Dalmatian Club of America
Board of Governors Meeting
December 4, 2004 - Chicago, IL

I.  CALL TO ORDER

    The fourth quarter meeting of the Dalmatian Club of America Board of Governors was called to order at 1:10 PM CST on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at the O’Hare Hilton Hotel by the President, Dr. J. Charles Garvin. DCA Governors present, in addition to President Garvin, were Mrs. Eva Berg, Mrs. Sharon Boyd, Mr. C. E. Flock, Jr., Mrs. Meg Ispas-Hennessey, Mr. Rick Miller, Mr. Hal Shorr, Mr. James W. Smith and Ms. Nancy Werhane.

II.  MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

    The minutes of the third quarter meeting on August 7, 2004, were previously reviewed by the board and approved by electronic mail. Mr. Miller made a motion that the minutes of this meeting should be ratified. Seconded by Mr. Smith, the motion passed unanimously.

III.  REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS

    President - Charlie Garvin.

    President Garvin reviewed his agenda for this meeting, discussing attention to certain items of business and requests for action.

    Vice-President - James Smith.

    Mr. Smith had no remarks.

    Recording Secretary - Mr. Flock had no remarks.

    Corresponding Secretary - Sharon Boyd.

    Mrs. Boyd presented a written report in which she related having responded to many requests of inquiry and telephone calls since the last meeting of the board on August 7, 2004. Other Secretarial activities included, but were not limited to, writing letters relating to issues regarding board requests and actions taken on August 7, 2004, the receipt of and sending of correspondence relating to AKC matters relevant to the board and the handling of various correspondence relating to numerous separate DCA matters. Mrs. Boyd answered various letters of inquiry received from the public and members of the DCA regarding both membership matters and matters relating to Dalmatian care. She referred the board to Secretarial matters that would require further attention or actions.

    Mrs. Boyd requested direction relating to distribution of United Airlines vouchers for flying with dogs to AKC shows. These vouchers are described in detail on the DCA Web site. Mrs. Boyd provided details, in review, wherein the offer includes a large pet carrier being shipped for the small pet carrier price and a 5%-15% discount for people flying to AKC shows. Mrs. Boyd stated it was important to realize that a single voucher is valid for a one way trip only and is not a round trip voucher. A dog must have a voucher for both directions of the trip. Mrs. Boyd explained that the DCA had been provided with 40 vouchers and it was the consensus of the board that these will be used for the DCA National Specialty only, limited to two dogs per member. Thus, a DCA member may request no more than 4 vouchers. Mrs. Boyd will act as the contact person for members to obtain the vouchers.

    Mrs. Boyd and Mr. Flock reported that they had completed the revision of the outdated description of the Dalmatian for the soon to be published 20th edition of the AKC Book of the Dog. Mrs. Boyd and Mr. Flock explained that the description was written to be modern in verbiage and more correctly explain the nature of and uses for the Dalmatian of the 21st Century.

    Treasurer - Meg Ispas-Hennessey

    Mrs. Hennessey presented a four-part report to the board.

    1. Mrs. Hennessey itemized the financial reports.

      1. Income and Expense Statements for the third quarter of 2004. Income from July 1, 2004, through September 30, 2004, was $28,667.01 and expenses were $31,727.08 for a net loss of $3,060.07. Income and Expense Statements from January 1, 2004, through December 2, 2004, were presented. Income was $111,414.89 and Expenses were $100,564.20, with a net profit of $10,850.69 year to date.

      2. b. Account Balances. Mrs. Hennessey presented a review of all account balances for the third quarter of 2004 as of September 30, 2004. The total in Bank, Asset and Investment accounts on September 30, 2004 was $92,769.47.

      3. Current budget standings for the 2004 DCA National Specialty were reviewed. The budget for 2004 was in a profit status of $7,484.18. This reflected total income of $42,860.85 and total expenses of $35,376.67.

      4. The Spotter twelve-month period for the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 periods were presented and reviewed. Overall expenses for the period of November 19, 2002 through November 18, 2003 were $13,564.65. Over all expenses for the period of November 19, 2003 through November 18, 2004 were $9,923.16. This represented a decrease in outflow expenses of 26.85% and Mrs. Hennessey noted that The Spotter staff is continuing attempts to lower outflow expenses.

    2. Mrs. Hennessey reported on certain issues with the insurance and completion of the selection of the new carrier. Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that Sportsman’s Insurance be selected as the DCA insurance carrier for a fee of $331 for $1,000,000 per occurrence and a $2,000,000 aggregate. Seconded by Mrs. Berg, the motion passed unanimously.

