CONSTITUTION     |     BYLAWS     |     POLICIES


Current Board and Appointed Officers

 

Mountain Canine Corps (MCC) is a nonprofit organization with elected Officers serving as the Board of Directors and several non-elective Officer positions.

2024 Board of Directors

President : Steve Lucht

Vice-President : Alan Eschenbacher

Secretary : Nancy Sklavos-Gillett

Treasurer : Ruth Ann Neal

Member at Large : Marsha Falco

 

Constitution

 

Original 1986, ammended July 2003.

Article 1. The name of the Corporation shall be the MOUNTAIN CANINE CORPS.

Article 2. The period of its duration shall be PERPETUAL.

Article 3. The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes beneficial to the public interest in the TRAINING AND FIELDING OF SEARCH DOGS TO HELP LOCATE MISSING PERSONS.   The training process includes the education of handlers and support personnel in (1) search dog behavior and capabilities and (2) Search and Rescue procedures and practices.

Article 4. DISSOLUTION. The Corporation may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members in good standing. In the event of dissolution other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, after payment of the Corporation's debts, remaining assets shall be given to the New Mexico Emergency Services Council which is a 501(c)3 organization, or, if the New Mexico Emergency Services Council is no longer a 501(c)3 organization, to another 501(c)3 organization involved in canine training.

Article 5. The initial registered agent is Lue Button. The initial registered office is in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, two miles southwest of Highway 84 at the town of Abiquiu, on Frijoles Creek. The mailing address is Box 39, Abiquiu, NM 87510.

Article 6. The number constituting the original board of directors is FIVE. The number of directors on the Board shall remain FIVE unless this article shall be altered by constitutional amendment. The names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as initial directors are:

  • Lynn Bjorklund 2241 34th, Los Alamos, NM 8754

  • Terry DuBois 2896-B Walnut, Los Alamos NM 87544

  • Carol Taschek P.O. Box 116, Santa Cruz, NM 87567

  • Lue Button Box 39, Abiquiu, NM 87510

  • David DuBois 2896-B Walnut, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Article 7. The names and addresses of each incorporator is:

  • Lue Button Box 39, Abiquiu, NM 87510

  • Terry DuBois 2896-B Walnut, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Article 8. No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article 3 hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code.

RETURN TO TOP

 

bylaws

 

Article I – Name

The name of the Corporation shall be the MOUNTAIN CANINE CORPS also referred to by MCC.

Article II – Purpose

The purpose of MCC is the training and fielding of search dogs and ground searchers to help locate missing persons. MCC was organized has a non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) and the period of its duration is PERPETUAL.

Article III – Membership

Section 1. Eligibility – The organization is open to all persons 18 years of age or older who subscribe to its purpose as stated in Article II. Two levels of membership are available in MCC – active and associate status.  Admission procedures are contained in policy under “Admission Procedures.”

A.     Active status requires the member meet the requirements outlined in policy under “Active Status Requirements.”  Active membership will entitle one individual to full participation; a Family Membership will entitle two adults from a single household to full participation, including two votes.

B.     Associate status is for any non-active member that supports the efforts of MCC. Associate members do not have voting rights, must pay dues and have no training requirements.

MCC K9 handlers cannot be members of other K9 wilderness teams without approval from the board. See “Multiple Team Membership Exemption Process” in the policy section. Non canine team members that participate in other search activities such as, but not limited to, ground search, communications support or incident management team duties are exempted from these rules.

Section 2. Training Participation - Both members and invited non-members may take part in training sessions and field exercises. See “Training Participation Requirements” in the policy section.

Section 3. Search Participation - To participate in Search and Rescue Missions, a member must meet the requirements outlined in policy under the “Search and Rescue Participation Requirements” section.

Only members of MCC with a national certification will be allowed to participate in missions involving criminal cases.  See “National Certification Requirements” in the policy section.

Section 4. Rejected Applications - An individual whose application for membership receives an unfavorable vote shall no longer be entitled to participate in the organization's activities. Any dues money paid will be refunded.

