March 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.

March 1- 31, 2004

99:10  TRACKING COMMITTEE - Judges

Motion by Gray.
I move to approve the following recommendation from the Tracking Committee.

 

This is the MOTION, offered by Celeste Kelly and seconded by Craig Bohren:
I, Celeste Kelly,  move we add the following appendix to the Tracking rules and regulations effective July 1, 2004:

 

Appendix 2

Until such time as ASCA has enough in-house tracking judges, the judges from the following canine tracking titling organizations shall constitute a list of approved  judges for the ASCA tracking judge list provided these judges are in good standing with ASCA and their own organizations.

   1. Schutzhund judges approved to judge through Schutzhund III.

   2. Canadian Kennel Club tracking judges

   3. American Kennel Club tracking judges

 

Part 1: 9 approved:  Celeste, Craig, Wally, Nola, Jane, Paula, Joan, Debbie, Martha   4 disapproved:  Ralph, Audrey, Nancy, Anne.

Part 2:  9 Approved:  Celeste, Craig, Wally, Nola, Jane, Paula, Joan, Debbie, Martha. 4 disapproved:  Ralph, Audrey, Nancy, Anne.
Part 3: 13 approved.

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

 

04:06  SHOW RULE CHANGE -  Sec. 9

Motion by Davenport.

I move the following from the Conformation Committee:

3). Motion by Denise Creelman, second by Peter Kontos
I would like to make a motion that All venues of the ASCA program be consistent in the way that aggressive behavior of a dog while at an event is addressed. In each separate Rule Book, the wording could be the same as in the Show Rules Sec. 9 paragraph 9:14.  ("A dog that in the opinion of the judge attacks any person or dog in the ring shall be disqualified. When the judge disqualifies the dog, he shall mark the dog "Disqualified," stating the reason in the judge's book. When a dog has been disqualified under this Section, any awards won at that show by the disqualified dog shall be canceled and the dog may not again compete unless and until, following application by the owner to ASCA, the owner has received official notification from ASCA that the dog's show eligibility has been reinstated.")

YEA: Liz Gibson, Margi Floyd, Denise Creelman, Wendy Finsterwald, Kim Cochran, Rick Gann, Glenda Stephenson, Peter Kontos;  NAY: Wendy Summers, Beth Peterson; ABSTAIN: Mary Hellmeister   PROPOSAL/MOTION PASSES

 

* Comment: I don't think the CC should try to mandate any rules for other venues -- The appropriate place for a rule of this type would be in Chapter 1, much the same as training on grounds or abuse of dogs. We could add section 1.12 to address vicious or aggressive dogs anywhere on the grounds, not just in competition (Wendy Summers)

* Comment: I believe this is a worthy rule, but also believe the Conformation Committee cannot mandate policy for other venues.

Directors voting:  Approve:  Warren.  Disapprove:  Aufox, Berryessa, Hellmeister, Stevens, Hollen & DeChant.  Abstain:  Gray & Davenport.  Motion is DEFEATED.

04:06  SHOW RULE CHANGE - 7.6

Motion by Davenport.

I move the following from the Conformation Committee:

5).  Motion by Beth Peterson, seconded by Peter Kontos
Clarify ASCA Show Rule #7.6. with the addition of "he or" to the first part of the first sentence of this rule to insure interpretation reflects this rule applies to the Judge as well as his family members. Also, add "on more than two occasions" to identify the limit as to the number of times a Judge may pass judgment on a handler in the preceding 12 months.

 

"A Conformation Judge shall not pass judgment on any dog *he or* a member of the immediate family or household owns, co-owns, or has owned, sold, held under lease, boarded, regularly trained, instructed or handled in the conformation ring in the preceding twelve months; nor shall the Conformation Judge pass judgment on a handler he or a member of the immediate family or household has trained or instructed *on more than two occasions* in the preceding twelve months."

 

Discussion: This clarification will insure ASCA Show Rule #7.6 is understood to apply to the Judge as well as his family members and note the number of time the judge may work with the dog/handler instead of leaving it open to interpretation.

