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AKC DELEGATE
REPORT - CLAUDIA FRANK |
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Monday, March 10, 2008
9 am – 11:30 am - Herding – Earthdog – Coursing Committee
Judges’ Process has been reviewed for Coursing & Earthdog
New process for herding judges –
1. Judge goes to a AKC Herding Seminar
- They get an application w/criteria listed
- They take test & must pass
2. Applicant meets all citeria & has all needed areas signed off
3. Application is sent to AKC
4. New Performance judges will now appear once in the “Gazette” & on AKC web site
There are 14 Performance Sports & about 30 new judges each month.
Agility judges currently are not listed either in “Gazette”
A reminder sent to judge that a seminar was close to being needed was discussed.
It was felt that was the responsibility of judge & club hiring them. It is done in obedience.
It was suggested that Carol D or knowledgeable exhibitors offer ring side “mentoring” that would talk
about judging and performances while runs were being held.
Herding Advisory Committee Report by Gerard Baudet
1. There has been lots of AKC staff contact on the feasibility of the proposals that will be carried forward.
2. There are only about a dozen proposals that will be sent to AKC from several hundred received.
3. All but a couple proposals have been all ready reviewed with Carol D and Doug Lundgren.
4. The HAC DOES have input on judging qualifications.
- The committee was unaware of their impact on the judges’ qualifications.
- The 3 YEAR time frame is closest of any performance event. Committee will work to increase time &
get tests put on line with some seminars of a “hands on” nature
- There was a general discussion of judges’ education with the following comments –
There is a proposal for continuing education of conformation judges before the Board currently.
AKC is encouraging the use of web based learning. Persons with this technical expertise will be
encouraged to present their products to the AKC.
There are now “Advanced” seminars offered in by the Performance Dept.
Chat rooms for discussion of rules may be an option.
Lure Coursing Advisory Committee Report by Karen Arrands
The sport now has a National Lure Coursing Championship event – posted on web – Chapter 15
HEC Committee E-List moderated by Karen Aarands
No new or unexpected consequences have developed from the list.
Drafting & Carting – idea dropped by AKC (not a HEC Committee area) because:
1. Size differences
2. Regulations would be required for different sizes
3. Parent Clubs want variations on the idea
4. Would cost to much
It was felt that Drafting & Carting might be best kept as a Parent Club event and not an AKC Sport.
(After a tremendous amount of time & money to implement the Working Dog Sport for 3 parent clubs the sport is not being used.)
A table vote was held and it was voted 7 to 6 that Drafting/Carting should be a Performance sport if picked up later.
A letter will be sent to the AKC Board requesting that the Drafting/Carting program be resubmitted through the
HEC Committee. It will also be requested that the HEC Committee be expanded to include all performance sports which are not sporting.
(*It would seem that the AKC is moving toward the parent clubs offering and regulating sports particular to their breeds, give out titles but those titles would not appear on pedigrees.)
The HEC Committee went on record as being in favor of the event.
If the Performance Department staff was to handle the new sport they may need more in office resources.
Field staff numbers could support a new event.
Economic models for any new performance sports may require larger fees to support the smaller events.
Trial Secretary software package for event result submission should be available from AKC.
If Electronically done would reduce AKC staff requirements.
Uniform & available to all sports.
(*AKC Perf. Dept currently focused on getting all applications for events on line.)
Herding Regulation changes to judges – inserts are not being sent out
1. Rule book on line carries current changes
2. Notify all ELists of reg changes (keeping email address current is judges responsibility)
3. Changes only show up in “Gazette” in the Board minutes.
4. HEC Committee will be notified by Doug L. (There are 4000 Performance judges currently.)
5. A Judges Data Base is needed for judges (no one seemed to know why there wasn’t such a list.)
AKC intervention in Parent Club decisions – BCSA using organization negative to AKC as one of special award sources.
