BRIARD CLUB OF
AMERICA
POLICY BOOK
This
book is a collection of policies adopted by the Briard Club of America
reflecting the procedures used to conduct club business. Policies are not necessarily inflexible
rules—rather they are a record of how things have been done. They are intended to guide the business of the
club without becoming a straightjacket. It is hoped that this record will allow the BCA
to move through it’s year without having to develop a new technique for each
item of club business every time it comes up. As the club grows and changes, so will these
policies. You will not find policies about all these topics, yet. This index will expand as policies are
created. The date the policy was
adopted by the Board will appear next to the title. The current year’s
additions and revisions are highlighted in blue.
INDEX
Calendar of Club Year Chapter
1
Members Chapter
2
Regional
Clubs Chapter
3
Committees Chapter
4
Officers
and Board Chapter
5
Annual
Meeting Chapter
6
Events Chapter
7
National
Specialty Section
A
Regional
Specialty Section
B
Rassamblement Section
C
Club
Publications Chapter
8
Board
Briefs Section
A
Dew
Claw Section
B
Other
Publications Section
C
General Chapter
9
Code of Ethics
Fiscal Policy
Logo
FEEDBACK WELCOME! Please send us your suggestions to
improve this Policy Book to the Secretary.
Chapter 2:
Members
Outstanding Contribution Award (4/15/02)
The BCA will institute an award to recognize outstanding
contributions made to the club by a BCA member. The nomination will come from the board and shall occur no
sooner than every three years so as to keep the award meaningful. The award will be announced at the
annual meeting and will include a gift for the recipient.
Qualifications and procedures for this Award will be determined by
the Board.
Distinguished
Service Award: (Revised 8/11/02)
The Briard Club of America will annually honor one member of the
Club in good standing for significant and continuing service to the BCA and the
breed. Nominations will be solicited from the general membership for the BCA
Distinguish Service award and must include a supporting statement demonstrating
significant continuing service to the BCA and the breed. This solicitation will
be mailed with the dues notice.
The Board will elect one honoree who will receive recognition at the
National Specialty and a write-up in the Specialty edition of the DewClaw. This Distinguish Service award motion
will supercede the motion passed by the Board on 4/15/02.
Deceased
members: (8/11/02)
A member who is eligible to receive or has received a 25-year pin
who passes away during any Club Year will be memorialized with a full-page ad
in the next available National Specialty catalog.
A list of deceased members from the previous Club Year will be
published annually in the issue of the DewClaw immediately following the
National Specialty.
Chapter 4: Committees
BRI-ART : (12/5/99)
As Bri-Art is
a prime fund raiser for the BCA, Bri-Art will be funded with $1500 seed money yearly.
SUNSHINE: (12/5/99)
The
purpose of the Sunshine Committee is to recognize the significant events in our
members’ lives on behalf of the BCA.
The committee will be given a $100 operating fund. The committee will be asked to send
cards to members in the event of the loss of a dog, illness or loss of an
immediate family member, and the marriage or illness of, or birth or adoption
to, a member. In the sad event of
the death of a member, the committee is asked to send flowers or to make a
charitable contribution to the charity of the family’s choice. Funds for such a memorial should be
limited to $35.
REFERRAL
Adult Briard
Referral List (5/21/00)
The Board
authorizes the Puppy Referral Chair to establish a separate referral list for
BCA members to list individual adult dogs for which they are trying to find
appropriate homes. The purpose of this list will be to help connect
breeders who have older animals needing homes with members of the public who
recognize that they are not in a situation to meet the needs of a young puppy
but would otherwise make a good home for a Briard. The Breeder or owner
may list a specific dog, with the details of its breeding, health screens, for
a period of 3 months. The Adult Briard Referral list will be distributed
at the same time that the puppy referral list is, in all club publications
during that period. The price of the Adult Referral Listing will be
$15.
