Job Descriptions for Dog Club Officers

Most dog clubs are established for the purpose of holding conformation shows, obedience or agility trials or other performance events. Regardless of their focus, all clubs share the same basic structure. State laws may dictate some modifications to the club's organization or officers' duties.

  1. President

    • The President runs club meetings, facilitates communication and interaction between members and officers and assigns members to committees. Except on secret ballots, the President does not vote unless doing so will change the outcome (to break a tie, for example or to create one).

    Vice President

    • The Vice President presides over the meeting if the President is absent. In the event the President dies, becomes incapacitated or can no longer remain in office, the Vice President takes over the role of President and a new Vice President must be selected as outlined in the club's bylaws.

    Secretary

    • The Secretary is responsible for recording the minutes of club and board meetings, maintaining the current bylaws and membership list, notifying members of upcoming meetings and election results and managing the general correspondence of the club. In some clubs, a Recording Secretary is responsible for the minutes, bylaws and membership list, while a Corresponding Secretary handles the various items of correspondence.

    Treasurer

    • The Treasurer controls the financial activity of the club and maintains a record of all incoming and outgoing transactions. A report is given at each club meeting and an annual audit of the club's books is conducted. The Treasurer should be bonded to safeguard against improper use of club funds.

    Directors

    • Most clubs will also have one or more Directors who, in addition to the officers, make up the Board of Directors. The Board is usually responsible for the day-to-day operation of the club but in some cases any Board actions must be ratified by the membership.