SUNDOWNER STOCK DOG ASSOCIATION 2012
SUNDOWNER STOCKDOG ASSOCIATION
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
1/1/2012
1. PURPOSE
To promote interest in, activities for, and recognition of the working stockdog.
2. MEMBERSHIP
A-Anyone, regardless of age or gender may become a member
B-Stockdog ownership or registration is not a pre-requisite
C-Good standing determined by current dues and absence of Handler sanctions
D-Dues per trial year are $20 for single, $30 for family
E-Membership runs from January 1st through December 31st
F-Members in good standing are entitled to all voting and participation privileges in
all functions sponsored by this Association
G-The Governing Body is authorized to select and honor outstanding individuals as
Lifetime Members based on merit. Lifetime Members have all rights and privileges
of regular members without the requirement to pay dues.
H-Governing Body is authorized to select outstanding individuals as Honorary
Members based on volunteerism, willingness to help and attitude. Membership
to be valid for one trial season.
3. GOVERNING BODY-POSITIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
A-Secretary/Treasurer/Registrar/Publisher—elected annually
B-Trial Director, Trial Secretary, Open Class Representative—2 trial years
C-Trial Director, Trial Secretary, & Ranch Class Representative—2 trial years
D-Trial Director, Trial Secretary, & Nursery Class Representative—2 trial years
E-Trial Director, Trial Secretary, & Beginner Class Representative—2 trial years
4. JOB DESCRIPTIONS
SECRETARY/TREASURER, REGISTRAR:
Secretary/Treasurer position may be split. Should these positions be split the
Directors may hold the Directors and the Treasurer position.
A-Secretary
1. Keeps a current membership list with all pertinent data on each member.
2. Keeps minutes of Governing Body and General Membership meetings.
3. Provides each member with a periodic newsletter.
4. Provides each new member with a current Organizational Structure and
Trial Rules.
5. Provides archival storage for meeting minutes and trial records.
6. Assigns the Trial Secretary duties of the Open, Ranch, Nursery and Beginner
Director Representative in their absence at trials if the Trial Secretary for any
class had not provided for a designee. The Trial Secretary takes entries, collects
fees, and draw the running order of their class.
B-Treasurer
1. Arranges for an annual independent audit, if needed, prepares and publishes an
annual financial report for the membership
2. Receives, records, and deposits Association funds.
3. Disburses funds authorized by the Governing Body. Ex.-stock fees, paybacks,
award costs, or any other expenditures authorized by the Governing Body.
TRIAL DIRECTOR, TRIAL SECRETARY & CLASS REPRESENTATIVES:
A-Trial Director
1.Coordinates with the Trial Host to assure that planned course for their class
is compatible with the expectations of the dogs in their class
2.Conducts or designates the handler’s meeting of their class
3. Maintains in the best possible manner the continuity of the trial
4. Assigns observers, when needed, at timelines etc. for their class
5. Is a member of the committee to judge protests, re-run request and disciplinary
actions
B-Trial Secretary
1. Takes trial entries, entry fees and fills out scorecards for each entry
2. Provides the publisher with their class running order, times, and final scores
3. Keeps a current list of all handlers and dogs that participate in their class and
monitors their eligibility for that class
C-Class Representative
1. Is the direct link of their class members to the Governing Body
2. Convenes meeting to hear and provide judgment in any protest, appeal,
re-run request or disciplinary actions in their class
5. GOVERNING BODY AND GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
A-There will be one mandatory Governing Body meeting scheduled at the end of
every trial year.
B-There will be a general membership meeting scheduled after the Governing Body
meeting at the end of every trial year. Election results will be announced and
awards presented at this meeting.
6. NOMINATIONS
A-May be submitted by any member in good standing
B-Must be on record with the association Secretary with a deadline of Oct. 1st
C-In the absence of a nominee for any vacancy, the Governing Body shall elect
a person to fill that vacancy
D-No ballot can list a candidate for more than one vacancy to prelude dilution of
the vote
1.If a member is nominated for more than one vacancy, the Secretary shall
contact the nominee and request that they make a choice of which vacancy
they wish to run for. Once the choice is made the Secretary will contact the
person making the non-chosen nomination, relay the wishes of the nominee
and request that their nomination be withdrawn in the name of the nominee.
