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Title: The name of the organisation is "The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain" hereinafter referred to as "the Club".  

 

Article I Construction and Interpretation  

a)In the construction and interpretation of this constitution or any parts thereof the common sense reading and meaning (save as referred to and provided for in Clause (b) hereof) shall be assigned thereto, and a resolution of the Committee of the Club thereon shall be final and binding on all persons interested hereunder.  

b)Except where the contrary is expressed or necessarily inferred the words and phrases appearing in the Constitution shall have those meanings as are assigned to them under the Kennel Club. The Kennel Club shall be deemed to be the final Authority in all cases relative to canine matters.  

c)In any circumstances not provided for by this Constitution the Committee of the Club shall take whatever action they deem beneficial to the best interests of the Club, subject to the proviso that such action shall be offered to the next following general meeting of members for discussion and ratification.  

 

Article II Objects of the Club  

a)To generally promote and further the best interests of the breed.  

b)To generally safeguard the well being of the breed and all those persons associated with it.  

c)To appoint a panel of judges recommended for the breed.  

d)To encourage such classes at Open and Championship shows as may be deemed desirable by the Club members.  

e)To liaise with all other clubs and societies of Rhodesian Ridgeback owners over the promotion of the breed, including, where appropriate, the formation of branches.  

 

Article III Membership  

a)Membership of the Club shall be open to any person who is a breeder, exhibitor or owner of, or any person who is interested in, the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. 

b)The minimum age for full membership of the Club shall be 18 years. Junior membership of the Club shall be open to the children of full members of the Club if aged under 18 years and residing at the same address as their parents. Junior members shall enjoy all the privileges of membership except that they shall have no voting rights. Annual subscription for such Junior membership shall be 25% of the single membership rate.  

c)Candidates for membership shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another, and elected by the Committee. At the request of any Committee member such election shall be by secret ballot. Three negatives shall exclude from membership but all exclusions from membership shall be reported to the next following General Meeting of the Club. Upon election, each member shall be provided with a copy of the Constitution and Rules and Code of Ethics of the Club, by which the member expressly agrees to be bound.

d)The Annual subscription for Joint, Single, Overseas and Junior membership shall be such sum as the members shall determine from time to time at General Meeting and shall be due and payable on 1st January each year. Those joining on or after 1st October shall remain in membership to 31st December the following year. No member whose subscription is unpaid shall be entitled to any of the privileges of membership, and if any member fails to pay the Annual subscription by 1st March, the Committee shall have the power to erase his/her name from the list of members. If the Committee shall subsequently receive satisfactory explanation the member may at the discretion of the Committee and payment of the arrears, be readmitted to membership. 

e)Any trophy presented by a member for awarding at any competition approved by the Kennel Club or the Club shall on presentation become the property of the Club who shall become responsible for its maintenance and safe-keeping thereafter.  

f)Any member who shall be suspended under Kennel Club Rule A42j(4) and/or any member whose dog(s) is/are disqualified 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 or the Club be injurious to the character or interests of the Club, the Committee may call a Special General Meeting for the purpose of considering the conduct of the member concerned, and if appropriate the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her. The notice must state the purpose of the meeting, resolution to be proposed and must be sent to the said member giving details of the complaint, and advising him/her of the place, date and hour of the meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at the meeting a motion to expel is passed by a two thirds majority of members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of members, and he/she shall thereupon cease for all practical purposes to be a member 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 shall impose.  

g)Honorary Life Membership may be conferred by the members in General Meeting at the recommendation of the Committee and such members shall retain full voting rights and privileges.  

h)The Committee shall have the power to suspend for a period not exceeding 12 months any member who infringes the Constitution and Rules or Code of Ethics. Such suspension shall be reported to the next following General Meeting of the Club.  

j)The Club will make a list of members and their addresses available for inspection if so requested by the members of the Society or by the Kennel Club.  

 

Article IV  

a)The business activities and general management of the Club shall be delegated to a Committee which shall consist of:  

i)Chairman

ii)Vice-Chairman

iii)Hon Secretary

iv)Hon Treasurer

v)Membership Secretary

vi)Show Secretary

vii)Not more than 8 elected members as hereinafter provided.  

 

The Committee shall have the power to appoint an assistant to the Hon Secretary or Treasurer.  

b)In addition there shall be, at the discretion of the Committee:  

i)President

ii)Not more than three Vice-Presidents

iii)An honorary legal advisor who shall have the status of a Vice-President.  

