BY-LAWS

This association shall be known as the Eastern States Working Dog Association, Inc. E.S.W.D.A. is an independent and non-profit organization dedicated to the best interests of working dogs utilized in public safety functions. E.S.W.D.A. is the parent club for the local (statewide) working dog associations.

The objectives and goals of this association are as follows:

1. The promotion of the working dog and it's usefulness to society.

2. The promotion of the use of working dogs for police and related uses.

3. To support the use of dogs by ALL police departments.

4. Encourage and promote the certification of working dogs and their handlers.

5. To generate interest and to educate the public concerning police service dogs.

6. To conduct training by competent experienced and approved trainers, and to hold working dog seminars with qualified and established instructors.

7. To provide education in all aspects of rearing and training of working dogs.

8. To promote friendly relations between all organizations dedicated to the

working dog concept.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this association shall consist of those persons who are listed on the original charter as charter members, along with all other persons who are received into membership as hereafter provided.

CHARTER MEMBERS: This position shall consist of the original membership established on October 15, 1996. These members have the same responsibilities and privileges as awarded to Active members, however they are the only members allowed to cast votes for the president, secretary, or treasurer. They are charged with maintaining the integrity of the established beliefs and practices of the association.

ACTIVE MEMBERS: This position shall be awarded to any active or retired law enforcement officer, military personnel, or civilian who is or was a canine handler or trainer or canine administrator who is free of any criminal convictions and a person in good standing. All persons accepted for membership shall serve an interim period of one year prior to receiving any voting powers or holding any office. Active members are responsible for the election of the board of trustees, and are awarded all other membership privileges and responsibilities as described therein.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: This position shall be awarded to persons not actively working with a dog(s) who are sponsored by an active member and approved by the executive committee. These members have no voting powers and can hold no office but enjoy the same benefits and privileges as active members. All associate members must be re-sponsored each year.

HONORARY MEMBERS: This position recognizes persons who do not meet the criteria for other positions within the organization but are dedicated to the promotion of the working dog in a manner consistent with this associations practices and beliefs. These persons pay no dues and have no voting powers and hold no office. Membership is subject to the approval of the executive committee

STATE COORDINATOR: This position is held by an active member appointed by the president of the parent organization (annually ) . He / she is the liaison between parent club and their appointed state and is responsible to coordinate memberships, communications, interactions, between all membership levels of the separate groups. He / she shall serve as a member of the executive committee and shall be charged with the responsibilities as defined therein. He / she shall I appoint their own assistant. Term 1 year.

ASSISTANT STATE COORDINATOR: This position is held by the person appointed by the State Coordinator, this person shall serve as a member of the executive committee and shall assist and assume the responsibilities as delegated by the State Coordinator. Term 1 year.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: This governing body consists of the president, secretary, treasurer, State coordinator(s) and assistant coordinator(s), and the board of trustees. Charged with the responsibility for the direction of the association and hold all decision making powers. All issues will be decided by the board on a two thirds majority vote. Any issues which cannot be decided by the two thirds majority shall be considered a deadlock and shall require that the president cast the deciding vote.

PRESIDENT: Appointed by the executive committee for an indefinite term or until resignation or impeachment. He / she is the head of the executive committee. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all association functions. He/ she shall see that the by laws and all rules and regulations of the association are obeyed and maintained. He/ she shall appoint and oversee all

committees necessary to fulfill his/ her responsibilities and conduct the affairs of the association. He /she shall appoint all committee chairpersons and the required State coordinators. He/ she casts the deciding vote on all issues entertained by the executive committee that are considered a deadlock. He/ she shall perform such other duties as usual and incidental to the office of president. He/she is a member ex-officio of all committees except the election committee.

SECRETARY: Elected by the executive committee responsible for recording the minutes of all meetings, calling and recording the roll at those meetings. Any communications or correspondence in and out of the organization relative to executive committee business. To keep a record of all memberships their status dates of admission and termination. Receiving all moneys in the absence of the treasurer. Term 2 years.

TREASURER: Elected by the executive committee responsible to collect all moneys due this association, giving receipt thereof. He/ she shall keep a suitable set of books of record of the same. The account books as well as all papers in his custody shall be open for inspection and examination by the board of trustees. He/ she shall deposit all moneys of this association into a bank designated by the board of trustees. He/ she shall submit a current financial report to the membership every four months, and shall provide a current financial statement at all association meetings in response to inquiries from the membership. He/ she shall draw all checks or other obligations authorized by the director or executive committee. He /she shall be responsible for mailing membership cards, and dues' notices, Term 2 years.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Shall consist of four active members elected by voting membership of this association. Responsible to debate and decide the policies of this association as delegated by the president, and to act as agents of the executive committee in all financial transactions between the committee and all other institutions or individuals. They shall designate the bank(s) and/ or other institutions in which the treasurer shall deposit what moneys and to what extent. They shall decide how much money the treasurer will have on hand. They shall cause to be made an audit of all books, accounts, funds, etc., of any and all officers, committees, or members who collect disburse funds of this association not less than once each year or at any time said board is given just cause to believe such audit should be made. They are hereby authorized to employ the services of a certified public accountant, at a reasonable fee not to exceed $ 200.00 to prepare this audit and report. In order to be eligible for this position a person must be an active member in good standing for a period of one year. Term 2 years.

