How to Form a Regional Dogue de Bordeaux Club

 

The DDBSA welcomes the formation of regional specialty clubs designed to promote, protect, and support the Dogue de Bordeaux.  A regional specialty club is a great opportunity to assist the breed on a local level.  As a guardian of the breed, regional clubs are expected to support the goals of the DDBSA as well as assist with Rescue efforts where they're able.  The DDBSA has established the Regional Club Committee to assist interested parties in the formation of regional specialty clubs.  Should you need guidance or assistance, please feel free to contact the committee at any stage in the formation of your club.   The DDBSA wishes your club many years of success and looks forward to working together to promote the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Clubs wishing to seek AKC accreditation and licensing to hold championship events (such as Regional Specialty Shows) are required to adhere to the following guidelines as set forth by the AKC and the DDBSA.

 

Getting Started

Once you’ve decided to start your own regional club, please notify the Regional Club Committee of your intent to form a club.

Only clubs where no club currently exists will be considered for accreditation and licensing; dissatisfaction with a current club is not an acceptable reason for starting a regional club.

A club’s name should be indicative of the region in which it will serve and operate.

Local membership must constitute the clear majority of the club.  There is no set mileage radius for a regional club; each club will be evaluated on its own merits and circumstances.

A regional club must demonstrate continued viability by holding matches, conducting educational events, and maintaining membership rolls.

 

Organizational Stage

Each club must first hold an organizational meeting.  Contact all fanciers in your area to generate interest in your club; send out fliers to local publications and message boards to announce the formation of your club.

Select temporary officers.  For starters, all you really need is someone to chair meetings and someone to take minutes.

Select someone to keep records of the club's development.  This is very important as your club will be evaluated by the AKC and the DDBSA based on the records you submit.  Always keep copies of club records.

Determine a program of activities for your club.

Draft a constitution and set of by-laws for your club.  The DDBSA recommends the sample by-laws and constitution as provided by AKC. ( http://akc.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RCLA01.pdf )

 

Seeking AKC Accreditation

Before applying to the AKC for accreditation, your club must hold at least one fun match.

After your fun match has been held, you are eligible to apply for AKC-accreditation and apply for the holding of sanctioned matches.

A presentation of the club's history should be sent to the AKC Club Relations Department and the DDBSA Regional Club Committee.   Your presentation should include the following:

            * Outline of club development and history including meetings, elections, and activities.

            * List of fun matches with dates, sites, and number of entries.

            * List of voting members including corresponding letter designations:

               "B" (breeder) -someone who has registered a litter within the last three years "E" (exhibitor) - someone who has handled a dog at an AKC -licensed event within the past two years ,"DO" (interested dog owner) - an owner of an AKC registered dog/active in the club "J" - (AKC licensed judge)

            * List of club officers with addresses and phone numbers.

            * The New Club Profile Form ( http://www.akc.org/pdfs/acnew1(0999).pdf ).

            * A copy of the club's by-laws and constitution.  If state laws require additional or specific language, please submit a copy of the applicable statute.

Upon approval, your club will be notified of its status and will be sent match applications, rule books, and the AKC's Show/Obedience Trial Manual.

           

 

Holding Matches

Before a club is granted a license and the authority to hold championship events, a series of matches must be held.

Each club is required to hold two (2) sanctioned B matches a minimum of six (6) months apart.

            Once a club has held one successful B match, it is eligible to officially support an entry at an all-breed show.

            Clubs should submit a match report to Club Relations and the Regional Club Committee within seven (7) days of the event.

After completion of two sanctioned B matches, a presentation requesting advancement for holding of Plan A matches may be submitted.  The presentation should include the following:

            * List of voting members including corresponding letter designations:

            * List of club officers with addresses and phone numbers.

            * A current copy of the club's by-laws and constitution. 

            * An update of club activities other than matches.

Upon approval, your club will be notified of its status;  a club should not submit an application for an A match until the club has been notified that eligibility to do so has been established.

Once eligibility has been established, clubs must hold two (2) "Qualifying" Plan A matches at least six (6) months apart.

            A matches are more formal than Plan B matches; clubs should follow the "match regulations"   carefully.

            If there are any questions concerning match regulations, please call Club Relations.

            Clubs should submit a Sanctioned A match report to Club Relations and the Regional Club Committee within seven (7) days of the event. The match report must include:

                        * Judges book  * Entry Forms   * Premium List   * Marked and signed catalog

 

 

Advancement to License Status

After your club holds two (2) "Qualifying" A matches, at least six (6) months apart, it may submit a presentation requesting license status. The presentation should include the following:

            * List of voting members including corresponding letter designations:

            * List of club officers with addresses and phone numbers.

            * A current copy of the club's by-laws and constitution. 

            * An update of club activities other than matches.

Upon approval, your club will be notified of its status by the Club Relations Department; a club should not contract for grounds, services, etc. until it has been notified that eligibility to do so has been established. Once approved, all necessary applications and forms will be forwarded to the club.

The  preceding was adapted from the American Kennel Club’s "How to Form an AKC-Accredited Dog Club; for more detailed information, click here ( http://AKC.org/pdfs/rulebooks/RCFORM.pdf ).

 

DDBSA Club Guidelines

The DDBSA has instituted a set of requirements for all regional clubs that it feels will help build successful and responsible clubs.

            After a club has established AKC accreditation, it will be required to participate in at least one public education/enrichment event per year.

                        Examples would be Meet the Breed booths, Canine Good Citizen testing, etc.; clubs should contact the Regional Club Committee if they are uncertain as to whether their event qualifies.

            Current DDBSA members must constitute a minimum of 75% of voting members for all regional clubs.

                        Clubs who do not meet the minimum will be granted a one year grace period to address the situation; if the minimum is not met after the grace period, the club's license will be suspended until it is able to fulfill its requirement.

            Barred or suspended DDBSA members may not be a member of any AKC accredited or licensed regional Dogue de Bordeaux club.

For additional information please contact: Rodney Diseker at rod_knee_d@yahoo.com / Kara Hammond at  khammond1237@aol.com  or  AKC Club Relations @ (212) 696-8211

                       

 

 

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