David Margolin called the meeting to order at 6:53pm but there was about an half hour break for pizza, etc..  In attendance were:   David Margolin, Carol Phelps, Jackie Argall, Susan Potocik, Linda & John Morris, Susan Begasse, Kim Karkut, Susan Nakamura, Marissa Fowler, Elaine Poulin, Dee Chuisano, Joan Heimbach, Tony & Christina Warchut, Richard Bennington and Henry Grant. There were three guests in attendance, Crystal Ashe and Liesl & Greg Pearce. Crystal & Jarrod Ashe have applied for club membership since this meeting.                                 

Recording Secretary Report:  Dave Margolin asked that two new members names incorrectly spelled in the January 17 meeting minutes be corrected for the record as Chrystine & Rob Longley and Dennis & Heather Joiner.  Motion was then made by Susan Potocik to approve the minutes of the January 17, 2007 meeting with the correction to the new member names. Seconded by Kim Karkut and approved by vote.

Meeting Program Committee:  The March 2007 Fun Day has been cancelled.  We are looking into possible late summer/early fall Fun Day Program and Dave Margolin will contact the Bristol Gun & Rod Club in Wolcott, CT to see if we can have it there maybe in conjunction with the Hunting Dog Stakes to be run by the Standing Field Trial Committee on the Sunday of whatever weekend. However, Elaine Poulin volunteered to Chair the March 2008 Fun Day,

 Treasurer’s Report: Carol Phelps reported that the account balances are as follows: Checking $5,842.86; Health $2,979.56; Rescue $3,559.50; CD$ 3,396.36. The CVVC Ohio Reward Fund is $13,387.85. Carol reported the result of the CVVC GSA Specialty Raffle was $736.00. The Health Raffle earned $355.00 and the CVVC earned $381.00.

 Corresponding Secretary's Report:  Linda Morris received an acknowledgement from the AKC regarding the April 20, 2007 Field Trial. She also received a survey from the AKC regarding an International Obedience Trial. This was forwarded to John Morris and Dee Chuisano. The AKC sent a letter reporting that it has passed a ruling about gated exercise areas at Shows which will be effective April 1, 2007.  Lastly the AKC has sent out a survey about the inclusion of mixed breed dogs’ participation in AKC events. 

Breed Rescue Report:  John Morris reported that 1 of the 3 dogs in Canterbury has been placed. He says that the other dogs from Canterbury are still a work in progress.  Dave Margolin stated that the proposed enhanced Rescue Procedure & Guideline before the Board for review should be discussed at March’s Board Meeting.

Conformation Committee Report: Carol Phelps submitted the Closing Out for the 2007 GSA Specialty which resulted in a net profit of $76.96. She also noted that the 2006 resulted on a loss of $492.18.  Carol received a Thank you card from Judy Harrington in which Judy also donated $75.00 to the VCA Welfare Foundation.  No updates at this time for the Greenwich/ Longshore Shows.

Hunt Test Report: John Morris updated us on the AKC Pointing Breed Judge’s Hunt Test Seminar which was held on February 17, 2007 at the Holiday Inn Express in Waterbury. The seminar was successful with a profit of $453.00. Dave noted that the 2007 HT Chair remains open and is still seeking a volunteer to run this auspicious event. Susan Nakamura will be the apprentice Hunt Test Chair. Dave Margolin also reported that on March 31, 2007 the AKC is meeting to discuss changes to Pointing Breed Hunt Test Regulations with delegates from each of the National Clubs and the changes pertain to judge’s requirements and dog performance expectations at each level as well as the use of tracking collars.   Dave mentioned that he email distributed the proposed changes to many Hunt Test people about a month ago including interested CVVC members so that they would have an opportunity to submit comments to their delegate to the meeting.

Field Trial Report: Joan Heimbach noted that the FT Committee is progressing. Audra will be calling the AKC to make continue to make corrections to the event as listed on their site.  Patrick has not yet finished the judging panel. Joan Heimbach indicated that the Standing Field Trial Committee will be using the recently published Membership Directory to reach out for help at the Field Trial and the committee members will be using a common script for such.  There currently are no appropriate dates for the 2007 Hunting Dog Stake and they are still working on alternative grounds and dates.  As previously mentioned, we discussed the possibility of combining a Fall Fun Day with the Hunting Dog Stakes  Dave will contact The Bristol Rod and Gun about the availability for the Hunting Dog Stake. Dave Margolin stated Patrick Cooke asked him to solicit membership help for the March 3rd and June 16^th  Flaherty work days and that Rich Murphy, Flaherty President, subsequently told Dave no help was needed for March 3^rd but the Flaherty FT Association is still looking for volunteers for the June 16, 2007 work day and Dave Margolin stated CVVC members should step up to help as other clubs do every year and he will get a task definition need from Rich Murphy before reaching out to the membership later on.

Most recently, Joan informed all the members at the meeting of an Equine Virus (Rhino) in MD/VA. She noted that the committee is keeping a watchful eye on this progression and how it may impact the entries at the CVVC Field Trial.  She mentioned that 3 Virginia/Maryland clubs already, maybe a 4^th soon, have cancelled their March Field Trials and that we will require current health & inoculation certificates from anyone bringing a horse to our Field Trial.

Health Committee Report: Jackie noted that the GSA Health Raffle earned $355.00.  

Merchandising:  No updates this time due to Ida’s absence.

Club Equipment/Goods:  Dave  and Kim Karkut are the only 2 people that confirmed club items in their possession with Jackie Argall indicating the goods she had were not usable any longer and were discarded.. Sandy Jacobus purchase the griddles that go with the grill. Kim Karkut made a motion for Dave to purchase a fire extinguisher, seconded by Marissa and approved by vote. More to be discussed at the next meeting as Dave Margolin asked the Board to think about his offer of being a central warehouse of all club goods and materials but that he wouldn’t transport back and forth to the various events needing them and it should be the responsibility of each event chair and committee to do so.  Also, Carol Phelps asked that the Board also consider throwing out, after , etc. after each event rather than storing them.

New Business:  A motion was made by Kim Karkut to accept the Nominating Committee consisting of Elaine Poulin, Richard Loomis and Lisa Potts. Carol seconded the motion and it was approved by vote.

Dave Margolin noted that the enhanced New Membership Procedure and Application form was reviewed and approved by the Board and that it will be posted to the CVVC website soon.

Finally, Dave thanked Carol Phelps and, even more so, Jackie Argall and her daughter, Emily Argall Price, for their superb work on the CVVC 2007 Membership Directory which was issued on time and expertly done.   All present applauded Jackie and her daughter.

Motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Carol, seconded by Linda Morris and accepted by vote. The Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.

After the meeting, Kim Jonah from Well Beings for Animals was our guest speaker. Kim is a Certified Canine Massage Therapist, CranioSacral Therapist and Certified Consegritist, who practices in Glastonbury, CT.  Kim effectively demonstrated massage therapy and discussed the benefits and need for massage therapy whether it is for our canine athletes, older dogs, ongoing acute or chronic problems or just “At Home” techniques that pet owners can do themselves.