By-Laws
Delmarva Chapter Of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA)
ARTICLE I. – NAME, AUTHORIZATION AND PURPOSE
Section 1. NAME
The name of this organization is the DelMarVa Chapter of the North American
Section 2. AUTHORIZATION
DelMarVa Chapter is an authorized Chapter of NAVHDA, which is a non-profit
organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a non-profit
corporation. The Chapter is pledged to operate within the framework of the by-laws
and policies of the parent organization.
Section 3. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Chapter is to foster, improve, promote, and protect the versatile
hunting dog breeds in North America by such activities as:
(a) Sponsoring field tests for the versatile breeds according to the rules of the Field
Test Standards of NAVHDA.
(b) Conducting training clinics, demonstrations and similar activities as an aid to
members and other interested persons in realizing the full potential of their versatile
hunting dogs.
(c) Cooperating with other hunting dog clubs and hunting dog breed clubs that wish
to run sanctioned field tests under the rules of NAVHDA.
(d) Acquainting sportsmen and hunters with the history and use of the versatile
hunting dog breeds
(e) Increasing general awareness of the historic heritage and undiminished value of
the trained hunting dog as in indispensable companion for the fair pursuit and
conservation of game.
ARTICLE 11 – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section 1. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership in the NAVHDA parent organization is encouraged but is not a
requirement for membership in the DelMarVa Chapter. However any member of the
DelMarVa Chapter must also be a member of the parent organization to be eligible
to hold any officer positions within the DelMarVa Chapter
(b) Spouses of active members and young people under eighteen years of age who
are also members of NAVHDA shall be eligible for membership in DelMarVa
Chapter. Spouses and Junior Members shall have all privileges and benefits of
membership, except that the latter will not be accorded voting privileges.
(c) There will be no drinking of Alcoholic beverages during training hours.
(d) The executive Council of DelMarVa Chapter may expel from the Chapter any
member for good cause shown, such as violation of rules, unsportsmanlike conduct,
or other actions that might bring discredit to the chapter and NAVHDA. Prior to
final action by the Executive Council, the person in question shall be given an
opportunity to present their case to the council. If the decision is to expel, no refund
of dues will be made and recommendation will be made to NAVHDA that the parent
organization also expel the individual.
Section 2. DUES
and will be for a full calendar year. A reduced rate will be offered to spouses of
active members and to Junior Members.
(b) Such dues shall be due and payable on January 1 of each year. Dues must be paid
(a) Membership dues will be established annually by the Chapter Executive Councilby February 28 of each year or membership is considered terminated. Dues paid after
November 1 shall be deemed adequate for the balance of the year in which they are
paid and for the next succeeding year.
ARTICLE 111 – EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND DUTIES
Section 1. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
elected officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), the
immediate Past President, a Director of Field Tests, Director of
Training, Director of Membership
The Executive Council of DelMarVa Chapter shall consist of fourappointed by the President with the advice and consent of the other
members of the Council. These Directors shall have a vote in all
executive business conducted by the Council.
, and a Director of Publicity who are
SECTION 2. DUTIES
(a) President. The President is the chief executive of the Chapter. The
President chairs Executive Council and general membership meetings,
appoints and heads committees as required and with the advice and
consent of the Executive Council appoints persons to fill vacancies
occurring within the Council. He (she) also acts as the principal liaison
officer between the Chapter and NAVHDA.
(b) Vice President. The Vice President assumes the office of President
in the event of a vacancy occurring therein. He (She) acts for the
President during the temporary absence of the President and performs
such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
(c) Secretary. The secretary shall be responsible for Chapter
correspondence, mailings, administrative records and reports, minutes
of meetings and other administrative business of the Chapter.
(d) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of the
Chapter, receive and disburse monies and prepare financial statements.
(e) Director of Field Tests. The Director of Field Tests shall be
responsible for recommending to the Executive Council plans and
programs for field tests.
(f) Director of Training. The Director of Training shall be responsible
for recommending to the Executive Council plans and programs for
training clinics, demonstrations and similar activities and for overseeing
the execution of approved plans and programs in this category. Liaise
with the State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control (DNREC) for coordination of training, test
dates, and permitting.
(g) Director of Membership. The Director of Membership shall be
responsible for tracking and updating membership lists, sending out
new member packets, and sending out renewal notices. The Director of
Membership shall also be responsible for sending updated membership
list annually to DNREC for the purpose of obtaining the annual
Retriever Training Permit. The Director of Membership must also be
familiar with Microsoft Excel.
