CONTENTS
OF CONSTITUTION
AMENDED MAY 2005
1. Name
2. Description
3. Duration
4. Headquarters
5. Objectives
6. Eligibility
(non-discrimination)
7. Membership
8. The
National Executive
9. Quorums
10. Voting
At National Executive Meetings
11. Elections
12. Resignation
13. Suspensions
14. Expulsion
15. Vote
of No Confidence
16. Annual
General Meetings
17. Extraordinary
Meetings
18. Subscriptions
(Levies)
19. Finances
20. Interpretation
21. Modification
22. Pecuniary
Gain
23. Dissolution
of the NZFSS
Appendix I Diagrammatic
Structure of NZFSS
CONSTITUTION
1
NAME
1.1
The
name of the federation shall be the New Zealand Federation of Sleddog Sports
Incorporated, also known as the NZFSS.
2
DESCRIPTION
2.1
The
NZFSS is a federation of national sled dog clubs and other organisations
contributing to sled dog sports, whose member clubs communicate regularly but
retain their autonomy and independence, within the limits as mentioned in this
constitution and any by-laws appertaining thereto.
3
DURATION
3.1
The
NZFSS shall have perpetual existence as a non-profit federation, under its
federation name.
4
HEADQUARTERS
4.1
The
Headquarters of the NZFSS shall be where the National Executive decides.
5
OBJECTIVES
5.1
The
principal objectives and purposes of the NZFSS are:
5.1.1
To
collaborate with organisations having as their objective the promotion of the
sled dog sports.
5.1.2
Promote
the education of the NZFSS Members on rules, regulations and procedures,
thereby establishing proper conduct of all events which abide by the rules,
regulations and procedures.
5.1.3
Promote
the education of dog drivers and race officials throughout
5.1.4
To
strive for the uniform development of sled dog sports nation-wide.
5.1.5
To
promote the use of uniform race rules by members.
5.1.6
To
maintain the authority and autonomy of its members.
5.1.7
To
promote closer links between its members and any other sled dog sports
organisation.
5.1.8
To
convey to other organisations it's views and decisions.
5.1.9
To
co-ordinate and protest the common interests of its members.
5.1.10 To collect, collate and circulate information
to and among its members.
5.1.11 Inform and educate the members of the proper
care and handling of the animals to ensure their humane treatment and to ensure
identification and treatment of any health problem, peculiar to the sled dog.
5.2
Other
objectives may from time to time be defined by the National Executive.
6
ELIGIBILITY
(non-discrimination)
6.1
The
NZFSS shall by no means, or by any occasion, perform or support rules or
regulations that:
6.1.1
Discriminate
against any competitor for racial, political or confessional reasons.
6.1.2
Discriminate
against any dog or team because of breed or non-registration (non-registration
in this sense refers to New Zealand Kennel Club registration. All dogs must be on the NZFSS register for
inclusion in any point’s tabulation).
7
MEMBERSHIP
7.1
Only
the National Executive, with a two-thirds majority, may grant memberships in
the Full Members, Associate Members and Sponsors categories. Provisional Membership is granted on receipt
of the application by the Secretary in consultation with either the President
or Vice-President after having been satisfied that the application meets
requirements as detailed below.
7.2
Membership
shall only be granted to organisations governed by a management structure
elected according to the requirements of their own constitution. This membership shall fall within one of the
following classifications:
7.2.1
Full
Members
a.
Sled
dog sports clubs or other non-discriminatory breed clubs who include sled dog
sport in their activities and which hold regular competitions at a national
level.
b.
c.
Full
Members shall be organisations which are self governing in any respect concerning
sled dog sports and having aims and objectives declared to be and agreed by the
National Executive as being beneficial to the aims and objectives of the
NZFSS. Further they must seek to promote
national interest in the sport of sled dog racing and related activities that
will foster the safety of the competitors and animals involved.
d.
For a
description of an Individual's rights and obligations within a Member Club see
section J of the Sanctioning Requirements and Standards.
7.2.2
Associate
Members
a.
Groups
or associations sympathising with sled dog sport may be granted Associate
Membership, provided said groups or associations have aims and objectives
declared to be and agreed by the National executive as being beneficial to the
aims and objectives of the NZFSS.
7.2.3
Sponsors
a.
A
sponsor shall be a company or corporation that supports the goals of the NZFSS
but who shall not vote, hold office or serve as a Chairman.
7.2.4
Provisional
Members
a.
Sled
dog sport organisations applying for membership, which only partially qualify
as members may be granted provisional membership, this membership is renewed
annually by the National Executive with a view to granting full membership.
b.
Organisations
applying for membership should in any case serve their first year as a
provisional member.
c.
If
after five years, the Provisional Member has not qualified to become a full
member, the National Executive shall consider whether to extend or withdraw
such Provisional Membership.
7.2.5
New
Members
a.
