The objects and purposes of the association shall be:
IMPORTANT
The Cockapoo Club of America does not recognize any other registry for maintaining documentation on the American Cockapoo™. The CCA registry is unique in its strict inbreeding limitations, requirements for traceable clear AKC registered breeds of origin, Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certification on the eyes, and excellent health and temperament of dams and sires. The CCA encourages Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) certifications for patellar luxation, hips and elbows.
The Cockapoo Club of America reserves the right to refuse membership and /or use of the CCA Registry to any individual who participates in any organization or registry in conflict with the CCA goals, and objectives.
The American Cockapoo™ derives from the Poodle it's extraordinary intelligence and non shedding coat. From the Cocker Spaniel it gets its sweet nature, patient disposition and sturdy build. The resulting personality is unparalleled in its ability to relate to people and children. They are known for being loyal, affectionate, open and friendly, non destructive, eager to please, easily trained, vigorous, clean, healthy, and long lived. The American Cockapoo's™ flexibility and range of sizes make it ideal for a number of special situations. Please help us to protect and preserve the American Cockapoo™ from those only interested in show, profit, and personal gain.
Section 1. Eligibility
There shall be two types of memberships:
Additional information is available to breeders upon request. This includes breeder support and materials, access to CERF purebred breeder lists, and current statistics on heritable eye disease from CCA breed club membership in CERF.. (Available upon request to interested members also).
Membership is open to all persons who are in good standing with the Cockapoo Club of America and who subscribe to the purposes and goals of this club. Membership is unrestricted as to residence and is not transferable. Membership shall consist of Cockapoo owners, breeders, and others interested in the breed. Applicants who are members of a conflicting organization as defined by the CCA may be denied membership at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Dues
Every member shall pay annual dues. Family memberships (two adults at the same address) shall be eligible for a special dues rate and each shall receive all the privileges accorded members of the Association. Membership dues are due and payable by the first of June of each year. Dues paid by March, April and May shall be credited towards the following year. Any member in arrears may not be readmitted to membership until such arrears have been fully paid. Notice shall be mailed during the month of April of each year to each member that annual dues are due June the first. The board shall be empowered to fix the amount of dues from time to time as required.
Section 3. Election to Membership
Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved by the Board of Directors and which shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Cockapoo Club of America. The application shall state the name, address and any other information as the Board of Directors may direct. Accompanying the application, the prospective member shall submit dues, which shall be refunded if the application is rejected. Applicants may be elected by the Board of Directors at any time, and applications for membership shall be acted upon as soon as possible after the filing of said application. Any application which has been rejected by the Board of Directors may not be resubmitted for a period of at least twelve (12) months from the date of the rejection.
Section 4. Termination of membership
(a) by resignation: Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written notice to the President. All dues incurred after June first remain due and payable. If dues are current, they will not be refunded upon resignation.
(b) by lapsing: A membership will be considered as lapsed if such member's dues remain unpaid after the first day of June; however the Board of Directors may grant 90 days grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. Membership benefits will not be effective until dues are current.
(c) by expulsion: A membership may be terminated by expulsion for any activity which is considered by the Board of Directors to be in violation of the Constitution or Bylaws of the Club, is deemed contrary to the objectives of the Club, or is considered likely to prejudice or damage the image of the Club, or interfere with the efficient operation of the Club, or compromise the Breed Standard in any way. Dues are forfeited by the expelled members.
Section 5. Reinstatement:
A member terminated by reason of resignation or lapsing must reapply according to ARTICLE I, Section 3, providing all previously incurred dues obligations are first paid. An expelled member may not reapply for a period of at least five (5) years.
Section 6. Registration of Cockapoos:
As a condition for registering American Cockapoos™ with the Cockapoo Club of America Registry, the following criteria shall among other criteria established from time to time by the Club, be satisfactorily demonstrated by each Cockapoo owner:
(1) The owner must be a current member in good standing of the CCA.
(2) One copy of the Cockapoo's three generation pedigree be submitted, with accompanying AKC documents for the dam and sire (or similar for other countries), CERF documents if applicable and OFA documents if applicable. The pedigree must include the Cockapoo's name, be signed by the breeder and be accompanied by a signed CCA registry application.
(3) A stud service certificate signed by the owner of the Sire.
