How do you join a club, and what are the benefits of being in one?
Clubs have different membership rules. Usually you have to attend a certain number of meetings and volunteer to work a certain number of events. Then you have to get one or more members to sponsor you.
Advantages:
1. Getting a say in the direction a club takes. Although it has not been without its challenges, the Columbine State Poodle club has a good balance of interests. We hold a Specialty Show w/Obedience, a very well attended, 2 day All Breed Agility trial, an All Breed Tracking Trial, a Working Retriever Certification and we have sponsored "Meet the Breed" forums at the big Denver dog show for the last two years.
2. Breeder referral. Before the Internet became so big, this was one way breeders got the word out that they had puppies.