PDF Version of October 2008 news
The Australian Cattle Dog Club of America
2008 Annual Membership Meeting
October 1, 200
Hospitality Room, Shartlesville, PA
Meeting called to order at 1924 by Vice President Serenity Littlefield.
Attendance sign in was reviewed A 10% quorum of the current membership was confirmed by Secretary Tracy Johnson. Members in attendance that signed the roster are shown in Attachment A.
Cheryl Kurpas moved to suspend the order of the agenda and move to the election of new officers. Julie Bender seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The following officers for the 2008-2009 club year were elected as nominated:
President: John Kurpas, Michigan
Vice-President: Serenity Littlefield, Texas
Secretary: Cherish Girard, Oregon
Treasurer: Sara Reiter, New York
SW Director: Eric Sheets, California
NC Director: Kathy Buetow Branson, Illinois
NE Director: Rose Jurain, New York
AKC Delegate: Kathy Hamilton, Oregon
Immediate Past President: Ronnie Moore, Arkansas
The following Board members will continue the second half of their two year assignment into the 2008-09 year.
NW Director: Alison Deilke, Washington
SE Director: Pam Mansfield, Florida
SC Director: Lori Graham, Texas
John Kurpas presided over the remainder of the Annual Meeting
No changes were brought forth to the minutes from the 2007 Annual Membership Meeting. Minutes were adopted as presented.
Due to the hurricane in Louisiana, no President report as available.
Complete as reported.
Financial reports have been provided as handouts.
The committee chairs provided year end reports distributed hardcopy and made available on www.acdca.org .
Paula Mayes moved to approve the proposed changes to the ACDCA Inc. Versatility Program as published in the year end report. Mary Bell Adelman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Paula Mayes moved to approve Motion 3 as printed in the agenda. Paula Mayes made a friendly amendment to substitute “Sweepstakes” for “Properties”. Sharon Knapp seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Kim Broster moved to accept the ROM report as submitted in the year end reports. Kelly Ann Rae seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The Regional Directors provided year end reports will be distributed to the membership via the membersacdca online list and made available on www.acdca.org .
Complete as reported.
Jolyn York provided a presentation on the 2009 National Specialty. The show will be held in Belton, TX. The event will be all indoors. The Host Hotel will be the LaQuinta Inn, which was recently constructed on the show site. There is a KOA and other hotels within walking distance of the show grounds. There are two herding arenas on site. The dates are October 10-16th. Two Agility trials, a “B” Agility Match on Sunday evening, two obedience trials, two Rally trials are proposed. A welcome BBQ will be held Saturday night. Little britches obedience and junior herding will be held on Monday. Tuesday Sweepstakes and Dog classes will be held. Wednesday Bitch and BOB classes, as well as the annual meeting.
Jolyn York moved to hold the next Annual Meeting in Belton, TX on October 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Ingrid Rosenquist seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Eric Sheets gave a preliminary presentation for the Gold Coast Australian Cattle Dog Club, the theme is “California Cattle Call” and the proposed dates are Oct 9–15 in Dixon, CA for the proposed location of the 2010 specialty was provided.
Julie Bender announced plans to bid the 2011 specialty to be held in North Carolina.
The audit committee (Ingrid Rosenquist -Chair, Tracy Johnson, and Scott Hamilton) provided a report as follows:
“On September 29, 2008 the audit committee reviewed all of the ACDCA treasury books and we found everything appeared to be in order. The books were well organized, utilized many best practices in accounting. The financial health of the club is good and the treasurer should be commended for all the work she has done on behalf of the board and the members of this organization. – Ingrid Rosenquist”
The chair entertained a motion to suspend the motions of the new business to the end of the meeting. Kathy Buetow Branson moved to suspend the motions to the end of the meeting. Steve Weyer seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Joyce Rowland announced the proposed Nominating Committee for the 2008-09 club year as follows:
Joyce Rowland, Chair
Kris Read
Rick Perry
Marie Trial, Alternate
Pam Pruett, Alternate
The chair entertained a motion to accept the proposal as printed. Carol Ann Kriesel moved to accept the proposal as printed. Steve Ware seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Motion 1 by Deb Casey
Move to add the following questions to the membership application and membership renewal forms:
1. How many litters a year do you have ?
2. Have you ever been suspended by AKC ?
3. How many Australian Cattle Dogs do you own ?
The board has voted in the Pre-Board meeting to incorporate the above questions into the membership applications and membership renewal forms with amendments.
Motion 2 by Paula Mayes
Move that the below proposal for changes to the ACDCA Versatility Program be approved.
