July 1999 Board Minutes

July 12-13, 1999

The Board convened Monday, July 12, 1999 at 11:03 a.m. following the meetings of the various Board Committees. All Directors were present, except Mr. Marden. Also present were the President, Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary.

The Board reviewed the June 1999 minutes. Upon motion made by Dr. Battaglia, and seconded by Dr. Smith, the minutes of the June 1999 meeting, copies of which were made available to all Directors, were adopted (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden).

The Chairman, Mr. Merriam, reported on correspondence directed to him as Board Chairman, since the last meeting, which were referred to the appropriate staff or Board Committees.

Mr. Merriam reviewed the status of the 1999 priorities previously established by the Board.

Mr. Merriam reported that the following guidelines had been approved at the June 1999 meeting, governing staff attendance at Board and Board Committee meetings

BOARD

1. Full time: CEO, COO, Executive Secretary

2. By subject matter report

a. Financial: Tom Murphy
b. Legal: Sam Perry
c. Discipline: Bob Slay
d. Judge approval: Darrell Hayes
e. Show Events: Linda More
f. Performance: Bill Speck
g. Obedience: Jim Pitts

3. By invitation.

BOARD COMMITTEES

1. The chairman of the committee will notify those staff required for committee work on an as needed basis.

WORKSHOPS

1. The Chairman of the Board will notify staff required for workshops on an as needed basis.

Appearance either in person or by video telecommunication will usually be satisfactory. Periodically, the Board and the committees will review and revise these guidelines.

Mr. Merriam proposed that the Board develop guidelines for its committee in the areas of publicity and press releases. It was agreed that while Board-appointed committees could seek outside input and issue reports on what it was doing procedurally, no release with committee recommendations should be issued until the Board at least received an interim report and authorized its release.

Mr. Merriam reviewed matters raised by the Delegates at the June meeting and these were referred to the appropriate Board Committees or staff.

The Board reviewed the priorities that had been established at the June 1999 meeting.

Mr. Merriam reported that on the weekend preceding the Board meeting, representatives of the Board of the AKC and the AKC Canine Health Foundation met in New York. Among the topics discussed was a letter of understanding between the two organizations.

There was a discussion on the subject of pet insurance. There would be a further update in August.

There was a discussion on Territoriality and the protection of a club’s assigned territory.

The President, Mr. Cheauré, gave an update on the status of the new registration form. The first run of 90,000 was to be initiated later in the week.

Mr. Cheauré presented his plan for reorganizing the publishing area. On staff appointments he also reported that Patricia Krause will be AKC’s Director of Obedience, located in the Raleigh office, and that Peter Gaeta will be a new conformation representative in Texas.

There was a report by Mr. Cheauré on the AKC 401(k) Plan. There was a motion by Mrs. Strand, seconded by Ms. Scully, which was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, that Merrill Lynch Trust Company be removed as Trustee of The American Kennel Club 401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan, effective July 1, 1999.

RESOLVED, that Columbus Circle Trust Company be appointed as Trustee of The American Kennel Club 401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan, effective July 1, 1999.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the action of the Officers of this corporation in implementing the foregoing Resolutions are hereby ratified.

Mr. Cheauré gave a report on the Raleigh Operations facility renovations. The project remains within budget and the only outstanding contracts remain the loading dock, smoking area, and data center.

There was further discussion on Territoriality. Mr. Marden joined the meeting at this time via telephone conference per Board policy, he could participate in discussion but not vote..

Mr. Marden gave a financial update Mr. Murphy, staff, was present for this report.. The Financial Report for June 1999 showed an excess of revenue over expenses of $289,000.

Mr. Marden reported that at a meeting held on June 8, 1999, the Pension Committee unanimously approved the following retirement benefit enhancements to the AKC Employees’ Pension Plan:

• The Retirement Plan early retirement factors have been amended from a 3a% reduction per year prior to age 60, plus a 6b% reduction per year between ages 60 and 65 to a flat 6% reduction per year prior to age 62 for members who terminate employment on or after January 1, 2000.
  
  
• Employee service prior to age 18 is now included for vesting purposes.
  
  
• Retiree life insurance benefits are expanded to include Level 3 (hourly) employees based on 50% of the annual basic earnings at retirement reduced to 25% at age 70 with a minimum of $10,000. The same provisions currently apply to Level 2 (former class of supervisors) employees.
  
