Bay Racers Flyball Club

Standing Rules

Approved 1 February 2002

1. Introduction
1. This document, along with the Club Bylaws, defines Bay Racers as an organization. While the Bylaws are primarily concerned with defining Bay Racers as a legal entity for purposes of satisfying various government requirements, these Standing Rules are intended to guide the day-to-day operation of the club.
2. Be aware that it is not practical for the Standing Rules to cover every possible situation that may arise in the life of the club. This document only covers the highest level issues. Most of what these Standing Rules do is define roles that various people will play in governing the club. Ultimately, it is left to the judgement of the people in those roles to address issues not covered here as they come up.
3. Standing Rules shall be approved by the general membership, by a majority vote.
2. Overall Philosophy
1. Bay Racers is a recreational club. Its purpose is to allow members and their dogs to participate in an enjoyable, somewhat athletic, activity together. Since flyball is an amateur sport, the only reward to be had is pleasure. Therefore, the guiding principle is to make the club fun for all.
2. Bay Racers is open to members with dogs of all abilities. Since flyball tournaments always provide divisions for teams of varying speeds, there is no reason to limit the club to only the fastest dogs.
3. The club recognizes that for most members flyball is a secondary activity. Members generally have families and/or jobs and/or other activities in their lives that will always be more important than flyball. Therefore, it is understood that members may not be able to participate in all club activities. However, members are expected to show a reasonable effort in supporting the club.
3. Administration
1. Bay Racers General Meetings will be held every other month, unless otherwise specified. The dates, times, and locations will be listed on the club website. All Club members are encouraged to attend.
2. Bay Racers Board Meetings will be held every other month at a time and place to be specified by the Board and announced at the General Meeting and the website.
3. Dues shall be as follows, due every three months on January 1^, April 1, July 1, and October 1. Dues: one dog: $25, two dogs: $35, three dogs: $40, all per quarter (this refers to the number of dogs actively attending practices). Members shall be in arrears as of first of the following month if dues are not paid. Both Regular and Provisional-Regular members pay dues.
4. As people become Regular Members, they pay a one-time initiation fee of $100. Provisional Members pay this fee when they become Regular Members.
5. Club colors are purple (merlot), gray, and white. Specific shirt colors will be designated by the Event Chairperson or Tournament Coach at each event.
6. Recurring expenses may be approved after they have been paid. To be on the list of Recurring Expenses, an item must be approved by the Board of Directors as such. The Treasurer will maintain the list of approved Recurring Expenses.
4. Types of Members

1. Type

1. There are four types of club membership. They are Regular, Associate, Provisional-Regular, and Provisional-Associate. These types are defined is the subsections that follow.
2. It is expected that the vast majority of Bay Racers members will be Regular members. Each dog that competes with the club must be represented by a Regular member. This means, for example, that a single member who races a dog may not be an Associate member. However, a couple that owns a single dog may be made up of one Regular member and one Associate member.
3. Regular Member

A regular member is one who has the responsibility of paying dues and enjoys the maximum benefits in terms of rights of any of the membership types. For example, regular members may:

1. Serve on the elected Board of Directors,
2. Serve as a coordinator or in any other position appointed by the Board of Directors, and
3. Vote on any issue put to a vote of members.
4. Associate Member
1. Associate members are friends/family members of a Regular member who participate in club functions but who (generally) are not the primary handler for any dog. Associate members do not pay dues. They also may not serve on the Board of Directors or vote on matters requiring membership approval. Associate members may, however, serve in appointed club positions and participate in all club practices, tournaments, demonstrations, etc.
2. An Associate member must be sponsored by a Regular member. If the sponsoring Regular membership ends for any reason, the Associate membership also ends. If the Associate member wishes to remain in the club he must convert to a Regular member by paying dues.
3. An Associate member may choose to become a Regular member by applying in the normal manner.
5. Provisional-Regular Member
1. A Provisional-Regular member may be someone new to the club who has not been officially accepted as a member yet. Provisional-Regular members are people who intend to become Regular members.
2. Provisional-Regular members may not serve on the Board of Directors or in any position appointed by the Board. Provisional-Regular members may not vote on club matters. Provisional-Regular members may participate in club practices, tournaments, demonstrations, etc.
3. In recognition of their reduced rights, Provisional-Regular members will be only be charged adequate dues to cover the costs of their participation (insurance, field rental, etc.). The amount of these dues will be recommended by the Treasurer and approved by the Board.
4. Junior Handlers may remain Provisional-Regular members while they are in school. They may apply to become Regular members at any time.
5. Note that the status of Provisional-Regular member should be temporary. People are expected to progress to Regular member in a reasonable amount or time, or leave the club.
6. Provisional-Associate Member
1. A Provisional-Associate member is someone new to the club who has not been officially accepted as a member yet. Provisional-Associate members are people who intend to become Associate members.
2. The rights/responsibilities of a Provisional-Associate member are identical to those of a Provisional-Regular member, except that Provisional-Associate members do not pay dues while Provisional-Regular members do. Because of this near equivalency, the term Provisional member may be used loosely to refer to both Provisional-Regular and Provisional-Associate members.
3. Like Associate members, Provisional-Associate members must be sponsored. Provisional-Associate members may be sponsored by either a Regular member or a Provisional-Regular member.
4. Note that the status of Provisional-Associate member should be temporary. People are expected to progress to Associate member in a reasonable amount or time, or leave the club.
2. Rights/Responsibilities

