Rules of the Japanese Chin Club
1. NAME AND OBJECTS.
The club will be called THE JAPANESE CHIN CLUB, hereinafter called 'The Club'. Objects of The Club shall be to promote and encourage responsible ownership, exhibiting, breeding of the ancient 'Japanese Spaniel Dog of Japan' and to earnestly entreat upon exhibitors, breeders and judges the true type as defined by THE JAPANESE CHIN BREED STANDARD issued by THE KENNEL CLUB. (Appendix A), The Club will comply in strict accordance with all rules and regulations applying to Breed Clubs laid down by THE KENNEL CLUB.
2. CONSTITUTION.
The Club shall consist of a President, and up to six Vice-Presidents, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, a Committee of eleven Members (including Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer), and an unlimited number of Members.
2a. The President may, at their discretion attend meetings and will have full voting rights.
3. MANAGEMENT
The management and business of The Club shall be conducted by a Committee consisting of the eleven Members, including the officers, Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Two officers plus four committee members shall form a quorum. In the event of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
Any committee member or officer failing to attend two consecutive committee meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from that committee, providing there are no extenuating circumstances.
3a. One Officer and a third of the Committee shall be elected annually by postal ballot and follow a three year rotation.
The position of Vice Chairman is to be elected annually by the committee at the next available meeting following the AGM. The Vice Chairman will only act as an officer of the club in the event of the incapacity of the Chairman.
A Member nominated by a Proposer and Seconder and wishing to stand for a position as Officer or Committee Member must be, including the Proposer and Seconder, fully paid up members for the year to which the nomination refers at the date of closing for nominations, Anyone standing for the position of Officer, must have been a Member of The Club for at least three years, and for Committee Member a minimum of two years.
Nominations for Officers and Committee Members must be submitted on the Club 'Nomination Form' in writing to the Secretary by the closing date for nominations, which is January 2nd. The Proposer and Seconder must have been fully paid-up Members for at least one year prior to the date for closing of nominations.
Members not having completed twelve months full membership are not eligible to act as proposers or seconders for the nomination of Officers or Committee Members.
The written consent of the 'fully paid-up' nominees must also be enclosed with the nominations. Officers and Committee Members who are re-standing for election do not require nomination.
3b. Voting papers will only be sent to fully paid-up United Kingdom members not less than twenty-eight days before the Annual General Meeting. Completed voting papers must be returned to the scrutineer by the date stated on the form. The scrutineer will be appointed by the Committee annually and approved at the Annual General Meeting for the following year.
3c. No person, whilst an undischarged bankrupt, may serve on the Committee or hold any Office or appointment within a Kennel Club registered society.
3d. Any Committee Member who resigns during a period of office will not be allowed to re-stand or be co-opted until twelve months have elapsed from the date of the Annual General Meeting following their resignation. In the event of a tie for the position of a Committee Member a paper vote will be taken at the Annual General Meeting.
3e. The office of President shall be conferred upon a subscribing member who shall be elected for a five-year term at the end of which they may stand for re-election. The positions of a maximum of six Vice-Presidents are bestowed by the club upon subscribing members who have worked and given their time to the interests of the club or breed in general. Names for these positions are nominated by the members and put to the AGM for agreement. These are honorary positions and shall be for the life of these persons unless an individual wishes to retire. An honorary Vice President post may be created, at the discretion of the committee, to accommodate a retiring President, for their lifetime.
Presidents and Vice Presidents of twenty years membership will be made Honorary Life Members
3f. The Committee shall have the power to fill temporarily any vacancies until the next Annual General Meeting.
3g. Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary, but at least every six months.
3h. A 'Minute Book' must be maintained by the Secretary for the archives of The Club.
3 i. No serving Officer or Committee member of The Japanese Chin Club shall hold a committee position with any other Japanese Chin breed Club.
4. MAINTENANCE OF TITLE.
The Officers acknowledge their duty to inform THE KENNEL CLUB of any change of Secretary of The Club which may occur during the course of the year.
The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, the Secretary will forward to THE KENNEL CLUB, the required fee for the 'Maintenance of Title', and that by the 31st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in their regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies and Breed Councils and the Affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities.
5. FINANCES
A 'Banking Account' (or Accounts) shall be held in the name of THE JAPANESE CHIN CLUB, into which all revenue of The Club shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signatures of two of the three Officers. Multiple ledgers shall be maintained for the various aspects of The Club business. Committee meetings will receive an up-to-date financial report, with access to bank statements as agreed by the committee.
