Club Rules
  • Burnham & District Dog Training - Club Rules
(revised January 2008)

1. Name & Objects
The Club shall be called 'Burnham & District Dog Training Club' and its objects shall be to promote the training and exhibiting of all breeds including crossbreeds, supporting shows and doing all in its power to encourage a better understanding between handler and dog. To uphold general Kennel Club regulations.

2. Officers and Committee
Officers and Committee of the Club shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and a Committee of not more than 6 (six) members. The Officers and Committee may elect a President who would serve for a period of 1 (one) year. The Officers and Committee shall incur no expense beyond the funds of the Club.

3. Committee
The management of the Club shall be in the hands of the Committee. They shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election at the Clubs Annual General Meeting (AGM), which shall be held during the month of March each year. Elections shall be carried by majority of those present and eligible to vote at the meeting. If more nominations than vacancies are received then election shall be by secret ballot.

No individual who has been a member of the club for less than 6 (six) months immediately prior to nomination may be elected to the Committee or for less than 12 (twelve) months to serve as an Officer of the Club. No person whilst an undischarged bankrupt may serve on the Committee or hold any other office or appointment within a Kennel Club Registered Society.

All Officers and Committee members shall have full voting rights except the Chairman who has the casting vote in the event of a split decision. The President shall have no voting rights at the Committee and AGM meetings other than as a member. The Committee shall have the power to deal with any matters not provided for by these rules.

Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary, but at least every 4 (four) months. A quorum for Committee meetings shall be 5 (five) of which 1 (one) must be an Officer. The Committee shall have the power to ask for the resignation from a Committee Member who fails to attend 3 (three) consecutive meetings. The Committee shall have the power to fill actual or anticipated vacancies on the Committee. Co-opted members of the Committee shall be asked to serve until the next AGM and are eligible for election by the Membership. Co-opted members shall have voting rights at Committee meetings.

4. Election of Members
The Club shall have an unlimited number of members. The election of members of the Club shall be vested in the Committee. New members will be issued with a Membership Form and will be required to pay their annual subscription. Their name will be put before the Committee for ratification of membership, which shall elect by majority of those present and eligible to vote. The Committee retain the right to refuse membership.

There are 3 (three) levels of membership. Single, Joint and Family. Joint membership is for two people living at the same address. Family membership is for 2 adults and children under 18 years of age living at the same address. On reaching 18 years or moving to a different address they will then be eligible to apply to join as a single member.

An up to date list of Members and their addresses must be maintained and if so requested, made available for inspection by the Kennel Club and Club members.

5. Club Property
The property of the Club shall be vested in the Committee. Cups and trophies donated to the Club shall be accepted on the understanding that they shall be the sole property of the Club. In the event of the Club ceasing to exist, the assets shall be realised and after payment of the Clubs debts and expenses, the balance of monies (if any) shall be donated to a dog-related charity or charities chosen by the presiding Committee.

A final statement of accounts with a record of the disposal of property shall be forwarded to the Kennel Club within 6 (six) months and the persons named as Officers and Committee on the last Annual Returns shall be held responsible by the Kennel Club for the proper winding up of the Club.

6. Club Accounts
A Bank/Building Society account shall be opened in the name of the Club into which all revenues of the Club shall be paid and from which, all withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of any 2 (two) following officers - Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer.

7. Subscriptions
The Annual subscription (which includes insurance) shall be £5.00 for single membership, £7.50 for joint membership and £10.00 for family membership, payable before or at the first training session and thence annually on the 1st of April. New members who take out membership after 1st February will not need to renew their membership until the following year (in effect having 14 (fourteen) months membership).

In addition there will be a subscription fee per training session and this will be displayed on the notice board or stated verbally on request by any member of the Committee. The fee is to go towards the cost of venue hire and use of equipment.

No member whose annual subscription is unpaid is entitled to any of the privileges of membership and if the member fails to pay outstanding subscriptions by 1st May, will be erased from the register. Acceptance back on the register will depend upon a new application and payment of arrears.

