Name:

The name of the Federation shall be Sled Dogs Ireland, Irish Federation of Sleddog Sports also known as SDI-IFSS

Vision

SDI-IFSS vision is to be the key learning centre for sled dog sports in Ireland where everyone can experience sled dog racing first hand and embrace the sport so that it can grow.

The objectives and purpose of this Federation:

1: To encourage people to work their sled dog for which they were intended.

2: Cooperation between clubs, associations, federations and mushing organisations.

3: Cooperation of owners and sled dog lovers for the good of the dogs, the exchange of views and information on all subjects relating to the dogs.

4: Participating in events which promote sled dog sport in Ireland.

5: Maintaining the standard of the sport in Ireland in maintaining policies and guidelines as outlined by SDI-IFSS.

6: Promoting and practicing sled dog sports with all types of sled dog.

7: Engage in events which promote sled dog sports in Ireland.

8: Ensure adequate control in the sport regarding animal welfare, safety rules and regulations for both musher and sled dog.

Definition of a Sled Dog:

A dog which demonstrates a willingness to be harnessed and the desire and ability to participate in the activity for which it is harnessed, and which is adequately trained and conditioned for such activity.

Membership:

(a) Any person or persons interested in sled dogs and sled dog activities.

(b) Persons willing to promote the education of the clubs members on its rules, regulations and procedures.

(c) Inform and educate fellow members in the proper care and handling of the animals to ensure their humane treatment and to ensure identification and treatment of any health problems particular to the sled dog.

(d) Encourage cooperation among all members and other sled dog organisations.

Admission:

1. Membership may be obtained by submission of a completed application form together with payment of 1 year annual fees. Acceptance or decline of the application will be made by a quorum of the Federations committee. No reasons will be provided or communicated should a membership application be declined. Annual fees should be sent to the Federation Secretary by 1st May each year.

2. On signing the membership application it is accepted the applicant has read the Constitution with all the bylaws or codes and that he/she is in agreement in abiding with all stipulations as published.

Fees: joint membership/junior membership/ general:

1. Single membership will be 15euro

2. A partnership is eligible for joint membership at a subscription of 25euro, each partner being eligible to vote at meetings.

3. A young person under the age of 18 and over the age of 14 is eligible for membership at a subscription of 5euro, provided parents/guardians are members of SDI-IFSS. Juniors are ineligible to vote at meetings. June 1^st shall be used to determine the dependants age for ensuing year.

4. Membership fees may be amended at the AGM.

SDI – IFSS Rules Pertaining to Membership of Clubs/ Organisations

Membership shall only be granted to organisations governed by management structures elected according to their own By Laws/ Statutes/ Constitutions and which fall within one of the two classifications mentioned below:

Voting Members:

Sleddog Sports organisations which group together a group of individuals who practice sleddog sports and which hold regular competitions may be granted voting membership.

Voting members shall furthermore be organisations which are independent (self governing) in all respects concerning sleddog sports: which have aims and objectives declared to be and agreed by the Committee as being beneficial to the aims and objectives of SDI-IFSS; and which seek to promote national interest in sleddog sports, and to establish uniform rules and procedures for the conduct of sleddog racing that will foster the safety of the competitors and the animals involved.

Provisional Members:

Sleddog sports organisations which apply for membership but only partially qualify as members may be approved for Provisional membership by the committee. All provisional members shall be reviewed annually by the committee with a view to recommending full membership. If after five years, a provisional member has not fully qualified to become a Voting Member, the committee shall have the power to withdraw such provisional membership.

Investigations as to the bona fides of any applicant organisation shall be conducted by the committee. Candidates for membership shall, if so requested, prove to the satisfaction of the committee that the activity which they control does not conflict with or is not in rivalry with an already existing Member of SDI – IFSS. Only the Committee may with a majority vote, approve membership of Clubs/Organisations.

Further Membership Classification

A sponsor shall be a company or corporation that supports the goals of the club by making annual contributions. A sponsor shall not vote, hold office, or serve as a chairman of the committee.

An honorary member shall be one who has membership conferred upon him/her by the Committee Members for having made outstanding contribution to the Federation.

General Meetings

1. Annual General Meetings will be held in the month of June and will cover the following:

(a) Election of Officers and Committee

(b) Rules of the Association

(c) Financial Matters/ Membership fees

(d) Any other matters

2. Members will receive up to seven weeks notice of an Annual General Meeting to allow for agenda circulation and registration of proxy votes as laid out in 3.

