IV.  REPORT OF THE AKC DELEGATE

AKC Delegate - James Smith.

Mr. Smith reported on the actions from the third quarter meeting of the AKC, including a ten-year synopsis given by Chairman Menaker delineating the financial health of that organization. Mr. Smith reported on three proposals that will be voted at the December meeting: amend Article VI of the Bylaws to prohibit a Delegate convicted of stealing funds from an AKC club from remaining a Delegate; amend Article VII of the Bylaws to eliminate term limits for AKC Board members; amend Chapter 3 Section 6 of the Dog Show rules to eliminate the Novice Class and replace it with an Amateur Owner/Handler class. After discussion of the pros and cons of the amendment to the dog show rules, the board directed Mr. Smith to vote in the affirmative on all three issues.

In addition Mr. Smith, aided by new CHF board member Dr. Garvin, gave a report on the current relationship between the AKC and CHF.

Mrs. Skibinski made a motion to approve the Officers and Delegate reports. Seconded by Mrs. Pirs, the motion was approved unanimously.

V.  STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Charles Garvin

1. Ethics - Edward Flock

Mr. Flock submitted a written report regarding two issues he wished to bring to the board's attention.

The first issue pertained to an ongoing situation and he submitted two requests for action on the part of the board, one dependent on the other. After discussing all options, the board decided against instituting a standing rule as recommended, which then nullified the second request. Mrs. Skibinski suggested that we research the results of the membership ballot regarding the deafness issue to use as a reference.

The second issue involved two complaints against a member regarding contract issues. The AKC and the court system were involved in this issue, and the ethics committee could only act in an advisory capacity. One complaint was resolved, the other is still open. Mr. Smith, as AKC Delegate, will monitor the situation regarding the AKC registration papers involved in the complaint. The ethics committee will investigate whether the actions of this DCA member rise to the level where charges should be filed. Mr. Smith will also determine whether AKC charges should be filed.

The board recommended that information should be put on the DCA web site educating potential puppy buyers as to what stipulations should be included on a purchase contract.

2. Legislative Liaison – Marie Fiore.

No action required.

3. Public Relations - Julie Lux.

No action required.

4. Web Page - Julia Soukup.

Ms. Soukup submitted a written report to the board of web site activities, including fifteen additions to the DCA web site including a Tricolor Dalmatian banner and information page; two additions to the Spotter web site were made. Ms. Soukup also reported on two projects in process. Dr. Garvin recommended that the board liaisons check the web site on a regular basis to determine whether there are any changes/additions required in their areas of responsibility and commended Ms. Soukup on developing a site that beautifully services the needs of the Dalmatian community.

B. Diana Skibinski

1. DCARE - Diana Skibinski.

   Mrs. Skibinski reported on several items that she has handled within DCARE and wished to remind everyone that the DCARE Reimbursement Program has the application for funds on the DCA web site for downloading. A short discussion on the amount of the reimbursement ensued. Mrs. Hennessey made a motion to increase the amount of the reimbursement for expenses to $200 per Dalmatian with a yearly limit of three Dalmatians. Seconded by Mrs. Skibinski, the motion was approved.

2. Membership - Mary Widder.

   Mrs. Widder submitted a written list of eleven names to be considered for membership. Mrs. Skibinski read to the board the list of applicants and their sponsors. Mrs. Skibinski made a motion to accept the eleven applications presented. Seconded by Mr. Berg, the motion was approved.

3. Standard - Barbara Greenspan.

   No action required.

C. Sharon Boyd

1. Specialty Steering - Edward Flock.

   Mr. Flock reported the concerns of the Steering Committee regarding what it perceives as some potentially arbitrary decisions on the part of the board regarding trophies. The committee gave input on two salient points. In addition, it recommended that no changes be made to the current structure for the 2008 specialty as preliminary information has already been posted for this event.

   The steering committee reported on the status of the special event for exhibition of the LUA dogs and stated that Mrs. Boyd has applied to the AKC for permission to hold this event. Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that the show site for the 2008 National Specialty be defined as the London Ballroom. Seconded by Mr. Berg, the motion was approved. The "Low Uric Acid Showcase" event should be mentioned in the premium list and the judging schedule.

   Mr. Flock reported on several items pertaining to the 2009 and 2010 shows, and Mrs. Wymore was able to fill the board in on progress she has made in handling the changeover for the 2009 specialty.

   Regarding the Standing Rules, Mr. Flock felt it was especially important to have that committee bring these up to date, including the appendix pertaining to the Specialty, due to the change in show chairs and his resignation as steering chair. The appendix provides a very complete guideline that would ease the transition. He requested that an update be generated as soon as possible and mailed to him as current steering chair.

