GDCA Board Minutes

GDCA Board Meeting
August 19, 2006
Owensboro, Kentucky
MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by President Linda Ridder. Joe Longo introduced Laura Adams, Sales Manager of the Executive Inn, and Joe Tomey, who works with the hotel.
Linda Ridder welcomed the guests. 

Board members present:
Linda Ridder, Susan Davis Shaw, Joe Longo, Lynda Moriarty, Dave Miller, Sid Levin, Pookie Kostuk, Lourdes Carvajal, Charles Crawford, Dale Desjardins, Kathy Varian, Jane Chopson, Warren Benoit, Cindy Harwin

Guests present: Diane Taylor, Cindy Scarpa, Mary Barnett Reed, John Reed, Jennifer Tritschler Jacobs, Sara Steele, Jean Highlands

All motions are unanimously approved unless otherwise noted.

MOTION
To excuse the absences of Tom Sandenaw and Dianne Powers.
Moved: Warren Benoit 2nd: Dave Miller

Drafting
Linda introduced Cindy Scarpa and Sara Steele who gave a presentation explaining drafting, a new companion event expected to receive final approval by AKC in September. Cindy explained why the Great Dane should be included in the breeds approved for drafting.

Minutes
MOTION
To approve the minutes of the May 6, 2006 meeting as written.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dave Miller

Corresponding Secretary
Lynda Moriarty reviewed many items of correspondence. She reported that AKC has accepted the additional colors that we requested for registration. She read the nominees for the AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards. As a result, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To direct the corresponding secretary to cast votes for AKC Lifetime Achievement Awards for Jane Forsyth for Conformation and for Wes Cartwright for Companion Events.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Dave Miller

Lynda gave an update from Purina. She has completed the blanket specialty show approvals. She read correspondence from the New Jersey State Police Department Research Department requesting samples for a database on dog hair so that forensics would be able to determine what breed of dog a particular hair was from. Lynda will ask if they want different colors. She read an email from Nita Huseby regarding old yearbooks. She will suggest to her that they be used for a fund-raising event. Lynda read a letter requesting that Am/Can CH Lagrada Reach for the Stars be considered to be added to the Hall of Fame with consideration being given to his Top 20 win. Consensus was not to change the rules for one dog, but that the qualifications should be revisited within the next couple of years.

Treasurer’s Report
Sid reviewed his report and read a letter from Harvey Jansen reporting that the 2005 Specialty and Futurity had an acceptable audit. Sid wrote a letter to Kathy and Linda thanking them. Sid presented invoices from Dog News and Dog Fancy. Consensus was not to renew the ads.

Sid discussed the $30 charge for the shopping cart system and wondered if the Northeast Division wanted to pick it up after this national is finished. The following motion was made:

MOTION
That the GDCA absorb the monthly $30 Gateway charge for the shopping cart system.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Joe Longo

Once one division is done, the next can be put on. Also, the GDCA can use it for dues and Charitable Trust donations, as well as for sales.

MOTION
To accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dave Miller

MOTION
To set up the Treasurer-elect, Jean Highlands, with an account and $500.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Jean may appoint a helper if she wishes.

Affiliate Representative’s Report
Linda Ridder read the report submitted by Dianne Powers. Dianne reported that Western Washington’s by-laws were almost ready for a vote, but that needed language was omitted. It was asked that she go back to the club to see if it was just an oversight. Dianne has other club by-laws in varying degrees of readiness. There was discussion about the new North Carolina club and that their area should not be too restrictive. Sid reported that he has all affiliate rosters except for Tidewater and he asked that Dianne contact them and let them know that their affiliation may be in jeopardy if they don’t respond. Lourdes requested that, when a club submits by-laws and the GDCA board approves them, that Dianne send the club a note and let them know that they now need to submit the by-laws to AKC for final approval.

AKC Delegate and Legislative
Tom Sandenaw submitted a report. As a result, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To expand the Legislative Committee to include regional representation as recommended by Chairman Tom Sandenaw.
Motion: Jane Chopson 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Futurity
Dave Miller reported that the futurity currently had 220 litters nominated and a total of 549 puppies. Entries close September 1st.

