All clubs accredited or seeking accreditation from The Canadian Kennel Club must be governed by a constitution and by-laws providing for the orderly and democratic conduct of the club's business. The following are the minimum requirements that a club must include in its constitution and by-laws. A club may add additional sections or articles as required, however no amendment to the constitution and bylaws, or to the breed standard that is adopted by the club, shall become effective until it has been approved by The Canadian Kennel Club.

1. Name and Objects

a) A clause stating the name of the club and its area of operation.

b) A clause indicating the objects and aims of the club.

2. Membership

This article shall contain the following sections:

a) Membership Year

b) Eligibility

c) Types of Memberships

d) Application for Membership
    Note: Any individual rejected for membership by the club must be provided with a      written explanation.

e) Approval of Membership

f) Termination of Membership
    Note: Termination of membership may occur as a result of resignation, failure to   renew, expulsion by the club, or as a result of deprivation, suspension,debarment, expulsion or termination of Canadian Kennel Club membership as imposed by The     Canadian Kennel Club's Discipline Committee.

g) Voting Privileges

3. General Meetings

a) Annual General Meetings

b) Special General Meetings

c) Board Meetings
Note: Board business may be conducted by mail through the Secretary.

4. Board of Directors

a) The Board of Directors shall be made up of officers of the club (President, VicePresident, Secretary and Treasurer or combined Secretary/Treasurer) plus regional Directors. The requirement of Directors for Local clubs is optional, however Regional, Provincial and National clubs must have Directors as stated in these policies.

b) A section detailing the duties and responsibilities of the officers of the club.

c) A section dealing with the filling of vacancies.

d) Term of office for officers and directors.

e) Directors must reside in the area which they represent.

5. Finances

a) A club must have a separate and independent bank account in the name of the club and all cheques drawn from the club account must have the signature of a minimum of two (2) officers and naming the office.

6. Club Year, Voting, Nominations, Elections

a) Club Year - fiscal year and terms of office.

b) Voting - eligibility to vote
- voting by proxy shall not be permitted.

c) Elections - all elections must be conducted by secret ballot.

d) Nominations - this section will detail the nomination process.

7. Committees

a) The Board may appoint committees as required.

b) Termination of committees and their appointees.

8. Discipline

a) This section shall contain a statement that any member of the club who is suspended, debarred, deprived, expelled, or whose membership has been terminated by The Canadian Kennel Club's Discipline Committee, shall be suspended from the privileges of the club for a like period.

b) Complaints - this section shall deal with how charges are laid and the process to follow.

c) Board hearing shall be convened to hear the charges.

d) Expulsion - this section shall detail the method by which expulsion can take place.

9. Amendments

a) Amendments to the constitution and by-laws (National, Provincial, Regional clubs) or breed standard (National) must have a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all eligible members. Voting must be by mail in ballot; proxies are not allowed

b) Amendments may be proposed by the Board or petition from the members.

.10. Dissolution

a) The club may be dissolved at any time by providing to The Canadian Kennel Club written documentation signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of that club who are in favour of this decision; proxies are not permitted. In the event of the dissolution of the club, other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the club, nor any proceeds thereof, nor any assets of the club shall be distributed to any members of the club. After payment of the debts of the club, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs as selected by the Board of Directors.

 

Order of Business

a) Meetings of the Club

b) Board of Directors Meetings