NATIONAL SHOOT-TO-RETRIEVE
FIELD TRIAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
NAME
Section I
The name of the association shall be the National Shoot-To-Retrieve
Field Trial Association, Inc.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
1. To promote, carry on, conduct and foster research, education, training and publication related to the sport, breeding, enjoyment, appreciation and competition of upland game hunting with dogs.
2. To establish education and provide leadership to regional and local organizations associated with our National organization.
3. To establish and regulate the national standard for Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trials for dogs and to conserve game by using well-trained, reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot.
4. To aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.
Section I
A. The primary objective of this organization is to promote, carry, on, conduct and foster research, education, training and publication related to the sport, breeding, enjoyment, appreciation and competition of upland game hunting with dogs.
B. To establish education and provide leadership to regional and local organizations associated with our National organization.
C. To establish and regulate the national standard for Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trials for dogs and to conserve game by using well-trained, reliable hunting dogs before and after the shot.
D. To aid in the prevention of cruelty to animals by discouraging nonselective and uncontrolled breeding, which produces unwanted and uncared for dogs.
E. As part of the education process, establish and regulate the standards for Shoot-to-Retrieve field trials under which seminars are conducted to educate judges on the standards established and regulated with specific judging, rules, scoring and awards and thereby encouraging members to fulfill their obligations to better service the upland game hunting interests.
F. Schedule and conduct annual “Dog of the Year” and/or National Championship field trials, said Dog of the Year and the National Championship Trial to be held at the Conservation Bird Dog Club at Amo, Indiana.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
Section I
Membership in the National Association shall consist of members who subscribe
to and fully support the objectives and goals as set forth in the Constitution
and By-Laws, field trial rules and guidelines governing recognized trials
of the National Association.
Section II
The National Shoot-to-Retrieve Field Trial Association, Inc. does not
discriminate because of age, race, religion, national origin or gender.
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION
Section I
The National Association will consist of regions where boundaries and
divisions shall be determined by the National Officers and Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section I
A. Officers of the National Association shall consist of a president, first vice-president, second vice-president, secretary and treasurer. They shall serve three year terms.
B. The terms of office and election of the president, first vice president and treasurer shall occur with a one year separation from that of the second vice president and secretary. The election of the second vice president and secretary for a three year term shall occur in calendar year 2002 and each three years thereafter. The calendar year 2000-2002 terms of the president, first vice president and treasurer shall be extended by one year with the election of those offices for a three year term to occur in calendar year 2003 and each three years thereafter.
C. The officers shall be nominated and elected in accordance with the following:
1. During election years for national officers and not later than September 10 of those years, an independent professional firm designated by the current National Officers shall mail a ballot and a resume of each candidate nominated for a national office to every NSTRA member in good standing. Said ballot must be marked, sealed and returned via mail to the designated firm in the envelope provided and postmarked not later than September 30 or October 1 in those years when September 30 falls on a Sunday. The ballots will remained sealed while in the designated firm's custody until the vote counting process is initiated.
2. No later than October 10 of each election year the designated firm handling the election will open the ballots and begin counting the votes for each candidate. The counting of votes is to be completed no later than October 15 of each election year. When the vote count is completed and no later than October 15 of each election year the designated firm will notify the National President via telephone of the results of the voting followed up with a document sent to the National President via certified overnight delivery certifying the election results. When notified the National President will notify the current National Officers and all candidates on the ballot of the results of the election. A representative of the designated firm shall make an official announcement of the election results during the awards banquet and meeting held during the Dog of the Year Trial held the same year. The newly elected officers will assume their offices as of the first Sunday following the general business meeting during which the election results were announced. The designated firm shall hold in their possession the ballots for that election year until the end of the Dog of the Year Trial the following year.
3. The nominees for national office shall be selected as follows:
a) All national officers desiring re-election shall be placed on the ballot.
b) The nominating committee shall provide a minimum of one (1) and maximum of two (2) candidates for each position including any national officer seeking re-election.
c) The nominating committee shall be appointed by the National President prior to February 15 and shall be comprised of five (5) NSTRA members of good standing. The selection shall include three (3) from regions east of the Mississippi River and two (2) from regions west of the Mississippi River.
d) Any at large candidates can be added to the ballot, becoming the third candidate, if received by the national office prior to Julv 1. The "at-large nomination," when received, must be accompanied by the signatures of at least 150 members of good standingalong with a personal resume of the candidate. In the event of more than one at large nominee for a single position, the nominating committee will determine which candidate will be entered on the ballot. In no event shall more than three (3) candidates for each position be considered or placed on the ballot.
