South African Federation of Dog Sledding Sports

Constitution

WELCOME to the South African musher interested in purebred dog sledding sports.

 
About SAFDSS
About FISTC
Animal Welfare
Anti-Doping
Animal Protect Act
Dog Sledding Breeds
How to Get Started
Dog Sledding Basics
Time-Trail Rules
Equipment
Dog Sledding Sports
Back Packing Rules
Weight Pull Rules
Event Sanctioning
Senior Sport Program
Junior Sport Program
Event Calendar
Resources
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SAFDSS and it‘s member Clubs undertake to cooperate in  all confidence with corresponding breed and working associations and/or federations nationally and internationally.

 

1.    Name, headquarter and field of activity

         

a.  The federation name is SOUTH AFRICAN FEDERATION OF DOG SLEDDING SPORTS, abbreviated as SAFDSS.

 

b.  The Federation will have its headquarters at the domicile of the Chairman. They may however be fixed at any other place upon a decision by the General Assembly.

 

c.   The field of activity of the Federation spreads all over the boundaries of South African provinces.

 

2.    Aims

 

a.  The aims of the Federation is to practise and promote sledging sport with sled dog breeds agree upon by F.C.I. Sleddog Commission in being the Alaskan Malamutes, Greenland Dogs, Samoydes and Siberian Huskies breeds.

 

b.  The Federation and it‘s structures has been setup exclusively to suport public interest in promoting and organising dog sledding sports.

 

c.   The aim of the Federation is not to operate for its own interests but to work firstly and above all for the interests and safety of sled dog sports.

 

d.  The aim of the Federation is to apply its assests within the guidelines of the Statutes to further the interest of sled dog sports.

 

e.  The federation will not advantage anyone by administrative expenditures not corresponding to the aims of the Federation.

 

f.   Expelled or resigning members have to right on the assets of the Fedration.

 

g.  No member contributions or gifts will be given back.

 

h.  The Federation can become a Member of any other Organisations in order to fullfill it‘s aims.

 

3.    Tasks

 

The main tasks of the Federation will be:

         

  1. Organize Regional, South African and/or African Championships in cooperation with the affiliated International Federation.

 

  1. Coordinate calendars for dog sledging regional and national events and championships, Cups, Trophees or National Challenges in cooperation with regional member clubs.

 

  1. Participate with all member Clubs in compiling event rules and to control the application of these rules for the safety of dogs and mushers during all events hosted by member Clubs.

 

d.    Assist member Clubs in promoting and the developing of the sport to such an extent to train technical executives, technical event managers, instructors for young people, specialised trainers.

 

e.    Assist member Clubs in organising training seminars and training sessions in providing assistance and support.  

 

f.     Assist member Clubs in setting a high standard of application of rules as agreed by the Federation.

 

  1. Represent and promote dog sledging sports together with member Clubs and associations in front of national and international authorities and in particular the N.O.C.S.A as and when required for acceptance with the I.O.C.

 

  1. Promote cooperation between member Clubs and Associations and to maintain friendly relationships between them.

 

  1. Publish the Federation´s News with the cooperation of all member Clubs in order to enable the best broadcasting of sport news and informations of general interest within member Clubs and Associations with the use of the electronic media.

 

4.    Fundamental principles

         

SAFDSS and its members are bound to apply the following fundamental principles:

 

  1. Dog sledding sports can only by practised with pure breed sled dogs as governed by F.C.I or certified as working titled pure breed sled dogs with corresponding microchip certification.

 

  1. The fundamental principles of amateur sports and fairplay to be applied.

 

  1. It must respect the rules of the affiliated International Federation for the prevention of crualty to animals.

 

  1. Respect initial significant marks belonging to sled dog breeds agreed upon by the International Federation.

 

  1. Maintain the filing according to events Categories 1 (purebred Siberian Huskies), Category 2 (purebred Alaskan Malamutes, Greenland dogs, Samoydes), as well as all Classes Categories O, A, B, C, D and Ski-jorring, PH, PF, for sport identical filing reasons.

 

  1. Cooperation with the corresponding breed and dog sledding associations in agreement with the F.C.I principals for purebred sled dog breeds under the guidance of the F.C.I Sledding Commission.

 

5.    Financial and subscription year

         

For the Federation, the financial year starts the 1st July and finishes the 30th June each year.

 

6.    Quality of Members 

         

  1. Only sporting clubs and national sport federations or associations with pure breed sled dogs as agreed upon by the F.C.I., such as Alaskan Malamutes, Greenland dogs, Samoyedes and Siberian Huskies, can become a member.