3. Amendments to the Federations rules can be made at an AGM or SGM with the proviso that members be given the opportunity, well ahead of the meeting to submit items for inclusion on the Agenda. The aforementioned Agenda to be circulated throughout the membership prior to the meeting to allow those not able to attend to register their votes by proxy.

4. A Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Federation may be called by SDI-IFSS Committee Members and must be attended by a quorum of no less than four (4) committee members, which must include minimum one of the Secretary or President or Chairperson.

5. Any alterations to Rules passed at an AGM or SGM must be passed by a quorum of 4 or more committee members which must include one of the members mentioned in #4 and shall not be brought into force until the Federation members have been advised.

6. To be eligible to vote in elections, voters must be members in good standing.

7. No person will be eligible to be nominated for a post as committee member, or allowed to continue in such office unless they are members in good standing.

8. No person can be nominated or be voted on to the Committee if not present at the AGM.

9. On matters requiring action by the general membership, each individual member shall be entitled to one vote.

10. Each voting member may vote for no more than seven (7) candidates during the annual elections.

1. The management of the Federation shall be in the hands of the Committee consisting of: President, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Children’s Protection Officer, Health and Safety Officer, Events Organiser, Youth Development Officer, and Public Relations Officer. The following are optional or extended support functions: Veterinary Officer.

1. All committee members excluding the President and Secretary are eligible for re- election at the Annual General Meeting. If the President or Secretary, wish to retire from their position, they must nominate a club/committee member as replacement and be voted in by committee members. Chairman has deciding vote in the event of a split committee vote. If any other committee member wishes to resign, they must submit a letter of resignation to the Committee members or have the intention of resignation minuted at a committee meeting.

   1. Meetings of the committee shall be held quarterly or as may additionally be necessary and should consist of a quorum of 4.

   2. Committee shall be elected by means of a postal/email ballot.

   3. All Committee shall have the right to vote.

   4. A committee member may resign from the Committee Board by submitting a written resignation to the committee members or having it minuted at a committee meeting.

   5. Business and purpose of the club shall be under the management control of the board of Committee members.

   6. In the event of a vacancy for a committee member, the remaining committee members shall appoint a member in good standing to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Committee Duties:

1. The Committee collectively has overall responsibility for all activities of the Federation.

2. The Chairman shall handle meetings in accordance with the agenda, control discussions, follow procedure for handling proposals, coordinate the actions of the executive Committee, report on committee decisions and actions at the annual and special meetings, enforce constitutional procedures during elections and summarise decisions/ proposals ( when necessary).

3. The Vice Chairman takes the chair in the Chairmans absence or when the Chairman wants to take part in discussions, and shall delegate another committee member to act in the Vice Chairmans absence when appropriate.

4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all the Federations financial affairs, including bank statements and reconciliation, financial statements, income and expenditure statements, the budget, official orders and the appointment of auditors.

5. The Secretary shall send out notices of meetings, draw up agendas, record minutes of all Federation meetings (including decisions and responsible persons), meeting preparation, reports, control quorum and manage ballot papers. Furthermore, the Secretary shall preside over the daily administrative business activities of the Federation, this shall include processing memberships, answering general communications by phone and email, distribute club letters and proposals at the request of Board Members and when indicated, process race schedules, sanctioning applications, race results, points standing and reports, for the clubs newsletter, process awards, certificates, etc. The secretary shall endeavour to attend all SDI-IFSS meetings and maintain communications between committee members.

6. The Youth Development Officer shall be responsible for youth development, a youth sub-committee and youth mushing events and gatherings.

7. The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for publicity, promotions, public relations and communications of the Federation. Maintaining of communications and liaison with Clubs, National and International Sled Dog or Mushing bodies, Breed Clubs and Registries etc. and may assist the Secretary with his/her activities.

8. The responsibility of Health and Safety Officer will be to oversee all aspects of Health and Safety at events including First Aid and Accidents. The Health and Safety Officer will officiate at all SDI-IFSS events.

9. The position of Veterinary Officer will be appointed by the Committee from time to time to officiate at SDI-IFSS events. This position will be a non-committee position.

10. The responsibility of Child Protection Officer/Designated Individual will ensure the proper handling of all issues related to children/vulnerable adults as per the guidelines outlined by SDI-IFSS. The responsibilities of the Child Protection Officer/Designated Individual are outlined in Appendix R.

11. The responsibility of Events Organiser shall be the organising of forthcoming events of all types related to the promotion of sleddog sports in the country. The events organiser will liaise with the Secretary, the Child Protection Officer, the Treasurer and the Health and Safety Officer in organising forthcoming SDI-IFSS events.