Constitution & By-Laws

Section I

The name of the club shall be “Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Canada”.

Section II

The geographic area of the club includes all of Canada.

Section III

The objectives of the club are:

1. to encourage and promote breeding of purebred Lagotto Romagnolo, (conformation and temperament for companions) and do all possible to bring their natural qualities to the forefront;
2. to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the Canadian Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the Lagotto Romagnolo shall be judged;
3. to encourage the organization of local Branches of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Canada in those locations where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed;
4. do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and encourage sportsperson-like competition at dog shows and trials, under the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club;
5. the club encourages all members to be responsible owners, promoting the welfare of the breed and a willingness to share information honestly;
6. to hold annual conformation events as well as working events including but not limited to obedience, agility, truffle searching, etc.

Section IV

The club is a non-profit organization and no part of any profits from dues and donations to the club benefits any member or individual.

Section V

The members of the club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such as may be required to carry out these objectives.

Period: The membership year begins on your date of membership approval for a duration of 365 days.
Eligibility: Membership is open to all persons eighteen years of age or older at the time of joining. Any person who has been deprived, suspended, debarred, expelled from or whose membership has been terminated from the Canadian Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club, the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Canada, the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America or any other national registering body for dogs or any other national Lagotto club shall not be granted membership to this club. Membership consideration may also be provided at the discretion of the board.

1. Membership Types: There are three types of memberships: Individual, Family and Foreign.
2. Dues: Membership Dues shall be payable no later than the 1st day of your membership renewal date. Fees shall be reviewed and set by the Board of Directors and the Secretary shall notify members in the event of any changes to membership fees 30-days prior to the effective date.
3. Application for Membership: Each applicant for membership shall submit a Membership Application form. The applicant must agree to and abide by the club’s Constitution, By Laws, Code of Ethics and the rules of the Canadian Kennel Club. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues for payment for the current year. The names and contact information of the applicants shall be printed in the Club’s Membership Newsletter. If the Membership Chairperson receives no objections from the Board of Directors within 15 days after application date, the Membership shall become effective immediately provided that the applicant has paid membership dues. If an objection is received, the application must be voted on by the Board within 30 days of receipt of objection by the Membership Chairperson and the applicant notified of the result.
4. Termination of Membership: Any individual rejected for membership by the club shall be provided with a written explanation within 30 days of their membership application being rejected. Under no circumstance will a refund of dues be issued upon membership termination. Memberships may be terminated:
   1. by resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the Secretary; however no member may resign when not in good standing or when in debt to the club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the club and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year;
   2. by lapsing. A membership will be considered terminated if the member has not renewed their dues prior to the commencement of the new calendar year;
   3. by expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in these By-Laws;
   4. in the case that the member’s Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club or any other national registering body for animals membership has been terminated at the discretion of the board;
   5. in the event that the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Canada is dissolved.
5. Voting Privileges: Individual memberships in good standing are entitled to 1 vote after 365 days of membership. Family memberships in good standing are entitled to 1 vote after 365 days of membership. Foreign memberships are not entitled to vote.

1. Annual General Meeting: The annual general meeting of the club shall be held in the month of November on a date and time agreed upon by the Board of Directors during the prior quarter’s meeting. The Secretary shall email a written notice of the meeting to each member at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.
2. Annual Board Meeting: The annual board meeting shall be held each year following the Annual General Meeting.
3. Quarterly Board Meetings: Quarterly Board meetings shall be held in the months of February, May, August and November on a date and time agreed upon by the Board of Directors during the prior quarter’s meeting. The Secretary shall email a written notice of the meeting to each member at least 15 days prior to the date of the meeting.
4. Special Club Meetings: Special club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote by the members of the Board of Directors. Such meetings shall be held at a date, place and time designated by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall email a written notice of such a meeting at least 15 days prior to the meeting.
5. Special Board Meetings: Special board meetings may be called by the President or by a majority vote by the members of the Board of Directors. Such meetings shall be held at a date, place and time designated by the Board of Directors.
6. Persons Entitled to be Present: The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of the board shall be those entitled to vote at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chair of the meeting or by resolution of the Board of Directors.
7. Quorum: A quorum at any meeting of the board shall be 50% of the board members. If a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting of members, the members present may proceed with the business of the meeting even if a quorum is not present throughout the meeting.
8. Electronic Meetings: Any and all meetings may be held via electronic means such as email, social media, etc. at the discretion of the board.

1. Board of Directors: The Board shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and a minimum of four (4) regional Directors representing a minimum of four (4) of the six (6) regions across Canada; the six (6) regions being: British Columbia, the Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Provinces, and the Yukon, Nunavut and Northwest Territories. Directors must reside in the area that they represent. The Officers and Directors shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall hold office for a term of 2 years or until their successors have been elected. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. The club shall suspend from the Board any person deprived, suspended, debarred, expelled or whose membership has been terminated by the Canadian Kennel Club, the American Kennel Club, any other national registering body for dogs or any other National Lagotto club.
2. Executive Officers: The club’s officers, consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall serve in their respective capacities both with regard to the club and its meetings and the Board and its meetings. All must be members in good standing of the Canadian Kennel Club. The president or vice-president shall preside at all meetings of the club.
   1. The President shall call each meeting to order and each meeting to a close. The President shall lead each meeting by addressing the agenda points and shall not vote unless it is required to break a tie. The President also has signing authority for cheques and monies paid out by the club.
   2. The Vice-President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the case of the President’s absence or incapacity and shall perform such duties as requested by the President or the Executive Officers.
   3. The Secretary shall keep a record of all votes taken by email or verbally at a meeting and of all matters of which a written record shall be ordered by the Club. The Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meetings, notify Officers and Directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses and carry out such other duties as prescribed in these By-Laws or as requested by the Board of Directors.
   4. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all moneys belonging to the Club. The Treasurer’s books shall be open to inspection at all times to the Board and the Treasurer shall report to them the condition of the club’s finances and every item of receipt or payment not reported before at every meeting. The Treasurer shall render an account of all moneys received and expended during the fiscal year at the annual meeting. The club must have a separate and independent bank account in the name of the club and all cheques drawn from the club account must have the signature of one duly appointed signing officer and the name of their office.
3. Vacancies: Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the Officers during the year shall be filled until the next Annual Election by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Officers; except in the office of President shall be filled automatically by the Vice-President, and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-President shall be filled by the Board. An office shall automatically become vacant if the officer or director shall be absent for more than two meetings in a year unless excused by the President.

