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News
from the United Schutzhund Clubs of America
Executive Board Ballots
2007 General Board Meeting Minutes
Other USA News
Direct link to USA News
http://www.germanshepherddog.com/members/index.htm
Direct link to USA Completed Executive Board Ballots
http://germanshepherddog.com/documents/EBallots.pdf
Other USA News
10/31/07 From the USA website
Trial Secretary Tutorial
Your club has a trial coming and they need
a trial secretary. What are you gonna do?
Gail Kendall from the Phoenix Schutzhund
Club has distilled her long experience into a 30 minute tutorial on how
to handle that task. From setting up the entry forms, the judge's sheet
and the final listing of the scores and titles, this outstanding
presentation covers it all!
Getting the paperwork completed correctly
is a huge task in the USA office. Chasing down corrections on the forms
is a major effort. If all the forms came in correct and complete, it
would free a significant amount of resources to better serve the USA
membership.
The tutorial is about 30 minutes long. You
will need to have the Flash plug-in available on your computer to play
it. Most browsers already have this installed.
Click here to view the tutorial.
10/28/07 The date for the 2008 Sieger Show has been
changed from April 18 — 20 to April 11 — 13. See the USA website
for additional information
Tim met
with
Becky Burns and
Pam Niccum to review the new Schutzhund USA registration system. The
new registration database was built through the volunteer efforts of USA
member Laurie Tollifson, who donated countless hours of time to this
effort. As you are aware, there have been many problems that delayed the
registration project.
- One of the biggest issues that came
up was that the database application was finished last December, but
there was no data entered.
- The registration document has a
multi-generational pedigree on the inside, similar to the SV
registration document. It would have been necessary for the office
staff to type each line in on the pedigree and that would have been
very inefficient.
- One of the primary goals of the
registration database is to develop a database of USA dogs that
includes information on USA titles and event results. We sourced the
database information and Laurie integrated that information into the
registration application. The office has been using and entering
information into the database during the last two months.
- The team at the office test printed
a sample registration document for Tim. The group decided that a
higher quality paper with pre-printed borders and blocked areas
should be required because the membership deserves a quality
document that properly reflects their dogs’ pedigree. Kathy Mocanin
was able to source the paper and worked with the office on
standardizing the process.
- The new paper will be delivered to
the office next week and the office will begin issuing new
Schutzhund USA pedigrees in the next two weeks.
9/28/2007
The BAC has voted to approve the bid from the San Jose
Schutzhund Club for the 2008 Sieger show. The show will
be held on April 18 through 20, 2008. Watch the USA
website for the trial website and other announcements.
9/25/07
GEC Committee
Changes
Thursday,
August 23, 2007
Christine
Gajda has stepped down. Christine was very
helpful to all of us in the formative stages
of the GEC. She has taken on a new position
which does not lend itself - in terms of any
free time - to be an active member of the
GEC. All of us at the GEC and USA will miss
her contributions to the various issues. We
wish her the best in her new endeavors
Melinda Darby
has joined the committee as the new
committee secretary.
Marnie Rose has joined the GEC. She hails
from Ohio and is very passionate about
countering anti-dog and breed-specific
legislation.
If you wish
to add your efforts in support of the
General Education Committee, contact Rifky
MacKeen. His contact information is listed
on the
USA Committee page.
9/5/2007
Schutzhund USA
Advertising Special!
Announce your dogs' accomplishments!
Participate in our upcoming
2007 Sieger Show issue*
(November/December 2007)
and you will receive a
Special advertising rate of
$175
Full page
black and white ad** - including ad design (save $110!)
Full color ad for just
$360
Full page
color ad** - including ad design (save $125.00!!!)
The
deadline is September,
so don’t delay!
Contact Cheryl Morris as soon as possible to
reserve your space.
cherylmorris@ktis.net
Full coverage of the Sieger Show will be in this
issue.
You don't want to miss out on this opportunity
to advertise your dogs or kennel at such a
special price.
*
These ads are available to 2007 Sieger Show
participants only.
*
The ads in the Sieger Show Issue follow a format
designed by Cheryl Morris.
