GDCA Board Minutes

GDCA Board Meeting
May, 2009  - Rosemont, Illinois
MINUTES

Members Present:
Chuck Crawford, Nancy Ridgway, Cindy Harwin, Paul Hardiman, Jane Treiber, Tom Sandenaw, Joe Longo, Lynda Moriarty, Jean Highlands, Linda Ridder, Sue Davis Shaw.
Guest Present: Trudy Muller

All motions are unanimous unless other wise noted.

President Linda Ridder called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM. The board entered into executive session. The regular meeting reconvened at 8:50 AM.

MOTION
To excuse the absences of Dianne Powers, David Miller, Rita Suddarth, and Lourdes Carvajal.
Moved: Joe Longo 2nd: Sue Davis Shaw

Recording Secretary’s Minutes
MOTION
To approve the minutes with the addition of the word ‘dogs’ to the motion on page 7.
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Paul Hardiman

Corresponding Secretary’s Report
Nancy Ridgeway reviewed the following:
• Correspondence regarding the GDCA Specialty in Chattanooga
• Letter from the Canine Health Foundation
• Correspondence from the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Missouri
• Correspondence regarding a Repro Seminar in Illinois. Lynda will share the information with local clubs
• A thank you letter from Georgia Hymen, Dane Outreach
• A letter from the Wigwam resort
• An email from a doctoral student that was forwarded to JP Yousha
• Correspondence from the AKC regarding the registering of mixed breeds
• Correspondence from the International Kennel Club of Chicago

It was suggested that we need a formal process for responding to correspondence directed to the board. Jane Chopson felt that the President should decide to whom the correspondence should be funneled. Tom Sandenaw cautioned board members to be very careful in their email correspondence, as all emails are public record.

MOTION
That the board donate $100 in memory of Barbara Chambers to Take the Lead.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Treasurer’s Report
Jean reviewed the year to date profit and loss statement. She was concerned that the Cincinnati Club has not paid their dues. Joe Longo will contact them.

Jean reviewed the items on her report.

There was a discussion regarding the cost of doing business and the lack of income.
There was a discussion regarding the 50-50 split on the judges’ expenses at the national and whether that was ever voted on. If we continue at the general rate that we have been spending, in 5-9 years the GDCA will be out of money. Joe commented that every division should be able to at least break even and that a good contract is the key. There was discussion of where we can cut and how can we downsize. Lynda mentioned the “constant comment” program, mentioned in an email from Dave Miller.

It was suggested to form a committee to actually analyze our budget or lack of one and to recommend areas where we can cut. Paul commented that we need to have budgets from the top all the way down and each committee needs to put together a budget and look for little ways to save.

Linda appointed a Budget Committee to consist of Jean Highlands, Joe Longo, Paul Hardiman, and Jane Chopson.

MOTION
To approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

Affiliate Delegate’s Report
Dianne was not able to attend, but submitted her report which included a letter from the Great Dane Club of the Mid-South regarding the crop and dock issue.

AKC Delegate’s Report
Tom Sandenaw reported on several issues:
• AKC has a reduction in the blue slip return rate and is asking Parent Clubs help in getting dogs registered and in registering the whole litter.
• He reported on the conflict with National Specialties and All Breed Shows. All breed clubs can make the decision as to whether to co-exist.
• States may be going through re-alignment for points.
• Miscellaneous Class – new rules are coming out for the showing of misc. breeds that are not yet AKC registered.
• Veteran Class – AKC confirmed that you cannot earn points for non-regular classes.
• The increase of the Groups from 7-10. The AKC Board of Directors will decide who goes in what groups. This will take effect in 2010.
• Code of Ethics data request from AKC.
• Parent Club Conference in 2010. AKC reiterated their position on face-to-face meetings.
• There was a suggestion that participants in national specialties retain their armbands and those armbands (with dates of attendance, etc) may be presented to the mayors of the cities that shows are held in to show how these specialties make a financial impact on the local economies.
• AKC now has a health website: AKC.health.com
• Responsible Ownership Day, Sept. 2009
• Meet the Breeds Program in New York Oct. 17-18. AKC is asking for Parent Club participation by hosting a booth.

MOTION
To appoint a ‘Meet the Breeds’ Coordinator, whose job it will be to develop, organize, and maintain all ‘Meet the Breeds’ activities.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Paul Hardiman

AKC needs a contact name by June 1, 2009.

The Eukanuba show will be Dec. 13-14 and will not be an invitational. GDCA has been asked to support the entry.

MOTION
To support the entry for the AKC Eukanuba show.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Futurity
There was comment that we do not have financial reports on the Futurity.

