Borzoi Club of
America
General Membership Meeting - May 18, 2001
The Annual General Membership Meeting of the BCOA was called to order by President Shen Smith at 4 PM.
Shen Smith gave a report on the State of the Club. She noted that one word summed this up well, that was "Excellent." Two exciting projects have launched this year, and both have made phenomenal progress. These are the Health Committee and the Rescue Committee. Special thanks to the Chairmen of these committees.
Shen noted that the BCOA now has 527 households, with 742 members. National Specialties are running well, and the club has a strong Treasury, with approximately $30,000.0. The BCOA is in excellent shape.
Shen then introduced the Board Members and Regional Governors.
A Quorum was established.
Moved by Chris Danker to approve the General Membership Minutes as published. Seconded by Fred Edlin. Motion carried.
Appreciation Certificates were awarded to the following people for their dedication and contribution in these areas:
BCOA Health - Alice Reese
BC Website - Margie Milne
BC Database - Joel Chaney
BC Subscription Editor - Robin Reil
BC Foreign Desk Editor - Barbara Lord
BCOA Health Registry - Dr. Lou Avant
BCOA Health Website - Jennifer Beach-Buda
BCOA Awards - Kim Horn Janek (ten years of service!)
The Following Regional Clubs were honored for excellence in promoting Borzoi Health:
BCGNY - Borzoi Club of Greater New York -for their support of Heart Research and in helping funding the AKC Health Foundation, accepted by Sandy Zimmerman.
PVBC - Potomac Valley Borzoi Club, accepted by Mary Vile
MBC - Midwest Borzoi Club - accepted by Jon Steele
BCOC - Borzoi Club of California - accepted by Christine Bradley
Virginia Jones reported on the BCOA Health Committee progress. Although it was recently reorganized, and has existed for only three weeks, she noted that they are working on both short term (1 year) plans and long term (5 year) plans for the progress of this Committee, with commitment to clearly prioritizing goals, and planning and maintaining a budget. The Committee has already made notable accomplishments. These include the creation of a website for use by Committee Members for conducting business. Two storage areas were donated by Shen Smith for data on the web, one for surveys and general management, the other for publications and a compilation of related health links. Articles by veterinarians have been submitted to the Borzoi Connection for publication in the following two issues of this magazine. The articles will also be posted to the Web-site. Dr. Gary Nash has contributed an article on bloat, and Dr. Ray Maclein has donated one on current thyroid information.
Ginger noted the work of Dr. Lou Avant in the success of the on-line Health Registry, which has issued 143 Good Health Certificates, and has already accumulated the following information: There are currently 529 CERF entries, 632 OFA entries, 58 Thyroid entries, 109 Heart entries, 16 Elbow entries, 5 Patella entries, 61 Health Records, and 32 Litter Health Records.
Ginger also suggested that Trophy Supported Entry shows might consider sponsoring Health Seminars. The MBC Specialty in Detroit may be the first Regional Specialty to host a Thyroid Seminar and Screening.
The committee is considering methods of getting the health information to people who do not have Internet access, several different publication methods have been considered. She invites the input and help of volunteers.
The need for a Microchip Scanner was discussed. It was moved by Ginger Jones to approve the purchase of a Universal Microchip Scanner. Seconded by Ann Filetti. Discussion followed. The motion was amended to authorize the purchase up to $300.00. Seconded by Ann Filetti. Second motion carried. First motion carried as amended.
Maureen Bardwell, reported on the Rescue Committee. She extended special thanks to Committee Members Janice Butkowsky, web-master, Dedra & Greg Jones for their hard work, especially at this National, and Betsy Denning. Maureen then presented Barbara O'Neill with a gift in honor of her inspiration and hard work in helping to set up this committee.
Maureen then discussed some of the benefits of this Committee, also very young, and of the BCOA Rescue Website. Information about and photos of lost Borzoi have been posted there and there is a very high success rate in connecting dogs to their owners. In addition, it has been used to post photos of dogs available for adoption, and has been an aid in placing Borzoi needing homes. Some new owners have sent follow up photos of their new family members, and these are also posted.
She noted that we had collected $2300.00 to date at the National for funding BCOA Rescue. Approximately $2000.00 was collected by adding the line item Rescue donation request to the dues notices for 2001. The goal of the Committee is to have approximately $5000.00 as a basic safety net in funds, and to make additional funds available to Borzoi Rescue Groups via Grant Proposals. They are also exploring the possibility of sponsoring on-line auctions as fund raisers for area Rescue Organizations.
Maureen pointed out how difficult and dangerous it can be to place our dogs in new homes that are at great distances from us. This discussion arose on an Internet Subscription List, and several people volunteered to do "In-Home" visits in their own areas. Maureen thought it was a shame that the names would simply be lost, so she started gathering them, and invited additions. We now have a list of over 100 names of people willing to do "In-Home" visits for other breeders. She encouraged our members to volunteer by filling out the form provided, or contacting her by phone or email with contact information.
She did note that, while the NBRF and BCOA Rescue are independent of each other, BCOA Rescue has provided support in effort and funds in the past, and will continue to do so. $500.00 was already provided for spay-neuters this year.
