Director of Decoy’s Description of Duties
The NARA Director of Decoys (DOD) must be a NARA member in good standing and an active decoy at the time of appointment, who shall be appointed and approved by the Board of Directors. The DOD will be on a probationary period of not less than 9 months. This probationary period may be extended if warranted by the Board of Directors. During such persons term in the capacity of DOD he/she is to direct and control the activities of all NARA Select Decoys. He/she shall act as a leader and role model for current and aspiring decoys of NARA.

1. The DOD will maintain a file of all former and current NARA decoys as well as those attempting certification. This file shall be a duplicate of the file kept by the NARA Secretary who will provide the DOD all copies of sheets pertaining to decoys. This file will include copies of the decoy's test(s), proof of health clearances and tetanus, decoy selection sheet(s), decoys assessment sheet(s), current copies of decoys log books in their entirety, any complaints filed by or against a decoy, and any other information considered necessary by the Secretary and DOD.

2. The DOD has the option to appoint a Decoy Committee if he/she feels the need. The committee, if one is desired, will include one active decoy from each zone. Each decoy chosen by the DOD must be a NARA member in good standing. The committee does not have to be voted on by the Board of Directors, but committee member’s names will be presented to the Board in writing for informational purposes.

3. The DOD should contact each NARA decoy on a regular basis via telephone, mail, or email. (Monthly minimum recommended)

4. The DOD must deliver the decoys ideas and opinions on current issues directly pertaining to decoying to the Board on a regular basis. If a decoy has an issue that is not specifically decoy related, the issue and/or problem should be referred to the decoys Zonal Representative.

5. The DOD must work with and inform the Board of Directors on all matters decoy related.

6. Protocol for Decoy Performance Review:

Part One – Regarding Formal Complaints about Rules Infractions

First Offense: Any decoy that is verbally reprimanded, written up on his/her Decoy Assessment sheet by a Judge during a trial, or has a formal complaint from a competitor/handler submitted against him/her*, will be immediately placed under investigation. A Judge may also submit a written summary of the alleged infraction(s) in writing directly to the Director of Decoys (DOD), or a member of the Board of Directors (BOD).

During the investigation period, the Decoy will immediately be placed on a hold status and not be allowed to Decoy any trials, or teach at any NARA Approved seminars until the investigation period is over. The time allotted for the investigation shall not exceed 30 days.

The investigation shall consist of a review of all possible evidence by the DOD, including, but not limited to: Review of any video footage made available, and personal conversations with any members present at the time of the alleged infraction(s). The BOD MAY also review said evidence if it is deemed necessary and prudent to do so.

If the allegations are found to have no merit, the Decoy will be immediately released from his/her hold status and will be free to trial & teach seminars as usual.

Once the investigation period is complete the DOD will present a written assessment and proposal to the BOD as to the findings and any action to be taken. The Board of Directors must be consulted with, and give consent via majority vote, before any action is taken against a Decoy for any reason. This Protocol assumes the compliance of the BOD with the ‘hold status’ of a Decoy under investigation.

If the DOD and BOD find the Decoy responsible for the rule(s) infraction(s) as long as there was no danger to the dog(s), the Decoy shall receive a Formal Letter of Reprimand. One copy of the letter shall be issued to the Decoy, and the original shall be placed in the Decoy’s NARA File. He/she will then be placed on probation until he/she has officiated in another trial.

If the next trial in which the Decoy officiates is completed without issue, the Decoy shall be released from the probationary status.

Second Offense (within 12 months of the date of the first): If the DOD & BOD find the Decoy responsible for further rule(s) infraction(s), as long as there was no danger to the dog(s), the Decoy will incur a 3 month suspension with a 6 month probation period immediately following.

Third Offense (within 12 months of the date of the first): A third offense will result in a 6 month suspension from all trials and NARA Approved seminars, and forfeiture of the Decoy Book. The decoy must recertify at the end of the suspension to become eligible for trials again.

*The following shall constitute a Formal Complaint: A competitor/handler/member may file a Formal Complaint against a Decoy by submitting a summary of the alleged infractions to the DOD or a member of the BOD. The complaint must be signed and notarized to prove the authenticity of the complainant.

Part two – Regarding Formal Complaints Involving Endangering the Dog
First Offense: Any decoy that is verbally reprimanded, written up on his/her Decoy Assessment sheet by a Judge during a trial, or has a formal complaint from a competitor/handler submitted against him/her* involving endangering the dog(s), will be immediately placed under investigation. A Judge may also submit a written summary of the alleged infraction(s) in writing directly to the DOD, or a member of the BOD.

During the investigation period, the Decoy will immediately be placed on a hold status and not be allowed to Decoy any trials, or teach at any NARA Approved seminars until the investigation period is over. The time allotted for the investigation shall not exceed 30 days.

The investigation shall consist of a review of all possible evidence by the DOD, including, but not limited to: Review of any video footage made available, and personal conversations with any members present at the time of the alleged infraction(s). The BOD MAY also review said evidence if it is deemed necessary and prudent to do so.

If the allegations are found to have no merit, the Decoy will be immediately released from his/her hold status and will be free to trial & teach seminars as usual.

Once the investigation period is complete the DOD will present a written assessment and proposal to the BOD as to the findings and any action to be taken. The Board of Directors must be consulted with, and give consent via majority vote, before any action is taken against a Decoy for any reason. This Protocol assumes the compliance of the BOD with the ‘hold status’ of a Decoy under investigation.
If the allegations are found to have merit the Decoy will be suspended for 3-6 months depending on the severity of the action. After the suspension the decoy will be on a 6 month probation period or until he/she has completed his/her first trial with a positive assessment from the Judge.

Second Offense (within 12 months of the date of the first): If the DOD & BOD find the Decoy responsible for endangering a dog a second time he/she will forfeit their Decoy Book and be suspended for a period of not less than 1 year from the date of the Second Offense. The decoy must recertify at the end of the suspension to become eligible for trials again.

*The following shall constitute a Formal Complaint: A competitor/handler/member may file a Formal Complaint against a Decoy by submitting a summary of the alleged infractions to the DOD or a member of the BOD. The complaint must be signed and notarized to prove the authenticity of the complainant.

7. The DOD shall receive all requests for approval of decoys in NARA sanctioned trials from the Secretary. The DOD will respond back to the Secretary within 5 days as to the current standing of requested decoys. If the DOD does not approve a decoy for a trial, the DOD must notify the Secretary, the decoy in question as well as the club requesting authorization as to the reason(s) why the request has been denied.

8. All requests from members regarding information pertaining to the performance and/or status of a NARA decoy shall go thru the DOD.

9. The DOD should offer any assistance in helping current and aspiring decoys in their Ring endeavors.

10. The DOD shall be required 60 days prior to the NARA Championships, to put together all the information necessary for the Decoy of the Year nominations. Once the nominations are received, the DOD will then be required to send out the ballots for voting or make arrangements for Decoy of the Year Selection as required. He/She will also be required to contact the present Decoy of the Year to make arrangements for the return of the plaque for the next Decoy of the Year. The DOD shall also put in a budget request to the Board of Directors for the purchase of the trophy that stays with each years winning decoy.

11. The DOD understands that he/she may be removed from office for not performing the duties of said position to the satisfaction of the Board.

12. The DOD may be obliged to perform other duties as required by the President and/or the Board of Directors.