Puppy
Referral List On-Line (5/21/00)
Board
gives approval to the Web Site Chair and the Puppy Referral Chair to put the
BCA referral list on the Briard Club of America website as outlined
below:
We
would like to establish the Puppy Referral Listings on the BCA Web site.
These listings are sent to Referral by the BCA Breeders who wish to register
their litters with us. There is a set form for them to use when sending
in the registration concerning what information they should include about the
litter, the sire & dam and the Breeder's personal information. Also
to be included on the Web Site would be the sheets of information I send out
about Briard temperament, socialization and other pertinent things regarding
the Briard.
Thus,
people making inquiries about Briard puppies and Breeders over the Internet
would then go directly to the Breeders themselves for further
information. As Puppy Referral Chairman, I would still take all of the
Breeder's listings and put them on the Web Site, take their $25 fee and forward
it to the BCA Treasurer, inform the "Dew Claw" Editor of new
listings, field phone calls and answer those queries by mail, and answer
any other person's questions when possible or when asked.
Referral Listing Protocols (8/11/02)
The Referral Chair will create a form for approval of the Board,
which must be completed and submitted to the Referral Chair as a condition of
the placement of a listing with BCA puppy referral. The listing shall not
contain of list any health clearances that have not been finally issued and for
which a certificate from the issuing body has been obtained (i.e. no “pending”
clearances shall be listed). The form must include the original signature of
the owner of record of the sire or the dam (who must be a member in good
standing of the BCA), must attach copies of all health clearances listed in the
form for the sire and dam and the following statement:
"I
hereby certify that I am a member in good standing of the Briard Club of
America and have agreed to abide by the BCA Code of Ethics, and that the
information provided herein is true and correct, and that all of the health
clearances listed herein have been finally issued by the appropriate issuing
bodies, and that true and correct copies are attached to this application for
listing.”
______________________________ _______________
Signature Date"
That the
Referral Chair, prior to publication of referral listing, must receive the
signed form, copies of the health clearances and a check for $30 for a 3 month
listing. That the fee for listing
litters with BCA puppy referral is $30 for a period of 3 months with an
additional fee of $10 for each additional month.
That the
following disclaimer be included as a part of every BCA puppy referral listing
whether on the website, in the DewClaw or Board Briefs or any other BCA
publication:
“The listing
of a litter or a dog in “puppy referral” does not imply specific endorsement of
the breeder, the litter or any dog so listed by the Briard Club of
America. All individuals listing
litters in this puppy referral are BCA members in good standing who have agreed
to abide by the BCA Code of Ethics, which can be found at (link to Code of
Ethics). It is always prudent to
discuss health issues with breeders and to request documentation of health
clearances. All statements made in
this listing have been certified to in writing by the listing party.”
The requirements cited above for Puppy Referral apply also to Adult Referral.
NATIONAL
BREED CLUB ALLIANCE Contingency Fund (5/21/00)
The
Board authorizes the President (or Vice President in his absence) to approve an
immediate expenditure of up to $500 for the National Breed Club Alliance
Committee activities when he/she feels it is urgent that the membership of the
BCA be informed of legal or political issues that could impact Briard owners
around the country.
ARCHIVES to
Receive Club Materials (5/21/00)
The
purpose of the following policy is to assure that the BCA Archives become as
complete a repository of the history of the breed in the US as possible.
One
copy of all club publications will be sent by the chairman of the committee
creating the publication to the Archives. The Archives chair will
acknowledge to the person sending and to the Board that the publication was
received in good condition. Materials added to Archives will be reported
in a Board Briefs summary to keep the membership updated on this important
function of the club.
This
policy includes, but is not limited to: marked specialty catalogs, premium
lists, Hall of Fame books, Dew Claws, Rassemblement books, any informational
pamphlets, etc. Any materials paid for by the club in the preparation of
these publications (scans of photos, negatives made, etc) are the properties of
the club and will also ultimately be sent to the Archives when the project is
completed.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE (1/10/06)
The
Nominating Committee shall be geographically distributed to the greatest extent
possible. Similarly, in proposing
candidates, the Nominating Committee should nominate candidates, that to the
greatest extent possible, reflect the geographical distribution of the Club
membership. Members and recognized
Regional clubs should be encouraged to submit to the Board of Directors
candidates for the Nominating Committee and subsequently to the Nominating
Committee candidates for Office.