The table below summarizes the various rights and responsibilities that the different kinds of club members have:

Description	Regular	Associate	Provisional-Regular	Provisional-Associate
Pay Dues	Y		Y
Pay Initiation Fee	Y*
Serve on Board	Y
Serve in appointed positions	Y	Y
Participate in votes of membership	Y
Participate in practices	Y	Y	Y	Y
Participate in tournaments/demonstrations	Y	Y	Y	Y
Meet racing requirement	Y
Wear club uniform	Y	Y	Y	Y

* The Initiation Fee is paid once per family (this is determined by shared address). Dues are paid by each Regular- and Provisional-Regular Member.

Generally speaking, people who are not a Regular, Associate, or Provisional members may not participate in any club function. However, exceptions may be made. For example, when shorthanded at a tournament, the club may borrow a box loader or ball shagger from another club. All exceptions must be approved by the event coordinator for that event.

3. Procedures

The sections below define the club procedures related to membership. In particular, the procedures for adding and removing members are defined.

1. Becoming a Member
1. Provisional

Any person wishing to join the club must request provisional member status (either Provisional-Regular or Provisional-Associate) from the Board. If the person is requesting Provisional-Regular status, the Board will not grant Provisional membership until the requestor’s dog has either passed a beginning flyball course offered by the club or been otherwise certified by the Training Coordinator as competent to participate in flyball. The Board will introduce the Provisional member to the club.

2. Regular
1. Before becoming a Regular member, a person must have been a Provisional-Regular member for a minimum of six (6) months. During this time the Provisional-Regular member must participate in club practices regularly with his dog. Additionally, the Provisional-Regular member and his dog must have competed with the club in at least one (1) tournament.
2. Becoming a Regular member requires a three-fourths (3/4)-majority vote of the full club membership. Before any membership meeting any eligible Provisional-Regular member may ask the President to have his membership voted upon at the upcoming meeting. If a Provisional member fails to obtain the three-fourths majority vote needed to join the club, that member will be immediately ejected from the club.
3. Associate
1. Before becoming an associate member, a person must have been a Provisional-Associate member for a minimum of six months. During this time the Provisional-Associate member must actively participate at club practices. Note that merely attending practice as a spectator is not considered active participation. Examples of activities that would be considered active participation are: 1) Dog handling, 2) Equipment setup/tear-down, 3) Box loading, 4) Ball shagging, 5) Timing, 6) Record keeping.
2. Becoming an Associate member requires a three-fourths (3/4)-majority vote of the full club membership. Before any membership meeting any eligible Provisional-Associate member may ask the President to have his membership voted upon at the upcoming meeting. If a Provisional member fails to obtain the three-fourths majority vote needed to join the club, that member will be immediately ejected from the club.
2. Change in Membership Status
1. A member may request a change in current membership status at any time. For example, for personal reasons, a Regular member may request a temporary change to Provisional-Regular member.
2. In order to request a change in status, the member should specify the particular requirements they would like suspended (attendance, racing, etc.), the duration (if temporary), and the reason. The member may make this request of any Board member, and a majority vote of the Board shall approve this.
3. Expelling a Member
1. Provisional

Provisional members (both Provisional-Regular and Provisional-Associate) may be expelled at any time by majority vote of the Board of Directors.

2. Regular & Associate

Expelling a Regular or Associate member requires a three-fourths (3/4)-majority vote of the full club membership.

4. Declaring a Membership Abandoned
1. If a member of any kind (i.e. Regular, Associate, Provisional) stops participating in club activities and ceases contact with other club members for a period of three (3) months, that person’s membership may be declared abandoned. This requires a simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.
2. Note that a member may, in fact, not participate in club activities for periods longer than three months without having his membership terminated. However, in these situations the member is expected to inform the President of his intended absence.
5. Reinstating a Member
1. Provisional

Any person whose Provisional membership is terminated for any reason who later (again) wishes to join the club must begin a new Provisional membership. This means that the Provisional member begins a new six-(6) month waiting period before becoming a Regular or Associate member.

2. Regular & Associate

Regular and Associate members whose membership is terminated for any reason may be reinstated immediately with a three-fourths (3/4)-majority vote of the full club membership.

