Monday, September 29, 2008

Introducing the PNW Blog

This is a test to see if the PNW Region is ready for blogging. This idea started because I'd love to see a live, interactive calendar available to Regional Officers so that there is a one-stop place to check on dates when planning events. We don't currently have a website (this is also my announcement of interest in becoming webmaster!) but eventually I'd like to see a website that contains basic (static) information, and a blog to handle constantly changing (dynamic) information. Please let me know what you think of the idea! You can begin by taking the poll to the right.
Thanks,
-sami jones
Big Sky Schutzhund Club

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Proposed ByLaws Changes

PNW Regional Meeting 8-17-08
Eight (8) Proposed PNW Bylaw Changes
(includes the 2 changes sent by registered mail May 30, 2008)

Proposed Change #1

FROM:

III. Members of the Board
Note: regular print is current wording of Bylaws, while italicized print is Regional Policies.

A. Regional Director
The Regional Director shall preside at all meeting of the Region and the Board and have the duties and authority normally appurtenant to that office. Additionally, the Regional Director shall prepare a semi-annual budget to be presented for approval at the Regional Meetings, and an Annual Region Report to be sent to U.S.A. and all member clubs within the Region.

Duties: In addition to those duties outlined in the USA Constitution and By-laws, Regional Directors will be expected to govern their regions by insuring that all clubs within their respective regions are abiding by the USA By-laws and rules which pertain to member clubs. Regional Directors will have the authority to withhold or withdraw Event Authorizations for any club that is found to be in violation of USA By-laws or rules until the violating club comes into compliance with the USA by-laws or rules.

Regional Directors will ensure that all clubs within their respective regions are upholding the objectives of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Regional Directors will submit a quarterly report to the President on all activities within their respective regions. Regional Directors will be voting members of the Executive Board, Annual USA Regional Congress and General Board Meeting. The Regional Director will be an ex-officio member of all regional committees.


B. Assistant Regional Director
The Assistant Regional Director shall perform such duties as are assigned to him/her by the Regional Director and shall perform the duties of the Regional Director in his/her absence. The Assistant Regional Director is also responsible for taking minutes at the Regional Meeting and distributing them to the member clubs within 45 days following the Regional Meeting.

Duties: Assistant Regional Directors will assist the Regional Director and learn the duties of the Regional Director’s office. In the event the Regional Director resigns or is incapacitated the Assistant Regional Director shall assume the position of Regional Director for the remainder of the term. If the Regional Director is unable to attend a meeting of either Board of Directors, the Assistant Regional Director may attend in his/her place and shall have a vote on either Board.


C. Regional Secretary
Duties: To take the official minutes of all regional meetings and to assist the Regional Director with the distribution of minutes and any other information deemed necessary by the RD. The Regional Secretary will be responsible for implementing a training program for trial secretaries. The Secretary will also establish a log of those members that have been approved as qualified trial secretaries for each club within their respective region.


D. Regional Treasurer
The Regional Treasurer shall keep the financial records of the region. He/she shall be responsible for the collection, custody and control of the funds of the region and shall ensure that all funds are deposited into the regional account in a timely manner. The Region's books shall at all times be open to inspection by the board and any Regional Member Club. The Treasurer shall provide a report to the Region, at every meeting, detailing the condition of the Region's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before recorded. Further, the Treasurer shall provide an annual report to be presented at the regional Meeting held in conjunction with the Regional Schutzhund Championship.

Duties: The Regional Treasurer will be held accountable for the Regional Treasury and disburse funds for training programs and other regional needs as defined in the Regional Policy.


E. Regional Breed Warden
Duties: As described in the USA Constitution and By-laws. The Regional Breed Warden will assist the club chosen within their respective region to host the Regional Conformation Championship and Breed Survey and also serve as the Regional Show Chairperson. In addition all Regional Breed Wardens will be required to attend and assist with the USA Sieger Show.