Judges Education
It was reported that AKC is setting up new rules for applying judges. The GDCA needs to set up a mentoring process with criteria. Lourdes suggested that Jane Treiber might help and Jane Chopson suggested checking into the Doberman mentoring program. Dave Miller suggested a breeder mentoring program as well. Everyone was asked to think about it and bring ideas to the October meeting.

Judges Selection
Linda reported that they had received a very large number of votes to date.

Jr. Showmanship
Lourdes read a letter from Jessie Gerszewski recommending scholarships for Kari Delane and Gabrielle Foe.

MOTION
To recommend that the Charitable Trust fund scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to Kari Dalane and Gabrielle Foe, as recommended by Scholarship Chairman Jessie Gerszewski.
Moved: Pookie Kostuk 2nd: Joe Longo

National Specialty
2006 – Lourdes reported that the premium had just gone out. Everything is going as scheduled. There will be lots of health testing and there will be a board-certified cardiologist with results given the day of the test. It was requested that Dianne remind clubs to donate to the National Specialty Trophy fund. The time of the first board meeting has not yet been determined. It may be scheduled early so that the board can attend obedience.
2007 – Sue reported that everything was progressing and that a committee meeting was being held in September.
2008 – Joe reported that they were working on the contract. The theme is being considered and they will start to have meetings with all eleven clubs. He reported that a river walk is being constructed, grass will be added, there is plenty of RV parking, and the hotel has 600 rooms with 340 rooms on two levels to accommodate dogs. Tom Sandenaw has reviewed the hotel contract.

Linda reported that there is a new division chairman for the South Central Division – Justin Whitney.

Companion Events
Sandy Schneider submitted a report.

Public Education 
Kathy Varian will come up with some ideas for this new committee.

Rescue
MOTION
To approve of Mary Barnett Reed as the new Rescue Chairman.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dave Miller

As recommended by Pookie Kostuk, the following motion was made:
MOTION
To request that the Charitable Trust fund the following six Rescue Grants:
Illini Great Dane Club (1) $500
Illini Great Dane Club (2) $500
Laura Beck GDR Inc. (1) $500
Laura Beck GDR Inc. (2) $500
GDC of Mid South (2) $500
Southwest Great Dane Rescue (1) $500

Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Cindy Harwin

As recommended by Mary Barnett Reed, the following motion was made:
MOTION
To request that the Charitable Trust fund the following two Rescue Grants:
Racheal Jones – Heart of Minnesota (2) $500
GDC of Greater Kansas City Rescue (2) $500

Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Joe Longo

Lourdes will now send the approved grants to Lisa Foltz at the Charitable Trust for payment. 

Pookie showed the old pedigree blank that the GDCA sold in the past. There was a suggestion to replace the old color code with the Breeders Code of Ethics.

Standards
Linda distributed a proposed change in the standard wording. There was a discussion and at 4:30 PM the board will have a conference call with Bob Edison.

The meeting was suspended for a tour of the site, followed by a lunch break.

Upon reconvening, Joe Longo reviewed what was seen on the site tour and reported that he would meet with the hotel staff the next morning to iron out the details.

MOTION
To approve the Owensboro, Kentucky site for the 2008 National Specialty contingent on satisfactory negotiations between Joe Longo and the Executive Inn.
Moved: Pookie Kostuk 2nd: Dave Miller

The board entered into executive session. Upon reconvening the open session, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To approve the membership of Jody Loop.
Moved: Dave Miller 
The motion died for lack of a second.

Internet
Nancy submitted her report. It was noted that the National Specialty Rules and Regulations need to be put back on the web site when they have been updated.

Charitable Trust
Lourdes reported that the Harl Gene Project donations have exceeded what we need. For the bulletin, she will ask TAMU for an update on the project. Lourdes needs someone to volunteer to work for the Charitable Trust at the National. 