 

These offices to be conferred as Honours on persons who have rendered outstanding services to the Club or to the breed. They may serve as ex-officio members of the Committee and attend its meetings, but the Vice-Presidents shall have no voting powers thereat unless elected as members thereof. These posts to be filled or left vacant at the option of the members of the Club.  

c)The Committee shall take office immediately subsequent to the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected, except for co-opted members as provided for in ArticleV. No serving member of the Committee or Officer may at the same time serve on the Committee of another Rhodesian Ridgeback breed club.  

d)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.  

e)The Committee shall meet as often as the Chairman may deem necessary, which should be a minimum of one meeting per quarter and seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  

f)Finances  

i)The funds of the Club shall be paid into an account in the name of the Club at such banks as the Committee may by resolution from time to time direct. Cheques shall be signed in all cases by the Hon Treasurer/Secretary and countersigned by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

ii)At each quarterly meeting of the Committee the Hon Treasurer shall present a statement of the financial position of the Club which shall include the current cash in hand position together with details of anticipated income and liabilities.

iii)At each Annual General Meeting the audited annual accounts for the immediately preceding year shall be presented, together with the Committee's budget proposals for the succeeding year.

iv)Upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club any remaining net assets, after meeting all liabilities, together with the ownership of all trophies hereinbefore mentioned, shall be transferred to such other body or bodies concerned with the well being of the Rhodesian Ridgeback as may be jointly agreed with the parent and associated clubs in South Africa; except where donors' wishes have previously been made known.

 

Article V Election of Officers

a)All nominees shall have completed a minimum of two years' membership of the Club.

b)The name of any qualified members willing to accept nomination for election to Office or the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary 42 days (postmark) before the date of the Annual General Meeting by two members of the Club and the nominee for election or re-election must give their written consent at the same time.

c)In the event of there being more nominations than there are vacancies on the Committee the election shall be by secret ballot conducted by two scrutineers appointed by the General Meeting who shall not be candidates in the election.

 

Each member may vote for up to as many candidates as there are vacancies and no more. No single voting paper shall record more than one vote for any candidate. In the event of there being an equality of votes a further ballot shall be held to decide who shall fill the vacancy or vacancies. Voting by proxy or post shall not be permitted.

d)Four members of the Committee shall retire annually by rotation (i.e. each member normally serving a two year term and then retiring automatically). After three consecutive two year terms any member shall be ineligible for

re-election for the following year.

e)At each Annual General Meeting there shall be elected by secret ballot, or by show of hands if only one candidate, a Hon Secretary, a Hon Membership Secretary, a Hon Treasurer and a Hon Show Secretary.

f)The office of Chairman shall be held on a similar term to that of a Committee member, i.e. elected for a two year term, and after three successive terms (i.e. six years) the Chairman will not be eligible for re-election at the next following Annual General Meeeting.

g)(i)The office of Vice-Chairman shall be held on the same terms as that of Chairman, but that these elections should not be co-terminous. They will therefore be elected in alternate years.

ii)The Vice-Chairman will be automatically nominated for the office of Chairman whenever the post is vacant. This will not preclude the nomination of other candidates in exceptional circumstances if the members or the Committee so wish. When the Vice-Chairman becomes Chairman, the succeeding Vice-Chairman will hold office for one year initially in order to achieve the non-co-terminous endings of the terms as specified in g(i) above. Such first year will not count towards his six years term of office.

h)Unscheduled Committee Vacancies

In the event of an officer or elected member of the Committee resigning or becoming insolvent or being absent from three consecutive meetings without reasons satisfactory to the Committee, the Committee shall have the power to declare the seat vacant. The Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies in any office or on the Committee by co-opting from those candidates duly nominated for the Committee but unsuccessful at the previous Annual General Meeting in accordance with votes cast in their favour at that time.

