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Dutch Cavy Club Rules.
RULE 1: NAME.
The Club shall be called The Dutch Cavy Club
RULE 2: OBJECTS.
The objects of the Club shall be: -
- To encourage the breeding, showing and improving of Dutch cavies.
- To maintain a standard of excellence by which fanciers shall be guided in the building up of a stud.
- The suppression of fraud and dishonourable conduct.
- The advancement and protection of the interests of Dutch cavy breeders and exhibitors.
RULE 3: MEMBERSHIP.
The membership shall be open to any person.
A. The Executive shall have power to refuse to admit or continue the membership of any person if they are not satisfied or have good reason to believe that it will not be in the interests of the Club to admit or continue such membership. If the continuance of such membership is refused, notice of such refusal shall be given to the person concerned and, such person shall, on giving notice to the Secretary within seven days from the receipt by him or her of the first mentioned notice, have the right to appeal to the whole of the members against such decision. The decision of the members shall be final and conclusive.
B.Any member whose membership is terminated under the foregoing clause shall forfeit all right and claim as a member of the Club and all right and interest in the property and effects of the Club and if such person shall, at the time of such termination of membership, hold or have in his or her possession, any of the Club's challenge trophies, cups or any of its property or effects, such person shall forthwith deliver up the same into the possession of the Secretary.
RULE 4: SUBSCRIPTION
The annual subscription shall be payable in advance on the first day of January in each year unless a person or partnership joined the previous year after the first day of September. In such a case, the subscription will cover membership to the end of the following year. There shall be the following classes of membership: -
1. Individual.
2. Partnership (limited to two).
3. Senior Citizen.
4. Juvenile (7 years old to 16 years of age on 1st January, eligibility for juvenile classes lapses on 17th birthday).
5. Family membership (Two adults and all juvenile children).
6. Life Member (as decided by the members at an A.G.M.) A total 3 as agreed at 2006 AGM
The subscription for each class of membership (other than free life membership) shall be as fixed at the Annual General Meeting in the preceding year
Membership shall be considered to have become lapsed if not paid by the end of March and any member, whose subscription is in arrears, shall not be eligible to compete for any cup or special prize offered by the Club, or in any way enjoy the privileges of membership or be eligible for election to any Club office or position.
RULE 5: OFFICERS, JUDGES, ETC.
The Officers of the Club shall consist of a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer (which may be combined), a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, and a Committee of nine members who shall be elected every two years and are referred to collectively in these rules as the Executive. In addition there shall be three Life members/Judges (appointed at an AGM) and a national panel of 16 judges, an Auditor and a Scrutineer (who must not be a member of the Club) shall be elected at the same time as the Officers mentioned above.
RULE 6: ELECTION OF OFFICERS, ETC.
A voting paper shall be issued every two years to all UK members who have paid subscriptions during the current year (only one vote per partnership as decided at 2000 A.G.M.), for the election of members to the various offices and positions named in Club Rule 5. Overseas members do not have voting rights as agreed at the 2009 AGM. The election shall take place toward the end of the second year, shall be decided by the majority of votes recorded on the papers returned to the Scrutineer and shall take effect from the next 1st January.
Any member that is proposed for a club position specified
within these rules must have been a member for a full three year's membership.
The nomination needs to be proposed by an adult member of the club with the
nomination form duly signed by both the persons involved. To become a DCC
judge, the nominee needs to have experience of breeding and showing Dutch
cavies and some book stewarding for a DCC judge is recommended.
RULE 7: DUAL OFFICE.
No member shall hold two offices in the Club at the same time except as Secretary and Treasurer (which may be combined). The positions of Club Judge and/or Area Representative are not offices for the purpose of this rule.
RULE 8: MANAGEMENT.
The management of the Club shall be vested in the Executive and any business requiring a majority decision may be transacted by post, telephone or email. The decision of a majority of the replies received by the Secretary shall be accepted as final.
RULE 9: VACANCIES.
Any vacancy, which may occur between elections in the Officers and Judges referred to in Club Rule 5, shall be filled by the next highest placed unsuccessful candidate for the position vacated provided he or she is a member at the time. If no such candidate exists, the Executive may co-opt any member of the Club to fill the vacancy.
RULE 10: ANNUAL MEETING.
A General Meeting of the members shall be held each year in conjunction with the Club's Annual Stock Show when any business brought forward shall be dealt with by the members present.
RULE 11: SUPPORT OF SHOWS.
Club support will be given to clubs and other organisations staging Open Pen Shows provided: -
1.The judge is a recognised panel judge of either the Dutch Cavy Club or the National Cavy Club or an overseas national cavy club.
2.At least six breed classes are included in the show classification for Dutch cavies.
Specials to be awarded according to
the status of the show and at the discretion of the Club. No member shall be
allowed to compete for or take any cup, medal or other prize until a period of
28 days has elapsed from the date of joining the Club.
RULE 12: CLUB SHOWS.
