The Maine Highlands Sled Dog Club, Inc.
By-Laws
Name
The name of the club shall be The Maine Highlands Sled Dog Club, Inc. Hereinafter to be known as TMSDC, Inc.
Object
The object of the club shall be:
A. To promote education of non professional sled dog sports.
B. To promote the humane and responsible breeding, care, training, and driving of sled dogs.
C. To promote public interest and understanding of dog powered sports.
Membership
D. Any person who supports and promotes the purposes of the club shall be eligible for membership
E. The Board of Directors or the membership shall refuse membership to anyone or eject for cause.
F. There shall be two types of membership: personal and family.
Officers
G. The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person.
H. The President presides at all meetings, appoints all committees, preserves order, makes parliamentary decisions and rulings, votes only to break a tie in a voice or roll call vote, votes as any other member in a ballot vote, and leaves the chair to debate-never debates from the chair.
I. The Vice President, in the absence or inability of the President to serve, must take over the duties of the President. The Vice President will act as trophy and point chairman and maintain the club scrapbook.
J. The Recording Secretary shall preserve the records and past proceedings of the club, and keep a true and accurate record of meetings and decisions of the club during his or her tenure of office.
K. The Corresponding Secretary shall notify the members of meetings, and maintain all club correspondence, including but not limited to a club newsletter.
L. The Treasurer shall take and keep possession of the stock and other property of the club, keep a true and accurate record thereof, receive all monies from the hands of club members, and pay all approved debts of the club. The Board of Directors shall have the ultimate authority to approve the payment of debts and to authorize the expenditure of club funds.
M. The Assistant Treasurer, in the absence or inability of the Treasurer to serve, must take over the duties of the Treasurer.
N. In the event that the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are absent from a function, the President is hereby authorized to sign checks and will designate someone to accept monies and keep such records as are necessary at said function
O. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers of the club, the immediate past President of the club, and a minimum six (6) other members elected by the club, Their duties shall consist of formulating plans for accomplishing the purposes of the club and they shall be authorized to act in the name of the club in time of emergency or need. The term of office for the Board of Directors shall be their tenure as an officer of the club. The past President shall serve for one year. The members of the Board elected by the club shall serve for two years. The President of the club shall serve as Chairperson of the Board.
P. Any officer who fails to attend two consecutive meetings shall relinquish his honor.
Committees
Q. A Racing Committee voted on by the members at the annual meeting, or appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of:
1. Race Marshall and or Race Manager
2. Chief Judge
3. Chief Timer
4. Club President
5. Club Vice-President
6. (1) Board Member At Large (to be appointed by the race committee
7. Race Liaison
R. A Publicity Committee shall be voted on by members at the annual meeting, or appointed by the Board of Directors. The chairman to be the Corresponding Secretary.
S. An Animal Welfare Committee shall be voted on by members at the annual meeting, or appointed by the Board of Directors.
T. An Education Committee shall be voted on by members at the annual meeting, or appointed by the Board of Directors.
Meetings
U. Since the fiscal year begins May 1 and ends April 30, the annual spring meeting will be held in April at which time officers and committees will be elected for the ensuing year. The annual meeting will be held on the third Sunday in April. At least one other regular meeting will be held; usually in conjunction with the fall rig race the second Sunday in November. Other meetings shall be held as deemed necessary by the President, with the Corresponding Secretary providing at least ten (10) days notice to all members in good standing.
V. Notices of meetings shall be sent to all regular members. Twenty percent (20%) of the membership shall constitute a quorum. All questions will be decided by majority vote.
Dues
W. Dues shall be $10.00 per year for personal members $25.00 for family membership.
X. Honorary or Lifetime members shall not pay dues and will be allowed one vote. Any person may be elected an Honorary or Lifetime member by unanimous vote of the members of TMHSDC, Inc.
Amendments
A written request for a change to the bylaws will be made during a club meeting. The request will be read at the meeting and voted on at the next meeting, after a recommendation of the Board of Directors. A written copy will be submitted to the membership in the meeting notice. A vote by the majority of the members present, providing they constitute a quorum will be needed for the change. This By-Law change will become temporary for year at that time the Board of Directors will review the By-Law change and if accepted it will become permanent.
Awards
The Leonhard Sappala Award
1. This award will be presented annually to the club member/or members in good standing who fulfills the
following criteria:
a. A leader in " Sportsmanship"
b. Outstanding "Club Participation"
c. Presents a positive "Public image in the sport"
2. These nomination criteria will be included in the notice of the Spring meeting.
3. Nominations will be made in writing with a narrative to the club Vice President by the annual spring meeting. This narrative will include a short explanation of the person’s qualifications as listed above.