Proposed changes to ACDCA standing rules regarding Versatility Titles 8/3/08 revision
Replace existing section with “ACDCA Versatility Titles” section following. Primary points of change are adding Rally (with restrictions), updating responsibilities to coincide with current committees, correct wording on dog eligibility to not conflict with current practice of allowing ILP dogs to participate, inclusion of FAST agility titles, requiring a herding title for VCh, and providing a means for current members to qualify dogs who met requirements for titles while owners were not members.
Qualified Worker (QW)
Versatile Qualified Worker (VQW)
Versatile Qualified Worker Excellent (VQWX)
Versatility Champion (VCh)
ACDCA Versatility Title Requirements
Versatility Titles recognize a dog’s versatility as evidenced by completion of AKC titles in different venues. All dogs meeting the requirements and receiving ACDCA Versatility Titles will be recognized at the National Specialty Awards Banquet each year for the prior award year’s achievements.
AKC Venues and Titles Qualifying for ACDCA Versatility Titles
Qualified Worker (QW)
Awarded to a dog that earns a combination of two titles from two different venues from the above list. (see Rally restriction above) The QW title will appear after the dog’s registered name.
Versatile Qualified Worker (VQW)
Awarded to a dog that earns a combination of three titles from three different venues from the above list. (see Rally restriction above) The VQW title supersedes the QW title and will appear after the dog’s registered name.
Versatile Qualified Worker Excellent (VQWX)
Awarded to a dog that earns a combination of four titles from four different venues from the above list. At least one of the titles MUST be CDX, HI, OA, OAP, OAJ, OJP, OF, OFP, TDX, VST or RAE. The VQWX title supersedes the VQW title and will appear after the dog’s registered name.
Versatility Champion (VCh)
Awarded to a dog that earns a combination of four titles from four different venues from the above list. One of these titles MUST be an advanced level title of UD, HX, AX, AXJ, AXP, AJP, or CT. In addition, the four qualifying titles must include a herding title. This title supersedes the VQWX and will appear before the dog’s registered name.
Motion Carries. See Committee Reports.
Motion 3 by Paula Mayes
Move that the conformation portion of the versatility competitions held at National Specialties be moved from non-regular classes held as part of the AKC show to special classes to be held immediately following the Properties classes and be judged by the Properties judge.
Background: This change is necessary to avoid a conflict that could potentially have very negative results. AKC rules allow only undefeated dogs in regular or non-regular single dog entry classes to compete for BOB. By the Versatility conformation class being a non-regular class in the AKC show, several unfortunate scenarios could play out. For example, should someone have a bitch entered for Best of Breed competition at the Specialty that is also entered in the Versatility competition, there is the possibility that the bitch could be beaten in the non-regular versatility class by a dog. Should that happen, under AKC rules, the bitch is then ineligible to compete for Best of Breed. Another possibility is that a dog or bitch selected as Winners from the regular classes is defeated in the Versatility conformation class by a Champion of record or a dog not entered in any of the regular conformation classes. The "Winners" would no longer be undefeated and thereby ineligible to compete for Best of Breed or Best of Winners. It is not in the best interest of Versatility nor is it in keeping with the intent of the Versatility competition to conflict with Breed competition.
Motion 4 by Carol Anne Kriesel
Move to allow the Australian Cattle Dog to be considered a "ramp breed" by conformation judges at AKC shows.
Background: Use of the "ramp" is a judge's call and is based on his/her criteria (usually by entry numbers). All AKC requires for "ramp" designation is a letter on letterhead stationary from the parent club's board asking for the designation. There are reasons I would give in my presentation to the General Membership and welcome their input to this suggestion. As the board will be present, they can take the proposal from there.
Kathy Buetow Branson seconded the motion.
Ellen Beasley requested the chair to seek input from and AKC licensed judge in the audience regarding this motion. The Chair directed the question to Kathy Hamilton, AKC Licensed judge, ACDCA Inc. member, and AKC Delegate. Ms. Hamilton indicated use of a ramp is not unique. There is potential benefit from older judges and the use of a ramp would not be an issue for this breed. Mary Adelman agreed, indicating similar advantages.
Motion Fails.
Motion 5 by Kim Broster, ROM Committee Chair
Move that the members in attendance at the 2008 Annual General Meeting in Pennsylvania approve the most current ROM Proposal Guidelines submitted by this Committee and, if approved, the newly accepted ROM Guidelines will go into effect immediately, and will include the entire ROM Program retroactive to its inception.
Motion Carries. See Committee Reports.
Motion 6 by Cindy Cook
Move that the Board send a letter of compliance to Jim Buzzard about the reference to the ACDCA April Motion made by Ronnie Moore and carried by the Board members in reference to removing the #40 since he is not a member of the ACDCA club any longer.