The subject of the Nominating
Committee should be on the Board’s agenda for the Annual Meeting of the Board
(first meeting after the AGM). At that time, the Board will solicit names from
the membership or Regional clubs.
FINANCE COMMITTEE (8/11/02)
Financial
Review and Planning Committee as a permanent, standing committee of the BCA for
the purpose, and with the authority to carry out the goals set forth in the
Committee Guidelines, below. The committee will consist of not more than 5
members. The membership will include
the Treasurer as a member and Board liaison, but the Treasurer shall not serve
as committee Chair. The immediate past Treasurer shall also serve as a member
of the committee.
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
Mission Statement:
Optimize the limited resources available to meet
both the short and long term goals of the Club and its’ membership and to
provide adequate financial reserves for the organization.
Goals:
Review and analyze all financial documents prepared by the BCA Treasurer.
Review and recommend accounting categories to co-ordinate tax filing and
reporting to the Board of Directors and to the Club Membership.
Review all fundraisers within the BCA and their timetables. Create clear and
precise rules to establish responsibility; accountability; and effectiveness
for all BCA fund raising Chairmen. Evaluate the purpose of the fundraiser.
Establish pricing procedures for the use of the committee.
Prepare a mandatory, simplified budget format for use by all Committee chairs.
Confirm the necessary changes to be made to increase the flow of funds without
raising Club dues, unless the programs, activities and priorities of the
membership require such an increase.
Prepare necessary reporting forms for all income and expense categories of
Committee Chairs as well as any member of the BCA.
Help to anticipate Club needs created by growth of membership as well as
changing interests of the members. Recommend activities needed to fund Club
priorities.
Assist the BCA Treasurer with help and / or advice in any professional areas
related to Finances; Financial Planning; Budgeting; Reporting; Auditing; Taxes;
Fundraising; Cash Flow; Cost Analysis; Inventory Control; Pricing; Allocations.
Information Services Committee (8/11/02)
Information Services Committee is disbanded.
RESCUE (10/27/00)
Rescue Guidelines
PURPOSE:
To find homes for misplaced, neglected, and unwanted Briards, to contribute to
the educational process encouraging responsible dog ownership.
DEFINITIONS:
Rescue
1.
Removing a dog from danger.
2.
Removing a dog from confinement in a facility such as a shelter, a pound, an inhumane situation, etc.
Placement
The
removal of a dog from its existing home
because circumstances have changed and the owners can no longer keep the
dog.
Locating
homes for dogs no longer in danger.
Friend
of the Briard
1. The person accepting
responsibility for a Rescue or Placement dog.
Briard
Befriender
1.
The person who agrees to temporarily foster a Rescue dog.
1.
ORGANIZATION
a.
This organization shall be called Briard Rescue and will be funded by the
Briard Club of America.
b.
This Rescue organization shall consist of a Chairperson and volunteers.
c.
The Chairperson will serve as rescue secretary. The Chairperson will provide
guidelines, questionnaires, adoption contracts and release forms to all
volunteers and any other persons who have a need for such information. The
Chairperson will prepare a summary of the Rescue Committee’s activities for the
year at the annual meeting. The Chairperson will act as center of information.
d.
Specific information the Chairperson will keep will be as follows:
i.
A list of prospective foster homes.
ii.
A list of confirmed foster homes.
iii.
A list of prospective Rescue members.
iv.
A list of donations received.
v.
Signed and dated receipts for money spent in the Region for rescue efforts with
a short explanation for accounting purposes.
Chap.
4, page 8
27
Oct. 00
vi.
A list of suggestions, fund raising ideas and newly discovered talents from
Rescue members.
e.
