IWCA Membership
IWCA
Membership Chair
Carole Silverthorne
4550 State Street Road
Skaneateles, NY 13152
540-454-3364
membership@iwclubofamerica.org
Associate Membership Application
Welcome to the world of Irish Wolfhounds!
The Irish Wolfhound Club of America is the AKC's only recognized parent club for the Irish Wolfhound. Because you've come to the membership page, you are probably thinking about joining the club. Perhaps a pre-quiz is in order:
Do you have a towel by your chair in the living room to stave off wet beards?
Do you have a permanent paw print on the top of your foot?
Did you buy a king-size bed so there would be room for the dog?
If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, please continue . . .
As a member of the IWCA you will have the opportunity to help support the principles and goals of the club to include, health studies that benefit our breed, rescue efforts that insure all wolfhounds have a forever home and unique educational opportunities for all members.
Still unsure, perhaps another little quiz:
Do you wish you had a dollar for every question that has the word "saddle" in it?
Did you buy a bigger vehicle to transport your dog?
Is over 3/4 of the space on your electronic devices dedicated to close-up pictures of noses?
If you answered yes to at least two of these questions, please read on . . .
As a member of the IWCA, you will be part of an amazing group of like-minded individuals that have the breed's, and your, best interests at heart. You will have the expertise handed down from generations of breeders and owners who can assist you with any questions you may have. You will be afforded educational opportunities from what to do if your dog has pneumonia to how to keep your dog neat and tidy. You will also receive the award-winning club magazine, The Harp and Hound.
Still thinking about it; last chance . . .
Can you say no to those eyes?
Would you trade them for any other breed in the world?
Could you ever live without one (or two) again?
If you answered no to at least two of these questions, then perhaps you should consider filling out an application.
To join the IWCA, complete the Associate Membership Application or Active Membership Application, as appropriate.
Associate Membership Application
The IWCA offers three types of memberships, open to all who are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and who subscribe to the purposes of this Club:
Active Membership is open to residents of the USA, eighteen years of age and older. Active members are eligible to vote and hold office, receive the club publication Harp and Hound, invitations to all Club events and are eligible to compete for all membership awards. Active membership is also open to non-residents of the USA with the single proviso that non-resident members are not eligible to hold office in the Club. It is desirable for those applying for Active Membership be an Associate Member for at least two years.
Associate Membership is open to all persons, regardless of residence, eighteen years of age and older. Associate Members shall enjoy all privileges of Active Membership, but shall not be eligible to vote or hold office.
Junior Membership is open to all persons 10 to 18 years of age. Junior Members shall receive a subscription to Harp and Hound if they do not reside with an adult member of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America, and may enjoy all privileges of membership, except that they are not eligible to vote or hold office.
No, the IWCA offers individual memberships only. Memberships are non-transferable.
No, the IWCA does not offer subscriptions to the club magazine. The Harp and Hound is available through membership only.
The club bylaws allow for anyone to submit an Active membership application at anytime but club policy states “It is desirable for those applying for Active membership be an Associate member for at least two years”. The board of directors may offer you an Associate membership if you apply for Active and are not accepted.
The membership Chairperson will send you a letter, outlining the membership process and reiterating these FAQs. NOTE: If you do not receive a letter within 30 days of submitting your application, please contact the membership chairperson to confirm its arrival.
In accordance with the Club Bylaws, your name will be forwarded to the Secretary and the Harp and Hound editor for publication in the next general Club mailing or Harp and Hound for member comment. Those same pending applicants’ names, along with any member comments, are then presented to the Board of Directors for approval or rejection at the next Board meeting following the publication period. It can take up to 6 months or more, including the 30 day member comment period, before the application process can be completed.
No. Your application fee will be applied towards your membership dues if you are accepted. If not, your application fee will be refunded.
You will be notified by the Membership Chairperson once your application has been voted on by the Board of the IWCA. You will receive a notification letter and a complimentary copy of the Harp & Hound.
Club bylaws state that dues are “payable on or before the first day of January of each year.” “In November, the Treasurer shall send to all members a statement of his dues for the ensuing year.” No membership privileges are afforded to those members while their dues remain unpaid.
This is covered in the bylaws under ARTICLE II: Membership: SECTION 4: Termination of membership, (b) by lapsing: “A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated, if such member’s dues remain unpaid 90 days after the first day of the fiscal year.” If the time frame extends beyond this 90 days, you must follow the application procedure in order to become a member again. This same section of the bylaws does make allowance for extraordinary circumstances as follows: “however, the Board may grant an additional 90 days of grace to such delinquent members in meritorious cases.” This is why it is very important for members to send their change of address to the club secretary.
The IWCA is now able to accept PayPal transactions made payable to the club through its PayPal account. This is the easiest method currently being used by foreign members, as dues are payable in US dollars only. There are additional service/transactions fees that must be added to the total amount paid in order to utilize this method of payment. Requirements for payment methods accepted by US banking institutions are listed for your convenience on the back of the dues notices each year.
By reapplying for the same type of membership status held before you lapsed.
This page was last updated 04/26/2022.