GDCA Board Minutes

GDCA Board Meeting
April 19, 2008, Columbus, Ohio
MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 AM by president Linda Ridder.

In attendance:
Members - Linda Ridder, Jean Highlands, Sue Davis Shaw, Lourdes Carvajal, Dianne Powers, Dave Miller, Jane Chopson, Paul Hardiman, Chuck Crawford, Jane Trieber, Rita Suddarth, Lynda Moriarty, Joe Longo, Warren Benoit, and Cindy Harwin.
Guest – Mary Anne Zanetos

All motions are unanimous unless otherwise noted.

MOTION
To excuse the absence of Tom Sandenaw.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Recording Secretary’s Minutes
MOTION
To approve the minutes of the January 28, 2008, meeting as presented.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dianne Powers

Treasurer’s Report
Jean Highlands reviewed her report and read a letter from Stas of Country Pewter, outlining their recent trophy cost increases and the reasons for the increases.

MOTION
To approve the Treasurer’s report as presented.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Paul Hardiman

MOTION
To accept the price increase from Country Pewter.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Jean reviewed correspondence that she received from those with lapsed memberships. Upon review, the following MOTIONs were made:

MOTION
To reinstate the following lapsed members:
Michele Andreetta
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Keri Caraher, pending receipt of dues
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Dianne Powers

Peter and Marcia Roddy
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Dianne Powers

Anne Toomey, pending receipt of dues
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dianne Powers

Brian and Barbara Wartluft
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Sue Davis Shaw

Linda asked Jean to show the Board the 2007 financial report that she submitted to Harvey Jansen. She was applauded for her hard work.

There was a discussion of how long to retain financial records. Suggestion was made to keep them at least through one cycle of nationals.

Affiliate Representative
Dianne presented an educational grant request from the Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club and recommended its acceptance.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund an Educational Grant in the amount of $1,000 to the Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Dianne notified the Board that she had received a letter from the Great Dane Club of Tidewater, notifying her that they have disbanded. Two clubs have notified her that they are conducting their business online, and the AKC ruling is that only parent club boards may do that. Consensus was to form a statement to encourage AKC to change their policy on web meetings and conference calls because it seems to be the way of the future. Dianne will work with Tom Sandenaw to build a case of support.

Dianne reported that Illini has not voted to officially request an exception. Board consensus was that Illini has not followed the procedure to request an exemption and Dianne was asked to go back to the Illini club and explain the procedure again.

Dianne noted that, since Oklahoma was published in the minutes and added to the list of clubs to be published, it should be voted into membership at this meeting.

MOTION

To add The Great Dane Club of Oklahoma to the list of members to be voted on at this meeting.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Linda reviewed several articles of correspondence, including a letter from MMI requesting assistance to identify DNA in 110 specific breeds to help identify mixed breed dogs. They are requesting DNA from unrelated Great Danes. Because this is a commercial venture, we will not put it on the web site. She also had a request from Cornell to her personally regarding research on which genes make dogs big or little and asking for blood samples to assist in their research. We can put this on the web site.
Lynda had correspondence from AKC asking for nominations for their awards for canine excellence.

Lynda had a letter from Purina with a check for $5,876 from the Purina Partnership. A note will go on the web site about how participation in this program benefits the CHF and the GDCA Charitable Trust.

Corporate Sponsorship
Joe Longo requested that, since the corporate sponsors are making such a great contribution to the GDCA, that they be listed on the web site. Consensus was that sponsors at a certain dollar level should be and the listing should be on the page that highlights the current year’s national.

Joe will come back with a recommendation for recognition for the different levels of support.

Mary Anne Zanetos asked about the Board’s policy on sponsorship, particularly sponsors of the cardio clinic. Lourdes commented that the sponsors have two options. They can either be a corporate sponsor or may donate through the Charitable Trust, giving them a tax benefit.

Joe has sent out nine letters to corporate sponsors. The divisions really need their help, and as a body we need to support the divisions as much a possible and support these corporate sponsors. It was noted that corporate donations ‘in kind’ need to have a dollar value and there must be a written agreement.

