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AKC DELEGATE
REPORT - CLAUDIA FRANK |
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Legislative Caucus - Sunday
California 1634 fight is over for the time being. The bill was pulled for 2007 and July 11th.
It will probably be an issue again in 2008
A flow chart demonstrated how the bill could be defeated at any one of 8 points along the way to being a law.
Every Republican voted against & some Democrates too
Workers identified districts that affected the legislators voting for the bill.
It was hard to determine exactly why legislators would change their vote.
1. There was massive participation
a. All clubs involved – WRITE LETTERS – personalize contacts (Use email only if time sensitive.)
b. MEET with representatives and/or staff
c. TEMPER emotions – no profanity
d. EDUCATE legislators against bad breeders/dogs
2. Encourage LOCAL spay/ neuter laws rather than State
Breed Specific Legislation – being fought in Minnesota & Florida
PETA – experts on “word of mouth” advertising – give seminars – send representatives to learn techniques
Power of population determined by legislators…. 1) constituents 2) registered voters 3) people that have voted
Establish get togethers for people that are like minded.
National Conferences (represents NAIA – all animals not just dogs) in Boston
17oo State Legislators attended
Be proactive – 1) emphasize the “celebration of animal / people bond”
2) Distribute AKC childrens education materials to schools & other youth organizations
3) Point out PETA’s political agenda in schools
4) Continually emphasize that BSL doesn’t work
13 booths dealing with animals
Animal Welfare – AVMA, AKC, NAIA, Ringling Brothers
Animal Rights – 9 booths – lots of presentations
No childrens welfare booths
Eye of Hurricane PETA – Toledo, OH
August 1st – Ohio State Supreme Court reversed its standings - Some evidence was missing
Court reconsidered the motion – “friend of the court” letters had an affect
Breed Specific Legislation being fought in Arkansas – Lair Brisbane
Evidence for “dog fighting drugs” – parvo-vaccine & heartworm preventative
Louisville, KY – Debbie Lair
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Group sued the town – held meeting without notifications
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Called upon Federal Civil Rights legislation
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No standard for dog care
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Keeps a group from having dogs
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Head of Metro Council is a Canadian citizen and not eligible for the job
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Get a good attorney – they must KNOW systems & people
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Attend “Mayors Night Out” to represent all animals
Albuquerque, NM
1. Dogs tied up would receive a citation
2. Dogs in run – run would not be big enough
Animal Welfare division runs the animal shelters
Fells Falls, VT (Chester)
Feral cat problem – 160 at shelter
Provided town with correct mandatory laws for spay/neuter for dogs & cats
Pennsylvania – Nina Schaeffer
State originated 61 pages of RULE changes
US Sportsman Alliance support made changes hard to become law
Changes were shown to be deficient and governor stepped back
Need coalition of many (not always like) groups
Made into anti-hunting issue by USSA
Why don’t we put up good bills before bad rules are presented?
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Provide sample bills
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PRO ACTIVE – think ahead of the curve
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Not everyone sees a problem
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Offer good laws first
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View HSUS Annual Report – well done report – lots of money – different aim for problems – not legislators
SHARE IDEAS –
Business cards – include affiliations & statement “Reponsible Dog Owner” on back of card
Know Lobby rules – do you need to register if paid? Or unpaid?
Make sure kennel clubs allow lobbys
Invite legislative officials to shows – Introduce them to club & provide an escort – situations with applause
Take photos & send to legislator with dogs & AKC logo or official.
Get photos donating money or supplies (flak jackets) to K9 police.
Recognize K9 Veterans on March 13th
AKC – PAC
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First step is in process – filing from FIC / 2. Results will be available in Dec.
