Approved Minutes of the General Membership Meeting held on September 18, 2008 in New Fairfield, CT. Approved at the Board Meeting in Bloomfield, CT on Wednesday, October 22, 2008.
Minutes of the General Membership Meeting held on September 18, 2008 in New Fairfield, CT
In attendance were: Crystal Ashe, Rick and Mary Ellen Diotalevi, Sandy Ehmer, Joan Heimbach, Sandy Jacobus, Kim Karkut, Val Mendizabal, John and Linda Morris, Susan Nakamura, Jan Norris, Steve and Ida Tenenbom, Amanda Tortora, our guest speaker, Andrew Frishman, D.V.M. and his wife, Debbie Frishman.
FEATURED PRESENTATION
The highlight of the meeting was Dr. Andrew Frishman’s presentation, arranged by Susan Nakamura. Dr. Frishman’s practice offers PennHIP radiography and stem cell therapy, and he makes house calls. Dr. Frishman is certified in veterinary holistic care, including acupuncture and Chinese and western herbs. His clinic is Progressive Animal Hospital, located at 149 Route 202 & Lovell Street in Somers, NY. His web site is www.progressive-vet.com He addressed the group on the topic of PennHIP radiography.
Susan Nakamura and Crystal Ashe, of the Health Committee, will recap important points from Dr. Frishman’s talk in the newsletter.
The presentation was informative, thorough, and interesting for all who attended. Everyone present received detailed hand-outs to share with other members. We thank Dr. Frishman for an excellent presentation that made complex material easy to understand. Thanks also go to Susan Nakamura for arranging an enlightening evening.
BUSINESS MEETING
Kim Karkut called the business meeting to order at 8:58 p.m. The minutes of the August 15, 2008 meeting were accepted as submitted.
Breed Rescue - John Morris reported that we have no rescued Vizslas to place at this time.
October Hunt Test - John Morris reported that preparations are proceeding on schedule for the hunt test on October 4 and 5, 2008. The premium list is online and the running order will be posted online when established. Help with hospitality and bird planting is needed with on-the-job training provided. Volunteers are appreciated for even part of the day.
Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Rick Diotalevi reported the balances in the checking, breed, and health accounts and distributed a copy of the check register, as is required at quarterly meetings. The checking account balance is $10,658.61; the breed rescue account balance is $4,735.06; the health issues account balance is $3,599.56.
Conformation New Business – Ida Tenenbom reported that judges for upcoming shows have been finalized. At the Greenwich Kennel Club on Saturday, June 6, 2009 the Sweepstakes judge will be Sarah Barr and the regular judge will be Lester Mapes. At the Longshore-Southport Kennel Club on Sunday, June 7, 2009 the Sweepstakes judge will be Judy Vernon-Saddlemire and the regular judge will be Britt E, Jung.
December Field Trial – Joan Heimbach reported that our parent club, the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) has approved the walking trial on Saturday, December 6, 2008. AKC approval is pending receipt of that permission as well as completion of the judging panel. Invitation of judges continues. The Committee is inviting judges who own their own horses as it is financially impractical to hire a wrangler for a 1-day trial. Joan observed that for future planning, if there is sufficient interest in a walking trial, it is better to conduct a 2-day trial so expenses such as a wrangler can be spread over two days, and more entries can be accepted toward the cost of the event.
Entries will open on October 3, 2008. The entry premium will be put on our club web site and e-mailed to all CVVC members. The event is open to all breeds. There will be two amateur stakes: Walking Derby (like Junior Hunter) and Amateur Gun Dog (like Senior Hunter) as well as three Open Stakes of Derby, Gun Dog and Open Limited Gun Dog. Amateur Gun Dog and Open Limited Gun Dog will be retrieving stakes on callback. Organizers are hoping for help from volunteers with hospitality and other tasks. All plans are on schedule.
CVVC Merchandise – Sandy Jacobus displayed two new camouflage hat styles, in pink and orange camouflage patterns. Attendees thought the new styles will sell well at upcoming field events. The new camouflage hats are $17; regular hats are $15. Pullover and zip-up sweatshirts are also available. Sandy reminded us that we need to order by early November to have merchandise available for the holiday party.
Storage Locker and Flaherty Field buildings – Joan Heimbach reported that the radios and bird bags as well as clip boards are in the storage locker and that the Hunt Test Committee may want to get some large clips to hold some of the bird bags closed; the clips we have now are faulty. Joan was able to get to the storage locker to measure the radios. She will order rain pouches for the radios and have them sent directly to Linda and John Morris for use at the upcoming hunt test.
When using the storage locker, note that if three holes on the sliding latch are showing, it is not locked; if two are showing, it’s secured properly.
The painted CVVC banner has been missing for some months. Perhaps the missing banner can be mentioned in the newsletter, so members can check whether they have it.
There was also a theft of birds, toilet paper, and trash bags from the Flaherty bird house and clubhouse during a recent field trial held by another club. Any group from CVVC using the Flaherty facilities is cautioned to lock up the bird house and kitchen each night during and after multiple day events.
Health Committee – The blood draw at Manchester Veterinary Clinic on Sunday, July 13 was very successful with 56 participants. Susan Nakamura will write a report and a thank-you for the next newsletter. Pins are available to all who provided samples. Susan reminded us to provide updates about seizures or death of dogs so the data base can be maintained with current information.
Membership – Membership renewals for 2009 are due to Rick Diotalevi by October 1, 2008. Rick has received 48 renewals, 30%, and expects more through the rest of the month.
Breeder Referrals – Ida mentioned that Carol Phelps discovered that our club listing on the breeders.net web site has been removed. The listing was free, but now costs $23.95 / year. A motion was carried to approve a new club listing on the breeders’ web site @ $23.95.
Events – A Responsible Dog Owner event was held in Trumbull on September 20. The CT Expo Center will host its annual Pet Expo on October 25 – 26. They typically feature examples of AKC breeds.
Linda Morris proposed purchasing some VCA breed-specific pamphlets for interested spectators and a poster board for $28 to display information about CVVC events and breeders. The board can be displayed at events like the Pet Expo. A motion was carried to purchase the poster board.
VCA Ad and Trophy Donation – Susan Nakamura brought up the topic of CVVC donating something to the VCA Auction/Raffle as we have in past years. Ida expanded the discussion to a club ad and trophy donation. Rick Diotalevi offered to look into what we did last year. A motion was carried to donate to the Raffle.
The AKC National Obedience Show is planned in Long Beach, CA on Dec. 13 – 14, 2008. We may wish to place an ad in the catalog to show support.
Communication – Val Mendizabal reported that the AKC has approved the use of video conferencing and teleconferencing by member clubs if in compliance with state laws.
Linda Morris read a gracious thank-you note from Ruth Sinclair-Stephens, who judged for us in Greenwich.
Upcoming meetings
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 – Board meeting
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 – General membership meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Norris
Addendum to Minutes
On September 25, 2008, Rick Diotalevi made a motion to allocate $100 to Sandy Jacobus to procure items for the raffle at the VCA Nationals. Kim Karkut seconded the motion. Joan Toepke, Linda Morris, Crystal Ashe, and others voted in support of the motion. President Richard Loomis confirmed that the motion is carried.