(4) The following photographs of the American Cockapoo™ and information must be submitted:
(a) standing (on a hard surface) photographs of front and both sides of the Cockapoo in color.
(b) the Cockapoos name, date and
age at time of photograph are written on the back of each
photograph;
(5) Cockapoos that are inbred or line-bred will not be registrable.
For registry clarification: when breeding multigenerational Cockapoos of different generations, the generation number of the offspring shall be considered one generation higher than the parent of the lowest generation. For example when breeding a 3rd generation Cockapoo dam, with a 10th generation Cockapoo sire, the offspring shall be considered 4th generation.
Section 7. American Cockapoo™ Breed Standards
Characteristics. The Cockapoo Club of America encourages all breeders to hold health and temperament foremost. Calm and mellow disposition; sweet and patient nature; intelligence; loyalty; friendliness; sturdiness, stamina and good health. Nervousness, cowardice or over aggressiveness should be discouraged.
Physical standards:
General: A dog that does not resemble either of the originating breeds. Unclipped/scissored in full coat has the general "Benji" appearance.
Tail: Undocked preferred, carried straight or curled.
Eyes: Large, round well-set brown eyes (preferred, other colors are acceptable) with a keen, soulful, endearing and intelligent look. Hair should be scissored back so as not to obstruct the eyes or vision. All breeding dogs should be certified annually by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation as being free of genetic eye disease.
Ears: Medium to long carried against the head.
Dew Claws: Removed for safety.
Conformation: A sturdy square build with a healthy back structure; compact, well balanced, neither spindly nor coarse.
Bites: Aligned bite with neither over or under bite. Level bites (incisors striking edge to edge) are acceptable but scissors bite (lower incisors striking just behind the uppers) is preferred. Overshot and undershot jaws are excluded from breeder registration.
Colors: All colors and combinations are acceptable.
Coat: Odorless and non-shedding. Long and full all over including legs and muzzle. Can range from loose curly but not kinky, to wavy to straight. Hair around the eyes should be trimmed so as not to impair the vision or ability to see the dog's eyes. Long natural well-groomed coats are the most preferred but dogs that are scissored 1 to 3 inches are also acceptable. Individual pets not being shown can be groomed to the owner's preference.
Size Ranges: Teacup Toy - under 6 pounds grown weight Toy - under 12 pounds Miniature/Mini - 13 to 18 pounds Maxi - over 19 pounds.
Disqualifications: Aggressiveness, shyness, genetic diseases, poor health, uncertain lineage.
Show Standards: (planned for the future) will most likely judge 75% on disposition and health, 25% on physical. Additional points will be given to dogs that have proof of clearances for CERF and OFA certificates for patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and elbows.
Section 1. Annual Club Meetings
The annual meeting shall be held once each calendar year as designated by the Board of Directors and all members shall be advised of the date, time, and place thereof at least 30 days in advance, either personally, by email, or by U.S. mail, at the discretion of the Chairperson. If put in U.S. mail, such notices shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail. Notice of the annual meeting shall also be deemed to be delivered when included in an edition of the Club newsletter published at least 30 days in advance thereof. Any business may be presented at an annual meeting, regardless of whether such business is referred to in the notice of said meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place as the place of the meeting. The meeting may be conducted by telephone conference call or by email if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Voting
Each adult member (aged 18 and older) in good standing whose dues are paid for the current year and who is present at the Annual Meeting, shall be entitled to one vote. Family memberships are entitled to one vote per household. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any club meeting or election.
Section 3. Special Club Meetings
Special club meetings may be called by the President or by a majority of the members of the board who are present and voting at any regular or special meeting of the Board; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the Club members who are in good standing in the current year. Such special meetings shall be held at a time and place to be designated by the President. Such special meetings must be held within a period not to exceed 120 days from the date upon which the President received a duly authorized request for a special meeting of the Club. Notification of said special meeting and its purpose shall be made to the members of the Club in the same manner as set forth in Article II Section 1. A special meeting must be limited to the purpose for which it was called. This meeting may be conducted by email, or telephone conference call, if approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Board Meetings:
The Board of Directors must meet at least once in each calendar year. If possible, a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Club. Other meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President. Notice of the place, date and time of any meeting must be given to the membership of the Board, either in writing, by email, or by telephone at the discretion of the President, at least ten (10) days prior to the date of said meeting. In the event of agreement to forgo such notification by a sufficient number of the members of the Board of Directors to constitute a quorum, meetings may be held at any time either in person or by telephone conference or email. The quorum for such meeting shall be two thirds (2/3) of the members of the Board of Directors present either in person or by proxy.
