Member Complaint Process

1. Write Your Complaint

Must be in writing, signed, and state clearly what conduct you believe is harmful to the Club or the breed. A complaint may only be filed against one member; multiple members require multiple complaints.

2. Send It to the Secretary

Mail or email your signed complaint to the Club Secretary. If mailed, include the required filing fee. If emailed, the Secretary will send you an invoice for the fee. Both the complaint and fee must be received before the complaint is processed.

3. Trial Board Review

If a Trail Board has been appointed by the Board, the Secretary forwards the complaint to the Trial Board Chair.

If a Trial Board has not yet been appointed, the Board will schedule a meeting to appoint the Trial Board.

Complaints are reviewed in the order they are received.  The Trial Board first decides whether to take jurisdiction.

    • If jurisdiction is not accepted: complainant is notified that complaint is dismissed and the fee is forfeited.
    • If jurisdiction is accepted: the complaint proceeds to a hearing and the fee is refunded.

Each complaint is considered individually; if there is a complaint and a counter-complaint the first complaint received will be completed before considering the counter-complaint.

4. Hearing Process

The hearing will be scheduled at least 3 weeks and not more then 6 weeks from the date jurisdiction is taken. The accused member will be notified in writing via certified mail of the hearing date, time and alleged charges. The complainant will be notified via email of the date and time of the hearing.

At the hearing, both the complainant and the accused member may present evidence and bring witnesses. The Trial Board will listen to both sides and then deliberate privately.

5. Decision

The Trial Board votes in secret. Possible outcomes include dismissal, reprimand, suspension for a defined period, or recommendation of expulsion. Both parties will receive written notice of the decision from the Secretary.

6. Expulsion Cases

Only the full membership can expel a member. This happens at the Annual Meeting or a Special Meeting. The member has the right to speak before the vote. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote by secret ballot of voting members present and in good standing.