IDDHA Protest Process and Disciplinary Procedures

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Protest Process

A. Protests under this section may be made by members in good standing only. One must be a member in good standing PRIOR to the occurrence of the alleged rule violation being protested.

B. Any member desiring to file a complaint regarding any alleged violation of these rules may do so by submitting the complaint to the Association President through the Association Secretary’s office. Said letter shall be accompanied by a fifty (50) dollar cashiers’ check made payable to the IDDHA. The complaint must be filed with the Association within seven (7) days of the contest or event in question. Upon receipt of said letter, the complaint will be referred to the appropriate Hearing Committee for investigation and consideration. If the Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that no further action is warranted, the complainant will be notified and no further action will be taken. In this case, the fifty (50) dollars will not be returned to the complainant. A majority decision of the Hearing Committee will be binding.

C. If the Hearing Committee determines, after investigation, that there are grounds for possible disciplinary action the fifty (50) dollars will be returned to the complainant. The Association President shall be notified and the matter will be scheduled for a hearing before the Association BOD.

D. Any member may lodge a protest signed by him/her against any contravention of the standards and guidelines for competition, against any prize being awarded, delivered or paid, or protest a judge’s decision upon submission in complaint form stating alleged errors made by judge or judges. All conditions above must also be met. The Hearing Committee may also require any member to whom a prize has been paid or delivered to return the same. The member shall be bound to do so within the time fixed by the Hearing Committee.

E. Details of all protests under these guidelines and the decisions reached by the Hearing Committee shall be reported to the complete BOD by the Association Secretary.

F. No person shall make a derogatory remark, nor take, nor threaten to take, adverse action against an Association contest organizer, sponsor, its agents, volunteers or employees. Any person who violates this guideline is subject to disciplinary action and is responsible to the Association for any loss or damage caused by violation of this guideline.

G. A judge may present in writing, within seven (7) days of the occurrence, any grievance he/she may have against contestants or contest officials to the Association President or Director who will present the grievance to the Association. Procedures established in the Protest Process section will then be followed.

H. If any contest official or Association Officer/Director witnesses a grievance against a judge, that individual must report it to the Association immediately.

Disciplinary Procedures

A. Any member or non-member may be disciplined, placed on probation, fined [not to exceed five hundred (500) dollars], or suspended from all Association privileges (not to exceed one year) whenever it shall have been established by a preponderance of the evidence that such member, or non-member, has been found to have violated the stated guideline or guidelines.

B. The Association President may appoint a special Hearing Committee to conduct any disciplinary hearing. The committee shall have a minimum of nine (9) members and a majority shall constitute a quorum for hearing purposes. Members of the committee must be Association members in good standing.

C. Three (3) members of the BOD shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of disciplinary action.

D. The decision of the BOD or Hearing Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

E. When the guideline in question contains specific punishment provision, any disciplinary action taken by the Hearing Committee must be consistent with that provision.

F. When a fine or penalty is not contained in the guideline pertaining to the complaint, the Hearing Committee or BOD shall assess same in accordance with the severity of the guideline infraction.

G. When anyone shall be accused, by the BOD or by the Hearing Committee of any violation of the standard and guidelines, the accused party shall be sent a letter by the Association outlining the alleged violation and given not less than fifteen (15) days notice of time and place for hearing such accusation, and at which time and place they shall have the opportunity, in person, or by council to be heard and to present evidence in their own behalf and to hear and refute evidence offered against them. It is acceptable for the Committee and the accused to meet by means of a telephone conference call, which shall be followed by a written report or recorded statement.

H. Every notice required by these guidelines may be served by delivering a copy of the notice to the person served, or his attorney, either in person or by certified mail, postage prepaid, to his last known address as it appears on the Association records and upon mailing, such notice shall be deemed received by such person when it is deposited in the United States mail.

I. No continuance shall be granted unless requested in writing as least seven (7) days prior to the hearing, and good cause shown. A continuance shall be granted or denied at the sole discretion of the Association President or Chairman of the Hearing Committee.

J. When the BOD or a Hearing Committee has ruled on a complaint and disciplinary action has been taken against a member, or non-member, the person’s name, the violation, and the disciplinary action taken shall be published in the Association newsletter.

