GLOBAL FELINE ALLIANCE
Frequently Asked Questions – August 2020
Is there really a need for yet another Cat Organization? Are there not enough in the world?
This is not yet another Cat Organisation – it is an alliance of already existing organisations acknowledging each other and hopefully working together and supporting each other, while remaining independent in their own affairs and no official body controlling or interfering with the running of the organisation.
Is GFA competing with any other Cat Organisation?
No, GFA is merely an alliance where any existing Feline organisation can be acknowledged internationally and where mutual recognition and co-operation is voluntary. It does not replace any existing organisation.
How much does it cost to be listed as an associate?
There are no costs, as there are very little expenses. The expense of the website and logo design were sponsored by a club. If the alliance develops and there are additional expenses in the future, it would hopefully be covered by donations from associates.
Who is in control?
Nobody is in control. Each associate is totally independent and decide how they run their own affairs. Each associate also decides if and how other associates and non-associates in the cat fraternity are recognised and associated.
Who runs the GFA – who takes the responsibility?
The GFA is not run by a board or officials. Associates decide if they want to be listed and apply to the volunteer team who manages the website only.
What happens if there is an associate listed that our organisation does not agree with, or has a bad reputation?
Associates are only obliged to acknowledge the existence of all other listed associates. Acknowledgement does not mean that their registered pedigrees, show titles, judges, etc. have to be recognised. Every associate is independent and decides which other associates they accept and what they accept.
What is an associate?
An associate is a cat/feline organisation which functions legally in it’s own city, region, country, etc. It requested to be listed on the GFA website and is acknowledged by all other associates. Associates are not “members” of GFA, as there is no membership fee or formal application, nor a formal constitution or set of rules. Associates are not obliged to recognise or co-operate with all other associates, they are only obliged to acknowledge that all other associates exist.
Why should an organization be listed as a GFA associate?
It gives international recognition and hopefully there will be good co-operation and mutual recognition between associates. Associates may use the GFA logo when and wherever they want and may link to the website to indicate that they have international acknowledgement.
Are only Independent organisations allowed to be listed?
GFA was started with the Independent Clubs and Judges Guilds in mind, as they need International acknowledgement and co-operation the most. However, any cat/feline organisation may be listed as an associate. As this is not a formal club, federation or organisation with membership, it is unlikely to be against the rules of other organisations where clubs or judges are formally affiliated. The club/organization still follows the defined constitution and rules as before and there is no threat to their governing body.
Will WCC affiliated organisations be accepted?
Each affiliate decides which other organisation they co-operate with and accept. So, there is no reason why all WCC organisation, registered pedigrees, show titles, judges, etc. should not be accepted, unless an affiliate has a policy of not accepting them. There is no obligation either way. The same goes for non-WCC umbrella organisations. The entire organisation’s clubs, etc. may be accepted, or only individual clubs. Each affiliate makes their own decision.
Under what circumstances will an associate be removed?
The reasons to remove an associate from the GFA published list include:
What can a listed associate do when it has evidence of exhibition fraud, pedigree fraud or errors or other unethical behavior by another listed associate.
The affiliate should take up the matter directly with the other associate and try to solve it amicably. If not possible, the associate may then stop recognizing registered pedigrees, show titles, etc. of the transgressor.
What show standards will be used?
Each of the listed associates decide according to what show standard cats are judged at it’s shows and also what style of show they present. Acknowledgement of title certificates and show titles would be a natural selection between affiliates with the same standard, style of show, classes, etc. This goes for cat clubs and judges guilds.
Which language will be used?
English is the most common language understood in the global cat fraternity. The website is therefore in English. As with everything else, individual associates use the language of their choice for their registered pedigrees, shows, etc. It is would, however be courteous if a pedigree or other certificate is provided in English, if requested by a fellow associate.
Which judges will be accepted?
Once again, each associate decides independently which judges will be accepted. Based on this, other associates decide if the show titles awarded are accepted or not.
How will judges be trained?
Judges are trained as they have always been, either by the registering organisations they are affiliated with, or the judges guild to which they are affiliated, or independently. Each associate decides independently whether they accept the training of a particular judge, or not.
Are companies allowed to be listed?
No, commercial companies are not intended to be an amateur/hobby organisation. GFA is an alliance of voluntary, amateur, hobby organisations and not a commercial venture.
Further questions and answers will be added as they are received.
Frequently Asked Questions – August 2020
Is there really a need for yet another Cat Organization? Are there not enough in the world?