Investigations
as to the bona-fides of any applicant organisation shall be conducted by the
National Executive Officers but no commitment to the outcome of such an
application may be given by any person on behalf of the National Executive.
b.
Applications
for membership shall be submitted to the Secretary of the National Executive
for consideration of acceptance at least three months prior to the AGM together
with:
.i
A
statement of acceptance of the NZFSS Constitution, By-laws and race Sanctioning
Procedures/Rules.
.ii
A
copy of the applicant club's constitution, stating the purpose and objectives
of the organisation.
.iii
A
copy of any other regulations of the applicant.
.iv
The
names, addresses, and telephone numbers of a least two key officials.
.v
Details
of the last competition at a local or national level, organised by the
applicant (This may include Single Dog (Bike), Weight Pull or "fun"
events).
c.
Candidates
for membership shall, if so requested, prove to the satisfaction of the
National Executive that the activity which they control does not conflict with
or is not in rivalry with an already existing member of the NZFSS.
8
THE
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
8.1
The
supreme authority of the NZFSS is the National Executive.
8.2
The
National Executive shall comprise three to four Officers and the Executive
Council
8.2.1
The
Officers are the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Secretary and Treasurer may be combined
if required.
8.2.2
The
Executive Council shall be comprised of one delegate (Councillor) from each
member club.
8.3
The
Executive Council will meet at an appointed time and place, where they will
elect the Officers from the members of the National Executive. Once elected the Officers cannot act as a
club delegate and shall act solely in the interest of the objectives of the
NZFSS. The clubs which they previously
represented shall then elect a new delegate to the Executive Council.
8.4
All
Officers forgo their right to vote except that the President shall have a
casting vote.
8.5
Officers
shall be voted in for a term of two (2) years and club delegates (Councillors)
for 1 year.
8.6
The
National Executive with the co-operation of the Executive Council and subject
to this constitution and any by-laws appertaining thereto, shall be empowered
to manage the business and purposes of the NZFSS.
8.7
The
National Executive and the Executive Council shall meet at least once during
each year of its term of office.
8.8
Any
amendments to the constitution will be made at the above meeting after
discussion and voting at individual club meetings.
8.9
Immediate
action may be taken by the National Executive at any time provided a majority
of the Executive Council members vote for such action by mail, fax or
telephone. Telephone votes are to be
confirmed by each individual councillor in writing to the Secretary of the Federation. All voting action must be recorded by the
Secretary.
8.10
A
Chairperson for the Junior Division shall be appointed and they shall be
responsible for over-seeing the development of the Junior Division.
8.11
A
registered Junior Musher shall be appointed to represent the interests of their
peers in the Junior Division at National Executive level.
8.12
Between
Executive meetings, the President and the Vice-President shall deal with the
current affairs in co-operation with the Secretary and Treasurer. They shall be responsible for the day to day
running of the Federation, subject to the authority of the National Executive
and the Executive Council.
8.13
The
Executive may appoint committees to handle specific activities for the
NZFSS. The committees shall have only as
much authority as shall be delegated to them by the National Executive.
8.14
A
Sanctioning Officer shall be appointed and they shall be responsible for
completing the IFSS Annual Survey.
9
QUORUMS
9.1
The
quorum for the meeting of the National Executive shall be the President or
Vice-President plus 75% (rounded down) of the Club Representatives.
9.2
The
quorum for business entailing changes to this constitution or by-laws
appertaining thereto, or the dissolution of the NZFSS, shall be 75% (rounded
down) of the paid-up full members of the NZFSS.
10
VOTING
AT NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETINGS
10.1
Club
representatives shall each have one vote.
The National Executive Officers have no voting rights except that the
President/Chairman shall have a casting vote.
10.2
Associate
and provisional members shall have no votes but shall have the right to be
recognised and to make motions.
10.3
Voting
shall be by show of hands, unless two or more members should request a secret
ballot.
10.4
The
voting majority required for elections and points of order shall be 50%
(rounded up) of votes (including proxies).
10.5
In
all other matters the voting majority required shall be 75% (rounded down) of
voting members (including proxies).
11
ELECTIONS
11.1
Voting
for elections shall always be by secret ballot whenever there is more than one
candidate for the post being elected. A
secret vote shall also take place, if requested by at least-two members having
voting rights, even if there is only one nomination for the office to be
filled.
12
RESIGNATION
12.1
A
member may resign at any time, provided that at the time of resignation, that
member has no outstanding liabilities to the Federation and with the return of
all NZFSS property.
13
SUSPENSION
13.1
A
member may be suspended from membership by the National Executive for the
following reasons:
13.1.1 Non-payment of liabilities to the NZFSS
13.1.2 Becoming in arrears with any annual levies due
to the NZFSS (Only following written advice from the National Executive or the
Treasurer).
