on the Agenda as a result of prior notice given to the Hon. Secretary, with the exception of routine matters or those which, in the opinion of the Chairman are urgent.
Notices of any General Meeting shall be given at least 28 days before the date of any such meeting. An item for the Agenda must be received by the Secretary at least 21 days prior to any General Meeting. Agenda and Balance Sheet to be distributed at the Annual General Meeting and to any member on request.
13. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Hon. Secretary if 25 fully paid-up members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting to do so. The Committee of the Club is also empowered to call a Special General Meeting. No business other than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.
14. AMENDMENTS TO RULES
The Rules of the Club may not be altered except at a General Meeting, or Special General Meeting, the Agenda for which contains specific proposals to amend the Rules, being accepted by two-thirds of the members present. Any proposed alteration to the Rules may not be brought into effect until the Kennel Club has been advised and approved the alteration. New Rules or Amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirements shall be adopted immediately and be included in the Club's Constitution with effect from the Club's Annual General Meeting.
15. ANNUAL RETURNS TO THE KENNEL CLUB
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 or by Direct Debit for the continuance of Registration and that by 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 the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities, be forwarded to the Kennel Club. The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any changes of Secretary of the Club which may occur during the course of the year.
16. DISSOLUTION
The Club shall not be dissolved except by a majority of two-thirds of the members present at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. The property of the Club shall be vested in the Committee. In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, all Challenge Cups etc, the property of the Club, which have not been won outright at the time of the dissolution, shall be returned to the donors, their heirs, executors or assignees. A final statement of audited accounts with a record of the disposal of the property of the Club shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within six months and the persons named as Officers and Committee of the Club on the last return furnished to the Kennel Club will be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding-up of the Club.
17. DISPUTES
The Kennel Club shall be the final court of appeal on all matters of dispute.
18. That this Club shall not join any other Federation of Societies or Clubs.
19. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee of or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.