K-9 Search and Rescue Team
By-Laws
Article 1 – Purpose
The purpose of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team is to work closely with the American Rescue Dog Association, as well as any other search and rescue agency requesting our services in an effort to preserve the lives and welfare of individuals who find themselves in life threatening situations and/or are exposed to the elements.
Article 2 – Membership
Any person interested n the objectives and purposes for which the K-9 Search & Rescue Team has been organized and is approved by a 2/3 vote of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team at a regular of special meeting called for that purpose, may become a member of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team for so long as he or she shall abide by all rules, regulations, and resolutions and meets the criteria under Section – 1 Eligibility.
Any person who is now a member of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team prior to the adoption of these by-laws shall maintain such membership as defined and described below.
The K-9 Search & Rescue Team shall have an associate member program. The associate member shall have voting rights and only training toward their purpose is required. They will not be allowed to go out in the search field. They may attend searches as per transportation for base camp work. They may function as victims as well as in their selected field (such as cooks, veterinarians, and lawyers).
Section – 1 Eligibility
No member shall be accepted to the K-9 Search & Rescue Team that has been convicted of or is being tried for a felony.
All dogs accepted into the K-9 Search & Rescue Team will be full blooded, registerable German Shepherds; said dogs shall have the proper and current immunizations for the safety of the dog.
Each handler, within one year of assuming membership, shall become an Emergency Medical Technician. If said handler chooses not to take the class, the handler will be suspended from the search field until such time that said handler enrolls in an EMT class. After once being suspended, the handler will enroll in the next available EMT class or be terminated from membership. Any handler under the age of 18 and all support people, within one year of assuming membership, shall take and pass the Advanced First Aid course. If said member chooses not to take the class the member will be suspended from the search scene until such time that said member enrolls in an Advance First Aid class. After once being suspended, the handler will enroll in the next available Advanced First Aid class or be terminated from membership. If a member is to fail one of these classes they will be expected to enroll in the next available course, if they fail again they will be terminated from membership. If a member is already trained beyond the EMT level these requirements will be waived.
All members under the age of eighteen should be members of Civil Air Patrol. For each member under the age of eighteen there will be a member over eighteen; therefore making a ratio on a 1:1 basis.
As stated in Article II – Membership, there will be an associate member program of members that will not be expected to do extensive training.
Section 2 – Responsibilities
The K-9 Search & Rescue Team will keep all documentation of training on both dog and handler current. Each member shall attend at least ¾ of all training provided each month.
Professionalism in both dress and conduct is required. Not exhibiting professionalism will be considered detrimental to the team as referred to in Section 8 – Termination.
Section 3 – Requirements of the Team
The K-9 Search & Rescue Team shall not have less than three trained dogs and one dog in training as per American Rescue Dog Association requirements.
The Team will not be available for call unless they can meet American Rescue Dog Association standards.
Section 4 – Training
Training shall be scheduled as often as necessary to maintain proficiency, and meet with American Rescue Dog Association requirements, but not less than twice a month.
Section 5 – Voting Rights
At all general and/or special meetings each regular and associate member shall have one vote upon each issue presented for a vote by that membership. Any member suspended or in active shall not have a vote on any issue.
Votes may be utilized by proxy if and only if the issue of said proxy is specified on the proxy. In order for a quorum the majority of the Team (50% + 1) must be present. A proxy can only count as a member for the vote specified within the proxy.
Section 6 – Leave of Absence
Any search qualified member that will not be available for two or more days, or will be out of paging distance is required to contact the Team Leader or his designee as to his or her status, so the Team Leader will have an accurate status board for incoming calls.
Section 7 – In-Active Membership
In-active membership shall be when a member does not wish to be called for searches or to be required to appear at meetings or training. If a person remains inactive for a period in excess of one-year readmittance to the Team shall be as if said person is first applying for membership and will require a 2/3 vote of the membership.
Section 8 – Termination
Any handler will be terminated from the K-9 Search & Rescue Team for mishandling of a dog; said termination to be decided by a 2/3 vote of the membership.
Conduct detrimental to the K-9 Search & Rescue Team shall be grounds for termination of membership. Termination of membership shall be considered at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose, ruling to be made by a 2/3 vote of the membership.
Said member shall be informed of such removal for the above reasons in writing from the Team Leader or his designee. The said member shall have fifteen days to enter a written statement in their defense. The written defense statement shall be reviewed by the membership for possible reinstatement to previous status.