Background: Since the Board felt it was necessary to send a letter to Jim Buzzard from an attorney then they should do a follow up letter to Jim Buzzard stating that he is clearly giving an account of his history in the ACDCA club and nothing more. This letter (which is attached, since some of the Board members have not seen the letter) must also be CC to the AKC judges committee. Jim Buzzard has every right to put up a history of his own life, it is fact, not fiction, therefore he has every right to put in print what he has accomplished. This letter that is attached per Jim Buzzards permission clearly to me and others of the ACDCA memberships is nothing more than an attempt to smear Mr. Buzzards name. The AKC judges committee should of never been sent this letter due to the fact that it has NOTHING to do with Mr. Buzzards judging ability, so you can clearly see why it seems like a person attack on Mr. Buzzard and therefore should be followed up on by the Board.
Theresa Buzzard Couch seconded the motion. The Chair moves to table this motion to the end of the meeting to discuss at a Committee of the whole.
Motion 7 by Cindy Cook
Move to allow Connor Couch's article be allowed in the quarterly under the Junior's section.
Background: It should not be up to the editor to decide if this article pertains to the Junior's achievements or not, the Junior's committee is encouraging these children to think outside the box, therefore if a junior writes an article for submission it should be up to the Junior's chair as to print it or not. I would hope that the Club in whole would support these children in their writings especially if a child has won an award for an article on the subject of ACD's. I also would hope that they trust the judgement of their Chairpersons and committees to make appropriate decisions, as a member of this club I am honored to have a child take the time to write an article concerning genetics on my Breed.
Steve Ware seconded the motion. The chair rules this motion out of order. This is not club related business.
Motion 8 by Cindy Cook
Move that if an article or advertisement for the Quarterly is going to be omitted for what ever reason that the article/advertisement must be brought to the board with a written statement from the editor as to why he/she feels it should be omitted and must be voted on by the board before the omission takes place. (given the article/advertisement was submitted in a timely manner, otherwise it should be pushed to the next deadline, but the person that is placing the article/advertisement must be sent an explanation in writing prior to the printing of the quarterly.) If the board feels that the article/advertisement should be omitted then the person placing the ad should be given in writing prior to the printing of the Quarterly, as to why the article/advertisement will be omitted. This will allow the person to change the article/advertisement prior to printing, or be able to file an appeal to the board.
Background: We need to have some checks and balances with the quarterly. I do not believe that any one or two people have the right to decide what is allowed in our quarterly and what is not. This will eliminate any discrimination against any one person or any one kennel.
Judy Ware seconded this motion. Motion Fails.
Motion 9 by Cindy Cook
Move that the Quarterly be financially audited by 3 nominated members of the ACDCA club that do not consist of any Officers or Board Members. The membership is to nominate 3 members that would be willing to take this task on, and these three members be voted in immediately following the nominations at the general membership meeting. One nominee will be chosen as the Chairperson for the Quarterly Audit Committee. The quarterly audit should broken down per quarterly per expenses and income as well as ad revenue. (each quarterly should have a column of ad revenue, i.e. how many ads were placed and amount paid per ad) This audit should be for the past 2 (two) fiscal years of the Quarterly. The financial reports along with any other pertinent information should be turned over to the nominated committee following the adjournment of the AGM and any other information needed should be turned over to the committee no less than 10 DAYS after the ACDCA National Specialty annual meeting. The completion of the Audit should be finished no later than October 30, 2008 and submitted to Board and all Officers on this date and filed in triplicate to the Secretary of the Club, the reports should be made public to the general membership and published in the First Quarterly of the year of 2009.
Background: There has been some questions raised as to why the quarterly is not making money. This should be done yearly anyway but since it seems not to of been broken down in the past years, we need to find out why these quarterlies are not bringing in more revenue to the club. All ad revenue needs to be accounted for in order to find out where the problem lies. It would also be a great checks and balance approach for the club.
Theresa Buzzard Couch seconded the motion. The chair rules this motion out of order. The motion is against the By-Laws and will not be entertained.
Motion 10 by Theresa Couch
Move the following be adopted. The specialty trophies, which are the property of the ACDCA Inc., that are leftover following the national specialty shall be delivered to the trophy chair or specialty coordinator of the following years specialty. Prior to delivering the trophies a formal detailed inventory, prepared by the trophy chair and specialty coordinator, shall be compiled and filed with the Secretary of the Club. Any leftover trophies can then be offered for purchase as judge’s gifts, upcoming supported entries/specialties or used as fund-raising for additional income for the ACDCA, Inc. at the discretion of the specialty coordinator. All trophies that are sold as gifts must be accounted for by a formal end of the year report at the following AGM, and any trophies still in inventory from the previous year should be sent to the following year’s trophy chair and specialty coordinator for the following years specialty.
Denise Adams seconded the motion. Motion fails.
