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AKC DELEGATE
REPORT: CLAUDIA FRANK |
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Monday, September 8, 2008
Delegate Committee Meeting Minutes: https://www.akc.org/delegate/meetings/committee_meeting_minutes.cfm
9 am Monday – Herding, Coursing, Earthdog Committee (Performance Events)
"Getting More Out Of Your Earthdog
Weekend": Flyer by AKC (at end of report)
It was suggested that each performance event come up with a similar flyer to
give groups ideas as to how to get the most entries for their events.
Don Smith is resigning as Chairman of the HCE Committee. He will be concentrating on communications between fanciers and the AKC including the HCE E List.
Herding Advisory Committee Update: Chairman Gerard Baudet has had some health issues. Since he has been the one setting up the computer data on spreadsheets and keeping track of voting the committee was accepting the lapses in forward motion of the committee in lieu of having to redo its organization of suggestions. The Committee is working on last step before putting proposals out for fancier review.
It was discovered talking to the AKC Board Liaison's Steve Gladstone & Pat Skully that when items are brought before the Board for a vote only a written statement from those wanting the item is provided. A staff member is available for comment at the meeting. For the HAC situation only the staff would be available to answer Board questions and the staff may not be in favor of what is being asked of the Board. It has never been done, but could be possible, that a person from the HAC be present when the Board reviews changes to answer any questions directly and to impress upon the Board the importance of accepting the entire package. The final recommendations will be sent to Performance Department head Doug Lundgren & Rep. Carol Delesman at the same time.
Coursing Advisory Committee Update: Final draft to Board at October meeting. This was a complete rewrite. AKC figures cost and time for changes in the IT Department with a 2 year payback needed in order to have changes considered.
DRAFTING – not part of the HEC (also called
Carting).
AKC titles for few specific breeds. Format could be available from other breeds.
Economically not feasible – costs $250,000 yearly
Which department would monitor? What is the financial value?
Initiative by fanciers to form a committee – get specific financials & resolve
issues – keep on HEC Agenda
Herding Regulations insert changed by Bill Speck
– “Class” became “level”
Inserts reprinted
Earthdog titles – top 34 earthdog judges – need new title – “EE” Endurance Earthdog
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13 response – 7 in favor 6 against
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Border Terriers earn 31% of the titles
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Support for the DoubleQ
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Prefix titles are based on competition
9 am Monday: Obedience, Tracking & Agility Committee (Companion Events)
ON LINE TRAINERS Web Site:
Unanimous move by Committee to oppose site. Letter sent by Committee to
Jim Crowley for distribution. Has been dropped by AKC
Mixed Breed Listing:
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Fear of mixed breed breeding for specific sports.
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Number of mixed breeds about the same as another breed
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Provide more dog owners supporting legislation
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Separate classes for mixed breeds – voted 6 to 6 by Board
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Not dead yet – many misconceptions
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1992 – only 2 registries / today 37 registries
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Forced by supporters to raise registration numbers
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Opens AKC to youth through 4Hers – develop youth
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Motion – OTA in favor of the mixed breed listing.
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Letter to Jim Crowley for distribution
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(Classes can be listed on AKC web site)
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200 mile/30 day:
just for Companion Events
Letter to Curt Curtis to take before Board supporting 100 miles
Obedience Separate from Rally:
Motion to Board to keep together to Jim Crowley for distribution to Board
Suggestions to clubs to save money &
update classes:
Education to clubs – new classes listed – judges newsletter – “Perspectives” &
“Gazette” – contact editor
NOI:
discussion of adding Novice & Open
Increase interest in events
Motion past for broadening NOI similar to events of the past – Letter to Curt
Curtis to take to Board
Tracking Advisory Committee – Deadline Sept. 17, 2008
Club Reminder:
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no putting on events with other venues if clubs held events before AKC they can continue.
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Punishment – sanctions against them – fines / discontinue trials
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April 29th – letter out to clubs with reminder
Obedience Regulations – October final vote – differences in change starting based on work load in IT department.
Obedience Ribbons – don’t need date
Judges Education:
New Power Point presentation
10 sites for each year for Judges only seminars – (30 total sites over 3 years)
Judges Compliance – can be suspended by curt – would prefer reeducation – scheduled observations
3:30pm Monday – Caucus
Realignment of Breeds – recommended to Board
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7 groups increased to 10
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Split Sporting & Hound
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Add Northern Group
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NonSporting renamed Companion Group
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22 more breeds
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Fast track for new breeds
Tuesday SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
7: 30 am Tuesday – Doberman 100th Anniversary
Honor WWII & current handlers of war dogs (Dept. of Homeland Security)
8:30am Tuesday: Delegate’s Forum – Legislative Cacus
Patty Strand :
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30 years of bad publicity
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Pet overpopulation 1. faulty data population / 2. Shelter dogs not puppies
Stacy Mason: AKC commercial breeders & kennel inspector
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Commercial breeders – frequent sires & data inspections
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Organized pet breeders associations
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Kennels USDA license / buyers licensed
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Pushing for canine health testing
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Bonus for tests – CHF & CHIC
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Will not take pups w/health conditions
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Don’t push commercial breeders away from AKC – Education – breed standard & health & genetics
AKC Legislative Committee
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“I own a dog & I vote”
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Special interest group – dog owners
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Local government – short time periods – doglaw@akc.org
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Brochures & information packets
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Become a “source” – establish a relationship with elected officials- reasonable & rationale
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Enforce current “performance standards”
10am Tuesday – Delegates’ Meeting
AKC & AKC CAR: provided disaster relief for hurricanes Gustav & Hanna.
