WDC OFFICERS 2016 - 2017
(Also see Introduction page (Club Information) for Committee details)
Flyball Team Manager & Show Organisation : Anne Alcock
Chairman / Social Secretary: Paul Astbury
Vice
Chair: Sue McGlinchey
Treasurer / Team Kit: Viv Shackleton
Secretary: Vicky Sweeney
Minutes Secretary/Availability: Samantha Jones
Webmaster (Ex officio position): Howard Jones
Crufts/Sponsorship liaison: Susan McDermott
Equipment: Geoff Alcock
Club
Representative: Jessica Rainey
Club Representative: Maurice Hogarth
RULES & POLICIES
(Website version of full WDC rules)
INDEX
Section 1 - Committee & Officers.
Section 2 – General Meetings.
Section 3 - Membership & Fees.
Section 4 - Flyball Teams.
Section 5 – Other
Events & Activities.
Section 6 - Code of Ethics.
Addendum 1- Publications available.
Addendum 2- BFA Team names and Registrations
SECTION 1 - COMMITTEE & OFFICERS
Name
& Objective
The club is Warrington & District Dog Club (WDC) and its objective is to encourage dog owners in the region to have a caring approach to training their dogs by introducing activities which promote their dog’s
good health & fitness.
Bank accounts and assets in the name of WDC are entrusted to 3 officers from the Committee – Team Manager, Chairman and Treasurer. Where necessary these assets will be dealt with by just
those officers as they see fit.
The club is registered with British Flyball Association – (BFA) in order to run teams in National competitions. We will follow the BFA rules which promote co-operation and good sportsmanship.
Committee & Officers
Officers are appointed to carry out the duties. The Flyball Team Manager (approved by the BFA) shall always be one of the officers on the Committee. Officers duties are listed in ‘Officers’,
Page 2. Flyball Captains are represented on the Committee, by virtue of their current position. They operate as a subcommittee and have separate meetings.
The Committee is responsible for the enforcement of the club
& BFA rules and policies, arranging team registration, team training and competitions, further club activities, and social events.
Committee meetings are arranged at the committee’s discretion (minimum 2 a year). To be legal,
the meetings need to be attended by 5 members of the Committee (a quorum).
Except Team Manager, Committee members are eligible for re-election annually at the AGM by a majority vote of those club members present. If a position
becomes vacant or a specific task needs organising the Committee can co-opt members on to the Committee that will remain to carry out duties until the next AGM or form additional subcommittees.
During the year, providing there
isn’t any change in policy or meaning, the Committee can make minor modifications to club rules and notify members at the AGM or before. Otherwise no new rule can be made or altered except at and AGM or EGM.
Committee Officials
must always comply with WDC Code of Ethics otherwise they could be asked to resign.
Committee business (including any sub-Committees is confidential and must not be discussed - by word of mouth, email, telephone or on networking
sites - with WDC members, other BFA members or teams before it is made public.
OFFICERS
The committee duties are as follows:
CHAIRMAN
Oversees and facilitates the activities of the Committee and Heads discussions etc for committee meetings, AGM’s & EGM’s; Negotiates between members and Team Manager in the event of a dispute.
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Takes the Chair for Meetings if the Chairman be unavailable and available to Chair other sub Committees formed in future or take on tasks not covered by other Committee members
TREASURER
Examines and certifies expenditures provided by the Team Manager, and reports on the current financial standing at AGM’s and meetings. The Officer keeps a register of WDC assets over the value of £50.
SECRETARY
Liaising with the Team Manager is responsible for the administrative duties of the WDC including: BFA Website postings, Updating team’s results, Mailing & Correspondence, Providing the WDC Rules & Policies
booklet (or other relevant publications to members as required.
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Organises and runs social events throughout the year, provides a list of proposed dates and arranges bookings.
MINUTES SECRETARY
Takes minutes of the AGM and all Committee meetings. The minutes and action plans then made available for the next meeting.
TEAM MANAGER
Looks after the
Bank Account and arranges money collection.
Arranges:
Registrations, training courses & team practices, training for members on competition rules & tournament judging/administration.