Futurity
Dave Miller reported that, to date, there are 164 litters nominated for a total of 264 puppies. The nominations are evenly split between male and female. This year he is keeping track of how many pups of each color are nominated.

Health & Research
The Health & Research report was distributed and it was noted that there is $34,253.60 in the AKC Canine Health Foundation GDCA Donor Advisory Fund". CHF has identified five studies that will be discussed later in the meeting.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they support the Rabies Challenge Study in the amount of $5,000.
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Dianne Powers
1 abstention

Judges Selection
Linda noted that a judge may judge at the national but may not repeat the same assignment within 4 years. The first ballots were due the day before this meeting and results will be in soon.

Lynda discussed a request from Lesa Bastow for a central registry for sweeps judges. It was suggested that clubs looking for sweeps judges go to the lists that are published each year of those persons who have successfully completed our judges education at a national.

Linda mentioned that there was also a request to have the requirements for futurity judges placed on the initial ballot.

Junior Showmanship
Lourdes presented Jessie’s report recommending two scholarships and requesting that she be notified when the scholarships have been voted on and approved. Lourdes will take care of this. Jessie also felt that it was difficult to find the scholarship applications on the web site. It was decided to ask Nancy if they could place all forms on one tab on the website, similar to AKC.

MOTION

To ask Nancy Lerch to work with Paul Mumford to create a page on the web site with all downloadable forms.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Dianne Powers

There was further discussion of who should notify committee chairs after a meeting and the fact that we need to have better communication. It was decided that Sue Davis Shaw will get an email list of the committee chairs and, when the MOTIONs have been reviewed by the board and are being sent to the bulletin, they will also be sent to the committee chairs.

Lourdes will report back to Jessie and let her know that her concerns have been addressed.

Cindy asked if Jessie could do a little report on each of the scholarship recipients and get their permission to use their pictures in the bulletin. A waiver to use their pictures should be added to the scholarship application.

Membership
Lynda presented the names of those applicants to be published in the bulletin. Because of a delay in the recent bulletin, she asked that we vote on the new members pending no negative comments by next Saturday.

MOTION
To approve or not approve the new members pending no negative comments by 4-26-08.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Joe Longo

MOTION
To vote into membership:

Karen Brink
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Sue Davis Shaw

David Lozenski
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Sue Davis Shaw

Jennifer Robbins
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Tia Uchello
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dianne Powers

Sharon R. Bealko
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

Laura Craig
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Frank Jaeblon
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dianne Powers

Teresa Rogowski
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Warren Benoit

Kenneth Vojik
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Jane Chopson

Debra Oliver
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

Jennifer Burns
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Christine McNally
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Sue Davis Shaw

Kathy Baraga
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Fred L. Hogg, Jr.
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

James Dumesnil
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Great Dane Club of Oklahoma
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Jean Highlands

Standard Committee
Lourdes reported on her committee’s work to date, working within the parameters of the Board’s MOTION and she noted that the illustrated standard should be a multi-faceted tool, used not only by judges but by those learning the breed. She showed a smaller copy of the illustrated standard at a 25% reduction, which was very well received.

Mary Anne Zanetos reported that she swapped out the illustrations in the current standard with the illustrations by Gauthier. She and Lourdes outlined the issues that need to be addressed. There was a discussion of doing color overlays on the Gauthier drawings.

Jane began discussion of the proportion issue and the fact that all of the illustrations (and the vast majority of Great Danes) are actually slightly longer in leg. It was suggested that we balance that out in the commentary. At some point we need to revisit the proportion issue. Paul discussed a “virtual dog” program where proportions can be changed so you can see how the changes affect the dog.

Lourdes still needs to obtain the committee materials from the former standard committee chairman, Bob Edison.

