2018 May June

Getting Down to Business
From the President
Hello Members, This was in the latest AusENews, but I think
it’s so important that it needs to be here, too.
Many times, I am contacted by Members about a situation
that goes on at an ASCA event, because people seem to expect me
to do something right then over the phone, all I can do is try to
provide information. I want everyone to be aware of the tool that
is available to solve these problems during the event.
In the recent past, ASCA replaced the ASCA Dispute Rules
with a friendlier process which is the ASCA Conflict Resolution
Protocol. What I want to focus on here is the portion of this which
deals with situations at ASCA events and the responsibility of the
Affiliate Clubs.
This is the introduction to the process which is printed in the
back of each ASCA Program Rulebook.
ASCA Conflict Resolution Protocol
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2016
This ASCA Conflict Resolution Protocol replaces the ASCA
Dispute Rules, which are no longer in effect. The purpose of
ASCA’s rules is to protect and advance the interests of the Australian
Shepherd as a purebred dog and to encourage sportsmanlike conduct
at dog shows, working, agility, rally, tracking and obedience trials
and at any other event where Australian Shepherds participate.
The purpose of our rules is to ensure fair participation in our
program events, civil conduct among our members and integrity
in our registry. Sometimes conflicts and disputes will arise, and, in
those cases, the following protocol has been established to resolve
such conflicts and disputes. Membership in ASCA is a privilege,
not a right. Members may be disciplined or membership may be
suspended by the Board of Directors for cause detrimental to the
interest of ASCA or to its programs, policies, objectives or the
harmonious relationship of its members, as determined by the
Board of Directors. Questions not answered by this document
should be referred to the ASCA Executive Secretary. The ASCA
Conflict Resolution Form is included with each sanctioning packet
sent to Affiliate Clubs. Copies of the ASCA Conflict Resolution
Protocol and ASCA Conflict Resolution Form must be available
at all ASCAsanctioned events.
FIRST DECIDE WHO SHOULD RECEIVE YOUR
REQUEST FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Affiliate Club
It is the duty of the Affiliate to deal initially with conflicts which
occur during or in connection with its events. The Affiliate Club
should receive these requests for conflict resolution:
• Conflicts, complaints or disputes arising from violation(s) of
rules at ASCA-sanctioned events sponsored by an affiliate,
including violations of ASCA Bylaws, ASCA program rule
books, ASCA Policy, or ASCA codes of conduct
• Conflicts, complaints or disputes arising from affiliate bylaws
or rules
• Conflicts arising from the misconduct of improper actions by
a judge which are correctable at the time of the event (not the
decision of the judge)
The next section has to do with Conflicts that are the jurisdiction
of the ASCA Board. I urge you all to familiarize yourselves with
this whole process.
I want to let Members know that this process is here for you to
use if you have a complaint at a show. I urge you to use this when
things need to be addressed at a show. Ask for the form and fill it out
completely, following the process. Take it to the Club President or
the Member that is heading up the show (Show Secretary or Show
Chair). There is a process that the Affiliate Club must follow. It is
too long to be outlined here, so please use the link here to familiarize
yourself with the procedures: http://www.asca.org/wp-content/
uploads/2016/04/Conflict-Resolution-Protocol-Form.pdf.
I want the Affiliate Clubs to know that if an attendee asks for the
form, the Club must provide it and cooperate fully with providing
access to what the Member needs to fill it out. Provide your copy
of the ASCA Program Rule book for help in their research. Giving
them the opportunity to use this process and then following it to
the letter will help protect the Affiliate and will allow the Club to
reach a decision that will hopefully end up being satisfactory. Many
of the steps are time sensitive, so being aware ahead of time may
help.
What if the complainant isn’t happy with the decision? This
is the last step in the process which both the Club and the Member
with the complaint need to understand:
11. The decision of the hearing body shall be final and binding
unless a written notice of the member’s intention to appeal the
decision is received by ASCA’s Executive Secretary within
7 days of the date of the letter notifying said member of the
disciplinary action taken against him/her.
Now let’s go back to the start of this report. If people call me
about a complaint at a show, what I will tell either party is to follow
this process. That is all I can do to help! If this is not followed, it
may mean that ASCA really can’t help you! It is your responsibility
to use this process at the event, and it is the Affiliate’s responsibility
to follow the process professionally in order to relieve the situation.
Be prepared by reading the whole process before your next show.
Thank you to all the Affiliate Clubs who host ASCA events!
This is where we go to compete and achieve titles and reach our
goals as part of our enjoyment with our dogs. It is up to all of us to
follow the rules and respect ASCA and our hosts to the best of our
ability. We need to strive to treat each other with respect and good
sportsmanship at these events. Just be aware, should something
go wrong, this process exists to help deal with these situations.
A Committee of ASCA Members created this procedure to help
ASCA events be the best they can be. Everything is there to help
you and your club ensure that situations can be handled.
I love ASCA and Aussies,
~ Ann
AUSSIE TIMES May-June 2018 11