Lithuanian Hound Club Statutes
REGULATIONS
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.The Lithuanian Hound Club (hereinafter – LHC) is established as a non-profit public legal entity with limited civil liability, with its legal form being an association.
2. The duration of LHC's activities is unlimited.
3. LHC's fiscal year coincides with the calendar year, with the start of the first fiscal year being the day of LHC's registration.
4. LHC has a seal, symbols, an independent balance sheet, and settlement accounts in financial or credit institutions registered in Great Britain and other countries in the manner prescribed by law.
II. LHC'S ACTIVITY GOALS, AREAS, AND TYPES
5. The goals of LHC's activities:
5.1. To promote the ideas of responsible dog breeding in society and to encourage public tolerance towards dogs;
5.2. To unite and coordinate the activities of Lithuanian hound lovers;
5.3. To provide methodological assistance to LHC members;
5.4. To comprehensively promote LHC activities.
5.5. Represent and defend the rights and interests of the members of the LHC in county authorities and management institutions, in international organisations.
5.6. Develop cooperation with similar associations in Great Britain, foreign countries, and international organisations.
6. Areas and types of activities of the LHC:
6.1. Organise cynology events: exhibitions, competitions, seminars, courses.
6.2. Promote the breeding of physically and mentally healthy Lithuanian hounds and the preservation and development of their working traits;
6.3. Cooperate with similar national and foreign organisations;
6.4. Engage in other organisational, cultural, artistic, educational, informational, and recreational and entertainment activities;
6.5. Coordinate the activities of its members in the field of cynology;
6.6. Advise LHC members on cynology issues;
6.7. Maintain contact with the public;
6.8. Provide charity and support following the law; promote LHC's activities;
6.9. Represent the interests of the LHC and its members in state authorities and management institutions, international organisations.
6.10. Organise and conduct promotional and publishing activities;
6.11. Establish public information media.
7. To achieve the objectives set out in these statutes, the LHC has the right to engage in any activities not prohibited by law.
8. The LHC may engage in commercial economic activities if such activities do not contradict these statutes, the goals of the LHC, and are necessary to achieve them.
9. Sources of LHC income:
9.1. Membership, annual and event participation fees;
9.2. Assets and funds transferred by sponsors;
9.3. Income from services and contractual work;
9.4. State and municipal targeted allocations;
9.5. Allocated targeted funds from Great Britain and various foreign funds;
9.6. Funds and property transferred free of charge by natural and legal persons (funds received as support, gifts, as well as those received under a will, etc.).
9.7. Interest from credit institutions on funds held by LHC;
9.8. Loan capital funds;
9.9. Other legally acquired funds.
10. LHC funds may only be used for the purposes specified in these statutes.
11. LHC may own buildings, vehicles, equipment, and other property necessary for conducting activities provided for in the statutes.
III. MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF LHC MEMBERS
12. Individuals who have reached the age of 18 and are legally capable may become members of LHC if they submit a request to the President to join LHC. Applications for membership in LHC are considered at a Board meeting no later than 30 calendar days from the date the request was submitted to the President.
12.1. Individuals younger than the age of 18 can join a junior membership.
12.2. Once a junior member turns 18, they become eligible for full membership, subject to the LHC rules and subscription requirements for adults.
12.3. Junior members do not have voting rights and are not eligible to serve on the LHC Board or make nominations for Board positions.
12.4. Junior membership has a reduced subscription fee of 50% of the adult fee.
12.5. Junior members are entitled to participate in LHC activities, receive newsletters and access resources of the LHC. This includes training days, competitions, and educational opportunities.
12.6. When attending LHC events or training, junior members must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian.
12.7. LHC will inform junior members when they become eligible to transition to full adult membership.
12.8. The family membership, which encompasses two adults and two children, is offered at a fee that includes a reduction of £10.
13. A person who does not agree to comply with these statutes cannot be admitted to LHC.
14. A person becomes a member of LHC when the Board approves the application, and the person pays the established entry and annual membership fees. A refusal to accept a person into LHC can be appealed to the general members' meeting.