Corporate Sponsors
Joe Longo reviewed the three levels of sponsorship and what is given for each. He would like to see the program remain as it is with cash and product donations.

Fund Raising
Jay Miller submitted a report. She has a committee of seven and her goal is to add $25,000 to the Charitable Trust. She gave several fund raising ideas. Lynda will contact AKC to see if we can get a mail list of puppy owners for a mailing. Jay was thanked for all of her work.

Pedigree Bank 
Kathy Varian would like another six months to work on this program with Paul Mumford.

Trophies 
Ideas to raise money were discussed, including adding a voluntary line on the dues notices. 

Old Business
Jill Ferrara asked for a brochure to distribute at the Eukanuba Invitational. As a result, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To print 1,000 copies of the Great Dane University brochure.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Sue Shaw

Job Descriptions
The Treasurer’s Job Description was reviewed and the following changes were made:
Corresponding Secretary Lynda Moriarty will maintain the labels.
Affiliate Representative Dianne Powers will maintain the affiliate membership lists and will forward copies to Nancy Lerch, Rescue, Lisa DeRoulet, and Dave Miller. The board would like to see all the membership lists formatted and in Word.

It was noted that the Treasurer should have “office hours” at the national. Kathy Varian and Jane Chopson offered to help out.

Since the formats are all different on the job descriptions, Jane Chopson suggested that we have a format and have committee chairs fill in the blanks. The board agreed, and Lynda will develop a format.

MOTION
That the Membership Committee be given five days in which to review comments and make their recommendation after the comment period on an applicant has ended.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Joe Longo

Consensus was that new members should be notified within 30 days that their membership has been approved.

In response to a question regarding the term of the affiliate representative, it is nine years.

MOTION
To continue the dues at the same rate to encourage members to donate to the Charitable Trust.
Moved: Pookie Kostuk 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

It was noted that job descriptions need to be submitted by the National Specialty Chairman, the Standards Committee Chairman and the Bulletin Chairman.

MOTION
To send the following Great Dane nominations to the OFA Champions for Health:
- Daneridge’s Penelope Steele NA,NAJ,NAP,NJP,OJP,CGC,TDI,TT
- BISS CH Chroma Thief of Hearts CD,RA,OA,AXJ,OJC,NAC,HOF,VA,TDIA,CGC
- BIS, BISS CH Longo’s Alana Fontana
- BISS CH My-Jon’s License To Thrill HOF
- BISS AKC/UKC/Int’l CH Lagrada’s Aspen Gold 
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Cindy Harwin

MOTION
To approve adding Great Danes to the list of breeds eligible for drafting when the event is approved by AKC.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Warren Benoit
5 votes yes – 6 votes no – 2 abstentions
Motion fails.

Dave Miller discussed the need for the Parent Club to own a digital projector because of the rental costs and Warren Benoit offered to donate one.

Standards
A conference call was made to Bob Edison. Proportion was discussed, as well as the importance of the mask on the fawn and brindle. The mantle color standard was also discussed. Bob will address these issues and get the recommendations back out to the board by email.

MOTION
To adjourn at 4:55 PM.
Motion: Sue Shaw 2nd: Joe Longo

The next board meeting will be held in Topeka, Kansas on Monday, October 16th, time to be determined.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Davis Shaw
Recording Secretary

Electronic Vote
The following motions was made and passed electronically.

August 22, 2006
That the GDCA sponsor medallions for Agility and Obedience at the Eukanuba Invitational in December 2006. 
Moved: Sid Levin 2nd: Jane Chopson

August 29, 2006
To approve the revised by-laws of the Great Dane Club of Western Washington.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

September 11, 2007
To waive for this particular publication the comment period on membership applicants to 30 days after publication. 
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Susan Shaw

September 16, 2006
To direct Tom Sandenaw to write to AKC to express our collective displeasure at their contract with Petland and asking the reason for their action.
Moved: Susan Shaw 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

September 20, 2006
To approve the wording of the letter being sent to AKC regarding Petland.
Moved: Kathy Varian 2nd: Jane Chopson

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