    3. Mrs. Hennessey stated that the DCA Membership List has dropped 55 members due to death, resignation and non-renewal. The current DCA membership is approximately 900 individuals.

    4. Mrs. Hennessey reported upon the completion of the 2001 IRS Audit. She stated that the DCA successfully passed the 2001 IRS Audit with some recommendations being made to separate member and non-member income into specific categories.

    Mrs. Berg made a motion to approve the Officers’ reports. Seconded by Ms. Werhane, the motion passed unanimously.

IV.  REPORT OF THE AKC DELEGATE

    AKC Delegate - James Smith.

    Mr. Smith reported upon several recent AKC issues passed or discussed at the September meeting. The aggressive dog issue passed, stating that dogs that demonstrate three incidents of aggression toward judges are disqualified. Mr. Smith clarified that this is not a biting dog incident, which is an immediate disqualification. Mr. Smith stated that there would be nothing to vote upon for the January meeting. President Garvin reviewed correspondence sent to him from the AKC. James Crowley sent a letter in August 2004 that directed parent clubs to avoid pressuring judges to judge contrary to AKC guidelines or in violation of the breed’s standard. President Garvin discussed past DCA board action on the new AKC Electronic Studbook, which is being sent to the DCA Statistician. President Garvin continued with discussion of other miscellaneous mail relating to the Eukanuba Classic Show, Specialty Superintendent, judges’ education, veterinary outreach, and the viewer choice award relating to on-line voting January 15-16, 2005. Should the viewers select the Dalmatian as most popular in its group, $2000 will be donated to the DCA. Should the Dalmatian be selected by the viewers as the “Iams Viewers Choice Best In Show,” the DCA, as parent club will receive $10,000. President Garvin concluded by reporting upon the AKC Library on-line card catalogs.

V.  STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

    A. Charles Garvin

    1. Ethics - Edward Flock

    Mr. Flock submitted a written report to the board. His report reviewed the current status of two matters previously considered by the board. No action was required. Mr. Flock presented two matters to the board that had recently arisen and about which he had received communication immediately prior to the board meeting from two DCA members. Extensive board discussion occurred. Mr. Shorr made a motion that the board directs the Ethics Committee to mediate and investigate these issues in an attempt to resolve them. Seconded by Mrs. Hennessey, the motion passed unanimously. Subsequent to the motion, the board discussed various approaches to be taken by the Ethics Chairman in an attempt to resolve these issues.

    2. Public Relations - Julie Lux.

    No report.

    3. Web Page - Julia Soukup.

    Ms. Soukup submitted a written report to the board of Web site activities, including additions and works in progress.

    B. James Smith

    1.   Rescue Education/DCARE - Kathy McCoubrey.

    Mrs. McCoubrey submitted a written report to the board. She discussed her view that the DCA should raise money to support Dalmatian rescue. Board discussion occurred relating to the current extensive treasury enjoyed by this Committee from donations through the DCA Foundation. The board then re-evaluated the true mission of this Committee. It was the consensus of the board that the Dalmatian Club of America is not involved in Dalmatian rescue. This is required by a very simple and clear fiduciary responsibility relating to insurance issues connected to rescue and placement of dogs by the Club. It was the further consensus of the board that this Committee does and must function as a Rescue Education Committee through the support of the Dalmatian Club of America Foundation. The sole purpose of this Committee is to educate and support certain independent rescue organizations that follow the DCA Ethical Guidelines while in no way actually rescuing and/or placing individual Dalmatians itself.

    2. Health and Research – Betty Pirs.

    Mrs. Pirs submitted an extensive written report to the board as she assumed the Health and Research Committee Chairperson’s role. Her report included the current status of the nine various sub-committees that compose Health and Research. She requested an action from the board. Mrs. Berg made a motion that the fees for dogs paid to be included in the Dalmatian Eye Registry be donated to the Dalmatian Club of America Foundation. Seconded by Mr. Smith, the motion passed unanimously. It was the consensus of the board that Mrs. Pirs should do a complete re-evaluation of the structure and effectiveness of the sub-committees’ organization and functions and report upon her recommendations to the board. It was the consensus of the board that Mrs. Pirs should encourage the Study Group on Epilepsy to make every effort to contact the University of Missouri study group to ascertain the progress of its research. Mrs. Berg remarked that DCA members should be encouraged to participate in the necropsy study of Dr. Bartges at the University of Tennessee. Kathy McCoubrey, Director of the Study Group on Urinary Stones, reported that an Australian study showed that dogs being fed a food called Chum Crunchy produced about the same amount of urinary precipitates as those fed U/D dog food. It was the consensus of the board that Mr. Smith and Mrs. Pirs would ask Mrs. McCoubrey to talk to Purina to gain further information about this dog food.

