Great Dane
The Great Dane Club of America, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
October 21, 2018
Board of Directors Meeting:
Members Present: Jason Hoke, Kathy Munyan, Jean Highlands, Bob Edison, Jessie Gerszewski, Joyce Rowe Neil O’Sullivan, Lynda Moriarity, Phil Gray, Darryl Pitts, Cindy Harwin, Denise Matulich, Jamie Harshfield, Karen Desjardin
Guests: Wanda Hepler, Debi Romerosa, Madison Schlagel, Kathie Shea, Nancy Ridgeway
• Absence of Board Members: Teresa LaBrie
Motion: To excuse absence of Teresa LaBrie
Moved: Jamie Harshfield 2nd Cindy Harwin
• Minutes – Kathleen Fennell
Motion: To correct the 08/15/2018 Teleconference Minutes ~ Item #2 Myrtle Beach Contract: change “negations” to negotiations
Moved: Bob Edison 2nd Neil O’Sullivan
Motion: To approve reimbursement to Kathleen Fennell for the purchase of an audio recorder for recording the club’s meetings
Moved: Linda Moriarity 2nd Neil O’Sullivan
• President’s Report – Jason Hoke
Jason thanked Phil Gray for his service and welcomed Jessie Gerszewski to the GDCA Board
• Secretary’s Report – Denise Matulich
There is a coalition forming to protect cropped & docked breeds. This group has contacted us to request a liaison from parent clubs of those breeds that crop/dock to develop and execute pro dock/crop strategies.
• Treasurer’s Report - Kathy Munyan
Motion: To accept the treasurers report
Moved Phil Gray 2nd Cindy Harwin
• Affiliate Club Representative’s Report – Cindy Harwin
▪ There is an Affiliate Club Representative Meeting Tuesday.
▪ Internal club conflicts are being resolved by consulting the clubs’ bylaws
▪ Clubs have requested changes to their bylaws. Cindy will bring the current bylaws and proposed revisions and the board will review these at the January meeting.
• AKC Delegate’s Report – Jean Highlands
▪ AKC has a feature that allows Parent Clubs to store club information, however, our club has opted to maintain its own records.
▪ Discussion about the AKC Canine College Breed Course was shared. Jason briefly explained this program and how it is used for judges. The GDCA is participating in this.
▪ Concerns about the Farm Bill were shared. They want to amend the Farm Bill to prevent profiting rescue groups from importing rescue dogs from other countries. Many of these dogs are sick, they are coming in with falsified papers and health certificates.
▪ The AKC website has a survey/input option for show giving clubs to supply information on the venues they use to host National, Specialty shows.
Standing Committees:
o Advisory –Linda Ridder, Dave Miller, Dianne Powers~ No report
o Awards – Margaret Ontl - Hall of fame discussion (Merle-preliminary) January Meeting
• Given the acceptance of the Merle, we need to evaluate how to move forward. Neil recommends having this be open to General Membership for comments and input ~ and should be sent out via Constant Contact prior to January meeting.
o Constitution & By-Laws – Nancy Ridgway & Lourdes Carvajal & Linda Cain ~
▪ Finishing edits, Kathleen will type-set and resend for Board approval.
o Futurity – Michael Pacucci~
▪ 2018- 1st nominations 199 litters~ 2nd nominations 505 with 267 dogs 238 bitches ~Final nominations 279 with 139 dogs 140 bitches. Of these 91 are CHIC Challenged Qualified
• 2019 1st nominations 67 litters 2nd nominations 23 dogs 32 bitches
o Health & Research – Dr. Neil O’Sullivan & Dr. Darryl Pitts
Fertility Study, Megaesophagus, Merle Gene, CHIC Requirements – Auscultation vs Echo
• Stuart Meyers, DVM PHD will be introduced at the Charitable Trust Wine & Cheese event. This week he will be collecting samples for the fertility study.
• Wobblers project in progress
• Mega project is in progress. One of the 2 genes have been identified.
