Pam Miller, President
(661-203-5725)
pambvsprings@gmail.com
WEB DESIGN AND NEWSLETTER EDITOR:
PAM MILLER, pambvsprings@gmail.com)
BEAR VALLEY SPRINGS TAILWAGGERS DOG CLUB STANDING RULES
SR 1. The Club shall remain non-partisan and shall not support nor be controlled by any political party or special interest group.
SR 2. Six general membership meetings will be held monthly from May through October, with no meetings during the remaining months due to potential weather issues. Meetings will be on the 2nd Monday of the month starting at 6:30 pm at the Bear Valley Springs Equestrian Center Lounge.
a) Any member wishing to add discussion items to the meeting agenda must submit a request to the Board for approval.
b) Election-related activities will normally be scheduled at the following meetings: i. Nomination of officers will be announced at the August meeting;
ii. Voting will take place at the September meeting;
iii. Officer installment will take place at the October meeting.
However, the Board may alter this schedule if required due to unforeseen circumstances. If such alteration is necessary, the membership will be notified of the changes at least thirty (30) days in advance.
SR 3. Membership lists may be used only for proper purposes by the Club to promote its objectives and may not be used by members or others for any commercial purposes. The current list will be maintained by the Secretary and Treasurer and will be posted for information purposes only in the Members Only section on the Club website.
SR 4. Participation in Club activities such as meetings, agility play days, training sessions, and special events is restricted to current Club members in good standing, with the following exceptions:
a) Non-members may participate in Club activities as guest participants if they are invited by a recognized Club member who has BVSA amenity privileges. Such individuals must agree to be governed by the 'By-Laws and Standing Rules as well as any decisions made by the Executive Board regarding the activities when they are participating. A prospective guest participant may be required to complete, sign, and submit a participation application, release of liability form, and/or other documents as required by the Board and/or event coordinator/trainer. The specific documents required may vary depending on the event.
b) If Club members/guests attend an event that is open to the public (e.g., Dog Therapy events, BVS July 4th activities, etc.), restrictions on participation only apply to the individuals who are at the event to officially represent the Club. The Club disavows any responsibility or liability for the actions of members, guests and/or their dogs who are at the event in an unofficial or non-participant capacity.
c) The Executive Board retains the right to deny participation in Club events to anyone at its own discretion.
SR 5. All members/guests participating in Club activities must take physical and financial responsibility for any dog under their custody or control. Anyone who is participating in a Club event with a dog that is or is not their own agrees to be liable for damage or injury inflicted by such dog(s). This
incudes, but is not limited to, monies due, charges or fines assessed, or damages incurred by the Club or any other member due to the 'actions. Members/guests who violate this requirement will be suspended from participating in any other events and may face additional Club discipline, including expulsion from the Club. Acceptable payment or arrangements must be made for any monies outstanding before such suspension will be lifted.
SR 6. When participating in Club activities, all members/guests must adhere to the safety rules of the Club as well as those established by the event coordinator/trainer and facility host of the event. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) All dogs must be presented on an acceptable collar and lead. i. An acceptable collar and lead is typically defined as a single lead and collar combination. Examples of acceptable collars and leads include, but are not limited to, slide leads, swivel leads, martingale collars, and choke chain collars.
ii. The leash must provide a physical tether between dog and handler at all times during the event/activity, unless the handler is given permission by the event coordinator or trainer to be off leash during a specific activity.
iii. The leash must be six (6) feet or shorter unless a different length is specifically authorized by the event coordinator/trainer.
iv. Retractable (flexi) leashes are not allowed under any circumstances.
v. Electronic (shock) collars may not be used as a substitute for a physical tether (leash) and are not allowed under any circumstances.
vi. Other devices that are used to control and train dogs including, but not limited to, slip collars with leads (loop or snap), collars with prongs, muzzles, harnesses, and head collars, are generally prohibited from Club events but may be allowed at the discretion of the event coordinator/trainer or Club Board.
vii. Specific collar/lead limitations may vary by event and are determined by the event coordinator and/or trainer.
b) Depending on the event/activity, dogs may have to be enclosed and secured in a crate when they are not actively performing in the event.
c) Handlers must keep their dog(s) at a safe distance (generally at least 2-4 feet) from other dogs unless there is express consent from both handlers that the dogs may interact.
d) Participants may handle no more than two (2) dogs at any Club event.
SR 7. The designated event coordinator/trainer or the Board has the right to dismiss or exclude any aggressive, unruly, or unmanageable dog and/or their handler from any Club event. Severe or repeated aggression by a dog or handler with multiple incidents on record may result in the dog or handler being suspended, expelled from the Club, and/or barred from participating in future Club events/activities. Examples of potential offenses include, but are not limited to:
a) Participant conduct or language that incites or encourages violent, combative, or unsportsmanlike behavior.
b) Participants acting in a manner that could endanger another person or dog, including not having control of the dog.
c) Dogs acting in a manner that could endanger another person or dog.
d) Participants or dogs acting in a manner that could cause the loss of an event site.
e) Excessive/sustained vocalization in the event area, parking area or crating area.
f) Aggressive acts, including verbal abuse and harassment, by a person towards dogs or other people.
SR 8. Dogs should use the designated potty area at events where applicable. In any case, handlers are expected to clean up after their dogs and dispose of potty bags as directed.
SR 9. No dogs may be left unattended except when properly kenneled or in secured vehicles.
SR 10. Event participants should expect to keep their dogs confined when not actively participating. They should plan to provide their own shade, and in the event of extreme weather, should be prepared to keep their dog adequately warm or cool in their vehicles or in crates adjacent to their vehicles. In the case of high air temperatures, dogs must be confined with adequate shade, ventilation, and access to water.
SR 11. Smoking or vaping is prohibited at Club events.
SR 12. Yearly operating expenses are to be funded by annual membership dues. Profits from fund raising events are to be used for Club projects and/or other canine-associated activities that benefit Bear Valley Springs and local canine rescues and charities.
SR 13. Annual membership dues are thirty dollars ($30) per individual or household.
SR 14. All proposals from the membership to donate Club funds in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) or greater to other canine-associated activities that benefit Bear Valley Springs and local canine rescues and charities shall be discussed and voted upon by the membership.
SR 15. The Treasurer may establish and maintain a petty cash fund in an amount not to exceed seventy-five ($75) dollars.
SR 16. A minimum balance of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) shall be maintained at fiscal year-end to fund 'Club events.
SR 17. All bills, itemized and accompanied by receipts, must be submitted to the Treasurer for payment.