If
you'd like a unique design, you may ask Cheryl
to create one for you at an additional charge.
New Schutzhund USA registration system
Tim met with
Becky Burns and
Pam Niccum to review the new Schutzhund USA registration system.
The new registration database was built through the volunteer
efforts of USA member Laurie Tollifson, who donated countless hours
of time to this effort. As you are aware, there have been many
problems that delayed the registration project.
- One of the biggest issues that
came up was that the database application was finished last
December, but there was no data entered.
- The registration document has a
multi-generational pedigree on the inside, similar to the SV
registration document. It would have been necessary for the
office staff to type each line in on the pedigree and that would
have been very inefficient.
- One of the primary goals of the
registration database is to develop a database of USA dogs that
includes information on USA titles and event results. We sourced
the database information and Laurie integrated that information
into the registration application. The office has been using and
entering information into the database during the last two
months.
- The team at the office test
printed a sample registration document for Tim. The group
decided that a higher quality paper with pre-printed borders and
blocked areas should be required because the membership deserves
a quality document that properly reflects their dogs’ pedigree.
Kathy Mocanin was able to source the paper and worked with the
office on standardizing the process.
- The new paper will be delivered
to the office next week and the office will begin issuing new
Schutzhund USA pedigrees in the next two weeks.
8/24/07
Monday, August 20, 2007
Click here for the Delegate Form
Click here for the General Board Meeting
announcement
The USA General Board meeting
will be held on November 8th
this year in Carrollton, Georgia. If your club plans to send a
delegate to the meeting, a delegate form must be submitted to
Sara Wallick, the USA Secretary, no later than 30 days prior to
the meeting. A copy is also available on the USA website in PDF
format which can be completed online and then printed. Please be
sure to send the delegate form to the USA Secretary, not to the
USA Office or the USA Treasurer.
Two club officers must sign for the
delegate/alternate(s) selected, and the delegate/alternate(s)
may not sign for themselves. In addition to prior submittal of
the delegate form, please have the delegate/alternate(s) carry a
copy to the meeting. Clubs that are granted affiliated or
full-member status after October 9, 2007 may send the delegate
form to the meeting with the delegate/alternate(s). Please feel
free to contact Sara if you have any questions regarding the
voting process at the General Board meeting. Sara's contact
information is listed on the Delegate Letter form.
Each full-member
club may seat one voting delegate at the General Board meeting
and each affiliated club may seat one non-voting delegate. A
club may replace its delegate and/or alternate(s) as necessary.
Please notify me immediately of any replacements.
In order to be eligible to seat a
delegate at the General Board meeting
- the USA dues of the club
must be current,
- the USA dues of all members
of the club must be current,
- the club may not be under
any disciplinary action from USA,
- the club must maintain a
minimum of five members (only two of whom may be part of
a family membership)
- the club must hold at least
one sanctioned USA trial per year.
- a complete and current club
membership list must be submitted to the USA Office for
verification along with the USA dues of the club, whether or
not the club is planning to send a delegate to the General
Board meeting.
It will not be possible to seat
delegates if these requirements are not met.
If you wish to have confirmation
of receipt of your delegate form, you may request email
confirmation or use USPS certified mail/return receipt
requested.
It will be very important for
delegates to be seated and ready for roll call promptly at the
meeting start time. The delegate cards will be handed out as
roll is called.
Please send a delegate to the
meeting if at all possible, as there will be important decisions
made regarding our organization.
In addition, this year there will be
elections for:
- Judges Committee members at
large (2 positions)
- National Events Committee
(4 positions)
- Nominating Committee (5
positions)
- Director at Large (1
position)
Sara Wallick
USA Secretary
USA Working Dog Championships
E-Ballot #30-07 Passed Yes–12, No–6,
NFD–2. Motion carried 10/22/07
Motion by Terry Macias, seconded by Howie Rodriguez, to accept the
following recommendations from the National Events Committee:
- Combine the North American
Championship, H.O.T. Championship, FH Championship, Youth
National Championship, and Obedience National Championship into
an event titled the USA Working Dog Championships.
- The USA Working Dog
Championships will use the same window in May that the North
American Championship and FH Championship now hold.
