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(Note: Some of the formatting did not translate very well from the original copy. - Mary Ann)
SECRETARY’S REPORT

Minutes from the January 4, 2004 at Canine Mastery in Seekonk, MA

Members Present: Jean Janotta, Pete Dolan, Sue Winters, Kathie Chouinard, Dottie Duclos, Holly Robinson, Cindi Robinson, Warren Robinson, Dianne McCormick, Paula Andrus, Debbie Keach-Tomes, Donna Gray, Donna Johnson, Karen Miller, Jackie Owens, Donna Hakala, Loretta King, Gull Reidy, Sharon Ruppel, Sue Schroeder, Cindy King, Bill Pechka-King, Linda Gray, Brenda Dean, George Griffin, JoAnn Griffin.

Meeting called to order 12:10pm by President Jean Janotta.

1. Introduction of those present.

2. Secretary’s Report: The Secretary's report from the November meeting was accepted as published in the November/December newsletter.

3. Treasurer's report: Dottie Duclos reported we have $22,737 in the regular checking account, the rescue account stands at $5,048 for a total of $27,785. Additional expenses were received for HMM after the November meeting – the revised profit number is $4,992.64. Dottie is still working on breaking out the HMM expenses by event, however the current profit numbers by event are: conformation & obedience - $1,000; stock - $1,600; agility - $5,675. The November Seekonk trial gross receipts were $2,052, expenses $1,383.74 with a profit of $668.26.

4. Affiliate Report – Sharon Ruppel

Increase in Affiliate Renewal fees and Show Sanctioning Fees effective January 1, 2004: The ASCA Affiliate Renewal fees have increased from $25 to $100 and the show sanctioning fees have increased from $15 to $25 effective January 1, 2004. The increase is being done to help defray the increased cost of the ASCA insurance, which went from $13,482 in 2002 to $38,308 in 2003. ASCA was able to obtain coverage for all of ASCA’s Affiliates as well as ASCA. This eliminates the need for ASCA Affiliates to maintain their own insurance since this insurance protects all Affiliates from claims by non-members for all Affiliate functions. This insurance coverage, like all other club insurance coverage including present insurance held by our Affiliates, contains an exception that does not cover an action of claim by a club member against the club.
Ranch Dog Inspection – One of the rule changes implemented requires that applicants must either an ASCA-registered Australian Shepherd or have an ASCA Registration Tracking Number on file.
2005 Nationals – Linda Gray indicated that GAASC is still talking with different sites and once things have been ironed out, they will be submitting their proposal to the ASCA Board.

5. Library Report: Cindy King noted the library was on site and there have been no new additions.

6. Event Updates: Please check the web site: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ascne for additional information on events.

November 15 & 16 – Breed and Obedience in Seekonk, MA. Sue Winters reported Fran ran a wonderful event, everything went very well.
January 23, 24, 25 – Agility Seminar with Barb Demascio in West Brookfield, MA. Jean Janotta reported that the Elite level seminar is currently full. There are still 4 participant openings in the Novice seminar on the 25^th. Please contact Lyn Scribner for more information.
January 31 & February 1 – Breed and Obedience in Seekonk, MA. – Sue reported all is going well, people are volunteering for stewards, to bring food, etc. Please contact Susan Winters for additional information. FoxfireAS@aol.com
March 7 – ROM Banquet and Annual Meeting – Pete Dolan will be donating an agility obstacle for the ROM Banquet. MaryAnn is working on getting the invitations out.
March 20 & 21 – Rescue Show at Paws ‘N Effect new facility in Hamden, CT – The sanctioning paperwork has been submitted. Items to be donated are always welcome. Please contact Brenda Dean for information.
April 3 (rain date April 4) – Tracking Clinic – Celeste Kelly will be doing this clinic. She’s working on getting a site. Please contact Celeste Kelly for additional information. dwolfman@gwi.net
May 15 (May 16 rain date) – Intro to herding at Janet Benson’s. Contact Tenley Dexter. Tendexter@juno.com
May 29 & 30 – Agility Trial in Hopkinton, NH. Things are moving along. Please contact Jean Janotta for agility information at jjanotta@rcn.com.
June 2-4 – Bob Vest Sheep Clinic in CT – Tenley Dexter
June 5-6 – Bob Vest Cattle Clinic in CT – Tenley Dexter
June 7-10 – Bob Vest Sheep Clinic in NH – Carolyn Bain (this is no longer an ASCNE sponsored event)
June 19 & 20 – Sheep & Cattle Trial – will be at Janet Benson’s; Janet will be CD; will be 2 days of Sheep & Cattle; looking for a cost efficient (i.e., inexpensive airfare) second judge in order to offer ducks as well
August 28 & 29 – Sheep & Cattle Trial – will be at Janet Benson’s; one judge will be Rachel Vest
There was a question raised regarding liability at co-sanctioned events. It was felt the club giving the event is ultimately responsible. Linda Gray indicated that since these are also ASCA sanctioned events, it seemed there would be ASCA coverage as well. Jean will followup with Jerry Aufox.