“NEW YORKER” magazine ad – anti HSUS - Paid for by CASH – Center for Consumers – intent to reveal PETA & HSUS
Model dog laws - NATIONAL COMMISSION ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS –– formulated by AKC legal staff
H-E-C COMMITTEE - Sunday
Uniformity for performance club names (AKC cleanup& consistency) – Mike Liosis, AKC
AKC had requested single breed performance clubs to either –
1. add conformation (only 1 A Match would be required for a single breed club)
2. or change the name to reflect activity and remove breed
Currently there are 19 breed specific coursing clubs (18 came in under ASFA) & 8 breed specific herding clubs
No time limit – each club’s option – most Parent Clubs want some control over conformation clubs
Suggestions from committee
3. Add competition to the name
4. Allow ASFA clubs to retain their names for 30 years
5. OR, just identify type of club in computer (breed or performance)
HEC Email Lists – 600 letters were sent out by AKC (200 clubs) – 200 invitations – 93 current members
GOAL – Find issues and reduce problems
Discussed ways to advertise list availability and benefits
Currently members seem evenly divided between sports
Herding Advisory Committee 2006 – about 90% done – next move to Carol Delsman
Coursing Advisory Committee – Almost through staff review
(Discovered that AKC has a template that they require for use. I requested the template and received it afew days after the meetings.)
Lure Coursing Forms – 3 part forms no longer available
JUDGES LIST on AKC web site – Charlie Kniefel, AKC - currently clean – everyone listed available for judging
Seminar participants indicate to seminar giver that they want to judge
Only qualified judges on the list – currently they only appear after they judge once
Application for judges starts with the seminar
Add other requirements - THEN application is completed & judge appears on the list
NEW Earthdog Title – 63% growth rate in 5 years
AKC Criteria for new events in the works (per Doug)
1) tests for new breeds 2) higher level of competency 3) attendance award (more of the same)
Performance events – only cover 25% of costs – new fees will make expense even
AKC shows = event cost + per entry cost (depends on size of event) – File all results electronically
CARTING / DRAFTING – Companion Events Dept. – Regulations nearly ready – breed specific
Ready early next year – April
Copy of rules available from Curt in Companion Events.
OBEDIENCE, TRACKING & AGILITY COMMITTEE - Sunday
CARTING/DRAFTING – need commitment from clubs to take to Board early in 2008 – questions directed to Curt
Rules will be available on web site. 30 basic breeds
Judges will be grandfathered in from other clubs
Judges – 10 assignments or 150 dogs provisional – apply for regular status & receive credit for all assignments
All Breed Club AKC Conference (similar to Parent Club Conference) – All breed clubs & companion animal clubs
No specific topics at this time – performance world doesn’t want to participate (??)
Payment ways: AKC paid – no expense / individual pays half / club pays all
Objective – unanimous support of all breed clubs & companion dog clubs – what they have in common
Provides information unavailable – for member clubs only
Letter would go out with Delegates’ Packets sent by mail all ready
Suggested topics – constitution & by-laws / fiscal responsibility
AKC On Line Entries – will be tested with the “National” show – trial results sent electronically
Committee meeting dates & times decided in the Coordinating Committee.
DELEGATE CAUCUS –Sunday
Larry Abbott case – American Maltese Club – embezzled funs – arrested
Amendment discussion – how to handled Directors that are no longer club delegates
This was postponed from the Delegate Meeting
Vacancies in the past were dealt with – continue same process
Single club can pull a director of the AKC – directors serve AKC no longer just single club
MINUTES – Verbatim for Delegate’s Portal (not for public viewing) – “GAZETTE” will print formal minutes.
Amateur owner/handler class – lots of discussion – very finteresting pros & cons
Days for meetings were set in 2005 as Sun/Mon & Mon/Tues in a straw vote – opinions can be sent in via mail
UNITED CANINE REGISTRIES – new organization – little benefit to AKC
BSL – other organizations provide better support than the AKC
MENTORS – for new delegates (I signed up to be one.)
PARENT CLUB COMMITTEE – Sunday
I was able to sit in on the last third of this meeting. The discussion was primarily with Robin Stansell regarding the increase in entry fees due to AKC.