Patti Neale reported on the Color Committee. Bonnie Dalzell has agreed to work with and on this Committee. Earlier this year the AKC requested update on color, but the person heading this AKC committee retired and the work has not proceeded. The BCOA Color Committee is working on a proposal for the AKC based on the AKC assurance that we will be able to modify the colors made available on registration slips under the new committee chairman, not yet appointed by the AKC.
Barbara O'Neill provided an update on the upcoming National Specialties.
The 2002 Specialty will be held in Atlanta, Georgia at the Atlanta Northeast Hilton Hotel, , with 272 rooms. Th contract will be signed shortly. The Hilton may offer rates as low as $50.00 per night per room, single or double, with a registration deadline of February 1st, 2002. After that the room rate would go to $70.00 per night until March 15th, and to normal room rate after that date. People wishing to make reservations need to call the Hotel directly in Atlanta, rather than the national toll free reservation number, and be sure to tell the reservations clerk that you are with the Borzoi Club of America. There are a limited number of Executive Kings at $90.00 per night also available. The tentative starting date will be March 23rd. Tentative Scheduling will be Field Events starting out that weekend, followed by Obedience, and Futurity on the 25th, Sweeps on the 26th, Dog classes Wednesday, bitch classes Thursday, non-regular classes Friday, Best of Breed Saturday. Judges are Donna Maharan for Regular Classes, Christine Bradley for Sweepstakes. We need volunteers for this show. Paula Moore will be the Obedience Chair, Sandra Moore will be the Hospitality Chair, and Debbie Sharp will be the Obedience Chair. A member asked if Agility would be offered, and Barbara responded that it would. Nearby outdoor grass sites belonging to local businesses are being investigated. Additional information will be sent with the summer Borzoi Connection, and will be posted on the BCOA Website as it is available.
The 2003 National Specialty will be held in Region 4, in Reno, Nevada at the Atlantis Casino Resort. Information will come from Todd Brandtman, who is the Facilities Chairman. Obedience Chair for this event will be Toby Brandtman. Judges will be Lorraine Groshans for Regular Classes and Kathryn Wright for Sweepstakes.
The 2004 National is our Centennial. Barbara invites proposals for this event. She has guidelines for evaluation of a potential site, including requirements for a National Specialty and a "Hotel Resume." The Event Site should be centrally located so that exhibitors can drive from most of the country. She reminded members that the Specialty can not be held between May 15th and September 15th.
Lena Tamboer suggested that it would be good to have the Centennial Show in the same month that the BCOA was formed, which would be February. Discussion followed. Although this would be historically interesting it would be difficult due to the weather in most parts of the country at that time of year.
Anyone having suggestions on how to select the BCOA National Centennial Judge please contact Karen Mays.
Shen Smith announced that the Board will present three new Annual Achievement Awards, retroactive to January 1st of this year. They are: Top LGRA, Top NOTRA, and Top Agility Dogs.
The letter from Dick Blodgett was read. He suggests that we consider figuring the Annual Top Winners Awards by including Borzoi statistics. Right now only All Breed statistics are used. Discussion followed. Patti Neale moved that we have Top Winners Awards figured by both the All Breed and the Breed Systems. Seconded by Mary Vile. Motion carried.
Anne Filetti mentioned that Angela San Paolo suggested the possibility of splitting the performance and conformation events for our National. Ann Filetti moved that we split the Specialty and hold a conformation Specialty in the spring and a performance Specialty in the Fall. Discussion followed. No second. Motion died.
Leslie Carroll suggested the possibility of adding a "Generations Class" to our National Specialties. This would be similar to Stud Dog and Brood Bitch but would include Get and Grand-Get. This will be referred to the Specialty Committee for consideration.
Lynda Gillaspey noted that the Specialty this year had not contracted with a videographer, and offered her services in this capacity. She hopes to provide both video and stills for the Specialty this year, and stated that all net profits from sales would be donated back to the BCOA Rescue or to other areas that needed funding.
The issue of determining ownership of a dog for BCOA awards was raised. In the case of co-ownership, this can be complicated because the BCOA uses AKC records and reports to figure awards and the AKC always lists the first owner of record only. Should we use all owners of record? This can sometimes mean three, four or five people. Should all be members, or only one need to be member? How do we keep track of this? Sandra Moore pointed out that her All Breed Club requires the owner to submit a copy of the Title Certificate in order to qualify for an Award. It was suggested that a "member of same household" rule might be successfully used. Discussion followed.
Mary Vile moved to table this discussion and send it to the Board with club members encouraged to submit suggestions. Seconded by Todd Brandtman. Motion carried.
Marina Pearce moved that this issue should be submitted to the General Membership for a vote. Sandra Moore seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Marina withdrew her motion. The Board might be able to suggest several options to members of how to handle this. Members are encouraged to speak with their Regional Governors with suggestions or comments so that they may report to the Board on the wishes of the Members.
Prudence Hlatky moved to adjourn. Seconded by Fred Edlin. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM EST.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Swilley
BCOA Recording Secretary
Corrections to 2001 Membership book:
Dr Gregory Gomori & Carol Moore
5841 Boulder Creek Dr
Austintown OH 44515
330-792-0898
Marian McNeil & Lee Pryor
P O Box 1139
Troy VA 22974
804-589-5468
Dedra Jones, kennel name Lagniappe