Each year Delegate participation within the AKC structure becomes more involved and complex. As Delegates we find ourselves busier than ever, with a full 2 1/2 days of participation. We are mailed copies of all meetings, announcements, meeting agendas, upcoming events, etc. Our mailbox is kept overflowing, monthly and even weekly. We also have our Delegate quarterly, “Prospectives.” The magazine has gone from a barely looked at few pages, to one, which is comprehensively written, and a “must read.” Delegates who give their views on various issues of concern write all articles.

We are learning more about the High Volume Breeder, HVB, and the pros (financial, better care of the dogs, accuracy of the AKC registry) and cons (against our beliefs of accepting wholesale breeders and brokers.)

AKC tackles the airline industry problems with shipping dogs, and looks into Animal Activist activities. If we are not aware, pay attention to and combat the myriad of proposals and anti-dog legislature, we will be ruled out of existence!

The Committee meetings on the Mondays before the Delegate meetings are quite well attended. At the most recent, there was standing room only. Many Delegates were forced to stand in the doorways and in the hall!

At the meetings each amendment or proposition, which reaches the Delegate body, receives its full attention from the floor. The proposal is scrutinized and discussed in depth, and often-minor “housekeeping” errors in wording are brought to attention and corrected before the motion is then passed or rejected. At times it appears that while the “language usage” is being corrected, the original purpose of the proposal is lost! The change of a single word can often alter the meaning.

Your Delegate was honored in 2001 by being nominated to run for the AKC Board of Directors for the class of 2006. It is interesting to note that two Borzoi fanciers were chosen of the three selected. Asa Mays as the incumbent, and myself, to replace one outgoing Director. The election proceedings were quite time consuming, and an interesting experience. While I was not elected, I was told that my campaign was well done, my platform being that I would provide a voice for the breeder/exhibitor. Of the nine people running, my votes were in the middle, which I was also told is considered good for a first time candidate.

Elected were Asa Mays, Ken Marden and Nina Schaefer.

Please contact me with your concerns or questions. Home # 973-383-5858, e-mail, Majenkir@sprynet.com, or in person at a dog show.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Staudt-Cartabona