    C. Edward Flock

    1. Junior Showmanship – Mary Miller.

      Ms. Miller submitted a written report to the board. She requested that the board approve a $100 savings bond for the Top Junior Showman each year. Board discussion occurred. The board instructed Mr. Flock to talk to the Committee to develop a plan that would connect scholarship and/or advanced education to any stipend awarded.

    2. Specialty Steering – Edward Flock.

      1. DCA Specialty 2005- April 29 – May 4, 2005 Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky - Jennifer Cramer.

        Mrs. Cramer submitted a written report to the board. She discussed the current status of various aspects of the Specialty. She reported upon the status of various trophy donations. Percentages of monetary support of trophies were fairly good, except for Obedience at 13% and Agility at 5%. Road Trial donations were at 100%. The board discussed and approved actions for organization of the welcome parties and the distribution of the BIS CD with the catalogs. Mrs. Cramer reported that the 2005 Specialty was progressing as expected and was on schedule. Mr. Flock requested an action relating to the DCA Specialty Show Committee. Mr. Shorr made a motion that Sharon L. Boyd be appointed to the DCA Specialty Show Committee. Seconded by Mr. Flock, the motion passed unanimously. The board moved the second quarter board meeting at the DCA National Specialty from April 29, 2005, to Saturday, April 30, 2005.

        The URL address for the 2005 DCA National Specialty is http://www.dcanational.com.

      2. Mr. Flock reported upon further communications with Irvin Krukenkamp regarding board action in the establishment of the DCA Archival Photographer Committee, an official DCA photography committee for the DCA National Specialty. Board discussion ensued. Mr. Flock made a motion that this Committee be finalized by appointing Irvin Krukenkamp MD, as Chairman, with June Elaine Krukenkamp, Dennis Lee Trout and Andrea Monica Paccagnella serving as members. Seconded by Mr. Smith, the motion passed unanimously. The board directed Mr. Flock to discuss with Dr. Krukenkamp various options for streaming videos to be made by the Committee at the 2005 DCA National Specialty.

    3. Top 20 – Kenneth Berg.

      Mr. Berg submitted a written report to the board. He reported that the judges for the 2005 Top Twenty Event are under contract, that a 2005 Master of Ceremonies for the event has been selected and that all else is moving forward in good order. Mr. Berg requested an action from the board to modify the Top Twenty Rules. Mr. Flock made a motion that Paragraph c, Item 5 in the Eligibility section of the Top Twenty rules be modified to eliminate the “bred-by” restriction for dogs eligible to be exhibited in the Top Twenty competition at the DCA National Specialty. Seconded by Mrs. Hennessey, the motion passed unanimously.

    D. Sharon Boyd

    1. Standard - Barbara Greenspan. No report.

    2. Statistics - Robert VonMayr.

    Mr. VonMayr submitted a written report to the board. He reviewed at length his various standard activities as DCA Statistician. The majority of Mr. VonMayr’s report related to his BIS CD project as part of the 2005 Centennial Specialty show. He submitted extensive examples of this project for board perusal. The board discussed these various details and the expenses relating to the production of the CD. The consensus of the board was that the CD would be distributed with the Show catalog in a paper sleeve.

    E. Meg Hennessey

    1. AKC Gazette - Elaine Gewirtz. No report.

    2. Membership – Mary Widder.

    Ms. Widder submitted a written list of names to be considered for membership. Mrs. Hennessey read the list of 7 names to the board. Mrs. Hennessey made a motion to approve the membership of all 7 candidates. Seconded by Mrs. Berg, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flock read a list of 3 Junior names to the board for Junior membership. Mr. Flock made a motion to approve the membership of all 3 candidates. Seconded by Ms. Werhane, the motion passed unanimously.

    3. Spotter - Kathy Szomoru.

    Publication Manager Kathy Szomoru submitted a written report to the board. She discussed various issues related to “re-sends” and ways that she is addressing these problems. She also addressed cost saving measures in printing that will occur with future issues.

    F. Eva Berg

    1.   Futurity - Steven E. Nielsen.

    Mr. Nielsen submitted a written report to the board. Mr. Nielsen stated that, at the date of his report, 114 litters and 168 puppies were nominated for the 2005 DCA Futurity. He reported upon other activities and actions taken in preparation, as well as judge selection for the 2005 Futurity. Mr. Nielsen continues to refine and make user-friendly the DCA Futurity Web site. The Web site will be under review during December 2004 and become live January 1, 2005.

