By-laws

Colorado American Alsatian Club By-Laws Revised

Created: 10/19/2011

Article I 
Name/Location
The name of this organization shall be Colorado American Alsatian Club™, hereinafter referred to as CAAC. The principal office of this organization shall be located in the city of: Evergreen, County of Jefferson, and State of Colorado. This organization may have such other offices, either within or without the state of Colorado, at such other places as the board may from time to time designate or as the business of this organization may require.

Article II 
Purpose of the CAAC
The purposes of the CAAC, as fully stated in the articles of incorporation, are exclusively educational, charitable, and scientific. They are specifically: 
A. To study, teach, judge, promote and disseminate principles and information on the subject and art of breeding, training, showing and educating its members and the public concerning the breed of companion dog known as the American Alsatian.
B. To improve and develop the skills of individuals in the care, breeding, raising and training of American Alsatians™.
C. To collect, preserve and exhibit in a museum and library, for the benefit of the general public, the History of the Breed.
D. To encourage and foster the study and appreciation of the breed in all its aspects.
E. To facilitate cooperation among other individuals and organizations interested in advancing the art of breeding, training and showing of canines.

F. To accept no other but the sole registration of the purebred American Alsatian dog by the National American Alsatian Registry alone.  (We do not at this time, nor ever shall, revert to the recognition by any all-breed registry unless these registries finally acknowledge the need for strict health and temperament testing requirements before awarding any prizes for Best of Breed or Championship status.) 

Article III 
Membership
Section 1. Classes of membership
A. There shall be five classes of membership.
1. Regular member 
2. Breeder member 
3. Trainer/Teacher member 
4. Judges
5. Non paying member
B. By joining the organization, all members  agree to abide by these by-laws, the corporate charter and all rules of the organization. 

Section 2. Qualifications for membership
A. A Regular member shall be any member of a local club, state organization and the national organization.  Dues shall be paid directly to the CAAC at the following address: 129 Faith Lane Bayfield, CO 81122.
B. A Breeder member shall be an individual engaged in teaching and furthering the art of breeding. The Breeder member must first be a member of a local club and the National American Alsatian Breeder's Association.  The Breeder advisory board, elected at each annual American Alsatian™ gathering, shall implement a method of evaluation for the status of CAAC breeders, and may assess additional dues or fees, to be paid directly to the CAAC.
C. A Trainer/Teacher member shall be an individual engaged in teaching and furthering the art of training. The trainer/teacher member must first be a member of a local club or be a member of the National American Alsatian Club. The CAAC trainer/teacher advisory board, elected at each annual Colorado American Alsatian™ gathering, shall implement a method of evaluation for the status of CAAC trainer/teachers, and may assess additional dues or fees, to be paid directly to the national organization. 
D. A Judging member shall be an entity or individual engaged in business related to the furtherance of the art of breeding and training and the purposes of the organization.  Judging members shall have all of the membership privileges except those provided to members of local clubs. They also have the option of joining local clubs.  Dues shall be paid directly to the CAAC.
E. A Non paying member shall be an individual with interests in the breed. A non paying member may not vote.

Section 3. Multiple Memberships
A. Any individual paying local dues to more than one club in the CAAC shall be accorded full membership rights and privileges for each club to which dues are paid. 
B. Only one “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine shall be sent per individual, unless additional fees are paid. 
C. A member joining more than one local club within the same state shall pay state organization and national organization dues only on the first membership. 
D. A member joining more than one state organization shall pay national organization dues on the first membership.

Section 4. Dues
A. Dues for each class of CAAC membership shall be set by the board.
B. Annual dues payable to the local club for each regular member shall include local, CAAC, and NAAC dues.
C. Dues shall be payable upon acceptance to membership, thereafter, annually by Feb 1st each year, in a time and manner set forth in the by-laws of the local club and state organization.
D. Annual national organization dues shall include the official magazine, the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly”.