 

  1. Organisations of federations having common interests, along the lines of these statutes, as far as dog sledging sports are concerned, can request to be associated with SAFDSS. Associated organisations or federations will have an observe status and a consultative function in the person who have been Mandated.

 

  1. Common law corporations can also become members.

 

  1. Federations or associations belonging to a federation not in conformity with the F.C.I. rules and regulations for dog sledding sports, cannot become a member. The status of duplicate member is then not possible.

 

  1. Individual members of affiliated or associated Clubs must not belong to a club or federation not in conformity with F.C.I. rules and regulations for dog sledding sports.

 

7.    Acquisition of Member status and affiliation 

         

The request for Club Member status has to be sent to the Chairman, by submitting the Application and Declaration Form.

 

The following documents have to be sent with the application:

 

  1. A certified copy of the club or association statutes.

 

  1. A copy of the event rules to be followed.

 

  1. A copy of all the Bylaws.

 

d.    A resolution from the Executive Board requesting affiliation to SAFDSS.

 

The Executive Board may grant associated or full membership status by a decision taken by majority votes. It will be essential to justify that the club or association aim towards objectives that are identical to those stated in the paragraphs 2 and 4 of the SAFDSS Statutes.

 

8.    End of Member status and affiliation 

         

  1. A member status ends on resignation from the Federation or when expelled by the Executive Board from the Federation.

 

  1. A club will be able to leave the Federation at the end of each financial year with a 3 months notice. The declaration of resignation must be sent in writing to the Chairman together with the minutes stating that such a decision was taken at the members assembly. The Chairman confirms the resignation of the members assembly. The Chairman confirms the resignation in writing to the resigning member.

 

  1. The exclusion of a member club may take place following a decision by the Executive Board and in particular for the following reasons:

 

                    i.    because of breakings of the Federation statutes or rules or

 

                   ii.    because of breaking of arrangements or decisions taken by SAFDSS

 

                  iii.    becaouse of rather rank breaking of documental basis of sporting behaviour or the interests of the Federation or

 

                 iv.    because of an affiliation to a federation not in conformity with the F.C.I. rules and regulations for dog sledding sports.

 

This decision of  exclusion will be submitted for ratification to the next General Assembly. The exclusion process may be initiated by a decision of the Executive Board or following a justified claim by a club member affiliated to the Federation.

 

The member concerned by a decision of exclusion may appeal to the Executive Board will then present the case to the Chairman to have their views heard during a special meeting or under written procedure.

 

  1. The club member status will be cancelled by the Executive Board in the following instances:

 

                      i.     when the club or association has been cancelled or dissolved by decision as per their own rules as described in their statutes

 

                     ii.     when the club or the association has been withdrawn its capacity by the public authorities of the Country.

 

 

                     iii.   when members obtain the member status with another association/federation not in conformity with the F.C.I. rules and regulations for dog sledding sports.

 

  1. The loss of member status does not free from accomplisment of requirements not yet settled with or by the Federation. At such time the unresolved issues needs to be tabled for discussion by all parties involved in getting a amicable solution to benefit of all involved.

 

  1. Mushers belonging to a affiliated Club and who are banned from Regional & National Events due to breaking rules concerning doping offices also have to be banned from every event organised by SAFDSS affiliated clubs.

 

9.    Membership and subscription fees 

         

a)    When the membership application process have been completed, member clubs have to pay the membership fees fixed by the Executive Board.

 

b)    Member Clubs have to pay subscription fees, each year to the Federation for the amount as agreed by the Executive Board.

 

c)    Member Clubs are responsible for the payment of any taxes on subscription fees.

 

10.  Members´ rights and duties 

         

  1. All Member clubs and their members have the same rights and duties.

 

  1. Member clubs may, after complying with the various arrangements and rules, use the equipment belonging to the Federation to take part in all events.

 

  1. Member clubs and their members undertake to comply with the following rules:

 

                 i.   Pratice dog sledding sport only with pure breed sled dogs, having the corresponding documents established by an association affiliated to F.C.I. and as per the rules as prescribed by F.C.I.

 

                ii.   Breed and train dogs in serious and fair manner complying with the rules of international animals welfare protection socities.

 

               iii.   Behave in a fairplay and friendly way during sporting events.

 

              iv.   Promote the Federation‘s general interest objectives.

 

               v.   Comply with payment obligations vis á vis the Federation by paying punctually the amounts requested.

 

              vi.   Inform in writing and inmediately on acceptance to all individual members, all SAFSS information in relation with their interests regading their Club‘s member status.

 

11.  Federation organism 

    

The eminent part of the Federation is the General Assembly. The Federation is administered by an Executive Board composed with at least 3 persons and at most 7. They are elected for five years and they must, each year, report to the General Assembly on their activities.