This is not yet another Cat Organisation – it is an alliance of already existing organisations acknowledging each other and hopefully working together and supporting each other, while remaining independent in their own affairs and no official body controlling or interfering with the running of the organisation.
Is GFA competing with any other Cat Organisation?
No, GFA is merely an alliance where any existing Feline organisation can be acknowledged internationally and where mutual recognition and co-operation is voluntary. It does not replace any existing organisation.
How much does it cost to be listed as an associate?
There are no costs, as there are very little expenses. The expense of the website and logo design were sponsored by a club. If the alliance develops and there are additional expenses in the future, it would hopefully be covered by donations from associates.
Who is in control?
Nobody is in control. Each associate is totally independent and decide how they run their own affairs. Each associate also decides if and how other associates and non-associates in the cat fraternity are recognised and associated.
Who runs the GFA – who takes the responsibility?
The GFA is not run by a board or officials. Associates decide if they want to be listed and apply to the volunteer team who manages the website only.
What happens if there is an associate listed that our organisation does not agree with, or has a bad reputation?
Associates are only obliged to acknowledge the existence of all other listed associates. Acknowledgement does not mean that their registered pedigrees, show titles, judges, etc. have to be recognised. Every associate is independent and decides which other associates they accept and what they accept.
What is an associate?
An associate is a cat/feline organisation which functions legally in it’s own city, region, country, etc. It requested to be listed on the GFA website and is acknowledged by all other associates. Associates are not “members” of GFA, as there is no membership fee or formal application, nor a formal constitution or set of rules. Associates are not obliged to recognise or co-operate with all other associates, they are only obliged to acknowledge that all other associates exist.
Why should an organization be listed as a GFA associate?
It gives international recognition and hopefully there will be good co-operation and mutual recognition between associates. Associates may use the GFA logo when and wherever they want and may link to the website to indicate that they have international acknowledgement.
Are only Independent organisations allowed to be listed?
GFA was started with the Independent Clubs and Judges Guilds in mind, as they need International acknowledgement and co-operation the most. However, any cat/feline organisation may be listed as an associate. As this is not a formal club, federation or organisation with membership, it is unlikely to be against the rules of other organisations where clubs or judges are formally affiliated. The club/organization still follows the defined constitution and rules as before and there is no threat to their governing body.
Will WCC affiliated organisations be accepted?
Each affiliate decides which other organisation they co-operate with and accept. So, there is no reason why all WCC organisation, registered pedigrees, show titles, judges, etc. should not be accepted, unless an affiliate has a policy of not accepting them. There is no obligation either way. The same goes for non-WCC umbrella organisations. The entire organisation’s clubs, etc. may be accepted, or only individual clubs. Each affiliate makes their own decision.
Under what circumstances will an associate be removed?
The reasons to remove an associate from the GFA published list include:
- By request from the associate’s board.
- When the organisation ceases to exist.
- If a complaint is presented by another associate with proof that the organization was found guilty of illegal behaviour by a court with the appropriate jurisdiction.
What can a listed associate do when it has evidence of exhibition fraud, pedigree fraud or errors or other unethical behavior by another listed associate.
The affiliate should take up the matter directly with the other associate and try to solve it amicably. If not possible, the associate may then stop recognizing registered pedigrees, show titles, etc. of the transgressor.
What show standards will be used?
Each of the listed associates decide according to what show standard cats are judged at it’s shows and also what style of show they present. Acknowledgement of title certificates and show titles would be a natural selection between affiliates with the same standard, style of show, classes, etc. This goes for cat clubs and judges guilds.
Which language will be used?
English is the most common language understood in the global cat fraternity. The website is therefore in English. As with everything else, individual associates use the language of their choice for their registered pedigrees, shows, etc. It is would, however be courteous if a pedigree or other certificate is provided in English, if requested by a fellow associate.
Which judges will be accepted?
Once again, each associate decides independently which judges will be accepted. Based on this, other associates decide if the show titles awarded are accepted or not.
How will judges be trained?
Judges are trained as they have always been, either by the registering organisations they are affiliated with, or the judges guild to which they are affiliated, or independently. Each associate decides independently whether they accept the training of a particular judge, or not.
Are companies allowed to be listed?
No, commercial companies are not intended to be an amateur/hobby organisation. GFA is an alliance of voluntary, amateur, hobby organisations and not a commercial venture.
Further questions and answers will be added as they are received.