 |
Dalmatian Club of America Inc.
General Membership Meeting
April 6, 2009 - Lawrence, KS
|
 |
I. Call to Order
The Annual Membership Meeting of the Dalmatian Club of America was called to order at 7:10 PM CDT
on Monday, April 6, 2009, at the Brazilian Room of the Holiday Inn Holidome, Lawrence, KS, by the President, Mrs.
Meg Ispas-Hennessey. DCA Governors present, in addition to President Hennessey, were Mrs. Norma Baley, Mrs.
Sharon Boyd, Mr. John Cramer, Mr. Robert Lawson, Ms. Laura Lightholder, Mrs. Diana Skibinski, Mrs. Connie Wagner
and Mrs. Sheila Wymore. Also present was Past President J. Charles Garvin MD and AKC Delegate Mr. James W. Smith.
President Hennessey addressed the assembly, introducing the Board of Governors and the officers of the Dalmatian
Club of America as well as the DCA Delegate to the AKC. She also took a moment to recognize the past presidents of
the Dalmatian Club of America who were attending the specialty; Mrs. Norma Baley and Dr. J. Charles Garvin. At this
point, President Hennessey asked the attending members for a moment of silence to recognize the passing this year
of several members of the Dalmatian Club of America.
II. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the Annual Membership Meeting on April 28, 2008, were published in The Spotter
magazine, Volume 38, Number 2. Mrs. Lynn Garvin made a motion that the minutes of this meeting should be
ratified. Seconded by Mrs. DiAnn Plaza, the motion passed unanimously.
III. Reports of the Officers
- President's Report
- Meg Ispas-Hennessey
President Hennessey thanked everyone for coming to Lawrence, KS for this year’s Dalmatian Club of
America National Specialty. She acknowledged it was a long trip for many in a time of economic uncertainty. This
shows our faith in the future.
President Hennessey reported there are many problems facing us as a Dalmatian community and as a canine
community. There has been legislation introduced in over 25 states for mandatory spay and neuter bills, plus bills
proposed to limit the number of dogs that can be owned and bills to abolish the cropping and docking of any breed
of dog. She stressed we need to know what is going on in our home states and to let our legislative representatives
know how we feel. We should direct them to the right course of action.
At this time, President Hennessey rededicated the Dalmatian Club of America to the health of all Dalmatians. She
announced Dr. Ginger Iwaoka will give an update later in the meeting about plans and things we will be doing.
President Hennessey shared that next year’s National Specialty will be in Kansas again. The following year will
be in Ft. Mitchell, KY. After that, we are looking at sites in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Virginia Beach, Virginia.
As President Hennessey worked on putting together the information packet for the Board and prepared for this
meeting, she was amazed and gratified at the number of people who work for the Dalmatian Club of America.
President Hennessey then requested everyone who worked on a committee to stand for recognition. She thanked each
and every one plus requested those that are not on a committee to please volunteer for one. While there are
problems and challenges to face and differences of opinion, together we can make a difference. She encouraged all
to participate in any way possible for the Dalmatian Club of America.
Secretary's Report - Sharon L. Boyd
Mrs. Boyd reported as of the Board meeting on Saturday, April 4, 2009 we now have 867 members in
the Dalmatian Club of America. As in years past, she greatly appreciates and thanked the Public Education Committee
Chaired by Joanne Nash for their efforts. The committee consists of Joanne Nash, Jackie McGovern and Jeff Gillespie.
This committee handles the largest portion of requests for information received from the public. Mrs. Boyd still
receives ten to twelve Dalmatian Club of America information inserts per month that are sent out with American
Kennel Club registrations. These requests are responded to with a DCA Red Book and information on the nearest
regional Dalmatian club. Mrs. Boyd reminded the regional clubs that Sheila Wymore is in charge of the DCA Medallions.
She processes all requests. Mrs. Boyd had gold DCA membership pins for $35.00 and silver DCA membership pins for
$30.00. She also had DCA Red Books and membership applications available.
