About the IWG
(Approved in Burgdorf 2007)
1] NAME AND OBJECTIVES
The Berner International Working Group (BIWG) comprises of an informal and flexible group of individuals, some representing breed clubs and other independent, who have the common desire to improve the health and longevity of the Bernese Mountain Dog. We have a wish to make the average age at death of the breed at least 10 years, we refer to this as “Objective 10”.
We aim to reach this objective in many ways but including:
*Collecting scientific studies / articles about health and breeding healthy BMDs
*Encouraging the sharing of Bernese health information from our different countries (statistics etc)
*Sharing experiences of projects relevant to the Bernese
*Helping to establish international co-operation
We are not a club, association or organisation with any formal structure beyond that required to organise our activities. We have no bank account or membership fee and have no financial or other disposable assets. We do not have any interest or ambition to register puppies, organise shows, appoint or assess judges, grade dogs, authorise breeding or have influence in any area of dog activity organised by the FCI, National Kennel Clubs or Breed clubs.
Individuals or representatives of a club or any clubs joining the BIWG must only be involved with breeding of dogs with official FCI pedigrees or pedigrees issued by FCI affiliated clubs (such as the GB Kennel Club or American KC etc). Breeding out of FCI or FCI affiliated pedigrees is not possible for any BIWG member.
Most of our activity is via the internet and our meetings will be held no more than annually. These meetings will be held in a spirit of co-operation, education, friendliness and mutual aid and anyone who shares our “Objective 10” and can offer useful information to help the Bernese Mountain Dog is welcome.
2] OFFICERS AND MEMBER CLUBS
a. The BIWG shall consist of as many bona fide registered Breed Clubs and Societies and other dedicated BMD organisations as wish to join AND are approved by a vote of the existing members.
b. The Officers shall consist of a President and a Secretary. The President shall chair the meetings and encourage progress and activity in between meetings and adherence to our agreed procedures. The Secretary shall take minutes and act as a focal point for administration.
c. The President shall serve for two years in the first instance and may seek re-election thereafter. The Secretary shall serve for two years in the first instance and may then seek re-election. Nominations for Officers shall be made via the group email at least 10 weeks prior to the meeting.
d. Other positions shall be a webmaster to administer and update the web site and a web ring administrator to ensure circulation of messages.
e. Individuals who have a specialist knowledge or interest agreed by the group to be beneficial to the group’s aims may become Special Members and entitled to attend and take part in all discussions, but these persons will not have any voting rights.
f. Non specialist individuals with a relevant interest in the breed but without the backing of any approved club or other body who wish to attend meetings may do so with the approval of the group ideally in advance and by email vote but if attending without notice their attendance is subject to the approval of those present at the meeting. Any such person not representing a member club or group will not have any voting rights.
3] MEETINGS
a. The meetings of the BIWG shall be held approximately once per year. The date, time and place of each meeting being decided in reasonable time by the hosting club and notified to the other clubs. This time normally to be at least 6 months prior to the meeting.
b. Any member of any member club or organisation attending with the support of that club shall be entitled to attend as well as those qualifying at 2d and 2e above. Notice of proposed numbers must be given in advance to the hosting club and in the event of too many persons for the venue the larger delegations will be reduced.
c. The President will organise the meeting to make efficient use of the time. Depending on circumstances this may include allowing each club to speak just once in debate or asking only one person per club to speak.
d. The President shall have a casting vote only, unless he or she is the sole delegate from his or her club. In this event he or she will be able to put forward his or her club’s vote and in the event of a tied vote the President shall also have an extra deciding vote.
4] NOTICE AND AGENDAS OF MEETINGS
a. The hosting club will forward a Notice of the meeting to all member clubs 6 months in advance.
b. All clubs will then forward by email any items for the agenda to the Secretary at least 49 days before the meeting. The Secretary will then compile and circulate the agenda by email at least 42 days before the meeting. This gives member clubs a chance to discuss items and present a considered opinion at the meeting.
c. Each member may propose items for the agenda or persons for officers but no item will be discussed at a meeting without a seconder. These may be seconded in advance or on the day at the discretion of the President.
5] VOTING
a. Each member club shall have one vote only and each club will determine who will vote on its behalf.
b. The election of Officers will be by a show of hands, one per club.
c. Voting on proposals will be by a show of hands with a simple majority to decide.
d. Proxy voting from absent clubs will be accepted provided the proxy is in writing and in the hands of the Secretary before the meeting. It is the responsibility of the voting club to effect and confirm this. Emails will be acceptable but the same responsibility applies.
e. 50% plus 1 of the voting members shall form a quorum.
f. Voting may occur in person or in writing within 21 days of the call for a vote.
6] THE CONSTITUTION
a. The Constitution, once agreed, shall not be altered without the prior agreement of the constituent member clubs at a meeting. A simple majority to confirm changes.
7] JURISDICTION
The BIWG acknowledges the jurisdiction and authority of all its member clubs National Kennel Clubs and other governing bodies and the need of its members to comply with their regulations. Whilst the BIWG will always be as sympathetic as possible to any problems caused by unavoidable clashes, the opinion of the majority of members and need to focus on our objectives will always be a main priority.