Approved Minutes of the December 22, 2007 General Membership Meeting in Guilford, CT. Approved at the January 22, 2008 Board Meeting at Maggie McFlys in Middlebury, CT.
Meeting Called To Order - By President David Margolin at 1:05 p.m. Members wandered in and out of the meeting and arrived late, but at some point in time the following were present: Elaine & Mike Poulin; Joanne & John Janick; Susan Potocik; Carol Phelps; David Margolin; Richard Bennington; Henry Grant; Joan Heimbach; Rick & Mary Ellen Diotalevi; Linda & John Morris; Elliott & Carol Jessen; Susan Nakamura. Many other members arrived after the meeting to join in the holiday festivities.
Recording Secretary Report – The Recording Secretary Patsy Dahlinghaus was absent. Motion by Elaine Poulin to accept the minutes of the November Board Meeting seconded by Susan Nakamura. Passed unanimously.
Treasurer Report – The Treasurer Carol Phelps reported the following account balances – these numbers reflect transfer of most of the rescue and health fund restricted contributions received with 2008 dues payment into the respective accounts. The liability insurance premium of $600 for annual coverage effective 2/1/08 has been paid.
Main Checking - $6,977.36 Rescue Account - $4,576.01 Health Fund - $3,474.56 Reward Fund - $14,138.03 C. D. - $3,477.12
The majority of dues payments have been received – it appears that approximately 25 family units will be dropping their membership unless payment is received by December 31, 2007. Upon conclusion of the dues drive on 12/31, the Treasurer will report the specific trophy donation allocations for 2008.
A discussion about writing personal thank you notes to donors to the trophy fund, rescue fund and health fund ensued – It was decided that Susan Potocik will order 500 note cards (she will get the original logo from Ida Tenenbom) – the list of donors and cards will be distributed at the January meeting to the respective Committee Chairs – It is up to the Chairs to arrange to get the notes done by members of each Committee.
Rescue – John Morris reported that Buddy in Salem was placed with a family in Ashford two weeks ago, and everything is going well. John also gave the Treasurer a check from Ms. Susan Shaw for $150 in connection with another adoption. The Board was reminded to please remember to review the VCCNE Foster Guidelines for discussion and adoption of CVVC Foster Guidelines at the January 2008 meeting. John Morris reported that two families have stepped up to foster for CVVC – one is Denise Cormier in Massachusetts; the others reside in Mansfield, CT but are not club members. Discussion about the need for any foster family to be club members under the control and protection of CVVC (liability insurance, etc.). It was decided that CVVC could provide this second foster family with CVVC membership by paying the dues amount out of the Rescue Fund.
Conformation –
Springfield Kennel Club: Carol Phelps distributed a final budget closeout for this supported entry event (pending actual receipt of the SKC check for sweeps entries) – the club had anticipated a cost of $115.50 to run this show, and the final outcome was that the show made a $10.39 profit and cost the club nothing. Donations were received from many parties – Patsy Dahlinghaus donated candy; Joe Diaz did not ask for room reimbursement; Richard Bennington donated the wrapping items for the judges gifts. The raffle came in 150% over predicted proceeds due to a generous amount of donations and excellent raffle skills of Henry Grant. A decision was made that the Corresponding Secretary Linda Morris should write a thank you note to Carol Rappaport-Fish for her most generous donation of a piece of artwork she had designed and crafted.
Garden Specialties in Secaucus: Carol Phelps reported that everything is on track at this point for the specialty. Regular judge is Kathy Rust and Sweeps Judge is Patty Crowley. A brief discussion about holding this out of state (vs. in state) specialty and the difficulty of getting to a Friday show for people who work – but the bottom line seems to be that the event is so well attended and popular that not sure we should consider moving.
Greenwich Kennel Club: David Margolin reported that the Regular Judge for this specialty is Richard Hilderman and Sweeps Judge is Ruth Sinclair. A separate and specific budget for the GKC show is due by the February CVVC meeting.