(h) Director of Publicity. The Director of Publicity shall be responsible
for recommending to the Executive Council plans and programs
designed to increase public awareness of Chapter aims, programs and
events and for implementing approved publicity plans. The Director of
publicity is also responsible for the preparation of chapter newsletters
and narrative reports of Chapter events for other publications.
ARTICLE IV – ELECTIONS
Section 1. FREQUENCY
Election of officers shall be held every two years.
Section 2. TERMS OF OFFICE
Elected officers shall be installed at the annual membership meeting in
November of the year immediately subsequent to the time of election
for a two-year term ending on the 31
elected officer may hold the same office for more than two terms. (This
schedule is maintained to conform to the National Clubs yearly update
of club officers.)
st of October of the second year. No
Section 3. NOMINATIONS
(a) Nominees must have been a member of DelMarVa Chapter for a
minimum of one year at the time of nomination and must have reached
their 21
(b) Nominations for elected office will be made by a Nominating
Committee of three persons selected by lot from among those active
adult members who have been members of the Chapter for a minimum
of two years. Incumbent members of the Executive Council are not
eligible to serve on the Nominating Committee, except that if there are
insufficient qualified volunteers among the general membership to form
a committee of three, one member of the Executive Council may be
drawn by lot to serve, but not a Committee Chairman.
(c) Recommendations of the Nominating Committee shall be in the
hands of the Secretary not later than July 31st of the election year. The
Secretary shall insure that a list of the recommended nominees is
distributed to the general membership so as to arrive not later than
September 10
(d) In addition, any adult member of the Chapter may submit a
nomination. To be valid, nominations submitted by individuals must be:
(1) Accompanied by a petition of nominations signed by at least
five adult members of the Chapter;
(2) Accompanied by a letter of consent signed by the nominee, and;
(3) In the hands of the Secretary not later than July 31st.
st birthdayth.
Section 4. VOTING
(a) Voting will be by secret balloting conducted by mail.
(b) Based on the input of the Nominating Committee and such individual
nominations as may have been received, the Secretary will prepare a blank ballot for
distribution to each member over 18 years of age. Where two or more persons have
been nominated for the same office, the name of the nominee selected by the
Nominating Committee shall be listed first, with other candidates for the office
appearing in alphabetical order. The blank ballot shall be in simple form and
postmarked no later than September 25
to the chairman of the Tellers Committee.
(c) The Tellers Committee shall consist of the Nominating Committee.
(d) To be valid, a ballot must be postmarked not later than the 25
Ballots will be counted no earlier than October 10
Secretary immediately. The Secretary will announce the results to the membership by
October 17
(e) A simple majority shall determine the successful candidate in each case. In case
of a tie vote, the candidate who has been a member of the Chapter for the longest
period shall be declared the winner.
(f) Ballots will be kept on file for a period of one year following the election.
th, with an accompanying envelope addressedth day of September.th and the results reported to theth.
Section 5. DELEGATE TO NAVHDA MEETINGS
(a) Article VII, section 3 of the NAVHDA by-laws (Revised 1977) provides for
attendance of a chapter delegate at the annual meeting of NAVHDA, with voting
privileges on all executive business conducted at the meeting.
(b) When deemed advisable and feasible, the Executive Council of
DelMarVa Chapter will select a member of the Chapter to attend. This
delegate shall be in addition to any member who might also be serving
on the NAVHDA Executive Council.
ARTICLE V – FIELD TESTS
Section 1. RULES
prior NAVHDA sanction and in accordance with the NAVHDA test
rules then pertaining.
Field Tests conducted by DelMarVa Chapter shall be conducted with
Section 2. AWARDS
will be limited to simple awards. Every dog qualifying will receive the
same award. No other awards other than those mentioned will be
awarded. No monetary awards will be given at any test.
Awards for the Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory, and Utility Tests
Section 3. ENTRY FEES
Entry fees for field tests sponsored by the Chapter will be established by
the Executive Council for each test. Fees for dogs owned by members
of Delmarva NAVHDA will be established at a reduced rate, regardless
of whether the handler is a member of NAVHDA or not.
ARTICLE VI – BUSINESS PROCEDURES
Section 1. MOTIONS
Motions from the general membership for consideration by the
Executive Council shall be presented to the Secretary in the form of
eight written copies. Any adult member may make a motion at any time.
Motions before the Executive Council will be decided by a simple
majority.
Section 2. BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the By-Laws shall be voted upon as heretofore set forth
for motions provided, however, that it shall require two-thirds majority
of the membership voting to pass a By-Law amendment.