DUES: The yearly dues of this association will be $35.00 for Active members and $25.00 for Associate members. Dues must be paid by January 1 5th of the calendar year. All business involving the yearly dues shall be conducted by the membership committee.

AMENDMENTS: The executive committee in accordance with the established procedures of this association, shall have the power(s) to amend or repeal the by-laws, and/ or any written or established practices and policies of this association, and to establish any newly required ones.

IMPEACHMENT: Any officer or member can be removed for any violations of the provisions of the by-laws or for any personal conduct that may bring discredit upon the association. Any member in good standing may prefer charges against any other member for an alleged violation of the code of ethics provided that he/ she does so in accordance with the following grievance procedure.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

All grievances shall be filed with the grievance committee chairperson. Charges for the impeachment of any officer or member may be initiated by any active members in good standing, and shall be submitted in writing to the grievance committee chairperson. The accused person will be given a copy of the charges against him /her. If the committee ascertains that there is enough evidence to warrant a hearing the accused person will be given at least thirty days notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. The complainant must agree to appear and furnish full evidence in support of the charges. Every member shall be presumed to be innocent of any misconduct. No disciplinary action(s) will be taken against a member unless he/ she is found guilty of misconduct by evidence that is clear precise and indubitable. No disciplinary action shall be taken against a member, be he / she the complainant or accused. Unless that member shall have been afforded a hearing before the grievance committee, with the right of appeal to the executive committee. Disciplinary action may include the temporary suspension of privileges, censure, expulsion, and any other appropriate action(s).

VALIDATION OF COMPLAINT

If it is found that a member preferred charges against another member for spurious reasons out of improper motives and if the charges were wholly false and without proper foundation then the executive committee may, if it desires, take appropriate action against the complainant. All persons filing a complaint against another member shall be assessed a $50.00 filing fee, which shall be returnable subject to the validation of said complaint.

CODE OF ETHICS: The application for membership shall provide that the applicant, if accepted, agrees to abide by these by-laws and all the rules adopted by the executive committee. He /she further agrees to abide by the code of ethics

1. No member will act in a manner prejudicial to the Association or to the best interests of the Association.

2. No member will knowingly falsify any record or document in connection with the certification or training of any dog.

3. No member may have a record of criminal conviction.

MEETINGS: The president shall coordinate at least one meeting of the executive committee per calendar year. This meeting shall be closed to the general membership. The general membership shall meet at least four times per year. There shall be at least one workshop seminar per calendar year. Executive committee members shall be notified adequately in advance as to any and all meetings. Meetings shall be conducted according to parliamentary law. Robert's Rules of Order, shall be the guide for conducting all meetings.

ELECTIONS: Elections shall be conducted by the election committee, every two years. All candidates for office shall be nominated by the membership on or before November 1 of the year of the election. All nominations must be mailed to the election committee and must be accompanied by the signature of the person making the nomination and a letter from the nominee accepting the nomination and expressing his or her desire to assume the position. All official ballots will contain the official seal of the association and will be cast by mail and must be postmarked before December the 1st of the election year. Ballots will be counted by December the 1 5th of the election year.

A plurality of votes cast shall elect. Newly elected members shall be notified of the results as soon as possible. Newly elected officers shall take office on January 1st following the election year.

OATH OF OFFICE: All members elected into office shall take the following oath of office at a time and place and in a manner designated by the election committee.

Officers elect will repeat after me using your name where I do mine:

I having been duly elected an officer of this association in the presence of this company assembled, do hereby solemnly and sincerely promise that I will, to the best of my ability, in word and deed, without fear or favor, faithfully, honestly, and with strict impartiality, carry out as an officer of this association, the principles of this association.

Now by the power vested in me as installing officer on this occasion, I do hereby declare the officers elect legally installed and qualified to enter upon the discharge of their duties for the term ending December 31st or until their successors are duly elected and installed.

MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS: All members shall receive continual training and may earn endorsements for themselves and their dogs. This association will provide updates on legislation involving the working dog, search and seizure, use of force etc.

Communications throughout the association will be maintained through a quarterly correspondence (newsletter), including such things as association business, training tips, legal updates, correspondence from members, and discounts for working dog supplies, and related services. All members will receive a copy of the by-laws, certification requirements, rules and regulations. All voting privileges and eligibility for office will be awarded after one year of membership.

ARTICLE XIV

In the event that a Charter Membership position is vacated, the Executive Committee may select a member from the Active membership to fill that position. The Active Member(s) must be nominated by three Executive Committee Members and then a vote will be conducted by the Committee, with the results based on the majority of the vote.