DELEGATE FORUM – Monday
OVER COMING RADICAL ANIMAL ACTIVISTS – Patti Strand (NAIA & ODF Founder – began in 1989)
Animal Rights Activists - have media campaigns
1) images that vilifies breeders 2) claim breeders responsible for overpopulation 3) equate breeders to puppy mills
They have campaign elements for all & they are set up to be unchangeable – promote “antibreeding” workshops
(Similar to drunk driving & stop smoking campaigns)
Factual articles garner threatening responses – they use locals to instill fear
“Hijacking of the Humane Movement” –
GOALS - identify groups & issues
- - identify actual issues (engage with local humane groups)
- - regain leadership roles
- - educate public about animals (eliminate ignorance)
ALARM – animal liberation & animal rights – Peter Singer (cult like)
Want same rights for animals as people (WHO decides how animals are treated)
Lots of “antis” discourage breeding – based on poltical beliefs and not facts
PETA - Abolish all pet animals
- no purebreds
- only pets from shelters
- pet owners are guardians - movement has religious overtones
PETA, ALDF, Defense of Animals, HSUS, etc. give the impression of larger numbers –
actually only about 200 overlapping people.
Each new group is more radical – leaders more radical than followers
Followers aren’t aware of political agenda - #1 terrorist group by FBI
TACTICS: - Terrorism – end all use of animals
- Very planned
- Change belief in moderates
- Stay very civil in reaction
- use personal intimidation
How do they get away with it??
1. Tax exempt not for profit groups
2. Leaders do not condem violence
3. Justify murder
4. Recruit criminals from prison (advocate violence)
5. Oppose selective breeding (ALF)
CULT types of Animal Rights groups –
Have LOTS of money! – No positive product – put forth agenda
1. Conflict fund raisers
2. Identify problem for money making
3. Identify victim
4. Defame people & industry at will
What we can do!
1. Laws “animal law” is the promotion of animal rights
2. To AR only individuals are relavent – no species
3. To AR deficient people are the same as animals
4. To AR both animals & people have same moral value
Goal of AR is to rescue & adopt for pets – no animal ownership mentality
There isn’t anyone teaching “animal law” from the “animal” welfare side
We are in a propaganda war!
1. It is easy to accept simple lies
2. AR use bad or incorrect data & misinformation
3. “If their lips are moving they are lying.”
4. Front groups – media goes to them for comments
5. Magazines – encourage hate & reprisal
The REAL battle is to fight public opinion.
How do we fight?
1. Get involved in the community
2. Take personal action to lawmakers
3. Look at and fix problems
4. Become an expert
5. Forage alliances with other animal groups
6. Raise image in the community
7. Get involved with local sheltiers & animal control
8. Get to know the media
9. Promote contributions carefully
10. Chose words carefully
Emphaze that Shelters get pets not overpopulation – breeders are the good guys
Over population is a “pet retention” problem and not an over supply
Imported animals – based on 2 airports = 17,000 foreign bred dogs – 1 portal = 10,000 from Mexico
Refuges from streets and sheltiers
It is about CONTOL … who is in charge?
Humane relocation can bring in diseases – rabies
What do we do??
1. Promote AKC & dog breeders as good guys
2. RDO education – schools & publications
3. Check AKC web site for updates
4. Valuable dog clubs – promote & educate
5. NAIA – resource page – www.NAIAONLINE.ORG & NAIA TRUST
6. Get involved – personal action
7. Become an expert on animal issues
8. Promote a positive image of AKC, purebred dogs, the sport and your club
What is the legislative motivation to offer animal bills?
1. Want to be reelected
2. Think bill is good or is pushed by voter
3. Encourage rescue
Legislators go by phone calls – provide lots of calls
Partisan politics – give everyone the same information
1. Educate both sides
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Provide facts, statements & date – refute claims – use
graphs (“Shelter trends” on web site resource page)
It is hard to get media coverage
1. Rescue groups – owners of pets not responsible
2. Animal rights groups – right to life and reproduction
Form a Federation of State Clubs – KC network – proactive – serve as experts
Follow AR after meetings – have talking points ready
DELEGATES’ MEETING – Monday
(Complete Meeting Minutes - https://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/delegates_meeting/sept07.pdf)
STANDING COMMITTEE ELECTIONS – The H-E-C Committee was formed in 2002 I believe. Up until this year the there wasn’t an election for committee members. Self-nominated Delegates filled the positions. This year there was seven nominees for four positions. Unfortunately, there isn’t anyway for the voters to know the sport interests of the current committee members. On the slate there were four herding enthusiasts, one coursing and one earthdog. Each nominee was asked to submit a short bio and I didn’t realize the importance of stating ones history rather than ones current involvement and my bio looked rather anemic and noticeably short compared to the others. The ultimate result was that I didn’t get reelected to the committee for next year. I will however continue to attend the meetings, and provide BCSA input and try again next year with a more “competitive” bio.
