CONSTITUTION

Section 1: Name

The name of the organization shall be  The American Working Dog Federation. The abbreviated name shall be "AWDF". 

Section 2: Seal

The Corporate Seal of the American Working Dog Federation shall bear the words
"American Working Dog Federation, Inc., Corporate Seal, 1999, New York".

Section 3: Logo and Colors

1. The official logo of the AWDF shall be a box-lined globe with the United States of America outline across the globe. A dog leash crossing the globe and extending over the top and bottom of the globe containing the abbreviation AWDF on the web of the leash.
2. The colors shall be Red, White and Blue. VIVID, bright shades preferred.

1. The AWDF shall operate in the United States of America.
2. The AWDF shall not be conducted or operated for profit and no part of any profits or remainder of residue from dues or donations to the AWDF shall inure to the benefit of any member or of a member's household.

Section 5: Objectives

1. To promote the preservation of working dog activities and breed organizations that preserves and protects the working heritage of their respected breed of dogs.
2. To promote the public's knowledge and appreciation of dogs in general and working dogs in particular.
3. To maintain open dialogue with all organizations sharing similar objectives both nationally and internationally.
4. To provide uniform national rules and regulations for all activities and events suitable for the advancement of our purposes.
5. To promote and coordinate activities that assist breeders, owners, handlers and fanciers of working dogs to evaluate the physical and mental characteristics of their dogs. These activities shall include, but not be limited to: competitive sporting events, breed suitability tests, police service, search and rescue, field trials, assistance to physically challenged persons, conformation, obedience and tracking, agility and any other activity deemed to be appropriate and helpful in the overall evaluation.
6. To advance the interests of working dogs by educating its members, the canine community, the general public and the media about working dog ability, conformation, temperament, health, breeding, training, maintenance and the benefits to our society of a well trained dog.
7. To promote responsible dog ownership and oppose all breed specific legislation and all illegal activity involving dogs.
8. To maintain a supplemental registry recording all titles earned by its members in competitive events from recognized and accepted organizations.
9. To honor registrations issued by approved national and international registries as a basis from which to register litters, and issue certified pedigrees containing titles earned.
10. To license judges for all events through programs established and maintained by the AWDF and its member organizations.

Section 6. Amendments

The members of the AWDF shall adopt and may from time to time revise such by-laws as required to carry out these objectives.

Section 1: Eligibility. There shall be seven types (levels) of membership:

1. National level canine organizations: shall represent working activities supporting and advancing the objectives of working canines and the AWDF.
2. Single breed member clubs: shall have a base of operation that is in the United States of America with a membership of 15 or more members agreeing to be governed and bound by the articles of this Constitution and By-Laws.All shall agree to incur no indebtedness on the part of the American Working Dog Federation.
3. Training member clubs: organizations whose objectives are centered on the training of multiple breed working dog sports and whose activities support and advance the objectives of the AWDF.
4. Individual membership: shall be open to all persons eighteen years of age and older who support the objectives of this federation.
5. Junior membership: shall be open to all persons less than eighteen years of age who subscribe to the purposes of this federation. Junior members may not vote or hold office.
6. Honorary membership: Persons who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, are worthy of recognition may be conferred the title of Honorary member. Honorary members shall not pay dues and may not vote nor hold office in AWDF.
7. Guest membership: requires board approval of not less than 3/4 of the Presidents or delegates of members clubs in good standing at the next annual meeting. Guests may neither vote nor hold office, but are afforded all other rights and obligations of membership.

1. National Clubs and Canine organizations desiring membership must submit to the Secretary a written application in the format designated by AWDF together with the appropriate first years dues, a copy of its Constitution and By-Laws, a list of the names and addresses of its officers, directors and members.
2. Individual or Junior desiring membership must submit to the Secretary a written application in the format designated by AWDF and accompanied by one year's dues.
3. Upon receipt of an application the Secretary within 10 business days shall advise the Board of said application and forward to the Membership Committee a copy of the application and its contents.
4. The Membership Committee shall advise the Board of its findings within 30 days of receipt of application from the Secretary. The Board may submit said application for vote to the delegates at the next annual meeting.
5. Individual and Junior membership may be voted and approved by the Executive Committee after review by the Membership Committee.

1. The Board of Directors shall establish and adjust dues as required for all types/levels of membership. Any adjustment of dues requires member notification at least 6 months in advance.
2. Dues notice/statement will be mailed by the Treasurer to each member on or before November 15 of each year and are payable on or before the first day of January each year.
3. Members shall be delinquent if dues have not been paid on or before the first day of March each year.
4. Members with delinquent dues may not vote or participate in any AWDF event.
5. Member's dues that remain delinquent for a period of 6 months shall automatically be removed from the membership roster by the Secretary.

1. Resignation. Any member in good standing may resign membership upon written notice to the secretary. All debts to AWDF must be paid prior to resignation.
2. Lapsing. Membership shall be terminated if dues remain unpaid after August 1 of each year.
3. Expulsion. Membership may be terminated by expulsion as detailed in Article VII of these By-Laws.