Kelly Whiteman wrote Mike Liosis regarding attendance at possibly USBCHA sanctioned trials as one part of the SOD herding award. Mike said that AKC would not intervene in Parent Club decisions other than election prblems & by-law issues. Kelly then asked Board member Steve Gladstone if he could get some further action in her favor. Steve took the inquiry to Jim Crowley who asked the HEC Committee to take a look at the issue. I stated, to the HEC Committee, that the BCSA was firmly focused on the maintenance and improvement of the BC as the supreme working dog. Currently the traditional type BC trial was the most difficult test of the BC and those tests were often sanctioned by the USBCHA. We did not feel it necessary to respond to any negativeness in other organizations while focused on our goal. A vote was taken around the table and all except Steve felt that the AKC should not become involved in Parent Club awards. This included the committee members, Pat Skully AKC Board liaison and Doug Lundgren, AKC Performance Department director. Steve’s foundation for his comments was based upon the fact that during the conflict of interest flap with the AKC the herding clubs did not want to lose the option of hiring judges which also judged for other organizations and now one of those organizations did not welcome AKC judges to judge their trials.
(In the hall after the committee I was addressed by one of the Board members about how and where the best BCs were tested. I got the feeling that rather than have a sport for a few breeds so their special accomplishments could be added to their pedigree the AKC “might” be looking at awards that were given out by the Parent Club that “would” appear on a pedigree.)
Herding Advisory Committee
Upon dismissal of the HEC Committee I spent lunch, the afternoon, dinner and evening with Gerard Baudet & Judy Hart from the HAC Committee. We met with Carol Delsman and Doug Lundgren and went through the majority of the HAC proposals and received their input. There is very little to change before the proposals will be put before the fancy on the AKC web site and on the lists for review.
AKC National Herding Championship event – now has a format and hopefully will become an actual event shortly. How to determine who will attend each of the three National events (one for each course) has always been the biggest problem. It was decided to leave the positions for that breed up to the Parent Club to determine. There may be 20 slots and the BCSA would be able to fill them as they chose… perhaps having some connection with the rankings from the year prior, prior National Specialties and/or SOD awards.
The long awaited Ranch Course D will be offered as a special event at a certain number of trials so Carol can look at how the requirements actually work out. After that number of trials are held, the course will be reviewed, changes made and then it will become a new course.
DELEGATE LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS – Tuesday
Jay Hennessey, a legislator & dog breeder from New Hampshire was the speaker. He urged people to be aware of ALL legislation and not just the part that would affect dog owners.
One to two people is needed in each state legislature or county or hold office locally. Each interested person should become a resource person. People must pull strings from the inside and be proactive. Be a resource person beyond just dog ordinances … be there all the time. Visit with legislators. Discover the problems and help solve them.
Be aware of local and regional agricultural situations. Help steer the direction. Dog people should set the agenda and simplify legislation whenever possible.
The AR groups target the easy states and then move on using the previous states as references. They push moves which would make good dog breeders lose control.
Remember names and keep in touch.
Walter Bebo from AKC is the Legislative Support person. There are also 2 to 3 staff members to assist problem areas.
AKC Political Action Fund (PAC) – provides a check from AKC to legislators that support dog breeders.
There are HEARINGS for every bill & work sessions that allow observers. Provide real life situations.
Use the AKC Legislative Manual.
Attend NAIA Conference in Windsor, CT – Aug. 9 & 10, 2008 – model legislation at www.NAIAONLINE.ORG
http://www.naiaonline.org/involved/annual_conference_2008.htm
Form alliances with farm beaureaus, NRA, folks with parallel issues, share common bonds (animals are property and are owned) , & cat fanciers.
Get involved in laws right away. Visit work sessions. Provide info when possible. Suggest a task force. Don’t be “anti” on all dog laws. The biggest problem is often local enforcement.
Focus on standards and care while staying away from specific numbers.
Breeding kennel licenses – take what exists and make better.
Remove cruelty from dog laws and make them criminal laws & civil convictions with highest penalties. No warrantless searches. You must know the statutes.
