PURPOSE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR BCSA AFFILIATE CLUBS, Effective 2002

PURPOSE: Organizations at the local level are better able to educate the public in matters of responsible dog ownership and the appropriateness of owning a Border Collie as a companion. Working with local breeders and their puppy buyers, a local club is more efficient at providing information regarding the multitude of activities available to Border Collie owners. The BCSA also feels that judges education may be more effective when done at a local level. By working with the BCSA Judges Education Committee, with materials and format provided by this body, it will be possible to uniformly educate judges around the country.

REQUIREMENTS: The BCSA will consider applications for affiliate status of clubs whose By-laws coincide with those of BCSA regarding the preservation of the Border Collie attributes of intelligence, working ability and versatility.. The club must promote responsible breeding and ownership, prevent exploitation and abuse of the breed, and provide an environment for learning for its membership in all Border Collie activities.

Affiliate applications for membership must include a complete club roster and list of officers that includes a profile of each member listing their previous experience in the sport of dogs. Renewal dues must be accompanied by a membership roster listing any changes in the officers of the club. If the membership of the club changes dramatically from the original application, a profile of the new members must also be included.

In order to maintain affiliate club status, the clubs are required to provide documentation of the prior years activities showing conformation, obedience, herding, agility, tracking, flyball, etc. matches or trials. It is also necessary that a copy of the clubs newsletter be sent to the Affiliate Club Chair each time it is published.

Although we do not require that the individual members of an affiliate also be members of the BCSA, we do require that the members be in good standing with the AKC and the club as a whole agree to the mission of the BCSA, its code of ethics and its constitution and bylaws.

The annual membership fee for an affiliate club is $50.00 per year.

BENEFITS:

• Local affiliates are considered a voting entity in the BCSA and are given one vote in national matters.

• The BCSA will supply local affiliates with educational materials as they are developed (Buyers Guides and Breeders Guides).

• Affiliate clubs will receive a subscription the national newsletter, Borderlines, to be sent to the affiliate secretary.

• The BCSA will consider requests for sponsorship of local events held in the name of the BCSA. If approved, these events are covered under our liability insurance policy. It is the responsibility of the affiliate club to carry its own liability insurance for any events not sponsored by BCSA.

• The national club will, when possible, support the activities of local groups providing guidance and information.

• The BCSA will also help an affiliate club in its quest to become licensed with the AKC by providing information necessary to accomplish this goal.

GRANT

The BCSA board has approved a grant process*  for new regional affiliate clubs just getting started. BCSA will reimburse up to $500 in start-up expenses (receipts must be provided) as well as pay for the new club's first year of BCSA membership. We realize that it's expensive to get a new club going, buying equipment, materials, paying for insurance, etc; and BCSA would like to support the incorporation of new clubs around the country, believing they provide great service to the breed. For groups considering initiating a BCSA Affiliate Club, please contact a board member for more information.

* Grant Process: The Affiliate Club must notify the BCSA Treasurer prior to generating expenses they wish for BCSA to consider reimbursement approval.  The Club should provide their proposed expense details and approximate amount for which they will be requesting reimbursement.

Are you forming a new regional Border Collie club? Share the information via BCSA's communication channels! As you are developing your new club, it's a good idea to be sure you are reaching all potential Border Collie fanciers in your area to garner the greatest amount of help and membership. Advertise your efforts with an announcement on our member Yahoo group BCSA_ANNOUNCE by contacting Nancy Little, Moderator; and on the BCSA Affiliate Clubs web page by contacting Webmaster Ann Shaw.

EVENT REIMBURSEMENT

• BCSA will reimburse each affiliate club up to $50 per self-sponsored event and $25 per BCSA supported event, with a maximum of two event reimbursements per club per year.

• BCSA will reimburse Affiliate clubs up to $100 per year to support health testing.

• Clubs can apply for these funds by emailing the board to request approval prior to the event and then supply receipts to the Treasurer for expenditures after the event for reimbursement.

April 8, 2008

All BCSA Affiliate Clubs

Dear Affiliate Club Members,

This is just a reminder to please use only BCSA materials when your club puts on a Judges Education seminar. Remember that the only people authorized by BCSA to present an official description of the Border Collie Standard are members of the Judges Education Committee, or people approved by the Judges Education Committee Chair.

It is very important that we present the same information in a unified manner to prospective Border Collie judges, and that the seminars be Parent Club approved. If you have questions about the materials, please contact the Judges Education Committee Chair, Linn Klingel (LinnKling@aol.com). 

Thank you,

Terri Clingerman
BCSA Corresponding Secretary