INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR LEONBERGER DOGS
constitution, ratified  unanimously  by the delagates on 25th September 2004 in leonberg.

Preface.  (Preamble)

The association shall be known as the “International Union for Leonberger Dogs“, abbreviated hereafter as: IULH.
The IULH is the legal  successor to the association of the same name, founded in 1975 in Leonberg. At the time of its foundation the name was “Europaeische Union fuer Leonberger Hunde".

§ 1: Seat.

The IULH is situated in Leonberg / Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany.

§ 2: Purpose.

Purpose of the IULH is it to coordinate the efforts of its members to promote and improve the Leonberger dog breed and support its members on an international level.

§ 3: Tasks.

1 . Uniform interpretation and application of the F.C.I. standard  in its current version.

2. Cooperation in all areas for the purpose of the promotion of the Leonberger dog breed.

3. Recommendations for breeding guidelines.

4. Establishment of guidelines and recommendations regarding the improvement and adjustment of the breed type. 

5. Further training of Leonberger specialty judges of all member countries. 

6. Exchange of judges among the members.

7. Mutual exchange of breed information and breed data.

8. Pursuit and combat of hereditary faults and diseases.

9. Promotion and coordination of events, clubshows, and meetings in connection with the training, work and the use of Leonberger dogs as a working dog.

10. Any other measures which serve the association in accordance with § 2.

§ 4 Financial year.

The financial year is the calendar year.

§ 5. Organisation.

1. The meeting of the member delegates.

2. The executive committee.

§ 6. Binding effect.

Resolutions of the meeting of the members and the executive committee are binding for all members, providing they do not stand in contradiction to the regulations of the FCI and the national umbrella organisations.

§ 7. Membership.

1. Membership by individuals is not permitted.

2. Only a Leonberger club that is affiliated with the national kennel club in its country is eligible for membership, providing the national kennel club is recognized by FCI.
If there is no FCI  recognized umbrella organisation in that country, an exception may be made by the members at the general meeting.

3. If more than one club,  officialy recognized by the national FCI recoginzed kennel club,  exists in a country, the club that was first granted membership will be regarded as a full member of the Union. Any other clubs may be granted an observer status.

4. If several clubs from a single country affilated to the national kennel club apply for membership simultaneously, only one club shall be granted full membership, which will be decided by a vote of the members at the general meeting.

§ 8. Requests for membership.

The request for membership is to be addressed in writing to the president of the IULH, in one of the official FCI languages. It must cover  at least the following points:

1. The statutes (constitution and by-laws) of the applying club, properly translated in one of the official FCI languages.

2. Names and addresses of the current executive committee.

3. A declaration from the executive committee that the statutes of the IULH are accepted.

4. A short article about membership, Leonberger population, and activities of the club.

 § 9. Admission.  

The Meeting of Delegates decides by simple majority, on the admission of new members.

§10. Expiration of membership.

The club’s membership expires automatically if the club concerned is dissolved, or is expelled from the national kennel club in its country, or if it is two years behind with the payment of the IULH dues.

§ 11. Withdrawal. (Resignation)

A club wishing to resign from the IULH is obligated to provide a written declaration including the reason for resignation. Resignations must be received in writing by the office of the IULH not less than three months prior to the end of the calendar year.

§ 12. Exclusion. (Expulsion)

Members that damage the interests of the IULH in a severe manner or show permanent lack of interest in the goals of the association, can be expelled at the membership meeting. Expulsion requires a 2/3-majority of the member delegates.

The president of the IULH has to advise the club concerned at least 6 months before the meeting of the member’s  delegates about the  reasons for expulsion. The expulsion-threatened member may submit an appeal and a defense to the president of the IULH up until three months prior to the Meeting of Delegates and has the right to defend itself in the conference. The delegate conference decides on the expulsion by secret ballot with 2/3-majority necessary to carry the motion .

Member clubs whose membership in the IULH have resulted in expulsion do not have the right to claim restitution of any funds.

§ 13. Delegate’s meeting. (Membership Meeting)

 1. The membership meeting consists of a maximum of two delegates for each member club.

2. The names of the delegates must be sent in writing  to the president of the IULH, at least  one month before the meeting of the delegates.

3. The Meeting of Delegates is usually held once a year in Leonberg.

Additional delegate meetings can be called by either the president of the IULH or on written request by two-thirds of the members.

4. Invitations to the membership meeting, together with the published agenda, are sent by the president no later than six weeks prior to the meeting.

5. Each member club has the right to proposals and suggestions, as well as to request help from the  the IULH for consultation and support in matters relating to the promotion of the Leonberger dog breed.

6. Suggestions for topics of discussion and requests from the members must be received by the president of the IULH at least eight weeks before the meeting. The president shall then relay all submissions, along with the agenda to all members.

7. Once invitations to the membership meeting are properly sent out, no minimum number of delegates is required to form a quorum. Resolutions may be passed regardless of the actual number of delegates in attendance.

8. Each member club has a voice. Elections and votes take place by simple majority.  Resolutions that change statutes require a 2/3 majority.

9. Each meeting shall have minutes that record decisions made at that meeting.

 § 14 Executive Committee.

1. The executive committee consists of:
1 President
2  Vice-president
3  Treasurer
4  Secretary
5  An Assessor, who is chosen by the DCLH. 

2. The duration of office is four years.

3. The old executive committee remains in the office, until the new committee commences its term of office. 

§ 15. Tasks of the executive committee.

1. The executive committee carries out the decisions of the membership meeting.

2. It conducts all business of the association or delegates it to others.

3. The distribution of tasks of the committee is determined either by the position he/she holds or by consensus of the executive committee.

§ 16. Contributions. (Dues)

1.Membership dues are composed of an annual fee of  50.00 euro and 0,20 euro per club member.

2.The Delegates Meeting determines the amounts each year.

3. Subscriptions are due on 01 January of the financial year. The latest date of payment is 31 March. Thereafter a fine of 20,00 euro for each reminder notice shall be imposed.

4. The membership shall be suspended if the member delays payment by nine months. Similarly, the rights of the member shall also be suspended.

§ 17. Finances.

1. Business year is the calendar year.

2. The executive committee submits a proposed budget to the members.  The general membership meeting then decides on the expenses of the IULH for the next calendar year and on the dues for the next year.

3. The costs incurred by the executive committee of the IULH in fulfilling their statutory duties to the members are to be borne of the IULH. Travel expenses are to be approved by the president in advance.

4. Costs incurred by delegates of a member club will not be borne by the IULH.

5. The treasurer settles all financial matters of the IULH and provides the annual balance sheet.
This is to be submitted to the auditors no later than 01 April of the following year for examination.

The treasurer details a budget to help determine the future subscription fees.

6. The delegate conference selects two auditors, for a of four year term, who’s purpose is to scrutinize the finances.

§ 18. Dissolution.

The dissolution of the association can be decided only with a 2/3 majority by the delegates at a membership meeting. In such a case, the executive committee completes the current business. The surplus property of the association is supplied to a non-profit use, which is specified by a vote of the delegate’s vote.