 

Article VI Meetings

a)The financial year of the Club shall be from 1st January to 31st December.

b)The Annual General Meeting shall normally be held during the month of March. Any variation of date shall be notified to all members in writing at least ten weeks before the meeting. The meeting shall be held for the transaction of the following business:

i)To receive the Annual Report of the Chairman and the Accounts of the Club from the Treasurer.

ii)To elect A Chairman, A Vice-Chairman, An Honorary Secretary, An Honorary Membership Secretary, An Honorary Treasurer, An Honorary Show Secretary, Members of the Committee as hereinbefore provided.

iii)To appoint an Auditor or Auditors (who must be a qualified or practising Accountant)

iv)To consider and, if necessary, take action with reference to any business or motion of which not less than 42 days' notice (postmark) in writing has been given to the Secretary by the member wishing to propose it, provided that the same shall be covered by this Constitution. Such items will be included in the circulated Agenda.

c)The Agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall be conveyed in writing to every member of the Club at least 21 clear days (postmark) before the date of the meeting and shall indicate the business to be transacted at that meeting to include the names of the candidates for office/committee.

d)Members of the Club desiring to place notice of a motion on the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting may do so by giving the Secretary 42 clear days' (postmark) notice thereof in writing subject to compliance with all provisions regarding notice.

e)Ordinary meetings of the Club shall be held at such places and times as the Committee of the Club itself shall decide.

f)All meetings of the Club shall be chaired by the Chairman or in his absence the Vice-Chairman. If neither the Chairman nor Vice-Chairman is present within thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled meeting time, a chairman shall be chosen from the floor by the members present and shall remain in the chair for the rest of the meeting.

g)Special Meetings or Extraordinary General Meetings shall be convened by the direction of the Committee or on the requisition of 10 per cent of the membership in the British Isles. Each member requisitioning such a meeting shall lodge £1 with the Secretary with the requisition. This £1 may be refunded if it is so decided by a simple majority of those members present and voting at the meeting so requisitioned. The objects of the meeting shall be stated in such requisition so long as twenty eight (28) days' notice (postmark) has been given to all members of the Club. (For Constitution changes see Article X(a)). Such meeting to be held within 3 calendar months of requisition. No business other than that listed on the Agenda - which must be sent to each Member with the Notice - may be discussed at any Special General Meeting.

h)A General Meeting shall be quorate and may proceed to business if 30 paid up members are present. No meeting shall commence until a quorum is present, nor continue after a quorum ceases to be present. If at any properly convened General Meeting of the Club there is no quorum present within 1 hour of the appointed time, the assembled members shall be deemed to be quorate for the purpose of transacting the minimum business in order to comply with Club and Kennel Club rules.

This minimum business shall be the adoption of the accounts and the election of Officers necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the Club. No other business shall be transacted and a further General Meeting shall be called within 28 days of the original meeting for the transaction of the remainder of the business only on the Agenda of the original meeting.  

 

Article VII Procedure and Rules of Conduct  

a)Any member may attend a meeting of the Club and with the Chairman's permission speak, but only a paid up member may vote thereat.

b)Voting on a motion shall be by a show of hands - each member having one vote.

c)Any member may call for a secret ballot on any motion. In this event each member shall have one vote - all officers counting as ordinary members. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote exercisable at his discretion.

d)In order to comply with Article I of this Constitution and to ensure good order and proper conduct all meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the standing orders annexed hereto.

e)Correct Minutes shall be kept by the Secretary of all meetings of the Club and its Committees. Such Minutes of all General Meetings to be circulated to all members within four months of the date of the meeting, and all such previous Minutes to be open to inspection by members on giving 28 days' notice (postmark) in writing.  

 

Article VIII Public Announcements

No member shall make use of the title of the Club for private purposes nor in personal letters to the Press without the consent of the Committee. No member except the Hon Secretary, Show Secretary or accredited correspondent, acting in accordance with the authority of the Committee, shall give publicity in the Press or communicate with the Press in respect of any matter relating to the management or affairs of the Club or to any proceedings at Club meetings.

 

Article IX Annual Returns to the Kennel Club

a)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 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 Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities, will be forwarded to the Kennel Club.

b)The Officers also acknowledge their duty to inform the Kennel Club of any change of Secretary of the Society which may occur during the course of the year.

 

Article X Constitution

a)This Constitution may be altered at any time by a two thirds majority of the members voting at a General Meeting of the Club provided the Secretary shall give not less than 28 days' notice (postmark) in writing to all members of the proposed alteration. In proposing alterations to this Constitution reference should be made to the appropriate advisory committee of the Kennel Club.

b)Any part or parts of the Constitution may be suspended in the course of a duly convened meeting of the Club without notice upon a Resolution for such suspension having been passed without dissent.

c)This Constitution shall be effective from the date of its adoption by the Club in General Meeting subject to ratification by the Kennel Club and shall remain in force until such time as it is amended or replaced. The original copy shall be authenticated by the signatures of the Chairman of the Club from time to time and shall be held by the Secretary. Every officer and member shall be provided with a true copy.  