Section 5. Disciplinary Action
A. If the conduct of any member, local club, or state organization shall in the opinion of the board, appear to be injurious to this organization or its purposes, the board may by a two-thirds vote expel such member, local club or state organization. The vote of this disciplinary action may be made by certified mail, fax or e-mail to the CAAC chairman of the board.
B. At least sixty days prior to taking action a written copy of the complaint must be provided to the board, and to the member, local club, or state organization, and a reasonable opportunity given for the entity in question to be heard, not to exceed 60 days.
C. An entity so expelled must discontinue use of the “American Alsatian™” name.
D. An affirmative vote by the board to expel a local club or state organization shall affect the dissolution of the entity, as specified in article XII.

Article IV 
Constituent Organizations

Section 1. State Organizations
A. There shall be only one state organization within the state of Colorado.
B. Copies of local by-laws and amendments to these by-laws shall be mailed to CAAC headquarters before going into effect. By-laws shall be consistent with CAAC and NAAC by-laws.
C. The CAAC will have an annual show.
D. Dues of the CAAC shall be set by the state organization.

Section 2. Local clubs
A. Local clubs of at least six members may be chartered and maintained by a state organization, provided that the club shall not be an official part of any other organization. By-laws shall be consistent with CAAC and NAAC by-laws.
B. Dues of each local club shall be set by the local club.

Section 3. NAAC Judges
A. Members who wish to be Judges or Ring Assistance to a judge may form an organization, adopt by-laws that are consistent with NAAC and CAAC by-laws, be represented on the CAAC board of directors by the Judge and Quality control advisory chairman. 
B. It shall be a membership requirement of all members of a CAAC judges’ organization, which is represented under the CAAC, that each must:
1. Purchase and study the “American Alsatian™ Judge and Stewart Manual”.
2. Pass the NAAC Judgeship test.

Section 4. CAAC Breeders
A. Members who are breeders may form an organization, adopt by-laws that are consistent with CAAC and NAAC by-laws, be represented on the CAAC board of directors by the breeder advisory chairman. 
B. It shall be a membership requirement of all members of a breeder organization under the CAAC. that each must:
1. Purchase a breeders manual and pass the NAAC breeders test.

Section 5. NAAC Trainer/teachers
A. Members who are Trainer/teachers may form an organization, adopt by-laws that are consistent with CAAC and NAAC by-laws, be represented on the CAAC board of directors by the Trainer/teachers advisory chairman. 
B. It shall be a membership requirement of all members of a Trainer/teachers organization under the CAAC. that each must:
1. Purchase a Trainer/teachers manual and pass the NAAC Trainer/teachers test.


Article V. 
Board of Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors and Duties of Board Members
A. The board of directors shall consist of the following: 
1. The Founder
2. President
3. Vice President
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Historian/museum committee chair
7. Show membership committee chair
8. Membership committee chair
8. Magazine committee chair
9. Area Director Representative Committee chair
9. Judges advisory board chair
10. Breeders advisory board chair
11. Trainers advisory board chair

B. The Founder is and always shall be Lois Schwarz who shall be the legal owner of the Breed and Trademark  name, until she passes this position down to one of her predecessors. 
1. Veto any votes or decisions by the board.
2. Veto any decisions by any committees.
3. Disseminate any charter held under this organization.
4. Is an ex-officio member of all committees.

C. The CAAC president shall
1. Be elected by the board from among its current or past members for a renewable two-year term. 
2. Preside at and have final approval of the dates and times of all board meetings and the corporate annual meeting held during the annual show and get together.
3. Preside over the board meeting until the completion of the new board election.
4. Generally oversee all board activities. 
5. Supervises the CAAC center and its personnel. 
6. Oversee the publishing of the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine.
7. Has custody of the seal of the organization and shall affix the same.
8. Be an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.

D. The Vice President shall: 
1. Be the human resource manager.
2. Under the direction of the board, employ or contract such other personnel as may be necessary to carry on the objectives of the CAAC.
3. Act as administrative officer and general manager for the organization and its headquarters.

E. The Treasurer shall: 
1. Be elected by the board for a renewable two-year term. 
2. Perform the duties specified in article XI.

