February 2004 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.

February 1 - 29, 2004

91:02  SHOW OFFICE PROBLEMS - Morin
Motion by Berryessa, second by Davenport
I move that we accept the Obedience Committee's request to allow the original score earned by Karen Morin and her Sheltie, Mainland Duncan My Love (Tracking number TDL 900828/04) from the Novice B class at the ASC of AZ club's recent show on January 31, 2004 to be recorded as qualifying.

Comment: The score was marked as non-qualifying due to an incorrect interpretation of the run-off rules.

 

Directors voting:  Approve:  Unanimous.  Motion is approved.

 

93:17  CH 3 STEPPING OVER THE HANDLERS LINE
Motion by Warren.
I move to accept the following recommendation from the SDC.

Comments:  This is the same motion I withdrew last month with the corrections in
place.  It is a clarification from crossing over to stepping over so that all judges are judging the handlers lines the same. KW

 

Recommendation:  The wording in the following rules be changed:

  CHAPTER 3 SEC 3.2 g. 12
          CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.3
          CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.4
          CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.5
To:
CHAPTER 3 SEC 3.2 g.12. Post Advanced Handler may not step across an imaginary line drawn across the entry wings of the Chute or the gate of the free-standing pen without a loss of 50% of the total points.  Exception:  While working the free Standing
pen, see Chapter 3, Section 11.2 g

 

CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.3
3. Open Trial Dogs must earn 70% or more of the total points (88/125).  Course points may be awarded for the take pen or gather in Course B, obstacle 1, obstacle 2, chute or free-standing pen in Course B and the repen, for a total possible score of 125. The handler in this division will not be permitted  to  step  across an imaginary line drawn across the width of the arena, 26' from obstacle 1 in the sheep and cattle arena and 6 ' from obstacle 1 in the duck arena.  This line (see Appendix A and B) is to be adequately
marked on both side fences with something visible to both handlers and judges and shall not interfere with the movement of the stock. This line may not be stepped across at any time during the run without a penalty of 15 points.

CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.4
4. Advanced Trial Dogs must earn 70% or more of the total points (88/125).
Course points may be awarded for the take pen or gather in Course B, obstacle 1, obstacle 2, chute or free-standing pen in Course B and the repen, for a total possible score 125. The handler in this division will not be permitted to step across an imaginary line drawn across the entry wings of the center chute or the gate of the freestanding pen to the fences on  either side of the arena.  This line may not be stepped across during
the run without a loss of 50% of  the total points earned during the entire run.
 

EXCEPTION: While working the freestanding pen, see Chapter 3, Section 11.2g.

CHAPTER 3 SEC 5.5
5. Post Advanced Trial Dogs must earn 70% or more of the total points (88/125). Course points may be awarded for the take pen or gather in Course B, obstacle 1, obstacle 2, chute or free-standing pen in Course B and the repen, for a total possible score 125. The handler in this division will not be permitted to step across an imaginary line drawn across the entry wings of the center chute or the gate of the freestanding pen to the fences on either side of the arena. This line may not be stepped across during the
run without a loss of 50% of the total points earned during the entire run.

 

EXCEPTION:  While working the freestanding pen, see Chapter 3, Section 11.2g

MOTION BY:  Maxine Schvaneveldt (11-12-2003) SECOND BY:  Sharon Simmons (11-13-2003)  APPROVE: Schvaneveldt, Mahoney, Simmons,  Kelly, Vest, Holmes, Walker,
 Baker,  Davies, Bryant, Hodges, Adamczyk, Moe DISAPPROVE: None ABSTAIN: None NON-VOTING:  None

 

COMMENTS:  At the 2002 ASCA Nationals during the SDC meeting it was brought
to the SDC's attention that Judges were not being consistent as to what is considered as crossing the handlers lines.  There was a noted problem again brought to the SDC in June of 2003.  At the 2003 Nationals during the SDC Meeting this issue was again discussed and those present felt that the rules need to be clarified as to what is considered crossing the handlers lines.  Improves an area of judging inconsistency.

Directors voting:  Approve:  Unanimous.  Motion is approved.

93:19   Board Policy - Committees
Motion by Gray, seconded by Berryessa.

Three motions below.  Please vote on each separately.  Effective date:  1 April 04

 

Part 1.
Add to the ASCA Policy Book:

Section 20.0  Committees

Section 20.1  All ASCA Committees are to follow the current version of the ASCA Committee Procedures.

