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GSPCA National Field Trial Executive Committee Meeting

October 12, 2009 Eureka, KS MINUTES | BACK

NFT EC Chair Secretary	Mike Aldrich Cynthia McCracken
	Call to order 8:00 pm
NFT EC Chair Mike Aldrich	Welcomed all to the Delegates meeting.
Secretary – Cynthia McCracken	Called the Roll of Delegates 12 Clubs were represented out of 62 clubs Approximately 125 people or more were in attendance.
Mike Aldrich	Mike stressed the importance of participation of Member Clubs. This is where issues concerning the breed are discussed and direction is sent to the Board of Directors. If we do not have participation by the clubs in the delegate meetings no matter in what event we participate, we cannot address the concerns of the member clubs. There are three (3) Delegate meetings per year, the National Field Trial, National Amateur Gun Dog Championships, and the National Specialty Show. It is important to send items for the agenda by using the form sent to your respective club secretaries and send to the Parent Club Secretary.
Secretary – Cynthia McCracken	Minutes from the 2008 meeting were read. Cynthia asked if there were any additions or corrections Correction is as follows: The NFT Delegates directed the Board of Directors to advise the AKC to accept the proposed change to the Retrieve rule.
Mike Aldrich	Mike opened the meeting to discussion from the floor.
	Communication from the members to the NFT EC to the Board and back to the members. Don Lee asked about the communication between the Delegates, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. His concern is that the Delegates voted for the Retrieve Proposal and the Executive Committee advised the Board of Directors to advise AKC to reject the proposal. q The process is dictated by the National Field Trial Running Rules, The GSPCA Constitution and By-Laws. q Everything starts from the membership. The members vote on the Delegates, the Delegates select the NFT Executive Committee, the membership also elects the Board Meeting. Discussion on the AKC Retrieve proposal q The Retrieve proposal was not a vote to approve or not approve it was a recommendation only. q Mike explained that the Retrieve Proposal had changed from the original wording and the changes were not advisable for our breed and our sport. q Mike asked the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting be read to the members. Cynthia read the section of the Field Trial Committee Meeting “The retrieving issue was discussed. Phil Mathiowetz expressed concerns about consistency of judging. Katie Tazza expressed concerns with insurance issues, but stated she approved of a properly monitored retrieving test outside of a field trial. Mike Aldrich discussed the wording “to hand”. Mike also suggested that we propose to the AKC that they allow us to run both retrieving and non-retrieving stakes of the same class. As of now, you cannot run two Amateur Gun Dogs, one retrieving/one non-retrieving. You can run an Amateur Limited, but then that restricts your entry. Although the GSPCA Board voted down the proposal, Katie Tazza moved to approve the current proposal with no additions. Dan Hoke moved to amend that motion that we leave the current proposal for now, until something better comes along, and then review that. Jerry Paddock stated that he doesn’t like the current ideas of the AKC, and suggested we ask them to bring us a better one. As a final motion, Dan Hoke moved to inform the AKC that we cannot support the current AKC proposal, and ask for more time to research a better plan. Motion adopted.” q The AKC sent out a bulletin that they were going back to the Clubs involved and the Field Reps to do more study. It was not a rejection of the whole plan only a rejection to what they had given us at that point. We had hoped that they would come back with a more concise plan. q What steps was GSPCA was taking to provide feedback to the AKC? q Charlie Blackbourn stated that the Board of Directors has not addressed this proposal since we sent our feedback. We would be receptive from any club sending recommendations back to the AKC on this proposal. q Mike Aldrich reiterated that this was an unofficial non binding vote. q Does anyone have a proposal regarding this proposal Agenda Items for Delegate meetings q When we call for Delegates there is a space for agenda suggestions. Gene Moseley stated that agenda items must come from local club or a group of local clubs so that the Secretary will put it on the agenda to. q Cynthia McCracken reiterated that the agenda does not have to wait for the forms you can send an email with your suggestion from your local clubs or individual members to your section Director or directly to the Secretary. q Gene asked if there is a way we can get something on the website or Journal as a reminder. q Cynthia explained that she is working on an email push for those who have email. We also we have to also address those that do not have email. The question was asked for a show of hands. “Who in the room has email?” an estimated 98% in the room have an email address and use email regularly. q Mike also noted that some clubs never have a formal meeting. q If the Executive Committee is overridden by the delegates or the board. The membership request that the information needs to move downward. q We may ask for a committee to be formed from the Delegates for a more concise plan for the Retrieve. q Phil Casdorph explained that the process to change the rules and regulations take time patience, and years of negotiation. q There are many steps to the process. The Delegates recommend to the NFT Executive Committee and the NFT EC recommends to the Board. The GSPCA Board sends their recommendations to the AKC. q Charlie Blackbourn indicated that the Board of Directors would be receptive to input from the National Field Trial Executive Committee proposal to better communications between the membership, through the Delegates, to the National Field Trial Executive Committee to the Board of Directors and back. q It was requested that a notice be placed on the website, Shorthair Journal, and the GSP Chronicle regarding the request for delegates and why. q Brian Hill said that the only way he has communication is through email.
Phil Casdorph	Phil welcomed Mike Aldrich back. Thanked him for taking the position to run the National Field Trial.
	It was suggested that the NFT EC suggest that all delegates have email. At a minimum the Member Club Secretary, President and Delegate.
Mike Aldrich	NFT EC Election of members Mike called for the election of National Field Trial Executive Committee members from the Northeast Section, North Central Section, Northwest Section. q Northeast Incumbent – Katie Tazza q Charlie Blackbourn nominated Katie Tazza q Don Lee seconded the nomination q Moved (Charlie Blackbourn) Seconded (Don Lee) that Katie Tazza be elected by acclamation. Approved q North Central Incumbent – Dennis Brath q Charlie Blackbourn nominated Dennis Brath q Jerry Paddock seconded the nomination q Moved (Charlie Blackbourn) Seconded (Jerry Paddock) that Dennis Brath be elected by acclamation. Approved q Northwest Incumbent – Dan Hoke q Kevin Waide nominated Dan Hoke q Jerry Paddock seconded the nomination q Moved (Kevin Waide) Seconded (Jerry Paddock) that Dan Hoke be elected by acclamation. Approved Mike called for nominations to replace the South Central National Field Trial Executive Committee member Tom Hudson as he has been non-responsive. q Moved (Karen Niffinegger) Seconded (Gene Moseley) that Kirk Bomer be nominated to fulfill the term of South Central NFT EC. be elected by acclamation. q Kirk Bomer accepted the nomination q Approved
Cynthia McCracken	Explained the AKC Sportsman of the Year Award. Please think about who you would like to receive the award put it in writing so that the BOD can vote from a group for each venue.
Mike Aldrich	Mike reminded everyone that the Bechtel Lease is up for a five (5) year extension. Discussion on whether we want to continue and at what cost. The feeling was to continue negotiations with the Bechtels
Mike Aldrich	Announced that the awards will be given on Tuesday. Purina award dinner will be Wednesday. Thursday – Katie Tazza is sponsoring a dinner with Margaret Cassal is coming back who has found the gene marker and will be able to take cheek swabs from everyone who would like to have it done. She will also be discussing how to use this information in you breeding programs. Katie suggested that our breeding stock be screened.
Mike Aldrich	The NFT EC meeting will be held after Dr. Casal’s presentation
Mike Aldrich	Motion to Adjourn (Karen Niffinegger) seconded (Gene Moseley) Approved
	Meeting Adjourned 9:00 pm Central Respectfully submitted by Cynthia McCracken – GSPCA Secretary