• Regarding Merle/ Harl breeding~ having 3 breeding categories: Should be open to General Membership for comments and input ~ Neil will put together something regarding this to send out via Constant Contact
o Recommended
o Permissible with appropriate color testing
o Not Recommended
o Judges Education – Bill Stebbins, Dale Tarbox and Jane Treiber – Artist, Power Point Review, Policy for Picture Usage and Guidelines
▪ Jason shared the revised current Illustrated Standard to include merle and mantle merle examples. Several corrections need to be made before publication.
▪ Power Point was also revised to include slides with merle and mantle merle examples.
▪ 9-10 Breeders are signed up for ringside Breeders Ed this week.
o Judges Selection – Denise Matulich
▪ The 2nd ballot for National judges will be sent out after the National
o Junior Showmanship – Tristen Lawrence
▪ Jason will be meeting with her this week to go over some ideas and events.
▪ Tristen will be doing some of the presenting of awards/scholarships for Juniors this week as our Junior Liaison
o Membership Health and Welfare – Melanie Wisdom, Sue Davis Shaw
▪ Bill Hess has passed away. Bill and his wife Kay bred under the prefix KHESS
▪ Claire Burke of Burke’s Great Danes has passed away.
• Donations to the Charitable Trust will be made in both their memories.
o National Specialty Coordinator - Lynda Moriarty
• 2018 – Mid West Division – Topeka, Ks.
• 2019 – Northeast Division – Va. Beach, VA.
o Will have 2019 National details to hand out during Breed Judging on Saturday.
o Reservations are set to open December 1, 2018
o Rooms are on hold for GDCA Board/Sponsors/International Guests etc.
• 2020 – Central Division – Sandusky, Ohio
o Will be holding a Division meeting this week
• 2021 – Southeast Division -Myrtle Beach, SC – contract review
o Wanda Hepler gave an updated report, contract was reviewed
▪ Will check on tax fees for RVs as well as RV guests being able to use hotel amenities.
▪ RV sites with 50-amp service will be assigned giving preference to guests that are staying for entire event
▪ There are 430 rooms 24 suites~ We have the entire hotel, as there no other events while we are there.
▪ There is a $75 cleaning fee per room... the hotel will NOT waive this fee due to damages from guests at the 2015 National held here. 10 rooms were damaged, 5 rooms needed to be serious renovation, carpet damage, mattress damage etc.
• Hotel will require all guests must have room serviced at least every 2 days.
• Board has requested names of the guests who damaged the rooms.
• Moving forward, guests who leave damaged rooms could lose the privilege of booking at the host/overflow hotels.
• Board will work to put together a National Disclaimer/Pet Policy that will be signed by all hotel guests & published in Premium Lists.
• Room Inspections need to be part of National check out procedure.
▪ Shipping Fees seem extreme, look into the possibility of waiving small package delivery charge.
▪ Cut off date for room cancelation is set for 9/22, needs to be 09/01
▪ Check into changing room deposit. It is currently $119 + tax, change to $100 flat fee which would be refundable until 09/01
▪ Fees reviewed for vendor tables/chairs, hanging club banners, easels, event tables, etc.
o Will be holding Southeast Division meeting this week
• 2022 – South Central – Possible show sites
o Tulsa OK, Denton TX, Purina Farms MO. Still looking at all of their options.
• 2023 – Western – Division Chair update
o Mike Boa will continue as Division Show Chair
• Division Realignment- New Business
• GDCA National Treasurer Coordinator ~
o Kathy Munyan has offered to put together a job description for a National Treasurer Coordinator position. This would be someone who works with each show giving division as well as with the GDCA Treasurer. Will present this to the Board in January
o Performance and Companion Events – Barbara Bristol
▪ A job description for this position has been sent to those who have expressed an interest.
o Public Education – Jeffrey Ball & Jay Miller – Meet the Breeds booth
o Rescue – Kathie Shea
▪ Kathie presented statistics for rescue, which saw 1389 Danes from 08/01/2017-07/31/2018.
▪ The New Hampshire 84 Danes that were seized have all been placed.