Minutes - verbatim available to Delegates on web site – formal minutes will be printed in “Gazette”
Board Chairman Report – Ron Menneker
2006 1. took in 70 million dollars
2. Pension plan 100% funded
3. Operating reserve 32 million
4. Endowment reserve 22 million
5. AKC Health Foundation – 16 million
September Chairman’s Report - https://www.akc.org/about/chairmans_report/2007.cfm?page=9
August Chairman’s Report - https://www.akc.org/about/chairmans_report/2007.cfm?page=8
July Chairman’s Report - https://www.akc.org/about/chairmans_report/2007.cfm?page=7
CAR – advertising 20 million - AKC first call for diseaster – provide scholarships
Decline in AKC registrations – gape in show records – doesn’t pay for itself – more “pay to play” needed
President’s Report – Dennis Sprung
Two AKC activities planned – 9/15 Responsible Dog Owner Day & 9/29 AKC Educational Match
NEW – “not for profit” AKC HUMANE FUND – independent
1. Will allow proactivity
2. Makes deductions tax deductable
3. A membership with the AHF will be issued with each donation
4. CHF, CAR & Museum of the Dog –
5. 501c3 groups/clubs can be founding members
6. Donations will appear in the Hall of Fame
7. Will support Parent Club Rescue
Financial Results – https://www.akc.org/delegate/mailings/2007/aug17/18.pdf
Core income (9 million dollar loss) – registration, event fees & pedigree certificates
Non-core (11 million dollar surplus) – credit cards, licensing, pet insurance, sponsorship
Revenues – 8 million / Expenses – 18 million / Operating deficit – 10 million loss
First 7 months of 2007
1. A trend in annual entries increase
2. Investment success – long term view – up about 7%
AKC is dependent on alternate revenues
AKC Registrations are down
The alternate revenues & investments fluctuate.
Customer Satisfaction Survey
Will be done quarterly to measure progress – results reported on the AKC Executive Dash Board
Listen to voice of customer & improve customer satisfaction.
May 15-31, 2007 – 11.4% response / Aug. 13-24, 2007 – 14% response
80% female respondents
Canine Health Foundation (started 1995) – comment made about “drifting apart”
AKC wants more presents on CHF Board – 1/3 of Directors to be AKC Board members or employees
AKC provides a 1 million dollar endowment
AKC all ready plans to give 1-1/2 million in grants for 2008
VOTES:
Proposed Amendment to Article VII: Board of Directors Election, Meetings and Quorum was amended and moved to next meeting. This was in regards to whether a Director should remain in that position if the Club which originally made him a Delegate discontinues his services.
There were three changes in AKC’s Field Trial Rules that passed.
OTHER RELATED ITEMS:
“PERSPECTIVES: The Delegate’s Newsletter” (24 pages) - https://www.akc.org/delegate/mailings/2007/aug17/19.pdf
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – August 13-14, 2007 - https://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/board_minutes/0807.pdf
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – August Highlights - https://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3287
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – July 9-10, 2007 - https://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/board_minutes/0707.pdf
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – July Highlights - https://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3263
POSSIBLE ACTIONS:
1. Join NAIA & US Sportsman Alliance
2. Ask local government officials to give out event awards.
3. Print statement of appreciation on back of arm bands at National. Have participant sign it and send the stack with a cover letter to state governor or other government official.
4. Look into supporting canine war veterans.
5. Encourage affiliated clubs to get involved with local K9 police groups
6. Do we want to see BCs in carting?
7. “Wall of Honor” – donations for upcoming Humane Fund
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Page Updated 07.10.2008