MOTION
That we institute a formal Futurity Financial document at the end of every National.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Joe Longo

Judges Education
Jane Treiber mentioned that Neil O’Sullivan gave an excellent program on Canine Form and Function. It was decided that the program may not be appropriate for the Judge’s Education because of time constraints, but might be perfect for Breeder’s Education. The consensus was in favor of that.

The DVD is almost completed. Jane would like the Board to review the ‘beta’ copy and discuss it at the July meeting so that the DVD can be completed and be ready for distribution at the national. It was decided that the sale price will be $50. and 250 copies will be printed initially. Copies will be given to judges who participate in the Judge’s Education program at the national. It will be free to licensed judges, and will be shown during the GDCA national at the GDCA booth.

MOTION
That the Board recommend to the Charitable Trust that they contribute $7,500 towards the completion of the DVD.
Moved: Jane Treiber 2nd: Joe Longo
2 abstentions

Jane Treiber was applauded for her tremendous efforts.

There was a short break for lunch.

Judges Selection
Linda reported that Mary Ellen Thomas has been hospitalized and is on the mend. There are no results yet on the recent judges ballot.

Junior Showmanship
A thank you letter was read from Kristin Heiden and an application from Shannon Soafer was reviewed.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund a scholarship in the amount of $1,750 to Shannon Soafer, as recommended by the Scholarship Committee.

There were questions as to whether Jessie submitted a revised scholarship application. A board member went on line and determined that the application was already changed on the web site.

MOTION
To approve the change to the Scholarship application.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Membership
Lynda Moriarty reviewed the revised membership application and sponsorship form. There were some minor wording changes suggested. Lynda will look at some other club applications to compare the wording.

MOTION
To approve the membership of Michelle Nelson
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Cindy Harwin

To approve the membership of Emily Warren
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Cindy Harwin

To approve the membership of W. Scott & Jennifer Wilson
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Paul Hardiman

To approve the membership of Dana Cline
Moved: Jean Highlands
1 abstention 2nd: Chuck Crawford

To approve the membership of Michael Pacucci
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Joe Longo

To approve the membership of Ginette Bazinet
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Nancy Ridgway

To approve the membership of Isabelle Messier
Moved: Nancy Ridgway 2nd: Paul Hardiman

To approve the membership of Glenda Cole
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Chuck Crawford

To approve the membership of Karl-Henrik Nanning
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Cindy Harwin

To approve the membership of Melonie Eso
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Paul Hardiman

To approve the membership of Megan Terry
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

To approve the membership of Christine Asay
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

To approve the membership of Kristi Allison
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Cindy Harwin

To approve the membership of Frank & Patricia Mussen
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Due to a clerical error, the application of Ann-Christin Danielsson will be republished when a new sponsor is secured.

National Specialties
2008 – Jean Highlands and Joe Longo presented the financial report for the Central Division National. Joe asked whether the 50/50 split on judges’ expenses was ever voted by the board. Jean stated that by accepting the 2007 financial package, the board was giving approval of that split. Further discussion and approval of the 2008 financial report will be put off until July. Joe also discussed how to handle the situation of a club in his division that did not work at the national and should not be eligible to participate in the profit.

2010 –Nancy Ridgway retained Arkansas counsel to review the proposed contract, after being authorized by the BOD to do so. Minor changes were suggested, the changes were made, and the contract has been approved.

MOTION
To accept the 2010 contract with Pine Bluff.
Moved: Nancy Ridgway 2nd: Joe Longo

2011 – A letter from Putt Richards was read. Nancy Ridgway will respond that, although the Board still feels that an attorney’s review is important, under the circumstances we will give a one-time waiver.

Rescue
The applications for insurance and rescue grants were reviewed and the following actions were taken:

Insurance Grant for Rocky Mountain Rescue was not approved because those grants are available only to affiliate clubs.

The Insurance Grant for Great Dane Rescue of South Florida (Great Dane Club of South Florida) was not approved because there was no affiliate secretary’s signature and no paid receipt.

Rescue Grants

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants totaling $1,000 to the South West Florida Great Dane Rescue.
Moved: Nancy Ridgway 2nd: Paul Hardiman

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund a grant in the amount of $500 to the Great Dane Club of Greater Kansas City.
Moved: Cindy Harwin 2nd: Jane Chopson

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants totaling $1,000 from Willamette Great Dane Rescue with the contingency that there are no duplicate bills.
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Nancy Ridgway

Rocky Mountain is not listed as an approved rescue on the GDCA website, therefore the request for a grant was not approved.