5a. Financial Year /Subscriptions
The Financial Year of The Club, shall be from 1st January to the 31st December.
5b. The Annual Subscription shall be payable before the last day of March for the current year, failure to pay by this date will result in membership lapsing.
Voting papers for the Postal Ballot will be sent only to those Members who have paid their Annual Subscription by 1st January for the year to which the ballot refers, Subscriptions which shall include Year Book and newsletters (when printed) will be:
U.K. Membership:
£14.00 Single membership,
£17.00 Joint membership, (Two persons,)
£3.00 Junior membership, (under 16 years of age on January 1st)
Associate Membership:(Non U.K. Residents - without voting rights)
£20.00 Single membership.
£22.00 Joint membership, (Two persons,)
Joining Fee £5.00.
Fees may be subject to change, as per any General Meeting. The Committee shall annually decide the level of postal surcharges for Members domicile outside the United Kingdom.
6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The Annual General Meeting shall take place as soon after the end of the financial year as practical, twenty-eight days notice of which, shall be sent to each member.
Twelve members are required to form a quorum.
Nomination papers will be sent to all members, at least three weeks before the end of the financial year, and completed Nomination forms will require to be returned by January 2nd. Any motions or proposals or alterations to any rule must be submitted to the Secretary, in writing, proposed and seconded by two fully paid-up members, prior to January 15th. Motions proposed and seconded for the A.G.M will not be proceeded with unless either proposer or seconder are present.
The audited and signed accounts shall be presented at the meeting. Certification of accounts must be carried out by one qualified accountant or two unqualified individuals with accountancy experience, unconnected to the committee. The certified accounts shall be made available to members 14 days prior to the AGM. An 'Annual Report', and the 'Cups & Trophies' shall be presented at the said meeting. The audited and signed accounts shall be presented at the meeting.
7. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.
A Special General Meeting shall be summoned by the Secretary within 28 days, if fifteen or more members send a signed requisition stating the subject to be discussed and requesting a Special General Meeting. No other business other than that detailed on the Agenda can be discussed at a Special General Meeting.
The Committee of The Club, is also empowered to call a Special General Meeting, at its discretion. Fourteen days notice of such a meeting, being sent to all members.
A Special General Meeting may not be called within three months of the Annual General Meeting, regarding a vote of no confidence in the Officers and/or Committee.
8. ELECTION OF MEMBERS.
Any person wishing to become a Member of The Club, shall be proposed and seconded, by two fully paid-up members, using the 'Application for Membership form'.
New applicants for membership, are not deemed to be Club Members, until accepted and confirmed by the Committee at their next meeting.
Joint memberships (not more than two persons) are accepted for registered Joint Prefix holders and/ or Husband and wife Partnerships and significant others from the same address.
8a. An up-to-date list of Members’ names and their addresses will be maintained, and the list of names made available for inspection, if so requested by the Members of The Club or by The Kennel Club, subject to limitations imposed by the Data Protection Act.
The Committee shall not be responsible for the non-delivery of any notice or communication due to the failure of any Member to notify the Secretary of any 'Change of Address'.
8b. Voting Rights.
No member may take part in any voting whatsoever until the member has been a Full Member of The Club for at least a year.
Junior Members have no voting rights and should re-apply at the age of 16 years for full membership.
Joint members each have one vote, but for all other purposes, are treated as a Single Member.
9. EXPULSION OF MEMBERS.
9a Any Member who shall be disqualified under Kennel Club Rule A11.j.(5) and/or Kennel Club Rule A11.j.(9) shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of The Club.
If the conduct of any Member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Club, be injurious to the character or interest of the Club, the Committee of the Club may, at a meeting, the notice convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Club, shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her. Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising the place, date and hour of the meeting, so that he/she may attend and offer an explanation. If at the Meeting, a resolution to expel is passed by a two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of members, and he/she shall thereupon cease for all purposes to be a Member of The Club, except that he/she may, within two calendar months from the date of such a meeting, appeal to The Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as The Kennel Club may impose.
9b. Final Court Of Appeal
The Club will comply in strict accordance with all rules and regulations applying to Breed Clubs laid down by The Kennel Club.
The Club shall not join any Federation of Societies and Clubs.
The Kennel Club is the final authority for interpreting the rules and regulations of the club in all cases relative to canine or society matters.
10. CODES OF ETHICS.
Members undertake to abide by and adhere to the terms and principles of THE JAPANESE CHIN CLUB GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS as appended to these rules and, if found to be in breach of these codes, will be subject to disciplinary proceedings under Rule 9 and may be expelled.