 

Section 20.2  Any Committee needing an exemption to parts or all of the ASCA         Committee Procedures may request the ASCA Board to grant an exemption with
an affirmative vote of the Committee explaining what the exemption is for and why the exemption is needed.  (Note:  If the Committee is asking for complete exemption, they must provide procedures they wish to follow for Board approval at the time they ask for exemption.)

Section 20.3  Approved Committee Exemptions will be filed in the office of the Executive Secretary along with the Board motion and voting to approve/disapprove the Committee request.  If disapproved, the Board will explain to the Committee why it was disapproved.

Part 2.

I move a file titled "Committee Exemptions" be established and maintained in
the Executive Secretary's office for ASCA Committees (whether Executive,
Standing or any other type of Committee the Board appoints) who have been
granted exemptions from any part of the ASCA Committee Procedures, stating
what they are exempt from and why they are to be exempt.  The Board vote on
the Committee exemption must also be kept in the same file for historical
reasons.

Part 3.

I further move in order to be exempt from any part of the ASCA Committee Procedures, the Committee must vote on what they need an exemption from and state why. They will forward their decision to the ASCA Board via the Liaison.  The Board will vote to approve/disapprove the Committee's request, in writing, with a copy of the decision being returned to the Committee, via the Liaison and a copy filed by the Executive Secretary in the Committee Exemptions file.

Comments:  We currently have three Committees (DNA and Genetics Committee ,
Bylaw Committee and the Junior Committee) who are exempt from some or all
parts of the Committee Procedures.  In order to keep track of Committees who
are exempt we need something, in writing and kept in a safe place so Boards
in the future will not have to waste their time trying to figure out who is exempt from what and why.

Directors voting on each of the Parts went as follows:

Part 1:  Approve:  Berryessa, Warren, Davenport, Gray and DeChant.  Disapprove:  Aufox, Hollen, Stevens and Hellmeister.  Part 1 is approved.

Part 2:  Approve:  Aufox, Berryessa, Warren, Davenport, Gray and DeChant.            Disapprove:  Hollen, Stevens and Hellmeister.  Part 2 is approved.

Part 3:  Approve:  Aufox, Berryessa, Warren, Davenport, Gray and DeChant. Disapprove:  Hollen, Stevens and Hellmeister.  Part 3 is approved.

04:02  COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
Motion by Warren, seconded by Gray.
I withdraw the Committee Procedures Motion made 2-2-04 and replace it with the following:
I move to approve the attached updated Committee Procedures.

Comments:  I have made the changes and typos requested by Board members. I did not make all of Jerry's changes and rewordings but used some that helped to clarify. I also added Frank Butera's suggestion to include ASCA-L as a form of notifying members of vacancies but I have called it ASCA approved email lists. Pay attention to 10 b and c as I cleaned that up. I did not remove emergency voting as I could see no reason to do so.  I also did not include Peter Dolan's request to allow committees member access to resumes so they could make recommendations as to who should be on the committees.  I believe it should be taken up as a separate issue.

 

We heard from several of our committees and their suggestions have been included. The Committee Procedures now in use were developed for mailed packets.  They are very outdated and had no provisions for email. Currently, we have committees operating outside of the committee procedures, we also have committees  that are in need of direction now. Any specific issues within these procedures can be dealt with separately. We need to add some structure to our committees now.

I would like the committees to be able to start using these procedures immediately if it is felt by the Chairs that it will help their committees to run  more smoothly. If they don't choose to start using them now they must use them within 30 days of the announcement in the Aussie Times. KW

Directors voting:  Approve:  Aufox, Berryessa, Warren, Davenport, Gray, Hollen and DeChant. Disapprove:  Stevens.  Non-Voting:  Hellmeister.  Motion is approved.

 

93:17  STOCK DOG RULES -  Increasing runs at Nationals
Motion by Warren.
I move to accept the following SDC recommendation.

Comment: This is the previous motion withdrawn and sent back to the committee for further work/clarification. This recommendation is only for Nationals and pre-trials at Nationals. This exception is being allowed due to the complaints from contestants who did not feel using overflow judges was fair. Comment period ends Feb 17, 2004.

The following motion was sent back by the Board of Directors to the SDC for a few minor changes.  The SDC discussed the suggested changed by the Board of Directors and made a few minor changes.  These changes have been approved by a unanimous
consensus of the SDC and read as follows:

 

CHAPTER 4 SECTION 13
Add new EXCEPTION paragraph:

SECTION 13 - JUDGING PERIOD
A Judge will officiate for a period of no more than ten (10) consecutive hours, not counting meal breaks. A Judge may judge no more than forty (40) dogs in any trial day.

