Horsham Newfs

(1) Name

The Group will be known as the Horsham Area Newfoundland Group, and shall consist of at least three members residing permanently at different addresses, to include elected Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

(2) Aims

The aim is to be a group of friends working together for the mutual social enjoyment of dogs and members, promoting responsible dog ownership and the working attributes of the breed.

(3) Membership

Membership shall be open to anyone over the age of 16. There will be two types of membership
namely ‘full’ and ‘associate’. This is to ensure that the number of dogs at water working sessions is limited thus ensuring owners receive adequate time to work their dogs in a safe environment.

Full membership will be restricted; numbers may fluctuate as determined by the committee.
Full members must be proposed and seconded (includes those moving from associate to full membership)
Membership applications (full and associate) will be considered at the next committee meeting following receipt of a completed application form, and will be accepted subject to being passed by a majority of those present.

Membership entitlements will be documented and subject to review and agreement at committee meetings.

(4) Exclusions

The committee may refuse or withdraw membership without any reason from anyone eligible to join under section 3 above. This decision can only be taken at a meeting of the committee, which will duly consider the exclusion of any member or members or applicants.
If the group withdraws membership from any member for any reason, the matter may be reported in writing to the Newfoundland Club and the Northern Newfoundland club.

(5) Committee

The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer who shall be full members of the group shall be elected by a democratic majority of those present at the AGM. These elected members shall hold office for a term of three years. Officers are not permitted to hold consecutive terms of office in the position of Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer. All fully paid members holding full membership shall form the committee. In the event of anyone who holds an elected position having to resign for persona l or other reasons, the Committee may co-opt a full member of the Group to fill the vacant place until the next AGM.

(6) Meetings

The business and affairs of the Group shall be governed by meetings of the committee for which an agenda will be circulated in advance who shall meet a minimum of four times a year. The quorum is the officers of the committee or their designated deputies. Member’s views may be expressed in writing if they are unable to attend and attendees will be informed accordingly.
Any items relating to the business and affairs of the group not brought before the committee must be recorded in the ‘black book’. All entries since the previous committee meeting will be conveyed to the subsequent committee meeting.
There will be an Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Group for which a quorum of six full members is required. Nominations of officers and items for the agenda will be notified to the Secretary not less than eight weeks before the meeting; the agenda for the meeting will be circulated to members not less than fourteen clear days before the meeting.
An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of members can be convened at any time by a minimum of 20% of paid-up full membership, with 14 days notice given to all members by the secretary.
This constitution can only be changed at an AGM or EGM.
The Chairman shall have, in addition to his ordinary vote, a casting vote in the case of deadlock at any meeting of the group.

(7) Finance

The financial year will run from 1st January to 31st December.
Membership fees will be due on 1st February of each year. Membership will cease if fees are not paid by 14th March, and membership will have to be reapplied for in the normal way. The reapplication will be as an associate member unless full member vacancies are available.
A working fee will also be charged. The working fee may be reviewed and could be amended subject to majority agreement at committee meeting but must be detailed on the agenda.
All expenditure must have prior approval from the treasurer and anything over £200.00 must be approved by the majority of the full members of the group.
The membership fees will be set at the AGM for the following year. The membership fees will be per family living at the same address. All individual registered full members of the group, over the age of 16, will have full voting rights.
A bank account will be held in the name of the Group, into which all revenue shall be paid and from which withdrawals shall only be made on the signature of two officers of the Group.
Should the Group for any reason cease to exist, then all tangible assets and funds, with exception of the Hooli Help Fund, shall be realised and be dispersed by giving it to the Newfoundland Club Welfare Scheme, after all debts and expenses have been settled, including the cost of having the accounts externally certified. The persons previously notified to them as officers of the Group will be responsible for the proper winding up of the Group.

(8) Group Policies & Regulations

Membership of the Group implies unreserved acceptance and commitment to abide and support the Group’s Code of Practice, Policies and Safety Regulations.

(9) Duties

It shall be the duty of all members of the Group to abide by this Constitution. Failure to do so is grounds for exclusion under (4) above.

(10) Hooli Help Fund

The Hooli Help Fund is to help Newfoundland Dogs mistreated or in distress and assist owners known to the group with bills related to the health and upkeep of a Newfoundland which they cannot afford. The fund will be separate from Group funds and will be administered by officers of the committee as documented.

I have read understood and accept the group’s constitution, policies and regulations and agree to abide by them at all times. Failure to do so may result in exclusion from the group under section (4)

Signatures: ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________