1999 Specialty:  The search for a show secretary for the 1999 Specialty is still underway.  There was discussion about the possibility of hiring a professional organization to run the Specialty; however, it was determined that the cost was too high to justify.

Nominations / Elections:  A motion was made and approved to require 30 signatures for nominations from the membership.

Installation of New Officers:  After additional discussion regarding the start date for new officers being changed to January 1 (rather than December 1) to allow more time for a smoother transition between the previous board and the new board elected in November, a motion was made, seconded, and approved to amend our bylaws to change the installation of new officers to January 1.

Supported Entry:  The board approved the request to sponsor a supported entry at The Moberly, MO, Kennel Club show on October 9 & 10, 1999 (the weekend prior to our national specialty).  The Club Events Committee is currently in contact with that club.

Breeder Referral:  The Breeder Referral Network (now Breeder Directory) is being reorganized.  Davida Dzierla, the chair, has proposed a breeder code of ethics to which breeders must agree to maintain their listing.  The code has been reviewed by the board and sent to both the Ethics and Health Committees for further discussion and comments.  After these committees have reported back to the board, the code will be published and member comments solicited before it is sent to the membership for a vote.

Canadian Kennel Club:  On behalf of the BCSA, Richard Whorton has sent a letter to the board members of the CKC respectfully requesting that they consider allowing Border Collies to compete in all CKC sponsored events.  The letter further states that the BCSA strongly supports related proposals put forth by the Border Collie Club of Canada and that we feel exclusion of Border Collies is against the continued well-being of the breed in North America and a detriment to all canine sports in general.

Border Collie Store:  It was suggested and agreed that a Border Collie Store be created with the majority of the proceeds going to rescue.  A request for a volunteer to take on this task will be published in the next issue of Borderlines.

Specialty Judges:  In an upcoming mailing, BCSA members will be asked to submit suggestions for judges (all events) for the 2000 Specialty.

Herding Chair:  Claudia Frank was nominated and voted in as the new herding chair.  She will assume her new responsibilities on February 1, 1999.

Rescue:  Once BCSA's involvement in rescue is determined and approved, Robyn Powley suggested that a separate account be set up for BC rescue and the appropriate tax status filed for.

Bounced Checks:  It was noted that several checks (including some for entries) sent in for the 1998 Specialty bounced.  A bounced check does not constitute a valid entry, so a determination must be made as to whether anyone who bounced a check did in fact exhibit in any of the Specialty's events.

Lost Checks:  It was reported by Bob Tainsh that between $150 and $200 in checks from the micro-chip and eye clinic have been lost and that he is out-of-pocket for his expenses in buying the microchips.  The checks were sent to him via regular mail, but there is no record of who had checks in that mailing.

Credit Cards:  It was suggested and agreed upon that the BCSA should accept credit cards for purchases.  This would be especially advantageous for the Specialty, and BCSA could also accept credit cards for rescue donations.  Robyn Powley is investigating the costs related to accepting credit cards.

Membership Applications:  Robyn Powley requested that all membership applications (or copies thereof) be sent to her for her files in order to fulfill her duties as treasurer as outlined by the bylaws.  The board agreed this should be done for the upcoming member vote on policy issues and bylaw changes.  Copies are being prepared by the Membership Chair, Karen Rabbitt, and forwarded to Robyn.  Once the amendments to the bylaws regarding membership duties are voted on, this will no longer be necessary.

It was also recommended that the membership application be revised to reflect a need for two signatures (instead of one) for household memberships.

New Member Welcome Packet:  Karen Rabbitt suggested the membership cards issued each year serve no purpose.  She recommended, and it was approved by the board, that we discontinue their use.

Also sent with the new member welcome packet is a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws, Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, AKC standard, current issue of Borderlines, versatility requirements, information on the different committees and what they are striving for, "What Type of Pets Do BC's Make?", BC's Buyer's Guide, and the membership roster.  There was discussion that potential members should receive and read a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Mission Statement, and AKC standard before they submit their application.  Additionally, since it is assumed those applying for membership already have a Border Collie, it probably serves no purpose to send them the two brochures ("What Type of Pets Do BC's Make?" and BC's Buyer's Guide).