The Club shall hold, each year, a combined Young and Adult Stock Show (to be known as the Annual Stock Show) and whatever Area Stock Shows that funds and facilities will allow. Wherever possible, Area Representatives shall be appointed for the purpose of attending to the administration of these events.
RULE 13: COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
All members are expected to behave in a
professional and courteous manner at all times. Where minor disagreements or concerns occur, members should first
attempt to resolve matters between themselves. If this is not possible, members are encouraged to use the assistance of
a Committee Member to resolve the issue. For all matters that cannot be resolved in this manner, or are of such
significance they need further attention, members may employ the following
Complaints Procedure: -
A: COMPLAINTS
1 Definitions
a.�Any Member of the DCC (the Complainant) may bring
a Complaint (or submit an allegation) against another Member of the DCC, or
against the DCC itself (the Respondent).
b.�Such Complaint (or allegation) may only relate to a breach of the Rules
of the DCC and/or discreditable conduct arising from showing cavies or other
involvement within the show environment.
c.�The Complaint must be made in writing (by first class post), to the
Chairman of the DCC (or, if this is inappropriate, the Secretary of the DCC).
d.�The Complaint must be received by the DCC within 30 calendar days of the
event or action which has prompted the Complaint.
e.� The Complainant must provide the DCC with a deposit of £30.00 (which
will be forfeited to the DCC if the Complaint is not upheld or found to be
malicious).
2 Investigation
a. The Complaint (or allegation)
will be appropriately investigated by an independent and objective
Investigation Panel appointed by the DCC Executive (i.e. Secretary, Chairman and President).
b. The Investigation Panel will
consist of three members, one of which will act as Chairman of the
Investigation Panel.
c. Members of the Investigation
Panel must have been members of the DCC for 3 years.
d. No DCC Member may serve on the
Investigation Panel if they have a direct involvement with the Complaint.
3 Timings
a.� The Chairman of the DCC shall acknowledge receipt
of the Complaint (and the Complainant's deposit of £30.00) within a reasonable
period of time (normally within 7 calendar days) before passing all details to
the Chairman of the Investigation Panel.
b.�The Chairman of the Investigation Panel shall write to the Respondent
with details of the Complaint or allegation within 14 days of receiving the
Complaint.
c.� The Respondent will be given 14 calendar days, from receipt of the
Complaint, to submit a written reply.
d.�The Chairman of the Investigation Panel will, wherever possible, attempt
to act as a mediator and seek resolution of the matter between the Complainant
and Respondent.
e.�If the Complaint is refuted (and mediation is not possible) the Chairman
of the Investigation Panel may acquaint the other panel members of the
Complaint and if it is unanimous that the matter is trivial and/or can be
resolved through telephone conversations and/or e-mail correspondence, without
a formal Investigation Hearing; this course of action will be taken.
f.�IIf it is necessary to convene a formal Investigation Hearing, the
Chairman of the Investigation Panel will convene the Investigation Hearing
within 30 calendar days of receipt of the Respondent's refute.
g.�All interested parties will be given a minimum of 14 calendar days
notice of the Investigation Hearing.
h.�The Complainant and Respondent may each bring with them (at their own
expense) others to help in the representation of their case (legal
representation is not considered necessary and will not be permitted).
i.��Once the Panel have heard both party's
presentations they will deliberate upon the complaint and decide if the
complaint is founded. The Chairman of the Investigating Panel will make known
the findings of the panel to both parties, the along with any disciplinary
action, within 7 calendar days of the hearing.
4 Disciplinary Action
Disciplinary action may consist of any of the
following
i. Disqualification of an
exhibit
ii. Termination
of membership of the Club
iii. Suspension
for such time and in such manner and subject to such conditions as the panel
may decide.
iv. Disqualification
for life or any shorter period from being a member of the Club.
v. Disqualification
for life or for a shorter period from exhibiting or taking part in any Dutch
Cavy Club show.
vi. A censure or
warning
vii. Imposition
of a fine of such amount (not exceeding £50) as the panel may decide
5 Appeal
a.� Both the complainant and the respondent have the
right to appeal against the Investigating Panels decision.
b.�Any appeal must be to the Chairman of the Investigation Panel within 14
days of receiving the result.
c.�For the purpose of such appeal the Executive shall follow the same
procedures as above (Items 1 to 4) but replacing the Investigation Panel with
an Appeals Panel.
d.� No member of the original Investigation Panel shall be part of the
Appeals Panel.
e.�The Appeals Panel has the power to uphold, rescind or increase any
disciplinary action taken against a member.
f.��The member does have a further right
of appeal to the British Cavy Council if they do not agree with the findings of
the Appeals Panel. Such appeal to the Secretary
of the BCC must be within 28 calendar days of receipt of the result of the DCC
Appeals Panel. (See BCC Constitution and
Rules: - section 6).
g. As soon as possible after the above procedures have
been exhausted, the Chairman of the Investigation/Appeals Panel must inform the
DCC Secretary and/or Chairman of the findings and any disciplinary measures
imposed. The DCC Secretary and/or Chairman shall then arrange for brief details
of the complaint, the decision and disciplinary action imposed, if any, of the
Investigating Panel or Appeals Panel to appear in the cavy press.
