TENNESSEE VALLEY KENNEL CLUB
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 4, 2004

President Tom Schmidt called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

The minutes of the February meeting were accepted as corrected: Add that Becky Crippen was a visitor in Feb. Under election of new members: "motion to suspend the rules," not "dispense with secret ballot."  Under AKC Del.: "AKC is sponsoring insurance," not "offering."

Board: The Board voted to keep our current insurance since it is cheaper than the other companies.
    Thanks to Ace Russell for the Agility Benefit for Donna Truitt, who suffered a severe loss in a fire. TVKC cannot contribute money to an individual, but if members wish to contribute individually, they can do so. Information on how to donate, etc., can be found at MBKennel.com, Meadowbrook's Website, on the Show and Go page. Catherine Bell suggested that Take the Lead be contacted.s

Jean Dinkins reported that dues can be paid already. They are due by June 1st.
Jeanne Weber Ringe, Chair of the Nominating Committee, submitted her committee's nominations for the upcoming elections in May: President, Tom Schmidt. Vice-President: Barbara Price. Corresponding Secretary: Carolyn Price. Recording Secretary: Roberto A. Jiménez. Treasurer: Jean Dinkins. AKC Delegate: Karen Clausing. Board of Directors: Garry Clausing, Pat Hartman, Jeanne Weber Ringe, Paula Smiddy, and Barbara Williams.

Corresponding. Sec'y: Charles reported that a clinic on "Structure and Locomotion" will be held on July 3 & 4 at the Fountain Inn. Other correspondence: Letter from the President of U.T.'s College of Agriculture thanking TVKC for its donation. Letter from the Smoky Mtn. Dog Owners Assoc. announcing a seminar by Pat Trotter on owner-handling. It will be held August 15 & 16, at the Holiday Inn Select, Cedar Bluff, from 9:00-5:00. Cost: $150. Contact Pat Hartman for further information.
Charles has more Directories. Please check for any errors.

Treasurer.: Jean circulated her report and  the final tally on Profit/Losses in TVKC sponsored events for last year. Tammy Merritt moved, seconded by Linda Howard, that the report be accepted for filing. Motion passed.

AKC Del.: Karen reported that the March meeting is the Annual Meeting, when elections are held. There are 4 candidates for 3 Board positions: Tom Davies, Walter Goodman, and Ron Menaker, all incumbents,  were submitted by the Nominating Committee. Charles Foley was submitted from the floor. The candidates' qualifications are very similar. Catherine Bell moved, seconded by Jean Dinkins, that we instruct Karen to vote for the incumbents. Motion passed.

Also, proposed amendments: 1) Amendment to enable clubs to hold non-AKC events with AKC's official approval. Catherine Bell moved, seconded by Tammy Merritt to vote for this amendment. Motion passed.  2) Amendment to allow a one-time change of a dog's name with the breeder's permission. If the dog has participated in any AKC event, the name cannot be changed. Charles Price moved, seconded by Nan Anderson to vote against. Motion passed. 3) Miscellaneous classes: Amendment to change the ILP No. for an AKC I.D. No. to enable the dogs to be included in the FSS No. Also, to allow Puppy and Open classes to be offered for each Misc. breed and to select a BOB and BOS in each breed. Perhaps to hold a Best in Miscellaneous class as well. Ace Russell moved, seconded by Roberto Jiménez, to vote for this amendment. Motion passed. 4) To vote on a particular delegate's credentials, whom the AKC Board did not vote on. Catherine Bell indicated that the candidate, Debbie Lynch, is suing the Canine Health Foundation, which is an arm of AKC. Catherine moved, seconded by Nan Anderson, to vote against accepting the candidate's credentials so she cannot be seated. Motion passed.
5) The membership instructed Karen to use her own judgement on voting on the Beagle Field Club rules change.

Agility: Ace Russell reported that the Agility Trial has been filled to capacity and there is a waiting list. He will need many volunteers to help and to support the Trial. It will be held March 26, 27, and 28 (Fri. to Sun.), at the Ag. Expo Ctr. Roane State Community. College in Harriman. Also, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America is sponsoring a Herding & Agility Trial, Sept. 17-19, in Cookeville, TN. Agility classes will be held for 5 weeks, starting March 23, at 7:00 PM. The first class will meet on a Tuesday and from then on, the class will meet on Mondays. The class is free for TVKC members, and it meets at the Brehm Arena at the U.T. Ag. School.

Judges Community.: Garry Clausing reported for Barbara Price that Joan Graber, a judge for this Fall, has cancelled due to her having surgery at that time. She has been replaced.

Trophies: Joy Triess and Karen Clausing will get together after the meeting to discuss trophies for the Fall shows. Possible trophies include Stoneware mugs with a Fall theme or Portfolios as in the last Fall shows. They will report at the April meeting.

Training Classes: The information in the Newsletter was incomplete. People did not know where to go. Petsafe Village's Website gives directions to the place.

Public Ed.: Pat Hartman reported that the AKC is accepting nominations for Awards of Canine Excellence. For more information, visit AKC's Website, akc.org.

Website: Jeanne Weber Ringe indicated that members who wish to be listed as breeders should contact her.

First reading: Becky Crippen, who has Bearded Collies. She lives in Georgia.

New Business: Tom S. reported that Nancye, Linda and Grant still need to meet with Tom Cinnamon, who is in charge of the Jacobs Bldg.

Tom requested a volunteer for hospitality for the April meeting; Joy Triess volunteered.

Catherine Bell moved, seconded by Paula Smiddy, that we send $500 to Chuck Trotter, Nashville KC, to help subsidize the AKC Delegate's meeting which will be held in Nashville. Catherine indicated that the club had passed a motion to do this several years ago and that the time had come to honor it. Motion passed.

Catherine Bell moved, seconded by Nan Anderson, that TVKC not contribute to Debbie Lynch's Health Organization. Motion fails.

At Ace Russell's request, Jean Dinkins moved, seconded by Sally Jessup, that the club buy additional cable for the electronic timer. Motion passed.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,


Roberto A. Jiménez
Recording Secretary