Section 5. Club Meeting Procedure:
Except as otherwise herein provided, Club meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Revised, latest edition. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any Committee, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or Committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the Minutes of proceedings of the Board or Committee. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of telephone or similar communications equipment, by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence at the meeting.
Section 1. Board of Directors
(a) Duties and Powers:
(1) The business and affairs of the Club shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
(2) The Board of Directors shall, at each annual meeting, present a report
to the Club
members of the property, operations and affairs of the Club for the preceding
year.
(3) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Officers of the Club to serve
for the
ensuing two years and announce these officers in the Club newsletter.
(4) The Board of Directors shall appoint the Committee Chairpersons of the
Club to
serve for the ensuing year and announce these Chairpersons in the Club
newsletter.
(b) Number Tenure and Qualification;
(1) The number of Directors shall be made up of not less than two (2)
nor more than
twelve (12) members of the Club. The initial Board at the time of approval
of these
bylaws shall consist of two directors. The number of directors shall
thereafter be increased
only by approval of a majority of the then-existing Board of Directors.
(2) The President shall always be elected from the Board of Directors.
(3) Josie J.C. Montanari and Debbie Cowdrey shall be Permanent Members of
the Board.
The remaining members shall be appointed from the membership for a term of two
years or
until their respective successors are appointed and qualify. Such terms
shall be staggered so
that approximately one half of the Board appointed from the membership shall be
appointed each
year. Results to be published in the Club Newsletter.
(4) If any member shall die, resign or for any reason be unable to serve,
a successor shall
be appointed from within the Club membership, by the remaining members of the
Board of
Directors, to fill such vacancy.
(5) Directors may be appointed to serve additional consecutive terms.
(6) Members of the board of Directors must be citizens of the United States of America.
(7) No member of the Board of Directors or Standing Committee Member or
Officer shall
be personally liable to the Association or its members for monetary damages for
breach of
fiduciary duty as a Director, Committee member or Officer notwithstanding any
provision
of law imposing such liability, provided that such liability as imposed by
applicable law shall
not be eliminated for:
(1) any breach of a Director, Committee member's or Officer's duty to the
Association
or its members,
(2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, or
(3) any transaction from which a Director, Committee member or Officer
derived an
improper personal benefit. No member, Director, Committee member or
Officer of the
Club shall be personally liable for any debt, liability, or obligation of the
Club.
(8) The Board of Directors may elect Honorary Directors in recognition of
distinguished service
rendered to the Club. An Honorary Director shall hold office for life and
shall be entitled
to attend meetings of the Board of Directors, either in person, (or by
telephone, if the President
deems it appropriate), and to participate in discussions at such meetings but
shall not have
Board of Directors voting rights. The Honorary Director shall have all rights
and privileges of a
Single Adult Member and shall be exempt from annual dues.
(c) Resignation: Any Director may resign
at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and
shall take effect at the time specified
therein and if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the
President. The acceptance of the
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(d) Removal: Any member of the Board of
Directors (except for the Permanent Board members) may be
removed for cause by a vote of two-thirds
(2/3) of the other members of the Board of Directors at a
meeting of those members present in person
provided such Director shall have been mailed a written
notice, signed by the President, of the
charge proffered against him or her at least 30 days prior to
such meeting. The Permanent Members
of the Board may resign but cannot be removed.
(e) Compensation: Directors shall not
receive any compensation for their services as Directors, but
may be compensated for expenses incurred by them on behalf
of the Club.
Section 2. Officers:
The officers of the club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, and such other officers as
may be elected by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any two or
more offices may be held by the same person. The officers shall serve for
a term of two years from the date of their election and may be reelected by the
Board of Directors to serve additional consecutive terms.
(a) President: The President shall
be the principal executive officer of the Club, shall supervise all its
business and affairs, shall preside
at all meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall have the duties and
power normally appurtenant to the
office of President. The President may sign deeds, mortgages, bonds,
contracts, or other instruments which
the Board of Directors have authorized to be executed.