Motion 11 by Deb Casey brought forward by Jolyn York
Move the to modify the ACDCA, Inc. Standing Rules Section 2 (a) with text below:
The initial ballot for National Specialty judges shall contain the names of all AKC-licensed judges approved to judge Australian Cattle Dogs on a regular status. This ballot shall be for selecting judges for two years. Judges who are provisional or who have officiated at a National Specialty within the previous four years are ineligible.
It shall be stated in the signed contract that any judge accepting the assignment to judge conformation classes at our National Specialty will agree not to judge Australian Cattle Dogs at any AKC All Breed show in the US within six months. It shall also state that expenses will only be paid from within the United States. Foreign judges must pay their way to the US.
Candidates for the position of National Sweepstakes Judge may be self-nominated or nominated by ACDCA members. If nominated by an ACDCA member; prior approval of the nominee must be attached to the nomination form submitted. Each of the nominees must meet the current minimum prerequisites used by the AKC for an initial application to judge.
The Herding Committee will supply the general membership a list of 10 judges to vote from.
The local host club will work with the National Show Chair to select local judges for obedience, agility, and rally for their upcoming National.
There shall be two mailings. The first contains the initial ballot for the national judges and nomination forms for sweepstakes judges. The second mailing will contain two ballots, one for the National finalist; the Sweepstakes finalists and herding. The votes from the second mailing determine the judges for the National Specialty.
On the first ballot for national judges, the ACD breeder-judges will be noted by an asterisk in front of their names. For completeness, all judges that have judged a national within the last four years will also be listed in a separate section indicating the year they judged, but are not eligible to receive votes. The list of judges will be compiled using the latest AKC information that is available prior to December 31st of the preceding year and the names shall be in alphabetical order.
On the first ballot for National judges, each member can select up to three judges. The second and final ballot for national judges will list the ten judges receiving the most votes. Each member may vote for “one” person on the final ballot; two for herding.
On the ballot for Sweepstakes judges, it shall contain the names of the ten eligible candidates receiving the most nominations. Each member can select three names to judge the Sweepstakes. The second and final ballot for Sweepstake judges will list the ten judges receiving the most votes. Each member may vote for “one” person on the final ballot.
On the final ballot the person*s receiving the most votes will be ranked first and the person receiving the second most votes will be listed second until both the National and Sweepstakes lists are ranked one through ten. Should there be a tie in ranking this will be decided by a game of chance as decided by the “independent party” counting the ballots. Should number one not be able to accept the position to judge then it would fall in numerical order down the list until the assignment is accepted. Judges in 2nd place will be selected for the 2nd year of judging. Judges will be immediately notified of nomination.
The balloting shall occur bi-annually and be completed at least 24 months in advance of the National. Sweepstakes nominees shall be received by September 1st to be included on the ballot. The first mailing will be sent out one month after the annual dues renewal, approximately October 1st. Initial ballot copies can be made available at each National Specialty. The first ballots must be returned on or before January 1st. The second mailing will be sent to the membership on February 15th and must be returned on or before March 15th. The results will be submitted to the Board for publication to the membership. The Secretary will then proceed to contact the judges selected to determine their availability.
Ballots will be sent to each adult ACDCA member in the United States. Accompanying the ballot will be printed information containing the complete procedure for the election of judges (this document). Mailings will follow the same procedures that are used for the election of officers to ensure accountability and integrity of the selection. The mailing envelope for all ballots shall contain the notice that ACDCA Ballots are enclosed.
The mailing for each ballot will contain a blank envelope into which the ballot is inserted, which is, in turn inserted into the larger envelope denoting it contains a ballot and a membership label will be attached to this envelope as the means of verifying membership. This larger envelope shall be addressed to the ACDCA secretary on the first ballot and to an independent agency approved by the board for the second. The secretary will verify membership and then pass this envelope on to an independent party for vote tally.
Final ballots will be counted by a club member and/or non club members. A minimum of two judge counters shall be present. The results will be reported to the secretary who will report them to the ACDCA Board. All proceedings are to be confidential. Any votes received that are not in accordance with these procedures are considered illegal and will not be counted. Any votes without membership stickers; or valid membership status are considered illegal and will not be counted.
Seconded by Kelly Ann Rae. Lori Pruett moved to table Motion 11. Ingrid Rosenquist moved to call a question. Kelly Rae seconded the motion. Motion to table passes.
New memberships. Patty L. Kasper & Mark J. Hofer – Approved by 2/3rds vote.
Steve Ware moved to assemble a committee of the whole. Audrey Hephlin seconded the motion. Motion carries.
Ingrid Rosenquist moved to dissolve the committee of the whole. Julie Bender seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 2245.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tracy L. Johnson acting for Cherish Girard, Secretary