The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Vice President Susan Potocik. (President David Margolin was unable to attend.) Members present: Susan Potocik, Carol Phelps, Bruce Phelps, Kim Himmelfarb, Saul Himmelfarb, John Morris, Linda Morris, Elaine Poulin, Richard Bennington, Henry Grant, Sandy Regula, Susan Nakamura, Jackie Argall, Marisa Fowler.

Recording Secretary’s Report: Recording Secretary Susan Begasse was unable to attend the meeting. It was moved and seconded that we approve the minutes of the last meeting as published.

Treasurer’s Report: Carol Phelps reported the most recent available account balance information as follows. Balances exclude accrued interest since the last report because Carol was unable to access that information due to a computer problem.

Checking - $4,829.12

Breed Rescue - $3,403.44

Health - $2,979.56

CD - $3,403.44

Reward Fund - $13,772.08

Corresponding Secretary’s Report: No new correspondence to report. Susan Potocik read an email note received from another club member reporting a house fire at the home of Lesley Little, a CVVC member from West Falmouth, Massachusetts. Lesley was not home at the time of the fire. She and her dogs are fine but their home may be extensively damaged or destroyed.

Breed Rescue Report: John Morris reported that there may be up to 4 dogs currently in need of placement. Two of these dogs have been reported previously. He received initial contact from the owners of the other two dogs this week. The breeder of one of the dogs may work with CVVC on a placement. John will be following up to determine more details of each situation.  John also brought to the meeting one copy of an updated Rescue/Behavior Health Profile (Pre-Adoption Screening Form), adapted from a more detailed form that Board members had reviewed at the last meeting. Kim Himmelfarb and Carol Phelps are to review the new form.

Conformation Committee Report: Ida Kavafian reported via email that everything is in place for the Greenwich and Longshore conformation events but expressed the concern that we might still need a coordinator to manage the hospitality details for the Greenwich Specialty. Carol indicated that the Garden State Specialty Association had reportedly cut checks for funds due to the clubs that participated in the February 2007 specialty weekend. She also reported that she had sent the Springfield Kennel Club the next 3 names on our prioritized list of preferred judges to use for the CVVC fall season Supported Entry.

2007 Fall Hunt Test Report: Susan reported for David Margolin. All arrangements are in process and on track for the fall event. David will chair and Susan Nakamura will apprentice.

2007 Spring Field Trial: The field trial reportedly closed with 105 entries. The committee had budgeted for 104 entries based on known schedule conflicts that might involve field trialers who usually attend our event. It was reported that the club has plenty of volunteers for the weekend.

Merchandise Committee:  No report. (Ida was unable to attend the meeting.)

Health Committee Report:  Jackie Argall suggested that CVVC keep a DNA kit on hand for emergency situations. For example, if the club had such a kit, we could assist a member who would like to submit a DNA sample on a dog who becomes acutely ill without warning. In such situations, there might not be time to wait for a mailed kit from the AKC. Members present agreed to take this recommendation under consideration. Our guest speaker, veterinarian Steve Feldman, indicated that education is key to collection of health information. He is treating a dog with an illness that is known as a heritable condition in that particular dog’s breed. The breed club has a kit set up so that educational information and reporting materials are available for use by owners who encounter the condition. 

Program Committee: Linda Morris indicated that no new programs are on the schedule after tonight’s presentation. Anyone who has an idea or a request for a meeting program should contact her.

Newsletter: The next newsletter content submission deadline in mid-May, with a targeted publication date in advance of the Greenwich KC Specialty. The next several covers have been reserved. However, we are actively seeking more photo ads for the interior pages.

Nominating Committee Report: Elaine Poulin reported that the Nominating Committee has worked hard to seek out some new candidates for the Board. While the contributions of current members are greatly appreciated, it was felt that some of these members were deserving of a break in service and that it was important to involve newer members. The slate proposed for 2007-2008 is as follows:

President: David Margolin

Vice President: Richard Loomis

Treasurer: Carol Phelps

Corresponding Secretary: Linda Morris

Recording Secretary: Patsy Dahlinghaus

Board Members:

Ida Kavafian

Kim Karkut

Richard Bennington

Susan Begasse

Susan Nakamura

New Business:

Field Trial Judges Seminar: Marisa Fowler made a motion (seconded by Elaine Poulin) to authorize a Field Trial Judges Seminar at Flaherty Field. Several people attending the CVVC Hunt Test Judges Seminar earlier this year expressed serious interest in such an event. The Flaherty clubhouse is available for use on the weekends of July 14 and July 21. The AKC is willing to support the event and John Morris is willing to work with Marisa on arrangements. They feel that, given the recent Hunt Test Judges Seminar experience, offering the Field Trial Judge version this summer should require minimal work. After some discussion as to whether the dates could conflict with potential summer Fun Day opportunities, members present approved the request to hold the seminar the weekend of July 14, subject to submission and approval of a budget for the event and Marisa’s agreement to bring to the Field Trial Committee the issue of the as-yet unscheduled Hunting Dog stake.

Fun Day:  Dennis Witzke and Debra Steele have volunteered to chair the summer Fun Day but were unable to attend the meeting. It was reported that they are trying to secure an appropriate site where we could offer hunt training. (There was some discussion as to whether they would attempt to include the Hunting Dog stake in the program.) Ideally, the event would take place in September, prior to the October Hunt Test weekend. However, various members in attendance were under the impression that there might be some difficulty in obtaining appropriate grounds at the preferred time.

Reward Fund: Susan Nakamura raised a question about the status of the Reward Fund established in connection with the theft of a van in Ohio in January, which ultimately resulted in the deaths of the two young CVVC vizslas inside.  It was explained that the deadline for contributions has passed, that the terms stipulate that the fund shall remain available until December 31, and that it will be up to the police in Ohio to determine whether anyone is entitled to a reward for providing information that led to the arrest of the individual who is now awaiting sentencing for the crime. Members were also reminded that we had been asked to send letters to the judge and the prosecutor in advance of the April 25 sentencing to request the maximum sentence for the man who pled guilty to theft and arson in the case.