  
• The early retirement rule regarding employee post-retirement medical benefits is amended to allow retired employees at age 55 with five years of service an AKC subsidy equal to 100% for retirees and spouses, reduced by 5% per year of service less than 20 years at retirement. The AKC subsidy is equal to 100%, regardless of length of service, for employees hired prior to January 1, 1989.

The Board reviewed and agreed to the format for a financial report that will be sent to the Delegates with the call letter for each quarterly meeting.

There was a discussion of Board members’ travel-related expenses. Following a motion by Mrs. Strand, seconded by Dr. Smith, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to restate the policy on expenses as follows:

Expenses that may be billed by AKC Directors, which are related to their authorized travel are:

• Airfare: Coach fares. No upgrades, e.g., business or 1st class.
  
  
• Train: Coach fares. No upgrades, e.g., business or 1st class.
  
  
• Automobile: Charge the latest approved rate/mile rate listed at the bottom of your monthly land travel expense sheet.
  
  
• Meals: Only meals directly related to your travel.
  
  
• Taxis and Limos: List the individual trips and any charge of $25.00 or more must be accompanied by the receipt.
  
  
• Lodging other than the contracted for hotel, e.g., another hotel, as long as the cost is less than or does not exceed the rate charged by the contracted for hotel.

Items the Board has agreed are covered by the honorarium are:

• Telephone expenses related to the Board member’s duties.
• Postage expenses related to the Board member’s duties.
• Kennel expenses.

Board members are provided with fax machines and computers for use during their term of office. At the conclusion of their term, the fax machine and computer are to be returned or may be purchased at the depreciated book amount. In addition, a second telephone line for "on-line" and fax plus the supplies such as printer paper and printer pens will be paid for by AKC.

Any items not covered by the above needs to be cleared with the Treasurer.

All expenses of $25.00 or more must be accompanied by the receipt.

The registration figures for June 1999 (individual and litter registrations) are 146,930, versus 153,463 for June 1998.

Mr. Goodman, for the Events and Clubs Committee, reported on a proposed amendment to Chapter 14, Procedure 6-H of the Field Trial Rules and Standard Procedures for Pointing Breeds, which would permit dogs competing in a German Shorthaired Pointer field trial to be controlled by the collar after demonstrating acceptable manners in any situation. Following a motion by Dr. Battaglia, seconded by Mrs. Strand, it was VOTED (affirmative, Dr. Battaglia, Mrs. Strand, Mr. Merriam, Dr. Mays, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Hritzo; opposed, Ms. Laurans, Ms. Scully, Mrs. Welsh, Dr. Smith; absent, Mr. Marden) to waive the usual procedure, which would have put the vote on the August agenda, and to vote on it at this meeting..

Following a motion by Mrs. Strand, seconded by Dr. Battaglia, it was VOTED (affirmative, Dr. Battaglia, Mrs. Strand, Mr. Merriam, Dr. Mays, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Hritzo, Ms. Scully, Dr. Smith; opposed, Ms. Laurans, Mrs. Welsh; absent, Mr. Marden) to approve the amendment. The amendment is effective September 1, 1999.

The telephone conference with Mr. Marden ended with the above vote.

The Secretary, Mr. Crowley, reported on a proposal to permit the registration of Jack Russell Terrier litters whelped in Canada if produced by AKC registered sires and dams. The AKC Breed Parent Club Committee endorses this proposal and CKC has no objection to it. Following a motion by Mrs. Welsh, seconded by Dr. Smith, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt the proposal, effective immediately.

There was a motion by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Dr. Battaglia, and it was VOTED (affirmative, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Battaglia, Dr. Mays, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Merriam, Dr. Smith, Mrs. Strand; opposed, Dr. Hritzo, Ms. Laurans, Ms. Scully, Mrs. Welsh; absent, Mr. Marden) to suspend the Board’s interpretation of Chapter 11, Section 14 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows adopted at the June 1999 Board of Directors meeting and to refer the subject to the Board Events and Clubs Committee for evaluation.

It was moved by Dr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Goodman, and VOTED (affirmative, Dr. Smith, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Merriam, Mr. Kelly, Dr. Hritzo; opposed, none, abstaining, Dr. Battaglia, Ms. Laurans, Mrs. Strand, Ms. Scully, Mrs. Welsh, Dr. Mays; absent, Mr. Marden) to direct staff to develop language for the Board Events and Clubs Committee to consider what would permit a club with a show limited to 2,000 or more entries to structure its entries to permit dogs rated in their breeds, based upon show competition to preenter prior to a specified deadline.