 

EXCEPTION: At the National Stockdog Trial and National Pre-Trial(s), a Judge will officiate for a period of no more than twelve (12) consecutive hours not counting meal breaks. A Judge may judge no more than sixty (60) dogs in any trial day.  All current rules and regulations will apply for required stock numbers. Judges that are hired for these trials will have been advised of the increased number of runs that would be
available.

CHAPTER 5 SECTION 3.3
Add new EXCEPTION paragraph:
3. Unless otherwise stated in the premium list, the first forty (40) entries per Judge will be accepted in postmark order.  In case of duplicate postmark entries, a random draw of those entries will be made to determine the order of acceptance.

EXCEPTION: For the National Stockdog Trial and National Pre-Trial(s), up to sixty (60) entries per judge may be drawn. The number of entries to be drawn must be stated in the premiums for these events. All other rules for draw order apply to these events.

 

 -------- REQUESTED CHANGES TO NATIONAL SPECIALTY GUIDELINES -----

 Change Sec 11.2 to read:
ASCA requires a minimum of 40 duck runs, 40 sheep runs and 40 cattle runs.  To avoid the use of an overflow judge, the Host Club may offer up to sixty (60) runs per judge of stock per day, or request an additional trial day, if entries are expected to warrant such a request.  All other ASCA Stockdog Rules and Regulations will apply.

 

Motion by: Cathe Walker, Second by:  Barb Moe
Approve: Walker, Mahoney, Bryant, Adamczyk, Baker, Hodges, Kelly, Vest, Davies, Holmes, Moe.  Disapprove: Schvaneveldt, Simmons  Abstain: NONE  Non-Voting: NONE
Comments: 1. I don't feel that overflow judges are appropriate at the National Specialty. This gives the host club the opportunity to increase the number of runs available if they choose to.
2. I think with the options provided I.e. add another day or allowing anything from 40 - 60 runs gives all clubs and judges the opportunity to pick and choose whether or not they want to host 60 runs or judge 60 runs.
3. I honestly don't think the majority of our judges can judge 60 runs in a day and do a decent job. I see judges having a hard time with 40 runs and staying focused. You say you want to run the 60 runs to make it fair to the contestants. I don't think it will be fair. I also think that this change will be harder on the stock and the stockhandlers.
4. I just think that 60 runs is too many for a judge to judge consistently and fairly. I would have voted for 50 runs but not 60. I think the clubs could hire another judge.

 

The motion passes, I will inform the BOD.      Barb Moe SDC Chairperson

 

The above vote and comments were submitted by Barb Moe with the passage of the original motion.  The revision of the motion is being submitted to the BOD by Sharon Simmons.

Directors voting:  Approve:  Unanimous.  Motion is approved.

 

Postage Machine

Motion by Aufox, seconded by Berryessa.
Please post the following emergency motion to be voted on by January 29th.
I move to authorize the Lease/rental of a new postage meter system from Pitney Bowes as follows:
One (1) DM550 Digital Mailing System with 5lb integrated weighing with all associated interfaces and software including six upgrades per year Including Training Including Equipment Maintenance Rental Term 69 Months - 5-3/4 years
Cost $368.00 per month
Comment: This rental is better than the alternative of buying the equipment for $8,306.00 plus a monthly charge of $102.00 for U.S Postal Unit, software and maintenance. Would not include breakdown repairs or upgrades.  The lease
includes all of the foregoing.

The reason for making this an emergency motion is noted below in the e-mail
I received today from Lola.   "Our postage machine is on its last leg - after 12 years - I just had $587 worth of repair work done on it 12/31 and it broke again. The technician
rigged it where it will work temporarily, but we will have to get a new one pretty quickly. We would soon have to get one anyway as the Post Office is not going to renew our rental on the meter because they are going all digital. Anyway, I am going to forward you the two documents - lease/rental prices and the outright purchase price for the machine which will meet our needs. This is not the most expensive machine and will do only what the machine we have now does with the exception of the software that is
included that among other things will allow us to track mail that we send certified,
express, etc."

Directors voting: Approve:  Unanimous.  Motion is approved.

 

Approved:

New Non-Regular Judges: David Clayton, FL; Summer Jewel Fuls, OR
From Non-Regular to Provisional Judges:  Mary Hellmeister, CA; Claire Gustafson, AZ; Emmy Adasiewicz, MA

Retention of Mr. Chuck Carnese as its legal counsel for the year 2004 at the same retainer as last year.

BYLAW CHANGES - Lobo ASA

BYLAW CHANGES - Greater Atlanta ASC