▪ Kathie shared that she is proud and thankful for all that the GDCA does for our breed regarding rescue. She said many other breed rescue clubs get little if any assistance from their parent clubs. One rescue group was charged a $500 fee to have a rescue booth at their own National!
o Standard (Breed) – Sharon Fulford-Fint – Illustrated Standard approval – Letter to AKC Merle Addition
o Website – Dan Palantino~
▪ The website “store” is now up and being tested.
▪ Working on content for other pages
Special Committees
• Breeders Education – Joy Lobato/Cindy Harwin Several seminars scheduled this week including presentations by Jason Hoke, Phil Gray & John Walsh
• Breed Mentor – Bill Stebbins ~ Jason read his report
Breeder Referral – Michelle Conroy
• Code of Ethics Committee – Bob Edison
o Moving forward the following have agreed to serve: 2 positions are currently pending
▪ An active AKC judge: Bob Edison,
▪ An attorney:
▪ A professional handler: John Gerszewski
▪ An AKC Breeder of Merit:
▪ A veterinarian/scientist: Tracey Powell DVM
▪ One of these 5 will be a GDCA past president: Bob Edison
Motion: Move to Executive Session at 1:10 PM
Moved: Neil O’Sullivan
Motion: To move out of Executive Session at 2:20 PM
Moved: Bob Edison
Charitable Trust - Sue Davis Shaw ~
5 Susan sent a report including information on Dr Meyers Wine & Cheese event, Jr Handling Scholarships awards for Best Jr. Handler and Reserve Jr. Handler. There are multiple fundraising events going on including Facebook Birthday Fundraiser. Returns from this year’s bronze raffle have been disappointing. As of this report only 12 affiliate clubs have participated.
• Corporate Sponsors – Debbie Romerosa: GDCA Corporate Sponsor- Debi Romerosa
o 2018 National had 26 Bronze sponsors and 18 sponsors at Silver level and above.
▪ The levels seem disproportionate as to the donation vs the benefits.
▪ There was VIP ringside refreshments for sponsors this year.
▪ Debi expressed the importance of staying in close contact with the show giving Divisions Sponsor Chairperson and Vendor Chairperson. These positions need to work with the Corporate Sponsor.
▪ Jason has requested that Debi begin composing a detailed job description for the GDCA Corporate Sponsor Chairperson. This will elaborate on the relationships the GDCA Corporate Sponsor Chairperson has with the various Division Chairs, Parent Club etc. This will help give continuity for the sponsors from year to year regardless of the Division.
• Historian – Dan Palantino~
o Dan is working on cataloging information he has received.
• Legislative – Jean Highlands~
o Jean is sending information to Nancy Ridgeway and Cindy Harwin to distribute directly to the affiliate clubs.
• Membership –Lynda Moriarty
The following applicants have been approved by the Membership Committee for publication in the GDCA Bulletin. The Membership Chairman must receive comments concerning these applicants during the forty-five (45) day period following publication.
