Constitution and Bylaws

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Table of Contents
1. Name and Object
2. Membership
3. General Meetings
4. Board of Directors
5. Finances
6. Club Year, Voting, Nominations, Elections
7. Committee Appointment and Termination
8. Discipline
9. Amendments
10. Dissolution
11. Order of Business
12. Annual National Specialty Show Guidelines
13. Fund Requests
14. Standing Resolutions
15. Rules and Regulations for Divisions

1.  Name and Object

1.1 Reference
The name of the Club shall be the Great Dane Club of Canada, herein referred to as “the Club” and the area of operation shall be Canada through three divisions: Eastern (Ontario (excluding Northwest Ontario), Quebec and the Atlantic provinces), Mid West (Northwest Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), West (Alberta, British Columbia).

1.2 Objects and Aims
The objectives of the Club shall be:

  • To encourage and promote the responsible breeding and showing of registered Great Danes
  • To encourage and assist the membership of the Club in order to advance the interest of Great Danes in Canada
  • To conduct CKC approved events and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at all events
  • To advance the breed to the highest standards possible, in part through education of owners, breeders and the public about the Great Dane, the problems that affect it, and to hold in utmost regard the importance of responsible breeding and selling programmes.

1.3 Singular and Plural
In these By-Laws and other By-Laws of the Club hereafter passed, unless the context otherwise requires, words implying the singular number or the masculine gender shall include the plural number or feminine gender as the case may be and vice versa, and references to persons shall include firms and Clubs.

1.4 Governance
1.4.1 This Constitution and any future By-Laws shall be recognized as official Club documents and shall be available to each member of the Club and to each new member at the time of application either in printed copy or online. A current, updated Constitution and By-Laws shall reside on the official website of the Club (www.gdcc.ca) at all times.
1.4.2 No member shall be absolved from the effect of the Constitution and By-Laws by any allegation of not having received them, or if ignorance of their contents.
1.4.3 The By-Laws of the Club bind each member as though he had inscribed his name and affixed his signature thereto.
1.4.4 The financial liability of a member of the Club to creditors of the Club is limited to the amount due from him in respect to membership fees.[Back to Top]

2.  Membership

2.1 Membership Year
The membership year of the Club shall begin on the first (1st) day of January of each year and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December of each year.

2.2. Membership Dues
Membership dues shall be payable on or before the first (1st) day of January of each year. Membership dues are paid to the Division Treasurer and then forwarded by the Division Treasurer to the National Treasurer. Only those members whose dues are paid for the current year may vote. Members joining from January 1 – June 30 shall pay the entire cost of the membership. Members joining from July 1 – December 1 shall pay 50% of the membership cost. Those members joining from December 1 -December 31 shall pay the entire cost of the membership, which will include the membership for the following year. During the month of October the Divisional Secretaries will inform all members of the division of the dues required for membership for the ensuing year. Membership dues will also be listed by the National Secretary in the Dane Data during the last quarter of the year.

2.3 Eligibility
Any person in good character, interested in the objects of the Club shall be eligible for membership by being sponsored by a member in good standing. Membership is a member who has fully paid his fees owing to the Club and has fulfilled all his financial obligations to the Club, to which he is committed.

  • 2.4 Types of Memberships
    2.4.1 Associate Membership: shall apply when a membership application is approved,
    and the membership fee is paid. Associate membership shall apply for 1 year
    from the first day of membership approval. After one year, the Associate Member
    shall be voted on for Voting Membership in a resolution presented at the next
    meeting. [2023]
    2.4.2 Voting Membership: shall be those persons over 18 years of age and having
    paid the membership fee shall have all Club privileges including the right to vote.
    To maintain the right to vote the member must annually attend 50% of the
    Division meetings either in person or by ballot in the membership year. Voting
    Members not meeting the 50% requirement in the membership year will be
    moved to Non-Voting Membership for the following membership year. [2023]
    2.4.3 Non-Voting Membership: shall be those persons over 18 years of age and having
    paid the membership fee shall have all Club privileges except the right to vote
    and the right to be nominated for a National Officer. [2023]
    2.4.4 Dual Membership: shall be those persons over 18 years of age and having
    paid the membership fee shall consist of one (1) Voting Membership with
    privileges as outlined in 2.4.2 above, and one (1) Non-Voting Membership with
    privileges as outlined in 2.4.3 above. [2023]
    2.4.5 Junior Membership: shall be those persons under 18 years of age, paying all fees as designated and shall have all Club privileges except the right to vote and the right to be nominated for a National Officer. Upon reaching the age of 18 the member shall be eligible to be voted on for Voting Membership in a resolution presented at the next meeting. Prior to the meeting the member shall have paid the difference between Junior and Voting membership fees. [2023]
    2.4.6 Life Membership: Any member in good standing who has been a member of the Great Dane Club of Canada for a period of twenty (20) years and has made an outstanding contribution to the Great Dane breed or shown a dedication to bettering the Great Dane Club of Canada through service, advocacy and energy is eligible for Life Membership. Life Membership shall be proposed in a resolution by National Officers presented at an Annual General Meeting for approval by a majority of Voting Members present. Life Members shall have all the rights and obligations of Voting Membership and shall not be required to pay membership dues. There shall not be more than one (1) Life Membership proposed per year. [2023]