K. Any member or non-member may be fined, placed on probation, or suspended, from all Association privileges for failure to pay any obligation owing to the Association or for giving a worthless check for entry fees, office charges, premiums, or any other fees or charges connected with the exhibition of disc dogs, provided however, that this person (member or non-member) shall be given twenty-one (21) days written notice of the amount due and the intention of the Association to fine, place on probation or suspend. Any suspension under this guideline shall terminate upon full payment of the obligation due the Association.

L. Any member or non-member passing a bad check or checks at a Association sanctioned trial or event that would effect the image or benefit of the local contest organizer will be fined twenty-five (25) dollars for each such check and must write a letter of apology and make the check good for first offense; second offense, member will be suspended and fined one hundred (100) dollars; third offense, member will be suspended and must appear before the Hearing Committee for reinstatement AFTER restitution of checks or checks has been made.

M. The following provisions regarding misconduct at, or in conjunction with, an Association approved event or a Association sanctioned competition, while not all inclusive, are to be considered as violations of these guidelines. If any of the following subsections do contain penalties, these guidelines should be followed. If there are no penalties specified in the subsections below, then violation of these guidelines will call for a maximum five hundred (500) dollar fine and/or maximum one (1) year suspension.

1.        Attempting to bribe, influence or intimidate a judge, trial secretary, time keeper, or any other contest official will result in disqualification at that event, suspension, and a minimum fine of one hundred (100) dollars.

2.        Talking with the judges about any event-related matter throughout the duration of the event or discussion with the judge about any ideas or methods of judging or handling is a violation, except at approved handlers’ meetings.

3.        Making derogatory comments within a judge’s hearing regarding any performance that is taking place on the field is a violation.

4.        Consuming or bringing alcoholic beverages into the judge’s area while an Association sanctioned event is taking place is a violation.

5.        Intimidating or attempting to intimidate or argue with a judge or event organizer will result in a minimum fine of one hundred (100) dollars, and/or a minimum of thirty (30) day suspension.

6.        Altering or attempting to alter the draw will result in disqualification at that event and a fine of not less than twenty-five (25) dollars nor more than two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.

7.        Tampering with the field or a competitor’s canine will result in disqualification for the remainder of the competition, suspension of a minimum of thirty days (30) and a maximum of one year and a fine of twenty-five (25) dollars to two hundred and fifty (250) dollars.

8.        Unsportsmanlike conduct is a violation.

9.        Fighting at the event site is a violation.

10.    Threatening or actually inflicting bodily harm to another person based upon that person’s actions, conduct, or decisions in any official capacity for the Association or for any Association approved or sanctioned event shall call for suspension of one (1) year.

11.    Using abusive language on the contest field is a violation.

12.    Attempting to aid or distract another competitor while they are competing will result in immediate disqualification in that event, suspension, or fine as the Hearing Committee may decide.

13.    Behaving in a manner discrediting to the Association is a violation.

14.    Participating in training activities while on the event grounds other than in designated areas is prohibited.

15.    Inhumane treatment of dogs on the event field or grounds is prohibited at Association sanctioned trials. If event organizers discover inhumane treatment to dogs, they may bar the responsible party from further participation in the event. The decision as to inhumane treatment of animals may be based on consultation with a veterinarian. If the event organizer determines, in its sole discretion, that the welfare of the animal requires immediate action, and a veterinarian is not available, event organizers may consult with the judge of the trial before taking any action allowed by this section. (See the section titled “Protest Process” for additional information.)

16.     The Association BOD shall be notified of the occurrence within fifteen (15) days so that a hearing to consider disciplinary action against the responsible party can be scheduled.

N. Event organizers, or producers may be suspended for any of the aforementioned offenses and, in addition, any of the following offenses:

1. Failure to pay added money as advertised.

2. Leaving bad debts in any municipality connected with the production of an IDDHA sanctioned event.

O. A special meeting of the BOD may be called by the president at any time or place or by telephone conference call where at least three (3) directors are present to consider emergencies, such as serious alleged guideline violations of such magnitude as to appear to be detrimental to the best interests of the Association or to its practices, policies and/or objectives. A simple majority vote of at least three (3) directors shall be binding for motions passed during any special BOD meeting.