YEA: Liz Gibson, Margi Floyd, Denise Creelman, Wendy Finsterwald, Wendy Summers, Kim Cochran, Rick Gann, Glenda Stephenson, Peter Kontos, Beth Peterson;  NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Mary Hellmeister PROPOSAL/MOTION PASSES

* Comment: However, if we are adding *more than 2 times* we need to remove the word "regularly" as it becomes redundant (W Summers)

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

04:06  SHOW RULE CHANGE - III Judge COE

Motion by Davenport.

I move the following from the Conformation Committee:

6) Proposal/Motion (by Beth Peterson, seconded by Glenda Stephenson)
Change the title of the Official ASCA Guidelines / Code of Ethics for Conformation Judges, SECTION ONE, from "Breeder Judge Code of Ethics" to "Conformation Judge Code of Ethic"  thereby applying to all persons judging ASCA conformation shows.

YEA: Liz Gibson, Margi Floyd, Denise Creelman, Wendy Finsterwald, Wendy Summers, Kim Cochran, Rick Gann, Glenda Stephenson, Peter Kontos, Beth Peterson;  NAY: None; ABSTAIN: Mary Hellmeister  PROPOSAL/MOTION PASSES

* Comment: But I'm still not convinced we can enforce this. (Kim Cochran)

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

90:38  AGILITY COMMITTEE -  Chapter 1 & 2 motion

Motion by Hellmeister.
I move to accept the following recommendation of the Agility Committee:

Motion: Allison Bryant. Second: Andrea Hoffmann
Chapter 1 section 1.1

Where the term "ASCA" appears for the first time, replace it with:
"Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)".

Where the term "NADAC" appears for the first time, replace it with "North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)".

In the first paragraph, third line capitalize Rules in "Agility rules and Regulations"

Section 1.3 Eligibility For Entry
Replace the second sentence: "Bitches in heat, lame, or blind dogs are ineligible for entry."

With:
"Bitches in heat (except as specified in Section 9.2), lame, or blind dogs are ineligible for entry."

Section 1.4
Replace "FEO" with "For Exhibition Only (FEO)"

Chapter 2, 2.1.1 - Applications.

Replace the following sentence:
"A sanction fee of fifteen dollars ($15) per trial shall be submitted with the application."

with:
"The sanctioning fee (as set by the ASCA Board of Directors) will be submitted with the application. The sanctioning fee will be assessed for each day of the trial."

2.1.1.a. Change paragraph to read:

"California is divided into three (3) areas: from the Mexican border north to the city of Ventura, from Ventura north to San Jose, and from San Jose north to Oregon. Nevada is divided into two (2) areas: from the southernmost border north to Highway 6, and north of Highway 6 to the Oregon and Idaho borders."

Section 2.1.2 Trial Schedule

Change the first paragraph to read:

"Affiliates must publish an Agility Trial Premium List at least six (6) weeks in advance of the proposed trial date. A copy of the premium list will be sent to the judge (s)/alternate judge(s) who is/are to officiate. The Agility Trial Premium shall include the following
information: "

Remove item #15.
Section 2.1.3 Official Entry Form
Replace the following paragraph:
"If you have not received a NADAC number, write Pending....."
(replace to end of paragraph.)

Replace with:
"If your dog is an ASCA registered Australian Shepherd, fill in your dog's ASCA registration number where designated on the entry form.  If your dog is not an ASCA registered Australian Shepherd and you would like to earn ASCA titles, you will need to obtain an ASCA tracking number for your dog. Once you have an ASCA tracking number, use it as  your dog's "ASCA Registration Number" on all entry forms. "

Section 2.1.3 Official Entry Form
'Agreement' Section

Item 1.5   Change second sentence to read [Note: Club(s) through which NADAC and ASCA  sanction the trial must include its/their name(s) here.]

Section 2.1.4 Trial Officials
2. Timekeepers

Append to the end of this section: "Timekeepers preferably will time the entire class. If this is not possible, they must complete the entire jump height they started."