4. A vote will take place by secret ballot at the Fall meeting, the award will be
Presented upon completion of the vote.
Dissolution
The club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than 2/3 of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the club whether voluntary or in voluntary or by operations of law, none of the property of the club nor any proceeds thereof nor any assets of the club shall be distributed to any members of the club, but after payment of the debts of the club, its property and assets shall be given to a non-profit charitable organization selected by the Board of Directors.
Racing Rules
The TMHDC, Inc. adopts the race rules promulgated by the International Sled Dog Racing Association (ISDRA) subject to the following additions or modifications. In the event of any inconsistencies between the current ISDRA rules and the local rules, the local rules shall control. The Race Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that a current copy of the ISDRA race rules and local rules are provided to the Chief Judge at least one week in advance of any race, and that a copy of all applicable rules are available for review by drivers at the race site.
Y. Local Sprint Race Rules
1. All drivers must be members of the TMHSDC in good standing
2. The Race Committee may choose to exercise the right to mark dogs for identification as well as random verification of rabies certificates and current DHLPP vaccinations. Be prepared to show proof with signed Veterinary certificates or receipts.
3. The Chief Judge at each race has the power to take disciplinary action against drivers or handlers
Upon entering the race site and until leaving. Unruly behavior could be cause for removal.
4. Whips of any kind are prohibited.
5. Any abuse of dogs, with or without an instrument is prohibited.
6. Dog bags are mandatory for any sled race. A bag big enough to hold or cover a dog must be used. Any dog carried on the sled must be humanely and securely fastened onto the sled whether in or out of the bag. A severely injured or expired dog must be carried in the dog bag.
7. The club may offer the following race classes (no dog shall be run in more than one class during a particular race with the exception of the 1 dog class).
a. 1 dog skijoring
b. 2 dog skijoring
c. 2 to 4 dog Sportsman not to exceed 6 miles
d. 4 to 6 dog Sportsman not to exceed 8 miles
e. 2 to 3 dog Junior Sportsman class is for individuals up to and including 14 years of age, with the youngest entrants at the discretion of the Chief Judge
f. The Race Committee may, if there is sufficient demand, opt to offer a 1- dog class for individuals up to 12 years of age, with the youngest entrants at the discretion of the Chief Judge.
g. Sportsman distance 15 to 35 miles at the discretion of the race committee.
Drivers are reminded that this is a Sportsman class and the values of good sportsmanship should prevail. In this atmosphere, we hope to encourage and develop new drivers and teams; any veterans of racing should be courteous and helpful toward this end.
8. The order of classes will be left to the discretion of the Race Committee and may be changed without notice for cause.
9. Entries must be received no later than 9:00 pm EST the Thursday prior to the race. Entries received after this deadline will be considered late and subject to a fee, entrants will also be placed at the end of the start order of their respective class. No entries will be accepted after the drivers’ meeting.
10. The drivers’ meeting will be at least one half hour prior to the start of the first class on the first day the of the race.
11. The draw for starting positions will be held prior to the start of the race. Such drawing is to determine the start positions of the drivers entered. Late entries will be added at the end of the class in the order received. Changing drivers on the second day of the race will only be done with prior approval from the Race Marshall.
12. New drivers must meet with the Chief Judge or his representative 15 minutes prior to the drivers’ meeting on the first day of the race for a briefing on local rules and equipment check.
13. If a team is late to the line, they will start at the end of the class, be timed on there regular start time.
Z. Skijoring
1. The draw shall be by 1 and 2 dog separately depending on the amount of entrants.
2. The team must be attached via harness and towline to the skijorer’s belt in a safe and secure manner, leaving the skijorer’s hands free of the line. The towline shall be 8-12 feet long with a quick point of detachment within arms length of the skijorer.
3. Skijorers need not come to a full stop, but must slow, and immediately yield the right-of-way upon demand. In the event that the skijor team passed shall hang on for two minutes or one half mile, he/she shall have the right to demand trail. Unless passing or in the finishing chute, a competitor must maintain a minimum of 20 feet between his/her dog(s) and the skijorer in front.
AA. Rig Race
1. In the event that the Board of Directors schedules a rig race in the fall or any time there is no snow, the ISDRA rig race rules apply. Rigs are defined and used legally in such races:
a. 3 or 4 wheeled cart w/steering and locking break, able to hold one dog, and must carry snub line or hook
b. 3 or 4 wheeled ATV-not assisted by mechanical power.
c. motorcycle-large frame only, when laid down able to hold one dog-up to the discretion of Chief Judge
2. Entrants will pay standard club entry fees for each class. The fees will go to the club treasury.
D. Local Distance Rules (see separate cover)