Dalmatian Club of America Inc. General Membership Meeting April 30, 2007 - Ft Mitchell, KY

I. Call to Order

The Annual Membership Meeting of the Dalmatian Club of America was called to order at 7:15 PM EDT on Monday, April 30, 2007, at the Drawbridge Inn and Convention Center, Fort Mitchell, KY, by the President, J. Charles Garvin MD. DCA Governors present, in addition to President Garvin, were Mr. Kenneth Berg, Mrs. Sharon Boyd, Mrs. Meg Ispas-Hennessey, Irvin Krukenkamp MD, Ms. Mary-Lynn Jensen, Mrs. Betty Pirs, Mrs. Diana Skibinski, and Mrs. Sheila Wymore. Also present was AKC Delegate Mr. James W. Smith.

President Garvin 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. He also took a moment to recognize the past presidents of the Dalmatian Club of America who were attending the specialty: Ms. Peggy Rudder, '94-'96; Mrs. Norma Baley, '88-'92; Mr. Jack Austin, '78-'80. At this point, President Garvin asked the attending members for a moment of silence to recognize the passing this year of several members of the Dalmatian Club of America: Vicky Emmel, Betty Garvin, Pat Maciejewski, Ray Nogar, and most recently, Dr. Sidney Remmele. Sid was President of DCA in 1976 and 1977, secretary for three years, served more than two board terms, and always brought enthusiasm, entertainment and color to our national specialty. He will be missed.

On a happier note, President Garvin reported that he had talked by telephone to Mr. John Lyons, past president of DCA, who had recently suffered a heart attack and underwent a subsequent angioplasty. Mr. Lyons is recovering nicely. President Garvin noted that our thoughts and prayers were with him for a continued speedy recovery and wished him the best of luck on behalf of the club.

II. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the Annual Membership Meeting on May 1, 2006, were published in The Spotter magazine, Volume 36, Number 2. Mrs. Helen Siegel made a motion that the minutes of this meeting should be ratified. Seconded by Ms. Peggy Rudder, the motion passed unanimously.

III. Reports of the Officers

1. President's Report - J. Charles Garvin

   President Garvin remarked on the actions of the board of directors both this week and at previous meetings. In addition to such controversial issues as the Pedigree donation, the backcross, and the specialty judging policies, the board addressed the topic of national specialty sweepstakes. As reported in the minutes published in The Spotter, the board voted during the December 2006 meeting to eliminate the sweepstakes competition. There were many good reasons for taking such an action, however, it was discovered that the timing for implementing this decision was not auspicious. Additionally, reasons were cited for retaining the sweepstakes competition as a part of the specialty. Consequently, at the February 2007 meeting, a board motion was approved to defer the implementation of the decision to eliminate sweepstakes competition at the national specialty pending further discovery/discussion of the ramifications of this action. President Garvin will summarize the issues, list the pros and cons as the board discussed them, and report these in an article for The Spotter.

   President Garvin then addressed the second issue handled by the boards of DCA and DCAF, the Pedigree donation. He referred the members to the February Westminster show when Pedigree pledged to raise $500,000 for the HSUS by encouraging donations from the viewing public. In point of fact, over $1.6 million was collected. To counteract the negative publicity they had received for their active support of the non-purebred dog, Pedigree announced they would rebate $2000 per club to the 156 parent clubs that had either a foundation or a rescue organization. This apparent generosity generated a large amount of positive publicity for Pedigree. President Garvin subsequently received a 6-page letter from a public relations firm hired by Pedigree, containing stipulations that the club must meet in order to receive the $2000. The DCA would be required to join the HSUS, have a link to Pedigree on our web site, mention Pedigree in all of our publications and advertising, distribute their press releases, give them permission to use any and all of our photographs, etc. The board decision was to politely decline the donation on the grounds we found their requirements overbearing and controlling.

   President Garvin reported on the low uric acid Dalmatian issue by summarizing events leading up to this week, including the reports from the program the previous evening. He assured the membership that the board is receiving a lot of instructive material on the various aspects of this issue and will continue to share this via The Spotter and the web site. The board remains in support of and encourages research and discussion regarding the backcross project. The issue of registration will eventually be addressed, but President Garvin reaffirmed that the board is not discussing this at the present time and will only consider this with the full knowledge and concurrence of the membership, as promised. In the meantime, the board is encouraging every member to become knowledgeable regarding all aspects of the issue.

   President Garvin stated that the board also re-addressed the policy currently in place regarding the issue of judging and exhibiting at the national specialty. The board reaffirmed the policy for all competitions other than road trial, that an individual can either judge or show but not do both.

   President Garvin then addressed an issue of great importance to not only the Dalmatian Club of America but also to the future of the Dalmatian breed: our need to recognize the importance of welcoming new people into our breed and into our memberships at the regional and national club level. He asked all those new to the breed and/ or attending their first national specialty to stand and be recognized. He then spoke highly of all the DCA members and their willingness to volunteer when a task needed to be accomplished. This spirit of volunteerism allows the club to advance in a method not possible if it were necessary to hire individuals to accomplish this work. By way of example, he cited the Spotter staff and their ability to produce an award-winning magazine at a cost of $1.36 per issue per member - an outstanding value received by the membership due totally to the all-volunteer staff.

