Minutes from meetings

2004

28 June 2004

Agenda: Fall Seminar
Membership Types

Meeting called to order at 20.15, 19 June 2004

Present: Warren J, Anne C, Debbie D, Rosellen W, Bruce W, Ingrid R, Sami J, Jessica B, Robert K, Sue G, Janice B. Guest: Nathaniel Roque.

Seminar with Michael August 7-8. We have yet to confirm a seminar with Michael, and the window may have closed.

Rob - has been communicating with Lethbridge - Michael will be there 18-19 September. Can we send enough members to support their seminar?

Anne: It will be difficult having another seminar here in August. We probably won't get any Canadian participants because they have their seminar in September. Also, there are a couple of people who can't make it on the 7th or 8th. And, some may not be able to make it to Canada.

Ingrid: Wants to do just obedience with Finn at the seminar, but is not willing to pay the same as a person working on obedience AND protection.

Warren: Michael's fees are $40 per dog per day. It is up to you what you want to work on.

Janice will be out both days... the Westerhoffs will be out too... as well as Debbie.
Anne, Warren, Rob, Jessica are all "big maybe's".

Anne: We are overextending ourselves by having three seminars.

Motion by Anne that in lieu of a third seminar, we support the Lethbridge group instead. Bruce seconded. Motion passed.

Fall Trial. Is tracking a concern? Are the Westerhoffs' going to be left holding the bag? Discussion. Ingrid has access to pasture grass - 196 acres.

Membership types. Addition of Associate and Affiliate members. This was never voted on, no discussion, never instituted.
Full members $100/year. Must be members of USA and/or if not a GSD, their appropriate AWDF breed club. Full members are entitled to vote on club issues, hold office if elected, get breaks on seminars and trials, participate in all club training, and be included on the website, including their own page/s if desired. (Note from Sam: they must also be ready to help at all seminars and trials.)
Associate members $50/year. Non-voting, no membership requirements, no protection. This would cover the members who wish only to track or do obedience.
Affiliate Membership. These persons are affiliated with the club, but may not live in the area. They may attend x number of work sessions per year (5 suggested) and if they wish to attend more, they must upgrade to Full membership.

Discussion: Many people want to have the opportunity to learn better obedience. There is no other obedience outlet for them. Is there a place for them in BSSC as an Associate member?
Discussion. This is a Schutzhund club: people need to commit to the club objectives. Suggestion: how about if visitors were to pay per session, limited to a maxium of twice per month at $5 per dog. Objection: this would end up costing more than a Full membership.
Nathaniel commented that in his region, people were going around being visitors at different clubs but not helping out. Ingrid: she has been a club supporter, but is not interested if she has to pay $100 to drive a long way.

Is the Westerhoff's field a club field? It was decided at the 2003 meeting, but there was nothing on the web.

Back to Full membership: Sue stated that if a person is doing protection work, then they need to be a Full member. This is for insurance coverage. We want to make being a Full member attractive, with benefits not available to other member types.
The only difference between Associate members and Full members is whether or not you're doing protection. If you're doing protection, then you need to be a Full member. Associate members have unlimited training privileges restricted to tracking and or obedience.

Membership fees: Stay at current fees for Full members. Full members pay the pre-entry trial fee regardless of how late they enter.
Do Associate members get a break on trials and seminars? Only the pre-entry break: if the application and trial fees are sent in before the deadline, then they get a break.
There should be a higher non-member price for seminars, that is, Full members should get a break.
Discussion and vote: Bruce moved to accept the above; Anne seconded. Motion passed with 2/3 vote ayes.

Affiliate members. Should be non-voting, no membership requirements. Must live outside of the state of Montana. Will receive seminar preferance and a discount on seminars. Discussion on the name: maybe Satellite members would be a better name. Anne moved; Janice seconded to accept Satellite member category.

Fund Raiser. Suggestions: silent auction, greeting cards, portraits by Rosellen or Janice, honeymoon suite donation, dog food. 50:50 raffle or drawing. Sue is willing to get some donations. Ingrid will make up bidding sheets.
Working Dogs of Southwest Montana Calendar. Could we produce a day calendar? People might pay to have their dogs in it. Agility, Schutzhund, obedience, etc.
Further discussion.

