CCAA Statement Regarding Discipline of Members

Dear CCAA Members,

As the official AKC parent club for the Cane Corso, we want to make sure members are aware of how the Board operates within our bylaws.

Regarding the recent incident, the Board responded immediately to the fullest extent of our authority.  This authority allows us to remove a member from a committee, which we did.  However, the Board is restrained by the bylaws from taking actions outside of the grievance process.  This protects the membership from a Board arbitrarily disciplining a member or a Board member; the only way the CCAA Board can take action is outlined in the bylaws, which requires a member to file a grievance.
 
Below are the paragraphs from our bylaws regarding expulsion and discipline of CCAA members:

“ARTICLE VI
Discipline
Section 1
American Kennel Club Suspension.  Any member who is suspended from any of the privileges of The American Kennel Club automatically shall be suspended from the privileges of this Club for a like period.
 
Section 2
Charges
Any member may bring charges against a fellow member for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Breed. Written charges with specifications must be filed with the Secretary, together with a deposit of $50, which shall be forfeited if such charges are not sustained by the Board or a committee following a hearing. The Secretary shall promptly send a copy of the charges to the Director assigned as #2 and the grievance/ethics committee. The committee will attempt to arbitrate a solution between the two parties. If after 20 days of the receipt of the charges there is no resolution, the Member that is bringing the charges may request that the BOD consider whether the actions alleged in the charges, if proven, might constitute conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or the Breed. If the Board considers that the charges do not allege conduct which would be prejudicial to the best interests of the Club or of the Breed, it may refuse to entertain jurisdiction. If the Board entertains jurisdiction for the charges, it shall fix a date of a hearing by the Board or a committee of not less than six members of the Board, not less than three weeks or more that six weeks thereafter. The Secretary shall promptly send one copy of the charges to the accused member by certified mail, together with a notice of the hearing, an assurance that the defendant may personally appear in his own defense, and an acceptance for bringing witnesses on his or her behalf.

Section 3
Board Hearing
The Board of Directors or Board committee, of not less than 6 directors shall have complete authority to decide whether counsel may attend the hearing, but both complainant and defendant shall be treated uniformly in that regard. Should the charges be sustained after hearing all the evidence and testimony presented by complainant and defendant, the Board or Board committee may by a majority vote of those present reprimand or suspend the defendant from all privileges of the Club. Suspension may not last longer than a calendar year. Immediately after the Board or Board committee has reached a decision; its finding shall be put in written form and filed with the Secretary. The Secretary, in turn, shall notify each of the parties of the decision and penalty, if any.
 
Section 4
Expulsion
Expulsion of a member from the club may be accomplished only at the annual meeting of the club following a hearing and upon the recommendation of the board or board committee as provided in Section 3 of this article. The defendant shall have the privilege of appearing on his own behalf, though no evidence shall be taken at this meeting. The President shall read the charges and the findings and recommendations, and shall invite the defendant, if present, to speak on his own behalf. The members shall then vote by secret ballot on the proposed expulsion. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting at the annual meeting shall be necessary for expulsion. If expulsion is not so voted, the suspension shall stand.”

We know you may have questions, so we encourage you to monitor the CCAA Facebook page and our CCAA member blog for any updates as we are not able to answer members individually.
 
Thank you,
Cane Corso Association of America Board of Directors