GDCA Board Minutes

GDCA Board Meeting
July 28, 2007
MINUTES

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

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

Guests: Willie Crawford, Margaret Shappard, Nancy Franklin, Patty Thomas, Sid Levin

All motions are unanimous unless otherwise stated.

MOTION
To excuse the absence of Dale Desjardins.
Moved: Warren Benoit 2nd: Pookie Kostuk

Secretary’s Minutes
MOTION
To approve the minutes of the April 28, 2007, meeting as submitted.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Pookie Kostuk

Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Lynda reviewed many items of correspondence, including:
• The AKC Lifetime Achievement Ballot. She passed around bio’s of the nominees.
• Northeast Great Dane Club. Lynda was instructed to write a letter asking that, if they are using the AKC Great Dane Standard, that they correct it to include only the correct colors.
• A letter from Eukanuba asking for trophy donations, a catalog ad, and a booth for their Invitational.

MOTION
To support the Eukanuba Invitational as we have done in the past.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Dianne Powers

We will also need a chairman for the Meet the Breed booth.

• A request for donation to support the defeating of anti-dog legislation.
• She reported that there were no nominations from the floor for the
GDCA election.
• Lynda discussed going back to mailing the bulletin to all members again.

MOTION
To go back to mailing the quarterly bulletin and to look into ways of economizing.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Chuck Crawford

• Lynda discussed the problem with the roster.

MOTION
To not reprint the membership roster until next year.
Moved: Jane Trieber 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

When it is reprinted, we will include affiliate clubs. It will be reprinted after the dues cut-off date (April). Lynda will discuss it with Mary Ann Land and we will discuss in January what should be added.

Pookie asked Lynda to contact AKC and officially change the Rescue Chairman.

Treasurer’s Report
Jean presented her report.

MOTION
To accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Sid commented that AKC will now require parent clubs and affiliates to transmit tax returns by electronic mail. Dianne is working on a list of new requirements and will get it out to the affiliate clubs.

Sid also reported that the audit has been successfully completed.

Linda mentioned that, at the Parent Club conference, as the result of a question, she learned that not more than 35% of the club’s income can come from non-members.

Affiliate Representative’s Report
Dianne gave an overview of several educational grant applications. Northern California is to partly fund a 2-day seminar “Breeding Better Dogs” by Dr. Carmen Battaglia; Met. Washington’s and Lehigh Valley’s are to offset the cost of echocardiograms at the National. The reduced rate will be given to the first 20 who sign up with a proof of a recent donation to the Charitable Trust.

Central Pennsylvania’s request is to partly fund a Pat Miller program at the National, and Western New York’s is to partly fund the Lydia Hiby presentation at the National. As a result, the following motions were made:

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund an Educational Grant in the amount of $1000. to the Great Dane Club of Northern California.
Moved: Sue Shaw 2nd: Pookie Kostuk

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund Educational Grants for $750. each to the Great Dane Club of Met. Washington and to the Great Dane Club of Lehigh Valley.
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Joe Longo

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund an Educational Grant for $500. to the Great Dane Club of Central Pennsylvania.
Moved: Lourdes Carvajal 2nd: Pookie Kostuk

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund an Educational Grant for $500. to the Great Dane Club of Western New York.
Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Cindy Harwin

There was a discussion of the revised Illini by-laws. The board felt very strongly that affiliate by-laws should be in line with the GDCA constitution, most especially the sections regarding Rescue and the Charitable Trust. They also have a statement in their by-laws under the membership section requiring adherence to the color code. If they vote to adhere to the GDCA color code this is a little confusing since the color code is a suggestion and members should be cognizant of it. If they wanted to have stronger requirements than the Parent Club, Dianne made the point that other clubs have already done that in the area of rescue.

MOTION
To not accept the Illini bylaws as presented because they are not line with the GDCA constitution and to hold an electronic vote at such time that they make the suggested changes.
Moved: Jane Trieber 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Tour
The Board meeting took a break for a tour of the Chattanooga hotel and grounds. Upon reconvening, there was a discussion of the site. Dave reported that he is trying to keep the show to six days. Joe mentioned the value of setting up a general schedule by days for the National. This might be limited by the logistics of the location and having to work with the hotel.

MOTION
To accept the Chattanooga site for the 2009 National Specialty.
Moved: Jane Trieber 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

The board discussed the hotel contract and the pros and cons of the site.

