Constitution – World Of Lupines Foundation

Our commitment to our members:

Provide a registration system for wolf-alike and wolfdogs under the umbrella of ‘Lupine Dog’, enabling breeders the opportunity to avoid inbreeding and improve health, longevity and welfare within this rare type of dog.
To provide support for ethical breeders to assist them in all aspects of training, husbandry and welfare and by differentiating their work from less ethical breeders, and locating other ethical, appropriate bloodlines to widen and improve the quality of the Lupine Dog gene pool.
To assist potential owners in finding an ethical breeder by providing a quality assurance scheme via a system of verification for health testing, type, temperament assessment and owner feedback.
Provide a community with social and educational resources for Lupine Dog breeders, stud owners, individual owners and potential owners to interact in, communicate and share information.
Develop a ‘long-life’ study of health survey to continue to evaluate health and longevity, and to make appropriate adjustments to health testing policies pending results of study to continue the successful development of the Lupine Dog as a healthy dog.

W.O.L.F. Committee Roles:

Ensure that the goals of the W.O.L.F. are adhered to and promoted.
Any alterations to the foundation or breed name, this constitution, or registration processes may only be made by majority vote of the primary committee. The code of ethics cannot have any of the constituent parts, section one, two or three relating to animal welfare removed by committee vote or otherwise. Additions can be made to the code of ethics by majority vote of the committee.
This constitution cannot be altered by committee vote or otherwise to remove any constituent parts, sections one, two or three from the Code of Ethics.
The primary committee must decide on any complaints received (see below)
They must review membership procedures annually – this may include (but not be limited to) discussing puppy owner feedback forms, ‘long-life’ health forms and required health testing.
The committee must meet at least annually, with minutes, to discuss progress and policy.
Each member of the committee is entitled to 1 vote, unless a couple reside on the committee – in which case only one vote per couple is counted.
All information relating to or regarding W.O.L.F., Lupine Dogs and its membership body is strictly private and confidential in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and will only be held on accredited software for the purpose of registration. No committee member shall share information outside of the committee without the express permission of the owner/member unless a welfare issue is to be raised with local authorities and only then by majority committee vote.

Current Committee Members:

Chair/Education: Position Vacant

Vice Chair/Registrar: Julie Bradshaw GB

Treasury: Gemma Krzesinska GB

Secretary: Felicia Catenazzi CH

Health Coordinator: Lisa Kempf DE

Co-Registrar: Samantha Tambor US

Membership: Rose Pospisil US

Animal Welfare: Nicola Bestford GB

W.O.L.F. Committee:

The primary committee consists of a minimum of three members and a maximum of ten members.
All offices shall be unpaid.
A candidate nominated for a position on the committee must be a member and proposed by an existing member or committee member.
A nominee is admitted to the committee following a majority vote by the existing committee members.
Nominations of candidates for election must be sent to all committee members at least 14 days before committee voting on admission.
A committee member may remain on the committee until they choose to resign or are voted out by majority vote.
The chairperson has no time limit on time in office. They may discontinue service following 2 months’ notice of resignation or following a unanimous vote of no confidence.
Temporary positions can be appointed within the committee by the chair/vice chair following committee vacancy (including but not limited to: resignation/dereliction of duty/removal from office by majority vote of no confidence/death of committee member). These may function on a short-term basis only, as needs fit, until such time that the absent committee member can resume their position, or a new permanent member is voted in at the next meeting (this may be the same person).
Advisory members may be asked to join the committee following a majority vote by committee members. While they may join in discussions, they have no voting rights.
All committee members will undertake their positions with full acceptance of the time and commitment required for their post for and on behalf of W.O.L.F.
They will adhere to the constitution and code of ethics in their entirety.
They will always give an unbiased/unprejudiced view on all matters for the benefit of W.O.L.F.
All information and “knowledge” acquired and known must be treated as confidential to W.O.L.F. during and after their term of office.
It is a requirement that all committee members are responsible to W.O.L.F. and it is always important to always act in a professional and responsible manner.
Any person that has at any time been convicted of a crime related to animal cruelty or breach of welfare laws (both UK and/or country of origin) cannot apply for a position on the committee.
Each member present at a committee meeting shall be entitled to one vote on each motion, except in the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson, or Vice Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson, shall have a second or casting vote without further consultation.
The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson have the right to call a committee meeting or at the request of at least three committee members.
The committee may call an emergency meeting whenever the need is required with a minimum of 3 committee members present including either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.
All correspondence sent to ‘W.O.L.F. committee’ must be circulated to all committee members.
The committee shall be empowered to deal with any question not provided for by the rules.
Any issue brought to the attention of the committee will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action being taken. First by a written warning and reminder of our policies, if continued then disciplinary action and/or exclusion may apply.
Any decisions made at such meeting can be overruled at the next programmed committee meeting with the previously agreed item on the agenda.
The W.O.L.F. Official Pedigree Stamp must always be in the possession of a committee member, decided by committee vote. The W.O.L.F. Official Pedigree Stamp belongs solely to W.O.L.F.
The W.O.L.F. registered dog database will be under the administration of the Registrar and at least one other committee member at all times. The W.O.L.F. registered dog database belongs solely to W.O.L.F.
Pedigree information will be confirmed by the registrars to the best of their ability, which may include but not be limited to DNA testing, contact with previous owner/breeders and cross referencing with other breed clubs and organisations. W.O.L.F. reserve the right to revise pedigree information as and when new information/testing become available.
Minutes of all meetings shall be circulated to all committee members at the earliest convenience.
Minutes of all meetings shall be kept and made accessible to registered owners/members by specific request.
Any committee member who fails to attend two meetings out of four consecutively, without due cause, will have to face a ‘vote of no confidence’ at the next committee meeting.
A couple serving on the committee are entitled to only one vote and either may attend meetings to fulfill their duties.