D. The office of president shall be limited to two (2) consecutive terms (a term to consist of three (3) years.)
E. In case of a vacancy in the office of the president, the first vice-president automatically becomes president.
F. In case of a vacancy in the office of vice-presidents, secretary or treasurer, the officers shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term. The appointee will be subject to approval by the Board of Directors if there is one year or more remaining in the term. A mail ballot will be mailed to each member of the Board.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of the current National Officers, the past National President who will serve until the term(s) of the current National President has expired, and one individual from each Region. The Regional representative will be the current Regional President, or if the current Regional President is unable to attend, another officer from that Region (i.e. v.p., sec/treas., regional BOD). Each region must designate a director other than the President 7 days prior to each scheduled Director's meeting in October and April.
ARTICLE VII
HEADQUARTERS
The National Headquarters shall be located in Plainfield, Indiana.
NATIONAL SHOOT-TO-RETRIEVE FIELD TRIAL
ASSOCIATION, INC.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEMBERSHIP
Section I
Membership in the National Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trial Association,
Inc. shall be open to all persons expressing their interest in the objectives
and purposes of this association. The members shall further signify and
express their interest and intention in participating in the research,
education and training related to the sport, as well as in the area of
prevention of cruelty to animals.
Section II
Membership into the Association shall be granted to any individual meeting
membership requirements, including current dues payable.
Section III
Each member shall be given a permanent membership card and number with
Home Region designated. Members requesting a change of Home Region must
do so, in writing, through the National Office between the dates of October
1st and January 1st. *Exception: A member who permanently relocates
to within the boundaries of a Region, other than their Home Region, may
make written application to the NSTRA office at anytime to request a change
in their Home Region. Dues shall be paid annually.
Section IV
Any member proven to be guilty of practicing or using unfair or dishonest
methods of entering or handling in any recognized competition, or who
knowingly commits an intentional act which shall tend to injure the honest
character or reputation of a fellow member, or to disturb the harmony
or function of the Association, shall be automatically expelled from all
NSTRA activities for a period of one year. A second offense shall result
in lifetime expulsion from the Association. This disciplinary action may
be initiated on the Regional or National level. All regional disciplinary
action must be coordinated and approved by the National Officers and Board
of Directors, all national disciplinary action must be coordinated and
approved by the Board of Directors. In all cases, the accused shall be
given the opportunity to defend themselves at all levels.
Any person barred from Shoot-To-Retrieve Trials as per Article 1, Section IV, said suspension shall also include any dogs owned by the person at the time of the infraction, for a period of time concurrent with the expulsion of the member, not to exceed one year.
Section V
In order to judge an NSTRA field trial, to be a field marshal, gunner,
handler, owner, to be chairman of said trial, to hold any NSTRA office
or to vote on any NSTRA business, a person must be a member in good standing
with NSTRA.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS
Section I
Meetings shall be scheduled as determined by the officers and Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE III
FINANCE
Section I
The annual membership fee will be payable to the National Association.
The fees shall be recommended by the officers and Board of Directors and
approved by the membership.
Section II
Field trial registration fees shall be required for each recognized field
trial. The fee shall be recommended by the officers and Board of Directors.
Section III
Finances for all National Championship trials shall be managed by the
officers and Board of Directors of the National Association.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF MEMBERS
Section I
The National Office shall be advised of any change of address, phone,
etc.
Section II
Attend National Association meetings whenever possible.
Section III
Serve on committees as requested.
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF REGIONS
Section I
Support the National Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trial Association, Inc.
Section II
A. Establish field trial schedule dates.
B. Submit field trial schedule to national office through Region Presidents.
C. Promote Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trials in their area.
D. Each Regional President shall submit an annual financial statement to the region members present at the annual regional meeting.
E. All regional officers shall turn over complete records pertaining to their office to succeeding officers within 30 days.
