GDCA Board Minutes

GDCA Board Meeting
April 21, 2007
MINUTES

President Linda Ridder called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM.

Members Present: Linda Ridder, Lourdes Carvajal, Dave Miller, Lynda Moriarty, Sue Davis Shaw, Dale Desjardins, Warren Benoit, Jane Trieber, Lucinda Harwin, Jean Highlands, Pookie Kostuk, Paul Hardiman, Dianne Powers, Chuck Crawford, Joe Longo

Guests: Neil O’Sullivan, Norvel Benoit, Mary Anne Zanetos

All motions are unanimous unless otherwise stated.

MOTION
To excuse the absence of Tom Sandenaw.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Recording Secretary Minutes
MOTION
To approve the minutes of the January 20, 2007, meeting as submitted.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dianne Powers

Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Lynda reviewed many items of correspondence, including correspondence on the following:
• AKC Good Sportsmanship Award (from Tom Sandenaw)
• AKC’s new microchip program
• Responsible Dog Ownership Day
• Response to her questions on the AKC Records Retention Program
• AKC regarding the 2007 agility trial application
• AKC regarding an international obedience invitational
• AKC re lifetime achievement awards
• AKC re the number of x-pens allowed at a dog show
• A check for $5,153.77 from the Purina/Parent Club Partnership Program
• Breeder symposium
• Information on a DCM study
Jane mentioned that there are new AKC regulations for having a dog show that clubs need to look at carefully.

Treasurer’s Report
Jean Highlands read correspondence after March 1st from three members asking to have their membership reinstated.

MOTION
To reinstate the membership of Joan (Rouse) Appuna.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dianne Powers

MOTION
To reinstate the membership of Diane Sunbury.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Pookie Kostuk

MOTION
To reinstate the membership of Jennifer Jacobs.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Diane Powers

Jean reviewed her treasurer’s report.

MOTION
To accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Dave Miller

Affiliate Representative
Dianne read letters from the GDCNE and the GDC of Oxford requesting educational grants to help fund cardiac testing at their joint Rally Round the Dane day. Dianne recommended approving their requests.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund Educational Grants in the amount of $400 each to the Great Dane Club of New England and the Great Dane Club of Oxford.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Jean Highlands

Dianne will send the request to Lisa Foltz.

Dianne read a section of the revised Arizona by-laws under ‘terms of membership’ requiring members to rescue any dogs of their breeding. Failure to do so would make them subject to being dropped from membership. Dianne commended the Arizona Club and also the No. Central Florida Club for their work on their by-laws and recommended the approval of both.

MOTION
To approve the revised by-laws of the Great Dane Club of Arizona.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Jane Trieber

MOTION
To approve the revised by-laws of the Great Dane Club of North Central Florida.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Dianne updated the board on a membership issue with an affiliate club and discussed becoming the client of a professional parliamentarian.

Dianne also discussed the new Oklahoma Club and what division they would belong to. Since the club borders South Central and Mid-West, she will contact Oklahoma and ask them if they have a preference.

MOTION
To approve hiring a professional parliamentarian on a case-by-case basis.
Moved: Jane Trieber 2nd: Joe Longo

AKC Delegate
There was a discussion regarding the AKC’s possible realigning of the groups. Lynda was asked to look into it.

Advisory
Jane Chopson sent the board an email regarding proposed changes to the standard.

Futurity
Dave Miller reported on the numbers to date – 156 litters nominated with a total of 256 puppies.

Health and Research
Dr. Neil O’Sullivan gave updates on the following projects: The Harlequin Gene Project, Addison’s Disease, and the K9 Behavior Study. He asked the board to promote the research project, The Genetics of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, explaining the project and telling the board that this is a good start on discovering the genetics of bloat. If approved, he will ask for peer review at AKC through the CHF.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund the bloat study,
Genetics of gastric dilatation-volvulus in the Great Dane, being conducted by
Mathew Pletcher at Florida Atlantic University as recommended by Dr. Neil O’Sullivan for $11,000 for this year, with matching funds from the AKC/CHF. In the event that it is off-cycle for AKC peer review, the recommendation is to fund the entire $22,000 needed for this project for this year.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Neil also discussed the genetics of the mantle. There was a discussion regarding the standard. Lynda would like to see the changes go back to the standards committee with the caveat that Neil assist with the crafting of the wording and with a recommendation for new committee members. The board would like to see Bob Edison remain as chairman.

Judges Education
Linda read a letter from Judy Harrington resigning as chairman of judges education and suggesting Jane Trieber as the new chairman. The board accepted the resignation with regret and with thanks and appreciation for all that she has accomplished as judges education chairman.

MOTION
To accept the resignation of Judy Harrington from Judges Education Chair with regret.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Joe Longo


MOTION
To affirm the President’s appointment of Jane Trieber as Judges Education Chairman.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Cindy Harwin

MOTION
To accept the resignation of Jane Trieber as Membership Chairman and to thank her for time served.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dianne Powers

MOTION
To approve Lynda Moriarty as Membership Chairman.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Joe Longo

Jane Trieber discussed the new AKC ringside mentoring program. We do not yet have a mentoring system in place. We need to develop minimum qualifications and have mentors in place on our website. The only AKC requirement is 12 years in the breed. The involvement of division chairmen was mentioned. Linda suggested Don Carmody as a coordinator, with multiple people in each area.

The meeting was suspended for lunch. Upon reconvening, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To ask Don Carmody to coordinate the mentoring program.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Cindy Harwin

If Don accepts, he, Jane and the Division Chairs will be asked to develop the criteria.

Judges Selection
Lynn Brown-Quick does not have the results from the accountant. There was a discussion of the proposed revised Judges Selection Process. No vote was taken.