F. Regional Training Director
Duties: To promote proper, and safe training for trial helpers, training helpers and handlers throughout their region by the use of required educational seminars and organized fun matches. The Regional Training Director will receive direction from the National Helper Committee with regard to the required educational Teaching Helper Program. The Regional Training Director will also work directly with the National Youth Director to help implement all youth training programs on a regional and local level. Regional Training Directors will also establish a line of communication to assist new clubs and their Training Directors. Regional Training Directors shall not advertise their office for personal or professional gain. Reimbursement for Regional Training Directors acting in an official capacity shall be identical to those listed for USA Judges (USA Judge’s Program 6. Judge’s Fees A thru E).


TO:
A. Regional Director
The Regional Director shall preside at all meetings of the Region and the Board and have the duties and authority normally appurtenant to that office. In addition to those duties outlined in the USA Constitution and By-laws, Regional Directors will be expected to govern their regions by insuring that all clubs within their respective regions are abiding by the USA By-laws and rules which pertain to member clubs. Regional Directors will have the authority to withhold or withdraw Event Authorizations for any club that is found to be in violation of USA By-laws or rules until the violating club comes into compliance with the USA by-laws or rules. Regional Directors will ensure that all clubs within their respective regions are upholding the objectives of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Regional Directors will submit a quarterly report to the President on all activities within their respective regions. Regional Directors will be voting members of the USA Executive Board, Annual USA Regional Congress and USA General Board Meeting. The Regional Director will be an ex-officio member of all regional committees. The Regional Director may be a club delegate representative with voting privileges provided any such vote be by secret ballot.


B. Assistant Regional Director
The Assistant Regional Director shall perform such duties as are assigned to him/her by the Regional Director and shall perform the duties of the Regional Director in his/her absence. Assistant Regional Directors will assist the Regional Director and learn the duties of the Regional Director’s office. In the event the Regional Director resigns or is incapacitated the Assistant Regional Director shall assume the position of Regional Director for the remainder of the term. If the Regional Director is unable to attend a meeting of either Board of Directors, the Assistant Regional Director may attend in his/her place and shall have a vote on either USA Board.


C. Regional Secretary
The Regional Secretary shall take the official minutes of all regional meetings and assist the Regional Director with the distribution of minutes and any other information deemed necessary by the RD. The Regional Secretary will be responsible for implementing a training program for trial secretaries. The Secretary will also establish a log of those members that have been approved as qualified trial secretaries for each club within their respective region.


D. Regional Treasurer
The Regional Treasurer shall keep the financial records of the region. He/she shall be responsible for the collection, custody and control of the funds of the region and shall ensure that all funds are deposited into the regional account in a timely manner. The Region's books shall at all times be open to inspection by the board and any Regional Member Club. The Treasurer shall provide a written or electronic report to the Region, at every meeting, detailing the condition of the Region's finances and every item of receipt or payment not before recorded. Further, the Treasurer shall provide a written or electronic annual report to be presented at the regional meeting held in conjunction with the Regional Schutzhund Championship. The Regional Treasurer will be held accountable for the Regional Treasury and disburse funds for training programs and other regional needs as defined in the Regional Bylaws and Regional Policies.


E. Regional Breed Warden
The Regional Breed Warden shall perform the duties as described in the USA Constitution and By-laws. The Regional Breed Warden will assist the club chosen within their respective region to host the Regional Conformation Championship and Breed Survey and also serve as the Regional Show Chairperson. In addition all Regional Breed Wardens will be required to attend and assist with the USA Sieger Show.


F. Regional Training Director
The Regional Training Director shall promote proper, and safe training for trial helpers, training helpers and handlers throughout their region by the use of required educational seminars and organized fun matches. The Regional Training Director will receive direction from the National Helper Committee with regard to the required educational Teaching Helper Program. Regional Training Directors will also establish a line of communication to assist new clubs and their Training Directors. Regional Training Directors shall not advertise their office for personal or professional gain. Reimbursement for Regional Training Directors acting in an official capacity shall be identical to those listed for USA Judges (USA Judge’s Program 6. Judge’s Fees A thru E).


Rationale: The current Bylaws do not include all position duties/responsibilities as part of the Bylaws. Much of the duties/responsibilities are only included as Regional Policies. The Bylaws should be updated to include these portions. The current Bylaws do not include the offices of Regional Secretary, Regional Breed Warden, or Regional Training Director. Sections of current bylaw wording for offices have been moved to the appropriate position in the proposed changes.