MOTION
To direct the Standards Committee to enter the next phase and address comments 3, 4, and 5 of the notes on the new illustrated standard draft (which are:
3. Full drawing of male and female head not available.
4. No discussion points on mantle color (current IS).
5. No illustrations on any color.)
and also to incorporate, as the committee sees fit, the other available Gauthier drawings.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Dianne Powers

Lynda mentioned that the Northeast Great Dane Club has removed our standard from their web site at our request.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund the following scholarships:
Kristin Heiden - $2,500
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dianne Powers

Heather Carroll - $1,750
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Dianne Powers

Health & Research
The board reviewed the Health & Research report and the funding request from the AKC/CHF. It was decided to determine the CHF deadline and to give the committee more time for input, asking them to rate the projects from 1-10. The committee will be asked to give their recommendations several days prior to the deadline, so that we may do an email vote.

MOTION
That Cindy Harwin include in the bulletin contact information for #4 and #5 of the Heath and Research Committee Report, which are the Study of Osteochrondrosis Dessicans in Great Danes at the University of Minnesota, for which samples of DNA and pedigrees are requested; and DCM Microarray Study at the University of Pennsylvania, for which samples of both affected and healthy Great Danes are requested.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dianne Powers

National Specialty
2007 – Rita presented the financial report. There was a discussion of what expenses are shared 50/50 and of judges expenses in general. As a result, there will be a subcommittee of all division chairs (or their appointee) and Carol Grossman to review and clarify.

There was also a discussion of the software being currently used (QuickBooks) and whether it should be changed to something more user friendly.

MOTION
To accept the financial report for the 2007 National Specialty.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

2008 – Joe Longo reported that everything is in place. He is worried about rising fuel costs and noted that, if he doesn’t get 50 motorhome reservations, there will be no electricity offered. There is an area big enough for Agility, but the exhibitors don’t wish to run on carpet, so they are looking at either the state park ($300) or the Kentucky fairgrounds horse arena ($675) for agility.

Jane Chopson suggested that each agility entry get a letter from the division asking for their ideas and stating that we want to continue to offer agility, but we need their help. Lynda will work with Sandy Schneider on this project.

Dianne proposed having a performance national at a different time of the year.

An idea was raised to hand out the yearly performance awards for obedience, rally and agility at the welcome party, since most performance people don’t stay for the awards dinner.

Lynda reported that the new promo packets have been mailed out. She reported that a $100 deposit will be taken at the time of reservation and that there will be a $25 cleaning fee for dogs in the room.

2009 – Dave Miller presented his proposal and reported that there will be a Siberian Husky specialty at the Chattanooga site prior to ours. He will meet with them to see how we can share some expenses and help each other.

2010 – South Central Division. Linda reported that they are recommending a site in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, The Royal Arkansas Hotel and Suites, and are asking that the Board visit the site in July. The room rate is $72. The division is now completely on track with their new division chairman.

MOTION
In the National Specialty Rules & Regulations, under Persons Restricted from Showing, #1 shall read: Show Chairman, Division Chairperson or members of the same household in any competitive class, excluding Agility, Obedience, Rally, the Futurity and Top 20.

Delete bullet #2.

Under #3: The Futurity Chairman may exhibit at the National Specialty, Obedience, Agility, Rally, and Top 20. The Top 20 Chairman may exhibit at the National Specialty and Futurity, Obedience, Agility, and Rally.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Chuck Crawford

MOTION
In the National Specialty Rules and Regulations, under Top 20, strike the section regarding ties being resolved by a draw and insert: “Ties for Top 20 judges will be resolved by instructing the auditor to do a draw between the tied names.”
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Judges Education
Jane Trieber asked when the Board would like to have judges education and mentoring. It was decided that judges education classroom will be on Friday afternoon and mentoring will be on Saturday during the breed judging. Hands-on will take place in the photo area. Jane feels that it is important that they see the best dogs and the depth of quality in the ring on Saturday. Jane asked for 7 mentors from the board and 7 from the mentors list. Several board members volunteered to help.