An individual becomes a member of Briard Rescue upon receipt of the signed form
titled "Registration for Membership in the Briard Rescue". Rescue
will have as many members as are willing to serve and will have representatives
from as wide a geographical area as possible. These members will inform the Chairperson of
Briards in need of adoption, names and addresses of Friends of the Briard, and
names and addresses of prospective Friends of the Briard. Copies of
questionnaires originating in their area will be submitted to the Chairperson.
f.
All appointments to Briard Rescue are to be considered long term appointments.
They are not to be given artificial time limits.
2.
INITIATING INVOLVEMENT
Each
volunteer will contact all local animal control agencies (pounds, shelters,
humane societies) and get to know the personnel of these agencies. These
agencies will be provided with the name, address and telephone number of local
members as well as that of the Chairperson. They will also be provided with
pictures of cropped, uncropped, groomed and ungroomed Briards. They will be
requested to contact a local member if Briard should appear among the dogs
picked up, or if one should be turned into them by their owners.
When
Briard Rescue has progressed to the point of taking physical control of the
Briard, volunteers will request that all Briards be released to them as quickly
as possible.
Volunteers
taking possession of the dogs are responsible for getting a signed release.
(SEE RELEASE FORM).
Board
Rescue does not sanction the buying of Briards as a rescue effort. Being a
volunteer does not grant nor imply authorization to do so on behalf of the
Briard Club of America or Briard Rescue.
3.
VETERINARY SERVICES
Volunteers
should seek to establish a working relationship with a veterinarian in their
area who is willing to work with our rescue dogs and willing to reduce fees for
spaying, neutering, vaccinations, fecals, heartworm check, brucellosis test,
boarding, medication, etc.
Once
a dog is considered in good health and adoptable, it will be spayed or
neutered. (If for any reason it is inadvisable to spay or neuter the Briard
prior to adoption, spaying or neutering will be done not more than sixty days
from the date of adoption. (REFER TO CONTRACT). The Rescue will stay in touch
with the Friend of the Briard to be sure this is done.
4.
WHICH BRIARD DOGS TO SAVE
a. All
Briards are not adoptable. Dogs with brucellosis, severe and long standing skin
disorders, severe injuries, or bad temperaments will be put doom
immediately. It is sometimes very
difficult to place an older dog. Occasionally, a dog will display temperament
problems after it goes to a foster home, necessitating a decision as to whether
to keep him or put him down. THE CHAIRPERSON CAN GRANT EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE.
b. Euthanasia
will be a decision made by the agreement of no less than three volunteers, one
of whom must be the Chairperson.
5.
FOSTER HOMES
An
individual becomes a member of the Briard Rescue upon receipt of the signed
Volunteer Registration.
Briard
Rescue will secure as many foster homes as possible among the members of the
Briard Club of America and other interested persons.
A
Foster (Briard Befriender), must sign a Fostering contract and Release form at
the tine custody of a dog is temporarily transferred to the guard Befriender's
care. A foster home must be willing to keep and care for one or more rescued
Briards for an undetermined length of time, and furnish food and regular care
without reimbursement.
Approved
veterinary fees will be billed to Rescue.
The
chairperson will decide on an individual basis how long the Briard can be held.
Charges over $250.00 must have the approval of the Chairperson.
Any
club member assisting in adoption or providing a foster home is responsible for
being aware of any applicable city, county, or state laws governing animal
control in their locality.
7.
PLACING THE BRIARD
A
Rescue Volunteer and/or person knowledgeable in the Breed will evaluate
temperament of a prospective rescue Briard. The preliminary and final
evaluation will be reviewed by the Volunteer prior to placement. The evaluation
will be reviewed with Friend of the Briard before placement
Volunteers
will contact persons in the community who have expressed an interest in
adopting a rescue Briard.
All
prospective rescue Briard owners will be screened thoroughly. They will be sent
a questionnaire. (See questionnaire).
A
good guideline to follow is to only approve families to which you would sell
one of your own dogs.
The
Friend of the Briard may take possession of the dog only after the contract is signed.