Mr. Crowley reported that the staff committee had awarded $59,500 in scholarships to forty veterinary students.

Mr. Crowley reported that he had received a letter from Dr. Haines, thanking the Board for the gift and resolution sent in recognition of her service.

Mrs. Welsh, Ms. Scully, and Dr. Smith, members of the Judges Review Committee, left the meeting prior to the report on Judges Applications.

Mr. Hayes, staff, was present for the discussion on Judges Applications. Upon motion made and seconded, it was VOTED:

That the applications for the following New Breed judging applicants be accepted for the breeds indicated:

Ms. Sandra J. Dancosse - German Shepherd Dogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Ms. Mary Miller - Dalmatians

Mrs. Laura Perkinson - Chow Chows, Shiba Inu

Mrs. Gwen Wexler - Dachshunds, Tibetan Spaniels

Ms. Sharon Zaker - Pugs, JS

That the applications for the following Approved Breed judging applicants be accepted for the breeds indicated:

Dr. Klaus Anselm - Balance of Sporting Group
(American Water Spaniels, Clumber Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons); Bearded Collies, Bouviers des Flandres

Mr. Raymond D. Bay - Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Chihuahuas, Italian Greyhounds, Papillons, Poodles, Pugs, Shih Tzu, Silky Terriers

Mr. William Bergum - German Shorthaired Pointers, Labrador Retrievers, English Setters, Irish Setters, English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, Weimaraners, Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Mr. Roy Cuneo - Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands

Mrs. Jane A. Dixon - Australian Cattle Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdogs, Belgian Tervuren, Shetland Sheepdogs

Mrs. Dawn Vick Hansen - Balance of Working Group
(Anatolian Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Komondorok, Kuvaszok, Portuguese Water Dogs, Rottweilers, St. Bernards)

Mr. Charles P. (Skip) Herendeen III - Afghan Hounds, Basset Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Mrs. Betsy Horn Humer - Brittanys, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, English Springer Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, Weimaraners, Australian Shepherds

Mr. David Jay Hyman - Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Irish Wolfhounds

Mr. J. Donald Jones - Border Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers, Chinese Cresteds, Italian Greyhounds, Pugs, American Eskimo Dogs, Chinese Shar-Pei, Dalmatians, Finnish Spitz, Shiba Inu

Mr. Jerry M. Kaplan - Rottweilers

Mrs. Carla J. La Fave - Afghan Hounds, Bloodhounds, Borzois, Greyhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Pharaoh Hounds, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds

Mr. Robert B. Lawson - Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, German Wirehaired Pointers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, English Setters, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

Miss Joan E. Luna - Akitas, Siberian Huskies

Mrs. Holly Masters - Collies

Mrs. Carolyn B. McKenna - Doberman Pinschers, Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Collies, Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Mrs. Anne N. Power - Collies

Ms. Susan A. Preston-Bond - Newfoundlands

Mrs. Patricia A. Schilling - Shetland Sheepdogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis

Mr. Bernard Schwartz - Brittanys, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, English Setters, Gordon Setters, Clumber Spaniels, Field Spaniels, Vizslas, Weimaraners, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

Mrs. Francine W. Schwartz - Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chows, Dalmatians, French Bulldogs, Poodles, Schipperkes

Mrs. Sharon C. Smith - Bullmastiffs, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, Samoyeds, Standard Schnauzers

Mrs. Paulette (Polly) A. Swanson - English Setters, Gordon Setters, Irish Setters, English Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels

That the following named persons, who have completed five group assignments in the first Variety Group, be approved to judge Best in Show:

Mr. Ronald Menaker (Wyckoff, NJ)

Mr. Garry Newton (Richmond, TX)

Mrs. Shirley Uphouse (Marble, NC)

Mr. John D. White, Jr. (White Plains, MD)

That the following Provisional Junior Showmanship application be approved:

Ms. Rebecca I. Noe (Castle Rock, CO)

That the request for Special Consideration for the following person be approved:

Mr. Cliff Steele - Pointers, Cocker Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, Weimaraners, Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boxers, Giant Schnauzers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bichons Frises, Tibetan Terriers, Bearded Collies, Old English Sheepdogs

That the following judge, on the advice of the JRC, wrote requesting the Board reduce the seven-year restriction on applying for new breeds:

Mrs. Sandra J.B. Dunn (Brimfield, MA)

The Board voted to deny this request.