2.5 Application for Membership
2.5.1 Each applicant for membership shall be proposed by a member in good standing at any monthly meeting, on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution, By-Laws and Code of Ethics of the Great Dane Club of Canada.
2.5.2 Any individual rejected for membership by the club must be provided with a written explanation. An applicant who has not been approved by a division may appeal, in person or in writing, at the next Annual General Meeting of the Club provided the Notice of Appeal is given thirty (30) days prior to the date of the meeting so that it may be shown on the Agenda. Representation will be allowed by both the applicant and the defending Division, following which the Club may elect the applicant by favorable vote of ninety (90%) percent of the voting members present.

2.6 Approval of Membership
Accompanying the application the prospective member shall submit the appropriate dues for the current year. The application will then be read at a regular division meeting and noted in the minutes. A simple majority vote of members present at the following meeting is required to declare the applicant as an associate member. After one calendar year, the associate member shall be voted on for full membership by a simple majority vote of the membership present at the next meeting.

2.7 Termination of Membership
2.7.1 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.
2.7.2 A membership shall be considered lapsed as of January 1. A grace period of 30 days shall be granted to the member to pay their dues.
2.7.3 A lapsed membership will be automatically terminated as of January 31, at which time the member must re-apply for membership.
2.7.4 Upon re-application and approval of any lapsed membership by simple majority vote of all members present at a divisional meeting, the membership shall be declared an Associate Member. After one year, the associate member shall be voted on for full membership by a simple majority of the membership present at the next meeting.[2009]

2.8 Voting Privileges
Voting privileges are as outlined above in 2.4 Types of Memberships.[Back to Top]

3.  General Meetings

3.1 Annual General Meetings
3.1.1 At every Annual General Meeting, in addition to any other business that may be transacted, the report of the directors and the financial statement shall be presented, and a Board of Directors elected for the ensuing year. The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held in conjunction with the Club’s Annual Specialty Show at a place, date and hour designated by the President in keeping with the Specialty Show Guidelines (which are elsewhere in this constitution.
3.1.2 Notice of the meeting shall be mailed or emailed by the Secretary to each member at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall be twenty five percent (25%) of all Voting Members in good standing represented by ballot or in attendance at the meeting

3.2 Attendance at Annual General Meeting
Attendance at the Annual General Meeting of the Great Dane Club of Canada shall be limited to members only, with the exception of the impartial inspectors required for the election of officers.

3.3 Special General Meetings
3.3.1 Special General Meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors who are present at a meeting of the Board of Directors or upon receipt of a petition signed by ten (10) full members of the club who are in good standing.
3.3.2 Such meetings shall be held at such hour and place as designated by the Board of Directors. Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed by the Secretary to each member no less than forty-two (42) days prior to the meeting. The notice of the meeting shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other Club business may be conducted at that time. The quorum for the meeting shall be twenty percent (20%) of voting members.

3.4 Board Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Club shall be held at a date, place and time as designated by the President and may be dictated by geographical residential location of the members of the Board of Directors. Should a physical meeting of the Board be impossible, business may be transacted by mail, email, or telephone through the Secretary. At no time shall any decisions be made until all the members of the Board have had a chance to vote.

3.5 Adjournments
Any meetings of the Club or of the Directors may be adjourned at any time and from time to time and such business may be transacted at such adjourned meeting as might have been transacted at the original meeting from which such adjournment took place. No notice shall be required of any such adjournment. Such adjournment may be made notwithstanding that no quorum is present.