Section 2.1.4 Trial Officials
5. Check-In Steward.

Change the first two sentences to read:
"The Check-In Steward checks in the dogs as present and confirms that the dog is listed in the proper jump height class (by measuring the dog.) The Check-In Steward also distributes to the exhibitors material relevant to the event."

7. Table Stewards
Change the second sentence to read:
"After the scribe marks any faults for each run onto the scribe sheet, the actual time from the timekeeper's stop watch is recorded on the scribe sheet and the sheet is then turned over to the table stewards."

In the fourth line of the same paragraph, change "stewards' " to "stewards"  (take out the apostrophe).

Section 2.1.4.8 change 'poles' to 'bars'.
Section 2.2.1 Determining a Dog's Height
 Replace the following sentence:
The judge must re-measure any dog that is within 1/2" or less below the maximum shoulder height that could cause a jump height class change.

With:
"The judge must re-measure any dog that is within 1/2" or less of the maximum shoulder height that could cause a jump height class change."

Section 2.2.2. Measurements
Replace the first sentence:
"Only dogs entering the Small and Medium dog classes are required to be  measured."

With:
"Only dogs entering the Small and Medium dog classes (i.e., classes in which the dog's wither height is 18" and under) that do not have permanent NADAC height cards are required to be measured."

Section 2.4 - Agility Obstacles
Remove "Double Bar Spread Hurdles" from the list.

Section 2.5 - agility Trial Arena
Change the first sentence to read:
"The Agility trial area should be of an area no less than 10,000 square feet of clear, unobstructed ring surface."

Section 2.6.1 Second paragraph, second sentence:
Change the third sentence to read:
"This form must be submitted postmarked no less than 45 (forty-five) days prior to trial date along with the required per day sanctioning fees (as set forth by the ASCA Board of Directors).  The fee for a partial day shall be the same as a full day.

Section 2.6.1
In the second paragraph append the following to the last line:  "or downloaded from the ASCA website."


2.6.3 Catalogs
Replace the first sentences:
"After entries close, a printed catalog shall be prepared for the exhibitors. The catalog shall include the running order of the classes to be run in each ring, with the jump height groups printed in the order for which they will run. If the show is going to run more than
one ring, then each ring's classes should be printed on a different color paper for the ease of finding each ring's progression through the day."

With:
"After entries close, a printed catalog shall be prepared for scoring.   This catalog shall include the running order of the classes to be run in each ring, with the jump height groups printed in the order in which they will run. If the show is going to run more than one ring, then each ring's classes should be clearly identified. This catalog is to serve as the official catalog to be submitted to the sanctioning organization."

Change the first sentence of the second paragraph to read:
"The scoring catalog must include a line for each dog entered, with the handler's armband number (if used), the dog's registration number, (ASCA and NADAC, if dual-sanctioned), the dog's call name....."

Replace the following sentence:
"At the end of each printed class, there shall be a section to record the placements for the class, along with a separate section to record the qualifiers for each class."

With:
"At the end of each printed class, there shall be a section to record the placements for the class. Qualifiers in each class must be clearly identified."

Replace the following sentence:
"At the heading for each class, there shall be a line to record the course distance and the Standard Course Time for (small, dogs and for large dogs)."

With:
At the heading for each class, there shall be a line to record the course distance and the Standard Course Time for small, medium, and large dogs."

Replace the following sentence:
"For the Gamblers class, there shall be room to record the time allowed for the gamble for the small, dogs and the large dogs."

With:
"For the Gamblers class, there shall be room to record the time allowed for the gamble for small, medium and large dogs. "

Insert the following before the last sentence in 2.6.3:
"An exhibitor's catalog may also be printed. This catalog must include at a minimum the armband number (if used), the dog's registration number (ASCA and NADAC, if dual sanctioned), the dog's call name and the handler name. The catalog should be printed in the order the classes and dogs will run."

Section 2.6.4.1 Awards for classes
After the first sentence of this section, insert the following sentence:
 "Clubs may also choose to combine the 20+ and 24" classes for placements."