Upon motion made and seconded, it was VOTED that the following Visiting Judges be approved for assignments at shows as indicated:

Mrs. Jan Favell (England) - Airedale Terrier Club of Metropolitan Washington, DC - 4/21/00

Mr. Christopher T. Moore (Australia) - Del Sur KC - 11/13/99; Cabrillo KC, 11/14/99

Mr. Ernest Van den Broeck (Belgium) - Ingham County Kennel Club - 12/5-6/99

Mrs. Rita Van Mechelen-Reyniers (Belgium) - Afghan Hound Club of St. Louis - 10/4/99

Mrs. Lesley Wiggins (England) - Classic Toy Dog Club of Western MA - 5/12/00

Following completion of the report on Judges Applications, Mrs. Welsh, Ms. Scully and Dr. Smith returned to the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m., Monday, July 12, 1999.

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Meeting reconvened on Tuesday, July 13, 1999, at 8:01 a.m. All Directors were present except Mr. Marden. Also present were the President, Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary.

Mr. Slay, staff, participated in the portion of the meeting dealing with disciplinary actions.

There was a report on the actions taken by the AKC staff during the month of June 1999 on the cancellation of litters and individual registrations.

During the month of June, the registrations of 19 litters were cancelled: 11 because of impure breeding, 5 at the request of the litter owners, 2 because of the Compliance Audit Program - DNA and 1 because the litter was whelped outside the U.S..

The cancellation of the 19 litters resulted in the cancellation of 18 registered dogs and rendered 77 dogs, members of these litters, ineligible for registration.

Mr. Slay requested Board action to establish penalty guidelines for individuals found guilty of sexual harassment. The staff recommended the following:

Mitigated Standard Aggravated

3 months/$100 6 months/$200 2 years/$300

Following a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Scully, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt the recommended guidelines.

There was a report on the failure of the Java Village Beagle Club to hold an Event Committee hearing when the club President used foul and vulgar language in the presence of a number of witnesses in the clubhouse at the club’s May 7, 1999 field trial. The Field Trial Chairman replied to AKC’s inquiry that as the President apologized, the matter was over with and he did not know that a hearing was necessary. It was VOTED to impose a $500 fine and to place the club on a two-year probation, during which its compliance with all AKC rules and guidelines would be carefully monitored.

Ms. Laurans and Mr. Kelly, members of the Board Discipline Review Committee, left the meeting. The following actions were taken or reports given:

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended the following individuals from all AKC privileges for a period of ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999, and imposed fines of $500 each for failure to comply with the recordkeeping and identification requirements of Chapter 4 of the Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline.

Rick Bichel (Black Creek, WI) - Siberian Husky

Connie Bonner, d.b.a. Connie’s Pet Shop (Carpentersville, IL) - Multiple Breeds

Mary Chitswara (Mountain Top, PA) - Chihuahua

Raymond Chitswara (Mountain Top, PA) - Chihuahua - Rottweiler

Richard Gaddis (Jasper, GA) - Dachshund

Kay Gray (Starkville, MS) - Multiple Breeds

Cecil Gray, Sr. (Starkville, MS) - Multiple Breeds

Mary Ann Guarino (Joplin, MO) - Miniature Schnauzer - Pharaoh Hound

Robert Hansen (Milan, IL) - Yorkshire Terrier

Yong Hansen (Milan, IL) - Yorkshire Terrier

Judy Hughes (Dexter, MO) - Bichon Frise - French Bulldog

Patricia Barbara Mayo Blackburn (Aurora, IL) - Chihuahua

Laverne Pelaski (Las Vegas, NV) - Multiple Breeds

Mary Alice Pool (Shelby, AL) - Multiple Breeds

Marita Stearns (Marion, IL) - Multiple Breeds

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended the following individuals from all AKC privileges for a period of ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $500 fine each for having refused to permit an inspection of records and practices, as provided by Chapter 4, Section 7 of the Rules Applying to Registration and Discipline:

