Constitution 2020

1. NAME
 The name of the Association is (2020) the “Association of Pet Dog Trainers”.

2. OBJECTS (2020)

2.1. Supply and promote progressive, science and evidence-based training methods for the benefit of dogs, their owners, veterinary practices, rehoming centres and other organisations
2.2.  To assess dog training instructors in their knowledge and skills in order to maintain the highest dog training standards.
2.3. Keep a register of assessed dog training instructors (our members) in order that dog owners can find accredited APDT instructors to help them train their dog(s).
2.4. To further the understanding of progressive science and evidence-based dog training methods, via the provision and access to educational courses.

3. DIRECTORS

3.1. The Directors of the APDT are the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer elected from and by the members of the APDT at the AGM.
3.2. The Directors are responsible for the management of the APDT and will delegate powers of authority to the Executive Committee.

4. POWERS

In furtherance of the said objects but not otherwise the Association of Pet Dog Trainers may:
4.1. Seek to stimulate and educate public opinion on the subject of dog training.
4.2. Act in an advisory capacity, collect and disseminate information upon any matters affecting dog training.
4.3. Employ and pay a person or persons not being a member or members of the Executive Committee hereinafter mentioned to carry out the administrative work of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
4.4. Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights or privileges necessary for the promotion and execution of the said objects.
4.5. Subject to such consents as may be required by law, raise money for the said objects provided that in raising funds the Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities.
4.6. Do all such other lawful things as may be deemed necessary for the attainment of the said objectives.

5. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5.1. The management of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall be in the hands of an Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) who shall be responsible for transacting the business of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and for the conduct and administration of its affairs on behalf of the Directors.
5.2. The Committee shall consist of the Honorary Officers, namely Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, together with up to eleven ordinary members.
5.3. Honorary (2020) Officers of the Association shall be elected from members of the Committee who shall have completed not less than twelve month’s service.
5.4. All members of the Committee shall retire and be eligible for re-election after serving three years and shall have full voting rights.
5.5. Voting
5.5.1. At any Meeting of the Committee four persons entitled to vote thereat shall form a quorum.
5.5.2. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
5.6. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members onto the Committee in the event of positions becoming vacant between General Meetings.
5.6.1. Those co-opted shall only hold office until the next General Meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers at which the election of the Committee takes place.
5.6.2. Co-opted members shall have full voting rights.
5.7. The Committee shall have the power to invite the attendance of other persons as advisers or observers who shall not be entitled to vote.
5.8. The Committee shall have the power to enter into agreements with other organisations for the formation of any joint committees or to otherwise co-operate with such organisations in order to promote the objects of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

5.9. The Chairman shall serve no more than 5 consecutive terms in office. They (2020) shall not thereafter be eligible for re- nomination as Chairman until a period of three years shall have elapsed from the expiration of their (2020) last term of office.
5.10. The Committee shall have the power to adopt and issue Standing Orders and/or Rules for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers that shall come into operation immediately provided always that they shall be subject to review by the members and shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
5.11. The Committee may co-opt additional people onto the various sub-committees to assist with the workload, as deemed necessary.
5.12. Meetings of the Committee shall be held as often as deemed necessary but at least three times a year.
5.13. Minutes (2020) shall be kept of all business transacted at Committee Meetings.

6. MEMBERS (becoming/ceasing)

6.1. Application.
6.1.1. Membership shall be open to any individual at the discretion of the Executive Committee and subject to an assessment procedure, payment of subscription and any other fees currently in force and a written agreement to accept and abide by the Code of Practice of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers
6.1.2. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall have the right to refuse to accept an application for membership without explanation

6.2. Termination.

6.2.1. No member whose subscription is unpaid is entitled to any of the privileges of membership and the name of any member who fails to pay outstanding subscriptions within three months of their falling due shall be automatically erased from the register.
6.2.2. Acceptance back onto the register of members will be dependent upon a new application and assessment.
6.2.3. A persons’ membership terminates when they are found to be in contravention of the APDT Code of Practice.
6.3. Adjudication.
6.3.1. Members are obliged to abide by the Code of Practice of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
6.3.2. A plea of ignorance respecting any part of the Code of Practice (2020) shall not be deemed a justifiable excuse for a member having contravened it.
6.3.3. Any complaint or dispute arising from the conduct of any member shall be referred to the Committee for consideration. The Committee may suspend any member from the register while disciplinary proceedings are in progress or pending.

