General Board Approved 2003

USA Rules and Regulations Updated January, 2004

ELECTED OFFICERS

The Regional Officers positions will be Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Regional Breed Warden, Regional Training Director, Secretary and Treasurer.

The positions of Assistant Regional Director, Secretary, and/or Treasurer may be combined if there is not enough interest within the region to fill the vacancies individually.

NOMINATION AND ELECTION

Adapted from USA Bylaws: SECTION 6:

a. Candidates for all Regional Officers positions may be nominated by a Delegate from a full member club in that particular region. All nominations must be seconded.

b. One need not be nominated to receive votes. "Write in" balloting is permitted.

c. Regional Officers positions shall have a term of office of two (2) years and shall be elected in odd numbered years.

d. Elections may be held at a regional meeting or by mail between the dates of January 1, prior to the annual meeting and 14 days prior to the annual meeting of the General Board of Directors, provided, all full member clubs in the region are notified in writing, not less than thirty (30) days prior to said election. If this election is held, the USA Secretary shall be notified of the result within ten (10) days.

e. To be elected a candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast by all the full member clubs in good standing in the particular region.

Should there be a midterm vacancy of the Regional Breed Warden, Regional Training Director, Secretary, or Treasurer; the Regional Director will appoint a member from their region until an election can be held at the next Regional Meeting.

A vacancy in the Assistant Regional Director’s position will be filled according to USA bylaws:

”c. If the position of Assistant Regional Director becomes vacant for any reason an election to fill the office will be held within forty-five (45) days. A majority vote cast by full member clubs in good standing in that particular region is required to elect.”

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Duties: In addition to those duties outlined in the USA Constitution and By-laws, Regional Directors will be expected to govern their regions by insuring that all clubs within their respective regions are abiding by the USA By-laws and rules which pertain to member clubs.

Regional Directors will have the authority to withhold or withdraw Event Authorizations for any club that is found to be in violation of USA By-laws or rules until the violating club comes into compliance with the USA by-laws or rules.

Regional Directors will ensure that all clubs within their respective regions are upholding the objectives of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America. Regional Directors will submit a quarterly report to the President on all activities within their respective regions.

Regional Directors will be voting members of the Executive Board, Annual USA Regional Congress and General Board Meeting. The Regional Director will be an ex-officio member of all regional committees.

ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Duties: Assistant Regional Directors will assist the Regional Director and learn the duties of the Regional Director’s office. In the event the Regional Director resigns or is incapacitated the Assistant Regional Director shall assume the position of Regional Director for the remainder of the term.

If the Regional Director is unable to attend a meeting of either Board of Directors, the Assistant Regional Director may attend in his/her place and shall have a vote on either Board.

REGIONAL SECRETARY

Duties: To take the official minutes of all regional meetings and to assist the Regional Director with the distribution of minutes and any other information deemed necessary by the RD.

The Regional Secretary will be responsible for implementing a training program for trial secretaries. The Secretary will also establish a log of those members that have been approved as qualified trial secretaries for each club within their respective region.

REGIONAL TREASURER

Duties: The Regional Treasurer will be held accountable for the Regional Treasury and disburse funds for training programs and other regional needs as defined in the Regional Policy.

REGIONAL BREED WARDEN

Duties: As described in the USA Constitution and By-laws. The Regional Breed Warden will assist the club chosen within their respective region to host the Regional Conformation Championship and Breed Survey and also serve as the Regional Show Chairperson.

In addition all Regional Breed Wardens will be required to attend and assist with the USA Sieger Show.

REGIONAL TRAINING DIRECTOR

Duties: To promote proper, and safe training for trial helpers, training helpers and handlers throughout their region by the use of required educational seminars and organized fun matches.

The Regional Training Director will receive direction from the National Helper Committee with regard to the required educational Teaching Helper Program.

The Regional Training Director will also work directly with the National Youth Director to help implement all youth training programs on a regional and local level. Regional Training Directors will also establish a line of communication to assist new clubs and their Training Directors.

Regional Training Directors shall not advertise their office for personal or professional gain. Reimbursement for Regional Training Directors acting in an official capacity shall be identical to those listed for USA Judges (USA Judge’s Program 6. Judge’s Fees A thru E).

REGIONAL FUNDING

Regional dues will be due annually for all USA Full Member Clubs. The amount will be determined by the General Board.

The regional dues will be assessed with each club’s annual National dues and will be collected by the USA Office. The Treasurer of USA will be responsible for the appropriate distribution of regional funds to the Regional Treasurer. Regional dues will be used for approved regional commitments. Regions may also have rules that establish other constructive uses for any excess regional funds, to meet the needs of their regions including the educational programs.

REGIONAL RULES

Regional Rules in effect before the establishment of this Regional Policy and all Regional Rules from this time forward must be approved by a two thirds majority vote at the Annual Regional Meeting.

All clubs in their respective regions must be notified in writing no less than thirty days before the meeting is to take place. All Regional Rules must be in compliance with the USA Constitution and by-laws and must be filed with the Secretary of the USA.

REGIONAL CONGRESS

The Regional Directors will conduct an Annual Regional Congress Meeting. This meeting will be chaired by the President or his appointee.

The Regional Directors will select a committee of three to formulate a real agenda for this meeting.

The purpose of this meeting will be to address the needs of the membership on a Regional and local level. This meeting will be held on the day preceding the General Board Meeting.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regional Championships will be open to all USA members in good standing.

Starting in 2004, all entries in the USA German Shepherd Dog National Championship must have shown at a USA Regional Championship any time after the 2003 USA National Championship. This rule does not affect the entry of individuals whose permanent residence is outside the 48 contingent United States of America. All regional entries must compete at their current SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3 level or the next higher level. This is "in addition" to the required 270 point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club trial and/or a USA Regional Championship.

Starting in 2005, all entries to the USA German Shepherd Dog National Championship, must receive a passing score at a USA Regional Championship any time after the previous year's USA-GSD National Championship. This rule does not affect the entry of individuals whose permanent residence is outside the 48 contingent United States of America. All regional entries must compete at their current SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3 level or the next higher level. This is "in addition" to the required 270 point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club trial and/or a USA Regional Championship.

Clarification: Dogs shown at a Regional Championship may enter for a new title or compete for the title they currently hold. Dogs will not be allowed to enter for a lower title at a Regional Championship. Permanent residence will be the address provided to the Office with membership application or renewal.

REGIONAL CONFORMATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

All regions will be required to host an annual Regional Conformation Championship and Breed Survey.

USA Rules and Regulations Updated January, 2004