OLD BUSINESS

1. New Members: The following were accepted into membership – Eileen & Austin Farrar, Deborah Frey & Tony DiBartolo, Wendy Richmond

2. ASCNE Election – Sue Winters
The results of the November/December 2003 elections were announced by Sue Winters:\

President: Jean Janotta, 79

Vice President: Pete Dolan, 79
Secretary: Diane Johnson, 82
Treasurer: Dottie Duclos, 81
Board Member (two members to be elected):

Brenda Dean, 80
Warren Robinson, 77

Affiliate Rep (one rep to be elected):

Sharon Ruppel, 47 (re-elected)
Cindy King, 32

3. ASCA Nationals/Finals Questionnaire Results – Jean Janotta Jean thanked everyone who took the time to fill out the questionnaire. The returned forms will be reviewed and summarized for the March meeting. 4. Stopwatches for Stock Show Box – Pete Dolan Pete will be sending 2 brand new stopwatches to Deb Adamczyk for the Stock show box. Per November’s meeting, Deb also has the go-ahead to purchase another 2 stopwatches for the show box to be available as backup. 5. 2004 Membership Renewal – Kathie Chouinard Kathie said renewals are coming in well. For those who have not already sent in their renewal, Kathie will be sending postcards out mid-January. 6. 2003 Bowl Call – Karen Miller For dogs who received a new title in 2003 - please get your dog’s name with all ASCA titles to Karen no later than January 15^th if you’d like to receive a new title bowl. 7. Entry Fees for Juniors – Jean Janotta

This discussion was continued from the November meeting.
Background: It came to the Board’s attention prior to the HMM event that juniors have been allowed to pay half entry fees for all stock events. This is not consistent across the venues. For Junior Showmanship (breed), the cost is $3; for obedience, agility, and tracking, there is no junior rate. Although the ASCNE BOD feel it is important to support juniors, it is also important to balance that support against the costs as well as to be consistent across the venues. There are two divisions for juniors in herding:

Working Junior Handler Division – this is a separate standalone division - just the handler is judged; no titles awarded to dog
Open Working Junior Division – points are earned from the started, open, advanced, and post-advanced divisions.

It is possible for one junior to enter both these divisions on each type of stock, which would equate to 6 runs, however, they are only paying for 3 runs (keep in mind at HMM, the pre-entry fee for ducks was $25, sheep was $30, and cattle was $35, so that would be paying $90 as opposed to $180). Other things to consider are a judge can only judge 40 runs in a day, the stock can only run a certain number of runs in a day, and the cost of the stock is not altered based on the age of the handler.

Three recommendations came out of the November meeting:

Junior Showmanship (breed) entry fee will remain at $3 (or possibly go up $1 or $2) and entry fees for all other events will be the regular fee
10% off all fees for Juniors, regardless of the venue
Junior Showmanship (breed) entry fee will remain at $3 (or possibly go up $1 or $2); Working Junior Handlers will receive a 50% reduction in entry fees; all other fees will be at full price

There was considerable discussion around -

alternatives (both the ones from November as well as new ones)
questioning why this was being revisited since

the club had voted on the stock entry policy many years earlier
the club is doing well financially
stock trials are now making money (HMM profit estimate for stock is around $1600)

the impression it makes on judges to see an active junior program in New England
how the New England junior program might not have been as successful without reduced entry fees

Linda Gray made the following motion, it was seconded by Karen Miller, and was passed by the membership in attendance:

Entry fees for Junior Handlers for all performance events shall not exceed 50% of the published entry fee. In order to be eligible for the Junior entry fee rate, the Junior must own or co-own the dog being entered. Effective January 1, 2004.