Meeting Adjourned 21.15

2003

Sunday, 12th October 2003

Meeting called to order by Anne. Minutes read and accepted.

Treasurer's report: Last year ending: $1560 after paying Bernie.
Dues in $1210
1st Seminar : $1581.75 - 1368.50 = 213.25
2nd Seminar: $1378.00 - 1069.50 = 308.50
First trial : $787.34 - 520.00 = 267.34
Second trial: $751.88 - 300 = 451.88
Ending balance = 1419.34

Expenses: insurance, USA dues, helper seminar, Bernie's contribution.

Thanks to all who donated trophies, food, gifts, etc.

Old business Trial and Seminar wrap-up. What do we want to do for next year?

Bruce wants to thank everyone for sending him down to Florida.

Nikki - $700.18. Airfare - 618.00

Seminar with Michael Ellis 2-3 weeks before the trial was good.

Billings. Accomodations - no hotels. Canada; Salt Lake City - too far to drive.

Michael Ellis - not sure if he will be doing seminars next year. Anne will start contacting people and will see if we can have him again. Michael, as he was getting ready to leave, said he would love to come back anytime. Everytime he comes back we're further along than before.
Ivan - depends upon his new place. He's moving next week to Kentucky. Anne will try to talk with Ivan.
Sam: who can we bring out for a seminar? Doug Deacon? T. Floyd? Glen? Janice: Phil Hoelcher?
Anne: would like a tracking seminar.
What's the limit on spending? Michael Ellis was $300/day. Ivan is $50 per dog or $1000 per day. SLC - $140 each for two days; one round of obedience and two protection. 15 dog limit - lots of individual attention.
Anne will working on coming up with seminars for next year. We would like to get Michael twice, Ivan and Glen once.

Anne would like to thank everyone who worked hard, donated food, trophies, etc. and otherwise made sure that things ran well. We do a good job!

Bylaws. Would like to add a provision for doing business by eimal. Bruce moved that we defer the bylaws discussion until the later in the meeting.

Announcements. Types of dumbbells. Now requiring a longer bar, only for SchH3. For correct pickup. No point of balance. Must grip firmly. The club needs to buy a new one for our next trial.

Equipment levy. Rob would like to make a contribution for the Joe Farm equipment purchase. Warren will send Rob info.
Bruce would like to propose that we buy a couple of gauntlets. Bruce will take care of ordering and the club will cover the cost.
We need more whip poppers.
WE NEED TO USE THE GUN MORE!
Sam is going to the Nationals if anyone want her to buy them goodies.

Events for 2004. Judges for trials. End of May or 1st of June - tracking is better then, the fields are still moist.
Nathaniel Roque. David Millhouse.
Do we want to have two trials? Young dogs are not ready for the May trial. For them, we need a fall trial. Tough tracking in the fall. Probably can't attract outsiders then, a fall trial would be just for us.
Jess: try to have a trial earlier in October. Suggest the first trial the end of May or first of June; the second trial at the end of September or 1st of October. Before we set dates we need to get ahold of everyone. Debbie & Bruce will contact judges.

Winter Fair. Anyone interested is welcome. Educate the community on what we're doing. There was general interest, so Sam wil contact Nancy C. and tell her yes.

Synopsis of Regional Meeting. Motion made to help sponser a trophy for the Pacific Northwest Regional. The treasurer owes Anne $10.

Discussion of AWDF politics.

Bylaws. Motion by Warren to add item 5 to Article 7: General Board Meetings. "Club business may be conducted via email provided that all Full members have an opportunity to participate in the discussion and to vote via this mechanism."
Seconded by Debbie. Discussion. This club is geographically dispersed. We have a responsibility to ensure that all members can contribute to club policy and decision making, even if they can't attend a meeting. Motion Carried.

Types of Memberships. Article V. Prices for members should be voted on by a simple majority vs. a 2/3 majority. It should be a simple majority, but everyone should have an opportunity to vote. Make bylaws as simple as possible, but all voting members must have a chance to cast a vote.
Anne: COST for all classes of membership should be reomved from the bylaws, to be voted on by members. Warren so moved; Bruce seconded.