    1.  Judges Education - Elaine Lindhorst.

    Mrs. Lindhorst submitted a written report to the board. She discussed the Judges’ Education Seminar at the 2005 DCA National Specialty and the status of future Seminars. It was the consensus of the board that Judges’ Seminars should be held exclusively for judges and that Mrs. Lindhorst may honor requests from DCA members to attend seminars in any way that she would deem appropriate within space and time frame constraints. Mrs. Lindhorst requested an action from the board, providing rationale. Mrs. Berg made a motion that the Judges’ Education Committee is granted a $500 budget stipend to pay for travel expenses for presenters if needed and that this stipend be granted on a one-year trial basis. Seconded by Mrs. Boyd, the motion passed unanimously.

    3.   Public Education – Joanne Nash.

    Mrs. Nash submitted a written report to the board. She stated that activities are progressing much as usual. Mrs. Nash requested an action from the board. Mrs. Berg made a motion that Jacki McGovern be appointed to the Public Education Committee. Seconded by Mr. Miller, the motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Nash is also searching for both Service Dalmatians and Therapy Dalmatians to use in public education activities. Mrs. Berg will advise Mrs. Nash in this search, asking her to be careful with certain Internet sources.

    G. Rick Miller

    1. Breeder Referral – Karen Wissinger.

    Mrs. Wissinger submitted a written report to the board. Mrs. Wissinger reviewed the current status of the activities of the Committee and stated that she would be writing an article to appear in The Spotter that would discuss the purpose and function of Breeder Referral. The board requested Mr. Miller to discuss with Mrs. Wissinger an evaluation of the AKC online breeder classified advertisements. The board wished for Mrs. Wissinger to determine the best way for the Committee to interact with this entity in a mutually beneficial way for the DCA and others.

    2. Performance Events - Donna Truitt.

    Ms. Truitt submitted a written report to the board stating that she is assessing projects that need her attention.

    1. Agility - a. Jana Brady.

      Committee Chairperson Brady resigned, but asked to remain on the Committee. Mr. Miller made a motion that Holly T. Waldrop be appointed Chairperson of the Agility Committee. Seconded by Mr. Flock, the motion passed unanimously.

    2. Obedience - Lynn Luikhart.

      Ms. Luikhart submitted a written report to the board. She discussed a proposal for a DCA Obedience Hall of Fame, the Committee having chosen not to pursue the Obedience Register of Merit project. Board discussion ensued. It was the consensus of the board to request that the Committee consider other ways much broader in scope and more inclusive than the proposed Hall of Fame to encourage obedience enthusiasts to participate.

    3. Road Trials – Peggy Ann Strupp.

      Ms. Strupp submitted a written report to the board. She stated that the Committee has started a review of all of the rules and procedures relating to Road Trials to address concerns and needs appropriate for revision. She reported that the Road Trial site for the 2005 DCA National Specialty is secured. Ms. Strupp also reported that the DCA approved Road Trial in North Carolina was canceled and that the Road Trial in Virginia was held successfully.

    4. Tracking – Tom Hacholski.

      Mr. Hacholski submitted a written report to the board. He discussed his visit to the 2005 DCA National Specialty tracking site in Shelbyville, KY. He stated that all was ready for the 2005 tracking test.

    3. Regional Club Council

    Mr. Miller discussed a possible chairperson for this committee. Board discussion ensued. Mr. Miller made a motion that Karen E. Linsky be appointed chairperson of Regional Club Council Committee. Seconded by Mr. Flock, the motion passed unanimously.

    4. Standing Rules - Michele Wrath.

    Mrs. Wrath will rewrite the updated Standing Rules in an Excel format.

    H. Hal Shorr

      1. Centennial Committee – Hal Shorr.

        Shorr reported upon his research into commemorative medallions to be awarded to all dogs shown at the 2005 DCA Centennial Specialty Show. Mr. Smith made a motion the DCA purchase 500 commemorative medallions at a cost of $2.07 each to be awarded to all dogs shown at the 2005 DCA Centennial Specialty Show. Seconded by Mr. Miller, the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Shorr presented a budget analysis projection of Centennial Committee expenses and income for 2005.

      2. Historian – Cheryl Steinmetz.

        Mrs. Steinmetz submitted a written report to the board outlining recent Historian activities.