7. Consolidated Mailing List – Brenda Dean

Cindy King proposed the wording for the Match Show Bulletin ad - an overview of our events (e.g., obedience, agility, and tracking open to all breeds, herding open to those breeds specified by ASCA, and conformation open to ASCA registered Aussies), stating if individuals would like a flyer/premium to provide Brenda Dean with their address and identify the venues they are interested in.
Approval was given to run the ad

7. Breeder Referral Form – Sue Winters

Sue was accepting breeder referral forms at the meeting
Forms are due to Sue by the end of January

NEW BUSINESS 1. Membership Applications: Kathie Chouinard reported the following have applied for membership in ASCNE:

Member	Sponsor
Christine Porter	Kathy Hubbard Susan Winters
Linda Barden	Fran Swanson Dianne McCormick
Jillayne Karras (JUNIOR)	Karen Miller
Megan Sabrowski (JUNIOR)	Sharon Ruppel

2. Membership Questions - Kathie Chouinard

The juniors who applied for membership are not members of ASCA, however the ASCNE by-laws were modified to require membership in ASCA. For this reason, the Juniors will need to obtain ASCA numbers, which are available free from ASCA. Karen and Sharon will obtain these numbers for the juniors they’ve sponsored.
There was a question brought up about the eligible age of children for the family membership status, specifically a mother with a daughter who was over the age of 18, but not attending school. This is considered eligible for family membership.

3. Club Historian – Linda Gray

Linda suggested it would be nice for the club to have a historian. This person would be responsible for maintaining a policy book, keeping records on what the club has done, minutes of the meetings, who the officers have been, etc.
Jean mentioned the ASCNE Board had already decided a policy book needed to be put together in order to facilitate the transition from one administration to another as right now that is lacking
Linda indicated she had lots of this information somewhere in her house but didn’t want to give up the originals. Cindy King made a motion to have Linda’s copying expenses reimbursed. This was seconded and approved.
If someone is interested in this position, please indicate your interest to any of the Board members.

4. Tracking Test – Celeste Kelly

Celeste was wondering if the club would consider hosting another tracking trial during the year over Celeste’s way, which is in York, ME.
As Celeste would probably host the judges, expenses would be less, resulting in the show not losing money.
All present thought this would be a great idea.

NADAC Agility Rule Changes

Recommended for 4/1/04, required for 8/1/04

A-frame height will be 5’ at the apex
Slats no longer allowed on any contact equipment

Instituted Sanctioned Group Application Renewal - $25/year
Reduced mileage requirement for same weekend trials from 400 to 300 miles apart effective immediately

6. Note of Thanks

Jean read a note from Kathy Poulin, Frank Chamberlain’s daughter. She thanked ASCNE for giving Frank the honorary membership at HMM in October 2003 and said how much it meant to him.

7. Dr. Robert Van Hutchison Seminar - Sex, Pups and Dr. Hutch (e-mail from Joyce Charron)

Jean read an e-mail from Joyce Charron about this seminar
Dr. Hutchinson is an international leading expert on fertility, whelping, reproduction, and puppy pediatrics and is the Director of the International Canine Semen Bank of Ohio. He is recognized internationally for his work with canine frozen semen and reproduction.
Location: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
This is a two day seminar; February 28 & 29, 2004.
Sponsoring Club: Yankee Golden Retriever Club
Contact Information: Mike Lappin - 21 Redbrook Road, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

Email: anidoc@intercape.com

Phone: (508) 759-4522

8. June Breed and Obedience – Sue Winters

Sue noted the June breed and obedience show has been cancelled for 2004.
Perhaps we could find a chairperson and new venue for 2005.

9. Newsletters – Cindi Robinson

Cindi suggested the newsletters be put into a binder and added to the ASCNE library.
Kathie Chouinard will send an additional newsletter to Cindy King for this purpose.

10. Jackets – Linda Gray

Linda noted that Wearguard is having a closeout sale on women’s medium and x-large purple three season jackets (item 2404) – lined with black fleece – normally sell for $60, but are marked down to $22.
She purchased one with 3 rows of lettering on the front and the ASCNE logo on the back for around $50.
If anyone wants one e-mail Linda at lmgray@meganet.net. You will need to include

Size – check out the size comparison charts at WearGuard.com as they run a little big
What you want printed on the front (3 lines of text available)
The thread color you want the 3 lines of text embroidered in
The style of lettering, which is available on the website.