Family Membership. There was discussion that the current Family membership was unfair to those families who participate with only one dog. Rosellen works a dog, Bruce doesn't but he does do helperwork, therefore they should only pay for one Full membership. Jessica works a dog and Rhett doesn't but he does do helperwork, but both feel strongly that each should pay full membership fees. Sam and Warren both work dogs; Warren does helper work, but both feel strongly that each should pay, and have been paying, two individual full member fees. Jess feels there should not be a family membership catagory if both parties work dogs.
Anne: is this a sustainable and reasonable use of club resources?
Discussion about helpers getting their membership defered. Both Rhett and Bruce do helper work. What defines a helper? One who does helper work on a REGULAR basis, comes to training regularly and has a helper book.
A motion was made that we defer $50 off of the cost of a family memberships to those families who have a contributing helper. Jessica pointed out that this makes a Family membership only $100. Rob Seconded. Motion carried. Warren abstained.

Debbie moved that a Family membership is defined as having two voting members. Bruce seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made that a helper have $50 defered from their regular Full membership. Motion carried.

Motion made that under "payment of dues and special levies" in the bylaws, the dollar amount be removed, and instead say that "to be determined by a vote of club members." Motion carried.

Should we keep in the dollar amount for protection work? Anne - yes, if you step out on the field, it is $10.

Club training sessions. As soon as it is considered to be a club training session, any person can come in from the outside and they're covered by our insurance. ($330.00 per year)

Proxy votes. Warren asked for a clarification. Bylaws are silent on proxy votes, but do say to follow Sturgis. General concensus: if you miss the meeting, you don't get to vote.

Elections. President: Warren by acclimation.
Vice President: Bruce by acclimation.
Secretary: Sam by acclimation.
Treasurer: Jessica by acclimation.
Training Director: Anne by acclimation. (Bozeman)
Assistant Training Director: Rosellen by acclimation. (Billings)

Janice volunteered for trial secretary for the next Bozeman trial.

Bruce moved that we have cheese cake.

Meeting adjourned.

2002

Members present: Janice, Warren, Sam, Anne, Debbie, Bruce, Rosellen, Sue, Jessica, Rhett.

09 February 2002

Treasurer report: $1433
Dues due April 1st. $100.year. $120 for first year new members. Janice will pay $120 this year.

Personal objectives for 2002. It might be worthwhile going around the table talking about our objectives for the trialing season and the training season. Motivational for us to stick with what we state as a personal goal.
Rhett: is not training a dog, but wants to improve on his helper work. This is an on-going goal.
Jess: SchH1 this spring; SchH2 at our trial.
Anne: Danno has his SchH3, and his IPO 3, so will try to do an FH this year. Depends on the AWDF nationals. If the Pacific NW Regionals are at a convenient time, would like to do that as well. Will have a puppy mid-to late September.
Warren: would also like to improve his helper work and do the best job he can with the club members' dogs in achieving this goal. At some point in time he would like to get a good dog.
Sam: BH by June for Bubba; SchH1 by September; Diva no goals.
Rosellen: Nike is just 13 months old. Would like a BH this year. Raudi: as far as trialing, will travel in April to Denver. See how he is on a different field and go from there.
Bruce: Become a better trial and training helper. Anything he can do to help people in the club - enjoys the team aspect.
Lily and Joeri will consider entering a trial.
Coral wants to train.
Donna: is looking for a BH. Wants to maintain full membership. Wants to trial on our field before trialing elsewhere. Eventually wants to do tracking.
Janice: wants Nixe's Schh2 and wants a nice score. :-) Nixe is capable of a lot more than she has shown. Timetable: how much tracking can she get in. More reasonable to try for our trial than to rush. Nixe will be three in June -- wants he to be mature and solid.
Axel - BH this fall. Wait to see if can push and do earlier if it comes together. Wants to do an Obedience 1 with her golden. Mostly aiming towards fall trial because the house is under construction.
Debbie: SchH2 on Babe. SchH1 this spring, SchH2 at our trial. Arek: training wise, he's close to a SchH3 as long as he stays sound.
Sue: wants to wait and see how things go. Will probably go for a TR1 at our trial.

