May Secretarys Report

This report details the day to day activities of the ASCA Board of Directors and includes issues brought before the ASCA Board and communications done by mail, fax, e-mail and/or phone.

May 1 - 31, 2002

 98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Ch. 1, Sec. 16.

Motion by Trumbull-Clark.

I move to accept the following recommendation from the Obedience Committee with the changed effective date. -Kyle Trumbull-Clark

Motion by Burlingame, second White.
The Obedience Committee recommends the following changes of the Obedience Rules to the Board of Directors, to become effective January 1, 2003.

The wording in Chapter 1, Section 16 be changed to:

**Replace first paragraph with**
The dog receiving the highest qualifying score in the regular classes (High In Trial - HIT) and the dog receiving the highest combined score in Open B and Utility ( High combined - HC ) shall be awarded the ribbons/rosettes and any prizes offered for these placements, after announcement of final scores of the last regular class to be judged. The judge shall mark his/her judges books to reflect the above mentioned wins/placements. At a specialty, the show secretary shall mark the catalog to identify the dog receiving these awards.

**Add this paragraph**
If a club wishes to offer ribbons/awards for High Scoring Aussie and/or High Scoring Other Breed, they may do so, PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT OFFERED IN PLACE OF THE High in Trial ribbon/rosette/award. Clubs must be aware that only one dog, regardless of breed, can be awarded the High in Trial placement. The last paragraph remains unchanged **except** replace the last sentence with ** The judge shall mark his/her judges book to identify the dog receiving these awards.

Approved: Burlingame, White, Cox, Willems, Swatko, Link, Case, Bohren.

NOTE *** The need for this clarification is that several clubs and their members don't understand the difference between High in Trial (HIT - a required placement) and High Scoring Aussie/Other Breed (HSA - HSO - a special award that clubs can offer if they choose). The HS ribbon/rosette is offered as a nicety only, not as a required placement.

Board voting: Approve: Unanimous. Motion is approved.

98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Ch. 1 Sec 14

Motion by Trumbull-Clark.

I move to accept the following Obedience Committee recommendation with the changed effective date. -Kyle Trumbull-Clark

Motion by Cox, second Burlingame.

The Obedience Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the following changes to the Obedience Rules, effective January 1, 2003:

In Chapter 1 Section 14 Obedience Ribbons:

Replace the first paragraph including the listing of ribbons with:

At Specialty or Sanctioned Obedience Trials, the following PLACEMENT RIBBONS OR ROSETTES MUST BE OFFERED:

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Fourth Place

Qualifying

High in Trial Dog in the regular classes

Highest Combined Score in the regular classes of Open B and Utility

Highest Scoring Jr. Handler in the regular classes

The following ribbon colors must be used at a Specialty:

Regular Classes

First Place-Blue

Second Place-Red

Third Place-Yellow

Fourth Place-White

Qualifying -Green

High in Trial Dog in the regular classes -Blue & Gold

Highest Combined Score in the regular classes of Open B and Utility -Dark Green & Blue

Highest Scoring Jr. Handler in the regular classes -Dark Green & Gold

Non regular Classes

First Place-Rose

Second Place-Brown

Third Place-Light Green

Fourth Place-Gray

In paragraph two replace "approximately" with "at least"

After paragraph two add the following paragraph:

Additional ribbons and awards may be offered such as High Scoring Aussie and High Scoring Other Breed, but shall not replace High in Trial Dog.

Below is what the new chapter 1 Section 14 should like in its entirety.

Chapter 1 Section 14 Obedience Ribbons

At Specialty or Sanctioned Obedience Trials, the following PLACEMENT RIBBONS OR ROSETTES MUST BE OFFERED:

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Fourth Place

Qualifying

High in Trial Dog in the regular classes

Highest Combined Score in the regular classes of Open B and Utility

Highest Scoring Jr. Handler in the regular classes

The following ribbon colors must be used at a Specialty:

Regular Classes

First Place-Blue

Second Place-Red

Third Place-Yellow

Fourth Place-White

Qualifying -Green

High in Trial Dog in the regular classes -Blue & Gold

Highest Combined Score in the regular classes of Open B and Utility -Dark Green & Blue

Highest Scoring Jr. Handler in the regular classes -Dark Green & Gold

Non regular Classes

First Place-Rose

Second Place-Brown

Third Place-Light Green

Fourth Place-Gray

Each ribbon or rosette shall be not less than two(2) inches wide and at least eight(8) inches long, and shall bear on its face the name of the placement and the name of the host club.

Additional ribbons and awards may be offered such as High Scoring Aussie and High Scoring Other Breed, but shall not replace High in Trial Dog.

The ASCA Logo may be used in awards and ribbons offered by an ASCA affiliate hosting a sectioned show, trial, or agility competition.