   In conclusion, Mr. Flock requested that the board re-evaluate the function and structure of the Specialty Committee to determine its usefulness. The board will do so at the next meeting. Mr. Flock noted that Gayle Riggins should be removed as co-chair of this committee.

   1. Specialty Show Committee - Jennifer Cramer.

      Mrs. Cramer presented a written report to the board.

      1. DCA Specialty 2008, 4/25 – 5/1, Ft. Mitchell, KY – Jennifer Cramer, Chair.

         Mrs. Cramer reported on details regarding the choices for sweepstakes judges and suggested other options for solving the conflict between Futurity and Sweepstakes judge candidates.

         Mrs. Cramer reported that the banquet for this year will be an Italian buffet, providing something a little different than the previous two years, and the menu will appear in the pre-show insert to the Spotter. The pre-show insert has been completed on a slightly earlier time schedule so that it can be in the hands of the membership by the end of January. She also gave a preliminary breakout on the percent of trophies by event category that are covered by donations.

      2. DCA Specialty 2009, 4/2 - 4/8, Lawrence, KS - Sheila Wymore, Chair.

         Mrs. Wymore presented an organizational chart for the 2009 specialty, which was adopted with adjustments after suggestions from the board. There will be four coordinators working under the show chair with extended responsibilities, with the concept that any of the four could then move into the show chair position the following year.

   2. DCA Digital Media - Irvin Krukenkamp.

      Dr. Krukenkamp reported that 105 copies of the Betty Garvin Lecture DVDs from the 2007 specialty were ordered initially, and an additional 45 orders have since been placed.

      Regarding the Top Twenty, the committee is prepared to provide digital music backup as last year but will have a firm deadline of April 1st for music submission. The Top Twenty committee supports the deadline.

      The historic VHS "Dalmatian Club of America: The Early Years 1905-1950's" is in the process of being converted to DVD and Internet streaming versions. "The Dalmatian Slide Show" remains to be converted to DVD and Internet versions but requires a number of different steps; it is not in production as yet.

      After the recent tri-color judging issue, Dr. Garvin inquired whether the committee might be able to improve the quality of the existing Color and AKC Standard videos presently available through the DCA website. Color depth and resolution are missing from the original and cannot be improved. The committee recommends updating the videos. Discussion ensued regarding the content and the depth of coverage to be presented in the video and recommended that even produced on a single disk it have two parts. One section would focus on the basic: disqualification due to patch, tricolor, lemon, etc. The second section would focus on further insights such as the range of liver color, spot patterning, etc. To get maximum input and retain control of contents, an ad hoc committee should be convened. Mrs. Wymore made a motion to approve an ad hoc committee titled "The Color and Markings Video Committee", chaired by Mrs. Michele Wrath, and with a budget not to exceed $2000. Seconded by Mrs. Pirs, the motion was approved. Suggested committee members would be Pam Fisher, Cindy Ingalls Gootee, Barbara Greenspan, Suzie Hughes, Mary-Lynn Jensen, and Sue MacMillan.

2. Top Twenty – John F. Cramer.

   Mr. Cramer proposed a list of committee members for the 2008 Top Twenty. Committee members proposed are SarahAnne Vancleeve, Stephanie Podejko, Beverly Green, Ed Flock, and Jennifer Cramer. Mrs. Boyd made a motion to accept the list of committee members as presented. Seconded by Dr. Krukenkamp, the motion was approved. As a point of clarification, the board confirmed that for the 2008 Top Twenty the chairman would not be voting for judge selection.

   Mr. Cramer presented the revised Top Twenty Rules and Regulations for board approval. The board suggested revisions in wording for points #2 and #3 under Trophies, Rosettes and Certificates. Mrs. Boyd will present the suggested revisions to the committee to ensure there are no conflicts of wording. Approval of the final format will occur at the first quarter meeting.

D. Sheila Wymore

1. AKC Gazette - Sharon Boyd.

   Mrs. Boyd reported that the column Ms. Warren had submitted for the July deadline did not appear in the AKC Gazette. Although the Chair notified the GAZETTE columns editor that Ms. Warren's article would be forthcoming in time for the deadline, the column did not appear in the magazine. The Chair inquired as to the reason this happened and the Gazette Editor could not provide an explanation. The Chair surmises that Ms. Warren was not recognized as an authorized column submitter even though the Editor had been notified. In future, we will submit ALL columns through the office of the Chair.