Warren & Norri Hennagin
20430 Via Habana
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
714.963.9856
scrapnorri@
Sponsors: Joy Lobato & Arana Greenberg
Interests: Awards, Health & Research, Junior Showmanship, Public Education
Lisa & Kristen Venable
6490 Burning Tree Drive
Seminole FL 33777
727.251.0765
kvenable@mail.usf.edu
Sponsors: Jody Hill & Lorraine Rainwater
Interests: Junior Showmanship
Kathy Daily
192 Buzz Lane
Greensburg PA 15601
724.331.1313
midnitetalisman@
Sponsors: Callie Davis-Caffey & Faye Zahorchak
Interests: Rescue
Randell Seaton
24711 Rosewood
Oak Park MI 48237
248.786.7951
Rbseat1@
Sponsors: Michael Chiles & Edna Taylor
Interests: Breeders’ Ed, Health & Research, Judges’ Selection, Membership, Pedigree Bank
Ester Van Rensburg
47-355 Lulani Street
Kaneohe HI 96744
808.392.2703
nickandesther@
Sponsors: Doris Crow & Kathleen Berg
Corbett & Rella Dwiggins
PO Box 2606
Ewa Beach HI 96706
808.679.6664
midnightdanes@
Sponsors: Kathleen Berg & Doris Crow
Glenn and Sandra Garza
9493 Valley View Street
Alta Loma CA 91737
909.376.1586
Sandra.garza11@
Sponsors: Kathy Toomey & Joy DeGruccio
Interests: Corporate Sponsors, Fundraising, Health & Research, Historic, Membership, Public Ed, Standard
Rudiger & Regina Bachmann
Auf der Heckenbrede 10A
D 59597 Erwitte-Horn Germany
0049 0151 27037047
Regina-bachmann@t-online.de
Sponsors: Jason Hoke & John R Walsh
Interests: Breeders’ Ed, Health & Research, Historic, Judges’ Ed,
Motion: To accept the following 3rd Quarter published candidates as New GDCA Members
Moved: Neil Sullivan 2nd Linda Cain
Hailey Clark
9377 Prairie Ave
Prairie City IA 50228
641.891.2253
autumnridgegd@
Sponsors: Dr. Neil O’Sullivan & Bev Klingensmith
Interests: Fundraising and Rescue
Kerrey Purvis
2137 Hawthorne Ave
Waverly IA 50677
716.338.6511
smgdanes@
Sponsors: T. Lynn Adams & Mary Barnett
Interests: Companion Events, Health & Research, Junior Showmanship
Diane Collins
1909 Ashmont Drive
VA Beach, VA 23456
757.435.6406
Paws030953@
Sponsors: Nikki Riggsbee & Darlene Bergan
Interests: Companion Events
Kim Gaskins
4281 Arbor Club Drive
Marietta GA 30066
404.626.9284
kim@
Sponsors: Jay Miller & Kathy Toomey
Interests: Breeders’ Ed, Championship Awards, Companion Events, Futurity, Judges’ Ed, Judges’ Selection, Pedigree Bank
William and Libbie Wessels
3525 Winchester Road
New Market AL 35761
256.508.6209
tudorwessels@
Sponsors: Charity Peech & Jackie Fulkerson
Interests: Awards, Charitable Trust, Membership
Melanie McAdams
6804 Mooresville Road
Tanner AL 35761
256.602.4152
Mfischer1@
Sponsors: Jackie Fulkerson & Charity Peech
Interests: Breeders’ Ed
Fay Rogstad
W13502 County Road P
Black River Falls, WI 54615
715.284.4021
sumnergreatdanes@
Sponsors: Mary Lee Williams & Jessie Gerszewski
Interests: Futurity, Public Education
Jessica Gibbs
4305 Hernandez Street
Jurupa Valley CA 92509
909.374.9546
Jgibbs29@
Sponsors: John Neet & Gary Romerosa
Interests: Awards, Health & Research, Public Education, Performance & Companion Events
Kriston Loveland (donate overpayment to CT)
5205 W 4250S
Hooper UT 84315
775.385.7967
kristonloveland@
Sponsors: JP Yousha & Joyce Guthrie
Interests: Breeders’ Ed, Companion Events, Health & Research, Historic Committee, Judges’ Ed, Pedigree Bank, Standard
Katie King
1218 N 17th Avenue
Pensacola FL 32503
850.723.6737
nwflgdr@
Sponsors: Kathie Shea & Lisa Williams
Interests: Health & Research, Public Education, Rescue
• News Bulletin – Maria Perkins ~
o Maria is resigning ~The club will send out info via Constant Contact for anyone interested in serving this position.
• National Top 20 Coordinator – T. Lynn Adams
o Linda Cain reported that there was a change in the ownership of the company that was handling this year’s rosettes. Moving forward they will work to make sure that the communication is clear in what the expectations are.
• Top 20 Statistician – Rita Suddarth
• Trophies – Jean Dinkins ~
o Jean is resigning ~ The club will send out info via Constant Contact for anyone interested in serving.