- This will provide one large
event instead of two poorly attended smaller events, will make
USA and the sport more affordable and attractive to new members,
and will require finding one less championship host club.
- The North American Championship
and the H.O.T. Championship will be merged into one event with
placings for the top ten dog/handler teams overall and the top
ten dog/handler teams for the H.O.T. USA will sponsor the H.O.T.
trophies. National event bid forms for the USA Working Dog
Championships must be submitted to the National Events Committee
by May 1st of the prior year.
- National event bid forms for the
GSD National Championship must be submitted to the National
Events Committee by November 1st of the prior year.
- Completed national event bid
forms will be submitted to the Executive Board for approval. The
Executive Board will strive to approve host clubs that are
geographically separated.
- The high-scoring SchH3 GSD/handler
team at the USA Working Dog Championships will receive an
automatic placing on the USA WUSV team provided they also have a
qualifying score of at least 270 points at the GSD National
Championship or the AWDF Championship.
- The North American Championship/H.O.T.
Championship will also offer SchH1 and SchH2.
- The USA Working Dog Championship
schedule will be:
- Wednesday
- FH Championship and
Obedience Championship (Draw night)
- Thursday
- FH Championship and
Obedience Championship (Competition)
- North American
Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Helper selection)
- North American
Championship/H.O.T. Championship/Youth Championship
(Draw night)
- Friday
- North American
Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Competition starts)
- Saturday
- North American
Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Competition
continues)
- Youth Championship
(Stadium events)
- Sunday
- Youth Championship
(Tracking events)
- Closing ceremonies
Submitted 10/7/07, closes 10/22/07.
USA Contribution to WUSV Team Travel
Fund E-Ballot #29-07 Yes–20. Motion
carried unanimously 10/19/07
Motion by Bill Plumb, seconded by Tim Burke, that USA contribute
$2,300 to the WUSV Team travel fund so the 2007 team members and
captain can receive reimbursement of $2,200 each, as they
received last year. Team contributions have been lower because
members have been donating to the 2008 WUSV World Championship
Fund.
Submitted 10/5/07, closes
10/19/07.
Reservations for FCI Judges Workshop
E-Ballot #28-07 Yes–20. Motion
carried unanimously 10/15/07Motion by Bill Plumb,
seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve Euro 1,050(1)
to reserve three spots for USA judges to attend the FCI Judges
Workshop in December 2007 in Germany. USA has received an
invitation for three judges to attend this important workshop.
Attendance is limited and based on first money received.
Submitted 10/1/07, closes
10/15/07.
(1)Editor's
Note: Approximately $1480 at current
exchange rates.
Reimbursement of USA Representative
at 2007 WUSV Championship E-Ballot #27-07
Yes–20. Motion carried unanimously
10/14/07
Motion by Bill Plumb, seconded by Sara Wallick, to pay the
necessary and reasonable expenses for Craig Groh to attend the
2007 WUSV World Championship and represent USA. Lyle Roetemeyer
is unable to attend, so this will not add to the expense budget.
Submitted 9/30/07, closes
10/14/07.
Recognition of AWMA Judges Program
and Titles E-Ballot #26-07 Yes–19, ABS–1. Motion carried
10/9/07.
Motion by Mark
Przybylski,seconded by Al Govednik, that USA recognize the AWMA
(American Working Malinois Association) judges program and
titles awarded by their judges as prescribed in E-Ballot #26-05
(Entry in AWDF Affiliated Breed Club Trials).
The AWMA has an acceptable judges
program that mirrors our own, the titles would be accepted in
the same fashion that we accept titles earned under DVG judges,
and the titles would only be accepted as progression pertaining
to performance titles (i.e., SchH1 to SchH 2, etc.).
Titles earned under an AWMA judge
will not be recognized for German Shepherd Dogs in any context
that applies to breeding, breed surveys, breed shows, and
registration with USA. These titles will also not be recognized
for the USA SchH3 Club or the USA Sports Medals Program.
Titles earned under an AWMA judge
will not be recognized for entry in the USA-GSD National
Championship.