    I. Nancy Werhane

    1. Membership Education - Lori Finlayson.

      Ms. Finalyson submitted a written report to the board. She stated that she was continuing to work on contracts and updates on the DCA Web site version of the Educational Notebook.

    2. Awards and Trophies

      Ms. Lightholder submitted a written report to the board. She stated that the transfer of trophies to her from the former trophy chairman should be completed in January. She further reported that all trophy orders for the 2005 DCA National Specialty were complete.

    3. Purina Program

      Ms. Werhane reported that she was working on ways to include and inform members about the various Purina programs. She stated that she would be developing Dalmatian specific advertisements for The Spotter relating to the Purina programs, as well as developing possible mailings to the DCA membership to enhance participation.

    Mrs. Boyd made a motion to approve the reports of the Standing Committees. Seconded by Mr. Flock, the motion passed unanimously.

VI.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    1. Review of "List of Things to Do"

      President Garvin led a discussion reviewing the “Things to Do” from the last meeting. The board reviewed the items that were each member’s responsibility that came from the last meeting. Members of the board evaluated the status of each and discussion ensued. No action was required by the board.

    2. Consideration of Agility Trial for the DCA Foundation.

      The board discussed a proposal from Kathy McCoubrey. Mrs. McCoubrey had previously asked the board, in 2003, for permission to hold an agility trial for the benefit of the DCAF. Permission for this was granted but the trial was not held due to a series of events. Mrs. McCoubrey repeated her request for another trial, stating that the board had already approved the previous trial. The board ratified the agility trial in concept for the benefit of DCARE, through DCAF, but requested that Mrs. McCoubrey supply details relating to such a trial to the board in a timely manner.

    3. Purina Parent Club Partnership Program.

      Board discussion reviewed the three facets of the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program in cooperation with the DCA. These included the sponsorship of the DCA National Specialty, the Purina “Winner’s Circle” partnership program and the sponsorship of the Futurity/AKC Champions program. It was the consensus of the board that these programs needed to be evaluated, made current and made part of a single “umbrella” committee. Ms. Werhane will coordinate this process.

    4. Nominating Committee. Mrs. Boyd presented the results of the nominating Committee for the DCA Board of Governors, Class of 2008, in accordance with the DCA By-Laws, Article VII, Section 7.1. The Committee nominated:

        Robert E. Ekle     Columbia, Missouri
        Paula M. Lisciotto     Peru, Indiana
        Betty Pirs     Surrey, BC, Canada
        Jacquelyn S. Quinn     Chester, New Jersey
        Diana Skibinski     Crown Point, Indiana
        Sheila A. Wymore     Cornville, Arizona

VII.  NEW BUSINESS

    1. Lifetime Memberships.

      Mrs. Berg reported upon the work of Carroll Weiss for the benefit of the Dalmatian through his long-time Health and Research Committee activities. Board discussion ensued. Mrs. Boyd made a motion that Carroll H. Weiss, Sunrise, FL, be made a lifetime member of the Dalmatian Club of America and recognized with the appropriate diamond studded DCA membership pin at the 2005 DCA National Specialty. Seconded by Mr. Flock, the motion passed unanimously. After further discussion, the board directed President Garvin to ask Mrs. David G. Doane to direct an inquiry and advise the board of criteria that would identify meritorious members of the DCA that should be recognized for lifetime memberships in the Club.

    2. AKC Parent Club Conference.

      Mrs. Hennessey discussed her attendance at the AKC Parent Club Conference during the third weekend of October 2004. Mrs. Hennessey prepared a written report and sent it by email to the members of the board. In her report to the board, Mrs. Hennessey reported that the conference was composed of so many opportunities, that she and President Garvin, who also attended, could not possibly attend all facets of the conference. Mrs. Hennessey felt that more than one DCA representative should attend next year.

    3. DCA and AKC Legislation Liaison.

      President Garvin reported upon the creation of the DCA and AKC Legislative Liaison position involved with the collection of information for state, city and other areas that will affect dog ownership issues. He also reported the 2005 Canine Health Foundation/AKC Health Conference would occur October 21-23, 2005.

VIII.  FUTURE MEETINGS

The first quarter meeting of the DCA Board of Governors will be on February 19, 2005, in Chicago, Illinois, commencing at 1:00PM CST. The second quarter meeting of the DCA Board of Governors will be on April 30, 2005, in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, commencing at 8:OOAM EDT.

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS

    None.

X. ADJOURNMENT

    Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 7:50 PM CST. Seconded by Ms. Werhane, the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

C. E. Flock, Jr.
DCA Recording Secretary



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