Section 5. Voluntary Termination and Expulsion - Members may leave the organization voluntarily and without prejudice by resignation.  A member whose actions are detrimental to the purpose of MCC may be removed for cause under the procedures set forth in the “Expulsions Procedures” section of policy.

Article IV - Administration

Section 1. Board of Directors - The Board of Directors shall be composed of four officers plus one member-at-large. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Member at Large. To be eligible to hold office the candidate must be a full member in active status. The duties of the officers are as follows:

President - to preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Board of Directors, to bring forth all ideas presented and assure a reasonable consideration of same, to be conversant with the Bylaws and the rules of order, and to transact all corporate business as required.

Vice President - to act in the President's stead if the President is absent or incapacitated. The Vice President will keep records of canine-handler field skills and oversee field skills assessments.

Secretary - to take care of the organization's correspondence and keep copies of same, to take minutes at meetings and distribute the minutes to team membership, to maintain permanent records of the organization's proceedings, including a roll of all members, their addresses, and other information deemed necessary by the Board. The Secretary will be responsible for compiling a list of eligible voters prior to any election and will make that list available on demand.

Treasurer - to receive monies due the organization and deposit them in a demand account established at a recognized banking institution in the State, to pay all authorized expenditures, to keep proper accounts, and to prepare all required financial statements.  Two signatures will be required to withdraw funds from the team’s bank account. These signatures to be the Treasurer and one other Board member. The treasurer will report at each regular Board and team meeting as the financial condition of MCC. The treasurer will also act as the team’s equipment manager.  Equipment manager duties include: responsibility for maintaining a record of team equipment, including a list of team members borrowing equipment, and the condition of the equipment. The equipment officer will also work on behalf of the team to contact companies that sell equipment to arrange for donations and discounts.

Member at Large – The Member at Large shall act as liaison between the Board of Directors and the members in general as needed and perform other duties as needed or directed by the President.

Section 2. Board of Director Elections – During the last month of the calendar year the secretary will ask the general membership to nominate members to serve on the board via electronic means such as email.  General members will be given five days to respond.  The secretary shall compile the list of nominees to present to the general membership.  The secretary will ask for two volunteers from the general membership who have not been nominated to a position on the board to conduct the election via electronic means.  The slate of candidates will be sent only to the list of eligible voting members as provided by the secretary. A simple majority of votes cast will elect each member to the board.  The two members that conducted the vote will present the results to the current board and membership and the secretary will record the results in the minutes.  The new board members will assume their positions January 1st of the new calendar year.

Section 3. Term Limits – Board members will be limited to three consecutive terms for any one position and five consecutive years on the board, if possible.  After a one year break from serving on the board members can again be eligible to run for board positions.

Section 4. Impeachment - An officer may be impeached or recalled by a majority of the members present and voting at any meeting, if notice has been given to the entire membership in writing at least 10 days prior to the meeting at which the articles of impeachment are to be presented.

Section 5. Non-elective Offices – Other functions deemed necessary shall be performed by personnel designated by the Board as spelled out in the police section under “Non-Elected Officers.”

Section 6. Committees - The President, with the Board's concurrence, may appoint committee chairmen to deal with special situations as they arise, and the appointed chairman shall choose his or her own committee. Actions taken by committee chairmen in dealing with those outside the organization must have the prior approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Adherence to Employer's Policy - Members are required to follow their employer's policies regarding emergency response activities.

Section 8. Voting Mechanisms –

1. Voting Mechanisms - Voting may be conducted at scheduled meetings or via electronic means. Except for election of Board members the secretary will conduct electronic voting. During electronic voting the question to be decided will be presented to the list of eligible voting members as maintained by the secretary electronically.  The vote will be held open for five days for discussion and voting.  A simple majority of votes received will decide the question.  The Board, at their discretion may extent the comment and voting period if the question up for vote warrants additional discussion. Electronic voting is allowed for all votes other than votes involving expulsion / disciplinary action (Article III, Section 6) or impeachment (Article IV, Section 4).