BOI Case: June Sexton vs. John
Oliver E-Ballot #25-07
Motion by Howie Rodriguez,
seconded by Nathaniel Roque, to accept the following
recommendation by the USA Board of Inquiry.
John Oliver has refused to comply
with the disciplinary requirements arising from a BOI decision
that was also adopted by the Executive Board. John Oliver's USA
membership lapsed on June 1, 2007 while he remained in a
disciplinary status (i.e., a member not in good standing).
Consequently, due to the lapse of his USA membership, Mr. Oliver
is no longer subject to USA's disciplinary procedures.
Therefore, the USA Board of
Inquiry unanimously recommends that John Oliver be ineligible to
rejoin USA or to renew his membership in USA until he meets the
previous BOI requirements.
Yes–19, No–1. Motion carried
10/1/07.
Appeal of
Southwestern Regional Director Decision
EB #24-07
The So Cal
Working Dog Association has appealed the
decision of Southwestern Regional
Director Michelle Kutelis to cancel the
event authorization for a trial that So
Cal Working Dog Association was to host
on September 22, 2007. The event
authorization was canceled was due to
failure of the club to provide written
event notification to the other clubs in
the region at least three weeks in
advance of the event, as notification
was provided just 18 days prior to the
event instead. (Appeal attached.)
Shall the
Executive Board overrule the decision of
the regional director and allow the
trial scheduled for September 22, 2007
to proceed?
Vote:
Yes–18, No–1, ABS–1. Motion carried
9/20/07.
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Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve
the USA Helper Committee’s recommended slate of helpers for the 2007
GSD National Championship:
- Lotus Perkins
- Jim Laubmeier
- Clark Niemitalo
- Shane Garrehy
Submitted 8/10/07, closes 8/24/07.
Regional
Boundary Change - EB #21-07 - Vote: Yes–16, No–2, NFD–3. Motion
carried 8/7/07
Motion by Bill Plumb, seconded by Al Govednik, to realign the
Mid-Central, Northwestern, and South Central regions as follows: The
Rocky Mountain/Great Plains Region will be eliminated and the area
will be reassigned. Colorado will become part of the Mid-Central
Region, Utah will become part of the Northwestern Region, and New
Mexico and West Texas will become part of the South Central Region.
The RMGP Regional Championship will be
eliminated. Any competitor in the former RMGP Region who is
otherwise qualified to enter the 2007 USA-GSD National Championship
with a 270-point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club
trial will be given a waiver for regional participation.
Training
Restrictions at USA Events - EB #22-07 - Withdrawn
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Howie Rodriguez, to adopt the
following USA policy:As of
November 1, 2007, at USA-sponsored national, regional and club
events (performance trials, breed shows, breed surveys, herding
trials) there shall be no aggressive training devices (i.e., prong
collars, electric collars, etc.) carried by the handler or worn by
the dog at any time after the official start of the event within 100
yards of the boundaries of the event stadium/trial field and/or
tracking fields as designated by the hosting club. The only collar
or tracking harness allowed will be as stipulated in the USA
Rulebook or by USA.
Failure to observe this restriction
will result in punitive action: immediate disqualification for
unsportsmanlike conduct from the event and possible expulsion from
the event site, if deemed necessary. This enforcement shall be the
sole responsibility of the judge(s) at the event.
The official start of a national or
regional event is defined as the first official day of any phase of
competition and ends with the event’s closing ceremonies.
The same 100-yard rule will be in
effect at club events from the beginning to the end of competition
each day.
During the training/practice phase at
all USA-sponsored national, regional, and club events (performance
trials, breed shows, breed surveys, herding trials), aggressive
training devices will be allowed at the event stadium/trial field
and/or tracking fields before the official start of the event, but
may not be used there or at any other location to a degree that they
could be construed as abusive in any way. This also covers any type
of abusive training or behavior inflicted with any type of device or
actions, which could be demonstrated by demeanor that shows the dog
is under undue stress other than that which comes from normal
trialing.
The training aspect of events such as
training seminars of any kind will be the responsibility of the
hosting club, and that responsibility must not be taken lightly.
Submitted 7/26/07, closes 8/9/07.