   Concluding his address, President Garvin encouraged all members of the DCA to become involved in their club by volunteering in the activity of their choice to ensure the continued success of the club and the breed.

2. Secretary's Report - Sharon L. Boyd

   Mrs. Sharon Boyd. Mrs. Boyd referred the membership to her written reports at each board meeting for details on activities taking place during the last year. She did note that as of the last Board meeting we have reached a total of 987 members. She also stated that the medallions for regional club specialties are now being sent out by the recording secretary, Sheila Wymore, stating that medallions would be available after tonight's meeting for regional representatives to pick up. Mrs. Boyd stated she had gold and silver membership pins available for purchase, and would send out any "red books" upon request.

3. Treasurer's Report - Meg Ispas-Hennessey

   Mrs. Hennessey presented a report upon the status of the current financial position of the Dalmatian Club of America by reporting final totals for 2006. Bank balances for various categories were $73,007.49. Income for all categories for 2006 totaled $151,195.04. Expenses for all categories for 2006 totaled $161,536.16. This reflected a net loss for the year 2006 of $7,341.12. She reported that some of the deficit is due to prepayment of some show expenses for both 2007 and 2008. Mrs. Hennessey stated she takes every advantage of buying in bulk to save money.

   The treasurer further reported that dues notices will be going out prior to the increase in postage, and reminded everyone that the postage increase will affect the cost of priority mailing of The Spotter, which will be $25. There will be an area on the dues notices to mark if you do not wish to receive a membership booklet. She also called attention to the new email list available to DCA members for discussion and announcement purposes. You can sign up at thedca.info.

IV. Dalmatian Club of America AKC Delegate - James W. Smith

Mr. Smith stated that per recent years' reports, he will not be reporting in depth on AKC activities as all that information is readily available in a timely manner electronically. He stated that the AKC web site contains almost any piece of information the purebred fancier might need to know. Mr. Smith again made everyone aware that in addition to serving as the DCA delegate to the AKC, he is also available to assist individual club members who might have either a question or a problem with the AKC.

V. Dalmatian Club of America Foundation - Ken Berg

DCA Foundation President Ken Berg began his report by stating that he accepted the office this year with a great amount of humility because in the short 11-year history of the foundation unbelievable progress has been made in assuring the health and well being of our breed. DCAF was created by the untiring efforts of Rob Lawson and developed to its current state by Eva Berg. He stated these two individuals had the vision and ability to create and sustain a foundation that is being recognized by other breed clubs as an example of excellence as to what can be accomplished. To date we have funded over $150,000 worth of projects related to the betterment of our breed and raised over $450,000 primarily through the generosity of DCA members and other Dalmatian fanciers. He thanked Rob and Eva for their untiring efforts on our behalf.

Mr. Berg continued, "With humility comes excitement at the tremendous future in store for us. Our breed faces many challenges, some of which are related to our decreasing registration numbers and shrinking gene pool. Inheritable and non-inheritable diseases need our continuing attention, as does the education of those involved or who wish to be involved in our breed. We must encourage research in areas that will be helpful, and bridge the gaps between the results of research, securing tangible benefits for our Dalmatians. To accomplish all our goals and stay viable as a foundation, fundraising continues to be a priority. Although we now have a balance of over $300,000 in our bank accounts, this is considerably short of the necessary monies that would allow us to fund projects from the earnings of our assets, which is the way foundations need to work to remain viable. Our goal is to achieve a balance of a half million dollars in the next two years, which will require a lot of effort. Effort comes in many different guises. The most important effort is that which is maintained on a daily basis: donations included with dues, support of auctions and special fundraisers, and all the honor/memorial contributions that are received on a regular basis. We would also like at this time to show our appreciation for all the work the committee put into the successful "Year of the Healthy Firedog" campaign; headed by Julia Soukup, the committee raised over $6000 for the foundation. Within the next year we are developing new fundraising programs that will be lots of fun for the participants while raising monies for the foundation.

"In the last year we were unfortunate enough to lose a long-time member, Mrs. Betty Garvin. To honor her memory, her family has established the Betty Garvin Memorial Speaker fund through DCAF. Last night we had the first example of what that could bring to us when over 140 of our members and guests attended an extremely informative panel discussion on the low uric acid backcross project. This is the caliber of program we hope to continue in the future. To establish this program-funding endowment, Dr. Garvin and his family contributed $6000; additional donations have been and may continue to be made into this fund." Mr. Berg thanked Dr. Garvin and his family for their foresight in establishing this endowment, as well as those who have made additional contributions in Mrs. Betty Garvin's memory.

In closing, Mr. Berg read a letter from David and Mary Liskin that accompanied their contribution to DCAF in the amount of $5000, with the funds earmarked for the research and breeding of low uric acid Dalmatians. He thanked the Liskins and everyone else who has believed in the goals of the foundation and contributed to its success.