Rosie Cantrell (Houston, MO) - Japanese Chin - Poodle

Eraina Caprio (Zebulon, NC) - Multiple Breeds

Esther Crabtree (Mobile, AL) - Multiple Breeds

Helen Curry (La Place, LA) - Poodle

Evaline Franks (Albertville, AL) - Pomeranian

Clifford Harbour (Suffolk, VA) - Keeshond

Steven Lee (La Place, LA) - Poodle - Maltese

Sue Lee (La Place, LA) - Poodle - Maltese

Mary Rebecca Marshall (Knightdale, NC) - Multiple Breeds

Catherine Mawyer (Richmond, VA) - Labrador Retriever

James Moore (Kingsport, TN) - Rottweiler

Virginia Samplawski (Paoli, IN) - Multiple Breeds

Tabatha Shipman (Fort Payne, AL) - Multiple Breeds

Patricia Sims (Salem, SC) - Multiple Breeds

Howard Skillman (Zebulon, NC) - Multiple Breeds

Robert Smith, Jr. (Lonoke, AR) - Pekingese

Don Snyder (Orlando, FL) - Chihuahua

Doris Snyder (Orlando, FL) - Chihuahua - Rottweiler

Shawn Tooker (Englewood, FL) - Rottweiler

Patricia Tracey (Keymar, MD) - Cocker Spaniel

David Wade (Cass City, MI) - Saint Bernard - Siberian Husky

Jean Widomski (Suffolk, VA) - Keeshond

It was reported that the following individuals have been suspended for ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999, and fined $500 each for conduct considered prejudicial to the best interests of purebred dogs in connection with the conviction as indicated:

Dorothy Makinen (Wauchula, FL) - based on her conviction in Municipal Court, Township of North Hanover (NJ) of Animal Neglect. (Multiple Breeds)

Dean Moeller (Cedar Falls, IA) - based on his conviction in Iowa District Court (IA) of Animal Cruelty. (Multiple Breeds)

John Rich (Chipley, FL) - based on his conviction in Washington County Court (FL) of Animal Cruelty. (Mixed Breeds)

Virginia Van Diepen (Sherman Oaks, CA) - based on her conviction in Municipal Court, County of Los Angeles (CA) of Animal Cruelty. (Multiple Breeds)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Mark Brown (Barstow, CA) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for submitting or having caused to be submitted, a rejection form for a female member of Cocker Spaniel litter SN500224 which he knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the litter owner. (Dalmatian)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Emza Cawthorne (Appomattox, VA) from all AKC privileges for a period of ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $500 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, two litter registration applications which she knew, should have known, or had a duty to know, contained false certifications. (Multiple Breeds)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Charles Dedo (Denton, MD) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, a registration certificate which he knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the former owners. (Great Dane)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Rachel Dedo (Denton, MD) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, a registration certificate which she knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the former owners. (Great Dane)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Michelle Desorbo (San Angelo, TX) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, a litter registration application which she knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the owner of the sire. (Boxer)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended James Johnson (Warsaw, NY) from all AKC privileges for a period of three (3) months, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $200 fine for use of foul and abusive language at an AKC event. (Beagle - Labrador Retriever)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Vicki Jones (Senoia, GA) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, registration applications which she knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the co-owner. (Akita)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Martha Knuth-Allhouse (Castlewood, SD) from all AKC privileges for a period of two (2) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, a litter registration application which she knew, or should have known, did not contain the personal signature of the owner of the dam. (Pomeranian)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Lisa Pauls (Saskatoon, CANADA) from all AKC privileges for a period of one (1) year, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $300 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, registration applications which she knew, or should have known, did not contain the signature of her co-owner, without having a properly completed Power of Attorney Form on file. (Pomeranian)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Ila May Sawyer (Lisle, IL) from all AKC privileges for a period of five (5) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $500 fine for having entered, or caused to be entered, a female English Springer Spaniel which she knew, or should have known, had been altered by artificial means (permanent). (Fox Terrier)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Sue Sorensen (Idaho Falls, ID) from all AKC privileges for a period of ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $500 fine for submitting, or causing to be submitted, a litter registration application which she knew, should have known, or had a duty to know, contained a false certification and for failure to comply with the rules and regulations for recordkeeping. (Multiple Breeds)

The AKC’s Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Vivian Thomas (Statesboro, GA) from all AKC privileges for a period of ten (10) years, effective July 12, 1999 and imposed a $500 fine for having submitted, or caused to be submitted, two litter registration applications which she knew, should have known, or had a duty to know, contained false certifications and for failure to comply with the rules and regulations for recordkeeping and identification. (Multiple Breeds)

Upon completion of the above reports, Ms. Laurans and Mr. Kelly returned to the meeting.