The
volunteer will follow-up with a telephone call within three days to see how the
Briard is doing and to determine whether or not assistance may be given. The
volunteer will continue to keep in touch and to offer assistance.
The
Rescue volunteer member will provide information and assistance to the Friend
of the Briard concerning maintenance, nutrition, training, grooming and medical
care of the Briard.
The
rescue Briard will be placed only as a HOUSE
DOG.
Please
refer to the contract as to the responsibilities of the Rescue and the
responsibilities of the Friend of the Briard.
All
registration papers will be sent to the Rescue Chairperson. The Chairperson
will forward the papers to the AKC along with a note telling them the dog has
been rescued by Chairperson.
The
Rescue Chairperson will be responsible for assisting those Friends of the
Briard in applying for ILP numbers if they wish to compete for working titles.
8.
CHARGES
The
adoption fee of $150.00 will be paid by the Friend of the Briard.
The
Friend of the Briard may return the Briard within two weeks from the date of
adoption for a full refund.
When Rescue accepts a dog for placement
from a private owner, Briard Rescue shall charge the owner surrendering the dog
$50.00. The volunteer shall also complete the League release form. Rescue will
not refer or reveal the name of the Friend of the Briard to the previous owner.
This fee can be altered with the approval of the Chairperson.
9.
RELEASE AND CONTRACTS
The
release form and the adoption contract will be filled out in triplicate. This
also applies to the Foster Home contract and Release form. A copy will be given
to the Friend of the Briard agency, or individual, a copy kept by the Briard
volunteer involved in the transaction, and the original kept in the Rescue file
maintained by the Rescue Chairperson.
The
release form is for removing a Board from an individual owner. It must be
signed by the individual and witnessed by a volunteer.
The
release form is also for removing a Briard from an agency (Shelters, Pounds,
Humane Societies) and must be signed by a Corporate Officer (person in charge)
and witnessed by a volunteer.
The
adoption contract must be signed by both the Friend of the Briard and a
volunteer.
Release
Release
This
Release, Dated_________________________________________________ ,
20__________ ,
is given by the
Releasor(s)_____________________________________________________________________________________
(Name,
Address, City, County, Zip)
_________________________________________________________________________________________referred
to as "I"
TO_____________________________________________________________on
behalf of Briard Rescue referred to as "You".
If
more than one person signs this release, "I" shall mean each person
who signs this Release.
1. RELEASE.
I release and give up any and all interest, claims and rights which I have to a
Briard described herein. This releases all claims, including those of which I
am not aware and those not mentioned in this release.
For
and in consideration of the subsequent care being provided to the Briard
described herein, the undersigned hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Briard Club of America against any further liability for the satisfaction
of any liens or encumbrances.
2.
DESCRIPTION.
Briard Dog:______________Bitch: __________________ Color:___________________
D.O.B.______________AKC Registration No.__________Neutered:_______ Housebroken:___________
Comments:_____________________________________________________________________
PAYMENT.
I/you have been paid the sum of $_____________________ , in full payment for
making this release. I agree that I will not seek anything further from you
including any other payment from you.
4. WHO
IS BOUND. I am bound by this Release. Anyone who succeeds to my rights and
responsibilities, such as my heirs or the executor of my estate, is also bound.
This Release is made for your benefit and all who succeed to your rights and
responsibilities, such as your heirs or the executor of your estate.
5. SIGNATURES.
I understand and agree to the terms of this Release. If this Release is made by
a corporation, its proper corporate officers have signed and its corporate seal
is affixed.
