1) Role: The role of the STAFFORDSHIRE BULLTERRIER CLUB OF SOUTH WALES is to promote the popularity of the Breed via Shows, Matches and functions to create fellowship amongst its Members. Any profit shall fund activities to educate Members in subjects relating to Staffordshire Bull Terriers i.e. exhibiting, training, seminars and welfare of the breed in general.

2) Rules: The Rules of the Club may not be altered - except at the AGM or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, notice of which shall give details of any alterations or amendments proposed. No alteration shall be operative until approved by the KENNEL CLUB. THE KENNEL CLUB is the final authority on the interpretation of the Rules. 

3) Committee: The Club’s Committee shall comprise of Officers & General Committee Members.

 Officers: President; V/President; Chairman; V/Chairman; Secretary; A/s Secretary; Treasurer; A/s Treasurer.

 Prospective Officers to serve a minimum of two years on the Committee prior to the AGM seeking election. The Secretary must receive a Proposed and Seconded notice of intent before the Dec 31^st by recorded delivery. All Officers serve a term of three years before having to seek re-election. Any Officer losing their place through default cannot stand for Committee the following year.

(a) Committee Members may vary in number from 11 to 15 inclusive, and are elected on a yearly basis but may seek re-election. Proposed & Seconded notices of intent for continuation - or for impending Committee Members must be submitted to the Secretary before February each year. Applicants must be Club Members for at least two years prior to the AGM. Committee Member/s losing their place through default cannot stand for re-election the following year. Only paid up Members present, will be entitled to vote or be appointed at the AGM, unless a nominee is willing to stand but unable to attend the AGM through illness or good reason. No un-discharged bankrupt person may serve on the Committee or hold any other position or appointment within a Registered Society.  

(b) Committee Members Of Other SBT Clubs: (Training and Ringcraft Clubs Committees exempted) may not serve on the Committee of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of South Wales, but will of course be welcomed as a Member/s. 

4) Voting Rights:  Officers and Committee Members (other than the Chairman) have one vote each upon any subject or proposal. The Chairman may only vote in the event of a tied decision.  

5) Absenteeism: An Officer or Committee Member absent from 3 Meetings (Shows count as Meetings) must attend all Meetings thereafter or vacate their place to the person with the next highest votes cast at the AGM. The Committee will consider apologies for absence/s, provided they are submitted to the Chairman or Secretary before respective Meetings. If deemed valid the absence will not count for that Meeting. If an Officer vacates his position, their deputy at the following AGM may apply for the position, even if the deputy has commenced a new term of Office. Any Officer or Committee Member unsuccessfully challenging for another’s position at the AGM is debarred from applying for Committee by right until the next AGM – but may be co-opted on if willing and necessary. 

6)  Membership: Applications for Membership must be proposed and seconded by 2 current Members. Application Forms shall be placed before the Committee ASAP where a majority vote of acceptance is required for Membership. Once accepted, providing they pay their Membership subscriptions at the correct time RENEWAL of Membership cannot be refused. New applicants for Membership after Jan 1^st must be passed at a Committee Meeting called for that purpose not later than one month before the AGM. Successful applicants can attend the AGM and enjoy voting rights. With the exception of default of subscriptions, the only way to remove a Member from the Club register is by following the procedure defined within Rules 9-10.  

7) Subscriptions: £4:00 per year for double (defined as husband and wife, not a partnership) and single Membership categories. All have one vote each on any matter. Junior Membership is £1:00 per year for persons under 16 years of age. Junior Members have no voting rights.

Subs unpaid by Jan 1st must be paid 14 days before the date of the A.G.M (not at the AGM) after which a new application for membership is required. A list of members’ names and their addresses and those of branch members where appropriate, must be sent to the Kennel Club with the Annual Returns and if so requested, make an up to date list of members available for inspection upon request by the Kennel Club or SBTCSW Members.

8) Financial Year: The Financial Year ends on 31st Dec each year and the AGM held ASAP after that date but no later than the 2nd Sunday in March. The Treasurer must produce an audited Income and Expenditure Sheet of the Club’s business for presentation at the AGM, a copy of which shall be delivered to each Committee Member 7 clear days before the AGM.

The Agenda shall be available for Members 7 days before the AGM. Only items on the Agenda shall be discussed or decided at the AGM. Any Member wanting a Proposal (which must Seconded) placed on the A.G.M Agenda must notify the Secretary in writing before the 31st December prior to the imminent AGM. Both Proposer and Seconder must be present at the Meeting.

9) Special General Meetings: (Hereafter SGMs) : Called by the Secretary if 20 members submit a signed requisition stating the business wanting discussed at a SGM. The Committee of the Society can also call SGMs. Only the business stated on the Agenda will be discussed. Upon receipt of the application, the Secretary shall apply the Rule required for SGMs by giving at least fourteen days written notice to all Members. Proposals and Amendments require a ⅔ approval majority. If any member is expelled for discreditable conduct in connection with dogs, Dog Shows, Trials or Competition, the Club must report the matter in writing to the Kennel Club within 7 days and supply any particulars required. 