F. The Secretary shall:
1. Be elected by the board from among its current or past members for a renewable two-year term. 
2. Keep the minutes of all board meetings and the annual meeting.
a. Read the minutes of the last meeting and all correspondences at the beginning of all board meetings.
b. Minutes shall be approved by the board.
3. Notify all board members of each board meeting.
4. Send a copy of the minutes to each member of the board within sixty days following the meeting.
5. In general charge of the records of the organization except the financial records.
6. Recommends plans of work and conducts the day to day business and correspondence of the corporate office.
7. Custodian of the organization's membership roster, minutes, journal and all other records of the organization.
8. Hand over all Notebooks to the new secretary after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

G. The Historian/Museum committee chair shall: 
1. Be elected by the CAAC board members for a renewable two-year term.
2. Preside over the historian/museum committee until the completion of the CAAC election at the bi-annual CAAC show and get together. 
3. Generally oversee all historian/museum committee meetings and activities. 
4. Supervise the CAAC museum center and its personnel. 
5. See that all important museum and historical information get included in the “American Alsatian Quarterly” magazine.
6. Give a five minute report on any historical and museum information (or changes within the historian/museum committee) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
7. Take back to the historian/museum committee notes on the NAAC board meetings.
8. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
9. Hand over all Notebooks to the new historian/museum committee chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

H. The Show committee chair shall:
1. Be elected by the CAAC board members for a renewable two-year term.
2. Preside over the show committee until the completion of the NAAC annual election show and get together.
3. Generally oversee all historian/museum committee meetings and activities. 
4. Supervise the CAAC museum center and its personnel. 
5. See that all important information concerning any and all CAAC shows throughout the world get included in the “American Alsatian Quarterly” magazine.
6. Give a five minute report on any show information (or changes within the show committee) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
7. Take back to the show committee notes on the CAAC board meetings.
8. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
9. Hand over all Notebooks to the new show committee chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

I. The Membership committee chair shall:
1. Be elected by the CAAC board members for a renewable two-year term.
2. Preside over the membership committee until the completion of the CAAC annual election show and get together.
3. Generally oversee all membership committee meetings and activities. 
4. Supervise the CAAC membership personnel. 
5. See that all important information concerning any and all CAAC membership throughout the world get included in the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine.
6. Give a five minute report on any membership information (or changes within the membership committee) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
7. Take back to the membership committee notes on the CAAC board meetings.
8. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
9. Hand over all Notebooks to the new membership committee chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

J. The Magazine/newsletter committee chair shall:
1. Be elected by the CAAC board members for a renewable two-year term.
2. Preside over the magazine/newsletter committee until the completion of the CAAC annual election show and get together.
3. Generally oversee all magazine/newsletter committee meetings and activities. 
4. Supervise the CAAC magazine/newsletter and its personnel. 
5. See that all important information concerning any and all NAAC activities throughout the world get included in the “Amercain Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine. This includes contacting all committees and groups who have dealings with the CAAC and or the dogs, trainers, teachers, judges, breeders and owners.
6. Give a five minute report on any magazine/newsletter information (or changes within the newsletter advisory board) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
7. Take back to the newsletter committee notes on the CAAC board meetings.
8. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
9. Hand over all Notebooks to the new magazine/newsletter committee chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

K. The Area Director Representative Committee chair shall: 
1. Be elected by the CAAC board members for a renewable two-year term.
2. Preside over the Area representative committee until the completion of the CAAC annual election show and get together. 
3. Supervise the twelve CAAC area representatives. 
4. See that all important information concerning clubs throughout the world get included in the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine from information gathered from the twelve area reps.
6. Visit all major clubs to represent the CAAC just by being there and listening.
7. Give a five minute report on any area director’s information (or changes within the area director’s advisory board) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
8. Take back to the area director’s advisory board notes on the CAAC board meetings.
9. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
10. Hand over all Notebooks to the new area director’s advisory board chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.
Show committee Area directors (12)
Directors at large and 
International director. 