15. The amounts of the entry fee and annual membership fees are confirmed by the decision of the general members' meeting. The Board may, in exceptional cases, exempt certain LHC members from paying the membership fee or reduce the amount.
16. Every LHC member has the right to access the list of members at the LHC headquarters.
17. Rights of LHC members:
17.1. To participate in and vote at the LHC general members' meeting;
17.2. To receive information about LHC activities;
17.3. To submit proposals and requests on various LHC activities;
17.4. To withdraw from LHC at any time by providing a written notice to the President. In this case, membership fees and any funds and property transferred to LHC shall not be refunded.
17.5. Other rights are established by legal acts and these statutes.
18. Responsibilities of LHC members:
18.1. To comply with these statutes;
18.2. To fulfil the decisions of the general members' meeting and governing bodies;
18.3. To participate in the general members' meeting;
18.4. To pay the membership fee. Membership in LHC shall be suspended for members who delay the payment of the annual membership fee.
18.5. To act in such a way that their actions (or inaction) do not cause immaterial or material harm to LHC or harm the reputation and interests of LHC and its members;
18.6. Other responsibilities established by legal acts and these statutes.
19. Members are expelled from the LHC by the decision of the Board if:
19.1. Their actions harm the LHC;
19.2. They do not fulfil the obligations outlined in the statutes;
19.3. They engage in activities prohibited by law;
19.4. They do not pay the annual membership fee within one calendar month of the renewal date.
20. A member expelled from the LHC may appeal the Board's decision regarding their expulsion to the general members' meeting.
21. The LHC Board, with the President's mediation, has the right to grant the title of Honorary Member to individuals who assist the LHC in achieving its goals, or to individuals who have rendered significant service to Lithuanian or global cynology. An Honorary Member is exempt from membership fees in the LHC. An Honorary Member has the same rights and obligations as a regular LHC member.
IV. LHC BODIES
22. The bodies of the LHC are:
22.1. The general meeting of members;
22.2. The collegial governing body of LHC – the Board;
22.3. The sole governing body of LHC – the President.
22.4. The sole governing body of LHC – the Vice President.
22.4. The Treasurer.
22.6. The Secretary.
23. The bodies of LHC must act for the benefit of LHC and its members. The bodies of LHC have no right to make decisions or take other actions that violate LHC statutes or are contrary to the objectives of LHC's activities as stated in the statutes.
24. The general meeting of members (hereinafter – the Meeting):
24.1. Decides the audit of LHC and selects an auditing company or Treasurer;
24.2. Provides proposals for the adoption and amendment of LHC laws.
24.3. Provides proposals for the restructuring or termination of LHC (reorganisation or liquidation);
24.4. Provides proposals for the establishment of other legal entities or for becoming participants in other legal entities;
24.5. Resolves other issues assigned by these statutes to the competence of the general meeting of members if they are not functions of the governing body.
25. All LHC members have the right to vote at the meeting. Each member has one vote. A member participates in the meeting personally or authorises another person following the law or enters a contract for the transfer of voting rights with them.
26. non-LHC members may participate in the meeting without a vote if more than half of the LHC members present do not object.
27. The President convenes an ordinary meeting once a year, no later than 4 months after the end of the fiscal year. Each LHC member is notified of the convening meeting no later than 14 days before the meeting date in the manner specified in paragraph 53 of the statutes. If there is no quorum at the meeting, a repeated meeting is convened no later than 7 days later, which has the right to make decisions on the agenda items of the unsuccessful meeting, regardless of how many members of the LHC participated. Each LHC member is notified of the convening of the repeated meeting no later than 5 days before the meeting date. Following the provisions set out in paragraph 57 of the statutes. The meeting may be called without following the established deadlines if at least 2/3 of the LHC members agree in writing.