Affiliate Representative’s Report (con’t)
Dianne presented a revised application for education grants.

MOTION
To approve the Educational Grant Application Form as revised.
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Legislative
Tom reviewed and commented on several items, including:
• The AKC mixed breed program and listing service
• Term limits for AKC board members
• Realignment of the groups
• A possible amateur owner/handler class
• Mixed breed participation in events

He passed around an ad promoting AKC in national advertising campaign, which is available for downloading by AKC affiliate clubs.

Futurity
Dave reported that this year’s numbers are a bit lower than in the past.

Health and Research
Linda mentioned the CHF approval of the DCM research headed by Dr. Murphy.

Junior Showmanship
Lourdes presented Jessie’s requested changes in the scholarship application and her ideas for rewarding excellence.

MOTION
To approve the scholarship proposal submitted by Jessie Gerszewski as amended.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

Executive Session
The board briefly entered into executive session. Upon reconvening, the committee reports continued.

Membership
MOTION
To reinstate the membership of Annette Gauthier upon receipt of dues.
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
To vote the following into membership:
Jan Parrish Hendon
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Joe Longo

L. Brett Cipriotti
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dave Miller

Valerie Ryan-Wagner

Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Allison Fisher-Matthews
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Joe Longo

Judy Gilmore
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Margo Knof
Moved: Pookie Kostuk 2nd: Dianne Powers

Judges’ Education
Jane passed around a preliminary mentors list, which was compiled quickly by Don Carmody to meet the AKC deadline. The list is only a starting point and will be added to with input from the Division Chairs.

Jane asked permission to develop a letter to mentors. She would also like to invite first place winners at the national to attend a judges’ education session. She asked for ribbons to identify mentors. She will contact Rita regarding the ribbons and scheduling of judging on the day of Judges’ Education. Jane reviewed upcoming seminars she would like to attend.

MOTION
To reimburse reasonable expenses for Jane Trieber to attend the JEAW in Seattle, Washington.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Lourdes Carajal

MOTION
To allocate up to $1,600 for a laptop and overhead projector for Jane Trieber’s educational program.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Sue Shaw

Jane gave a presentation on the Great Dane CD Breed Study. The consensus was strongly in favor of developing the breed study.

National Specialties
2007 – Dianne reviewed her financial report and mentioned that money is coming in slowly.
2008 – Joe reported on issues with the show site and it could be going into receivership. He will start looking for a possible alternate site. Lynda and Joe reviewed the 2008 show proposal.

MOTION
To extend seed money to Joe Longo for the 2008 National Specialty in the event that he needs it.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Warren Benoit

Lynda reported that she is almost done with the revisions to the National Specialty Rules and Regulations.

Rescue
As recommended by Mary Barnett Reed, the following motion was made:

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund the following rescue grants:
1. Great Dane Club of Greater Kansas City (1) 500
2. Willamette Great Dane Club Rescue (1) 500
3. Willamette Great Dane Club Rescue (2) 500
4. Great Dane Club of Western Washington (1) 500
5. Great Dane Club of Western Washington (2) 314.12
6. Great Dane Rescue of NE (1) 500
7. Great Dane Club of Louisiana (1) 500
Moved: Warren Benoit 2nd: Paul Hardiman

MOTION
To not approve the grant for South Carolina until additional information is received.
Moved: Warren Benoit 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Pookie spoke on the recent emergency rescue situations in Western Washington and in Southern California.

MOTION
To give Mary Barnett Reed the right to spend money up to $5,000 per emergency rescue incident for the California and Washington emergency situations.
Moved: Pookie Kostuk 2nd: Lourdes Carvajal
The efforts will be coordinated by Mary Barnet Reed and Linda Ridder. Pookie asked Linda to also contact the presidents of the California clubs for their help and also Carol Grossman to see if Purina can help. Linda will keep the board apprised of the situations.

There will be a new category for Charitable Trust donations – CA and WA emergency rescue.

Standard
Linda distributed copies of the revised standard as submitted by Bob Edison, Chairman, and unanimously approved by his committee. The revisions read:

Under forequarters – eliminate sentence #6: The elbow should be one-half the distance from the withers to the ground. (Sentence is deleted with no replacement).