 

In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman´s vote to be desisive.

 

12. The General Assembly

         

  1. The General Assembly is composed with representatives of the member Clubs, federations or associations ( those delegates will have been elected during the meetings or general assemblies of members associations or federations).

 

  1. These representatives have a number of votes in proportion with the number of licenced mushers in their Club, i.e. 1 vote for a club accounting less than 100 registered mushers, 2 votes for a club accounting 100 registered mushers, 3 votes for a Club accounting 150 registered mushers, 3 votes for a Club accounting 150 registered mushers, etc.

 

13. To summon the General Assembly 

         

  1. The ordinary meeting of the General Assembly takes place each year during the second quarte. It is summoned by the Chairman.

 

  1. An extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly has to be summoned when at least, 3/4 of the General Assembly or 2/5 of federations or associations belonging to the Federation request it, in written form to the Secretary, indicating precisely the reasons and aims of this extraordinary meeting. This General Assembly meeting has to be summoned at least one month after the request has been notified.

 

  1. The summoning by the Chairman will take place at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the General Assembly by e-mail to the Secretary or in written form. The Secretary will in turn send out the notice for the general Assembly to take place immediately on receipt from the Chairman.

 

  1. The agenda of issues to be discussed during the General Assembly will be published in convening notice as distributed by the Secretary.

 

  1. Any requests for an  ordinary meeting of the General Assembly, notification have to be received by the Secretary at least 4 weeks prior to the scheduled date.

 

14.  Decision making by the Executive Board 

         

  1. The Executive Board is the decision making body of the Federation. It will decide in all matters as long as they are relevant to aims of the federation in making decisions on all presented requests.

 

  1. Executive Board decisions will be decided by single vote majority and should an equal  vote be the result, the Chairman will cast the decisive vote.

 

15.  Requesting rights,  requesting times, priority requests, voting right and deliberation capacity.

 

  1. All member clubs have a requesting right according to paragraph 6.

 

  1. All requests must be notified to the Secretary at least 4 weeks before the General Assembly meeting.

 

  1. All requests that have not been notified in due time or which have only been notified after the beginning of the General Assembly will be considered as a „priority request“. A priority request can only be discussed if the General Assembly has decided by a simple majority to allow such discussion. Priority requests aiming to a modification of the statutes, or the aims of the Federation, or the dissolution of the Federation; are unacceptable.

 

  1. The General Assembly, summoned in conformity with the established rules, will be in a position to validly deliberate whatever the number of its present voters is.

 

16.  Decision making

 

  1. In the case of elections or requests the General Assembly will decide on a basic of a majority of hands for yes or no. In the case of an equality the Charman´s hand decides the majority.

 

  1. The modification of the statutes will require a qualifies majority of 75% of the votes by showing of hands. The modification of the Federation aims and its dissolution will require a majority of  75% of the vote plus 1 with the showing of hands.

 

17.  Executive Board

 

  1. The Executive Board will be composed of Members, they are elected for 5 years.

 

                    i.  Chairman

                   ii.  Vice Chairman

                  iii.  Treasurer

                 iv.  Secretary

                  v.  Director Sports

 

The following position will not be Executive Board members but can be coopted to the Board in an advisory capacity, but will have no vote in decision making:

 

               viii.  Veterinary (advisory)

                 ix.  Animal Welfare Supervisor (advisory)

 

b.    The Members of the Executive Board are elected by balot paper for 5 years. Members i), iii) and iv) are compulsory. Aqny any position on the Board can become a joint position. Members of the Executive Board can remain on the Executive Board, eventhough they are no more representing their club, should the importance of their functions as well as the work they are doing contribute to the Federation‘s development and continuity. Reelections are acceptable.

 

  1. The Executive Board is in a position to meet in making decisons, as long as at least 2/3 of Executive Members are present.

 

  1. If a Member of Executive Board resign and leaves his functions during his mandate, the Executive Board can replace him by appointing a substitute member from the affiliated clubs until the next General Assembly which will elect a new Member in replacement until the end of the mandate.

 

18.  Functions of the Executive Board

 

a.    The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Tresurer and Secretary are authorised to act on behalf of the Federation. These four Executive Board Members are entitled to represent the Federation in all legal and non legal processes.

 

b.    The Chairman adminstrates and overseas the Federation business.

 

c.    The Chairman summons once a year, during the 3rd quarter, a meeting with all the Members of the Executive Board. It could be where the South African National Championship takes place in order to check the event track. During this meeting, executive members can take decisions regarding the Federation administration, as well as regarding provisional admission of new clubs.

 

All decisions are submitted for verification at the next meeting of the General Assembly. The Executive Board can also invite new possible members to Regional or National  Championships.