28. An Extraordinary Meeting may be called at the decision of the President or the Board, if required by at least 1/3 of LHC members, the Board, or the President. The initiator of the Extraordinary Meeting, if not the President, submits a request to the President indicating the reasons and objectives for convening the Meeting, a draft agenda, and proposals regarding the location and date of the Meeting.
29. A Meeting can be organised remotely. Authentication means available at the time of the meeting will be used for joining, which will be determined by the Board.
30. If for important reasons a LHC member cannot attend the Meeting, they have the right to vote in advance in writing (by mail or fax, or by other electronic communication means). Advance voting in writing counts towards the quorum of the Meeting.
31. Participants in the meeting are registered by signing the registration list or connecting remotely via electronic communication means.
32. The meeting can make decisions when more than 1/2 of the LHC members are present. The decision of the meeting of these statutes and in cases where members of collegial bodies are elected, is considered adopted when it receives more votes "for" than "against" from the members participating in the voting (individuals who abstain from voting are not counted, meaning they are considered not to have participated in the voting, but do not affect the quorum). For decisions of the Meeting, at least 2/3 of the votes of the participating LHC members are required.
33. The meeting must be recorded. The Secretary of the meeting signs the meeting protocol. The protocol must be drafted no later than 7 working days from the date of the meeting. Individuals who participated in the meeting have the right to review the protocol and submit their comments or opinions regarding the facts presented in the protocol and its drafting in writing no later than 7 working days from the drafting date of the protocol.
34. The meeting is elected and recalled by the meeting for 5 years. The meeting consists of 5 members elected from the members of the LHC. There is no limit to the number of terms a meeting member can serve.
35. The Board acts following the resolutions of the Meeting and decides on matters that are not assigned to the Meeting or the President's competence.
36. The President chairs the Board meetings unless the Board decides otherwise.
37. Board members have equal rights. During the voting, each member has one vote. If the votes for "for" and "against" are evenly split, the President's vote is decisive. A Board member may express their will, "for" or "against" the decision being voted on, of which they are familiar with the draft, by voting in writing. Members who voted in advance are considered to have participated in the meeting. The Board can make decisions, and its meeting is considered valid when more than 1/2 of the Board members are present. A Board decision is adopted when it receives more votes "for" than "against."
38. Board meetings are held at least once every six months. The right to convene meetings is held by at least 1/2 of the Board members or the President. The President informs the Board members in writing (via registered letter, fax, or email) about the date, location, and time of the meeting no later than 7 days in advance 7 days until the start of the meeting. With the written consent of all Board members, the Board may deviate from the established procedure or deadlines for convening meetings.
39. The Board:
39.1. The President also serves as the Chairperson of the Board.
39.2. Prepares the annual operational program of LHC;
39.3. Makes decisions regarding the acquisition, leasing, and transfer of LHC assets valued at over 200 pounds (for each transaction separately);
39.4. Represents the interests of LHC and its members in state authorities, management, and other organisations;
39.5. Establishes the organisational structure of the LHC administration and the positions of its employees, and approves the salary amounts for administrative staff.
39.6. Approves the budgets for LHC programs and projects, including their implementation costs;
39.7. Implements the decisions of the Meeting;
39.8. Considers and approves applications for new members to join LHC, issues of membership suspension or renewal, and removes members;
39.9. Makes decisions on conducting publishing activities;
39.10. Approves the composition of colleges and commissions and their chairpersons for the implementation of specific LHC goals and for overseeing specific areas, which are formed either permanently or temporarily and consist of at least three members;
39.11. Considers questions raised by members of the Board, LHC members, and the President;
39.12. Considers issues related to providing support and charity;
39.13. Sets the prices and rates for the services provided;
39.14. Submits proposals and recommendations to the Meeting regarding the amounts and payment procedures for annual LHC membership fees.
