United States Boxer Association

Constitution & Bylaws

constitution ARTICLE I Name AND OBJECTIVES

  1. The name of the club shall be the United States Boxer Association. The official abbreviation of this name shall be “USA-BOX”.

  2. The objectives of the club shall be:

    • to encourage and promote quality in the breeding of purebred Boxers and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities and working character to perfection.

    • to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the FCI as the only standard of excellence by which Boxers shall be judged.

    • to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, IGP trials, and to promote and encourage the training and use of the Boxer for work that is consistent with the breed.

    • to conduct a yearly Working Boxer Championship IGP trial.

    • to conduct European-style breed shows which evaluate the conformation of the Boxer as a working breed, and other activities for which the Boxer is suitable including, but not limited to, ZTP breed suitability tests, AD endurance tests, IGP trials, agility trials, and training or breeding seminars.

    • to promote humane treatment and training methods, and to support responsible dog ownership and breeding practices, and encourage sportsmanship among owners, breeders and fanciers of the Boxer.

    • to maintain an open dialogue with all clubs sharing similar objectives, national and international, while ensuring the autonomy of the USA-BOX.

  3. No part of the net earnings of the club shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, officers, directors, or other private persons, except that the club shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions on furtherance of the purposes set forth in the Constitution or in Article I of the Bylaws. Any expenditure over $150 that is not a normal operation cost for USA-BOX will require Board Approval.

  4. The members of the Club shall adopt and may from time to time revise such By-Laws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

bylaws ARTICLE I membership

SECTION 1. Eligibility: There shall be four types of membership open to all persons eighteen (18) years of age and older who are in good standing with the American Working Dog Federation and ATIBOX and who subscribe to the purposes of this club:

a. Individual membership. Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

b. Household membership. Two (2) adult members residing in the same household, enjoys all club privileges and each eligible to vote and hold office.

c. Lifetime membership. For those individuals that have been members for 15 years or more.  Life members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.

d. Associate membership. Entitled to all club privileges except voting and office holding and offered to individuals with active Boxer K9s in a police or military capacity as well as to individuals who live outside the US.

While membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club's primary purpose is to be representative of the breeders and exhibitors in the US.

SECTION 2. Dues. Membership dues shall be set by the Board. Dues will not exceed $75.00 per year for Individual membership; $100 per year for Household membership; and $25 per year for Associate membership payable on or before the first day of January of each year. Lifetime members pay no dues. No member may vote whose dues are not paid for the Financial/Fiscal year. During the month of October, the secretary shall notify all current members with a statement of dues for the ensuing year. Dues will be collected based on membership type.  Membership shall lapse if dues remain unpaid by March 1, and a late fee will be added to membership renewals.

SECTION 3. Election of 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 these constitution and by-laws and the rules and regulations of USA-BOX. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant and it shall carry the endorsement of one member in good standing.

All applications for membership shall be filed with the Secretary. Each membership application shall be voted upon by the Board. An affirmative vote of 2⁄3 of the board members present shall be required to elect the applicant. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the club can reapply six months after the date of rejection. Applicants for membership who have been rejected by the Club may not reapply within six (6) months after such rejection. Applicants who become new members between October 1 and December 31 of the calendar year shall have club dues carry over to the next full calendar year.

SECTION 4. Termination of Membership. Memberships may be terminated:

a. By resignation. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Secretary; but no member may resign when in debt to the club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club, and they become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year,

b. By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member's dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the Financial/Fiscal year; however, the Board may grant an additional 90 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases. In no case may a person be entitled to vote at any club meeting whose dues are unpaid as of the date of that meeting.

c. By expulsion. Membership may be terminated by expulsion as provided in Article VI of these By-laws.

ByLAYWS ARTICLE II MEETINGS AND VOTING

SECTION 1. Club Meetings. Meetings of the club may be held annually by methods including but not limited to electronic, virtual, teleconference or in-person and in conjunction with the Working Boxer Championship of the Year. The membership It shall be notified by the Secretary either by USPS mail, by electronic means or by telephone of each meeting a minimum of 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty (20) percent of the eligible voting members in good standing, or 20 members, whichever is less. Non-voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 2.  Special Club Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, or by a majority vote of the members of the Board who are present and voting at any regular or special meetings of the Board; and may also be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a petition signed by ten (10) members of the club who are in good standing. Such special meetings shall be held by methods including but not limited to electronic, virtual, teleconference and in-person as may be designated by the person or persons authorized herein to call such meetings. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent via USPS and/or via email by the Secretary 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such meetings shall be twenty (20) percent of the eligible voting members in good standing non-voting members do not count towards the determination of a quorum.