Section 1: Annual Meeting

1. The annual meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors at the previous annual meeting.
2. When possible the annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the annual "Working Dog National Competition." 
3. The Secretary shall mail by regular postal service or electronic means a written notice of the annual meeting to all members at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the meeting. 
4. The quorum for the annual meeting shall consist of the President or Vice President in addition to one other Officer and Delegates representing 50 percent of the national canine organizations and breed clubs in good standing.

1. A special meeting may be called by the President or by a 2/3 vote of the members of the Board who vote by mail or by approved electronic means.
2. Such meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of directors.
3. The Secretary shall mail by regular postal service or electronic means a written notice to all members at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting. 
4. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted. 
5. The quorum for a special meeting shall be the same as the annual meeting.

1. The first meeting of the Board shall be held immediately following the annual meeting and election.
2. Other meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at a time and place designated by the President or by a majority of the entire board. 
3. The Secretary shall mail by regular postal service or electronic means a written notice of each board meeting to each officer and delegate at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting. 
4. The quorum for Board meetings shall be a majority of the Board comprised of the Officers and Delegates.

Section 1: Board of Directors

1. The Board of Directors shall be comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two delegates from each member organization. 
2. The delegates shall be the President of each member organization and one additional member in good standing of that member's organization. 
3. The member organization President, if necessary, may appoint a substitute delegate in the event of his/her absence from any meeting.
4. The general management of the affairs of AWDF shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may conduct its business by mail, telephone conference, or electronic means approved by the Board.
5. The Board shall have supervision of the funds, assets and property of AWDF.
6. The Board may appoint committees and discharge said committees as needed to carry out the objectives and business of AWDF. The Board will charge and define the responsibility of each committee to act on its behalf.
7. The Board may appoint one or more persons to represent its interest at national or international meetings or events.
8. The Board shall establish and enforce rules and regulations for all activities that will advance the objectives of AWDF.
9. The Board shall have the responsibility of regulating events, licensing judges, register, record and or issue certificates for all activities through programs established and maintained for those purposes.
10. The Board shall supervise and maintain control of the AWDF web site and its contents.
11. The Board shall approve all official published material and determine the manner and form in which it shall be published.
12. The Board shall appoint an Executive Committee each year consisting of seven members of the Board including the four Officers and one delegate each from three different member organizations.

1. President 
1. Shall preside at all meetings of the AWDF and of the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and power normally appurtenant to the office of President in addition to those particularly specified in these Constitution and By-Laws. 
2. The President shall serve as spokesperson and deal with all public affairs including, but not limited to, national and international external organizations. 
3. The President shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors. 
4. The President shall execute all contracts on behalf of the AWDF or may designate other Officers or Directors to act on his or her behalf. 
5. The President shall be an advisory member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall only vote on matters before the Board in case of a tie.
2. Vice President
1. Shall assist the President in all of his/her duties and perform such duties assigned by the President or the Board of Directors. 
2. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the event of the president's absence or disability. 
3. The Vice President shall be responsible for keeping on file a current dated approved copy of the Constitution and By-Laws, preparing for approval, all revisions to the Constitution and By-Laws as required or appropriately requested. 
3. Secretary
1. Shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President and Vice President. 
2. Shall be responsible for correspondence, recording accurate minutes of meetings, prepare all ballots and record all votes taken by the AWDF on all matters of which a record shall be required. 
3. Maintain a record of all business conducted on behalf of the AWDF, disseminate information to the membership, notify the Board and membership of all matters requiring a vote in accord with time frames set forth in these By-Laws. 
4. Shall maintain, in conjunction with the Treasurer, a roll of all members along with their addresses, distribute and receive applications for membership, prepare and distribute dues notices and perform any other duties as assigned by the Board. 
5. Maintain a file and the original approved version of the Constitution and By-Laws of the AWDF and all member organizations.
4. Treasurer 
1. Shall keep the financial records of the AWDF in a manner as directed by the Board, shall collect and record all funds of the AWDF, shall deposit or invest funds as designated by the Board. 
2. Shall be responsible for paying all just and due obligations in a timely basis and in accordance with the approved budget. 
3. Shall serve as the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee responsible for the preparation of the annual budget. 
4. Prepare a financial report for every meeting of the Board reflecting the financial condition of the AWDF. The financial records of the AWDF shall be open to inspection by the Board at all times. 
5. The Treasurer may be bonded in such an amount as directed by the Board to insure against loss incurred by handling of funds.
Section 3: Vacancies
1. Any vacancy occurring among the Officers during the year shall not be filled until the next Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.
2. Election shall be by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board.
3. The Vice-President shall automatically fill any Presidency vacancy.
4. The Board shall fill the resulting vacancy of the office of Vice-President.