39.15. Analyses the activities of LHC, the use of financial resources, and provides suggestions to the Meeting and the President;
39.16. Analyses and evaluates the reports on LHC activities and annual financial reports submitted by the President, or annual reports, revenue and expenditure distribution projects in cases established by law, and after approving these projects, submits them to the meeting;
39.17. Makes decisions regarding the establishment of LHC branches and representations and their termination, approves their regulations, appoints, and dismisses their leaders;
39.18. Resolves other issues arising in LHC activities that fall under the competence of the Board of the extraordinary members' meeting as established by these statutes;
39.19. Amends the LHC statutes;
39.20. Establishes the amount of the membership fees and the payment procedure;
39.21. Within 4 months after the end of the fiscal year, approve the compilation of LHC's annual financial reports or the annual report.
39.22 A Board member must avoid situations where their interest’s conflict with or may conflict with the interests of LHC.
40. The President leads the LHC. The President operates based on the laws, these statutes, and the decisions of the Meeting and the Board.
41. The President:
41.1. Organises the activities of the LHC in pursuit of the goals set in the statutes;
41.2. Acts and enters contracts on behalf of the LHC;
41.3. Prepares the activity report of the LHC for the previous fiscal year and the collection of annual financial statements, or, in cases stipulated by law, the annual report, and submits it to the Board;
41.4. Provides information and documents to the Meeting, the Board, and LHC members;
41.5. Is responsible for the financial activities of the LHC;
41.6. Opens and closes accounts in banking institutions;
41.7. With the approval of the Board, hires and dismisses the accountant and other LHC administration staff, concludes employment contracts with them or terminates them, and establishes their salary levels;
41.8. Implements the decisions of the Meeting and the Board;
41.9. Represents the LHC in court, arbitration, files claim on behalf of the LHC, signs statements and other documents and exercises all rights and obligations of the LHC as a party in the case;
41.10. Officially announces or organises the public disclosure of information specified in legal acts;
41.11. Provides data, information, and documents of the LHC to the manager of the Register of Legal Entities;
41.12. Organises voluntary work according to the regulations of Great Britain and overseas volunteering law.
41.13. Is responsible for the proper storage of accounting and financial documentation;
41.14. Together with the accountant, they are responsible for accounting and the preparation of the financial report set following the Accounting Act of Great Britain and other legislation of Great Britain. All LHC financial documents are valid only with the signatures of the President and the accountant, or, in the absence of the President, the authorised individuals. Funds of LHC located in foreign banks can only be managed with the signatures of the President and the accountant.
41.15. Resolve other issues in these statutes and the laws of Great Britain if they are not assigned to the competence of the meeting or the Board.
42. The Board and the President are accountable to the LHC meeting.
43. The LHC accountant cannot be a natural person related to the President or Board members by kinship or in-law ties. The accounting functions may be performed by a legal entity or a member of the LHC under contract with the LHC.
44. The Vice President:
44.1. Accounts as a vital right-hand to the President, providing leadership, support, and a collaborative approach to ensure the effective functioning and success of the LHC.
44.2. The Vice President assumes the full responsibility of the President if the President is unable to fulfil their duties.
44.3. The Vice President function as deputy chairperson for LHC meetings in the President’s absence.
Participate in LHC decision-making and support the President in implementing the club policies and plans.
44.4. Work closely with the President in overseeing LHC activities, such as events and meetings.
44.5. Helps monitor the LHC’s strategic plan and ensures day-to-day activities align with its objectives.
44.6. Serve as a sounding Board for the president to discuss ideas, challenges, and potential solutions.
44.7. Facilitate effective communication between the President, other Board members and LHC members.
44.8. Collaborates with other Board members to plan and execute LHC activities and events.
Involved in promotional activities and public relations efforts for LHC events.
45. Treasurer:
45.1. Checks the collection of annual financial statements of the LHC and other financial activity documents;
45.2. Performs financial accounting checks of the LHC as mandated by the Meeting;
45.3. Reports on violations found during the checks at the next Meeting or Board meeting;
45.4. Submits the LHC annual financial audit report to the regular Meeting.
45.5. The President of the LHC must provide the Treasurer with the required accounting and financial reporting documents.