Linda will also post something to ASCNE-l to coordinate the order.

11. Achievements – Jean Janotta

Robin and Bubbles – Championship
Wendy Dryer and HOF Dam Ch Accolade A Toute Vitesse CD (Tess)
Karen Miller rode her horse at the NBHA Worlds in Georgia and almost made the finals!!!!
Tenley Dexter and Skeeter, aka C Hangin'5 Annie's Breeze, just became Hall Of Fame Dam #169! Attained this honor with ONE litter of some incredible working dogs
Donna Johnson and A-CH Hemlocks Vintage Red@Briarhill CD - finished 2nd in the Obedience Finals at the Nationals in WI

2004 Calendar of Events

January 23, 24, & 25 – Agility Seminar with Barb Demascio – West Brookfield, MA – Lyn Scribner
January 31 & February 1 – Breed and Obedience; Seekonk, MA – Sue Winters
March 7 – ROM and Annual Banquet – Log Cabin – Holyoke, MA – Joe and MaryAnn Stoddart
March 15 – deadline for April newsletter
March 20 & 21 – Rescue Show - Breed and Obedience – Paws n Effect, Hampden, CT – Brenda Dean
March 20 & 21 – LEAP ASCA/NADAC Agility - ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – South Hadley, MA
March 20 & 21 – GSASA Breed and Obedience – Flanders, NJ
April 3 – Intro to Tracking Clinic – Celeste Kelly with the location TBD.
April 3 & 4 – SNEAK ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Brooklyn, CT
April 3 & 4 – WASCUNY Think Spring Weekend – Glens Falls, NY
April 10 & 11 – OTRAAG ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Wrentham, MA
April 17 & 18 – OTRAAG ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Wrentham, MA
May 15 – Intro to Herding – Tenley Dexter (May 16 rain date)
May 15 & 16 – GSASA Breed and Obedience (4 breed, 4 obedience) – Augusta, NJ
May 15 – deadline for June newsletter
May 29 & 30 – ASCNE ASCA/NADAC Agility Trial & Try-Stock-n-Go – Contoocook, NH – Jean Janotta & Matt Mason
June 2-4 – Bob Vest Sheep Clinic in CT – Tenley Dexter
June 5-6 – Bob Vest Cattle Clinic in CT – Tenley Dexter
June 7-10 – Bob Vest Sheep Clinic in NH – Carolyn Bain
June 19 & 20 – Sheep and Cattle Trial, Judge Bob Vest – CT at Janet Benson’s – Janet Benson
June 19 & 20 – SoBAD ASCA/NADAC Agility Trial – Granby, MA
July 3 & 4 – Bo-Gee ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Contoocook, NH
July 11 – Meeting – the Griffin’s in Douglas, MA
July 15– deadline for August newsletter
July 16, 17 & 18 – WASCUNY July Sparkler – Schaghticoke, NY
August 6, 7 & 8? – Moose-A-Mania – Breed and Obedience – Skowhegan, ME – Clara Grover
August 28 & 29 – Sheep & Cattle Trial – CT at Janet Benson’s - Janet Benson
September 5 – Meeting - Sharon Ruppel’s in Voluntown, CT
September 9 – 11 – Kathy Warren Stock Clinic at Joe & Deb Adamczyk’s
September 12 – Sheep Trial – Joe & Deb Adamczyk’s – Kathy Warren judging
September 11 & 12 – GSASA ASCA/NADAC Agility – Augusta, NJ
September 15– deadline for October newsletter
October 2 & 3 – WASCUNY ASCA/NADAC Agility Trial, Greenwich, NY
October 8, 9 & 10 – Harvest Moon Mania – Peter Kontos – Breed, Obedience, Stock, Agility
October 17 – Tracking Test – Celeste Kelly
October 16 & 17 – Act-Up ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Wrentham, MA
October 23 & 24 – OTRAAG ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – Wrentham, MA
October 30 & 31 – GSASA Breed and Obedience – Flanders, NJ
November 7 – Meeting – Jean Janotta’s in Raymond, NH
November 13 & 14 or November 20 & 21 – Breed and Obedience – Seekonk, MA – Fran Swanson (dates will be confirmed in the future).
November 13 & 14 – ACE ASCA/NADAC Agility – ASCA Co-sanctioned by ASCNE – South Hadley, MA
November 15– deadline for December newsletter