3.6 Quorum of Members
A quorum for the transaction of business at any divisional meeting of members shall consist of not less than five members present in person (except where specific quorums are required for annual or special meetings detailed elsewhere in these by-laws); provided that in no case can any divisional meeting be held unless there are three members present in person.

3.7 Notice of Meetings
No error or omission in giving notice of any annual, general or regular meeting of the Board of Directors or adjourned meeting whether regular or annual or general, to the members of the Club shall invalidate such meetings or make void any proceedings taken there at and any members may at any time waive notice of such meetings and may ratify, approve and confirm any and all proceedings taken or had there at. For the purpose of sending notice to any member, director or officer for any meeting or otherwise the address of the member, director or officers of the Club shall be his last address recorded on the books of the Club.[Back to Top]

4.  Board of Directors

4.1 Composition of the Board
The Board of Directors shall be comprised of:

a) Officers:

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer

b) Past President
c) Five (5) Directors
All of the above shall be Club members in good standing and residents of Canada.

b) There will be four (4) elected Directors; comprised of at least one from each division.
c) All officers and directors shall be elected by the members by ballot at the Annual General Meeting or at the meeting following the time any of the said officers cease to hold office owing to death or resignation. The Directors must reside in the region they represent and are elected by the members residing in that respective region.
d) The officers of the Club shall be elected for a period of two (2) years or until their successors are elected.
e) The duties of the elected officers and directors are as outlined.

4.2 Remuneration of Directors
The directors shall receive no remuneration for acting as such.

4.3 Indemnities to Directors and Others
Every director or officer of the Club or other person who has undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf of the Club, shall at all times, be indemnified and saved harmless out of the funds of the Club for all costs, charges or expenses incurred on behalf of the Club except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his own willful negligence or default.

4.4 Auditors
The Board of Directors may, at any Annual General Meeting, appoint an auditor the audit the accounts of the Club, to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting, provided that the Directors may fill any casual vacancy in the office of the auditor. The remuneration of the auditor shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

4.5 Minutes of the Board of Directors and Committee Meetings
The minutes of the Board of Directors or the minutes of Committee meetings shall not be available to the general membership of the Club, but shall be available to the Board of Directors, each of whom shall receive a copy of such minutes.

4.6 Vacancies
4.6.1 The office of a member of the Board of Directors shall be automatically vacated:
i) if a Board member shall resign his office by delivering a written resignation to the Secretary of the Club;
ii) if he develops an illness which leaves him medically unfit to serve on the Board
iii) if he becomes bankrupt or suspends payment or compounds his creditors;
iv) on death
4.6.2 If any vacancy occurs, the Board of Directors by a majority vote may, by appointment, fill the vacancy by a qualified member of the Club.
4.6.3 A retiring member of the Board of Directors shall remain in office until the dissolution or adjournment of the meeting at which his retirement is accepted and his successor is elected. The succeeding Board member shall hold office until the next election of the Board of Directors.

4.7 Powers of Directors
4.7.1 The Board of Directors of the Club may administer affairs of the Club in all things and make or cause to be made for the Club, in its name, any level of contract which the Club may lawfully enter into and, save hereinafter provided, generally, may exercise all such powers and do all such other acts and things as the Club is by its charter or other wise authorized to exercise and do.
4.7.2 The Board of Directors shall have the power to authorize expenditures on behalf of the Club for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Club. The Board of Directors shall have the power to enter into a trust arrangement with a trust company for the purpose of creating a trust account in which capital and interest may be made available for the benefit of the Great Dane Club of Canada, Inc., in accordance with such terms as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
4.7.3 The Board of Directors shall take such steps as they may deem fit to enable the Club to acquire, accept, solicit or receive legacies, gifts, grants, settlements and/or donations of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Club.
4.7.4 The Board of Directors may provide for the creation of Committees to advance the work of the Club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final approval and authorization by the Board of Directors.
4.7.5 The Board of Directors may appoint such agents and engage such employees as
it shall deem necessary from time to time and such persons shall have authority
as prescribed by the Board of Directors at the time of such appointment. [2023]

4.8 Past President
The Past President remains a member of the Board of Directors to provide continuity to the affairs of the Club. In the absence of the President and the Vice President the Past President shall assume the duties of the President. [2023]