 

Standing Orders for the Regulating of Business and Proceedings

1.The convening of all formal meetings shall be in accordance with the Constitution from time to time governing the affairs of the Club.

2.In all matters pertaining to the conduct of the Club, the Constitution shall be deemed to be the final authority and these Standing Orders shall be interpreted only as supplementary thereto.

3.Minutes of all meetings shall be kept by the Secretary. Minutes of all General Meetings shall be circulated to all members within 4 calendar months of the meeting.

4.In all addresses to meetings of the Club the following rules of debate shall be followed:

a)All motions to be proposed and seconded.

b)All speakers to stand and address the Chair.

c)Except where the time limits are extended at the wish of the meeting all speeches should be governed by the Chairman.

d)No second speech to be allowed on the same question, unless by way of an explanation, and no new topic or matter may be introduced therein.

e)No irregular or improper conduct may be permitted in any speech. The Chairman has the power to rule thereon, and in such matters the Chairman's word is final.

f)Every motion should begin with the word "THAT" and should seek to be affirmative in form.

5.In accordance with the rules of debate and Parliamentary procedure the following procedural motions shall be those commonly used by the Club:-

a)To move the previous question (to move that the question be not now put).

b)To move the closure (to move that the question be now put).

c)To move the procedure to the next business.

d)To move the adjournment:-

i)of the debate

ii)of the meeting

If in the Chairman's opinion a procedural motion is being used to prevent fair and reasonable discussion he may refuse to accept such a motion on those grounds. All motions duly proposed and seconded shall be put to the meeting and may be decided by a simple majority, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution. Once decided no further discussion shall be allowed on that motion.

6.The Chairman may call, or any member may propose, that any motion or any meeting may be adjourned and such adjournment shall be to such time and place as the Chairman or the Club in general meeting shall direct. At an adjourned meeting only unfinished business may be transacted.

7.In all matters of discussion and debate the conduct and control of meetings is in the hands of the Chairman of the meeting. In all matters pertaining to the conduct of the Club the decision of the Chairman shall be final. The duty of the Chairman is to be discreet, impartial and tactful and the following rules should be observed:

a)Every member who desires should, where practicable, have an opportunity of speaking once.

b)Members shall speak only in order determined by the Chairman.

c)The Chairman shall ensure a balanced debate, where possible allowing supporters and opponents of any given motion equal opportunity, and paying due heed to the rights of minorities.

d)The Chairman shall restrain all undue and unseemly interruptions, and such interruptions as are allowed shall be restricted to points of order.

e)All points of order should be brief, to the point, must not introduce new topics and should not be subject to debate. On all points of order the decision of the Chairman is final and binding.

f)All discussion must be relevant and pertinent and couched in proper language. Contravention of or permanent disregard for this rule will result in a request to retire from the meeting, and if necessary subsequent removal therefrom.

g)The rising of the Chairman should be accompanied by silence, any member speaking at that time should immediately resume their seat.

8.Amendments can be moved without notice provided they are relevant and not in contravention of the notice or the intent of the meeting. All amendments should be dealt with separately and in logical order. Motions which are amended should be put to the meeting without being again proposed or seconded. All amendments when put to the meeting should be duly seconded. The rules pertaining to amendments are as follows:-

a)Must not be merely negative.

b)Must be in accordance with the notice of the meeting.

c)Must be moved or seconded by a member who has not already spoken on the motion.

d)Must not be moved after the question is put.

e)Gives no right of reply to the mover.

f)Cannot be withdrawn without the meeting's consent.

g)In the event of an equality of votes an amendment will be deemed to be lost.

h)No member may move more than one amendment to any one motion.

j)Only one amendment should be before the meeting at any one time: no amendment shall be allowed to an amendment - one must be decided before the next is put.

9.All voting on all matters shall be in accordance with the Constitution from time to time in force.

10.The Chairman shall ensure that the agenda of the meeting as circulated shall be adhered to unless altered with the consent of the meeting.

11.In the event of an equality of votes on any subject the Chairman shall have a casting vote exercisable at his discretion. If he declines to vote the motion shall be deemed to be lost.

12.In the interpretation of these standing orders, and in the conduct of all meetings save where expressly and explicitly provided to the contrary, the ruling of the Chairman shall be final and legal and binding on all members and on all interested parties thereto.

 

AS AMENDED FOLLOWING 1998 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

24th June, 1998