Regional Boundary Change - EB #21-07
Motion by Bill Plumb,
seconded by Al Govednik, to realign the Mid-Central,
Northwestern, and South Central regions as follows: The Rocky
Mountain/Great Plains Region will be eliminated and the area
will be reassigned. Colorado will become part of the Mid-Central
Region, Utah will become part of the Northwestern Region, and
New Mexico and West Texas will become part of the South Central
Region.
The RMGP Regional Championship will
be eliminated. Any competitor in the former RMGP Region who is
otherwise qualified to enter the 2007 USA-GSD National Championship
with a 270-point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club
trial will be given a waiver for regional participation.
Submitted 7/24/07, closes 8/7/07.
(USA Policy on Training
Devices/Methods) EB #20-07 - Motion withdrawn
7/22/07
Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Randall Hoadley, to
adopt the following USA policy:
The United Schutzhund Clubs
of America promotes safe and humane training methods for
dogs. All types of "training devices" or "methods" are
accepted by USA, when used in a safe and humane manner, and
may be used in training and practice up until the official
start of a USA event. The official start of a USA national
event is defined as the “draw,” and the official start of a
USA regional or club event is defined as the first day of
competition.
In some instances, with prior
notification in the event flier, practice time for the event
may not be provided and/or training devices used while on
the event site may be restricted to the type of chain collar
allowed in a trial. If a lead is used in that case, it may
only be attached to the dead ring of the collar.
Any USA member who
demonstrates unsafe and/or inhumane treatment of a dog
during training or practice may be disciplined by USA if
another USA member files a complaint of "unsportsmanlike
conduct" with the Board of Inquiry and the complaint is
found to be valid.
Submitted 7/10/07, closes
7/24/07.
Reimbursement of USA
Representative at H.O.T. Championship - EB #18-07
Motion by Bill Plumb, seconded by Sara Wallick, to
reimburse Terry Macias $629.48 for travel expenses
incurred attending the H.O.T. Championship to represent
the USA President
Vote: Yes–19, No–1,
ABS–1. Motion carried 7/12/07
Rocky Mountain/Great Plains
Regional Election - #19-07 - Withdrawn 6/29/2007
Motion by Al Govednik, seconded by Sara Wallick, that the
Executive Board invalidate the Rocky Mountain/Great Plains
regional election and re-conduct the election consistent
with the process described in Sturgis, with the election to
be conducted by an election committee named by the USA
President.Upon review
of the evidence presented in the appeal filed by June Sexton
regarding the regional elections in the RMGP Region, it
became clear that the irregularities and inequities of the
election process went beyond the matter of Twin Peaks
Schutzhund Club’s ballot. It also appears from review of the
documentation that re-conducting a fair election by the
region is questionable.
- Procedures required
for carrying out a fair election were not observed,
as the procedures provided in Sturgis for voting by mail
to ensure a secret ballot were not used.
- Procedures or actions
during the election were unauthorized or illegal, as
there is no provision in the USA Bylaws for the use of
faxed regional election ballots.
- There was gross
negligence in conducting the election, due to the
changing criteria for how ballots were to be submitted,
the changing submittal date of the ballots, the changing
voting delegate criteria, the failure to alert the Twin
Peaks delegate their ballot submitted on May 26 was
insufficient, and the failure to answer the direct
question posed by the Twin Peaks delegate about the
validity of their ballot on the last day of the
election.
- The election
requirements in the bylaws were not correctly
interpreted or followed, as there is no provision in
the USA Bylaws for the use of faxed regional election
ballots.
EB #18-07- Reimbursement of USA
Representative at H.O.T. Championship - Election declared
invalid, therefore motion withdrawn 7/03/2007
Motion by Bill Plumb, seconded by Sara Wallick, to reimburse
Terry Macias $629.48 for travel expenses incurred attending
the H.O.T. Championship to represent the USA President
Vote: Yes–19, No–1, ABS–1.
Motion carried 7/12/07.