 

d.    Executive Board Members have at any time, right to access and participate in meetings and assamblies of Member clubs and associations.

 

19.  Situation of Member Clubs and Associations

 

  1. Member clubs or associations will do their own business according to their own statutes, provided they are not in contradiction with the SAFDSS Statutes.
  2. Member clubs and associations will administrate their business themselves, in an autonomous way, according to their own statutes and bylaws.

 

20.  Financial general and fundamental principles

 

  1. The Federation plans and administrates its finances in order to guarantee the achievement of its taks.

 

  1. All assets provided in the budget and possible surpluses can only be used in conformity to the statutes.

 

 

21.  Budget and supplemantary budget

 

  1. The Treasurer submits each year, to the General Assembly, a balanced budget as far as receipts and expenditures are concerned.

 

  1. In so far as supplementary receipts or expenditures are over the compensation possibility in the overall budget, the Treasurer submits to the General Assembly a supplementary budget.

 

  1. The normal budget as well as the supplementary one have to be approved by the General Assembly.

 

22.  Yearly Balances

 

  1. The Treasurer establishes each year a profit and loss account as well as a balance for approval by the General Assembly.

 

  1. Annual accounts and closures of financial years are submitted for authorisation to the General Assembly.

 

23.  Control of accountant books

 

  1. The administration of the Federation is controlled after the end of the financial year and before the date of the General Assembly meeting by an approved financial officer who will produce a financial report on the control of the closure of the financial year in taking in to account all the receipts and expenditures as well as the budgetary situation. In this report, they will also specify if the financial reports and the book keeping for the Federation have been done in conformity with the rules and if disputes have to be initiated. This financial report is submitted to the General Assembly by the Treasurer.

 

  1. As budget report for the next financial year is prepared and presented by the Treasurer for final approval by the General Assembly.

 

  1. The financial officer is elected by the Executive Board for three years. They must not belong to the Executive Board. In case of resignation of financial officer, the General Assembly elects a new one for a further two years.

 

24.  Federation rights

 

  1. The Federation is entitled to take actions against member clubs and/or their individual members and inflict penalities, if these members do not respect the objectives and interest of the Federation, or because of breaking the Federation statutes, rules or regulations adopted by the Federation.

 

  1. Penalities inflicted by the Executive Board can mean:

 

                    i.  Warning notice

 

                   ii.  Resolution given notice to the fact that a request for exclusion from the Federation has been initiated.

 

                  iii.  Ban from participating in any events of the Federation or of member clubs or associations for a period up to 12 months.

 

                 iv.  Total ban from the Federation.

 

  1. The General Assembly is competent to make decitions on the treatment and/or the  application of penalities at national level.

 

  1. The following grounds may generate an expultion process:

 

                    i.  Prejudice on the Federation aims and tasks.

 

                   ii.  Severe breaking of the Federation statutes, as well as its rules and regulations.

 

                  iii.  Insult to club members or members of the Executive Board, as well as improper and no fairplay behaviour, in the Federation events and in races organised by other affiliated clubs or associations.

 

  1. Process rules

 

                    i.  When a process is initiated, the defendant are notified in writing. In this respect, the defendant is invited to express his view, within the three weeks following the notification, together with any proof that could discharge him.

 

                   ii.  All processes will occur without public knowledge and in writing.

 

                  iii.  Decisions concerning the application of sanctions or penalities are taken with an ordinary majority. Minutes are drafted for all meeting concerned with sanctions or penalities. A written notice is then sent to the defendant, specifying the sanction inflicted by the Federation and the reasons having determined it.

 

25.  The Federation dissolution

 

  1. The Federation can only be dissolved by a decision taken during a General Assembly meeting, in which at least 75% of the Members having the right to vote has to be present as per the stipulations of the statutes.

 

  1. In the case of dissolution or suppression of the Federation, the member clubs or their members have no right on the assets of the Federation. In the case of dissolution or suppression of the Federation, all the assets are transferred to a corporation which benefits from tax reductions, so that it can use them for the benefit of sport.

 

  1. In the case of the Federation dissolution, the liquidation is insured by the Members of Executive Board, in duty at the moment of the dissolution. Decision making by the liquidators is by majority of votes.

 

26.  Minutes

 

Minutes are drafted for sessions and decisions being taken by the Federation or any committee formed. The minutes are to be counter signed by the Chairman and the person who drafts them.

 

27.  Operation of the statutes

 

These statutes are deemed to be the founding draft statutes and replaces none before it and needs to be approved at the first General Assembly to be held in due course.

 

Date: 24th October 2009

 

Executive Composition Constitution

 

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