4.9 Duties of Officers
The Officers shall carry out the duties below plus any other duties that the Board of
Directors may, from time to time, direct the Officer to perform.
4.9.1 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Club and shall chair the
Board of Directors meetings, the Annual General Meeting, and any Special
General Meetings. The President shall oversee the Club’s affairs and any
resolutions of the Board of Directors.
4.9.2 The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and
exercise the powers of the President.
4.9.3 The Secretary shall carry on the affairs of the Club generally under the
supervision of the President and the Board of Directors.
The Secretary shall for all Club meetings (Division and Committee meetings
excluded) undertake the following:
a) give or cause to be given a notice of meeting
b) prepare agendas as required for meetings
c) attend meetings and record minutes of the meetings
d) if unable to attend a meeting, then designate a member of the Board of
Directors in attendance at the meeting to record the minutes
The Secretary shall maintain an up-to-date list of the Board of Directors, each
Division Executive and any Committees along with their contact information.
4.9.4 The Treasurer shall:
a) Have custody of all revenue and shall keep full and accurate records of all
assets, liabilities, receipts and disbursements.
b) Maintain with a charted bank an account or accounts in the name of the
Great Dane Club of Canada for the deposit of all revenue and to allow for the
payment of all expenses and liabilities.
c) Collect all membership fees and maintain a list of members in good standing.
d) Make payment for all accounts payable upon receipt of approved invoices
and/or vouchers.
e) Render to the President or Board of Directors, whenever requested, an
account of all transactions and a statement of the financial position of the
Club.
f) At each Annual General Meeting provide a financial statement of revenue
and expenses for the previous year and a budget of revenue and expenses
for the next year.
g) Arrange for each Division Treasurer to provide a financial statement of
revenue and expenses for the Annual General Meeting and whenever
requested by the President or the Board of Directors. [2023]

4.10 Execution of Documents
Contracts, documents, or any instruments in writing requiring the signature of the Club
shall be signed by two officers – the President or First Vice President, and the
Secretary. All contracts, documents and instruments in writing so signed shall be
binding upon the Club without any further authorization or formality. The Board of
Directors may from time to time by resolution appoint an officer or officers on behalf of the Club to sign specific contracts, documents and instruments in writing. The Board may give authorization to any dealer in securities for the purpose of transferring of and dealing with stocks, bondd and other securities of the Club. The seal of the Great Dane Club of Canada shall be affixed to contracts, documents and instruments in writing signed as aforesaid or by any officer or officers appointed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
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5. Finances

5.1 Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Club shall begin on the first (1st) day of January of each year and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December of each year.

5.2 Books and Records
The Board of Directors shall see that all necessary books and records of the Club required by the By-Laws of the Club or by any applicable statue or law, are regularly and properly kept. All cheques drawn from the club will require the signature of two club officers in Article 4 Section 4.10

5.3 Annual Budget Date of Meeting
If the Treasurer is not present at the Annual General Meeting, then written rationale must be submitted with the proposed budget.
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6. Club Year, Voting, Nominations, Elections

6.1 Club Year
The Club Year shall begin on the first (1st) day of January of each year and end on the thirty-first (31st) day of December of each year.

6.2 Voting of Members
At all meetings of the Club every question shall be decided by a majority of votes of Full Members present in person, where directed by the Board of Directors, where represented by written ballot. Voting by proxy is not permitted at Divisional, National, or Special meetings, including the Annual General Meeting. Every question shall, in the first instance, be decided by a show of hands unless a vote by ballot be demanded. In the case of a tie vote, whether by a show of hands or ballot, the President is entitled to a second or casting vote. The Board of Directors may decide to submit specific questions for a decision of the members by written ballot cast by mail.

6.3 Voting Privileges
6.3.1 All members in good standing have the right to vote at all meetings of the Club either in person or by written ballot.
6.3.2 All written ballots must be registered with the Secretary, in writing, prior to the call to order of the meeting.

6.4 Voting Procedures
At the Annual General Meeting, in addition to votes in person, official ballots will be
accepted. Ballots, to be valid, must be received by the Secretary in a sealed envelope
and will be taken to the Annual General Meeting, there opened and counted by two (2) impartial (non-members of the G.D.C.C.) inspectors. Voting by proxy is not permitted.  The person receiving the largest number of votes shall be declared elected. The elected Officers and Directors shall take office the first (1st) day of January. Each retiring officer shall turn over to his successor all files, records, etc. of that office at that time. If any nominee at the time of the meeting is unable to serve for any reason, such nominee shall decline the office and the vacancy shall be filled by the new Board of Directors in the manner provided for in Article 3, Section 3 (b). Commencing with January 1999, provision will be made to accept ballots by electronic mail at divisional meetings.  Commencing with the 1999 Annual General Meeting, provision will be made to accept ballots by electronic mail for national meetings.