(b) Vice President: The Vice
President shall have the duties of the President in case of the President's
death, absence, or incapacity. The
Vice President shall perform such other duties as from time to time
may be assigned to him or her by the Board
of Directors.
(c) Secretary: The Secretary shall
keep a record of all meetings of the club and of the board and of all
matters of which a record shall be ordered
by the club; shall have charge of the correspondence, notify
members of meetings, notify officers and
directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of
the club with their addresses, and carry
out such other duties as are prescribed in these bylaws.
(d) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall
collect and receive all moneys due or belonging to the club. Moneys
shall be deposited in a bank designated by
the board in the name of the club. The books shall at all times
be open to the inspection by the board and
a report shall be given at every meeting of the condition of the
clubs finances and every item of receipt or
payment not before reported; and at the annual meeting an
accounting shall be rendered of all moneys
received and expended during the previous fiscal year. The
treasurer shall be bonded in such amount as
the board of directors shall determine.
(e) Salaries: The officers of the
association shall perform their duties without salary except as to officers
for whom the Board of Directors shall
specifically authorize the payment of a salary or of compensation.
(f) Resignation: Any officer may
resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall
take effect at the time specified therein,
and if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the
President. The acceptance of a
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(g) Removal: Any officer of the Club may
be removed by a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors
at a meeting of those members present in
person.
(h) Club Year: The Club's Officers and
members of the Board of Directors shall take office, following
election. The club year begins June
1.
(i) Succession: Each retiring officer
shall turn over to his or her successor in office, as soon as is
practicable, but not later than one
month after his or her retirement, all properties and records relating to
that office.
Section 3. Vacancies:
Any vacancies occurring on the board or among the offices during the year shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote of all the then members of the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting following the creation of such vacancy or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose; except that a vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled by the Board.
Article IV. Committees
Section 1. Committees
The President with approval of the Board of Directors, may appoint committees or subcommittees to advance the work of the Club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board of Directors. The President shall be a member ex-officio of all such committees. Any committee may be terminated by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Special committees may also be appointed by the board to aid it on particular projects.
Section 2. Termination
Any committee appointment may be terminated by a majority vote of the full membership of the Board of Directors upon written notice to the appointee and the board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.
Section 3. Committee meetings
Each committee shall meet at least once in person or by telephone annually before the clubs annual meeting. Each committee shall present an annual report of the committee's business to the membership at the annual meeting and a current report to the Board of Directors at each meeting. Each retiring committee chairperson shall turn over to his or her successor in office, as soon as is practicable but no later than one month after his or her retirement, all properties and records relating to that office.
Section 4. CCA Membership Committee
There shall be a membership committee. This committee shall be subject to the approval of the President and the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Committee shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors during his/her term of office. The President shall be a member ex-officio of the committee. The members of this committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors from the members in good standing of the Cockapoo Club of America.
The responsibility of the Membership Committee, upon approval by the Board of Directors, shall be to:
a) Increase awareness among Cockapoo owners of the existence of the Cockapoo Club of America.
b) Help and advise Club members and other interested Cockapoo owners with any and all matters pertaining to the Club and to the breeding, raising, owning, selling or showing of same.
c) Help handle disciplinary problems among the Membership Committee by making recommendations to the Board of Directors for appropriate action.
d) Help to put together the CCA Newsletter "Cockapoo Companion" by researching and getting written permission to use, or writing appropriate articles, that are of interest to Cockapoo owners and breeders.
e) Help research and seek out fun owner's stories about their Cockapoos for the section in the CCA Newsletter called "Cockapoo Tails".
f) Be responsible for the mailing and distribution of the CCA and CERF Newsletters to CCA Members.
g) Handle day to day Club business pertaining to Club Membership.
Section 5. Registry Committee
There shall be a Registry Committee consisting of members in good standing of the Cockapoo Club of America. Members and the Chairperson of this committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The President shall be a member ex-officio of the committee. This Committee shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors during his/her term of office.