13.1.3 Failure to comply with the provisions of this
constitution or the by-laws appertaining thereto.
13.2
Suspension
of membership by the National Executive may be appealed at the next General
Meeting.
14
EXPULSION
14.1
A
member shall be expelled from membership of the NZFSS on a resolution passed by
the National Executive in a general or extraordinary meeting for the following
reasons:
14.1.1 Refusal to pay any levy due to the NZFSS.
14.1.2 Non-payment of any levy fees due to the NZFSS
for two or more years.
14.1.3 Refusal to comply with the provisions of this
constitution or the by-laws appertaining thereto.
14.1.4 After having been suspended for at least one
year and the reason for suspension still prevails.
15. VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
15.1 Any financial member club of the NZFSS who feels an officer
of the National Executive has not performed their duties to a satisfactory
level or in a manner detrimental to the sport, may propose a vote of no confidence at an Extraordinary meeting
called for that purpose. If more than 75% of voting members including
proxies are in favour of the proposed vote of no confidence then the officer
who the vote was against shall stand down from their position.
Nominations from the National Executive and Executive Council for the position
shall then be called.
16 ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETINGS
16.1 The
NZFSS's Annual General Meeting shall be held not less than 15 and not more than
42 days after the end of the financial year.
16.2
Remits
for discussion at the AGM shall be submitted to the NZFSS Secretary not less
than 3 months prior to the AGM.
16.3
The
NZFSS Treasurer is to formulate a budget (including proposed subscription) for
the coming financial year at least 2 months prior to the AGM.
16.3
The
Remits and proposed budget are to be forwarded to the NZFSS Councillors 2
months prior to the AGM.
16.5 If
at the AGM, quorum requirements are not meet, the AGM maybe rescheduled or an extraordinary
meeting called with a minimum of 7 days notice. Business conducted at said
meeting must have met notice period requirements.
17 EXTRAORDINARY
MEETINGS
17.1 At
the request of the National Executive or upon receipt, by the Secretary, of a
written request from at least one half of the full members of the Executive
Council, an extraordinary meeting may be convened of which a minimum of 30 days
notification shall be given to the members by Fastpost mail.
17.2 The
notification shall include the details of the reasons for convening the
extraordinary meeting. No business other
than that specified in the notification shall be conducted at an extraordinary
meeting.
17.3 Voting
may be conducted for such a meeting by mail or fax.
18 SUBSCRIPTIONS
(Levies)
18.1 All
member clubs of the NZFSS shall pay an annual levy related to the number of
NZFSS registered members per club.
18.2 The
amount of the levy will be established by the National Executive. All dues shall be payable before the AGM.
18.3 The
National Executive may, for just cause, grant associate members free membership
or reduced subscription.
19 FINANCES
19.1 The
NZFSS shall be financially bound within the limits of the approved budget by
the joint signatures of the President and Secretary or Treasurer, or the
Vice-President and Secretary or Treasurer.
19.2 The
NZFSS officers have approval to spend up to $100 on any one item. Amounts over $100 must be approved by a
two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Council.
19.3 Members,
associate and provisional, shall only be financially bound within the limits of
their annual levies to the NZFSS.
19.4 The
financial year of the NZFSS shall be from the first day of March to the last
day of February the following year.
19.5 The
financial record of the NZFSS shall be audited annually by one independent
auditor. The report shall be presented
to the National Executive and the members following the close of the financial
year.
20 INTERPRETATION
20.1 The
authority for interpreting any dispute arising out of this constitution, or the
by-laws appertaining thereto, shall reside in the President who shall seek the
advice of the National Executive Officers before making the final decision.
21 MODIFICATION
21.1 Not
withstanding the regulations given in this constitution, this constitution may
only be modified by the National Executive with the consensus of the full
member clubs through the authority vested in their Club Representatives. Nevertheless, such modification shall never
alter the major principles in this constitution. No addition, alteration or
recession of the rules shall be approved if it affects the personal benefit
clause or the winding up clause.
22 PECUNIARY GAIN
22.1 No
member of the NZFSS or any person associated with a member shall participate in
or materially influence any decision made by the NZFSS in respect of the
payment to or on behalf of that member or associated person of any income,
benefit or advantage whatsoever.
23 DISSOLUTION OF THE NZFSS
23.1 The
NZFSS may be dissolved by a unanimous decision at a Special General Meeting
called for the express purpose of dissolving the NZFSS.
23.2 On
the decision to dissolve the NZFSS, a majority decision must be made as to how
to dispose of the NZFSS's assets remaining after payment of all its debts and
liabilities.
23.3 Such
remaining assets shall not be paid to or distributed among the individual
members of the NZFSS, but shall be given or transferred to full member clubs
(or any other body) which are non profit organisations and have objectives
similar to the objectives of the NZFSS, or used for some
APPENDIX I
Diagrammatic Structure of NZFSS
