Frequently Asked Questions about
Membership in the Colonial Schipperke Club
| Do I have
to own a Schipperke to join? Membership in the
Colonial Schipperke Club is open to all Schipperke fanciers
regardless of whether or not their family currently
includes a Schipperke. Some of our members have a number
of furry family members, while others are waiting for
just the right Schipperke to come along and brighten
their lives. |
| Are there
any dues? Our members pay a
small amount for annual dues that helps to offset the
cost of the activities and events that the club sponsors.
The dues payment includes a subscription to the Schip
Scoop, the club's quarterly newsletter. |
| Can I learn
more about Schipperkes through the CSC? The Colonial Schipperke Club offers
our guests and members a number of opportunities to learn
more about Schipperkes. The club is a great way for
novices and veterans to network with individuals who are
involved in the many aspects of the breed: showing,
training, rescue, problem solving, food selection,
grooming, breeding, etc. Our meetings and events provide
an excellent arena for the sharing of information.
Additional information is available on a variety of
topics in our quarterly newsletter, The Schip Scoop.
Our summer SchipNic is geared towards the fun side of
Schipperkes, and includes activities and contests that
are designed to provide pleasant distractions for the
dogs and the humans. |
| What do I
have to do to join? Becoming a member of the club is much more than just filling out an application form ... membership is about continuous participation in club events and activities, and interaction with other members of the club. The Colonial Schipperke Club offers a wide variety of events during the course of the year to assist applicants in getting directly involved and getting to know many of our members. The Colonial Schipperke Club derives its strength and relevance from the direct participation of our members .... without such participation, the club could not endure. Membership in the Colonial Schipperke Club is a multi-step process that includes participation in club events and activities, meeting attendance, an application form, and two Sponsors. If you are totally new with the club, it may require some time before you are well-known enough to identify your two sponsors. You are welcome to participate in club activities as a non-member, and then submit your application for membership once you have two Sponsors. Download more specific information about our membership process. The membership process
begins with your participation in a club event and/or attendance at one of our general
meetings. After you have established a relationship with the club and
our membership, you will be asked to submit an application form
together with a check for the application fee. Your two
Sponsors will sign your application form. Your
application will be put before the membership for
approval at our next general meeting. |
| Can I
Attend Your Events Without Joining the Club? Yes. All of our events and
activities are open to non-members. Just contact the
Secretary for information. |
| I don't
show my Schipperke. Can I still join? Membership in the
CSC is open to everyone who loves and appreciates
Schipperkes. The club sponsors events and activities that
appeal to the broad range of interests of all of our
members in the areas of recreation, rescue, performance,
and conformation. The broad spectrum of interests and
talents among our members greatly enhances the diversity,
appeal, and fun offered by the Colonial Schipperke Club
to the Schipperke community in the mid-Atlantic area. |
| Can I join
if I don't live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area? All Schipperke fanciers are welcome to apply for membership in the Colonial Schipperke Club once they have fulfilled the basic requirements for application. If you live somewhat distant from the Washington, DC metropolitan area, some extra planning may be required so that you can attend one or more of our meetings and events. We hold a general meeting in conjunction with our all-day event, the SchipNic. This event allows our members and guests greater flexibility in arriving at the meeting location, in addition to offering the option to remain in the area overnight. If you think your location
would prevent you from fully participating in the CSC,
you might prefer to subscribe to our newsletter rather than seeking
membership. You can stay in touch with club events and news by
subscribing to our newsletter, the Schip Scoop.
All of our meetings and events are open to non-members,
so you would always be a welcome guest. |
| What are
the advantages of joining the club? Your membership and active participation in the Colonial Schipperke Club (CSC) assist the club and the entire Schipperke community in a number of ways. The primary mission of the club is to support the breed and to encourage interest in Schipperkes among the general public. We best achieve this mission through an active membership that participates in club events and activities in the greater Washington, DC area. The CSC actively supports Schipperke rescue through SchipperkeRescue.net, that serves as a safe haven for homeless, abused, and abandoned Schipperkes in the mid-Atlantic area. The CSC supports the rescue efforts of the Schipperke Club of America and other regional Schipperke clubs and independent organizations across the US and Canada. As a member of the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs & Breeders (VFDCB), the CSC joins with other breed clubs and kennel clubs to lobby in favor of legislation designed to put controls on puppy mills and backyard breeders to require humane treatment of animals. The CSC's involvement in performance events has sparked an interest in these events among our members and other Schipperke owners. Many of our former rescue and pedigreed Schipperkes compete in performance events such as Agility, Obedience, and Freestyle Dance. Many Schipperkes compete well in Agility Trials, which gives the general public the opportunity to see Schipperkes in action as they negotiate the obstacles and jumps in a competition. Participation in Performance competitions provides our members with the opportunity to achieve a variety of titles on dogs who would otherwise be coach-potatoes. Our support of AKC conformation shows gives our breeder-members the opportunity to validate their Schipperkes in pursuit of championship titles. The puppies that result from breeding quality stock serve as a future source of healthy, lovable furry friends who add joy and purpose to our lives. Overall, the CSC provides a
consistent and trustworthy umbrella under which
Schipperkes and humans can come together. Your membership
and active participation in the CSC assures that this
umbrella will be available for the next generation of
Schipperke lovers. |
If you have
any questions or require additional assistance, please
contact the
Secretary. |