Maintains:
Insurances, team and individual statistics and will decide with Captains on the training methods and regime.
Organises:
Competition entries
& teams.
Keeps records:
Of members, dogs, BFA team’s & Committee.
Provides:
Dates of competitions/events and information
for Treasurer, meetings, club reps and webmaster.
TEAM CAPTAINS
That are outside the General Committee, liaise with the Team Manager to organise/assist coaching the team/group they run at training sessions.
For competitions they will check their team’s availability; coordinate travel arrangements; arrange for the transport & maintenance of equipment.
WEBMASTER
On a regular basis maintains
contact with the Team Manager and updates the website to keep members informed of all club activities, dates, results & achievements. For prospective members:- basic flyball information, contact numbers and a map showing our location. Various links
maintained with the British Flyball Association, EFC & Kennel Club, other relevant sites/sponsors and our private Facebook group.
CLUB REPRESENTATIVES
Up to 4 other members can be appointed to be on
the committee at the AGM. – OR/AND - the committee can appoint members at their discretion during the year. These members will be given specific responsibilities or head subcommittee(s) not currently covered by committee members.
SECTION
2 – GENERAL MEETINGS
Annual General Meeting
The AGM shall be held as close as possible to the end of the club’s financial year (March 31st ) each year. The Secretary gives a minimum of
30 days’ notice to club members. Committee or rule nominations proposed by a current club member needs seconding by at least one other member and sent in writing to the Secretary (or TM) 21 days before the date of the AGM and agenda items
need to be sent to the Secretary (or TM) 14 days before the date of the AGM.
The AGM, attended by members is held to:
Receive the annual Balance Sheet, Committee & Financial
reports.
Elect available members of the Committee & vote on rule changes.
Discuss any other business of which prior notice has been given to the Secretary (or TM).
Extraordinary
General Meeting
An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time, assembled within 28 days on the requisition of 50 % of the membership. The purpose of the meeting is to be sent in writing to the Secretary (or TM). The business
will be limited to one item of business. The Committee may call an EGM at any time.
Voting
Club and Committee members at the AGM shall decide items that require a vote. However, if the Committee, consider
any item of sufficient importance to reach all club members, a postal vote following the AGM can be arranged.
If there is a tie on any voting issue, the Chairperson has a casting vote, to decide the outcome.
SECTION
3 – MEMBERSHIP & FEES
Membership
Is open to any adult or child with a dog to train, or actively involved in helping teams (eg box-loaders) and Social (not training a dog). Handlers are Full, OAP or Junior
members and their dog needs to have attended a course organised by the WDC or can provide evidence that they have attended a similar course run by another BFA or International club.
Handlers/dogs from other BFA clubs wishing to
join may be vetted by a small panel from the Committee and a reference requested from their previous club captain, before they are accepted.
The dog should be fully fit, not unduly aggressive to other dogs/people and evidence
provided that it has been fully protected against canine diseases.
If the dog is under 12 months of age evidence is required to show that it has attended obedience classes.
Puppies
will not receive the same level of training. See Starter teams.
Warrington & District Dog Club Members
Will be allowed to:-
Vote annually at the
club AGM or EGM.
Pay the current minimum charge for attendance at all training sessions.
Use the grounds for additional dog training at other times - subject to prior approval from the owner of the venue (when
a small charge may be requested)
NOTE:
The use of the training venue and bar facilities for social occasions and meetings will normally be available to all those attending
training, along with their guests.
Membership Fees
Will include :
Annual fees for Single, Joint, Junior (u18), Social and OAP members.
Other Fees*,
reviewable annually, will be charged for attendance at training sessions & towards Competition entries.
*New recruits will be encouraged to join the club after they have attended training on 6 occasions. They will pay
the current non-member fee. Once these become full members they pay reduced training fees.
Club Funds
In any year, we aim to build up sufficient funds to cover:
Promotions & Advertising.
Entry & Registration Fees.
Hire of outdoor or indoor facilities.
Equipment renewal, repair or maintenance.
Team kit
purchase (repaid by members).
Administration costs for postage, printing.
Insurances and website etc.