Provide a check off for spay/neuter. Responsible ownership license plates. Tax credit for spay/neuter.
“Ownership attention problem” – not overpopulation problem.
Good source material: Nathan Winograd's book: Redemption: The myth of pet overpopulation and the no-kill revolution in America. To read more about this book: http://www.nathanwinograd.com/
DELEGATE FORUM – Tuesday
AKC Affiliates
This meetings Forum was aimed at a brief review of each of the AKC affiliates that request donations.
1. CAR’s involvement with Search & Rescue was presented in a slide show.
2. Canine Health Foundation began in 1995 and is a 501c3 based in Raleigh, NC
AKC is a major contributor along with Purina, clubs & individuals
400 studies have been done for $20million – OAKS (large projects) & ACORNS (small projects)
Offers seminars & symposiums
Catagories – cancer, neurological, heart & eye – 50% of projects deal with genetics
CHIC is a joint foundation – loking for an Executive Vice President – www.akcchf.org
3. AKC Museum of the Dog – founded in 1974 - to show “love & devotion”
It was the first AKC affiliate – is located in Jarville House, St. Louis
Donations are tax deductable – dogarts@aol.com
4. PAC – Political Action Committee
Aimed at political arena & people that have elective office
Contributions – AKC Clubs, individuals & AKC employees
Money used for candidates for legislative office – limit to amount given
5. Canine Legislative Support Fund
Supports Lobby activity
Individual contributions & club contributions – not tax deductible
No limit to amount
6. AKC Humane Fund, Inc.
Support for pet owner education
501c3 – tax benefit donations – gifts of land
Helps raise funds for other groups –draws attention to Parent Club rescues
$1000 donation for founding members w/plaques in NY office
DELEGATES’ MEETING – Tuesday
(Complete Meeting Minutes are no longer make public. If you would like a copy let me know. I have access to them through the Delegates’ Portal but can’t copy a url so I’m assuming it isn’t readable by anyone but those that have access to the portal. Delegate Meeting “Highlights” are available on the AKC web site.)
Chairman Report - Ron Menaker
The focus of the AKC is to make AKC registration valuable. Televised ads, magazine ads & newspaper ads are being made public with the message “Demand AKC Papers”. 112 million people reached. Six million people watched the Eukanuba/AKC Invitational on TV. For first time AKC is placing banner ads and paid searches.
AKC World Coonhound Championships were held as a six day event near Newberry, SC. There were 400 dogs from 24 states in competition.
March 28-30th AKC will host the National Agility Championship in Tulsa, OK. There are 700 entries.
The AKC National Lure Coursing Championship was held last fall in NC. It had 102 entries.
A successful Tracking Invitational was held in NC.
A brief background and progress report was given on the PAL/ILP, Comanioon/Performance & Juniors programs. The AKC Canine Experience is the new name for the AKC Educational Match. Once such match supported by 107 volunteers and 15 specialty clubs.
From Menaker, “And in terms of communicating our messages, a happy involved purebred dog exhibitor is our best advertisement.”
Publication Awards: For the second consecutive year, “AKC Family Dog” received top honors winning the "Best All-Breed Magazine" award from the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) at their awards banquet last month. AKC Gazette also won six awards, the most given to any nominee in the All-Breed magazine category. With two more awards won at the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers (APDW) awards luncheon, AKC Publications took home a total of eight awards from the DWAA banquet and two awards from the APDW award luncheon.
President Report – Dennis Sprung
Current states – 5,000 affiliated clubs / 600 delegates / 21,000 events / 3.2 million entries
There are 400 AKC employees. Several AKC employees were honored with a medallion & gift.
Ines Maldonado – 23 years – started as typist & is now Manager of the Judging Operations
Maria Robinson – 28 years – started as Junior Keyplex Operator & is now Manager of Show Records.
Mike Liosis – 37 years – started as part-time file clerk & is now Director of Club Operations
(Liosis also received a personalized Hockey goalie shirt.)