Approved Cox, Burlingame, Williams, Case, Swatko, White, Bohren, Link

This should clarify what ribbons are mandatory, and which colors are mandatory for a Specialty

Board Voting: Approve: Berryessa, Toft, Warren, Adolphson, Trumbull-Clark & DeChant.

Disapprove: Aufox & Davenport. Abstain: Gray. Motion is approved.

93:19 BOARD POLICIES - Policy 6.12.9 Miscellaneous

Motion by Gray, seconded by Davenport.

I move to revise Policy 6.12.9 Miscellaneous add:

c. Personal phone calls made from the motel will not be paid for by ASCA, they are the responsibility of the Director making the call. All personal phone calls made from the motel must be paid to the motel prior to checkout. If the motel will not accept payment, they will be deducted from the next Director's Expenses sheet sent to the office for reimbursement.

Board voting: Approve: Aufox, Davenport, Berryessa, Toft, Warren, Gray, Adolphson & DeChant. Disapprove: Trumbull-Clark. Motion is approved.

93:19 BOARD POLICIES - Policy 6.12.8 Per Diem

Motion by Gray, seconded by Davenport.

I move to revise Policy 6.12.8 Per Diem passed at the April 2002 meeting to:

Policy 6.12.8 Per Diem

ASCA will pay Directors thirty (30.00) dollars per day for two days of travel plus meeting days. Per diem should be sent to the Director at least 7 days before the 1st day of travel.

Comment: The motion passed at the April board meeting was unfair to those who have to drive and park at the airport or take a shuttle from the airport to the motel. If ASCA requests our presence at meetings, ASCA should pay for travel to get us there and back, which includes parking at the airport as well as mileage to get us there and home again. Directors shouldn't have to pay out of their own pocket to drive to, park or get home from the airport, as happened at the spring meeting. The above motion also allows directors to receive per diem checks a week before travel thus allowing time to get it to the bank and cash it or deposit it.

Board voting: Approve: Aufox, Toft, Warren, Adolphson, & Gray. Disapprove: Berryessa, Trumbull-Clark & DeChant. Abstain: Davenport. Motion is approved.

93:19  BOARD POLICIES - Policy 6.12.11 Pre-National and National Specialty Travel

Motion by Gray, seconded by Davenport.

I move to revise Policy 6.12.11 Pre-National and National Specialty Travel - Directors

After 6.12.11.4 add:

6.12.11.5 Directors (incoming, outgoing or current) who fail to attend meeting(s) must refund the per diem and motel costs (for the day(s) Directors failed to attend the meeting(s) to ASCA no later than two (2) weeks after the close of the Nationals. If per diem and motel costs are not received at the Business Office within 4 weeks, the Director(s) will be considered not in good standing with ASCA.   The Board will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the event schedule of Director(s) provided Director(s) give thirty (30) days advanced notice of the schedule.

Comment: Directors who fail to attend ASCA meetings need to reimburse ASCA for their per diem and motel.  Directors need to attend all meetings and with 30 days advanced notice this may be possible.

Renumber and change:

6.12.11.5 Any situation that deviates from the policy above will be brought to the Board for consideration forty-five (45) days before the event.

to:

6.12.11.6 Any situation  deviating from policy 6.12.11 will be brought to the Board for consideration thirty (30) days before the meeting.

I move to:

Delete Policy 6.12.11.6 passed at the April 2002 mtg.

Comments: The 1st sentence is redundant as 6.12.11 states in 3 places (6.12.11.1, 6.12.11.2 and 6.12.11.4) that Directors are required to attend all ASCA meetings of the Board. The remainder of the policy is in 6.12.11.5.

Board voting:

Approve: Aufox, Berryessa, Toft, Warren, Davenport, Adolphson, Gray & DeChant. Disapprove: Trumbull-Clark. Motion is approved.

99:02 HALL OF FAME - Board Committee pursuant to Article VII Section 16

Motion by Aufox, seconded by DeChant.

A committee of the Board shall be created and be composed of Kathy Warren, Chair; Michelle Berryessa; and Ann DeChant. The committee shall investigate > and propose to the Board for approval a procedure, rules and qualifications for bestowing Hall of Fame status and awards to individual Australian Shepherd dog and registered ASCA Kennels. The Committee shall also establish  the standards for qualification of Dogs and Kennels for Hall of Fame consideration. The Committee may also, if it feels it is necessary, establish (i) a Hall of Fame screening committee and (ii) the qualifications of individuals to serve on such a Hall of Fame screening committee. The Committee shall be free to include regular members in their deliberations as they see fit.

Board voting: Approve: Aufox, Berryessa, Warren, Davenport, DeChant & Gray. Disapprove: Adolphson, Trumbull-Clark & Toft. Motion is approved.