SECTION 4 - FLYBALL TEAMS
Flyball Members
Flyball members are also members of WDC therefore eligible to attend courses, training sessions, practices and competitions on the premises, at other local indoor venues or at other club training or competition venues.
Open
Competitions
Our premier BFA registered team is called ‘LIVE WIRES’. The club has several further registered names that will be used for competitions (see Addendum page for details). A Multi-breed team if organised,
has been allocated the name of ‘CROSS WIRES’.
Additional team names can be added at any time.
All open teams train at our home venue or other suitable local ones.
Individuals
in teams (ie. team captains, handlers, box-loaders, judges and helpers in the ring), must be paid up club members and open team members must also be individually registered with the BFA.
No dog under 18 months of age can
compete in sanctioned Open competitions.
Starter Teams
Beginner dogs will be eligible to compete in Starter flyball events. Prior to this they must have attended a flyball course
(run by any UK registered club) and be attending training sessions. (also see FEES in relation to this)
Teams will be formed to enter starter events. They can use ‘WIRE’ derivatives as part of the name -
not those being used by Open or Multi-Breed teams or choose a name for themselves.
No dog under 12 months of age can compete in competitions.
Team Promotion and Organisation
The philosophy
is to provide a training centre for a series of flyball teams. Under our present LIVE WIRES primary name, several teams may be entered in open competitions in their own registered BFA team names (as per Open Teams).
The aim of
WDC is to build good teams, capable of competing in competitions. Beginner dogs will be eligible to run in Starter teams until they are capable and old enough to compete in the open events (as per Starter teams). ‘OPEN’ Dogs shall
ONLY compete for teams organised by LIVE WIRES.
There will be a hierarchical structure whereby dogs can move up the teams according to their course times and providing they fit in to the squad, regarding temperament etc.
If we take part in MULTI-BREED EVENTS it will be arranged according to breeds of dogs available – ie. we need 4 different breeds at least - to form a team. Dogs in Multi-Breed teams will also be able to compete in normal Open teams - but not
during the same weekend.
Members will be advised of the best way to keep their dogs fit for competition. For their own safety dogs that are overweight, recovering from an operation, in season or injured will
not be raced in practices or competitions until they are fit to do so.
Open fun teams:
With Team Manager’s approval these can also be arranged, with their own captain(s), and registered by one of
the Secondary names. These will not be part of the hierarchical structure and will race for fun rather than to compete for places.
Teams for Crufts Senior or YKC competition:
Will be organised separately
by a small Committee including the Team Manager and other WDC members as appropriate. Prior to entry in Crufts qualifiers the club should ensure handlers and dogs are willing and capable enough to compete. WDC members are expected to form the majority of the
teams, but if there are insufficient dogs a minority of dogs from other flyball clubs could also be included.
If there aren’t enough dogs from WDC to form a team, club members that wish to attempt qualification may be able
to create their own team external to WDC, or with the agreement of the Team Manager and Chairman, run for other teams.
Resignations:
Members of WDC, on renewal of their membership fees (from April annually)
are contracted for 12 months. Whilst contracted if they wish to resign to join another BFA team, as courtesy they need let the Team Manager know in writing, giving a 2 month notification.
They, or their new Team Captain should
also send details to the BFA Membership Secretary of their date of leaving and the team they are joining. If this coincides with our membership renewal date then their WDC membership would automatically cease and they could leave.
Training and Courses
Training sessions will be arranged regularly for club members to enable the organisation of teams for competitions. These will take place at our home venue or another local centre for indoor or other
special events/competitions.
As required there will be :-
Courses or Induction days to recruit new members.
Use of advertising media such as Newspapers, TV & Radio or the Internet.
To improve our overall standard members will be advised of external courses available or other club trainers may be invited to the club.
WDC Assistance
The club will provide advice to assist individuals, teams or groups who having attended a LIVE WIRES course wish to set up their own club at a different venue. This will include assisting
with coaching, information on equipment or helping them host tournaments.
Sponsorship
Club funds fall short of providing prizes and/or team kit and the club will continue to be actively seeking to gain additional
funds by this method.
Sponsors will be invited to:
Have their logo displayed on kit, equipment, our website, leaflets etc.