Section 9 – Committees
The K-9 Search & Rescue Team shall have the right to establish or abolish committees as needed.
Article III – Meetings of Membership
Section 1 – Election or Officers
The annual meeting of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team for the election of officers and selection of board representatives shall be held in January of each year on the first Thursday of the month.
Section 2 – Regular Business Meetings
All regular meetings will be open to the public, with the right to executive session. Written minutes shall be taken at each meeting without exception and available upon request. Such meetings shall take place on the first Thursday of each month.
Section 3 – Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Team Leader or Secretary. Notice of such meetings shall be announced at least 24 hours in advance to the meeting time.
Section 4 – ARDA Meetings
American Rescue Dog Association meetings are to be attended when physically and financially possible. The American Rescue Dog Association representative is responsible for contacting K-9 Search & Rescue Team for an American Rescue Dog Association telephone vote due to the extreme distances involved with a national organization.
Article IV – Officers
Section 1 – Specification of Officer Appointment
The officers of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team shall be, but not limited to, team leader, secretary, treasurer and training officer.
Section 2 – Team Leader
The Team Leader shall preside at all meetings of the K-9 Search & rescue Team. The Team Leader shall be the spokesperson for the Team.
Section 3 – Secretary
The Secretary shall give due notice as to the time and place of all special meetings, preserve the records of the proceedings of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team, and perform such other duties that are usually expected of such officer. The Secretary shall have and maintain custody of all legal documents, by-laws, records and general archives of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team.
Section 4 – Treasurer
The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of the financial records of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team, and shall be responsible for all monies going in and out including the prompt payment of all bills.
Section 5 – Training Officer
The Training Officer shall be in charge of implementing a training program of equal or better standards than those set by the American Rescue Dog Association, shall be responsible for documentation of such training and reporting such achievements to the proper authorities.
Article VII – Amendments
The resolutions may be repealed, altered, or amended by a 2/3 vote of the membership, at any annual meeting, or at any special meeting for that purpose, provided fifteen days notice thereof is given and that any alteration or change proposed does not reduce requirements or standards of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team or conflict with American Rescue Dog Association requirements.
Amendment One:
Article II, 3rd paragraph, second sentence:
They (Associate Members) may be allowed to go out in the search field with the approval of the Field Operations Leader on an individual basis. (5 Nov 92)
Amendment Two:
Article II, section 2 – Responsibilities, first paragraph, second sentence:
All members will document attendance at either ¾ of provided classroom and field training or equivalent training to the satisfaction of the Team Leader, Field Operations Leader and the Training Officer. Failure to do so may render that member ineligible to attend. (5 Nov 92)
Amendment Three:
Article II, section 5 – Voting Rights:
In order for a quorum at least three members must be present. (5 Nov 92)
Amendment Four:
Article VII – Amendments:
…at any annual meeting, regular meeting, or at any special meeting… (5 Nov 92)
Amendment Five: Article VII – Amendments:
Delete does not reduce requirements or standards of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team.
(3 Feb 94)
Amendment Six:
Article I, section I – Eligibility - third paragraph:
Replace Emergency Medical Technician and/or EMT throughout with Emergency Responder of higher level of training as defined by local standard of care. (3 Feb 94)
Amendment Seven:
Article I, section I – Legibility – third paragraph:
Delete any handler under the age of 18 and all support people, within one year of assuming membership shall take and pass the Advanced First Aid Course. If said member chooses not to take the class, the member will be suspended from the search field until such time that said member enrolls in an Advanced First Aid Class. After once being suspended, the handler will enroll in the next available Advanced First Aid Class or be terminated from membership. (3 Feb 94)
Amendment Eight:
Replace K-9 Search & Rescue Team throughout
with K-9 Search & Rescue Team, Inc.
(3 Feb. 94)
Amendment Nine:
Summary: Delete references to the American
Rescue Dog Association.
Article I. Delete “with the American Rescue Dog Association,
as well as”
Article II. Section 3. Paragraph 1. Delete “as per American
Rescue Dog
Association requirements”
Paragraph 2. Delete in its entirety
Section 4. Delete “and meet with American Rescue Dog
Association
requirements”
Article III. Section 4. Delete in its entirety.
Article IV. Section 5. Delete “of equal or better standards
than those set by the
American Rescue Dog Association” and insert “and”.
Article VII. Delete “or conflict with American Rescue Dog
Association
requirements” (March, 1999)