Treasurer's Report - John Cramer
Mr. Cramer presented a report on the status of the current financial position of the Dalmatian Club
of America by reporting final totals for 2008. Bank balances for various categories were $109,139.86. Income for
all categories for 2008 totaled $191,260.16. Expenses for all categories for 2008 totaled $166,664.72. Therefore
DCA net total in the black for 2008 was $24,795.44.
IV. Dalmatian Club of America AKC Delegate - James W. Smith
AKC Delegate James W. Smith reported the American Kennel Club is having a difficult time financially.
Registrations are declining due to over thirty new for profit registries in the world. The one thing
we can do to help AKC, is to encourage registration of every puppy that is born. The online registrations can save
you money. Now all dogs must be registered for a dog to be shown in an AKC show. Be sure to check out the American
Kennel Club web site, much information is available. Mr. Smith shared that he has an 800 number in the membership
booklet if anyone has an AKC question. He will continue to place information on the DCA Members list.
V. Dalmatian Club of America Foundation - James W. Smith
President Mr. James W. Smith reported that last night’s OFA presentation was a great program. He
noted the importance of collecting blood for the American Kennel Club OFA DNA Blood Repository and mentioned Dr.
Iwaoka will have more information on this later in the meeting. The Dalmatian Club of America Foundation will
provide the funding for this. Dr. Iwaoka will bring to the Board other issues that the Dalmatian world needs to
take a look at as far as health is concerned. Our hope is to be able in time to eliminate the problems we have,
to identify problems that we might not know that we have and eliminate the problems that we don’t have but think we
might have. Working with the professional scientific veterinary community DCAF hopes to get this done.
Mr. Smith reminded the membership of the DCAF Gala and thanked those who are planning to attend. Mr. Smith
announced tickets are still available through Robert Lawson for those who are interested in attending. Last year
every dollar spent on ticket purchases and the auction went for the bottom line. Robert Lawson and Norma Baley had
underwriters to support all the costs.
VI. SELECTED STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Health & Research - Ginger Iwaoka.
Dr. Iwaoka reported that DCA has some exciting news and encouraged members to get excited, too. The Board has
decided to put health at the forefront of the agenda. During the AKC Canine Health Foundation Symposium in October
2005, Dr. Lindbladt-Toh of MIT/Broad Institute reported it should be very easy to find the gene(s) that are
associated with Dalmatian deafness with the new Snip-Chip technology. Samples for 25 Dalmatians were submitted as
a control group for other studies, so our foot is in the door. The committee will be encouraging her to submit a
request for DCAF funding concerning Dalmatian deafness. While this would not be inexpensive, the committee expects
this study to qualify for the Donor Advised Funds from the Canine Health Foundation.
On the stone front, Dr. Iwaoka and President Hennessey will be making a trip later this summer to Knoxville,
Tennessee to meet with Dr. Joseph Bartges, who is one of the leading stone experts. This trip is to obtain his
advice on where we need to go in stone research and to see which studies he thinks would be of interest in the
Dalmatian.
Also, in the past DCAF has participated in three different research projects on general canine epilepsy. The
first grant was 2304 with Dr. Gary Johnson at the University of Missouri. The result of this study was that the
molecular genetic cause of canine epilepsy was not found. The second grant 762, also with Dr. Johnson, is using
the Snip-chip technology and we expect that to bring things forward and it has been very successful in other
breeds. This study ended in October 2008 and the results are not available yet. The third grant 653A with Dr. Kate
Chandler is at the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has sequenced the details of gene GABR2 and no mutations
were found with this gene with respect to epilepsy.
Dr. Iwaoka announced health testing will continue and the committee plans to expand into new areas. DCA will
participate in the AKC DNA Repository Program. This is not to be confused with the AKC DNA Frequent Sire Program.