   The next deadline is Dec 5, 2007; the column has been approved by the liaison and submitted at this time.

2. Historian - Cheryl Steinmetz.

   Mrs. Steinmetz followed through on the board request to inquire about a discount on the storage space rental if paid on a yearly basis. By paying a full year in advance the club was able to get one month free.

   Mrs. Steinmetz reported that a pewter DCA trophy recently came up for auction on e-bay, listed as an antique because of the 1905 date on the logo. Mrs. Steinmetz informed the auction company that the date referred to the date of our founding. She was unable to determine from historical show catalogs just exactly which year this particular trophy would have been offered.

   An e-mail was received from an attorney in Nebraska saying he had Dalmatian related items he wished to donate to DCA from an estate he was handling, and advised we could keep or dispose of the items as we see fit. DCA member Ronna Hill has volunteered to meet with the attorney and retrieve the items.

3. The Spotter - Paula Olcott.

   Mrs. Olcott reported that the Fall 2007 issue is on track to be at the mailing house by the first of the new year which will put it in the membership's hands by the end of January.

   Mrs. Olcott reported that Amy Stephens and Elaine Hamill have retired from writing the obedience column. Ms. Lynn Luikart, obedience committee chair, will check with performance people in an effort to find a new columnist(s). Performance Liaison Dr. Jensen volunteered to search for replacements as well. The editor and the board wish to thank Ms. Stephens and Ms. Hamill for the excellent columns they have submitted.

E. Meg Hennessey

1. Awards & Trophys - Laura Lightholder.

   Ms. Lightholder submitted a budget for purchasing what it would take to fill in the stock of trophies for the 2008 specialty, plus order in bulk for the next 2-3 years. In addition, she delineated the large number of first place trophies which the club has committed to awarding, which amounted to 109 (without FAST) at a cost of $90 each plus shipping. The current sponsorship price is $100, which does not cover the initial cost of the trophy/shipping much less help cover the cost of unsponsored trophies. She recommended that the board look at restructuring trophies, i.e., the sponsorship price schedule, the type of trophy awarded in the classes, or some other viable solution. Mrs. Hennessey presented a financial breakout of 2007 Specialty income and expenses to support these facts.

   Another important consideration of trophy funding was board approval of the addition of FAST classes to the agility competitions after the trophy committee had solicited for donations. Board discussion encompassed many aspects of the subject and in due time several decisions were made. Mrs. Hennessey and Mrs. Wymore will write a short article for The Spotter delineating the financial aspects of holding a specialty. Dr. Jensen will consult with the Performance committees to inform them of all aspects of the situation and request their input and recommendations on covering trophy expenses, site location logistics, time scheduling, and the scope of Performance events included in the national specialty. This information will be brought back to the board for consideration.

   Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that because as a new set of classes the entry level is unknown, the awards in the FAST class will be ribbons for 2008. Seconded by Mr. Berg, the motion was approved.

   Dr. Jensen made a motion to remove the individual class trophy sponsorship lines for Performance events for the 2009 Specialty and institute a tiered donation level in the Performance Fund that will now cover Performance trophies. Seconded by Dr. Krukenkamp, the motion was approved.

   Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that we take whatever steps necessary to improve the donation levels to the Performance fund. Seconded by Mrs. Skibinski, the motion was approved.

   Dr. Krukenkamp made a motion that we direct Ms. Lightholder to purchase enough trophies to fill out the required supply-on-hand for the 2008 Specialty and that we review the trophy/donation structure to maintain fiscal responsibility. Seconded by Mr. Berg, the motion was approved.

2. Membership Education

   The board discussed the need to appoint a new chair for this committee. One of the first tasks for the new chair would be to outline for novice buyers the key elements of a good purchase contract. Mrs. Wymore made a motion to appoint Ms. Sue MacMillan as chair of this committee. Seconded by Mrs. Skibinski, the motion was approved.

3. Purina Pro Club Challenge - Meg Hennessey.

   Dr. Garvin provided an update letter from Mike Allway of the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program (PPCP) with statistics on the number of members declared for the programs and the number of those members redeeming weight circles, which resulted in a total of $2,480.82 accumulated thus far for the 2007 program. Mrs. Hennessey reported that weight circles would be sent in this month from the Challenge, which will increase that total.

F. Ken Berg

1. Futurity - Steven E. Nielsen.

   Mr. Nielsen was very pleased to report that litter nominations for the 2008 Futurity have increased 15% over those for 2007, and individual puppy nominations have increased by 25%.