Tentative Specialty Schedule:  The following tentative schedule for the 1999 Specialty was submitted:

 Monday through Thursday:  Beginning Herding Clinics
 Tuesday through Thursday:  Herding Trial/Tests
 Thursday evening:  Puppy Sweepstakes and Junior Showmanship
 Friday:  Breed, Herding Instinct Test, Tracking Test, and Agility Clinic
 Friday evening:  Banquet & Annual Meeting
 Saturday:  Reg. Breed (what is this?)
 Saturday and Sunday:  Agility and Obedience Trials
 Sunday:  Grooming/Handling Clinic

Board Business:  A recent letter to Borderlines expressed a feeling that the board is not open enough to the membership.  The board is still analyzing how to better include the membership in discussions and decisions.  An addition to BCSA's website was recently made to keep members abreast of board discussions and recommendations.

National Specialty Locations:  A club member suggested a location for a future Specialty.  The board has turned this over to the Club Events Committee who will work to establish a policy regarding how, who, and where we have our national specialties.

Special Awards:  In addition to her responsibilities for the Registry of Merit program, Nancy Keller was asked, and she agreed, to take on the additional responsibility of Special Awards.  Nancy has asked Kay Gutzeloff (original Special Awards Chair) to act as a consultant for the ROM committee and then join the committee as a full member sometime in June.

Advertising Policy:  It was suggested that PennHip scores be included as acceptable certification in lieu of OFA for both the litter/kennel ads and brag ads in Borderlines.  The board voted on and approved this change. Additionally, to be consistent with the requirements of OFA whereby dogs cannot be certified until they are two years old and, with the recommendation in our club's code of ethics that dogs under the age of two not be bred, it was agreed that PennHip scores will not be accepted on dogs under the age of two for litter/kennel ads.  They will, however, be accepted for brag ads.  This proposal is being sent out to the membership for comment and a vote.

Other:

 – Each committee has been asked to submit to the board by February a membership list, duties assigned to each member, a list of goals for the next six months, a yearly budget, proposed job description change, a 4th Quarter report to be published in Borderlines, and a list of committees that will be coordinated over the next six months and what issues those committees will be addressing.

The following new members have been voted on and approved by the board:

Kathleen Moore
1225 Willow Dr,
Norco, CA  91760
909-734-3185
kmoore3@earthlink.net

Mary Kay Grahn
551 John King Rd.
Crestview, FL  32539
850-683-9409
chaos@cyou.com

Kimberly Anderson
RR 5 Site 32 Box 23
Prince Albert, SK  S6V5R3
306-761-1974
plumk@sk.sympatico.ca

Jaime, Terry, and Greg Jackson
690 E Patriot Blvd., #299
Reno, NV 89511
702-853-1629
Jacksonjl@earthlink.net

Rommel & Sheri Wantanabe Guzman
95-668 Wikao St. J-102
Mililani, HI  96789
808-623-0112
guzman@gte.net

John C. Sterling, Sr.
5918 LaTijera Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA  90056-1735
323-294-2128 or 323-295-6761
sdes@idt.net

Jim New
PO Box 198
Risco, MO  62874
573-396-5730
 

David & Kathie Hart
RR1 Box BO  Juniper Heights
Livermere BC, Canada  VOA-1KO
250-342-2013
hartinv@rockies.net

Pat King
4579 Highway 93
Darby, MT  59829
406-821-3591
MyBCs@webtv.net

Mary Ann Petsick
22108 Riverside Dr.
Elkhorn, NE  68022
402-289-0909  MaryAPets@aol.com

Antionette & Keith Walker
7907 Genery Trail
McCalla, AL  35111
205-477-4723

Teresa & John (Jack) Martin
300 S. Oak Ridge Dr.
Enterprise, AL  36330
334-393-9487
tamartin@ala.net

Sandra Storbeck
3729 C. Ave. Ext.
Alburnett, IA  52202
319-398-8021
storbeck@netins.net or sstorbeck@aegonUSA.com

Constance Brannen
101 Song Sparrow Run
Nicholasville, KY  40356
606-296-0010
crawdaddyacres@mindspring.com

Dan O'Keefe (Lynn O'Keefe - member since 1994)
1514 W. Wood
Decatur, IL  62522
(217) 422-1903

Robert Williams Jr.  (Mary Mac Gardner - member since 1997)
900 Solar Rd., NW
Albuquerque, NM  87107
505-345-2643