Change the last sentence of the first paragraph to read:
"The ribbons shall each have a place on the back for the exhibitors to record the date of the trial, the judge's name, and the class."

Section 2.6.4.1 Change 'Qualifying Round - Green'  to 'Qualifying Score - Green'.

Section 2.6.4.2 Awards for High In Levels

Replace first paragraph:
"Awards for high scoring in level (Novice, Open, Elite), and/or high in trial (HIT) are not mandatory. However, such awards are often given at the ASCA National Specialty. When such awards are given, computation for these awards shall be done in the following manner:"

with:
"Awards for high scoring in level (Novice, Open, Elite), and/or high in trial (HIT) are not mandatory. However, such awards are often given at the ASCA National Specialty. When such awards are given at the ASCA National Specialty, computation for these awards shall be done in the following manner:....

Section 2.6.5.1 Regular Agility and Jumpers Classes

Replace the following sentence:
"Also, in the header of the page the course distance and the standard course time (in seconds) for small standard dogs, small veterans, large standard, and large veterans must be given."

With:
"Also, in the header of the page the course distance and the standard course time (in seconds) for small standard dogs, small veteran dogs, medium standard dogs, medium veteran dogs, large standard dogs, and large veteran dogs must be given."

Section 2.6.5.2 Gamblers Classes
Replace the following sentence:
"Also, in the header of the page the gamble time (in seconds) for small standard dogs, small veterans, large standard dogs, and large veterans must be given.

With:
Also, in the header of the page the gamble time (in seconds) for small standard dogs, small veteran dogs, medium standard dogs, medium veteran dogs, large standard, and large veteran dogs must be given.

Section 2.6.6 Financial Responsibilities
Change item 'e', so it reads as follows:
e) The judging fee of one dollar ($1.00) per run listed in the running order catalog, whether or not the dog runs, or the current minimum fee of $200.00 per day.

Replace the following sentence:
"The judging fee (one dollar per run listed in the running order catalog, whether the dog actually runs or not should be given to the judge at the conclusion of the trial."

With:
"The judging fee (one dollar per run listed in the running order catalog, whether the dog actually runs or not, or the current minimum fee of $200.00 per day) should be given to the judge at the conclusion of the trial"

 

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

 

90:38  AGILITY COMMITTEE- A Frame height motion passed

Motion by Hellmeister.

I move to accept the following recommendation of the Agility Committee.

Motion: Allison Bryant. Second: Andrea Hoffmann
seconded.  The voting was as follows: Allison Bryant yes, Andrea Hoffmann yes,
Frank Butera yes, Pam Smith yes, Pete Dolan yes, Shelley Malan yes, Sue Graham yes, Ron Schumann - non-voting

 

Appendix A -
Section 1 - Contact Obstacles

Change the first sentence of the third paragraph to read as follows:
"Slats are not required on any of the contact obstacles."

In the contact obstacle height table, change the height of the a-frame to be 5'.

Remove section 3 - Pause table

I am making this motion to bring the ASCA rules in line with NADAC rules.

Directors voting:  Approve: Unanimous.  Motion is approved.

99:02  HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE

Motion by Gray, seconded by Hollen.

Due to the confusion between the Board, the Conformation Committee, the Hall of Fame Committee and the membership surrounding the below motion I move to rescind.
I further move to place the question on the 2004 election ballot for the membership to cast their votes and decide this issue.  The ballot will read:

I accept the A-CH as a qualifying Conformation title for all of ASCA's Hall
of Fame requirements.
Yes______   No______

 

Directors voting:

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

#2.  Ballot:  Approve:  Gray, Davenport, Hellmeister, Stevens, & Hollen.  Disapprove:  Aufox, Berryessa, DeChant and Warren.  Motion is approved.

 

04:03  2005 NATIONAL SPECIALTY

Motion by Berryessa, seconded by Warren.
I move that we accept the GAASC's application to host the 2005 Nationals.

Directors voting:  Approve:  Unanimous. Motion is approved.