The membership policy as well as other information and forms necessary to complete a membership application are available here. Items marked [PDF] require the free Adobe Acrobat reader.
The objects of the Cairn Terrier Club of America are to encourage and promote quality in the purebred breeding of the old working terrier of Skye and the West Highlands now known as the Cairn Terrier and to do all possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection; to encourage the organization of independent local Cairn Terrier Specialty clubs in those localities where there are sufficient fanciers of the breed to meet the requirements of the American Kennel Club; to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as defined by the Cairn Terrier Club of America and approved by the American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Cairn Terriers shall be judged; to do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, field trials, and obedience trials; to conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows, field trials, and obedience trials under the rules of the American Kennel Club.
Membership is open to serious fanciers who have demonstrated a significant on-going interest In the Cairn Terrier, who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club, subscribe to the objects of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, and agree to abide by the Constitution and By-laws of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, its Code of Ethics, and the Rules of the American Kennel Club.
1. Applicants must document direct involvement with the Cairn Terrier breed for a minimum of two (2) years on their Application for Membership.
2. Applications must have attached the written endorsement of two regular members, in good standing, who meet the requirements for sponsorship, and who have known the applicant for a minimum of two (2) years.
3. Dealers who sell dogs to commercial outlets will not be considered for membership.
4. Applicants between the ages of 10 and 17 may be admitted as Junior Members, but cannot become Regular Members until they reach the age of 18.
1. Sponsors shall have been Regular Members of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, in good standing, for at least two (2) years, and have known the applicant for a minimum for two (2) years.
2. Both sponsors may not be from the same kennel or family, and one shall be from the applicant’s geographic area.
3. By sponsoring membership applications, Cairn Terrier Club of America members attest to their personal knowledge of the applicant, including his or her interest in the breed, sportsmanship, and ethical conduct.
4. Members may only sign as a sponsor two (2) membership applications per calendar year.
5. It is the responsibility of the applicant’s sponsors to forward the properly completed Application for Membership and Sponsorship Endorsements to the Membership Committee Chair of the Cairn Terrier Club of America.
6. Officers and Board members are ineligible to sign a sponsorship endorsement during their term of office.
1. The Membership Committee Chair acknowledges all applications upon receipt.
2. The correct membership fee must accompany each application. If an application for membership is returned or the applicant is not admitted to membership, the money shall be refunded.
3. Only eligible and properly sponsored applicants for whom applications have been received by the Membership Committee on or before October 30th or April 30th of each year will be considered for membership at the next meeting of the Board of Governors.
4. The Membership Committee will review all applications for compliance with minimum application and sponsorship requirements. The Membership Committee, with explanation, within 30 days will return incomplete applications, and those not meeting minimum requirements, to the applicant after receipt. Applications meeting minimum requirements will be presented to the Board of Governors at its spring or fall meeting.
5. Prior to January 1st and July 1st of each year, a notice will be mailed to members or published in the newsletter, containing the names of individuals, with timely filed membership applications, for consideration at the next Board of Governors meeting. Included will be the names of each applicant’s sponsors, and a deadline for the submission of written communications to the Board on the qualifications and ethical conduct of individual applicants.
6. Written comments regarding applicants will be considered confidential communications to the Board. However, members will be informed that copies of written comments on an individual applicant will be made available to that applicant immediately on written request by the applicant.
7. No follow-up or "second" letters from an applicant’s sponsors will be required. However, the withdrawal of endorsement by a sponsor prior to a final vote of the Board of Governors on an applicant’s admission to membership renders the application void, and the applicant must reapply.
8. The Board’s meeting agenda each year will include the consideration of all timely filed and properly sponsored membership applications, together with all members’ comments and the Report of the Membership Committee.
9. An applicant who does not receive the necessary number of votes (2/3 of the Board members present) for admission to membership, will be notified within 30 days of his or her right to have one of his or her sponsors present the applicant’s name for election to membership by the C.T.C.A. general membership at the next annual meeting.
10. The sponsor who will present the applicant’s name for election by the general membership must notify the Recording Secretary in writing by September 1st to put the issue on the agenda for the annual meeting.
11. An applicant whose name is presented for election by the general membership at the annual meeting will not be allowed to attend the meeting.
12. Robert’s Rules of Order will apply to consideration of applicants for election to membership at the annual meeting. The Board of Governors will take no official position on membership applicants considered at the annual meeting.
1. In its consideration of membership applications, it is the policy of the Board of Governors not to discriminate against any applicant on the basis of the applicants’ race, sex, age, national origin or sexual preference.
2. All votes on the admission to membership shall be by secret ballot.
3. Each Board member will vote on the basis of whether, in the opinion of that Board member, the applicant under consideration has a demonstrated interest in the Cairn Terrier breed, and meets the high standards of ethical and personal conduct set for C.T.C.A. membership.
4. An unsuccessful applicant will be advised only that: (a) he or she has not received the required number of affirmative votes necessary for admission to membership; and (b) that the applicant’s name may be presented for election to membership by the C.T.C.A. general membership present at the next annual meeting.
5. Board meeting discussions on individual applicants for membership are confidential communications among the members of the Board of Governors, and shall not be disclosed either to applicants or to third parties.
6. All written communications by individual members to the Board regarding the qualifications and ethical conduct of membership applicants are considered confidential communications. However, the Board will provide an applicant with copies of written communications relating to his or her application immediately upon written request by the applicant.
7. All written communications received by the Board regarding an application will be retained as part of the Recording Secretary’s permanent file on the applicant.
rev 11.3.2004
