The American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Alberta – Bylaws
Drafted October 15, 2026

1. Name

The name of the club shall be THE AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER CLUB OF ALBERTA (also operating as Amstaff Club Of Alberta), hereinafter referred to as ‘the club’.

2. Area of Operation

The Club is a Provincial Club serving the Province of Alberta, Canada, and its proposed area of operation is the Province of Alberta. Members may be accepted from outside Alberta; however, CKC-approved events shall be held within the Club’s CKC-approved area of operation unless CKC approves a change. The Club shall comply with all CKC policies and requirements applicable to Provincial clubs, including requirements concerning area of operation, Board composition, director representation, and elections. The Club’s classification and area of operation are subject to CKC approval. For its CKC recognition application, the Club shall provide any written description, map, and other documentation required by CKC.

3. Objectives

a. Exhibit and encourage respect and ethical sportsmanship to others at all events held under the CKC Rules and Regulations and any other sponsored activity or function of the club.

b. Hold CKC approved events, including but not limited to, sanctioned matches, specialty shows, and any other CKC licensed events.

c. Require club members, breeders, and exhibitors to accept the Breed Standard, as approved by The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), as the only standard of excellence by which purebred American Staffordshire Terriers shall be judged in Canada.

d. Abide by the principles of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) code of ethics.

e. Actively promote and participate in training opportunities and offer interaction with the community at large.

f. Encourage and educate judges or prospective judges.

g. Promote and support responsible dog ownership and encourage respect and ethical treatment of dogs in general.

h. Encourage, protect, and advance the quality in the breeding of the American Staffordshire Terrier breed and do everything possible to bring their natural qualities to perfection.

4. Principles

a. The club shall not be conducted or operated for profit, and no part of any profits or remainder or residue from dues, donations, or entry fees shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

b. The club shall take all necessary steps to investigate and comply with Federal and Provincial Guidelines with respect to clubs and corporations.

c. The club shall maintain CKC recognition by adhering to the Policy set out by CKC and acknowledge that any changes in such Policy from time to time will supersede contravention within these Bylaws.

d. Any director or officer who has a direct or indirect personal or financial interest in a matter before the Board shall disclose that interest, shall not participate in the Board’s decision on that matter except to provide requested information, and shall not vote on it. The disclosure and how it was handled shall be recorded in the minutes. The Board shall ensure that any payment to a director or officer is reasonable, properly documented, and approved by directors who do not have the conflict.

5. Membership

a. Membership Year: The membership year shall run from October 1st to September 30th of the following year.

b. Eligibility: No person who has been expelled or suspended by the CKC or convicted of cruelty to animals shall be eligible for membership. Application for membership shall be received from individuals that currently own, have previously owned an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are enthusiasts of the breed. Individuals who do not hold a Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) membership may join as breed enthusiasts, but they shall not have the right to vote or run for office. Each applicant must agree to abide by the Club’s Bylaws.

c. Associate Member Waiting Period: An individual must serve as an associate member for a mandatory period of twelve (12) months before transitioning to become a regular member.

 

Types of Membership:

• Regular (Individual) Membership: Individuals over 18 years of age who have completed their 12-month associate period and hold CKC membership, enjoying all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

• Household (Family) Membership: Two (2) adult members residing in the same household who hold CKC membership, each considered a Regular member eligible to vote and hold office.

• Associate Membership: Comprises individuals fulfilling their initial 12-month waiting period, or breed enthusiasts who do not hold a CKC membership. Associate members do not have voting rights and cannot hold office.