Attend any team practice or competition (where the
club is involved).
Present the prizes at WDC /Live Wires tournaments.
SECTION 5 - OTHER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Note:
For the following items in this section
additional sub committees may be arranged to handle the additional organisation, training sessions and provide equipment.
Competitions
The club will organise events at the ground for outdoor competitions (such
as sanctioned flyball tournaments).
Expanding Club Facilities and Training
Additional dog training sections could still be added to the itinerary. Such arrangements would need full approval of club members
and the owner (s) of our home venue.
Social Events & Money Raising Activities
This will be organised by the Committee to involve the local community and foster awareness of dog training activities
in the area.
A social events calendar will be built into the club itinerary and administered by WDC Committee. Approval for on site events will be needed from the owner(s) of our home venue.
Veterinary Advice
To maintain contacts with Team Manager, local Veterinary/Chiropractor or Physiotherapy practices and take on board advice from qualified staff to help with the training, health and fitness of dogs in the club. Vets who are dog owners will be invited
to join and participate in club activities.
SECTION 6 - CODE OF ETHICS
Co-operation and good sportsmanship should be a way of life in training and competition. Participants shall always be courteous and friendly. They should not show displeasure with
a dog, a competition judge, National representative, sponsor, host or spectator at training or competitions.
Training and exhibiting shall be carried out by such methods that maintain the best interests of the dog
Club members:
Should always conduct themselves in a manner that would not bring discredit to Flyball ie. BFA or WDC reflected in appropriate communication and behaviour........
At formal club
meetings, flyball tournaments and at training sessions.
On web based discussion forums ie our club, BFA and other flyball websites.
On all social networking sites.(ie. Facebook, Twitter etc)
By abuse or severely disciplining of any dog under any circumstances.
They shall always follow WDC and BFA rules and policies, showing their knowledge and understanding and should treat one another respectfully at all
times and show a willingness to help with the training and it’s set up, running of Courses, Competitions, displays and Social functions.
The club was formed to promote the sport of flyball
and other related canine activities. Our policy is to link people together with similar interests and to provide suitable training for them and their dogs.
We take competition seriously and train hard to get the best from
our dogs and teams. Our main aim is for enjoyment and collective achievement. A harmonious atmosphere will be encouraged and open policy observed. Club members should feel free to discuss any concerns they have with training methods, teams or rules with
anybody on the Committee and at any time.
The committee has a duty to encourage members to participate in the training of beginner handlers and dogs and also to arrange special training for handlers that will enable them all to
be competent at judging and officiating at tournaments.
Discipline:
Should any member be guilty of either serious breaches of club or BFA rules, display disrespectful or abusive behaviour they will be disciplined
as follows:-
Firstly, given a warning.
Secondly, should further offences come to light may be suspended from some training & competitions;
Finally, if problems persist
could be asked to leave the club.
The member may appeal to the Committee (within 7 days) for a special meeting with some officers of the Committee. Following the result of this meeting the decision of the WDDC Committee will be final.
ADDENDUM 1
OTHER PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE EITHER ON THE WEBSITE
OR IN *BOOKLET
FORM
CODE OF CONDUCT BOOKLET
*INFORMATION & GUIDELINES FOR BEGINNERS
*INFORMATION & GUIDELINES FOR CAPTAINS
*JUDGING AT FLYBALL TOURNAMENTS
ADDENDUM 2
LIVE WIRES BFA REGISTERED TEAMS
LIVE WIRES TEAM REG. NO. = 069.
OUR ADDITIONAL ‘SECONDARY’
TEAMS HAVE THE FOLLOWING PREFIXES:
WIRED 4 ACTION (69A)
WIRES R US (69B)
WIRE
CONNEXION (69C)
WIRE SPRINGS (69E)
WIRES A-LIVE (69F)
WIRE FLASH
(69G)
WIRE SPARKS (69H)
COLOURED WIRES (69I)
ELECTRIC WIRES (69J)
COPPER WIRES (69K)
HOT WIRES (69M)
MIXED WIRES (69N)
WIRE LINKS (69O)
CROSS WIRES (69D) - Multibreed.