6. Racing Requirement
1. Since racing experience is a significant component of team training, all members of Bay Racers are expected to compete regularly. Members and/or their dogs are expected to be available to attend 70-75% of the Club’s scheduled tournaments.
2. A member may, in fact, not participate in club tournaments for significant periods longer without having his membership revoked, as long as the Board has approved this absence.
5. Practices/Events/Demos
1. Club members wishing to participate with their dog or help in any event are responsible for contacting the Event Director as listed for each event on the Club website.
2. All dogs for competitions and performances must have Board approval. Dogs will be recommended by the Training Coordinator, and approved by the Board of Directors. Once a dog is labeled "Tournament Ready," it maintains that status unless revoked by the Board.
3. A Board member or designee will be present at all Club flyball practices. Should a problem be unresolved, a member should describe the problem in writing and submit it to the Board of Directors for further consideration. The Board of Directors has the final say.
4. When events or competitions require additional practices outside those regularly scheduled, Board approval must be obtained. Special practices will be limited to the dogs who have been designated to participate in the event unless invited.
5. No club equipment may be utilized outside of approved practices, classes, performances, or tournaments without Board approval.
6. Club Participation Requirements
1. All Club members attending practices or events for flyball will help set up and take down the equipment.
2. All Club members must carry plastic bags or some means to pick up after their dog(s) and dispose of properly at any Club activity.
3. All dogs will be under positive control at all events, competitions, performances, practices, and tournaments when not working.
4. Dogs must be on leash to and from the practice/competition areas unless conducting a group training exercise.
5. Non-running dogs and handlers should be careful to keep from distracting the running teams during practice time. Training time is for taking care of business. Practice time begins at a set time and ends when all Club equipment is put away. No running of loose dogs until after Club equipment is put away.
6. All new dogs must have graduated from an approved flyball class to take part in Club practices unless being trained by a club member who has previously trained and run a dog at tournament level. Experienced handler/dog teams may be tested by the Board or designee in lieu of the class.
7. Bay Racers encourages positive and humane training methods. Any treatment deviating from this general philosophy will be reviewed by the Board on an individual basis and acted upon accordingly.
8. Dogs may not be touched by spectators during Bay Racers events, competitions, performances, or practices. If allowed, the Club insurance will not cover incidents.
7. Disposition
1. Club members are to actively discourage dogs from barking at any time other than running flyball.
2. Females in season may not attend Club events, competitions, performances, or practices. Females should be bathed after a season before returning to Club activities.
3. Dogs may not participate in any Bay Racers events or practices if not currently displaying good health.
4. Due to the nature of flyball, dog aggression is often a problem. Accordingly, any behavior that is deemed by the Board to be dangerous, uncontrollable, or disruptive may result in referral to an approved trainer, conditional participation, suspension, or expulsion from practices and Club activities.
8. To Qualify to Perform or Compete ,Dogs Must:
1. ...be sound, well-groomed, and in good health as determined by the Board;
2. ...have a current time on file (at least one of the last two timing sessions) if timing sessions have been available;
3. ...must attend practices regularly. Such attendance will be a factor in team selection.
4. All dogs must have proof of rabies, with vaccination dates in the database.
9. To Qualify to Perform or Compete, Handlers Must:
1. ...be a member of Bay Racers, conform to Bay Racers Bylaws and Standing Rules, be familiar with North American Flyball Association (NAFA) rules;
2. ...be current on dues;
3. ...know basic obedience commands and have control of the dog;
4. ...must attend practices regularly. Such attendance will be a factor in team selection.
5. A qualified handler may run more than one qualified dog. If an alternate handler is needed, such handler must satisfy Qualification A, B, and C above.
10. Performance Participation (Demos & Play Days) Selection in Case of Excess Dogs
1. Each qualified handler will be allowed to run only one qualified dog. The handler may choose the dog.
2. The Events Chairperson may select the dogs for performances from those available to go. Any available dog not selected will be given priority at the next comparable performance event.
11. Flyball Competition (Tournament) Participation
1. Every approved dog has the option to be considered for any flyball competition teams(s). Any Club member has the option to be considered for team box loader.
2. Each competition flyball team will consist of six dogs and handlers, a box loader, and coach(es), if possible. All handlers must be Club members. All others must be sponsored by a Club member.
3. Teams shall be configured by the Board so as to make the best possible by taking into consideration speed, reliability, team dynamics, and handler skills. Successive teams shall be configured in decreasing order.
4. A deadline for participation in a competition will be designated by the Board of Directors.
5. Handlers, box loaders, and coaches will wear the club uniform at a competition.
6. Tournament team fees will be due and payable to the Club before the start of tournament practice or the dog may not compete. If an owner pulls their dog after practices have begun, the fee is forfeited unless an alternate dog is found.
7. Fees will be split evenly by the participating dogs.