   He expressed concern for the low number of CHIC registered nominations and is looking for ways to publicize the benefits of health testing and receiving a CHIC registry number. The additional incentive bonus as furnished by DCAF will continue to be publicized.

2. Judges Education - Elaine Lindhorst.

   Mrs. Lindhorst requested the addition of two people: one to her committee and one to her list of presenters and mentors. Mr. Berg made a motion to appoint Linda Lewin to the Judges Education committee and Ms. Julia Soukup as a mentor and presenter. Seconded by Dr. Jensen, the motion was approved.

   Mrs. Lindhorst will proceed with plans to reprint the Illustrated Standard, and will have the website updated with ringside mentor names by state and list those able to give presentations.

3. Public Education - Joanne Nash.

   No action requested. Mr. Berg received an email from Mrs. Nash and her committee is working to restate the DCA position on deafness in the Dalmatian.

G. Mary-Lynn Jensen

1. Breeder Referral

   Dr. Jensen corrected a mis-statement on her part at the last meeting as to which DCA member will serve as the new chair of the committee, replacing Mrs. Karen Wissinger who resigned. Dr. Krukenkamp made a motion to appoint Jackie Quinn to the Breeder Referral committee and to appoint her as chair. Seconded by Mrs. Wymore, the motion was approved. Patrick Jones, referral representative for the northwest, will remain in that position but was not the chair as mis-stated.

2. Performance Events - Rick Miller.

   Mr. Miller reported that the committee itself required no action from the board, but he did submit separate sub-committee reports.

   1. Tracking - Tom Hacholski.

      No action required.

   2. Agility - Holly Waldrop.

      No action required.

   3. Obedience - Lynn Luikart.

      No action required.

   4. Road Trials - Peggy Strupp.

      Mrs. Strupp reported that the committee has approved a change in Road Trial dates for the Mid Florida Dalmatian Club to February 7/8, 2008.

      The North Carolina club reported that they did not have any entries for their Coaching Certificate test, and so held a "fun day" instead, with demonstrations and an "instinct test". Local-club-sponsored certificates for the instinct test were given out, but no DCA certificates or titles were awarded.

      Mrs. Strupp reported that the Dalmatian Distance Log Program had 26 participants in 2006. Fifteen participants completed mileage, turned in reports, and received certificates. Pins were ordered and awarded to those who qualified. A DDLP logo has been developed, and will be used in future advertising of the program and in awards. They are considering a t-shirt for participants in the 2007 DDLP. The fee to participate in the program covers all costs.

H. Irv Krukenkamp

1. Health and Research - Dr. Krukenkamp.

   Dr. Krukenkamp's report accounted the general activities of the Health and Research committee which included attendance at the AKC - Canine Health Foundation Parent Club Health Conference, production of health-related articles on the breed, development of a comprehensive LUA project website compendium, the review/edit/update of multiple Health web pages, the production of the Betty Garvin 2007 Lectures DVDs, review of the DCA Position on Dalmatian Deafness, and organization of the LUA Showcase event at the 2008 National Specialty.

   The most critical subject addressed by the committee was the health clinics held at the national specialty. Two types of testing at the health clinics were identified: core (relating to the basic tests needed to obtain a CHIC number), and research (thyroid, bladder ultrasounds). One research project in particular has proven to be very costly, with minimal results reported. In order to resume health clinics at the specialty a new director is needed. The committee suggested that a strong co-director position be created to take some of the workload. Dr. Krukenkamp made a motion to approve Danielle LeVangie as director of the health clinics, and to request that she move forward in developing an organizational plan and enlist volunteers for health clinics starting with the 2009 specialty. Seconded by Mrs. Wymore, the motion was approved. Ms. LeVangie will be directed to make an active search for a co-director as her first duty.

2. Dr. Krukenkamp addressed recent discussions of the LUA project, and came to the conclusion that people are desirous of a very careful analysis of the prevalence of the uric acid problem in AKC registered Dalmatians and whether the Low Uric Acid breeding project is a solution to that problem. He briefly reviewed the history of this health problem in the breed before presenting a proposal to the board.

   Uric acid related phenomena are evident in the population of dogs that have been sampled, but that is not nearly the entire Dalmatian population. Sampling the entire population of Dalmatians would be scientifically impossible. Other research methods were applied, including the cross to a Pointer.