The following
individuals were elected to fill vacancies on the AKC Board of Directors:
Class of 2010 (Battaglia won 174 votes and his competitor Dr. Fred
Cook won 160 votes.)
Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia (a background was given)
German Shepherd Dog Club of America
Class of 2012
Dr. Thomas M. Davies Walter F.
Goodman Ronald H. Menaker
Springfield Kennel Club Skye Terrier Club of
America Rockford-Freeport Illinois Kennel Club
At the re-convened Board Meeting held after the Delegate Meeting, Ronald H.
Menaker was re-elected Chairman and David C. Merriam Vice-Chairman of the AKC
Board of Directors.
Chief Financial Officer – Jim Stevens
Total 2007 revenues $72.8 million – over $5000,000 higher than 2006.
Operating expenses - $68.4 million - 1% lower than 2006
Operating surplus - $4.4million - $3.2 million in 2006
Result in a net surplus of $10.3million
Chapter 3, Section 7, of Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline was amended to provide for the change in the name of a registered dog, as long as it did not impact the AKC Stud Book or event records.
PRESS RELEASE regarding name change procedures:
The American Kennel ClubŪ
(AKC) is pleased to announce a registration rule change that now allows owners
of AKC registered dogs to change the official name of their pet. Dogs are
eligible if they were born in the U.S., have never been bred, or have not won
any awards at an AKC event.
"We have a lot of interest from AKC registered dog owners looking to rename
their dogs," said David Roberts, AKC's Assistant Vice President of Registration.
"In most cases, the dog is a beloved pet and the owner would like to pick a name
that has special value to them. The new rule allows owners to change the name
when transferring their AKC registered dog, or to request a name change at any
time."
Previously, a policy was in place that only allowed the owner to change a
dog's name if the dog had been individually registered by its breeder and the
request was accompanied by written permission from the breeder. The new
regulation reads:
"The name of a dog registered with The American Kennel Club will be allowed
to be changed provided the dog was whelped in the United States and in cases
where the breeder(s) first individually registered the dog, their written
consent would be required. A dog name containing a Registered Kennel Name cannot
be changed without the written consent of the owner(s) of that Registered Kennel
Name.
However, no change in the name will be recorded by The American Kennel Club
after the dog has produced or sired an AKC registered litter or received an
award at an AKC licensed or member event.
Any name change must comply with all AKC requirements."
The service fee for a name change is $25. The Dog Name Change
Authorization form is located online at
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/ADCG01.pdf. The completed form can be faxed to the
AKC at: 919-816-4261 or mailed to the address on the application.
The 2008 first quarter AKC Community Achievement Awards were announced. The honorees were the Delaware County Kennel Club, The Lexington Kennel Club, and the Illini Great Dane Club. Details of their achievements will be published in the AKC GAZETTE and posted on the AKC website.
AKC ACE Award:
This award is reserved for the true heroes of the canine world, honoring dogs in
five categories: Law Enforcement, Service, Therapy, Search and Rescue, and
Companion. One medallion is given in each category. The names are add to the
honorees on the AKC ACE plaque on the"Wall of Fame" in the AKC library at the
New York office. The winners receive an engraved sterling silver collar
medallion and an all expenses paid trip to our show, the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship in December. Honorable Mentions and bronze collar medallions are
awarded to select standout entries in each
category.
http://www.akc.org/news/ace/nominate.cfm
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OTHER RELATED ITEMS:
“PERSPECTIVES: The Delegate’s Newsletter” Dec.’07– http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3404
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – Feb. 8, 2008 - https://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3338
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – February Highlights – http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3435
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes –Jan. 2008 – http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3435
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – Jan. Highlights - http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3404
125th Anniversary of Euk/AKC Invittional – Change in format - https://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3445
Carting proposed rules (currently turned down by Board) https://www.akc.org/delegate/pdfs/drafting_regulations.pdf
New custom Google search engine for AKC - https://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3338
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.
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Page Updated 07.10.2008