Old Business
▪ National Specialty Judges Eligibility – Jason Hoke
▪ OFA Champion of Health – Lynda Moriarty
▪ Division realignment
▪ Color code
• Neil will work on this… see Health & Research
▪ Trademark~ Nancy Ridgeway
• GDCA name and logo had never been trademarked. Logo and name had to be done separately. We have gone through the process and both the logo and name, and both have been granted Trademarks. Our Trademark Registration Date is September 25, 2018
o Requirements in the First Ten Years:
▪ First filing deadline: You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application for Renewal between the 5th and 6th years (2023-2024) after the registration date. If the declaration is accepted, the registration will continue in force for the remainder of the ten-year period, calculated from the registration date, unless cancelled by an order of the Commissioner for Trademarks or a federal court.
▪ Second Filing Deadline: You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application for Renewal between the 9th and 10th years (2027-2028) after the registration date.
o Requirements in Successive 10-Year Periods: You must file a Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) and an Application for Renewal between every 9th and 10th year-period, calculated from the registration date.
o Grace Period Filings: The above documents will be accepted as timely if filed within six months after the deadlines listed above with the payment of an additional fee.
Motion: All legal documents related to the GDCA including, but not limited to, articles of incorporation, trademarks, patents, will be the responsibility of the Corresponding Secretary
Moved: Bob Edison 2nd Jessie Gerszewski
New Business
▪ Facebook page – Denise Matulich~
o Denise is looking for additional administrative help with the GDCA Facebook Page.
o Doesn’t necessarily need to be a Board Member, but someone who has experience with club policies, who can be discreet, and can handle sensitive issues that may come through private messages.
▪ Extra 2016 National BOB trophy order – Denise Matulich
o Duplicate National awards need to be paid for and ordered within 60 days of the National. If it is after 60 days, order will not be able to be fulfilled until the next year’s National Trophy Order (which is around April)
▪ Request for Dog News Ad
o A request was received asking the GDCA to take an ad in Dog News introducing the acceptance of the Merle.
▪ There is no precedence for this i.e. when the Mantle was accepted.
▪ The GDCA is responsible for educating judges and they do not feel that a Dog News Ad would accomplish this.
▪ The GDCA will send the appropriate educational materials through the appropriate channels. Educational material will be sent to Judges Education, AKC, etc. and will include breeding inheritance information, as well as how to judge the Merle. This will go to all AKC judges at both the Breed and Group levels.
▪ New Board Members & Departing Board Members
o Jason thanked departing Director Phil Gray and departing Treasurer Kathy Munyan for their service and welcomed Directors Jessie Gerszewski and Kathy Munyan as well as Treasurer Brian Seiber
▪ Board Meeting Day for National- Linda Cain
o Linda raised concerns regarding the Board Meeting being the day when everyone arrives.
▪ Division Realignment-
o Several options have been presented with a breakdown of number of clubs and number of members in each current division and proposed divisions
o The most popular option was 4 Divisions
▪ West Stays the same- 12 Clubs
▪ North- Combine Central & Midwest- 15 Clubs
▪ Northeast- Stays the same 11 Clubs
▪ South- Combine Southeast & Southcentral- 11 Clubs
o States without a Great Dane Club would need to be sorted into these 4 divisions in the eventuality that a club develops there.
▪ Additionally, there are great venues in some of these states that could be options for hosting if they are sorted into a specific division.
o Also discussed a 5-year rotation. 4 years would be one year for each division, and the 5th year would be a Parent Club Regional type event.
▪ With rotation tentatively starting after the Western Division 2023, in a clockwise pattern...
• 2024 North
• 2025 Northeast
• 2026 South
• 2027 West
o Lynda Moriarity, Kathy Munyan & Jason Hoke are going to meet with the Division Chairs that are here this week and get their input and feedback.
Approval of Motions for Publication in the Bulletin * Tabled until Thursdays Board Meeting
Adjourn
Motion: To adjourn
Moved Phil Gray ................
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