James Stevens – Chief Financial Officer: 2008 thru July
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Litters down 9% & dogs down 11%
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Pedigrees & royalties down – event fees up
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Expenses increased by 2%: GOAL – further reduce expenses – 2002 employees 441 currently 381
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Core revenues (peds & registration) 18% fancy & 82% pet owners
Dennis Sprung – President: survey
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Litters bred remain the same – AKC down 46%
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Are we breeding less – no
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More puppies than before – 7+ litter producers biggest impact
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Do fewer people have purebreds – no
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Did litter size change – no
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AKC portion of registrations going down
Ron Meneker – Chairman:
AKC losing market share
** Agressively pursue all registerable dogs – AKC only non-profit registry &
only one with programs – GOLD standard
53% decline – retain high standards
Daisy Okas:
update on the Club Classified Advertising Program
Program as follows:
Hello. I'm here to provide an update on a program that we launched earlier this
year, and we think it is off to a great start. It is something each of our AKC
affiliated clubs and especially our member clubs should be doing, and it is our
Demand AKC Papers Advertising Program. In an effort to direct the puppy buying
public to responsible breeders and AKC registered puppies, we have initiated an
aggressive campaign centered around local newspaper classified advertising. We
are informing consumers about how to find a responsible breeder. We have created
six different URLs. And they are demandAKCpapers. com/.org/.net, puppybuyerinfo.
com/.org/.net. They direct puppy buyers to learn about the value of AKC papers
and registered puppies and how to recognize the false claims of scam artists or
non AKC registerable puppies. And they link to parent club and member club web
sites through a directory or breeder referral. Our goal is to enlist clubs to
place their advertising in communities and make sure to include the AKC brand
which is what sets our clubs and dogs and breeders apart.
AKC Board Meeting Minutes – August, July Minutes - https://www.akc.org/about/board_minutes.cfm
JULY BOARD MEETING
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MIXED Breed issue was discussed.
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Treeing Walker Coonhounds was approved for Miscellaneous Class Jan. 1, 2009
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Finnish Lapphund – eligible for Herding events Jan. 1, 2009
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Penalties for rule infractions increased.
AUGUST BOARD MEETING
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AKC management directed to aggressively pursue all reistrable dogs in commercial sector
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AKC voted to move to neutral position on CA AB 1634.
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Program for mixed breeds not adopted
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Besengi stud book opened for African inports from Jan 1, 2009 to 2013.
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Letter of understanding with FCI confirming policies that had been followed without document.
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Finnish Lapphund eligible for Miscellaneous Class July 1, 2009
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Obedience jump heights lowered to ¾ height for some breeds effective January 1, 2009
Chairman's Report: July, August,
September
https://www.akc.org/about/chairmans_report.cfm
Action Possible:
Would a letter like the one below be of benefit to AKC BC clubs for hosting
trials?
Getting More Out of an Earthdog Weekend
The rising price of fuel is making it increasingly costly to attend Earthdog
events. Many clubs are considering ways to “get more out an Earthdog weekend”.
This letter is meant to share ideas that might make your events more successful
and increase the value to exhibitors as well.
Did you know your club can host up to eight Earthdog tests per year? Other than
perhaps a parent club or two, there are very few Earthdog clubs taking advantage
of this opportunity. While hosting four two-event weekends may be daunting for
some clubs, there are ways for you to increase your event numbers without a
significant additional time commitment. Clubs can consider holding more than two
Earthdog tests per weekend. Two events on Saturday and one on Sunday or two each
day would give exhibitors more opportunities to work toward Earthdog titles for
the same travel expense. Another option is to split an event over two days if
your den situation won’t allow two full tests in one day. One and a half tests
each day would still work to increase entry options. Earthdog events can offer
any or all test levels, therefore another scheduling option is to offer a second
test that doesn’t offer all test levels. Think you can handle a second junior
and senior test in a day but maybe not master? Then set your second event of the
day up as a junior and senior test only. In these days of high gas prices, any
of these options will be appreciated by those who drive any distance to attend
an event.
Partnering with another club in your area is also a possibility. A few clubs are doing this already. Getting new clubs involved can start with them having a match following your Saturday test. This is the easiest route for new clubs to get started on their way to holding licensed tests.
Another way to help out your exhibitors could be to schedule a later start for Saturday tests. If exhibitors can drive in Saturday morning rather than Friday night it may save them a night’s lodging expense. It might be popular with your local club workers as well.
Clubs may also want to consider other ways to bring ‘added value’ to their exhibitors’ weekend. Many clubs are hosting added attractions. Examples include Earthdog-related activities such as ‘ratting for ratings’ type games and simulated barn hunts. Training opportunities are appreciated by almost everyone. Relatively few Earthdog participants are fortunate enough to have den liners in their back yards.
Hosting an AKC Earthdog Seminar in conjunction with your event is another idea. The seminar can be split, for example, by holding part on Friday evening and finishing up after your Saturday test.
While some clubs will continue to offer the standard Saturday and Sunday morning to early afternoon events, you may wish to consider making your weekend a more cost-efficient and fun time for all involved.
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Page Updated 01.20.2009