   The Low Uric Acid project has seen two phases. Phase I set out to prove the principle, or hypothesis, that crossing to another breed would eradicate the problem, and it did. High Urinary Uric Acid (as found in Dalmatians) is an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, as demonstrated by the cross of a Dalmatian to a Pointer. The initial progeny were all Low Uric Acid (canine normal) proving that the LUA gene was homozygous recessive. In the subsequent backcross of that progeny to a Dalmatian, the high UUA characteristic reappeared at approximately a 50:50 ratio. The dominant gene for Low Uric Acid is missing in the Dalmatian, and was re-introduced by crossing to the Pointer.

   Phase II has been an effort to prove that we can reproduce that proof of principle. Through urinalysis, DNA sampling, and bladder ultrasounds for sediment, the offspring of twenty-two mating pairs have been checked and a 3- to 6-fold decrease in UUA has evidenced in approximately 50% of the progeny.

   Dr. Krukenkamp proposed that it is now time to conduct a Phase III trial, the mechanism of which is well defined by the FDA, NIMH, etc. In this phase, two to three control groups are compared under carefully controlled study conditions going forward, asking the question "what are the differences between the groups."

   After long and serious discussion the board developed a four-fold approach to data gathering regarding the low uric acid dogs.

   1. Encourage data gathering of health statistics on the current progeny of the LUA project dogs, both HUA and LUA.

   2. Work on a plan for a future clinical trial to prospectively collect data on LUA breedings going forward.

   3. Continue work on the LUA information web site in order to go online with verified data as soon as possible

   4. Tentatively plan on holding a discussion with the DCA membership in attendance at the 2008 national specialty.

   To implement this plan, Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that the DCA board encourages the gathering of comprehensive data on current LUA and HUA progeny of the LUA breeding program dogs. Seconded by Mrs. Wymore, the motion was approved.

   Dr. Jensen made a motion that the DCA board encourage the development of a plan for a future clinical trial for prospective data collection involving three comparison groups: HUA backcross dogs, LUA backcross dogs, and AKC registered Dalmatians. Seconded by Mrs. Wymore, the motion was approved.

   As one last item for business, Dr. Krukenkamp requested the addition of two members to the LUA Study Group. Mr. Berg made a motion to appoint June Krukenkamp and Tracy Tepke to the LUA Study Group. Seconded by Dr. Jensen, the motion was approved.

3. Statistics - Robert VonMayr.

   No action required.

G. Betty Pirs

1. Junior Showmanship - Mary Miller.
   No action required. There is a new junior member, Nicole Jennings, sponsored by Mrs. Skibinski.

2. Regional Club Council - Karen Linsky.
   Ms. Linsky reported that Ms. Meg Callea has resigned from the committee. The council and the board wish to thank Ms. Callea for her past participation on the council. The committee is in the process of planning for the meeting at the National Specialty, ideas are being generated and discussed at this time.

3. Standing Rules - Michelle Wrath.
   No action required.

Mrs. Wymore made a motion to approve the reports of the Standing Committees. Seconded by Mrs. Boyd, the motion was approved.

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Review of “List of Things to Do.”
   Dr. Garvin led a discussion reviewing the “Things to Do” from the last meeting, covering the items that were each board member’s responsibility to handle after the last meeting. Members of the board evaluated and discussed the status of each.

2. Register of Merit.
   Mrs. Skibinski reviewed the changes and additions to the Registry of Merit. A couple of suggested changes were made. Mrs. Skibinski asked the board to make one final review before publicizing the finished product.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

1. Silver Medallions
   A request was received from Mrs. Esme Treen to purchase two silver medallions to mount on two challenge trophies that will be given in memory of Dr. Sidney Remmele for stud dog and brood bitch. After brief discussion the board decided that silver medallions are held in very high esteem, only one is given out each year, and that it would be inappropriate to set the precedent of selling them.

   Information dissemination. Dr. Krukenkamp made a motion to have the highlights from each board meeting posted on the DCA website within two weeks of the meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Skibinski, the motion was approved.

   DCA Bulletin Board and Members List. Mrs. Hennessey brought up the subject of the bulletin board, which has had no postings of notifications from the membership regarding activities. If it remains unused, she will remove it after the March board meeting. A question of censoring the members discussion list was broached, but board consensus was that we were encouraging communication among the membership regarding DCA activities. Only personal attacks would be withheld from the list.

IX. FUTURE MEETINGS

The first quarter meeting of the DCA Board of Governors will be on Saturday, March 1, 2008, in Scottsdale, AZ, commencing at 8:00 AM MST.

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS

None.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Mrs. Hennessey made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 4:30 PM PST. Seconded by Mrs. Pirs, the motion was approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Sheila Wymore
DCA Recording Secretary

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