Breeder Rules:

Any breeder who violates the code of ethics will face disciplinary action.
Any breeder who inaccurately represents their dog on the Lupine Dog registry will face disciplinary action.
Any breeder who acts in a non-professional, defamatory or abusive manner while representing an association with the W.O.L.F., will face disciplinary action (see below).

Complaints Procedure:

Complaints against a W.O.L.F. committee member, breeder member or general member or W.O.L.F. as an organisation must be made in writing to the W.O.L.F. committee, along with supporting evidence.
If the complaint suggests a member’s conduct or behaviour may infringe, in the Committee’s opinion, these policies, constitution or is injurious to the good name of W.O.L.F., the Committee may suspend that member pending an enquiry, effective immediately.
A suspended member shall not be entitled to attend any W.O.L.F. meeting, unless on appeal, nor vote at any election nor hold office during suspension.
The individuals referred to in the complaint must be notified and given at least 2 weeks to provide any defence or supporting evidence to the committee.
Committee must after 2 weeks interval and not more than 2 months interval, have a meeting to discuss any necessary disciplinary action, which will be decided upon by a majority vote. The member whom which the complaint was made against will be entitled to attend such meeting and bring along one representative.

Disciplinary action:

May include (but not be limited to);

Written warning
Banning from events
Membership review (which may include inspection of premises etc.)
Revoking of Registration & Certification (expulsion)
Removal from any positions held within the W.O.L.F.
An expelled member may appeal in writing against any decision which will then be heard at the next committee meeting.
No member so expelled shall have claim against the W.O.L.F. nor any of its members nor be entitled to repayment of any part of his/her subscription fee, and shall forthwith upon demand, return to the W.O.L.F. any property belonging to the W.O.L.F. that are in his/her possession at the time of such expulsion. They must immediately remove the W.O.L.F. logo, name and any other form of advertising/promotion from their own advertising and must return their member/registration certificates to the W.O.L.F.

Publications

All the W.O.L.F. publications, photographs that are copyright of the W.O.L.F., prizes, donations etc. completed, undertaken, given or otherwise on behalf of the W.O.L.F. shall remain the sole property of the W.O.L.F. unless stated otherwise (for example, by listing ‘author/photographer’). All projects, undertakings etc. paid for by the party with committee approval shall be reimbursed in full for all receipted and valid agreed expenses. All photographs taken at the W.O.L.F. events by the general public or members are copyright of the W.O.L.F. and may be used wherever deemed necessary.

Health and Safety

All members of the W.O.L.F. will at all times be fully safety conscious with particular regard to the general public. They will conduct themselves and their dogs in a safe and responsible manner at all times in accordance with local law and regulations. The W.O.L.F. undertake to ensure that adequate insurance is in place that will cover the committee, owners and the public for any eventuality at all events. This is the responsibility of the W.O.L.F. treasurer

W.O.L.F. Membership

Membership of the W.O.L.F. is contingent upon the Breeder Member or General Member abiding by our Constitution and Code of Ethics.

A membership fee is payable upon application.

Membership renewal is due annually.

The Committee shall reserve the right to refuse membership.

Register of members

The committee will keep an up to date register of members for the sole use of W.O.L.F.
The register of members must include the following particulars of each member:
The full name and residential address of the member.
The date of admission as a member.
An Affix registered or reserved with their breeder membership.
An Affix/dogs name cannot be changed once a dog has been added onto the Lupine Dog register. Additional Affix’s to the name of the dog maybe added in the case of transfer or joint ownership.
A detailed account of all Lupine Dogs owned, or part owned by any member.

Termination of membership

By resignation.
By lapsing: a membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such members’ dues remain unpaid 28 days after application/renewal.
By expulsion. A membership may be terminated by expulsion upon committee decision in accordance with the rules of this constitution and code of ethics.

W.O.L.F. Accounts

A banking account shall be held in the name of ‘World Of Lupines Foundation’ at a bank or building society approved by the committee, into which all revenue of the W.O.L.F. shall be paid and from which withdrawal shall only be made on the signature(s) of the Treasurer and at least one other named member signatory. W.O.L.F. accounts will be audited and certified annually and presented at the AGM.

Dissolution

W.O.L.F. may be dissolved at any time by majority vote of the committee or will dissolve if less than 3 committee members are in post. In the event of dissolution of the W.O.L.F. none of the property of the W.O.L.F., nor proceeds thereof, nor any assets of the W.O.L.F. shall be distributed to any members of the W.O.L.F., but after payments of the debts of the W.O.L.F., its property and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs, selected by the remaining committee.

Annual General Meetings

The financial year of the W.O.L.F. shall be from the 1st of January to the 31st of December.
The AGM of the committee members of the W.O.L.F. shall be held within the last half of the year at such a place and time as the committee shall appoint.
The AGM must include either the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson, but preferably both should attend.
Matters for inclusion on the agenda must reach the Secretary not less than two weeks before the date on which the AGM is held.
Preliminary notice of the AGM may be notified by W.O.L.F. social media committee group or email inviting suggestions for matters to be included on the agenda, these are to be addressed to the Secretary.
No business shall be conducted, or resolutions voted on at the AGM except those matters properly notified on the agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those which in the opinion of the Chairperson of the meeting are urgent.
The agenda will be circulated at the AGM.
Only persons who are registered members of the W.O.L.F. may send items for the Agenda.