• Lifetime Membership: Awarded for significant contributions to the club and the breed, eligible to vote and hold office while being exempt from fees. A Lifetime Membership may be revoked only if the member’s CKC membership has been revoked by the CKC as a disciplinary measure for an offence. A Lifetime Member who chooses not to renew their CKC membership shall retain their Lifetime Membership, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office for as long as they do not hold a CKC membership.

d. Membership Fees: Membership fees will be reviewed and set annually by the Board of Directors at the AGM and are payable by the first day of the club year on October 1st. Any member who has not paid their membership fee sixty (60) days past the renewal date of the current year will be removed from the rolls.

e. Notice Regarding Voting & Office Privileges: Full voting rights and executive office eligibility strictly require active membership in good standing with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) in addition to club regular member status.

f. Associate Transition: The 12-month associate membership period applies separately to each individual. At the end of that period, the individual may apply to become a Regular Member if they meet all eligibility requirements, including CKC membership in good standing. The Board shall confirm the change in membership status and the Secretary shall record the effective date. No person shall receive voting or office-holding rights until all requirements in these Bylaws and applicable CKC policy are met.

g. Household Rights: Each adult in a Household (Family) Membership is an individual member. Each adult must independently meet the age, CKC standing, associate-period, and other eligibility requirements before voting or holding office. Household membership does not give one adult the rights of the other adult.

h. Fee Communication & Unpaid Dues: The Board shall communicate the annual fee and renewal deadline to members before the start of each membership year. The Secretary shall give notice to a member whose dues remain unpaid after the renewal date. If dues remain unpaid 60 days after the renewal date, the member shall be removed from the membership roll, subject to any notice or process required by law or CKC policy.

6. Board of Directors / Executive

a. Composition: The officers of the Club shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All officers and directors must be Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) members in good standing and residents of Canada. The Board shall also include at least two (2) Directors who reside in Alberta and represent CKC Electoral Zone 10. These Directors need not reside in different geographic areas of Alberta and shall be elected by the Club membership. Additional Directors shall be included where required by CKC policy. The Board of Directors shall be composed of these Officers and the additional Directors, in accordance with all CKC requirements applicable to Provincial clubs.

b. Term Limits: The term of office for the executive officers shall be three (3) years. An individual may sit in the same executive position for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms, at which time they must step down from that specific position but may run for another position on the executive. The term of office for Directors shall be twenty-four (24) months, unless CKC policy requires a different term for a particular director position.

c. Officers & Duties:

• President: Preside at all club meetings, call Special Meetings of the Board, and ensure the club’s Bylaws are current.

• Vice-President: Assume the duties of the President in case of absence, resignation, or incapacity, and coordinate official club events.

• Secretary: Be responsible for correspondence, keep records of all meetings, notify members of meetings, and maintain the member roll.

• Treasurer: Collect and receive all monies paid to the club, be responsible for bank deposits, and provide financial reports at meetings.

• Directors at Large: Shall advise the Board, represent the interests of Club members, participate in Board decisions, and help ensure the Club operates in accordance with its bylaws, objectives, and applicable Canadian Kennel Club policies.

d. Board Committees: The Board of Directors may form committees for operational purposes, including but not limited to shows and trials, fundraising, and special events, to assist in conducting club business.

e. Board Vacancies: Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors during the year may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board until the next scheduled election cycle, subject to any election or representation requirements under CKC policy.

f. Election Notice & Reporting: The Club shall specify in its election notice the positions to be elected, nomination deadline, eligibility requirements, voting method, ballot-counting process, treatment of ties, announcement of results, and the date elected officers and directors take office. The Club shall report elections and changes in officers or directors to CKC within the time required by CKC policy.

7. Nominations & Elections

a. A Nomination Officer shall be chosen by the Board a minimum of three months before the election-year Annual General Meeting.

b. The Nomination Officer shall gather from eligible members at least one candidate in good standing for each Board executive position.

c. The Nomination Officer shall invite nominations from eligible members, confirm each nominee’s consent and eligibility, and circulate the final list of candidates to eligible voting members before the election. If more than one eligible candidate is nominated for a position, voting shall be by a fair and confidential ballot. The Board shall appoint at least two impartial ballot counters who are not candidates. The election results shall be recorded in the minutes and communicated to members. The Club shall confirm the detailed process with CKC and ensure that the election process complies with CKC policy.