In the absence of Mr. Marden, Mr. Merriam gave the Board Discipline Review Committee report on the following matter:

The committee voted to deny the appeals of Anita and Norman Brown (Spokane, WA). On August 6, 1998, the Northwest Trial Board heard charges that they exhibited, or caused to be exhibited, or acted as agent for the Dachshund, Rose Farm’s Miss Rozi, MW, HM634599/01, owned wholly or in part by them or by a person residing in the same household in violation of Chapter 11, Section 12 of the AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows at seven AKC shows between September 12, 1997 and October 19, 1997, while acting in the capacity of superintendent, or while residing in the same household with the superintendent, or as an employee of the superintendent. The Trial Board sustained the charges and recommended that Mrs. Brown be suspended for five years and fined $5,000, and that Mr. Brown be suspended for one year and fined $750. It was recommended that both suspensions commence six months from the date of final Board action. The Board had voted to adopt this recommendation at its November 1998 meeting. The Board voted to accept the decision of the Board Discipline Review Committee. The suspensions therefore take effect on January 13, 2000.

In the absence of Mr. Marden, Mr. Kelly gave the Board Discipline Review Committee report on the following matter:

The committee denied the appeal of Tonya Jones (Dawson Springs, KY), who was suspended by the Event Committee of the Colonial Rottweiler Club for whelping a litter on the grounds of its May 6, 1999 show. The AKC Management Disciplinary Committee had imposed a suspension of six months and a fine of $300. While upholding the decision, the Board Discipline Review Committee amended the penalty to a three-month suspension, effective May 6, 1999, and a $300 fine.

Mr. Goodman gave the Events and Clubs Committee Report on fines assessed clubs for late submission of date applications and judges panels.

It was moved by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mrs. Welsh and VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to approve the Delegate credentials of the following persons, whose credentials have been published in two consecutive issues of the GAZETTE:

Alfred L. Cheauré, Wyckoff, NJ to represent Greater St. Louis Training Club, Inc.

Kathryn A. Hamilton, Hillsboro, OR to represent Australian Cattle Dog Club of America, Inc.

Jerry Kaplan, Oxford, CT to represent Elm City Kennel Club, Inc.

Kathleen K. Uhrman, Medford, NJ to represent Camden County Kennel Club, Inc.

Mr. Goodman reported that the Delegate credentials of the following persons are to be published in the August and September 1999 issues of the GAZETTE:

Sharon Bruno, Ft. Mitchell, KY to represent Queen City Dog Training Club, Inc.

Karen J. Burgess, Vancouver, WA to represent Greater Clark County Kennel Club

Kathleen M. Corbett, Aloha, OR to represent Portland Dog Obedience Club

Lee D. Fitzgerald, Fincastle, VA to represent Roanoke Kennel Club

Charles J. Foley, Dedham, MA to represent Eastern Dog Club, Inc.

Following a motion by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Ms. Laurans, it was VOTED (affirmative, Mr. Goodman, Ms. Laurans, Mr. Merriam, Mrs. Strand, Mrs. Welsh, Ms. Scully, Dr. Mays, Dr. Hritzo, Mr. Kelly, Dr. Battaglia; opposed, Dr. Smith; absent, Mr. Marden) to approve the breed standard changes for the Kuvasz, as approved by the Kuvasz Club of America membership and published in the GAZETTE. The revised standard will be effective August 30, 1999.

Following a motion by Ms. Scully, seconded by Mrs. Welsh, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to approve the breed standard changes for the Finnish Spitz, as approved by the Finnish Spitz Club of America and published in the GAZETTE. The revised standard will be effective August 30, 1999.

Mr. D’Altilio, staff, submitted a proposal concerning superintendents who will not be in compliance with the requirement adopted by the Board on September 9, 1999 with a January 1, 2000 effective date. For shows held on or after January 1, 2000, superintendents with ten or more all-breed shows in a year must transmit event results electronically to AKC. It has become apparent that some superintendents will not meet this deadline. The staff proposal would impose a fee of $250 per show plus 50 cents per entry for those entries in excess of 1,000 dogs for a show. The fee would be for having AKC’s Event Records Department enter the results manually. As an alternative, superintendents could manually enter the data within 7 days of an event on a not yet developed website tool.