I disapprove this motion. - Kyle Trumbull-Clark
LETTER OF DISSENT
I disapprove the motion to form a committee of Directors to change the Hall of Fame procedures and rules due to the fact that only a month ago the Board approved a set of procedures put forth by the Hall of Fame Committee. The Committee was a Board approved group of members, each of whom is highly interested in ASCA's Hall of Fame program. The Committee worked for approximately three years on this project, made the requested proposal and the proposal was approved. Approval was granted by the bare minimum majority of five Directors who saw the proposal at the Spring Meeting. Membership input should have been requested by the Board prior to any Board approval for a program so involved. To now have a select group of Directors take over the project rather than allowing the Committee to work on any suggested changes from the Board or membership is discourteous and offensive to those who worked so hard on the project. The hasty decision to disband the Committee should be rescinded and the original Committee put back into effect. This Board could easily pass on all comments received to the Committee for their further consideration of changes and a revised proposal.

I formally request that the above Letter of Dissent be included in the Secretary's Report. -Kyle Trumbull-Clark

I disapprove. - Kris
LETTER OF DISSENT
I disapprove this motion for the following reasons.
1. The correct method for amending committee recommendations is to return them to committee with all suggestions and comments. This has not been done.
2. The correct method for appointing an ASCA program committee is to ask for resumes from the membership. This elitist committee of only 3 Board members is a dictatorial and irresponsible method of responding to member
comments and input. It would be simple to rescind the April motion to disband this committee and send all recommendations for amendments to them with a deadline for submission of a revised program.
3. It appears from the motion's wording that a new system for Hall of Fame has already been decided even before the committee is officially in place. It is not apparent whether the membership will have any say over this new method and membership input is only at the pleasure of this secret committee.

Please include this letter of dissent in the Secretary's report and with all reporting of votes on this motion. Kris Toft

 93:19 BOARD POLICIES - Policy 6.12 Travel 

Motion by Gray, seconded by Davenport.

I move to revise Policy 6.12 Travel:

* Add after 6.12.3.1:
6.12.3.2 Directors issued airline tickets and per diem to attend ASCA meeting(s) and do not attend must return tickets and per diem to the Business Office no later than two (2) weeks after the close of the meeting(s). If tickets and per diem are not received at the Business Office within 4 weeks, the Director(s) will be considered not in good
standing with ASCA.

Board Voting: Approve: Aufox, Davenport, Berryessa, Toft, Gray, Warren, Adolphson & DeChant. Disapprove: Trumbull-Clark. Motion is approved.

93:19 BOARD POLICIES - Board Travel Committee

Motion by Aufox, seconded by Gray.

A committee of the Board shall be created and be composed of Linda Gray, Chair; Chris Davenport; Ann DeChant; and Jo Kimes. The committee shall investigate and propose to the Board for approval a procedure, rules and qualifications for reimbursement or advancing travel and living expenses for Board authorized travel on business of The Australian Shepherd Club for Directors, employees and authorized members. The Committee shall be free to include regular members in their deliberations as they see fit.

Comment: This area has been revised and changes many times and parts are to be found in various sections of our policies. It needs a consolidated and comprehensive and clear rewrite.

Board Voting: Approve: Gray, Berryessa, Aufox, Toft, Warren, Davenport, DeChant. Disapprove: Adolphson & Trumbull-Clark. Motion is approved.

98:15  OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Judges books

Motion by Trumbull-Clark.

The Obedience Committee recommends the following change to the Board of Directors, effective June 2002

The Obedience Committee makes a motion that the Obedience Judges Books be updated in such a way that there is a clear place for the judge to mark the winner of High in Trial (HIT), High Combined, (HC) and High Scoring Junior (HSJ). We recommend that on the lower portion of the judges books, there be an areas designated for the placements of HIT, HC, and HSJ, with a box next to each placement large enough for the judge to enter the arm band number of the winner of each award.

Motion by Burlingame, 2nd White, approved Burlingame White Case, Cox, Swatko, Willems, Bohren, Link

This motion is necessary because of the lack of a clear place for the judge to list the winners of these three placement awards. We have received feedback from many judges who have noted this absence.

Voting: Approve: Davenport, Toft, Adolphson and Trumbull-Clark. Disapprove: Aufox, Berryessa, Warren & DeChant. Abstain: Gray. Motion fails.

I vote no on the motion. Reason: This does not need a motion. The office has been instructed to get a stamp for existing forms and to make the change on new forms. All this motion has the potential to do is make any existing forms invalid and subject to challenge for not being in compliance with the "rules". Jerry

I disapprove. This is something to be worked out by the Business Office and their liaison. This does not need a motion to accomplish. KW

I oppose this motion as action has been taken by the President and the Office to take care of the request in the motion. It is not necessary. Ann

98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Judges' family motion

Motion by Trumbull-Clark. 