7. GENERAL MEETINGS

7.1. Voting.
7.1.1. All fully paid-up members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings and shall have equal voting rights save that in the event of an equality of votes the Chairman of the Meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
7.1.2. At any General Meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers twenty persons entitled to vote thereat shall form a quorum. Save as otherwise herein provided all matters discussed at any General Meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers should be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote thereat.
7.1.3. Voting shall be by a vote of hands or by ballot at the discretion of the Chairman of the Meeting.
7.1.4. Postal votes are allowed in respect of the election of the Honorary (2020) Officers and the Committee. Specific application for postal votes (with SAE) must be made not less than 21 days before the date of the AGM to the administrative office.
7.2. Notice.
7.2.1. Not less than twenty-eight days notice of such Meeting will be given to members in writing either by post, email (2020) or publication in the newsletter of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or other suitable publications. (2020)
7.2.2. The accidental omission to give notice of a Meeting or the non-receipt of such notice by a person entitled to receive notice thereof shall not invalidate the proceedings of any such Meeting.
7.3. Agenda.
7.3.1. No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers unless notice thereof appears on the Agenda, with the exception of routine matters or those that, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Meeting, are urgent.
7.3.2. Items for inclusion on the Agenda are required to be received by the Honorary Secretary not less than fourteen days prior to the date of the Meeting.
7.3.3. The Agenda will be circulated at, or in advance of, the Meeting.
7.4. Extraordinary General Meeting.
7.4.1. Subject to the notice prescribed in clause 7.2 hereof, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers may be convened at any time by the Committee or if twenty five members send a signed requisition to the Honorary Secretary stating the subject to be discussed and requesting an Extraordinary General Meeting to do so.
7.4.2. No business other than that detailed on the Agenda shall be discussed at such a Meeting.
7.5. Records.
7.5.1.Minutes (2020) shall be kept recording all business transacted at General Meetings and be published not less than 7 days post meeting. (2020)

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

8.1. The A.G.M. shall be held not more than fifteen months after the previous such Meeting at such time and place as the Committee shall decide.
8.2. Agenda.
8.2.1. The business transacted at the A.G.M. shall include the receipt of the report of the Committee and a summary of the audited accounts, the election of the Committee and the discussion of any resolution duly placed on the Agenda of which prior notice has been given to the Honorary Secretary.
8.3. Nominations.
8.3.1. Nominations to the A.G.M. of individuals for election to the Committee must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary not less than fourteen days prior to the date of the Meeting and must be supported by a proposer and seconder, both of whom are full members of Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
8.3.2. Candidates for election to the Committee must have previously agreed to their being nominated.
8.3.3. Should nominations exceed vacancies election will take place pursuant to clause 6.f. herein.

9. FINANCE

9.1. The Committee shall receive all income of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and may from such income incur such expenditure as shall be lawful and necessary for the promotion of the objects of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and the conduct of its business.
9.2. All revenue shall be deposited with bankers in an account or accounts in the name of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and from which account/s withdrawal shall only be made on the authorisation of the Treasurer or Chairman.
9.3. Accounting records shall be kept and shall be subject to independent examination annually by an Auditor or Auditors appointed by the Committee.
9.4. The financial year of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall be from 1st January to 31st December.
9.5. Subscriptions.
9.5.1. The annual subscription shall be such amount as may from time to time be determined by the Committee.
9.5.2. Subscriptions shall be payable on joining the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and on 1st May in each year thereafter.
9.5.3. Subscriptions paid by members joining the Association of Pet Dog Trainers after 28th February in any year shall not expire until 30th April of the following year.

10.PROPERTY

10.1. The property of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers shall be vested in the Committee upon trust for its members.
10.2. In the event of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers being wound up, or for any other reason ceasing to exist, the disposal of its assets, after the satisfaction on any proper debts and liabilities, shall be decided in an Extraordinary General Meeting and the outcome thereof made known to all members in writing either by post or publication.

11.DISSOLUTION

11.1. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers may only be wound up following a resolution at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose at which two-thirds of the members present and voting so decide.
11.2. Registered as ‘limited by guarantee’, if the Association closes with more debts than assets members’ liability will be limited to one pound (£1.00) each.
11.3. This liability will apply to all full members during their membership and for 12 months after that finishes.

12.ALTERATION

12.1. Any alteration of this Constitution shall receive the assent of the Executive Committee and not less than two-thirds of those members present and voting at a General Meeting the Agenda of which contains specific proposals to amend the Constitution, provided that notice of any such alteration shall have been received by the Honorary Secretary in writing not less than twenty one days before the Meeting at which the alterations to be proposed and at least fourteen days notice in writing, setting forth the terms of the alteration, shall be sent by the Honorary Secretary to each member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

13.DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

13.1. Notice.
A member who has allegedly been in breach of the Code of Practice shall be served by the Committee with written notice to that effect and may:
13.1.1. Be suspended from membership pending enquiries. or
13.1.2. Be expelled from membership. Any member who has been so expelled may not re-apply for membership within twelve months of expulsion and will be subject to the application and assessment procedure for new members referred to in clause 6. hereof.
13.2. Appeal
13.2.1. A member subjected to these disciplinary proceedings may appeal to the Committee to have the decision of the Committee re-considered.
13.2.2. The member must notify the Committee in writing of the intent to appeal within fourteen days of receiving the Committee’s original decision.
13.2.3. A member is permitted to appeal once only with regard to a specific disciplinary matter.
13.2.4. The decision of the Committee with regard to any such appeal is final.
13.2.5. In the event that a member, or the complainant disagrees with the final adjudication, they may take the case to arbitration with the ABTC (2020