Longshore-Southport Kennel Club: David Margolin reported that the Regular Judge for this supported entry is Robert Ennis and Sweeps Judge is Jean Matmor. A separate and specific budget for the L/S show is due by the February CVVC meeting.
Hunt Tests - David Margolin reported that for 2008 CVVC was unable to draw the grounds at Flaherty for its “corresponding AKC dates” (October 4/5) because another club is using the full grounds that weekend for a field trial. CVVC has a couple options – either find other grounds for the October 4/5 weekend, or run the event on a different date - another Flaherty member club has offered to let us use the Dearborn tract of Flaherty on October 25/26 BUT there is a Long Island hunt test that same weekend and we would need their permission to run another hunt test as it is within The AKC defined as ”as the bird flies” geographic area (but we’re not sure that permission would be given). AKC did subsequently call David to advise that the Director of Performance Events reviewed his letter and stated that if CVVC opts for October 25/26 for 2008, CVVC could still keep its October 4/5 corresponding dates for 2009 even if another club in the area does, in fact, run a test on those dates (this is an exception from their policy that if you do not use a date, and someone else does, you lose it and, for the 1st time, AKC is recognizing a need to be flexible when circumstance are not within the control of the club).
David mentioned, and others agreed, that we frequently run up against obstacles getting the Flaherty grounds on our October 4/5 AKC corresponding weekend due to the Flaherty bylaw priority towards Field Trials and the seniority system, and that really is a great weekend because it is near the beginning of the fall hunt test season and is generally good weather, so perhaps we should explore finding other grounds on that weekend. David Margolin is willing to get everything in place to get this event “set up” as far as date/location, but he will not chair the event – so we are still looking for a chair for the 2008 Hunt Test and perhaps a secretary depending upon availability of NE Dogs on whatever date/location is concluded as well as decision of Hunt Test Committee regarding secretary function.
Some of the alternate grounds being looked at by David Margolin (and he did specifically note that others may bring forward other properties) are: Nod Brook in Simsbury and the Glastonbury State Wildlife Preserve in Glastonbury whose meetings in January & March respectively he will be attending & David mentioned CVVC should be joining Nod Brook Association as must have options available in the future & all agreed.. David mentioned he has & will be calling all Nod Brook Association members prior to that meeting in order to introduce CVVC and get feel of chances of securing dates needed … Dave mentioned he already started the same with the Glastonbury Meadows State Wildlife Area Preserve. John Morris mentioned Bristol Rod & Gun in Wolcott, and Susan Potocik mentioned Sugarbrook in Plainfield, and some believed those locations would contribute to a small entry. Others stated that with CVVC’s reputation and with sufficient advertising, these sites may be worth considering. We concluded that David Margolin will continue his investigation and is open to suggestions from members as to alternate locations (private gun clubs, for example), but will pursue grounds on a priority basis as mentioned above.
Field Trial - Joan Heimbach thanked the Board for working on their late proposal. The 2008 Field Trial Schedule is as follows:
A 3-day Field Trial on April 18/19/20 at Flaherty – normal AKC sanctioned stakes minus Hunting Dog
A 1-day Hunting Dog Championship on June 29 at Flaherty (following a CVVC Fun Day/Versatility Day at Flaherty on June 28)
A 1-day Walking Field Trial on December 6 at Flaherty.
CVVC has full grounds and clubhouse at Flaherty for all three events. The Revised & Final Budget for the April field trial is due with the Board as soon as possible but no later than 2 weeks before the January 22, 2008 meeting.
Merchandise – Sandy Jacobus reported that she had the pre-ordered merchandise at the meeting. Some of the merchandise pictures have been added to the website; the rest will be added as they are received from the vendor.
Health Rescue Fund – Susan Nakamura reported that the Committee is in the process of writing summaries of the Jean Dodds’ seminar given at the 2007 VCA Nationals – these summaries will be published in the newsletter, with links to the hemopet website.
