The Temporary Suspension of Annie Wildmoser

Dear CCAA Members,
 
RE: The Temporary Suspension of Annie Wildmoser
 
Summary
The Cane Corso Association of America Board of Directors (CCAA BOD) recently reviewed a complaint against Annie Wildmoser, CCAA Treasurer and former chair of the working committee.  The complaint alleged that Ms. Wildmoser violated the CCAA BOD’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics by her actions on May 2, 2018, and multiple times thereafter.
 
After careful review, the CCAA BOD determined, by majority vote, that Ms. Wildmoser did indeed violate both agreements, and determined, again by majority vote, that her club privileges would be suspended for 45 days beginning August 7, 2018, as a result of those violations.  Furthermore, an email requesting that she send to the ethics director all club records related to her position as treasurer was sent to Ms. Wildmoser on August 9, 2018.  As of August 17, 2018, that request remains unfulfilled.

Until her suspension ends on September 21, 2018, Ms. Wildmoser is not considered a CCAA member in good standing.

Background
The CCAA BOD recently determined that Ms. Wildmoser, in her capacity as chair of the working committee had been operating unilaterally and making decisions without board approval, which is a violation of our bylaws.  The CCAA BOD further determined that the committee was implementing policies, which include, but are not limited to, the calculation and creation of working awards, again without board approval, which is also a violation of our bylaws.  In the course of the discussion, the CCAA BOD discovered that the oversight of working events and calculations falls under the events director, a rule that has been in the bylaws since before Ms. Wildmoser’s tenure, but of which those involved in the situation had been unaware.  As a result of these discoveries, the CCAA BOD moved to have proper procedure and protocol followed, effective immediately, and the events director asked to be part of the working committee.  Ms. Wildmoser refused, stating that she needed to consult with her committee.  The members of the working committee resigned, including Ms. Wildmoser, and the committee was disbanded.  At no time did the events director ask to take over the committee.

Ms. Wildmoser announced her resignation via a post on a CCAA media outlet of which she was the administrator.  The post was made on a Facebook group that gave the impression of being an official CCAA forum, which it was not.  The post was not approved by the board; included information from the most recent meeting, of which the minutes had not yet been approved; presented one-sided information that omitted pertinent facts, and disparaged another board member, undermining that member’s authority and credibility—all clear violations of our Code of Conduct.  Additionally, the comments the post generated escalated the gravity of the violation.  Ms. Wildmoser was asked to remove the post multiple times and refused.  The Facebook group has since been turned over to the CCAA BOD and the post was subsequently removed by the CCAA BOD.

At no time was Ms. Wildmoser asked to step down as the chair of the working committee, nor were her efforts disparaged.  Indeed, the CCAA Board of Directors recognizes and appreciates Ms. Wildmoser’s efforts, commitment and contributions to the club, and values her as a board member.  However, the CCAA’s Officers and Directors have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that all members, directors, and officers adhere to the CCAA bylaws, Code of Ethics, and Board of Directors’ Code of Conduct.  (See the code of conduct at the end of this memo.)
 
The CCAA BOD planned to make these events public once the August 2018 meeting minutes are approved (during the September 2018 board meeting).  However, since multiple discussions on social media have ensued, we felt the need to present it today.  
 
Like any club, the CCAA cannot operate effectively without bylaws or a code of conduct that members collectively agree to uphold. Hence, we take violations seriously.  Anyone who is found to be in violation the club’s bylaws, code of ethics, or board of directors’ code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension.
 
Sincerely,
Steel Campbell, President
Cane Corso Association of America

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Below is the code of conduct with violations in red and italics.
 
Code of Conduct for the Board of Directors of the Cane Corso Association of America.

This Code of Conduct is intended to set basic rules of conduct for Board Members in order to maintain and build public confidence in the integrity and objectivity of the Board of Directors and to allow Board Members to exercise their mandate and carry out their duties with confidence, independence and objectivity for the better fulfillment of the Club’s mission/mandate. 
 
This Code applies to all members of the Board of Directors of the Cane Corso Association of America and to all members of committees established by the Board of Directors, whether or not the members of such committees are Board members. This Code of Conduct is meant to work in conjunction with the current Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics of the Cane Corso Association of America.
 
During Term of Office
 
****Members are accountable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of their office diligently, honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Club rather than in the interests of any other person, entity or region.
 
Members will adhere to all AKC rules, regulations and requirements related to all matters in the sport of dogs. The AKC Code of Sportsmanship is included as well.
 
Members will be ethical and responsible. 
 
****Board Members will treat other Members and the general membership with respect and will deal fairly/ethically on matters relating to their role as a Board member and representative of the Club.
 
Members commit themselves to appropriate decorum when attending any dog related activity including but not limited to dog shows, performance events or social gatherings.  
 
****Members will respectfully work with other members in a spirit of harmony and cooperation, giving members courteous consideration of their opinions. Members will be guarded in their comments and avoid attacks on other people’s reputations.
 
Members will represent loyalty to the interests of the CCAA. This accountability supersedes any loyalty such as that to advocacy or interest groups and membership on other Boards or in other Clubs.

A Member will not assist any person or any organization in its dealings with the Club when such intervention may result in real or apparent preferential treatment to that person or organization by the Club.
 
Members will disclose conflicts of interest to the Board, annually, and as they arise. If a Member is uncertain about whether a conflict of interest exists, he/she will consult the Chair of the Board for clarification.
 
****Members will not communicate any matter designated as confidential to others, and will abide by the confidentiality of such confidential information in perpetuity.
 
Members will carry out their duties in such a way as to maintain confidence in the administration of the Club. Members will not attempt to exercise individual authority over any Board or Club business, except as explicitly set forth in Board policies or otherwise determined by the Board.
 
Members will attend meetings on a regular and punctual basis and be well prepared for each meeting and for the discussion of all agenda items.
 
After Leaving Office

Members will act in such a manner so as not to make use of any information obtained in their capacity as a Member that is not generally available to the public, in order to derive a benefit or advantage for themselves or that of any family member.
 
****Members will respect the confidentiality of information received in the performance of their duties, as well as the confidentiality of the deliberations of the Board.
 
Failure to Comply with the Code of Conduct
 
*****In case of non-compliance of any of the provisions of this Code of Conduct the same shall be reported to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Club. Where a Member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct, the Board of Directors shall have the power to issue a warning or to suspend the said Member for a period of time by majority vote, depending on the severity of the compliance failure.  
 
Exceptions

Provisions in the COC may be waived by the CCAA Board of Directors and/or by a vote of the membership based on review and evaluation of specific circumstances which could appear on face to be in violation of the COC. Members are urged to contact the CCAA Board of Directors regarding any noncompliance with the COC.
 
Any amendments or modification to the Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is subject to modification. The Board of Directors has the requisite powers and the authority to update and amend the Code of Conduct once every calendar year.
 
Acknowledgement of Receipt of Code of Conduct:

Each of the Board of Directors of the Club shall sign the Code of Conduct and return the same to the Club Secretary.