I move to accept the following recommendation from the Obedience Committee.

Motion by White, second Burlingame.

Chapter 1, Section 9: DELETE the first paragraph and REPLACE it with:

"An Obedience Judge's immediate family or household members may compete under other officiating judges at the same trial provided that any wins under the other judges will not result in a violation of these rules by any

advancement of the dog in the sanctioned event. An Obedience Judge's dog(s) may be shown in other venues by another person on the same day the aforementioned Judge is officiating.  Judges may show in obedience in

cluster trials on days on which they are not judging with no restrictions on the order in which they judge and show."

DELETE the first sentence of the second paragraph of Chapter 1, Section 9, i.e. "This applies to both Obedience and Dog Show Judges when an Obedience Trial is held in conjunction with a Dog Show."

DELETE the fifth sentence of Chapter 1, Section 9 "No judge or any person residing in the same household with a judge shall exhibit or act as agent or handler for any dog at an ASCA sanctioned Dog Show or Obedience Trial at which he is officiating as judge and dogs owned wholly or in part by such judge or any member of his household shall be ineligible to be entered at such event.

ADD in its place the following: "No judge shall exhibit or act as agent or handler for any dog at any ASCA sanctioned Dog Show or Obedience Trial, nor shall dogs owned wholly or in part by said judge be exhibited at a Trial in which he is officiating as judge.

DELETE the sixth sentence of Chapter 1, Section 9 i.e. "Subject to the foregoing, members of a judge's immediate family who no longer reside in the same household may enter or handle a dog at a show, trial, or test if the judge is not officiating over any competition for which the dog is entered or may become eligible."

Approved White, Burlingame, Case, Willems, Cox, Swatko, Bohren, Link

Board voting: Approve: Toft, Adolphson & Trumbull-Clark. Disapprove: Warren, Aufox, Gray, Davenport, Berryessa & DeChant. Motion fails.

I disapprove. Comments: Unfortunately I have to disapprove this motion due to the following "No judge shall exhibit or act as agent or handler for any dog at any ASCA sanctioned Dog Show or Obedience Trial, nor shall dogs owned wholly or in part by said judge be exhibited at a Trial in which he is officiating as judge". This motion needed to be clarified as to what judges and trials they are referring to. We have run into this before and have clarified it in other rules books, primarily the SD rule book because it was being interpreted to mean any ASCA judge not just the program judge the rules were pertaining to. I do agree with the motion but it does need to be fixed before going into the rule book. Exactly what judges cannot exhibit or act as agent or handler for any dog at any ASCA sanctioned Dog Show or Obedience Trial and exactly what trials cannot a dog owned by said judge be exhibited at a Trial in which he is officiating as judge". We have SD trials and obedience trials and several different program judges. Sorry to be so anal but having been through this before we might as well fix it now. KW

I vote no on the motion. Reason: While I am in agreement with the principle behind this motion, it is unclear and confusing. For example the language "No judge shall exhibit or act as agent or handler for any dog at any ASCA sanctioned Dog Show or Obedience Trial, nor shall dogs owned wholly or in part by said judge be exhibited at a Trial in which he is officiating as judge". This to me means that an obedience judge could not have a dog exhibited in a stock trial or conformation at the same sanctioned event. I would request that this motion be clarified as to what judges and trials they are referring to. I also believe the committee should limited themselves to the Obedience Trials only. Jerry

I vote to disapprove this motion unless "obedience" is placed in front of judge's family in the motion. It wasn't about making sense, it was about not making rules for other judges in other venues. Chris VT

I oppose the motion as I agree with other Directors that the word Obedience needs to be added before Judge. Ann

Approved:

Kim Waller as new Member of the Obedience Committee

Lynn Cobb-Conn - moving to Senior Breeder Judge

Ann DeChant - moving to Senior Breeder Judge (DeChant abstained)

Terri Morgan - moving to Senior Breeder Judge

Claire Gustafson - requesting ASCA Non-Regular Breeder Judge

Pamela Norman - requesting ASCA Non-Regular Breeder Judge

Dorothy Montano - application as an ASCA Provisional Breeder Judge

Wendy Summers - application as an ASCA Provisional Breeder Judge

Patty Wirries - application as an ASCA Provisional Breeder Judge

New ASCA Affiliate Club - FL PAN-HANDLERS A.S.C.

         President: Robin McNeill, 106 Highland Dr., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32348

         Affiliate Rep.: Sarah Elhoffer, 8469 Deaton Bridge Road, Holt, FL 32564

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Ann B. DeChant, Secretary

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