K-9 Search and Rescue Team
| New Applicant | Cadet Policy | Active Member Policy | Reinstatement Policy |
| Canine Eligibility | |||
ADOPTED 1 March 95
REVISED 1 February 96
REVISED 4 January 01
REVISED 1 January 04
New Applicant Policy Amendment
Effective 1 Jan 01, an applicant for any and all categories of membership will be required to provide a current official criminal history, at their own expense, to be evaluated by the executive committee of Team Leader, Secretary, Treasurer and Training Officer. The executive committee shall provide an Aye/Nay recommendation to the team without explanation. As an appeal from the recommendation of the executive committee, the applicant may request an executive session before the team at an annual, regular or special meeting, at which time the applicant may release the criminal history information for team evaluation. The decision of the team will be final.
1. It is mandatory for the applicant to attend seventy-five percent of the K-9 Search & Rescue Team training for a ninety day probation period.
2. Each member of the Team will make an effort to become well acquainted with the applicant.
3. Prior to the meeting the applicant will chose if he/she wants to be in private or in front of the Team concerning if he/she was admitted onto the Team.
4.
When voting time arrives there will be a period set aside for
associate members to become familiar with the applicant. (1
January 04)
5. When the given time is up the applicant may then ask questions concerning the K-9 Search & Rescue Team. The Team then has the right to ask questions regarding his/her qualifications.
6. After all questions are answered the applicant will leave the room.
7. There will be an open discussion about why or why not the applicant should be admitted onto the Team. However, the voting will remain closed ballot.
8. The appointed Team Leader is to inform the applicant if he/she was admitted onto the K-9 Search & Rescue Team.
9. Probationary members shall be allowed to vote and hold office.
ADOPTED 3 May 95
REVISED 1 January 04
1. Establish a full member cadet status for teenagers ages 14-18. This would allow them to train and acquire the necessary equipment.
2.
Cadets are allowed to respond to base camp once they meet the 20
hour requirement. (1 January 04)
3. At age 15½ if the cadet member exhibits sufficient skill and maturity, then the member could be allowed to go on missions as a navigator without a dog until the member turns 16; with the approval of the Operational Leader.
4. Cadets may become handlers at age 16.
5. The parent of the cadet member must attend a meeting and sign this agreement at a regular meeting.
6. Cadet members who have an active parent/guardian on K-9 Search & Rescue Team are exempt from parts 3 and 4 of this policy.
7. High school students will notify the Team Leader and/or Operational Leader anytime their academic average drops below 3.0. At that time a conference may be scheduled between parent, Team Leader and student to develop an action plan for academic improvement. Should that action plan not be fulfilled, the decision of the Team Leader concerning lost school time will be final.
ADOPTED 4 April 96
Any active member of K-9 Search & Rescue Team, Inc. who does not attend 75% of K-9 activities for three months can be dropped from membership. Any member who does not attend 75% of K-9 activities is ineligible for Team funds. The decision of the Team is final.
ADOPTED 1 February 96
If and Active or Associative (1 January 04) member leaves the Team in good standing, that member shall be eligible to reapply for direct membership by letter. Vote of acceptance/denial shall be simple majority. Said member, if reinstated, is expected to refresh their skills and knowledge as soon as possible.
If a probationary member leaves the Team in good standing, that member shall be eligible to reapply from probationary membership by application. Vote of acceptance/denial shall be 2/3 majority. Said member shall receive credit for training if reinstatement is less than 1 year, if more than 1 year, training will start over.
If a member leaves the Team not in good standing or has acted in a manner detrimental to the Team at any time, said member must reapply as a new applicant and follow the new member (probationary) policy.
The decision as to standing and detrimental shall be made by a committee of the whole, with simple majority prevailing.
Search Dog/Puppy Eligibility Policy
ADOPTED 3 July 96
In Order for a K-9 Search & Rescue Team search dog/puppy to be eligible for Team moneys, said dog/puppy must attend 75% of trainings.
Canine Aggression Toward Humans Policy
ADOPTED 8 January 98
Any canine associated with K-9 Search & Rescue Team, Inc., in any capacity that:
1. Bites hard enough to break skin or mucus membrane,
2. Bites and tears clothing,
3. Bites and contuses tissue beyond specific tooth marks,
4. Lunges or growls aggressively,
shall be immediately retired from all K-9 functions.
Official report, Team member report, or public report shall document inappropriate aggressive behavior. Said report shall be verified by the Team Leader or his/her designee as to accuracy.
The handler of such retired dog may appeal the dog’s mandatory retirement to the Team by documenting unusual circumstances and remediation plan.
The Team’s majority ruling shall be final.
ADOPTED 2 November 95
1. Nothing in this policy shall preclude the delegation and/or sharing of duties but
responsibility shall not be shared.
2. Any Team member cognizant of dereliction of duties shall notify the Team
Leader who shall investigate. If warranted, the Team Leader shall present same at the next regular of special meeting for membership action.