ARTICLE IV: YEAR, VOTING, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1: Year

1. The fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December.
2. The official year shall begin immediately upon the conclusion of the election at the annual meeting and shall continue through the election at the next annual meeting.
3. The elected officers shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election and each retiring officer shall turn over to the successor in office (remove comma) all properties and records relating to that office within 30 days after the election.
4. The remaining delegate members of the Board shall be named and installed as Board members at the annual meeting after the election of Officers.
Section 2: Voting
1. All voting shall be limited to the Board of Directors of the AWDF.
2. At all meetings of the AWDF, voting shall be limited to voting members in good standing who are present at the meeting.
3. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
4. Voting Delegates of member organizations shall vote the wishes of their respective organizations unless otherwise directed by that organization in writing to the AWDF Board of Directors.
Section 3: Nominations
1. No person may be a candidate for an office in AWDF who is not a member in good standing and has not been nominated in accordance with these By-Laws.
2. The Board of Directors shall choose a Nominating Committee on or before September 1st of each year.
3. The committee shall consist of (3) members and (2) alternates, one of whom shall be a member of the current Board of Directors and shall serve as Chair of the committee.
4. The Nominating Committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office of AWDF and shall procure the acceptance, in writing, of each nominee. Said nominee may alternately accept at the meeting if he or she is present.
5. The Nominating Committee shall ensure representation from different member organizations, to the extent possible, and shall submit its slate of candidates for office to the Secretary on or before the 1st day of January. 
6. The Secretary shall notify the Board of Directors and have posted on the AWDF web site, the nominated slate of Officers at least 45 days prior to the scheduled elections.
7. Additional nominations of eligible members may be made by written petition addressed to the Secretary, including a written acceptance and signed by 5 members in good standing, and must be received on or before February 15.
8. Nominations cannot be made at the annual meeting or in any other manner than described herein. 
. Section 4: Elections and Terms
1. The Officers shall be elected annually by a majority vote of the Board of Directors present and voting in person at the annual meeting. 
2. The person receiving the majority of votes for each office shall be installed as the new Officers of the AWDF and shall take office immediately upon the conclusion of the election.
3. Each elected Officer will serve a term of two years.
ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Standing Committees

1. The Board may each year approve standing committees or persons to advance the work of the federation. 
2. The President shall submit to the Board of Directors for approval the name all Committee Chairs.
3. Committee Chairs shall submit to the Board for approval all members of their committee. 
4. The Board may select committee members when necessary.
5. Committee members that are not AWDF members shall only serve as advisors. 
6. The Board shall fill committee vacancies.


Section 2: Special Committees

1. The Board may from time to time appoint a special committee to assist with specific projects necessary to support the goals of AWDF. 
2. The President has discretionary authority to appoint special committees to perform certain functions and/or obligations of the AWDF.


Section 3: Termination of Appointment
The Board of Directors, by majority vote, may terminate a committee by written notice to the committee chair.

Section 4: Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for managing the business of AWDF between Board Meetings
2. The Executive Committee shall from time to time review all Committee activities. Reviews may consist of a request for a written report detailing the actions of the Committee.
3. The Executive Committee shall make motions and vote electronically on issues concerning the business of AWDF.
4. A total of 4 votes representing a majority of the Executive Committee shall be required to pass a vote.
5. The Executive Committee shall serve as advisors to AWDF officers regarding their job responsibilities as defined in Article III, Section 2 of these By-Laws.


ARTICLE VI: DISCIPLINE

Section 1: Suspension

1. Any person suspended from the privileges of any recognized or affiliated dog organization shall have the circumstances of said suspension reviewed by the Executive Committee.
2. A finding shall be made as to whether the actions of the person were detrimental to the objectives of the AWDF and this finding may result in the suspension of said person for a period of time as approved and set forth by the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Board Hearing
1. The Board of Directors may hear a complaint only if the complaint, when proven, would constitute conduct prejudicial to the interests of AWDF. 
2. If the Board of Directors does not consider the complaint relevant or with merit it may refuse to conduct a hearing.
Section 3: Expulsion
1. Expulsion of a member from the AWDF may only be done at the annual meeting and after a Board of Directors hearing has recommended this action. 
2. The member shall be allowed to speak on his/her own behalf, but no evidence will be presented at this meeting. The members in good standing who are present shall vote by secret written ballot on the expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present at the meeting shall be required for expulsion.


ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

1. Any member the Board of Directors may propose amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws by written petition signed by five Board members. 
2. The Secretary shall distribute to the entire Board of Directors by written mail or by approved electronic means the proposed Amendments for a vote. 
3. The Board of Directors shall have 45 days to consider and discuss such amendments.
4. A favorable vote of 2/3 of the entire Board of Directors shall be required to effect the amendment.


ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION

The AWDF may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less 2/3 of the Board of Directors. 
1. In the event of the dissolution of the AWDF, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property, proceeds or assets of the AWDF shall be distributed to any member of the federation.
2. After payment of the debts of the AWDF, all property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs, as selected by the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE IX: ORDER OF BUSINESS

At all meetings of the AWDF, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting permits shall be as follows:
1. Roll Call 
2. Minutes of the last meeting 
3. Report of the President 
4. Report of the Vice President 
5. Report of the Secretary 
6. Report of the Treasurer 
7. Report of Committees 
8. Unfinished Business 
9. Election of Officers (every other year) 
10. New Business 
11. Adjournment
ARTICLE X: CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
All meetings and parliamentary procedures shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of "Roberts Rules of Order" and shall serve as a guideline for the AWDF provided they are not inconsistent with these By-Laws, in which case the Constitution and By-laws shall take precedence.