Jane asked for the board’s wishes regarding the educational DVD. Board consensus was that we must have ownership and hold the copyright. We need to find out if we get the master copy, how much it will cost to develop the DVD. Since it is an educational project, perhaps the Charitable Trust could pay for it and sell the DVD’s. There was further discussion of what should be included in the DVD. Jane will look into it and the subject is tabled until July.

Companion Events
Due to time constraints, Committee’s request for a Working Dog Award will be tabled until July.

Rescue
Chairman Mary Barnett Reed’s report and grant recommendations were reviewed. As a result, the following MOTION was made:

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund the following Rescue Grants for the following Mid-Atlantic Rescue Groups:
MAGDRL - DE Division 1 $500
MAGDRL – NY Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – MD Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – NJ Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – PA Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – SC Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – NC Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – WV Division 1+2 $500 each
MAGDRL – VA Division 1+2 $500 each
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund a Rescue Insurance Grant to the Great Dane Club of Western Pennsylvania.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dianne Powers

MOTION
To approve the Rescue Committee’s recommendation to remove Etosha Rescue from the list of approved rescues.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Bulletin
Cindy Harwin explained that the bulletin was sent bulk mail for 27 cents each, but took up to four weeks to be delivered. We could move the deadline up a week or mail them first class for 97 cents each. It was decided to leave the deadline as it is and mail them first class this next bulletin.

Top 20
Rita Suddarth submitted her report.

Yearbook
Rita presented her yearbook report and ideas for paid and free ads and for changing the free affiliate ads to 1/3 page. Her Yearbook Editor will be Sandy Schneider. Everyone was very supportive of her ideas.

MOTION
To allow the Yearbook Chairman to go forward with her plans for the yearbook.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Dianne Powers

Charitable Trust
Lourdes presented her financial report and Paul presented two draft documents, The Charitable Trust Executive Committee and Qualifications of Working Trustees.

MOTION
To accept the recommendation from the Charitable Trust regarding their Executive Committee and the Qualifications of Working Trustees.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Dianne Powers
2 abstentions

MOTION
To adjourn the meeting.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Cindy Harwin

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, July 26th, at the Royal Arkansas Hotel and Suites in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Respectfully submitted,


Susan Davis Shaw,
Recording Secretary

May 10, 2008
MOTION
That the GDCA Board approve the following members of the nominating Committee:

 Dianne Powers (Chairperson), Jane Treiber, Sharon Hennessy, Susan Yotive, Terry Wagner
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Cindy Harwin

May 19, 2008

MOTION
To accept the votes from the Board members for the AKC/Canine Health Foundation Donor Advisory Fund and to recommend to the Charitable Trust that they issue a check for the difference over the amount of $42,000. Ranking of grants is as follows:
#789, Identification of Candidate Genes Causative for Dilated Cardiomyopathy in the Dog, Keith E. Murphy; 947A, Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Osteosarcoma, Matthew Breen and Jaime Modiano; 900A, Immunological treatment of Canine Dilated Cardiomypathy using a T-lymphocyte modulator. Led by C. Woods; 613, The Prognostic Significance of Chromosome Aneuploidy in Canine Lymphomoa, Matthew Breen; 1055A, A Pilot Study of Intravenous Levetiracetam for Emergency Treatment of Seizures in Dogs, Ned Patterson; 1018A, Comparative Gene Discovery for Canine Cryptorchidism, Max Rothschild; 976, Investigating the Role of STAT3 Activation in Canine Osteosarcoma, Cheryl London (fully funded); 778, Role of Regulatory T Cells in Dogs with Osteosarcoma, Barbara Biller; 1003A, Variation in Thyroid Hormone Concentration and Throglobulin Autoantibody Status with Stage of the Canine Estrous Cycle, Rebecca L. Davies; 747, Mapping and Characterization of Mutations for Canine Glaucoma, Elizabeth Giulano
Total amount recommended is: $53,584.00.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

June 2, 2008
To reinstate the memberships of Dennis DeGruccio, Paula Hoffa, and Cornelia Todd.
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Cindy Harwin
 

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