The responsibilities of the Registry Committee shall be to:
a) Establish qualifications for breeders to register their kennel names with the Club.
b) Establish and maintain a Breeders' Code of Ethics.
c) Be responsible for the modification, enforcement, and rating of breeders using the "Breeder Star Rating System" as initially created by the Board of Directors.
d) Provide relevant services to breeders as may be deemed appropriate to assist their breeding operations.
e) Provide information to breeders, from the CERF list of AKC registered & CERF'ed Cocker Spaniels and Poodles, by maintaining a CCA Breed Club Membership in CERF.
f) Encourage breeders to breed for health and temperament first and foremost and to CERF and OFA certify in their breeding programs.
g) Review all applications for the CCA American Cockapoo™ Registry.
h) Handle all disciplinary problems among breeders by making recommendations to the Board of Directors for appropriate action.
i) Communicate recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning matters affecting breeders and the breeding of American Cockapoos™.
j) Handle all day to day Committee business pertaining to breeders, and breeding.
Section 1. American Kennel Club Suspension.
Any member who is suspended from the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of the CCA for a like period.
Section 2. Charges.
Any member may prefer charges against any other member for alleged activity which is in violation of the Constitution or Bylaws of the Club, or is contrary to the objectives and purposes of the Club, or is considered likely to prejudice or damage the image of the Association, or interferes with the efficient operation of the Club, or compromise the Breed Standard in any way. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the President together with a deposit of fifty dollars ($50.00), unless waived by the President, which sum shall become the property of the Cockapoo Club of America if said charges shall not be sustained. If the charges are sustained the fifty dollar ($50.00) deposit shall be refunded. The President shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board of Directors or present them at a board meeting, and the Board shall first consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, notice must be given for a meeting of the Board of Directors not less than ten days or more than three weeks thereafter to decide the matter. The President shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing. The accused member may personally appear in his own defense and bring witnesses if he wishes. The meeting may be conducted by telephone if the President deems it appropriate.
Section 3. Board Hearing.
The Board of Directors shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. After hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by the complainant and the defendant, the Board may, by a majority vote of those present, suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club for a specified period of time. If the Board deems that punishment insufficient, it may vote to expel the defendant from the membership. Immediately after the Board has reached a decision, its findings shall be put in written form. The President in turn shall notify each of the parties of the Board's decision and penalty, if any.
Section 1. By the Members
These bylaws may be added to, altered or amended at any Annual Meeting of the Club provided a petition for addition, alteration, or amendment is signed by not less than 25% of the Club members in good standing and submitted to the President in writing no later than 60 days prior to the date of the Club Annual Meeting next scheduled. Additions, alterations, and amendments contained in said petition shall be considered by the Board of Directors and submitted to the Club membership together with the Board's recommendation no less than 20 days prior to the next Club Annual Meeting. Any vote to add to, alter, or amend the Club Constitution or Bylaws by petition at any Club Annual Meeting must be by a majority vote of the membership present in person.
Section 2. By the Board of Directors
These Bylaws may be added to altered or amended by a two thirds (2/3) vote of all of the Directors present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided, however, that two weeks notice in writing of the proposed amendment shall have been given to all directors. This meeting may be conducted by telephone if the President deems it appropriate.
The Club's fiscal and administrative year shall begin on the first day of June and end on the last day of May.
Section 1. Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two thirds 2/3 of the Board of Directors. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the Club or 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 Association, its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization selected by the Board of Directors whose major purpose is to benefit dogs.
Section 1. Club meetings
At meetings of the club, the order of business, so far as the character and nature of the meeting may permit, shall be as follows:
Roll Call
Minutes of last meeting
Report of President
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Election of officers and board (at annual meeting)
Announcement of new members
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
Section 2. Board of Directors Meetings
At meetings of the board, the order of business, unless otherwise directed by majority vote of those present, shall be as follows:
Reading of minutes of last meeting
Report of Secretary
Report of Treasurer
Reports of Committees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
Section 1. Indemnification
The Club shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the law, any person made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact such person is or was a director, officer or standing committee member of the Club, against all judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses actually incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding. To accomplish this indemnification, the Club may purchase Directors and Officers insurance, or other appropriate insurance, if financially feasible.
Not withstanding any other provision hereof, the intent of these Bylaws is to provide, and they shall be interpreted as providing, the fullest possible indemnification of directors, officers and standing committee members of the Club permitted by law.