B: MALPRACTICE
Judges are instructed to disqualify any exhibit, which in their opinion has
been subjected to practices calculated to deceive or give a false impression of
merit. When a judge has disqualified the cavy held under DCC rules or support,
the judge must take the exhibit to the show secretary. The show
secretary should, if possible, notify the exhibitor of the occurrence on the
day. The judge officiating must send a detailed report on the exhibit to the
D.C.C Secretary together with confirmatory note from the show secretary (or
impartial official) and or photographic evidence supplying the name and address
of the exhibitor concerned.
On receiving such notification of the
disqualification of the exhibit, the D.C.C. Secretary must note the alleged
malpractice in the Clubs records and then write to the member in
question giving confirmation of the action taken and inviting him or her to
give an explanation of the occurrence. The matter will be placed before
the Executive Committee to consider if the disqualification of the exhibit was
just and what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken against the
exhibitor/member (See Complaints Procedure paragraph 4.i - 4.vii).
RULE 14: ALTERATION OF RULES.
No alteration, deletion or addition shall be made to these rules except by a majority of votes cast at an A.G.M. of the Club or by any changes and additions decided by the British Cavy Council. Any existing or new rules of the Club must not conflict in any way with British Cavy Council Rules. Notice of any proposed change to these rules by a member must be advised the Secretary in sufficient time to allow the membership to be notified through publication by the Club. On any matter of urgency that infringes these conditions, the Chairman has the discretionary power to include any such proposal on the A.G.M. Agenda for discussion by the members present.
RULE 15: CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Championship certificates shall be awarded to members of the Club who are owners of Dutch cavies, which have won five open first prizes under D.C.C. or N.C.C. judges with at least four exhibits per class and three exhibitors per class. Two of these wins may be in u/5 mths or 5/8 mths classes. At least two of the wins must be at D.C.C. stock/area shows.
Where a breed class win at a D.C.C. event has insufficient entries, a win in a Red or A.O.C. Challenge of any age group (minimum of four exhibits) or Best Dutch overall, i.e. Best in Show, may count toward a championship. If there are insufficient breed class entries at other open Pen shows, the award of Best Non Self may count provided other conditions are met. All applicable awards shall be verified by the judge's signature on the back of the cards. The fee shall be £2.00 for the black/white version, £5.00 for the coloured version or as decided by the members on review at an AGM.
RULE 16: PROCEDURE FOR NEW COLOUR/BREED ACCEPTANCE
As agreed at the 2008 AGM
a.New colour must adhere to the relevant ESCC/NACC standard for colour and ticking.
b.Three generations must have been bred true to standard and shown in the New Colour Class of the current schedule for a period of three years prior to proposal for acceptance.
c.An official proposal for acceptance and seconded should be made at the AGM for inclusion into the Annual General Meeting Agenda.
d.Examples of the breed concerned must be made available (in three age groups) for inspection at that Annual General Meeting.
e.On acceptance by the DCC members, the British Cavy Council must be informed by the Secretary
f. On acceptance by the British Cavy Council the new breed can be included into the schedule for the following January
RULE 17: OTHER MATTERS.
1. British Cavy Council
As the Dutch Cavy Club is a composite part of the British Cavy Council, it adheres to the BCC Constitution and Rules. Two of particular interest and benefit to members are: -
Clause 5 ' Code of Practice for Clubs Affiliated to the Council'
Clause 6 ' Disciplinary Action by Specialist Clubs against Members
For more information, refer to the BCC website (www.britishcavycouncil.org.uk)
or Contact the DCC Secretary."
2. Exhibition of Stock
All exhibition stock must be a minimum of 12 weeks before showing (as agreed at the 2007 AGM)
3. Should any question arise which is not covered by the foregoing or the rules of the National Cavy Club or the British Cavy Council, it shall be referred to the Executive, whose decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
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Rules relating to Dutch Cavy Club Trophies, Awards.
The Mortimer Appreciation Bowl and Challenge Cup
Extract from the 1998 Annual General Meeting Minutes: -
Winners of The Mortimer Appreciation Bowl and Challenge Cup are responsible for the safe keeping of the trophy whilst in their care and for the safe return of the trophy the following year. To this end, they are expected to arrange for insurance protection to be included within their household contents cover. Reimbursement to the Club is to be made in the event of loss. Agreement to this arrangement is implied by the acceptance of the trophy on the show day.
All other trophies remain the property of the Dutch Cavy Club and winners are responsible for the safe keeping of the trophy whilst in their care and for the safe return of the trophy the following year. They will also be responsible for the replacement of the trophy if it is lost or damaged whilst in their care.
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