The club is governed by a written constitution, last amended at the AGM of 4 October 2024. A copy is provided to every new member on joining and is available here as a summary, with the full PDF (unamended source of truth) linked at the foot of the page.
Clause 1 — Name
The club shall be known as the South West Norwegian Cat Club, abbreviated SWNCC.
Clause 2 — Objects
To bring together persons interested in the Norwegian Forest Cat; to promote the breed in accordance with the GCCF Breed Standard; to encourage responsible breeding and ownership; to organise an annual championship show; to publish a quarterly newsletter; and to uphold the principles of the GCCF Code of Ethics.
Clause 3 — Membership
Membership is open to any person resident in the United Kingdom who subscribes to the objects of the club and pays the current annual subscription, subject to the approval of the Membership Secretary and (in cases of doubt) the full committee.
Clause 4 — Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions are set by the committee and confirmed at the AGM. The current subscriptions are: Individual £25; Joint (two adults at the same address) £40; Life £250.
Clause 5 — Officers and committee
The officers of the club shall be the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Show Secretary and Membership Secretary. The committee shall consist of the officers plus up to five ordinary members, all elected annually at the AGM.
Clause 6 — Annual General Meeting
The AGM shall be held in October each year at a venue within the South West of England, with a minimum of twenty-eight days’ written notice to all members.
Clause 7 — Code of Ethics
All members are bound by the SWNCC Code of Ethics, which is appended to this constitution as Appendix A. A serious or repeated breach of the Code may result in suspension or expulsion, subject to the disciplinary procedure at Clause 10.
Clause 8 — The Annual Show
The club shall run a championship show in March each year at a venue within the South West of England. The Show Secretary shall be responsible for the organisation of the show under the oversight of the committee.
Clause 9 — The Newsletter
The Forest Gazette shall be published quarterly and distributed free of charge to every paid-up member.
Clause 10 — Disciplinary procedure
Any complaint against a member shall be referred in writing to the Secretary. The committee shall appoint a three-member panel to investigate. The member complained against shall have a full right of reply and a right of appeal to the AGM.
Clause 11 — Alteration of the constitution
The constitution may be altered only at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting, by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Clause 12 — Dissolution
In the event of dissolution, any residual funds shall be donated to a cat-welfare charity nominated by the final AGM.