ARTICLE I: Name of Club

The name of this association is the Oregon State Working dog association and maybe abbreviated with “Oregon State WDA” and shall be known as such.

ARTICLE II: Object of the Club

Support and organize trials, breed surveys, and conformation shows under the requirements the German Shepherd Dog Club of America-Working Dog Association, Inc. (GSDCA-WDA) and according to the rules of the Verband Fuer Das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH).

To train dogs for the sport of Schutzhund.
The promotion of working dogs for the sport of Schutzhund, police work, search & rescue work, and service/therapy dogs.
Support movements that demonstrate the advantages of Schutzhund training.
Support and organize trials for Schutzhund.
Support the use of dogs by public organizations.
To interest and educate the public about Schutzhund, police, and search & rescue training.
To preserve the German Shepherd Dog in accordance with the breed standard as a working dog, to promote humane training methods for the working dog and to support responsible dog ownership and breeding practices.
To support the Breed Surveys and Conformation shows.

ARTICLE III

The club shall be conducted as a nonprofit organization. All dues, levies and other income shall be disbursed to promote the objectives of this club, along with associated social activities.

ARTICLE IV

The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of two thirds (2/3) majority vote of its active members in good standing. In such case, after payment of all debts and liabilities of the club, its assets and property shall be divided equally among the active members in good standing.

ARTICLE V: Membership

Section A: The Club shall consist:

1. Active members. These members shall be entitled to vote, hold office and benefit in all the advantages of this organization. All active members must also be members of GSDCA-WDA.

2. Honorary members. These members are non-voting, and no dues are required

3. Junior members. These members are non-voting and dues are not required, but are entitled to all other benefits of the membership in the club. They must be less than 18 years of age. Once they reach the age of 18, they can become active members once they pay the dues that are requited for that status.

4. Associate members. These members are non-voting, may not hold office bur are entitled to all the benefits of the club. The dues for this membership shall be one half of the Active members.

Section B: Application for Election to Membership

1. Applicant shall attend two (2) training sessions as a non-member. The Training Coordinator will, at these sessions, evaluate the applicant’s dog for its suitability. The Training Coordinator will make his recommendation to the Board, and if found suitable the Applicant will become a member upon completing a membership form and paying the Club’s and GSDCA-WDA dues to the Secretary/Treasurer.

2. Completed applications for membership and dues shall be made to the secretary.

3. The Board of Directors shall appoint honorary Members.

SECTION C: Resignation

1. Any member may resign at any time and may be deleted from the membership upon receipt of resignation, in writing, by the Secretary.

SECTION D: Suspension

1. Any member may be suspended by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors or automatically as provided for elsewhere.

2. Any member under suspension shall not be entitled to vote or participate in training sessions.

3. Any member under suspension for four (4) months shall be expelled from membership automatically. If a member of the Board or an Officer, resignation in writing will be required.

4. Any member who does not renew their membership to GSDCA-WDA and this club’s secretary is notified by the GSDCA-WDA Treasurer of said fact, will have thirty (30) days in which to renew their GSDCA-WDA membership and provide the club with a photocopy of that membership card with expiration date. Failure to renew GSDCA-WDA membership and provide proof of membership will result in suspension.

ARTICLE VI: Dues and Special Levies

SECTION A: Dues and Fees

1. The individual Membership dues, for one person with one dog, shall be established

by the Officers and Board Members at the annual meeting which will be held in January of

each year.

2. The Family Membership dues, for two people living at the same address each with

one dog, shall be established by the Officers and Board Members at the annual meeting which will be held in January of each year.

3. The Board can decide to levy an extra dog fee for members wishing to work

more than one dog six (6) months or older at a training session.

4. There is a training fee ($10.00 per dog) for non-members wishing to train with the Club.

this fee shall be waived for those applying for membership

5. Membership dues are due in January of each year, and will be pro rated for membership

starting later in the year.

SECTION B: Special Levies

The membership may approve by a majority vote the collection of special equal levies against

the membership, to meet the expense of the club.

SECTION C: Non payment of dues or special levies

1. An active member whose dues remain unpaid by the 31^st of January, the member will be notified the Secretary and automatically suspended. If dues are not paid by March 1^st, membership will be canceled.

2. Any member whose share of a special levy remains unpaid for one (1) month after

approval by membership vote, must work out a payment schedule with the Treasurer. If the agreed upon schedule is violated, the Officers and Board members must review the situation with the member and make their decision known to the membership. Their decision will be final.

ARTICLE VII: Charges for misconduct

Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the interests of the club. Written charges with specifications must be preferred in duplicate and forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer of the club with a deposit of $50, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained. All charges shall be heard by the Board of Directors only. The Board shall fine, suspend, or expel from the club or take such other measures as may be deemed advisable. The accused member must be allowed to present his case to the Board. Any member against whom charges have been filed may, by a three-quarter (3/4) vote of the Board of directors, be suspended for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days, or expelled from membership. If the party is an Officer or member of the Board, their resignation in writing will be required.

ARTICLE VIII: Board of Directors

1. The control and management of the affairs of the club shall be vested in the Board of

Directors, consisting of at least five (5) but no more the nine (9) members.

2. The Board of Director shall consist of:

a. President

b. Vice President

c. Secretary

d. Treasurer

e. Sergeant at Arms

f. Director at Large who shall be appointed from the active members. In addition, the elected Board shall appoint a Training Coordinator, for an indefinite term, who shall also be a voting member of the board of Directors.

3. Regular meetings of the board of Directors shall be called by the President at least

quarterly. Board meetings may precede or follow regular general membership meetings.

4. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President or three

Directors acting in concert.

5. A majority of the Directors in office being present shall constitute a quorum to

conduct regular business.

6. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep minutes of the Board meeting, which shall be

available to any member at any time.

7. The Board shall have general supervision over all disbursements of the

Treasurer and shall appoint an auditing committee to consist of three (3) members of the Board who shall audit accounts and records every two (2) years prior to the annual meeting.

8. The Board shall have the power to appoint committees and assistant officers from among

the membership.

ARTICLE IX: Officers and their responsibilities

1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings and act as the chief executive

of the club. He/She shall be a member of all committees.

2. Vice President: The Vice President shall in the absence of the President, perform

all the duties of the President.

3. Secretary: The Secretary shall have charge of all correspondence, keep the records and roll of members, the minutes of meetings and Board meetings, and elections results

4. Treasurer: He/She shall receive, collect, and disburse all funds of the club. Disbursements shall be made only by signed vouchers, which shall be kept as a part of a permanent record system, which shall include an account book of receipts and disbursements. He/She shall render a formal statement regarding the club funds annually and informally at all regular meetings.

5. Sergeant-at-Arms: The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be in charge of maintaining all equipment used in the training program, and all club property. He/She shall provide or otherwise arrange for various equipment necessary to keep the training program operating. He/She shall officially greet visitors and control their location and movement at the training grounds while dogs are in training. He/She shall also answer questions, offer explanations and in general provide good relations for the interested public.

ARTICLE X: Election of Officers and Directors

1. The Officers and Directors shall be appointed at the first annual meeting of the club when it is formed. They will remain in office for a period of five (5) years. During the first five (5) years Officers and Board Members may resign in writing. At which time the Officers and Board Members will appoint a replacement for the remaining term.

2. This policy shall be reviewed at the end of the five (5) year period, By-Laws may be adjusted accordingly.

3. If at the formation of the club, there are fewer than nine (9) Officers and Board Members, additions may be appointed by a majority of the Officers and Board Members. These appointees will serve the same term as the original Officers and Directors.

4. Any active member whose membership fees or levies remain unpaid on election day

shall be disqualified from voting or holding office.

ARTICLE XI: Parliamentary Authority

The current edition of “Sturgis” shall govern this association in all parliamentary situations that is not covered in the law, or in these constitution and bylaws, or adopted rules. In case of conflict between the provisions of the constitution and bylaws and the parliamentary provisions of “Sturgis” the provisions of these constitution and bylaws shall prevail.

ARTICLE XII

The general membership meeting to conduct business shall be held in conjunction with the training sessions. Unless otherwise announced, these meetings shall be held on the first training session of each month.

ARTICLE XIII: Constitutional Amendments

1. The constitution and Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active members in good standing other than the term of the Officers and Board Members.

2. Any proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be formally read at the monthly meeting preceding the meeting at which actual voting takes place, and shall appear in the minutes of that meeting.

ARTICLE XIV: Training Director

A Training Director shall be appointed for an indefinite term, but not to exceed five (5) years, by the Board of Directors. He/She shall fulfill all requirements to maintain a satisfactory and successful training program. He/She shall be in charge of all club activities at the training grounds during normal training hours. He/She shall be a member of the club. The Training Director is a member of the Board of Directors by appointment, should He/She already be holding office, the Assistant Training Director would then become the appointed Board member. The Training Director, any assistants, trainer or helper shall not be reimbursed for club activities.

ARTICLE XV: Training

1. It is the policy of this club that one (1) dog per person will be given priority over extra dogs.

The training of extra dogs at any one session can be done only with the consent of the Training Director and must not interfere with the timely training of the other dogs. Extra dogs (and non-member dogs) may be trained last in the session.

2. Extra dogs owned by club members that are under six (6) months of age may be tied out

during training sessions, or brought to sessions for socialization, without paying the extra dog fee, provided that such action does not interfere with the training of other dogs. A helper with the consent of the Training Coordinator may work puppies briefly. Any substantial training or evaluation of a new dog or puppy will require a training fee of $10.00.

3. Prospective members and guests of members may attend any training session. They may not enter into training activities of the club except by consent of the presiding officer or Training Director . Before participating in any of the three phases of Schutzhund, non-members shall be required to register with the Secretary or Treasurer or any active member participating at the training session and pay the non-member training fee of $10.00.

4. A member cannot participate in training sessions unless their membership dues are paid in

full. This does not apply to outstanding special levies.

5. Members are not required to do the protection phase and participate in tracking

and/or obedience only.

ARTICLE XVI: Club dues to the GSDCA-WDA

The club must pay to the treasurer of the GSDCA-WDA, an annual fee as prescribed by that organization.

ARTICLE XVII: Selection of Judges and Trial dates

The selection of Judges and trial dates must be approved by the membership before applying to GSDCA-WDA for scheduling. All club members in good standing have the opportunity to nominate Judges and alternate Judges, and to suggest trial and show dates for consideration.

ARTICLE XVIII: Web Site

The web site will be maintained by an active member of the club. If that member chooses to resign or cease web site management for any reasons, He/She will automatically turn all materials pertinent to maintaining the web site over to the board who will then petition for another member to assume the responsibilities.

The web site and its contents are the property of the Oregon state Working Dog Association. Copyright laws will be strictly maintained and copyrighted material not officially given authorization for its use will not be allowed to be posted.

Members providing material to the web site automatically assign the copyright to the club.

ARTICLE XIX: Voting

Voting by email is allowed except for election of Officers or Directors (see Article X: Election of Officers and Directors) and can be initiated by any Member in good standing. A simple majority will carry the vote.

If an active member does not have access to email, the President or his representative is required to contact that member and inform him of the voting action and get his/her response. The President or his representative will assure that this vote will be recorded.