Team Leader
Revised 4 February 99
1. Preside over business meetings according to accepted rules of parliamentary procedure.
2. Appoint committees and serve on them as an ex-officio member.
3. Coordinate and evaluate the activities of the Team.
4. Appoint operational leaders.
5. Countersign all checks issued by the Treasurer.
6. Authenticate by signature all documents requiring same.
7. Determine field readiness.
8. Other duties as the Team may designate.
Amendments:
4 February 99 – Section 5 of Team Leader, “Serve as the American Rescue Dog Association representative.” deleted in its entirety.
Secretary
Revised 4 February 99
1. Prepare the agenda for each business meeting.
2. Prepare the minutes of each business meeting.
3. File all committee reports.
4. Be responsible for all Team correspondence.
5. Maintain membership attendance records at business meetings.
6. Issue and rescind membership cards.
7. Have available at each business meeting:
Secretaries book
Records of all committees
Copies of bylaws and policies
8. Make minutes and records available to members, upon request, within a reasonable amount of time.
9. Notify members of any special meetings at least 24 hours prior to meeting time.
10. Receive individual mission logs; prepare Colorado Search and Rescue Board mission reports and file same in a timely manner.
11. Serve as chairperson in the absence of the Team Leader.
12. Other duties as the Team may designate.
Amendments:
4 February 99 – Section 10 of Secretary, “…and American Rescue Dog Association activity log...” deleted in its entirety.
Training Officer
Revised 4 February 99
1. Shall conduct field trainings not less than monthly.
2. Shall conduct at least one monthly classroom training.
3. Shall document pertinent data on all training.
4. Shall provide training reports at monthly business meetings and as may be required.
5. Shall assist the Team Leader in the determination of field readiness.
6. Shall coordinate training on equipment with the Equipment Officer.
7. Shall provide a monthly training calendar scheduling trainings for the current month.
8. Shall check members training logs at least quarterly.
9. Shall be third in command.
10. Other such duties as may designated.
Amendments:
4 February 99 – Section 1 of Training Officer, “…to American Rescue Dog Association standards...” deleted in its entirety.
Treasurer
1. Serves as the business manager.
2. Receive, record and deposit funds and issue receipts.
3. Present monthly financial reports.
4. Collect accounts receivable in a timely manner.
5. Maintain neat and accurate ledgers for each account.
6. Serve as the financial agent for the receipt, expenditure and accounting of grant funds.
7. Serve as the chairperson of the fund raising committee.
8. Prepare and submit a yearly financial report at the annual meeting.
9. Prepare an annual budget and present same at annual meeting.
10. Prepare any and all financial statements required for the collection of funds from any source, including, but not limited to, Certified Public Accountant audits.
11. Other such duties as may be designated.
Equipment Officer – General
REVISED 1 February 96
1. Shall maintain an accurate inventory of all non-electronic equipment and supplies owned or loaned to the Team, clearly showing pertinent data.
2. Shall maintain equipment in an operational state at all times.
3. Shall maintain repair and replacement logs on all equipment.
4. Shall document operational status of all response equipment at least monthly; such documentation shall be filed with the secretary at monthly business meetings.
5. Shall act as purchasing agent, buying and selling equipment at the direction of the Team. All financial matters are to be referred to the Treasurer, or in his absence, the Team Leader.
6. Shall provide the Training Officer with all Team equipment necessary.
7. Other such duties as may be designated.
Equipment Officer – Electronic
REVISED 1 February 96
1. Shall maintain an accurate inventory of all electronic equipment and supplies owned or loaned to the Team, clearly showing pertinent data. Electronic equipment shall be defined as anything used by the Team for communications; such as but not limited to radios, inverter, copy machine, beacons, etc…
2. Shall maintain electronic equipment in an operational state at all times.
3. Shall maintain repair and replacement logs on all electronic equipment.
4. Shall document operational status of all response equipment at least monthly; such documentation shall be filed with the Secretary at monthly business meetings.
5. Shall provide the Training Officer with all Team equipment necessary.
6. Other such duties as may be designated.
Public Relations Officer /
Fundraising Chairperson
Combining of Offices
ADOPTED 2 January 97
1. Plan and implement public information programs with local media.
2. Release news and information to news media per Team policy.
3. Cause at least one newsletter per annum to be published.
4. Prepare and maintain a Team scrapbook.
5. Serve as the Team photographer.
6. Prepare displays, booths, pamphlets, etc. for community functions upon request.
7. Other such duties as may be designated.
8. Act as fundraising chairperson and perform all duties associated with fundraising.
Medical Officer
ADOPTED 1 February 96
1. The Medical Officer will attend Montezuma County Emergency Medical Services Council meetings, represent the best interests of the Team there in, and report the Council’s activities to the Team.
2. The Medical Officer will assist the Equipment Officers with the medical equipment, upon request.