new membership

• Benefits of membership
• How to apply for membership
• Membership dues
• Membership renewal
• Contact the membership chair

About VCNC

The Vizsla Club of Northern California, Inc. (VCNC) is a breed club recognized by the American Kennel Club. It represents the interests of Vizsla fanciers throughout Northern California.

Purpose

Although Club interests include breeding, development, and training of this outstanding Hungarian pointer, the well-being of the Vizsla is the primary goal. Members want to ensure that future generations of Vizslas adhere to the standards of the breed established and maintained by the American Kennel Club and the Vizsla Club of America.

Activities

VCNC holds educational and social events throughout the year with and without the dogs, and five General Membership meetings. The Club also conducts American Kennel Club licensed field trials and hunting tests, a Specialty (conformation) show, and training seminars. In addition, the Club conducts Versatility testing in obedience and conformation which is sponsored by the Vizsla Club of America.

All meetings and events are open to visitors who would like to see if the Vizsla is the right breed for them. If you decide to have a Vizsla join your family, the VCNC can help you find the one to suit you either from a breeder or our breed rescue program.

Requirements for Membership

Any person eighteen years or older in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribes to the purposes of this Club is eligible for membership. Applicants must appear in person at a General Membership meeting before his/her name is submitted to the current membership for approval, and the application must be endorsed by two VCNC members of record. At the next General Membership meeting the application will be voted upon in accordance with Article X, Section 1 of the Articles and By-laws, and affirmative votes of 3/4 of the individual or family members present and voting will be required to elect the applicant.

Dues

The membership year covers January 1 to December 31. Annual dues, payable on or before January 1 of each year, entitle all members to a bi-monthly newsletter and the opportunity to participate in meetings and activities. Only individual or family members are entitled to vote or hold office. Dues are $20.00 for an associate membership, $20.00 for a individual membership and $25.00 for a family membership. No individual or family member may vote whose dues are not current. If you are interested in becoming a member contact the Membership Chair or any other Club officer listed in this brochure.

benefits of membership

There are three options for membership in our club. Depending on the membership option you select, the process and participation requirements will differ. You may choose from among the following:

• Associate membership
• Individual membership
• Family membership

All memberships include a subscription to the VCNC Newsletter, The Vizsla - Letter, published six (6) times a year.

As an Associate member, you will pay annual dues of $20.00. Associate membership enjoys all the privileges of the VCNC, except holding office or voting on club business.

As an Individual or Family member, you will pay annual dues of either $20.00 or $25.00. Individual and Family memberships enjoy all the privileges of the VCNC, including holding office and voting on club business. An Individual membership consists of one person with a single vote; a Family membership consists of two people living in the same household, each of which is entitled to a separate vote.

Because the VCNC is a volunteer organization, it is important that, as a member, you are prepared to volunteer. We need your commitment to attend the club meetings. We also need your commitment to assist with club functions. Both the meetings and the club functions are held in various locations in northern California so as to prevent a hardship to those living in any one geographic location. However, the geographic location may be dictated by the function. If you are unable to commit to a minimum of two official meetings per year and volunteer to assist with one club function per year you may wish to consider an Associate membership.

Why do we need your commitment of a minimum of two meetings?
Meetings are where we conduct the business necessary to keep the club functioning. In order to do this, members vote on club business issues. Unless a quorum of club members (in good standing) are present a vote cannot be taken, and therefore no club business decisions can be made. It is critical for the club, should you decide to become an Individual or Family member, that you attend the meetings.

Why do we need you to volunteer to help at a minimum of one club function?
This is simply because it is not fair to those who do volunteer to be the continuous supporting body for those who do not volunteer. This situation causes burn-out in our active members and eventually they too become inactive members.

What are the differences between an Associate, Individual and Family memberships?
All memberships enjoy all the privileges of the VCNC except for the fact that Associate members are precluded from holding office or voting on club business. As an Individual or Family member you should be prepared for an annual commitment to attend meetings to vote on club business and to volunteer to help with one or more club functions. As an Associate member, you are welcome to attend any and all meetings and are encouraged to help with one or more club functions.

However, as an Associate member, your commitment to attend club meetings is not expected. Only you can decide which participation level is right for you or your family. Personal schedules today are very hectic, especially if you or your children are involved in other activities. If this is the case, becoming an Associate member provides you with the opportunity to attend any or all functions without the pressure of additional personal commitment. But if you do have the spare time, we welcome you with open arms. No matter which membership option you select, we look forward to seeing you at club meetings and events.

how to apply for membership

Download membership packet (DOC - 39 KB)

Associate Membership

To become an Associate Member you simply complete the above Application for Membership form and check the box "Associate". You then write a check for the amount of $20.00 made payable to "VCNC" and mail it to the treasurer along with the completed form. Upon completion of processing your newsletter subscription will begin promptly with the next issue.

Individual/Family Membership

To become an Individual or Family member you simply complete the Application for Membership form and check the box "Individual" or "Family" type. You then write a check in the amount of $20.00 or $25.00 made payable to "VCNC" and mail it back to the treasurer along with the completed form. Upon completion of processing you will begin receiving the newsletter.

The next step for Individual/Family memberships is attendance at two club meetings where business is conducted. Please note that not all club functions are also club meetings. The Vizsla - Letter will inform you where and when the meetings will take place and if there is a change in the meeting date or location.

Once you have attended one meeting, you are eligible to be voted into the club at a subsequent meeting. Affirmative votes of three-quarters (3/4) of the voting members present and voting (providing there is a quorum) at said meeting are required to elect the applicant. Upon being voted in, I will mail you a letter informing you of your new status.

Change in Membership Type

To change from Associate membership to Individual /Family membership or vice versa you should simply contact Catherine Pokorny for an explanation of available options.

membership dues

Membership-dues are now $25 family (with voting privilege), $20 single (with voting privilege), and $20 associate (without voting privilege). Make checks payable to VCNC and send to the Club Treasurer:

Jamie Menasco
VCNC Club Treasurer
194 Strentzel Lane
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 370-1808
treasurer@vcnc.net

contact membership

For further questions, contact the Membership Chair:

Catherine Pokorny
membership@vcnc.net