8. Expulsion of Members
Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42.J.(5) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified under the Kennel Club Rule A42.J.(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Burnham & District Dog Training Club for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification.

If the conduct of any member shall, in the opinion of the Committee be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interest of the Club, the Committee of the Club may, at a meeting the notice convening of which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Club (SGM) 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 time of the meeting that he/she may attend and offer explanation. If at the meeting, a resolution to expel is passed by 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 Club except that he/she may, within 2 (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.

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 7 (seven) days and supply any particulars required.

9. Financial Year/Annual General Meeting - AGM
9a The financial year shall be from 1st January to 31st December. the AGM shall be held during the month of March for the following purpose:

To receive the Report of the Committee and audited Balance Sheet, which shall be shown to all Members present. 
To elect Officers and Committee Members. Nominations for Officers and Committee Members must be proposed and seconded to reach the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
To discuss any resolutions duly placed on the Agenda of which prior notice to reach the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
No business shall be transacted at an AGM unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those that in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting are urgent.
Members will find notification of the date and venue on the notice board and on the Club website, not less that 6 (six) weeks prior to the meeting.
The Agenda will be circulated at the meeting.

9b To be entitled to voting rights individuals must be a Member before 1st January prior to the AGM. Members having a single membership shall be entitled to 1 (one) vote. Members with a joint membership shall be entitled to 1 (one) vote per member up to a maximum of 2 (two). Members with a family membership shall be entitled to 1 (one) vote per member up to a maximum of 2 (two).

Any member under the age of 18 (eighteen) shall be classed as a Junior Member. Junior Members shall not be entitled to voting rights and are not eligible for election to the Committee.

Postal and proxy votes are not allowed.

9c The Secretary shall summon a Special General Meeting if 12 (twelve) 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 other business than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.

The meeting shall be held within 6 (six) weeks of receipt of such a requisition. Members will find notification of the date and venue on the notice board not less than 2 (two) weeks prior to the meeting.

10. Amendments to Rules
The Rules of the Club may not be altered except at the Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting, notice of which includes details of the proposal to alter the Rules.

Any such changes shall not be brought into force until the Kennel Club has been advised and given its approval to the said change. New rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet Kennel Club requirement shall be adopted immediately.

11. Annual Returns
The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the Kennel Club by Direct Debit for the continuance of registration and that by 31st July each year, other returns as stipulated in the Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Titles of 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 Club which may occur in the course of the year.
A declaration of the number of Members of the Club must be made with Annual Returns.

12. Kennel Club Final Authority
The Kennel Club shall be the final authority for interpreting the rules of the Club in all cases relative to canine or society matters.

13. General Business
  • The Club shall not join any Federation of Societies or Clubs
  • No bitch in season will be allowed to train or be on Club premises/field and a minimum of 21 days should be allowed before the bitch returns to the Club.
  • A dog must not attend the Club if it has been suffering or has been in contact with a dog that has a contagious disease (Kennel Cough is very contagious, DO NOT bring your dog to training until 10 days after the last cough). You should telephone the trainer or any Committee member with details.
  • All dogs must be inoculated and a current vaccination certificate produced on request (exceptions at the Committee's discretion).
  • No punitive handling is allowed and any person found doing so will be liable to expulsion from the Club.
  • All handlers must keep their dogs on a lead at all times whilst on Club premises/field unless instructed by a trainer to do otherwise. Handlers are also expected to keep their dogs under control and not allow them to be aggressive or a nuisance to other members.
  • Dogs are not allowed to foul the premises/field in any way at all. In the event of an 'accident' the handler must clear up any mess.
  • Check chains MUST NOT be worn for agility.
  • Dogs MUST be over 1 (one) year old to participate in Agility Training.
  • Flat closed in shoes must be worn for training, no high heels are allowed.
  • Handlers are not permitted to smoke whilst actually working a dog.

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