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (West Virginia), deducting the private cremation, which was not approved.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Jean Highlands

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund one grant for Mid Atlantic Rescue of Delaware, totaling $500.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (DC), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Nancy Ridgway

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (VA), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (NC), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Nancy Ridgway

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (NJ), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (PA), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Chuck Crawford 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
To recommend to the Charitable Trust that they fund two grants for Mid Atlantic Rescue (NY), totaling $1,000.
Moved: Tom Sandenaw 2nd: Chuck Crawford

The board requested the corresponding secretary to send a note to Mary Barnett Reed, accepting her resignation and thanking her for her work.

Standards Committee
Linda has not yet appointed a committee chair and asked the board members to contact her with suggestions.

Charitable Trust
Jane Chopson presented a report from Lourdes, as well as a financial report. Paul showed an updated annual report, which will be distributed to donors and board members. Linda recognized Paul for his work on the annual report and with the CHF in gaining good publicity.

Corporate Sponsors
Joe Longo reported on the corporate sponsors so far for 2009, which include:
Virginia Perry Gardiner and Ana Goulet, Purina, Eagle, Louise Peterson, Omar, and Dane World.

Newsletter
Cindy reported that committee chairmen need to get their shortened reports to her ASAP for the newsletter. Her printer has suggested that the newsletters be sent out in the following way – 2 newsletters sent first class and two newsletters send first class bulk, this saving about half the cost by sending first class bulk. The board agreed that it was worth a try.

Trophies
Tom Sandenaw reported for Debbie. The trophies have been ordered. There was a request for a duplicate.

MOTION
To approve the request for a duplicate Best Bred By trophy.
Moved: Lynda Moriarty 2nd: Cindy Harwin

Yearbook
Rita’s report was reviewed.

MOTION
To print only 100 yearbooks, providing there is no increased cost per unit.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Tom Sandenaw

MOTION
That we do not accept paid advertising for the 2008 Yearbook.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Chuck Crawford

Old Business
Futurity Finances – This will be tabled until the July meeting and Dave Miller and Jean Highlands will be asked to submit a financial report

MOTION
Effective for the 2010 Futurity, we will raise the final entry fee to $15 and further, effective with the 2009 Futurity, reinstate the cash prizes to be divided as follows:
Prizes: 50% of the final entry will be for expenses; 50% of the final entry fees will be distributed to the first breeder of record as it appears in the catalog.

First place winner – 40%; Second Place Winner – 30%; Third Place Winner – 20%; Fourth Place Winner 10%.

Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Chuck Crawford
1 abstention

MOTION
To rescind the following motion, which was approved in February of 2009,
In order to move the Futurity in the direction of self-sustainability and in recognition of the fact that they Futurity is operating at a loss, I move that we eliminate the payment of prize money to breeders of Futurity competitors.
Moved: Paul Hardiman 2nd: Joe Longo

2007 Close Out Letter will be tabled until the July meeting.

Bonding for GDCA Treasurer and Specialty Treasurer – Dianne was researching this issue.

New Business
Presidential Pet Museum – Due to the money requested, we will decline this invitation.

National Specialty Rules and Regulations –
MOTION
That Lynda Moriarty will add page numbers to the NSRR and within the next two months, we will schedule a conference call to review the document.
Moved: Jane Chopson 2nd: Joe Longo

Crop and Dock Issue – Tom Sandenaw gave an update on this issue. After discussion, it was decided that Paul Hardiman and Tom Sandenaw will consult with JP Yousha and develop a policy letter.
Judge Selection – Postponed until the next meeting.
Guidelines for seeking legal review of contract issues – There was a brief discussion about developing a boilerplate for contract review.
Dog News article on CH Danes – Nancy has sent the information to Sandy. If she doesn’t hear back, she will send it to JP.

The meeting was recessed at 5:50 PM and will resume on July 25th at a location to be determined.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Davis Shaw
Recording Secretary

The following motions were made, properly seconded, and vote by electronic mail. All votes are unanimous unless otherwise stated.

May 23, 2009
MOTION
To hold the next meeting on July 25th at the Olympia in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Moved: Susan Davis Shaw 2nd: Nancy Ridgway
10 votes yes; one vote no – The motion passed.

June 24, 2009
MOTION
That the GDCA keeps the Purina check this time 
and uses it toward the balance due on the DVD.


Moved: Dianne Powers 2nd: Nancy Ridgway

June 26, 2009
MOTION
To correct the typo in the National Specialty Rules & Regulations to read:
The ballots will be tabulated, and the top 10 names for Specialty Judges, and the top 10 names for Futurity will be sent to the membership for the final vote."
Moved: Sue Davis Shaw 2nd: Lynda Moriarty
June 26, 2009
MOTION
I move that the BOD reverse the motion to recommend to the Charitable Trust that they contribute $7,500 towards the completion of the DVD.
Moved: Jean Highlands 2nd: Dianne Powers