L. The Judge advisory board chairman shall: 
1. Be the founder until she passes this position on.
2. Preside over the judge advisory board.
a. make sure there is a secretary of the judge advisory board.
b. make sure there is a treasure of the judge advisory board.
c. make sure there is a show judge appointed to the annual nasc show and get together.
d. make sure there is a teacher/trainer judge who shall be the educator of the stewards or apprentices looking for advancement to judgeship.
e. make sure there is a judge advisory by-laws committee chairman who will be in charge of any changes and who will present the judge advisory bi-laws to the nasc board for approval every two years. This will help to keep the judge advisory board and all judges up to date on any and all changes that may make a big difference in the quality of the breed.
3. Over-see all judges and activities such as:
a. make sure that all judges are knowledgeable on the breed standards, ethics and show judging activities. 
b. Award judges with certificates if and when necessary.
4. Attend all CAAC board meetings.
5. Give a five minute report on any judges information (or changes within the judges advisory board) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
6. Take back to the judge’s advisory board notes on the CAAC board meetings.
7. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
8. Hand over all Notebooks to the new judge’s advisory board chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

M. The Breeders advisory board chairman shall: 
1. Be the founder until she passes this position on.
2. Preside over the Breeders advisory board.
a. make sure there is a secretary of the Breeders advisory board.
b. make sure there is a treasure of the Breeders advisory board.
d. make sure there is a teacher/trainer Breeder who shall be in charge of making sure all breeders are educated in the art of breeding and who pass the breeders qualifying test. 
e. make sure there is a Breeders by-laws committee chairman who will be in charge of any changes and who will present the Breeders bi-laws to the NAAC board for approval every two years. This will help to keep the Breeders advisory board and all Breeders up to date on any and all changes that may make a big difference in the quality of the breed.
3. Over-see all Breeders and activities such as:
a. Award Breeders with certificates if and when necessary.
4. Attend all CAAC board meetings.
5. Give a five minute report on any breeders information (or changes within the Breeders advisory board) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
6. Take back to the breeders advisory board notes on the CAAC board meetings.
7. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
8. Hand over all bnotebooks to the new breeders advisory board chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

N. The Trainers advisory board chairman shall: 
1. Be elected by the trainer/teachers board members for a period designated by their by-laws.
2. Preside over the trainer/teachers advisory board.
a. make sure there is a secretary of the trainer/teachers advisory board.
b. make sure there is a treasure of the trainer/teachers advisory board.
d. make sure there is a teacher/trainer who shall be in charge of making sure all trainer/teachers are educated in the art of trainer/teachers and who pass the trainer/teachers qualifying test. 
e. make sure there is a trainer/teachers by-laws committee chairman who will be in charge of any changes to the trainer/teachers by-laws and who will present the Breeders bi-laws to the NAAC board for approval every two years. This will help to keep the Breeders advisory board and all Breeders up to date on any and all changes that may make a big difference in the quality of the breed.
f. make sure there is a junior trainer/teacher in charge of all the younger than eighteen year old trainer/handlers
3. Over-see all trainer/teachers and activities such as:
a. Award trainer/teachers with certificates if and when necessary.
b. Award the junior handlers awards during the annual CAAC show and get together.
4. Attend all CAAC board meetings.
5. Give a five minute report on any trainer/teachers information (or changes within the trainer/teachers advisory board) at every meeting of the CAAC board.
6. Take back to the trainers/teachers advisory board notes on the CAAC board meetings.
7. Give a yearly/annual report during the CAAC annual show/get-together.
8. Hand over all notebooks to the new trainers/teachers advisory board chair after the bi-annual elections at the CAAC annual show.

O. The By-Laws committee chairman shall:
1. Be appointed by the President for a period of two years.
2. Preside over the By-laws committee.
3. Be in charge of looking over all submitted by laws from all committees and clubs who belong to the CAAC.
4. Give a report on any bi-laws and or changes at every meeting of the CAAC board. Advise for revisions or changes and ask for a vote on all changes and or suggestions from the board.
5. Give a yearly/annual report during the annual show/get-together.
6. Be in charge of the:
a. Robert’s rule notebook
b. CAAC official rules and by-laws notebook which shall contain any and all standing rules of the national club.
c. Be in charge of each of the 12 area district by-laws notebooks which shall contain all the bilaws of each club within its district.
7. Hand over all notebooks to the new by laws committee chair after the bi-annual elections at the nasc annual show.


Section 3. Committees:
A. NAAC Show Committee shall:
1. Elect the following:
a. Annual convention/show president-elect
b. Annual convention/show vice-president
c. Convention/show secretary
d. Convention/show treasurer
2. The show committee shall consist of:
a. all area directors and they may meet over the internet.
3. Each show committee member shall serve for a two year term
4. All terms of office shall begin at the close of the corporate bi-annual meeting, provided that the current convention/show officials shall continue to supervise the balance of the convention/show activities.
5. The convention/show president-elect shall serve for a term of two years and upon the election of a successor becomes convention/show president.