45.6. The Treasurer is legally responsible for the unsatisfactory control of the LHC and for concealing deficiencies in financial activities.
45.7. The accounting of the LHC, its organisation and management, as well as the preparation of financial statements, is governed by the laws of Great Britain.
46.The Secretary:
46.1. The Secretary is the contact for all correspondence, both internal within the LHC and external with other clubs and the public.
46.2. Responsible for summoning and attending all Board meetings.
46.3. Issuing notices and agendas for meetings.
46.4. Ensuring members are informed of meeting dates and times in writing, with at least 14 days' notice for general meetings.
46.5. Recording of all meetings.
46.6. Oversees the LHC general correspondence and transacts business as required by the Board.
46.7. Maintain LHC records, including membership lists with names and addresses, which must be available for inspection upon request. Important LHC documents.
46.8. Applying for and ensuring the LHC holds the necessary licences.
46.9. Preparing a risk assessment and safety plan for events and arranging public liability insurance coverage.
46.10. Reporting any incidents or issues to the necessary institutions.
46.11. If a member’s conduct is deemed injurious to the LHC, the Secretary, in collaboration with the Board, may initiate the process for a special General Meeting to consider expulsion.
V. PROCEDURE FOR THE USE OF ASSOCIATION FUNDS AND INCOME AND CONTROL OF ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES
47. The LHC funds and income are used to achieve the LHC objectives, cover LHC expenses, and further LHC development.
48. The control of LHC's financial activities is conducted following the laws of Great Britain.
49. The control of LHC financial activities is conducted by the Treasurer, a member of the LHC Board.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
50. All announcements that must be officially announced under the law are published in permitted electronic publications for public announcements.
51. Decisions and notifications from LHC bodies, as well as other necessary information for members, are sent by email, and if necessary, may be sent by registered mail or fax.
52. Notifications to LHC members are sent to the latest email addresses provided in the LHC members' registry.
53. Public announcements and publications of the LHC are posted on the LHC website.
54. Members can familiarise themselves with information related to LHC activities at the LHC office. The procedure for providing documents and other information regarding LHC activities to members is approved by the Board.
55. LHC documents, their copies, or other information are provided to members free of charge.
VII. PROCEDURE FOR AMENDING THE BYLAWS
56. The LHC bylaws are amended by a resolution of the Meeting.
57. Proposals for amendments to the bylaws are prepared and submitted by the Board or the President.
58. Amendments to the bylaws take effect from the day they are registered in the Register of Legal Entities.
VIII. PROCEDURE FOR CHANGING HEADQUARTERS
59. The LHC headquarters can be changed by a decision of the Board.
IX. REORGANIZATION AND TERMINATION
60. The LHC is reorganised or terminated following the procedure established by the laws of Great Britain.
61. The remaining LHC assets and funds, after satisfying all creditor claims and LHC members' claims regarding the club's asset shares, not exceeding the member's entry fee or dues, shall be transferred to the entity appointed by the Meeting before the LHC is removed from the Register of Legal Entities. to a canine organization. If such a canine organisation does not exist, the remaining assets and funds shall be transferred to the Lithuanian Canine Federation (LKD).
62. The LHC liquidator must perform duties established by British association laws and other regulations.
X. FINAL PROVISIONS
63. All other issues regarding LHC activities not covered by these statutes shall be resolved following the President's and Board’s ruling, which is an integral part of these statutes and other British legal acts.
64. LHC and the associated web addresses www.lithuanianhoundclub.co.uk are the property of the Board and may only be reproduced, with permission, for advertising purposes. Whilst we encourage this promotion in its various forms, you may not use the registered name or associated web addresses in any transaction constituting a sale, i.e., you may not publish these on any item for sale without permission. The main objective of this is to protect Board members from sellers for whom the Board cannot vouch. You do not have permission to reproduce the site name, logo, or any associated web address without written approval from the Board.
The statutes of the Lithuanian Hound Club were approved at the founding meeting on 1st July 2025, protocol No. 1.
Authorised person Raimonda Gončarova