- Under Mantle – change existing language to:
The color shall be black and white with a solid black blanket over the body. The skull is black with a white muzzle. A white blaze extending from the muzzle to between the eyes is optional. White extends from the neck, over the front of the chest, between the front legs and may include the underside of the abdomen. White is required either in whole or in part of the forelegs and hind legs. The tail is black with a white tip. A whole white collar is preferred, but a break in the collar is acceptable. A small white marking in the blanket is acceptable. Small black markings (ticking or freckles) in the white areas of the coat or skin may be present and are acceptable.

- Change commentary beginning with “Any variance in color”…to read:

When judging the Great Dane it is important to remember that this breed has color disqualifications and not marking disqualifications. Any color other than that set forth above would result in disqualification. Any deviation of color or markings other than what is described in the standard would be penalized to the degree of deviation.

- Under Fawn – change to: The color shall be yellow gold. A black mask is preferred.

MOTION
To approve the standard revisions as submitted.
Moved: Dave Miller 2nd: Sue Shaw

Linda thanked the Standard Committee for their hard work.

Charitable Trust
Lourdes reviewed the Charitable Trust financial report.
Corporate Sponsors
Joe Longo reported on the “magnificent seven” corporate sponsors.

Yearbook
Lora Thill sent a report that Linda read to the board. Linda will recommend to Lora that she order 150 yearbooks this year.

Old Business
Lynda has all but one Top 20 photo. The pictures will be 2 X 3 and will be durable and coated. They will be completed by the national.

Dave Miller will email Carol Grossman to inquire about the status of the reports to Purina and he will update the board.



New Business
Cross Color Breeding
The consensus was to not change the statement on the website.

Political Action Committee
Before we take action we need to know if we are are restricted by the IRS regulations under our 501C7. We will contact AKC for direction. Linda needs to make a statement on the website that we are exploring clarification on what we can do within the confines of the law. Warren and Tom will look into the matter.

Champion for Health
The Champion for Health applications were reviewed. The board decided that from here forward, applications would not be held over for the next year.

MOTION
To send forward to the OFA the following five nominations for Champion for Health:

Daneridge’s Penelope Steele NA, NAJ, NAP, NJP, OJP, CGC, TDI, TT
BISS CH Avanti’s All For One Elan
UAg2, UCD, SP, HIT Liberty’s Keeper Of My Heart VCD2, CDX, OA, OAJ, TD, RAE, CGC, TT
CH Kappadane’s Mystik Blue Smoke CD RE NA NAJ CGC TDI
CH Lagrada’s Aspen Gold, ROM
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Dianne Powers

Great Dane University
Dianne reviewed the Great Dane University program and asked for approval in concept so we may begin the program at this year’s national. Board members voiced their approval of the Great Dane Owner’s Guide, which was prepared primarily by the Great Dane Club of New England’s Betty Lewis. The Owner’s Guide will be duplicated after the approval and insertion of the new standard.

MOTION
To proceed with Great Dane University and authorize the purchasing of books, up to $4,000.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Cindy Harwin

In October we will set up a GDU booth and have Canine Anatomy and the ABC’s of Breeding for sale.

Scholarship
Paul asked to revisit the issue. He noticed that there is no baseline GPA. He will discuss it with Jessie.

Mentor List
Dave spoke that, as Division Chairs, he and Joe did not get a phone call regarding the mentoring list and the procedure discussed at the last meeting was not followed. Jane will ask Don Carmody to contact the division chairs by September 15th and to expand the list before it if printed anywhere.

Parent Club Conference
Dianne commented on the Parent Club Conference. She reported that AKC wants a letter from the Parent Club on where we would like our breed to be in the group realignment.

AKC Ballot
MOTION
To vote for the following on the AKC Lifetime Achievement ballot:
Peter Greene
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Richard Mullen
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Lynda Moriarty

Dr. Warren
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Jane Trieber

Request from Jan Parrish
MOTION
To not accept the request of Jan Parish to backdate her membership.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Paul Hardiman

MOTION
To adjourn the meeting.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Sue Shaw

The next meeting will be held on October 21, tentatively at 9:00 AM, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Davis Shaw
Recording Secretary

September 12, 2007
MOTION
To recognize Paddy Magnuson with a special plaque for her many years of service to the GDCA.
Moved: Susan Davis Shaw 2nd: Dianne Powers

October 1, 2007

MOTION
That the Board approve requests for replacement Top 20 pins for Mary Ellen Thomas and Jay Miller.
Moved: Susan Davis Shaw 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

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