6.5 Elections
6.5.1 No member may be a candidate in a Club election who is not a Full member of the Club, in good standing.
6.5.2 The divisional chairman shall contact the members in their division and solicit nominees for office and obtain their resumes. The chairmen shall forward these to the Secretary four (4) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Secretary shall compile the list of candidates and resumes and forward same to each full member with the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting at least three (3) weeks prior to the meeting.
6.5.3 Additional nominations may be made by written petition to the Secretary, and received by him at least four (4) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting. The petition must be accompanied by the nominee’s written acceptance and resume.
6.5.4 Elections will be conducted by secret ballot. Accompanying the Agenda and list of candidates and resumes, the Secretary will, three (3) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, mail to each full member in good standing a ballot listing all candidates, together with a blank envelope and a return envelope addressed to the Secretary marked “Ballot” and bearing the name of the member to whom it was sent. After marking this ballot, each member shall seal it inside the blank envelope. This envelope will, in turn, be sealed inside the envelope addressed to the Secretary and shall be mailed or delivered to the Secretary to reach him prior to the commencement of the Annual General Meeting.
6.5.5 At the Annual General Meeting the inspectors shall check the returns against the list of full members in good standing and certify their eligibility. The outer envelopes shall then be opened and discarded; the blank envelopes given to the inspectors for the election.
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7. Committee Appointment and Termination

The Board my appoint committees as required to advance the objectives and work of the Club. The Board shall establish the terms of reference for a committee and shall appoint the members of the committee with an indication of the term for the appointment. Any committee or committee member appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board.
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8. Discipline

8.1 Suspension from a Kennel Club
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of any Kennel Club shall automatically be suspended from the Great Dane Club of Canada.

8.2 Suspension from the Great Dane Club of Canada
Any member having willfully infringed any rule of the Club or having been found guilty of conduct which is detrimental to the character or interest of the Club, or the health and well-being of a Great Dane shall be suspended. Any member suspended shall, for the period of his suspension, forfeit all his rights and privileges as a member of the Great Dane Club of Canada.

8.3 Procedure for Filing Charges against a Member
Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Breed and/or Club, or the health and well being of a Great Dane. Written charges must be filed in duplicate with the National Secretary along with a deposit of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

The Secretary shall promptly notify the Board of Directors and, at the direction of the President, set a date, time and place for a hearing. A minimum of three (3) Directors present is required for the hearing; the presence of all Directors may be impossible due to geographical location. In that case, the opinion of all other Directors must be received in writing and presented to the hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to all the Directors, and the accused member inviting him to attend the hearing and offering an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defence and bring witness if he so wishes. If the accused member is unable to attend the hearing, he may give his defence in writing not less than two (2) weeks prior to the meeting.

8.4 Board Hearing
Should charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the complainant and defendant the Board may, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, suspend the defendant of the privileges of the Club for not more than twelve (12) months from the date of the hearing or until the next Annual General Meeting, reducing the member’s membership from Full (if applicable) to Associate. If this should be deemed insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. In such case, the suspension shall not restrict the defendant’s right to appear and his right to a hearing before the entire membership at the Annual General Meeting which will consider the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision its findings shall be put in writing by the Secretary who shall, in turn, notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.

8.5 Disqualification of Board Member
Any member of the Board that is negligent in his responsibilities may, at the discretion of the rest of the Board of Directors, be disqualified and another appointed.

8.6 Expulsion
Expulsion of a member from the Club may be accomplished only at a General meeting of the Club following a complaint, hearing and recommendation by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 4 of thisArticle. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing on his own behalf though no evidence shall be taken at the meeting.