VI. PURINA PARENT CLUB PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM - Bob Ekle.

Mr. Flock introduced Mr. Ekle by stating that we could not hold such a financially successful show without the participation of Purina and the club is extremely grateful for his efforts on our behalf. Mr. Ekle stated that since DCA began participating in the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program in 2002, over $64,000 has been earned by the club. The potential earnings are even greater. $27,000 of that money came from the weight circle program. 487 members are enrolled in the program but only 112 of them are redeeming their weight circles (for which the club gets monetary credit). If the other 375 members were to begin redeeming weight circles the potential income might double or triple. Under the umbrella of the Regional Club Challenge program the DCA has an opportunity to earn more money to fund its programs from those individuals who feed Purina products but do not qualify under the breeder program. He urged the members to search out these people within their circle of friends and collect those weight circles.

VII. SELECTED STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. Specialty Chairman - Mrs. Jennifer Cramer.
   Mrs. Cramer stepped forward to welcome everyone to the 2007 National Specialty and to identify and thank her committee members John Cramer, Meg Hennessey, Laura Lightholder, Sharon Boyd, Kathy Szomoru, and Gayle Riggans. She announced the judges for 2008: Mrs. Anne Fleming to judge bitches and non-regular classes and Mr. Edd Bivin to judge dogs, intersex, and junior showmanship. When Mrs. Cramer had finished, President Garvin thanked her for her hard work on behalf of the club and reminded everyone that the show will be held at the Drawbridge Inn in Ft. Mitchell, KY for one more years, but will be moving to Lawrence, KS in 2009. President Garvin then went on to highlight the activities of several other committees.

2. Trophy Committee - Laura Lighthholder.
   President Garvin reported the trophy committee recognizes there is a dilemma in that the cost of trophies continues to escalate, the number of classes continues to escalate, our entries are declining, and our donations are declining. The committee will examine alternative solutions to these problems.

3. Purina Parent Club Partnership Program - Bob Ekle.
   President Garvin stated that Purina is a sponsor of the national specialty and a supporter of the club through the Purina Parent Club Partnership Program. This past year Purina donated $2,625 for DCA use. Purina has instituted another way to benefit the breed: for those people who do not feed in enough volume to qualify for the weight circle redemption program, but who feed Purina products, the weight circles (worth $4.17 each) can be donated to and redeemed by DCAF.

4. Performance Fund - Gayle Riggans.
   President Garvin noted that the Performance Fund committee has raised over $5,100 this year for performance events at the national specialty, a tremendous contribution and outstanding effort.

   President Garvin also noted that the board has approved an additional agility trial for the Dalmatian Club of America which will be held in Murpheesborough, TN in August of 2008, part of a three-trial weekend designed to raise funds for DCA and the other sponsoring clubs in that area.

5. Health and Research - Irv Krukenkamp.
   Dr. Krukenkamp has done some reorganization of the study groups and will try to encourage more research, more education and more participation in that arena.

6. AKC Parent Club Conferences, 2007.
   The AKC is sponsoring two different conferences in 2007, the AKC Parent Club Conference in Atlanta, GA in July and the AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference in St. Louis, MO in October. Because of our support both financially and with research, the DCA is allowed to send four volunteers to the health conference in October, and two volunteers will attend the Parent Club conference in July.

7. Futurity - Mr. Steve Nielsen.
   In order to encourage the continued health testing of Dalmatian breeding stock, the Futurity committee urges breeders to participate in the CHIC registry (the Canine Health Information Center). DCAF, through DCA, is donating to the futurity winners a potential total of an additional $1,400 per year. Breeder of the Best in Futurity shall be awarded $500, owner of the sire $500; Breeder of the best junior or senior that does not win Best in Futurity shall be awarded $200, owner of the sire $200, if both the sire and dam of the winning dogs are CHIC certified.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

Member Nancy Reiter mentioned that other parent clubs are requiring CHIC certification in order to be allowed to compete at their national specialties. She asked if the board was considering this option. President Garvin replied that at this time the board is opting to encourage the testing of show and breeding stock rather than to mandate it, but remains open to considering other options in the future.

IX. NEW BUSINESS.

None.

X. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Berg reminded everyone that the Judges Education program, under the direction of Elaine Lindhorst, will begin at 7:30 A.M. tomorrow in the Monks room. He stated there is room for a few more participants with preference given to those applying to judge Dalmatians, then to mentors who want to become presenters, and finally to breeders who want to become mentors.

Mr. Berg announced that the doors would open for the Top Twenty on Tuesday evening at 6:45 with a 7:30 P.M. start time. This year will feature a new addition of music to the exhibition of the top twenty Dalmatians for 2006. The mandatory drawing and meeting for those exhibiting in the Top Twenty will be at 4:30 P.M. Tickets and catalogs are still available, at the door.

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Debbie Zink made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 8:07 PM EDT. Seconded by Mrs. Helen Siegel, the motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Wymore.
DCA Recording Secretary