2. The results of electronic mail voting shall be tallied by the Secretary and at least one other member of the Board with the exceptions noted in the previous section.

Section 9. Parliamentary Authority - In all situations not specifically covered in these Bylaws the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order will take precedence.

Section 10. Records - Copies of records (e.g., Board and team meeting minutes, waivers, etc.) will be archived on two separate computer systems by two different individuals.

Article V - Finances

Section 1. Dues - Dues shall be $30.00 for a Regular Membership and $40.00 for a Family Membership, and shall cover the remainder of the year of joining.

Section 2. Special Assessments - If circumstances require, the Board of Directors may make a special assessment for which all members will be responsible in the same manner as dues. Any assessment whose total amount exceeds $100 must be approved by a vote of the full members.

Section 3. Spending Authority - The President and Treasurer are authorized to make team purchases of less than $50.00 without Board approval. The President and Treasurer are required to gain Board approval for purchases greater than $50.00 and less than $200.00. A vote of the full members is necessary to approve purchases of $200.00 or greater.

Section 4. Asset Distribution and 501(c)(3) - No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of MCC. No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future tax code.

Article VI – Amendments and Changes to Policies

Section 1. Proposal - Any desired amendment to the policies must be made in writing or electronic means to the Board of Directors, who must present it at the next regular meeting or using electronic mail.

Section 2. Voting - Voting shall follow the rules detailed in Article IV, Section 8.

Section 3. Configuration Control - Following any approved revision to the bylaws, a dated copy of the revised bylaws shall be distributed to the team. An annotated copy of the previous bylaws that show the revisions shall also be distributed. The website will also be updated with the new bylaws once they have been approved.

Article VII – Changes to the Bylaws – Any desired change to the Bylaws must be made in writing or electronic means to the Board of Directors, who must present it at the next regular meeting or using electronic mail.

Section 2. Voting - Voting shall follow the rules detailed in Article IV, Section 8 with exception that a two thirds majority vote of the eligible voting members will be required.

Section 3. Configuration Control - Following any approved revision to the bylaws, a dated copy of the revised bylaws shall be distributed to the team. An annotated copy of the previous bylaws that show the revisions shall also be distributed.

Article VIII – Dissolution - The Corporation may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of not less than two-thirds of the members in good standing. In the event of dissolution other than for purposes of reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law, after payment of the Corporation's debts, a majority vote of the board will determine the 501(c)(3) non-profit association to receive any remaining assets of the Mountain Canine Corp.

RETURN TO TOP

 

policies

 

MOUNTAIN CANINE CORPS COMMERCIAL AIR TRAVEL POLICY

History

Members of Mountain Canine Corps (MCC) occasionally have the need to attend trainings, classes, seminars, or to seek veterinary care, which entails traveling on a commercial airplane with their canines. To date, there hasn’t been any formal document outlining this process.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements/eligibility for MCC handlers wishing to travel on a commercial airline with their K9.

Reasons for travel - travel will be allowed for 2 reasons:

  1. For medical reasons, such as out of state veterinary visits, and

  2. For official training. Official training consists of sanctioned seminars and classes, as well as written invitations from recognized SAR teams to participate in trainings. The board will have the final determination as to what constitutes ‘official’ training.

 Requirements / Eligibility - To be eligible to travel on a commercial airline for official travel, the following requirements must be met:

Handler:

  1. Must be a full member in good standing with MCC,

  2. Must be in possession of all documentation required by the airline to fly with a K9,

  3. Must be aware and respectful of airline specific policies relating to K9 travel.

K9:

  1. Must be at least 1 year old,

  2. Must have successfully passed 3 Progress checks,

  3. Must be up to date on all vaccinations

Should an incident occur between the K9 team and the public, the Handler is required to present a full briefing to the Board. The Board maintains the right to revoke commercial airline travel these privileges

RETURN TO TOP