10) Kennel Club Rule 42: Any Member who shall be suspended under THE KENNEL CLUB Rule A42.j. (5) and/or any member whose dog (s) is/are disqualified under KENNEL CLUB Rule A42.j. (9) Shall ipso facto cease to be a Member of the Society for the duration of the suspension and/or disqualification. If the conduct of any Member shall, in the opinion of the Committee of the Society be injurious or likely to be injurious to the character or interests of the Society, the Committee of the Society may, at a Meeting the notice of which convening which includes as an object the consideration of the conduct of the Member, determine that a Special General Meeting of the Society shall be called for the purpose of passing a resolution to expel him/her.

Notice of the Special General Meeting shall be sent to the accused Member, giving particulars of the complaint and advising the place, date and hour of the Meeting that he/she may attend and offer an explanation if at that Meeting, a resolution to expel is passed by a two thirds majority of the members present and voting, his/her name shall forthwith be erased from the list of Members, except that he/she may within 2 calendar months from the date of such a Meeting appeal to the Kennel Club upon and subject to such conditions as the Kennel Club may impose.

11) Acknowledgements:  The Officers acknowledge that during the month of January each year, Maintenance of Title fee will be forwarded to the KENNEL CLUB by the Secretary for continuance of Registration and that by the 31st July each year, other returns, as stipulated in the Kennel Club Regulations for the Registration and Maintenance of Title of Societies, Breed Councils and the affiliation of Agricultural Societies and Municipal Authorities to be forwarded to the KENNEL CLUB.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of South Wales Officers acknowledge they must notify the Kennel Club of the date of the A.G.M. The Kennel Club must be informed of any change to the Secretary of the Club that may occur during the course of the year.  

12) Accounts: The Club has a Current and Deposit Account at Lloyds Bank PLC into which all revenues must be paid. Withdrawals can only be made upon the signatures of any two of the following Officers; Chairman / Treasurer / Secretary.

The Treasurer must be informed of any withdrawals made without his signature. The Club must use the services of a Qualified Accountant to oversee the Clubs finances who will be selected at the Annual General Meeting.  

13) Minutes: The Secretary will record minutes of all Meetings in a book or file kept for that purpose, read out at the next Meeting, then, and if approved, signed by the Chairman. The Secretary will carry out the decisions of the Committee, arrange the Club’s Shows and attend to the correspondence. All expenses incurred by the Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman in connection with the Clubs business shall be submitted to the Committee and if approved charged to the Club. 

14) Quorum for Meetings: Seven Committee Members (which can include Officers) is the least number allowed to hold Committee Meetings. 

15) Appeals: The Kennel Club shall be the final court of appeal in all matters of dispute.

16) Federations: The Staffordshire Bullterrier Club of South Wales Club shall not join any Federation of Clubs or Societies. 

17) Harnesses: Dogs or Bitches wearing a harness are not allowed into our Shows.

18) Life Membership: Granted after 20 years unbroken Membership. Life Members have free Membership.

19) Matches: The names of exhibitors in teams matched against our Club to be made known one month in advance. 

20) Donations: A donation will be made to the Welsh SBT Rescue annually - the amount decided by the Members at the AGM.

21) Cessation: Should the Club cease to operate then all trophies and moneys shall be held for one year thereafter to be returned to their Donors.If for any reason this isn't possible, they will be disposed of as the Committee decides. Any money left after all commitments have been met shall be allocated to a Dog Charity chosen by the Clubs Committee. 

22) Judging Lists: Defined Lists are compiled by a Judges Sub Committee following Kennel Club Mandates  & Breed Council Recommendations.

23) The SBTCSW Code of Ethics: I shall ensure dogs under my control will be Housed, Fed, Watered and Exercised, and receive Veterinary attention regarding immunisation, worming and any treatment if required. I will always keep my Stafford’s under control and never allow them to roam the streets. If I Breed, it will  be in the endeavor of trying to further the quality of the SBT and not for the purpose of commercial interests. I will not knowingly  use my Stud Dog for any resulting litters to be sold to commercial interest. I will not Breed from stock carrying painful Hereditary  Faults. No purebred Dog of mine to be mated with unregistered Stafford, Crossbred or dog of another breed. I will not sell any dog of mine, or others, to a commercial interest/pet shop, or as a prize in a contest of any kind. I will ensure when transferring or selling a dog, that all necessary documents will be made available and to explain to people acquiring dogs from me how to care and look after them. I will ensure puppies are weaned  and independent of their Mother at the time of leaving. I will not transfer any puppy under 6 weeks old and provide dietary details to purchasers of my stock and details of immunisation documents. (If applicable) I will accept and exchange information with those of a like interest in the Breed and encourage sportsmanlike conduct in competition..