8. Meetings

a. Annual General Meeting: The AGM shall be held in November via teleconference and/or videoconference as designated by the Board, with notice provided 15 days in advance.

b. Quorum: The quorum for general meetings shall be a minimum of four (4) voting members in good standing present, while the quorum for Board meetings shall be a majority of the Board members present.

c. Meeting Notices & Minutes: Meeting notices shall state the date, time, method/location, and business to be considered. Minutes shall be kept for all general and Board meetings, recording attendance, quorum, motions, votes, and decisions. The Club may use electronic meetings and voting where permitted by applicable law and CKC policy and where the method allows eligible members to participate fairly. The Club shall confirm that the AGM notice period and quorum comply with Alberta law, its bylaws, and CKC requirements.

9. Finances

a. Financial Year: The financial year of the Club shall begin on October 1st and end on September 30th of the following year.

b. Signing Authorities: Financial signing authority for the Club account shall be vested in one designated officer as approved by the Board.

c. Remuneration: Board members shall receive no remuneration for their standard board duties, but they may receive remuneration for additional professional talents or services they bring to the club via their outside career or specialized skills.

10. Conflict Resolution & Discipline

a. Any member may file a complaint against another member of the club for alleged misconduct prejudicial to the best interests of the club or in contravention of these Bylaws, or the Policy of the CKC.

b. Complaints must be filed in writing to the Secretary and accompanied by a deposit of $50.00.

c. The Board shall meet to consider the charges, and if entertained, a hearing shall be scheduled where both complainant and defendant may present evidence. The Board may reprimand or suspend the defendant by majority vote.

11. Expulsion

a. Permanent expulsion of a member requires a special meeting of the Board and an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all Board members then in office. The required two-thirds threshold shall be calculated using the full Board membership then in office, not only the Board members present at the meeting.

b. Grounds for expulsion shall include mistreating animals, stealing, violating CKC or club rules, and any and all bullying or unsportsmanlike conduct whether at a show, in person, or online and across social media.

c. The member shall receive written notice of the Board meeting and the allegations sufficiently in advance to prepare a response, and shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the vote. The Board shall ensure that the required quorum is met. The written decision shall state the reasons for expulsion and its effective date. The member may appeal the decision in writing to the Secretary within thirty (30) days after receiving the decision. The Board shall appoint an appeal panel of three (3) Club members who did not participate in the original decision and have no conflict of interest. The panel shall review the written record and any written submissions, may request further information, and shall issue a written decision to uphold, vary, or overturn the expulsion. The appeal panel’s decision shall be final within the Club, subject to applicable law and CKC policy.

12. Amendments

a. Amendments may be proposed by the Board or by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 20% of the membership in good standing.

b. Amendments to the Bylaws require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the ballots received from members in good standing, provided at least 30 days written notice of the proposed amendment has been sent to all members.

c. The notice of a proposed amendment shall include the exact wording proposed, how and by when members may vote, the eligibility rules for voting, the method for counting ballots, and the date results will be announced. The Secretary shall retain the amendment notice, ballots or voting record, and final result with the Club’s permanent records. Any amendment requiring approval by CKC or a government registry shall not be treated as effective for that purpose until the required approval or filing is completed.

13. Dissolution

a. Dissolution of the Club shall take place when there are fewer than three (3) members in good standing remaining, or when there is written consent of not less than 66% of the members in good standing.

b. After all payment of debts, remaining assets shall be donated to a charitable organization for the benefit of dogs or to another CKC recognized breed club.

14. First-Year Transition and CKC Application

During its first twelve (12) months of activity, the Club shall maintain records of meetings, elections, membership, events, activities, and community involvement or education. The Club shall retain copies of notices, minutes, attendance, election results, event materials, and other supporting documentation reasonably required for a CKC recognition application. Before submitting an application, the Board shall compare the current bylaws and governance practices against CKC’s then-current Club Policy and make any amendments required through the proper amendment process.