Junior Showmanship
Lourdes reported for Jessie and gave Jessie’s recommendation for funding two scholarships.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund scholarships in the amount of $1,000. each to Kirsten Heiden and Heather Carroll.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

Jessie also commented on changes to the application.

Membership
Jane recommended some changes to the membership application including asking why the applicant wants to join and adding lines to list their areas of interest and how they would like to participate. She recommended that the following be voted into membership:

MOTION
To vote the following into membership:
Ron Katarzynski
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Sandy Brandt
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Dianne Powers

Kymm Cowley
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal

Linda Huckaba
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dianne Powers

National Specialties
2007 – The premium list and agility premium were reviewed. There was a question as to whether the BOW is eligible for an Award of Merit.

2008 – Joe reported that his division met on March 17th. He showed the board their logo and their theme is: The Greatest Dane Show on Earth. He will have a schedule by the next board meeting.

2009 – Dave is still negotiating with the Spartanburg Marriott and there are contractual issues. If he can’t resolve them, the national may go to Chattanooga. The board confirmed his appointment of show chair and treasurer. Nikki Riggsbee will continue to be the division secretary so no vote was necessary on that position.

MOTION
To approve Willie Crawford as South East Division Show Chairman.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Dianne Powers

MOTION
To approve Sid Levin as South East Division Treasurer.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Rescue
Board members had questions about some of the rescue grants and Pookie will ask Mary to clarify.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund the following rescue grants pending clarification:
1. Heart of Texas Great Dane Club (1) 500
2. Great Dane Club of No. Central FL (1) 500
3. Heart of Minnesota Great Dane Club (1) 500
4. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MD) (1) 500
5. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MD) (2) 500
6. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (DE) (1) 500
7. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (DE) (2) 500
8. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (PA) (1) 500
9. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (PA) (2) 500
10. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NY) (1) 500
11. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NY) (2) 500
12. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NJ) (1) 500
13. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NJ) (2) 500
14. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NC) (1) 500
15. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (NC) (2) 500
16. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (No. VA) (1) 500
17. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (So. VA) (2) 500
18. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (WV) (1) 500
19. Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (WV) (2) 500

Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Warren Benoit

MOTION
To approve the Rescue Insurance Policy Grant application as corrected.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Standard
Mary Anne Zanetos gave a presentation on the mantle standard.

The following motion was made:
MOVED:
To send the proposed changes to the standard back to the Standards Committee to be returned with revisions by the July meeting.
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Cindy Harwin

The board would like the Standards Committee to consist of the following members for this revision only: Bob Edison, Chair; Dr. Neil O’Sullivan; Paul Hardiman, Dave Miller; Mary Anne Zanetos. Linda will contact those people and ask them to serve.

Website/Breeder Referral
Nancy submitted her report, giving an update on the changes and new additions to the website. Nancy commented on the valuable resource that the Breeder’s List has become. She requested that the National Specialty Rules & Regulations be placed on the website. Lynda will send her the document.

Championship Awards
Dale reported that total AKC Great Dane awards for 2006 was 444.

Charitable Trust
Lourdes reported on CT fundraising. Dave Miller explained the “Network for Good” program. Paul explained the structure of the Charitable Trust and will report at the next meeting on how to make the process work better moving forward.

Historian
Lynda reported (for Norvel) that the only missing years for GDCA yearbooks are 1949 and 1950.

Old Business
Email – Dianne spoke on the problem of board members either not being included in emails or not responding. Jean proposed that, once a motion as been made and seconded by email, Sue should restate the motion and send it out to everyone. Email motions will only be done on time sensitive issues. Their will also be a 48 hour waiting period before a vote to insure that everyone has seen the motion and to leave time for discussion. The board would like to try the Yahoo group again and Lynda will set it up. The importance of Board confidentiality was also discussed.

Excused Absence – Guidelines for an excused absence from a board meeting will be: illness, death or illness in the family, weather, or work related.

Great Dane University – Dianne gave updated prices for reprinting the booklet. 1,000 booklets - $3,000 or 2,500 booklets - $3,900.

MOTION
To approve the printing of 2,500 of the booklets Great Dane University.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Cindy Harwin

The Northeast Division was given permission to put the booklets in their welcome bags. Dianne will store and ship the booklets.

Linda mentioned that we need to have more illustrated standards printed. Jane will get a price.

New Business
Nominating Committee - Linda asked Paul to Chair the Nominating Committee and he will give input as to committee members.
Roster - Mary Ann Land has volunteered to do the new roster. Cindy suggested putting in a page for members to indicate their areas of interest.
Letter from Pedigree – Pedigree is suggesting that one worthy Great Dane breed rescue apply for a $2,000 grant from the American Humane Association. Pros and cons were discussed.
Rabies Challenge Fund - Sue asked the board to consider making a donation to the Rabies Challenge Fund and Neil spoke on the value of the project.

MOTION
To fund a one-time donation of $5,000 to the Rabies Challenge Fund (Dr. Jean Dodds). The funds are to come from the GDCA General Fund.
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

MOTION
To adjourn the meeting.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Jane Trieber

The next meeting will be held on July 28 with the location to be determined.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Davis Shaw
Recording Secretary

The following motions were made, seconded and passed electronically.
May 7, 2007

MOTION

That the GDCA Officers and Board of Directors approve the appointments of the following GDCA members to the currently sitting Nominating Committee:

Sue Mahany (Dunlap,IL)
Dianne Powers (West Tisbury, MA)
Christopher O'Connell (Lloyd Harbor, NY)
John Jarvise (Tucson, AZ)

Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

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