7. ELECTIONS
A-Each trial year, the general membership shall nominate and elect the Secretary-
Treasurer and replacements for two Director Representatives that have served
two years. The two remaining Director Representatives will still have one year
left in their terms.
B-Ballots
1. The names of all nominees will be placed on the ballot and mailed along with a
return envelope to all members in good standing. The ballot will contain a
write-in blank next to each office being elected and a proxy statement at the end.
2. Ballots must have a printed suspense date. Ballots received after the suspense
date will not be counted.
3. All ballots are secret ballot. When the ballot is received, the Secretary will
verify the voters name on the ballot to establish the voter’s eligibility. The
signature portion will be destroyed.
4. Ballot counting will be done by independent resource. Candidates may observe
the count, but must not otherwise participate in the tabulation.
C-Election results will be published in the next newsletter issued after the election
D-Resigned un-expired terms shall be finned by the Governing Body. The position
will be elected at the end of the un-expired term.
E-A simple majority of votes cast will determine winners in all elections
F-Proxy votes: Proxies are authorized provided the absentee voter gives their
representative their signed proxy authorization. This authorization must be
submitted with the ballot.
8. AMENDMENTS
A. Changes to this document may be suggested in writing by any member in good
Standing at any time during the trial year and will be acted upon at the Governing
Body meeting except:
1. Emergency amendments should be acted upon the Governing Body as soon
as possible and may be adopted or rejected by electronic poll, for example
by telephone, e-mail, ICQ, etc.
2. Adopted emergency amendments shall be implemented immediately and
published in the next available newsletter.
3. Emergency amendments that affect the trial and do not have the benefit of the
newsletter to get the change to the membership will be briefed at each class
handler’s meeting.
9. STOCKDOG CLASSES AND QUALIFICATIONS
STATEMENT: This Association depends on the honesty and integrity of all members when declaring the qualifications and eligibility of each handler and each dog.
A-OPEN class
1. Any dog may compete in OPEN class.
2. This class is considered the ultimate test of handlers and dogs to perform the task
of a working ranch and trial oriented competition.
3. Entry fees are $65 per dog per run.
4. OPEN class dogs can be moved back to RANCH class providing that the dog has
entered the OPEN class at least six times and has not won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd,
two (2) times at a Sundowner trial. Handler must make that decision
prior to entering a trial for the current year.
5. OPEN class dogs can compete in NURSERY class if the dog is under 36 months
of age on January 1st of the trial year.
B-RANCH class
1. Any dog, regardless of age, may compete as long as it has not won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in
the OPEN or NURSERY class more than two(2) times in a trial year.
2. This class is designed to accommodate dogs that are late starters or lack the training
or capability to compete in the OPEN class or not qualified because of age to
compete in NURSERY class.
3. RANCH dogs may participate in OPEN class, but must stay in OPEN class, and
cannot move back to RANCH class until the next trial year.
4. Entry fees are $65 per dog per run.
5. Moving to the Open class will be optional. The Champion and Res. Champion
Ranch handler and dog may remain in the Ranch class if they so choose. The
stipulation is, once these awards have been won, these teams, of handler and dog,
will only be eligible for day money, not any end of the year awards in this class.
C-NURSERY class (deals solely with the age of the dog) (chg from Novice to Nursery)
1. Any dog 36 months old or younger on January 1st of the trial year may compete in
this class.
2. Dog and Handler may compete in OPEN class without losing their NURSERY
status, but cannot compete in the RANCH class.
3. Dog and Handler may remain in NURSERY class for more than one trial year as
long as the dog meets the age requirement.
4. Entry fees are $65 per dog per run.
**(name changed from Novice to Nursery, 1/1/2012)
D-BEGINNER class (deals solely with the experience of the handler)
1. Any dog of any age may compete in this class.
2. Handler’s may compete in the class until they have competed in 18 SSA trials,
starting January 2009. After 18 trials have been accomplished, regardless of
placings, the handler must move to another class the next trial year.
3. Beginner Association Champion and Runner-up Champion must move to Ranch or
Open Class at the beginning of the next trial year.
4. When a Beginner handler has placed in the money five (5) times in another class,
effective the next regular trial, they no longer can compete in the Beginner Class.
5. Dogs can remain in this class as long as they have a BEGINNER handler.
6. Entry fees are $65 per dog per run.
LAST PUBLISHED AND AMENDED 1/1/2012
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