B. Nominations Committee shall:
1. Consist of the Twelve area director members. 
2. The committee chair will be elected by the board members.
3. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms on the nominating committee.
4. No member may serve on the committee who has not been a member of a local club at least four years on June 1st of the election year.
5. A vacancy in the nominating committee shall be filled by a member of the board.
6. The committee shall nominate one candidate for each elected position to be filled by the next annual convention/show.
7. The committee's nominations shall be published in the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” no later than the March/April issue. This information shall have been received in headquarters no later than January 1st (FIRST)
8 Any number of members of chartered local clubs may nominate a candidate for office by notifying the corporate secretary by mail postmarked not later than thirty days prior to the annual convention/show.

Section 4. Elections
A. Who may be elected terms/qualifications
1. Except as other wise provided herein, persons who have been members of a local club for at least two years on June 1st of the year of election may be elected. 
2. Board members (except past presidents) may not hold more than one board position during any current term of office unless there are not enough members. (This article of the bi-laws may be revised when membership increases.)
3. Except as other wise provided, all convention/show officers and directors shall be elected at the corporate bi-annual meeting held during the annual convention/show. 
B. Voting
1. The election shall be by ballot unless there is only one candidate for a position, in which case the election may be by voice vote. 
2. Votes may be cast only for members.

Section 5. Vacancies
A. A vacancy in any corporate office, directorship or convention/show officer serving a term of two years, shall be filled by the board for the remainder of the term. 
C. A vacancy in the office of convention/show president shall be filled by the convention/show vice-president unless there are no members of the convention/show in that case the position shall be filled by the board for the remainder of the term.

Article VI 
Geographical Areas
Section 1. Geographical Division
A. The organization shall be divided into twelve geographical areas, each with an area council and area director. (Actual divisions will be listed in the standing rules.)

Section 2. Regional Representatives
A. There shall be (8) eight Regional Representatives who shall represent the (8) eight areas of the Colorado American Alsatian Club.
B. Regional Representatives shall belong to the Regional Representative Board of which there is a Regional Director who resides over this board.
C. Each Regional Representative shall have their own “Board” composed of six representatives who reside in their area.. (when the membership in that area develops).
D. Each of the seven Regional Representatives (excluding the Regional Director Representative) shall serve as Regional Board or Committee Members as follows:
1. Museum promotion member who shall sit on the historian/museum committee.
2. Museum exhibit member who shall sit on the historian/museum committee.
3. Publication/newsletter member who shall sit on the magazine committee.
4. Demonstrations member who shall sit on the trainers/teachers advisory board.
5. Nominating committee member who shall sit on the nominating committee.
6. Training promotion member who shall sit on the Trainers/teachers advisory board.
7. Elderly and disabled education committee member who shall sit on the Trainers/teachers advisory board.
8. Obedience trials promotion member who shall sit on the Trainers/teachers advisory board.
9. State show promotions member who shall sit on the Show committee.
10. Breed promotions and publicity member who shall sit on the Breeders advisory board.
11. Education of companion dogs to the public member who shall sit on the Trainers/teachers advisory board.
D. Regional Representatives shall be elected at meetings by members present from their respective areas. These elections shall be held in conjunction with the annual convention/shows of their own areas. (Each of the eight areas must hold an annual show/get-together in which they will hold their elections. This must be included in each regional by-laws.)
E. Persons who have been members of a local club for at least two years may be elected and serve as an regional representative of their own area in which they reside.
F. Members do not have to be present to be nominated or elected to serve as an regional representative.
G. Regional Representatives shall be elected for two-year terms. 

Section 3. Duties of Regional Representatives
A. Each Regional Representative shall or may appoint some one from among their board to:
1. Coordinate area services
2. Assist state organizations and local clubs in identifying and meeting their needs.
3. Visit all local area clubs and present her/him self.
4. Assist all groups in assuring equality
5. Act as liaison with the board.
6. Coordinate: state organizations, the CAAC headquarters, the annual convention/show and publication of the “American Alsatian™ Quarterly” magazine.