Following a motion by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Dr. Smith, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to waive the usual notice requirement so that the proposal could be voted at this meeting.

Following a motion by Ms. Scully, seconded by Mrs. Strand, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt the staff recommendation and to have the staff notify clubs whose superintendents are not in compliance. All superintendents will also be advised immediately of this Board action.

Following a motion by Ms. Scully, seconded by Dr. Battaglia, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt an amendment to Procedure 4-D of the Standard Procedures for Brace, Small Pack and Small Pack Option Beagle Field Trials. The amendment, recommended by the Beagle Advisory Committee, would add a new second sentence to Procedure 4-D, effective January 1, 2000, follows:

Add to Procedure 4-D the following sentence:

At an SPO trial the hounds may wear tracking devices (at the option of the event-giving club) which shall be used only after such hounds have been eliminated from consideration.

The entire Procedure 4-D would read:

"If a hound under judgment wears a collar, it shall be a well-fitting collar with nothing hanging from it and with no attachments other than tags for identification purposes. At an SPO trial the hounds may wear tracking devices (at the option of the event-giving club) which shall be used only after such hounds have been eliminated from consideration.

There was a discussion on proposed amendments to the Agility Regulations to provide a uniform policy regarding the handling of entries for Agility Trials. This was to be brought back for a vote in August.

Mr. Goodman reported on a staff proposal to produce an Agility video which would educate exhibitors and the general public about the sport. The video would have a retail selling price of $19.95 and the production budget would be $42,100. Following a motion by Mrs. Strand, seconded by Ms. Scully, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to waive the usual notice requirement so that the proposal could be voted at this meeting.

Following a motion by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Ms. Scully, it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to approve the allocation of $42,100 from Special Reserve 1 for the production of the Agility video.

Dr. Battaglia gave a report for the Board Business and Planning Committee. He indicated that the committee was studying a request from the Newfoundland Club of America to have a number of dogs removed from the registry because of Landseer in their pedigrees. FCI does register the Landseer as a separate breed, while in the AKC breed standard it is described as a color pattern. While the matter is under review, the owners have been advised that the dogs in question may not be bred or exhibited.

Dr. Battaglia reported that the committee would be presenting a proposal in August to retire several kennel names based upon a request from the American Fox Terrier Club.

It was also reported that the committee would be making recommendations on the criteria used to evaluate foreign registries with regards to accepting their pedigrees for AKC registration. The request from kennel clubs in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania would also be brought forward for Board consideration.

Dr. Battaglia reported on a plan to track the progress of pending projects that was being developed by the Business and Planning Committee. Each staff lead for a particular project will be asked to prepare a summary of its progress.

Mrs. Strand gave a report for the Public Affairs and Marketing Committee. She indicated that the committee is considering a proposal to assist in the support for a War Dog Memorial. She also reported that the committee will be considering a plan for a Public Education Module patterned after Best Friends, which would put AKC in a leadership role in dealing with Government Agencies on matters like Public Health.

The Public Affairs and Marketing Committee is also considering a proposal to add a general leadership achievement award to the annual conformation, obedience, and performance awards. The purpose would be to recognize the achievements of individuals whose accomplishments in the sport don’t fit into one of the three event areas.

The committee is continuing to explore home owner’s insurance.

Ms. Laurans gave an update for the Breeders Education Committee. She indicated that to date, surveys have been sent to 390 individuals. Three-hundred and fifty-four names were submitted by Parent Clubs. The committee added 36 individuals who were either successful breeders/veterinarians or prominent breeders, judges, or handlers who are no longer active or breeding extensively.

Dr. Battaglia distributed copies of the CAR 1998 Annual Report. He also reported on a visit to PE Ag Gen. He distributed two papers from the lab on DNA work with dogs and discussed the progress made with markers used in the inspection and parent club program. He also reported on the study of genetic twins at the lab.

Dr. Battaglia made a motion that a more detailed explanation of the reasons for Board action be included when proposals are forwarded to the Delegates. This motion was seconded by Ms. Scully and it was VOTED (unanimously; absent, Mr. Marden) to adopt it.

The meeting recessed for a workshop to consider the approval of professional handlers and the judges application process.

The meeting reconvened at 2:30 p.m. There being no further business to come before the meeting, and upon motion made and seconded, it was

VOTED: To adjourn at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, 1999.

Adjourned

Attest:

James P. Crowley
Executive Secretary