1. Club Year: The Club’s fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December. The Club’s official year shall coincide with the fiscal year. The elected Officers and Directors shall take office January 1st to coincide with the fiscal and official year and each retiring Officer shall turn over to his successor in office all property and records relating to that office within thirty days.
2. Voting: At the Annual Meeting or at a special meeting of the club, voting shall be limited to those members in good standing who are present at the meeting. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. The Board of Directors may decide to submit other specific questions for decision of the members cast by electronic ballot. Each Individual Member and each Family Membership shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
3. Annual Election: The election of the Officers shall be conducted by electronic ballot. For validity, ballots must be received by the Secretary no later than 7 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Electronic ballots for the election of the Secretary must be received by the President no later than 7 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
4. Nomination and Ballots: No person may be a candidate in a club election who has not been nominated in accordance with these By-Laws. All nominations shall be submitted to the Secretary no later than 30 days prior to the 3^rd quarter’s board meeting. Nominations for the Secretary shall be submitted to the President no later than 30 days prior to the 3^rd quarter’s board meeting. Each nominated member shall be advised by the Secretary or by the President in the case of nominations for Secretary, no later than 15 days prior to the date of the 3^rd quarter’s board meeting. Each nominated member must accept or decline the nomination at the 3^rd quarter’s board meeting or via email to the Secretary or President no later than 7 days prior to the meeting if the nominated member is unable to attend. Once the secretary has a list of nominations, including the full name of each candidate, and the province in which the person resides, that list and a ballot shall be sent to the general membership via email no later than 30 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. No ballot is necessary in the event of a single nomination for a position. All ballots must be received by the secretary or the president in the case of the vote for secretary via email no later than 15 days prior to the date of the annual general meeting. The results of the ballots shall be announced at the annual general meeting. Only members in good standing for a minimum period of 365 days are eligible to be nominated.

1. Committee Formation: Subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, the President may appoint standing committees to advance work of the Club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board of Directors. Special committees may also be appointed by the Board of Directors to aid it on particular projects.
2. Committee Appointments: Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors upon written notice to the appointee; and the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to aid it on particular projects.

1. Suspensions/Expulsions: Any member who is suspended or expelled from the Canadian Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, any other national registering body for dogs or any other National Lagotto club shall automatically be suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
2. Complaints: Any person may lay a complaint against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club or the breed. Written complaints with specifications must be filed with the Secretary. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the complaint to each member of the Board of Directors as well as each member of the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee will consider whether the actions alleged in the complaint, if proved, might constitute conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or breed, or it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Disciplinary Committee entertains jurisdiction of the complaint, it shall fix a date for hearing of the Board of Directors or a disciplinary committee of no less than three members, not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall send one copy to the accused member with the notice of the hearing and assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.
3. Disciplinary Hearing: The Board of Directors or disciplinary committee shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing. Both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the complaint be sustained after hearing the testimony presented by the complainant and the defendant, the Board of Directors or committee may by a majority vote of those present suspend the defendant from all privileges of the club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing decision. If it is deemed that punishment is insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. Immediately after the Board of Directors or committee has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.
4. Expulsion: Expulsion of a member of the club may be accomplished at the annual meeting of the club or a special meeting following a hearing and upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors or committee as provided in Part 3 of this Section. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing in his own behalf though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the complaint and the findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak in his or her own behalf. The meeting attendees shall then vote on the proposed expulsion. A two-thirds vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion.

1. The Constitution and By-Laws may be amended at any time provided a copy of the proposed amendment has been emailed by the Secretary to each member in good standing on such date. Each member shall have the opportunity to submit acceptance or rejection of the proposed amendments via email to the club secretary within 15 days. No response by a voting member of the club shall indicate a vote of acceptance of the proposed amendment. The favourable vote of 51% of the members in good standing within the time limit shall be required to effect any such amendment.
2. Any amendments to the standard of the breed of the Lagotto Romagnolo shall be submitted to the membership for approval. Members will have 15 days to vote on the recommended changes. The Board of Directors shall submit the requested changes to the CKC following a favourable vote of the membership of 51% or greater.

The club may be dissolved at any time by providing to the CKC, written documentation signed by at least 2/3 of the members of that club who are in favour of this decision. Proxies are not permitted. In the event of the dissolution of the club, other than for the purpose of re-organization, whether voluntary or in voluntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the club nor any of assets of the club shall be distributed to any member of the club, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board of Directors.

1. Club Meetings: At meetings of the club, the order of business so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit shall be as follows:
• Roll Call
• Summary of the Minutes of the last meeting
• Report of the President
• Report of the Vice-President
• Report of the Secretary
• Report of the Treasurer
• Report of Committees
• Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting)
• Election of new members
• Unfinished business
• New Business
• Adjournment
2. Board Meetings: At meetings of the board, the order of business so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit shall be as follows:
• Roll Call
• Summary of the Minutes of the last meeting
• Report of the President
• Report of the Vice-President
• Report of the Secretary
• Report of the Treasurer
• Election of new members
• Unfinished business
• New Business
• Adjournment