Options for spring seminars. Anne will see Ivan next weekend and will talk him into a June or August seminar. Other suggestions: Michael Ellis is a training helper in New York. Armin Winkler for a protection seminar. Joanne Plumb (no). glen Stephenson.

Helper seminar with Glen Stephenson. $50 without a dog; $100 with a dog. Glen would work with dogs. Need to involve outside people so can get a variety of dogs. If we could get the folks in Utah to come up, won't charge anything. Won't make us money, but will be good for the club.
Warren asked for a show of hands to support two seminars. Anne said a helper seminar would be a seminar, but more of a workshop. Decided: Ivan in June; glen in July or August. Please leave Anne with a list of dates when you will not be available.

Fall trial. Anne - if we time it right after the first of September, this would be great. This may conflict with agility or AKC trials, but we can't plan around anyone else but our club. Do it when we can do it.
Possible judges: Mark P, Mike West, Willie Pope, Bill Sz ?, Anne Marie (no) E Hintz (no) Tom Mitchell (no) All Kerr (maybe). Warren needs to get on it! Find out what dates any of these judges might be available.

Breed Warden and Tattooer Sue will do it if necessary.

Anything else of interest. We need to either travel or put on another trial this year. Club members in Billings are happy to host another trial. Roselle : two trials would be really nice. In Billings, tracking is okay mid to late October. It doesn't have to fancy or have expensive trophies. Having a second trial would be good backup, especially if you don't get your title in June.

Barn fees. Discussion.

Warren made a motion to adjourn. Bruce seconded.

After adjournment, there was a discussion on what is involved with becomming a DVG club. Could have a second fall trial through USA OR DVG. Do not need an affiliation trial with DVG. It would be nice to create another club not in direct competition with this club, but one which would expand opportunities to trial and title dogs. If a person wants to compete in the DVG nationals, then musto be a member of a organised DVG club. Decided that the Billings group would decide which way the want to go, and the Bozeman group will support and join.

2001

August 01

Meeting called to discuss members who wish to join for tracking only.

Discussion on what full membership status entails, which led to a discussion on changing the Types of Membership covered in the bylaws. The following suggestions were made:

Full members $100/year. Must be members of USA and/or if not a GSD, their appropriate AWDF breed club. Full members are entitled to vote on club issues, hold office if elected, get breaks on seminars and trials, participate in all club training, and be included on the website, including their own page/s if desired. (Note from Sam: they must also be ready to help at all seminars and trials.)

Associate members $50/year. Non-voting, no membership requirements, no protection. This would cover the members who wish only to track.

Affiliate Membership. These persons are affiliated with the club, but may not live in the area. They may attend x number of work sessions per year (5 suggested) and if they wish to attend more, they must upgrade to Full membership.

New members Dues for new members are $150 for the first year and $100 thereafter.

Elections Jessica moved to nominate Anne for President. Warren seconded; motion carried.
Sam nominated Sue for Vice President. After a brief discussion, Sue accepted.
Sam will get tatto information for Sue.
Warren moved that all remaining officers remain in place. Jessica seconded. Motion carried.

Motion made to have the Secretary revise the membership catagories in the bylaws, give copies to members for review before voting on bylaws changes. Warren seconded; motion carried.

Warren moved that, pending revision of the bylaws regarding membership status, those interested in using the club's tracking fields on a regular basis be required to join the club in some appropriate membership. Sam seconded; motion carried.

Discussion on Ivan seminar prices:

$40/day members / $55 per day others
Spectators $25
$150 all three days

Meeting adjorned.

2000

31 June 2000

Meeting called to order by the President at 2:05.

Treasurer's report: $1464 plus two cheques to be depositied. $39 to Anne.

Old Business: Insurance -- 6 month policy?
Delegate letter;
Anne was going to check on incorporation;
Equipment needs are okay;
Anne will contact Ivan for a 2-day seminar.

Family Membership. Bylaws change: Warren moved to ammend the bylaws to include a family membership with regular dues of $150. A family membership is defined as a married couple with children. After discussion, the vote was unanimous.
Jessica moved to make it retroactive. Motion carried.

Trial. Discussion on schedule and prices.

Meeting adjourned.