Carol Phelps asked whether the Health Committee would be making recommendations about a possible donation to the Rabies Challenge study that just commenced by Jean Dodds – the Committee will be reviewing that and get back to the Board.
Fun Day – Elaine Poulin reported that planning is underway for the program details. The winter fun day will be on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Tails-U-Win in Manchester, CT. Kim Karkut will run hospitality, and Sandy Jacobus will be the event secretary. The morning program will include CGC Testing and then hopefully a reiki “hands on” program. The afternoon program will include a costume contest and then fun contests (like competitions for best trick; best jump; best butt wiggle) followed by a conformation fun match. Final Program details & Event Budget will be submitted at the January 22, 2008 Board Meeting.
Membership – Dee Chuisano has stepped down as Membership Chair to pursue other activities. Debra Steele will be the new Membership Chair. The members thanked Dee for her years of service and welcomed Debra. Any membership in transition will be turned over from Dee Chuisano to Debra Steele as soon as possible.
New members were published (three were accidentally omitted from the newsletter so were published by e-mail from David Margolin) and the membership was asked to vote on their applications. Following a motion by Carol Jessen seconded by Elaine Poulin, by unanimous vote, each of the following memberships were approved (21 family units comprised of 35 individuals):
Randy Favreau, Daniel & Patricia Short, Chris Munonye, Valerie & Fred Knect, Chris & Christine Lugossy, Crissy & Dan Judge, Tammy & Joe Berardo, Mark & Julia Eidelman, Kevin Cormier, Corinne Ferguson, Eric & Donna Ouelette, Lisa Hirtle, Nancy Applequist, Brett & Stephanie Mortimer, Richard & Adrienne Frautten, Butch & Carol Newman, Claudina & Mike Stevenson, Richard Judd, Cynthia & Ron Pierce, John & Carol Dugan, Curt & Suzanne Rustky.
Newsletter – Editors not present. David Margolin will ask them for anticipated publication date for the next issue (winter newsletter).
Reward Fund – One claim has been received. The police advised that Scott Fogel was of help in solving the crime; Mr. Fogel has not yet field a claim with CVVC but Ida Tenenbom contacted Mr. Foge,l via telephone, sometime around December 12th and gave him the details about the existence and method of making a claim against the CVVC Reward Fund; he was told it was his decision to file or not file a claim. [note: Ida Tenenbom followed up with a phone call from the party later in the afternoon, and left a message on Mr. Fogel’s machine reiterating that the claim was due by 12/31 if he wishes to file].
Meeting Dates – The meeting dates for the balance of the CVVC club year are:
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Board Meeting at Maples in Middlebury
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 General Membership meeting at Bertucci’s in Newington. David will reserve the glass room, and Susan Nakamura will try and procure Dr. Suter (homeopath from Manchester) as our speaker.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Board Meeting at Maples in Middlebury
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 General Membership Meeting at Jefferson House in Newington. Patsy Dahlinghaus to try and procure the psychic/reiki lady who had to cancel from the last general membership meeting program due to illness.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Board Meeting at Bertucci’s in Newington
Saturday, June 7, 2008 General Membership meeting at Greenwich Kennel Club show in Norwalk, CT
New Business –
David Margolin brought up the concept of perhaps extending ½ price memberships to new joinees who are sponsored by breeders from which they obtain a puppy but whose breeders do not want to pay for them to have a membership at ½ price for the 1st year. David mentioned that sometimes a breeder might be financially pressed to pay for new members, even at ½ price, when they have a small and/or difficult litter in some cases. However, the breeder must sponsor their new puppy people regardless. We will discuss this at a future meeting.
PDF software given to Joan Heimbach for the Field Trial Committee.
Motion to Adjourn the meeting by Susan Nakamura was seconded by Linda Morris. Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by Carol Phelps
