The By-laws of the GSDCA provide as follows: "SECTION 3. Application for and Election to Membership. (a) Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as provided by the Board of Directors. This form shall provide that the applicant agrees to abide by the By-Laws of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and by the rules of the American Kennel Club. The prospective member shall submit payment for the Club's current year's dues with his application to the Club Treasurer. The names of the applicants shall be published in The German Shepherd Dog Review (Review) as soon as possible after the receipt of their application. The applicant will receive a letter granting the applicant all privileges of the Club, except the right to vote. Thirty (30) days following the publication of the Review magazine in which the name of the applicant is listed, the applicant will be granted the right to vote, provided no written objection has been filed with the Membership Chairman. If an objection is filed, a hold will be placed on such person's application pending expeditious investigation and a report will be submitted within forty-five (45) days to the Board of Directors by the Membership Chairman, for appropriate action by the Board." Actually, this is a very reasonable approach - it allows for an inclusive approach for newcomers to the breed and to the fancy, but at the same time, by requiring that the names of applicants be published in the Review and providing a mechanism for those who, on seeing the publication believe they have a basis to object, provides flexibility to investigate and refer to the Board the applications of those people to whose applications objections were filed. If you object to an applicant, you have the right, as a GSDCA member, to file a written objection with the Membership Chairman. Margy Golant ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2006. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - URL temporarily deleted due to AOL issues ============================================================================