American Working Malinois Association

Below are some of the most common questions pertaining to membership in the AWMA. Please review this section before contacting the Membership Chair. If you have checked the below list and still have questions, please contact the Membership Chair Dana Williams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• When does my membership expire? 

Memberhip with the American Working  Malinois Association runs from June 1 to June 1, per the AWMA By-laws.

• When will I receive my AWMA renewal notice?

Per the AWMA By-Laws, renewal notices will be sent by mail starting May 1.

• I did not receive a notice to renew my membership, why not?

Renewal notices may not have been received due to a change of address or illegible handwriting on the membership application. If you are not receiving your renewal notices, please contact the membership chair via e-mail to verify the reason why.

• I ordered apparel with my membership renewal, why have I not received it yet?

Apparel purchases that are sent in with the AWMA are done via an embroidery shop. Apparel orders go out when we have collected several and can take several weeks or more to receive the merchandise. For questions regarding your apparel purchases, please contact John Wiitanen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• I have a trial to enter, can I expediate my membership application?

Memberships typically go out every 2-3 weeks but can go out faster or slower due to competitions or other life events. If you need your membership faster, please indicate on the outside of the envelope and we will try to accomodate as best we can. The AWMA is entirely volunteer based so sometimes it is not possible to send out memberships on very short notice.

• I need a scorebook and a membership, can I submit both together?

No. Membership applications need to go to the membership chair and scorebooks need to go to the Secretary. Simply put "pending" on your scorebook application and the Secretary will contact the Membership Chair for the number when it is available. Membership applications sent to the Secretary may be delayed or lost in the process, so please be sure you are submitting your paperwork to the proper place.

• I want to enter the AWMA National Championship, do I have to be a member to enter?

Yes, all entrants to the AWMA National Championship MUST have a current membership prior to the close of entries. Entrants who wait until the last minute may not get their applications processed in time so please enter well in advance of the championships. The AWMA Championship is held every year between September/December so be sure to submit well in advance so there are no problems entering.

• I just got a Belgian Malinois, why should I support the AWMA by joining?

The AWMA is an organization devoted entirely to the working characteristics of the Belgian Malinois breed. We have low yearly membership dues and all the monies from membership dues help expand programs that directly benefit the working Belgian Malinois. For example, in addition to covering the general expenditures of running the organization, monies are donated every year to help the FCI team members, FMBB team members, the host club for the National Championship, trophy sponsorships for other large competitions, etc. By joining the American Working Malinois Association you will be supporting the growth and recognition of the working Belgian Malinois in the United States.