The Secretary shall report to the Board of Directors findings and recommendations and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on his behalf. The meeting shall vote by secret, written ballot on the findings. A negative vote of twenty-five percent (25%) of the Full Members present in good standing shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not voted the suspension shall stand.
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9. Amendments

All amendments to the Constitution, Bylaws and Breed Standard must have two-thirds (2/3) vote of all eligible members. Voting must be by mail in ballot; proxies are not permitted. Amendments may be proposed by the Board or presented by two members. Amendments must be submitted in writing to the Secretary four (4) weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting and contained in the Agenda which is sent to all members. Any changes to the Constitution and By-Laws, housekeeping or otherwise, must be circulated to and approved by the membership.
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10. Dissolution

The Club may be dissolved at anytime by providing to the Canadian Kennel Club written documentation signed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Club who are in favour of the dissolution; proxies are not permitted. In the event of dissolution of the Club, whether voluntary or involuntary or by the operation of the law, none of the property of the Club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the Club shall be distributed to any member of the Club, but after assessment of its liabilities, shall be distributed to one or more organizations having cognate or similar objectives, at the discretion of the membership as constituted at dissolution. Where a division has jointed the Club from a previous Club, all monies and assets which were in the possession of the division prior to joining the Great Dane Club of Canada, Inc., shall be returned to the original Club.
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11. Order of Business

At meetings of the Division, Board of Directors or Annual General Meetings, the order of business shall be as follows:

  • Roll Call
  • Minutes of last meeting
  • Report of the President
  • Report of the Treasurer
  • Report of the Secretary
  • Report of Committees
  • Elections of Officers and board (AGM)
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business
  • Adjournment

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12. Annual National Specialty Show Guidelines

12.1 The Annual National Specialty Show of the Great Dane Club of Canada is to be held during the month of July, August or September (Note: these months offer better weather and vacation time, which should attract more exhibitors and increase entries). Should these dates be a problem for the hosting division, they must apply for approval for different dates from the National Executive.
12.2 If the National Specialty is to be held during a three day show circuit then the National Specialty should be held on Day 2.  If the National Specialty is to be held during a four day circuit show then the National Specialty should be held on Day 2 or Day 3. (AGM August 24, 2019)
12.3 The Annual General Meeting is to be held the day or evening preceding or following the Annual National Specialty Show.
12.4 The Annual Banquet and Awards Presentation is to be held the evening of the same day as the Annual National Specialty Show. Recipients of the Annual Awards shall receive a keeper trophy at the Annual Banquet. Should the recipients not be present, notification of their award along with the keeper trophy shall be sent to them no later than two (2) weeks after the Annual Banquet. Failure to notify recipients of their awards, and/or failure to supply keeper trophy within 3 weeks of Annual
Banquet shall result in the levy of a $100.00 fine against the division, payable to the National account.
12.5 If the National Specialty is to be held during a three day show circuit then the National Specialty should be held on Day 2.  If the National Specialty is to be held during a four day circuit show then the National Specialty should be held on Day 2 or Day 3. (AGM August 24, 2019)
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13. Fund Requests

13.1 All requests to the National body for donations of fifty dollars ($50.00) or more, or extraordinary expenses outside the normal operation of the Club must be submitted as a motion for unanimous approval by the Board of Directors.
13.2 All requests to a division for donations or extraordinary expenses shall be submitted as a motion for divisional member approval.
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14. Standing Resolutions

The Secretary keep attached to the Constitution and By-Laws, Standing Resolutions of the Club which are intended to have more or less permanent effect.
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15. Rules and Resolutions for Divisions

15.1 Each Division and its members shall abide by the objectives of the Club, its Constitution, By-Laws and Guidelines for Breeders.
15.2 Each Division shall have a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer
15.3 Each Division shall hold meetings at a date, time and place determined by the Chairperson in order to run the affairs of the Division. The Chairperson shall call as many meetings as he deems necessary.
15.4 Each Division shall hold internal elections in November, the elected officials taking office the first of January for a one (1) year term.
15.5 Each member shall pay the required membership fee to the National Treasurer to administrate the Club.
15.6 Each division will maintain a bank account in the name of the Great Dane Club of Canada, ______ Division. The signature of two officers of the Division (or) one officer and a member of the division (in good standing) voted on by the Executive of the Division, must be on all cheques.
15.7 Each Division must keep accurate financial records.
15.8 Each Division shall send a copy of their minutes and financial record to the National Secretary.
15.9 Each Division shall encourage and promote Great Danes by helping any and all Great Dane owners, and by arranging booster shows, and as they gain strength and knowledge, by holding sanction matches and hosting specialty shows.
15.10 All members must be Full Members in good standing in order to vote on Division matters.
15.11 Each Division shall handle their own internal problems.
15.12 Meetings of Divisions and Committees may be held at any time and place to be determined by the Division and Committee Chairperson.
15.13 A minimum of ten (10) Members is required to form a Division of the Club.
15.14 A minimum of 2 divisional executives must be present at every divisional meeting, preferably the Chairperson and Secretary, or their acting representatives.