SECTION 3.  Board Meetings. Meetings of the Board may be held at least quarterly by methods including but not limited to electronic, virtual, teleconference and in-person as may be designated by the Board. Written notice of each such meeting shall be sent either by USPS mail, by electronic means or by telephone by the Secretary 5 days prior to the date of the meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

SECTION 4.  Special Board Meetings.  Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President; and shall be called by the Secretary upon receipt of a written request signed by at least three members of the Board. Any such notice shall state the purpose of the meeting and no other business shall be transacted thereat. Meetings may be held by methods including but not limited to electronic, virtual, teleconference and in-person as may be designated by the person authorized herein to call such meeting. The quorum for such a meeting shall be a majority of the Board.

SECTION 5. Voting.  Each member in good standing whose dues are paid for the Financial/Fiscal year shall be entitled to one vote at any meeting of the Club at which the member is present. Proxy voting will not be permitted at any meeting or election.

bylaws ARTICLE Iii directors and officers

SECTION 1. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of the officers and one (1) other Member at Large, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom shall be elected for (3) Three-year terms as provided in Article IV and shall serve until their successors are elected. General management of the club’s affairs shall be entrusted to the Board. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances, and at the discretion of the Board of Directors, if an officer or any member of the Board fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the general membership or of the Board of Directors, he/she shall be removed from office.

SECTION 2. Officers.  The officers of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President, or in the event there is no past president, 1 Board Member at Large.

a. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and of the Board and shall have the duties and powers normally appurtenant to the office of President. In addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws.

b. The Vice President shall have the duties and exercise the powers of the President in case of the President's death, absence or incapacity.

c. 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. He/she shall have charge of the correspondence, notify members of meeting, notify new members of their election of membership, notify officers and directors of their election to office, keep a roll of the members of the Club with their addresses, which shall be sent to any member in good standing upon written request once every club year, and carry out such other duties as are prescribed in these by-laws.

d. The Treasurer shall collect and receive all money 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 always be open to inspection by the Board and a report shall be given at every meeting on the condition of the club’s finances, income statement, 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.

e. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person, in which case the Board shall be comprised of the officers and two other persons.

SECTION 3. Delegate(s) to ATIBOX/AWDF. Delegate(s) to ATIBOX/AWDF is a position which a candidate is elected to by the board. The person so elected shall represent the club, as its Delegate(s), at the membership meeting of ATIBOX/AWDF. This position is authorized to act on the club's behalf and to cast its vote at these membership meetings. The Secretary shall furnish to AWDF/ATIBOX satisfactory evidence of such delegate's authority.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the officers or delegate(s) to ATIBOX/AWDF during the term shall be filled until the next annual election by a majority vote of the members of the Board 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 the President shall be filled automatically by the Vice President and the resulting vacancy in the office of the Vice President shall be filled by the Board.

BYLAWS ARTICLE IV The CLUB’S FINANCIAL/FISCAL YEAR, ANNUAL MEETING, ELECTIONS, OFFICIAL YEAR

SECTION 1. Financial/Fiscal Year. The Club's financial/fiscal year shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the last day of December.

SECTION 2. Elections. Officers and Directors for the ensuing 3-year period shall be elected from among those nominated in accordance with Section 3 of this Article. If more than one member has been nominated for the same position, a vote by secret ballot will take place. The nominated candidate receiving the greatest number of votes for each position shall be declared elected. The nominated candidates for other positions on the Board who receive the greatest number of votes for such positions shall be declared elected. All candidates must be members in good standing.

All Officers and Directors shall assume office on the first of January, following the election. Each retiring officer shall turn over to his or her successor all properties relating to that office within thirty (30) days after the official term has ended.

SECTION 3. Nominations. The Board shall select a Nominating Committee consisting of up to three members and two alternates, not more than one of whom may be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall immediately notify the committee and alternates of their selection. The Board shall name a chair for the committee, and it shall be such person’s duty to call a committee meeting, which shall be held before October 20th of the term ending year.

a. The committee shall nominate one (1) candidate for each office and one (1) candidate for the position on the Board and after securing the consent of each person so nominated, shall immediately report their nominations to the Secretary in writing.

b. Upon receipt of the Nominating Committee's report, the Secretary shall before October 20th notify each member of the candidates so nominated.

c. Additional nominations may be made prior to October 20th by any member in good standing provided that the person so nominated does not decline when his/her name is proposed, and his/her proposer shall present to the Secretary a written statement from the proposed candidate signifying his/her willingness to be a candidate. No person may be a candidate for more than one position except for the position of Secretary and Treasurer.

d. Nominations cannot be made in any manner other than as provided in this Section.

SECTION 4. Club’s Official Year. The Club’s official year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.

BYLAWS ARTICLE V committees

SECTION 1. The Board may each year appoint standing committees to advance the work of the club. Such committees shall always be subject to the final authority of the Board.