The DNA Repository is a DNA Bank which is used by researchers all over. This will be available at regional
specialties starting with the Minnesota specialty in August 2009. They are also looking for regional clubs to host
a DNA Clinic at their regional specialty. Please contact Dr. Iwaoka if your club is interested. The advantage of
DCA participating in this is the involvement of more dogs. As you all know, not everyone can attend the DCA
National Specialty. By coming to regional specialties, we will be able to involve not only conformation dogs that
are participating in that show, but also we can involve the performance dogs, the retired dogs, pet puppies and
all those unable to travel to the DCA National Specialty. Secondly, we will be able to promote the regional clubs
and create awareness of their existence. We anticipate DCAF funding for this and by hosting this at regional clubs
it will reduce the cost to the owners. Finally, this will position the Dalmatian to be one of the leaders in DNA
research and that means our dogs will be studied more than others. We are also looking at a way to submit litter
DNA, especially those affected with unilateral or bilateral deafness in anticipation of Dr. Lindbladt-Toh funding
being approved. Please be sure to watch the SPOTTER and the DCA Members List for announcements.
- 2009 Specialty Show – Sheila Wymore.
Mrs. Wymore thanked everyone for attending the 2009 DCA National Specialty. She commented on the cool weather
and announced there was coffee available in the morning. Mrs. Wymore noted it takes a village to put on a National
Specialty Show and that she has had the most tremendous group of people working with her. Mrs. Wymore will acknowledge
her hardworking, intelligent, innovative committee workers at the banquet. An extra day crating area was made
available and exhibitors were reminded about the Governors’ Trophy. Mrs. Wymore let everyone know that after the
Annual Meeting the Hospitality Room will be opened again sponsored by the Dalmatian Club of Greater St. Louis. The
2010 logo items will be available. She thanked Janette Sheldon, the Heartland Dalmatian Club and Mag Rags for donating
a beautiful quilt that will be raffled to help support this specialty. Please continue picking up after your dogs.
Our DCA National Specialty will be back next year.
- Spotter - President Hennessey.
President Hennessey reported that DCA had a change in the Spotter team this year. She requested the past
Spotter team, Paula Olcott and Kathy Szomoru, to stand up for recognition. Then President Hennessey requested
the new Spotter team to stand up for recognition. She noted the Spotter is now online and thanked Julia Soukup
the DCA Webmaster. The Spotter was in the black last year by $1,200.00.
Mr. Ed Petit, Jr. made a motion to approve the officer and committee reports as presented. Seconded by Mrs.
Cathy Nogar, the motion passed unanimously.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
None.
IX. NEW BUSINESS.
Lynne VonMayr made a motion that on days with smaller entries, such as Futurity and Sweepstakes, that the
judging start time be later than 8:00am. There was no second. President Hennessey referred this scheduling concern
to Mrs. Wymore, DCA National Specialty Show Chair.
X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Hennessey announced she received an email from Pat Laurens, Chair of the AKC Parent
Club Committee. The American Kennel Club has started a new program that is for those who attend and work at their
National Specialty. You will be receiving five coupons that at the AKC online store that will be worth a total of
twenty dollars. In order to receive these coupons, President Hennessey must supply them with email addresses. If
you do not wish your email address to be given to AKC, please let her know.
President Hennessy requested that Purina weight circles be collected and donated to regional specialty clubs. The
regional club will send the weight circles to Laura Kiedaisch and will receive money and so will the Dalmatian Club
of America Foundation. The regional club that sends in the most Purina weight circles will receive half of the
donated weight circle’s value.
President Hennessey announced that Laurel Allen had the trophy book for next year’s DCA National Specialty. She
encouraged everyone to sign up to donate a trophy. This year the trophies are DCA Medallions and next year the
trophies will be DCA Plates.
Also, President Hennessey reminded everyone about the Spotter cover contest and encouraged everyone to see
Marie “Debbie” Zink Spotter Editor for entry forms.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Marie “Debbie” Zink made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 7:40 PM CDT. Seconded by
Mrs. Luane Williams, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Diana Skibinski
DCA Recording Secretary
|