11. CLUB PROPERTY.
All Cups and Trophies will remain the property of The Club and shall be vested in the Committee. They shall be put up for competition at the designated shows for which they are listed. All archives, artefacts, and other articles will remain the property of The Club and shall be vested in the Committee.
In the event of The Club ceasing to exist, the cups and trophies belonging to The Club, shall be offered to the donors, their heirs or assigns.
All other property and assets at the bank will be disposed of according to the decision of the members of the last serving Committee, and/or at the discretion of The Kennel Club, in accordance with K.C. Rule C3a(10).
12. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW.
Members may propose a judge, two years in advance, for the Club Championship Show. Both proposer and seconder, must be fully paid-up Members, and must have the written consent of the person nominated. Nominations must reach the Secretary by January 2nd.
The nominee must fulfill the criteria laid down by The Kennel Club to award Challenge Certificates. In the case of judges from overseas judges, must be F.C.I. or A.K.C. approved, or from Countries with reciprocal arrangements with The Kennel Club, and all must have judged the breed at Championship level in their own Country of residence. The nominee will agree not to judge the Japanese Chin breed in the United Kingdom, in the preceding eighteen months to the date of the show. If there are more than six nominees the Committee will decide in a juridical manner on the six names to be placed on the annual Voting paper. (see Rule 3a.).
In the event of the judge elected by the Members, not being approved by The Kennel Club, then the next highest person in the poll, gaining approval by The Kennel Club, will be selected,
12a. Open Shows
That the JCC committee nominate a minimum of 5 suitably qualified persons to judge the Open Shows, two years in advance. At least one nomination being a person with a special interest in the breed, having owned, exhibited or bred a Japanese Chin, for the membership to vote on".
13. AMENDMENTS TO RULES
The Committee is vested with power to deal with any contingency not provided for in these Rules, but rules of The Club may not be altered except at an Annual General Meeting, or Special Meeting, the notice for which contains specific proposals to amend the rules.” the rules may not be brought
into effect until The Kennel Club has been advised and approved the alteration.
New rules or amendments introduced specifically to meet The Kennel Club requirements, shall be adopted immediately and be included in The Club's Constitution with effect from the Club's Annual Meeting.
KENNEL CLUB – GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS
All breeders who register their puppies, and new owners who register ownership of their dogs with the Kennel Club, accept the jurisdiction of the Kennel Club and undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
Breeders/Owners:
1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation of the animal, or who carries out a caesarean section on a bitch, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10. Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a
competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand-alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.
Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
Last updated – January 2011 Copyright the Kennel Club. Reproduced with their permission
Members should conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is a credit to the Club and the ownership of Japanese Chins and are required to treat other members with dignity and respect and refrain from making any adverse comments either by word, letter, or social media, which could be considered defamatory, insulting, or detrimental and likely to cause concern, offence, or that could be regarded as abuse.
BREEDER/OWNERS
The future of the Japanese Chin is in the breeders’ hands. Breeding should be from healthy stock and aimed at maintaining and improving the breed. The club recommends that breeders test all dogs to be used for breeding for Hearts, Patella’s Eyes & BOAS It is essential that the owners of the bitch and the stud dog are totally honest about any known faults and faults in previous litters. All members of The Japanese Chin Club undertake to abide by the Code of Ethics. (See rule 10).
a. Will ensure that only dogs registered with the Kennel Club will be used for breeding.
b. Will agree that only healthy animals should be used for breeding. Stud dog owners should be satisfied that bitches brought for mating are not being used for purely commercial breeding purposes.
c. Will ensure that dogs are microchipped, and the microchip is registered on an approved database.
d. To the best of your knowledge, the dog and bitch are free from any known inherited diseases.
e. No bitch should whelp before the age of 15 months or over the age of seven years.
f. No bitch should be bred from more than a maximum of four times.
g. No bitch should be bred from if she has had two caesarean sections.
h. No bitch should be allowed to whelp more than once in every 12 months.
i. The stud dog owner should endeavour to check, before the mating, that the bitch complies with the points above.
j. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes and the buyer made aware of the fault.
k. Will only sell puppies which, to the best of their knowledge, are in good health at the time of sale.
l. Will not allow any puppy to go to its new home under 12 weeks of age.
m. Will endeavour to see that the prospective buyer and their home are suitable for the future welfare of the animal.
n. If an owner decides that a dog needs re-homing or a dog comes into rescue, the breeder, where-ever possible, should be made aware.
o. No member of The Japanese Chin Club will knowingly cross their Japanese Chin Dog or Bitch with another breed.