WITNESSED
BY: ___________________________________
_________________________________________________
Contract
And Release Agreement
Breed:
Briard Name:___________________________________________________________________________
Color:_____________________Sex:
(M) (F)
__DOB:__________________________
AKC
Registration No._____________________________________________________ (if
applicable)
THIS
CONTRACT AND RELEASE AGREEMENT this____ day
of____, 20____,hereinafter referred to as "Agreement" is entered into
for the express purpose of the adoption of a Briard, described above, from the
Briard Club of America
Rescue
Program, hereinafter called "Rescue" and
_________________________________________________________
a friend of the Briard breed, hereinafter called
"Friend"; and
WHEREAS,
Rescue has retrieved a Briard from an unfortunate situation and is presently in
need of a loving home and family for the Briard; and
WHEREAS,
Friend has filled the proper application for the adoption of a Briard, has been
interviewed, approved and has agreed to be bound by this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the parties wishing to avoid any misunderstandings concerning this adoption,
set forth the following:
Upon
completion of the adoption process, the Briard becomes the sole property of
Friend and is subject to all the Rules, Ordinances and Regulations of the City,
Municipality, Town Township,
Borough,
Village, County and State wherein Friend and the Briard reside and agrees to
comply and be bound by said Rules, Ordinances and Regulations fully regarding
dogs and their ownership.
Friend
agrees that the Briard shall be a house pet and further agrees to provide for
reasonable exercise of said Briard in a fenced yard, dog run or on a leash. The
Briard shall not be chained or restrained by a tether in any way unless
constantly attended, such as on a leash. The Briard shall be under the control
and protection of Friend at all times and will not be permitted to roam outside
of the fenced area unless said Briard is on a leash.
The
Briard's primary function will be that of a house pet and Friend agrees that
said Briard will not be used for any other purpose including but not limited to
an attack dog, guard dog or for medical or experimental purposes.
4. Friend
agrees that the Briard shall not be used for breeding at any time and further
agrees that if the Briard is not neutered or spayed at the time of adoption,
that the Briard shall be neutered or spayed within sixty (60) days of the
adoption and that proof of said neutering or spaying shall be provided to
Rescue.
5. For
the costs incurred for veterinary care (neutering, spaying, inoculations,
worming, blood tests, stool specimens), boarding, grooming, shipping, animal
welfare fees, Friend agrees to reimburse Rescue the Sum of $150.00 in full
payment for all services rendered.
6. Friend
agrees to avail his Briard of veterinary care and treatment when necessary and
further agrees to continue with yearly immunizations and such other inoculations
as may be required in his/her area.
7. Friend
agrees to maintain the Briard on a balanced and nutritious dog food with such
supplements as may be necessary in order to maintain the Briard's good health.
8. Friend
agrees to keep Briard in clean surroundings and to perform routine grooming and
brushing to further maintain the Briard in good condition.
9. Friend
agrees that he has been advised of the Briard's former placement and has been
made aware of any problems which were made known to Rescue or encountered while
in Rescue's care and further agrees to provide the Briard with an 8 week basic
obedience course to further enhance the Briard as a family member ‑ if
deemed necessary,
Friend
agrees to contact Rescue should he be unable to keep the Briard and will not
sell or give the Briard to any animal Shelter or another party without the
approval of Rescue; nor will the Briard be sold to any animal research facility
or laboratory nor be discarded or abandoned.
Friend
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Briard Club of America and the Briard
Rescue Program and representatives thereof against any and all liability, claim
or claims, cause or causes of action arising out of or as a result of or in
connection with the ownership of the within described Briard.
Rescue agrees to provide information and assistance to
Friend concerning maintenance, nutrition, training, grooming and medical care
of the Briard.
Rescue
agrees to accept the return of the Briard should Friend be unable to keep the
Briard, said return may occur any time within two weeks after the date of
adoption and a full refund will be given to Friend.
It
is the expressed intention of Rescue that Friend will keep the Briard
exclusively as a house pet. Any use or treatment of the Briard inconsistent
with the good and humane care of said Briard shall be deemed a breach of this
Contract and Rescue retains full rights to terminate this Contract at any time
when a determination has been made that any term of this Contract has been
breached and possession of the Briard will be given up to Rescue immediately
upon demand.
The
parties hereto being in complete accord and agreement concerning the welfare of
the Briard to be adopted and having set out the rights and responsibilities of
each party relative to this adoption have set their hands the day and year
first above written.