EB #17-07- Appeal of Rocky
Mountain/Great Plains Regional Director Decision -
Election declared invalid, therefore motion withdrawn
7/03/2007.June Sexton of the Rocky
Mountain Schutzhund Club has appealed the decision of Rocky
Mountain/Great Plains Regional Director John Oliver that
disallowed the vote of the Twin Peaks Schutzhund Club in the
election for Rocky Mountain/Great Plains Regional Director.
(Appeal attached to original ballot)
Shall the Executive Board
overrule the decision of the regional director and declare
Mark Chaffin the new Rocky Mountain/Great Plains Regional
Director?
EB #16-07 - Appeal of Rocky
Mountain/Great Plains Regional Director Decision
Regional director reversed
decision, therefore appeal withdrawn 6/18/07
Sharyn Baker of the Colorado Alpine Schutzhund Club has
appealed the decision of Rocky Mountain/Great Plains
Regional Director John Oliver to cancel the club’s June 2007
trial because the event flyer was inadvertently sent to the
other clubs in the region four days late, even though the
event had been publicized on the USA website and in
Schutzhund USA. (Appeal attached to original ballot)
Shall the Executive Board
sustain the decision of the regional director?
EB #15-07 - Fiscal Year 2008
BudgetMotion by Bill
Plumb, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve the fiscal year
2008 budget of total income $513,500, total expenses
$511,292, and net income $2,208 (budget attached). (Budget
attached to original ballot)
Vote: Yes–21. Motion carried
unanimously 6/27/07. .
E-Ballot #14-07 - BOI Case: June
Sexton vs. John Oliver
Motion by Al Govednik, seconded by Sara Wallick, to accept
the determination and recommendation of the Board of Inquiry
in the case of June Sexton vs. John Oliver, with the
modification that the apology be in writing and be sent to
all regional clubs.
It is the determination of the BOI that:
- Sexton’s allegation
regarding Oliver’s conduct of a regional meeting without
a quorum is not sustained.
- Sexton’s allegation that
Oliver falsely represents himself as the regional
director is not sustained.
- Sexton’s allegation that
Oliver’s actions with respect to club contacts is a
matter prejudicial and/or detrimental to the interests
of USA is sustained.
- Sexton’s allegation
regarding Oliver’s club co-hosting, rather than hosting
a regional event alone, without a regional vote, is a
not an issue detrimental or prejudicial to the interest
of USA and is not sustained.
It is the unanimous
recommendation of the BOI members that:
- Oliver should receive a
censure from the Executive Board.
- Oliver should make an
apology to his region, with assurances that he will make
a greater effort to follow rules and procedures, and
apply them in an even-handed and consistent manner.
- Oliver should be
ineligible to hold office as regional director for one
two-year term, i.e., be ineligible to run for or hold
office as RMGP regional director in the regional
elections that should be held in 2007.
Vote: Yes–17, No–2, NFD–1,
ABS–1. Motion carried 5/23/07.
Attention Youth Members!
Please remember to complete the
YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ACADEMIC APPLICATION and forward this onto to
Michele Scarberry if you are competing at the 2007 Youth
Championships. Her address is at the bottom of the form.
Applications can be obtained at
www.usahot2007.com (on the Youth Championship page)
Each student athlete with a 3.5 grade average or higher who is
competiting at the Championship for any title will recieve this
award. This award is in addition to all other available
placements. If your child has achieved a 3.5 during the grading
period prior to the Youth Championship - they are eligible for
distinctive recognition from USA.
Applications must be received by
May 31, 2007 (in order to be presented at this Championship).
MESSAGE FROM
USA SECRETARY, SARA WALLICK FEBRUARY 5, 2007
The revised USA Bylaws reflecting the changes made at the 2006
General Board meeting are now available on the website. Because
it is such a long document, there is a table of contents with
links which will take you directly to the desired section. You
might need to open the document in Adobe Reader in order to have
the links available, however. The links save a little time for
me, and I hope that feature is helpful to others
Click here to view
4/12/2007
United Schutzhund Clubs of America Registers Strong Protest against AB
1634
USA President has registered USA's strong opposition to California's
mandatory spay/neuter bill. For more information on the bill and how you
can help visit the USA website.
Time is running out to voice your opposition. All letters must be received
no later than 4/17/07. |