SECTION 2.  Any committee appointment may be terminated by majority vote of the full membership of the Board upon written notice to the appointee; and the Board may appoint successors to those persons whose services have been terminated.

BYLAWS ARTICLE VI DISCIPLINE

SECTION 1. AWDF. Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Working Dog Federation shall be suspended from the privileges of this club for a like period.

SECTION 2. Charges. Any member may prefer charges against a member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club· or Breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed in duplicate with the Secretary together with a deposit of $50.00 which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to each member of the Board 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 interest of the Club or Breed it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the board entertains jurisdiction of the charges, it shall fix a date for a hearing by the board not less than three weeks or more than six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by registered mail together with a notice of the hearing and an assurance that the defendant may. personally appear in his/her own defense and bring witnesses if he/she wishes.

SECTION 3. Board Hearing. If the Board has a hearing, the Board or a committee appointed by the Board may hear the charges. The Board or the Board’s appointed committee shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and accused shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and accused, the Board or Board’s appointed committee may by a majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the accused from all privileges of the club for not more than six months from the date of the hearing. And, if the Board or the Board’s appointed committee deems that punishment insufficient, it may also recommend to the membership that the penalty be expulsion. Immediately after the Board or the Board’s appointed committee has reached a decision, its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the Board’s or the Board appointed committee’s decision and penalty, if any.

SECTION 4. Expulsion. The members shall vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2⁄3 vote of those present and voting at the meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the Board’s suspension shall stand.

BYLAWS ARTICLE VII AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1.  Amendments to the constitution and by-laws may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by twenty (20) percent of the membership in good standing. Amendments proposed by such petition shall be promptly considered by the Board of Directors and must be submitted to the members with recommendations of the Board by the Secretary for a vote within three (3) months of the date when the petition was received by the Secretary.

SECTION 2. The constitution and bylaws may be amended by a 2⁄3 secret vote of the members present and voting at any regular, board, or special meeting called for the purpose, provided the proposed amendments have been included in the notice of the meeting and sent to each member at least two weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

BYLAWS ARTICLE VIII DISSOLUTION

SECTION 1. Dissolution.  The club may be dissolved at any time with the written consent of not less than 2⁄3 of the members in good standing. In the event of the dissolution of the club other than for purposes of reorganization whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, none of the property of the club nor 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 club, its property, and assets shall be given to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs selected by the Board unless otherwise prohibited by State Law.

BYLAWS ARTICLE IX ORDER OF BUSINESS

SECTION 1. At meeting 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

·  Reading of minutes of last meeting

·  Report of President

·  Report of Secretary

·  Report of Treasurer

·  Reports of Committees

·  Election of Officers and Board (at annual meeting)

·  Unfinished Business

·  New Business

·  Adjournment

SECTION 2.  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

BYLAWS ARTICLE X PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

SECTION 1. The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.

Last Revised November 1, 2023

Code of Ethics

All members agree to:

  1. Abide by the Constitution and By-laws of the United States Boxer Association.

  2. Accept the FCI Standard #144 as the standard for the Boxer breed.

  3. Maintain their Boxers with the highest standards of health, care, and cleanliness.

  4. Keep accurate breeding records, registration papers, contracts and pedigrees.

  5. Plan all litters with the goal of improving the Breed, giving consideration to individual health benefits and concerns. Breed only mature dogs and bitches at least 18 months of age, in good health, which are free from communicable disease, and have a stable temperament.  Breed only dogs with no disqualifying physical faults according to the FCI Standard #144, and follow the most current USA-BOX health guidelines.  Make all service and sales arrangements clear, complete and mutually agreed upon.  All service and sales arrangements should be stated in writing and signed by all parties involved.

  6. Not in any way make statements that are misrepresentative, fraudulent or misleading in the selling or advertising of puppies or dogs, including misrepresentation of any awarded titles.

  7. Not allow a stud dog to be bred to a bitch whose owner is involved with a puppy broker, puppy mill, litter lot sales, or any other commercial enterprises whose business is involved in similar activities.

  8. Not knowingly sell any Boxer to puppy brokers, pet shops, puppy mills, or agents thereof.

  9. Accurately and honestly evaluate the quality of all Boxers sold and to fairly represent that evaluation.

  10. Furnish buyers with a complete health record including microchip number of the dog and a three (3) generation pedigree and registration or transfer documents, unless a written agreement is made at the time of sale to withhold papers for a specific reason that is stated in that agreement.

  11. Preclude from its membership, events and activities individuals or dogs that, by word or actions, imply support of inappropriate or illegal activity such as dog fighting.

  12. Members shall at all times conduct themselves in such a manner so as to reflect positively on the organization, the sport of purebred dogs and the Boxer breed. Members shall not engage in personal attacks against other members, unsportsmanlike and unethical conduct or other inappropriate behaviors.

Last Revised December 17, 2021