Section III
A. The Regional Secretary shall provide the national office with the owner's name and address and dog's registered name and number, of the regional semi-finalists, with the numbers of semi-finalists being predetermined by the officers and Board of Directors of the National Association, for the National Dog of the Year Trial.
B. All regional winners shall be the first dog sent from the region to the National Invitational Dog of the Year Trial. All subsequent dogs sent will be determined by an open vote of each region on a specified date and time to be determined independently by each region, as to whether to use placement or high point dog.
C.The quota from each region for the National Invitational Dog of the Year Trial shall be based on only qualified dogs (drawn and run) in the regional. Bye dogs may not be considered in determining the region's quota.
D. All regional high point dogs are not required to run in the Regional Elimination Trial provided the National Office has been notified that the Region is using the High Point System.
* If high point dog does not run in the Regional Elimination Trial, he may not be counted in the number of dogs run in the Regional Elimination Trial for quotas.
E. The region president or secretary shall be responsible for submitting all Regional Elimination Trial results to the NSTRA office no later than five days after the running.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section I - Duties of President
A. Preside at all meetings of the Association.
B. Appoint committees as needed.
C. Monitor, coordinate, and review functions of the NSTRA Office.
Section II - Duties of Vice-President
A. First vice-president assumes the duties of the president in his absence.
B. Second vice-president presides in the absence of the president and first vice-president.
C. Perform special duties as assigned by the president.
Section III - Duties of Secretary
A. Keep the minutes of all meetings.
B. Issue correspondence.
C. Maintain an association membership roster which includes the address and telephone number.
D. Assume the duties of the president in the absence of the president and vice-presidents.
E. Maintain necessary and appropriate files of the current information as well as the historical reference.
F. The NSTRA office shall receive funds (for the secretary) coming into the Association, giving receipt thereof to the treasurer.
G. The NSTRA office shall receive and validate all recognized field trial placements (for the secretary) and forward said validated placements to the American Field for Dog Registry.
Section IV - Duties of Treasurer
A. Receive and deposit funds of the Association giving receipt thereof.
B. Keep an itemized record of all receipts and expenditures.
C. Report on financial matters at Association meetings.
D. Submit records to an audit committee as required.
Section General
A. The officers shall provide assistance to the regions.
B. The officers shall manage all National Championship field trials. The Dog of the Year and Trial of Champions Trials shall be held at the Conservation Bird Dog Club, Amo, Indiana.
C. The officers and Board of Directors shall receive and decide on grievances.
D. The officers shall attend board meetings as required.
E. The officers shall manage the hiring and employment of all paid employees of the association.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section I
Assist the officers in the operation and management of the Association.
Section II
Attend Board meetings as required.
Section III
Receive and decide on grievances, with the officers.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
Section I
Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws:
A. All proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws shall be submitted to the National Officers at least ninety (90) days prior to the first day of the Champion of Champions or the Dog of the Year Trial.
B. The National officers shall review proposed amendments for consistency with the laws of Indiana and the spirit and purpose of NSTRA. Recommended changes to the amendment shall be approved by its author prior to being forwarded to the National Board of Directors.
C. The National Board of Directors shall decide, by a simple majority vote, which, if any, of these proposed amendments will be submitted to the general membership for ballot vote.
D. After approval by the Board of Directors, the text of the proposed amendment, arguments in favor and against the proposed amendment (if any), and a ballot for the general membership shall be included in the next issue of the NSTRA magazine.
E. All ballots received within forty-five (45) days after publication of the magazine will be counted.
F. The proposed amendment shall pass if approved by a simple majority vote of the ballots cast and counted.
G. Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws will become effective upon publication of the next issue of the NSTRA magazine.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section I
The corporation shall indemnify every officer and director, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, against expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a director or officers of the corporation, or, at its request, of any other corporation of which it is a stockholder or creditor and from which he is not entitled to be indemnified, except in relation to matters as to which he shall be finally adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable from misconduct; in the event of a settlement, indemnification shall be provided only in connection with such matters covered by the settlement as to which the corporation is advised by counsel that the person to be indemnified did not commit such a breach of duty. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of other rights to which he may be entitled.