[ SHOWGSD-L ] Fwd: An Urgent Message Re AKC, WA meeting/Patti Strand
- From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
- To: GSD list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 12:03:23 -0700
Fwd: An Urgent Message Regarding AKC
Meeting: Planning a constructive future for AKC and the sport of
purebred
dogs.
*Where: Emerald Downs Racetrack*
*Washington** Thoroughbred Breeders Association*
*3220 Emerald Downs Dr*
*Auburn** WA 98001*
*Just north of parking lot 5 at Emerald Downs Racetrack*
*When: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 6:30 pm*
*Speaker: Patti Strand, AKC Board Member followed by a group
discussion.*
Fanciers in the Northwest have an opportunity to meet with AKC board
member
Patti Strand. To quote AKC ?Today the American Kennel Club faces
unprecedented financial challenges. ? This meeting will provide an
opportunity to discuss positive and proactive suggestions. Please pass
along this invitation to all interested parties. Please encourage
them to
attend this very important meeting. Bring your questions and
suggestions.
*Please plan to attend and contribute your ideas.*
Questions?
Please call or write to:
Faye Strauss at 253-631-1442
sherluckmm@xxxxxxx
or
Joan Zielinski at 253-631-1352
joan@xxxxxxxxxx
May 18, 2010
Dear Constituents:
Today the American Kennel Club faces unprecedented financial
challenges.
These challenges not only impact us in the present, but also raise
critical
questions about our future.
There was a time when the American Kennel Club?s robust registration
revenue
provided the opportunity for the sport to flourish and the ability
to do
more for dogs grew unabated. However, the past few years have
witnessed a
marked downward spiral in registrations, leaving the memories of
yesterday
in the wake of the harsh realities of today. Therefore, it has been
necessary to embark on a number of new initiatives in the quest for
additional revenue. At the same time, there has been a constant
tightening
of all expenses in ways that, thus far, have not impacted our
preeminent
position in the world of dogs.
Our ability to maintain a reasonable operating budget has come from
alternative revenue sources, as well as some previously enacted
revenue
initiatives that have required exhibitors, clubs, and registered
handlers to
accept increased or new fees. In addition, there have been
significant staff
and expense reductions at AKC. When revenues fell below projections,
staff
made the necessary cuts to avoid an operating loss. While purebred dog
organizations in other countries face serious threats to their very
existence, we have been able to maintain the high level of our
services to
the sport, launch new programs, continue our important philanthropic
contributions, and protect a financial reserve that helps ensure our
future.
Yet the decline in revenue continues.
Our judges are crucial to our sport. They not only officiate at our
events;
they are thought leaders, mentors, and breed experts who help bring
the next
generation of the fancy to maturation. Now it is time for judges to
join the
other constituencies of the AKC - clubs, breeders, exhibitors, and
registered handlers ? to make a financial contribution to help
maintain the
quality of the sport we all love so much.
With this in mind, at its May 2010 meeting the AKC Board voted,
without an
opposing vote, to enact a fee for conformation judges. The need for
that fee
is undeniable. The feedback from the judging community on the
necessity for
the fee has been very supportive. However, the feedback on the
methodology
for application of the fee has met with universal disapproval. Healthy
debate is critical to the viability of a strong and vibrant
organization.
The Board values the opinions of the judging community and
appreciates the
many constructive suggestions offered concerning the fee structure
methodology. With the input of the judging community in mind, the
Board
today has taken the following actions:
*1.** The previously approved fee structure has been withdrawn by the
Board and new fee structures will be considered. The concept of
judges? fees
remains intact.*
*2.** The Board has instructed AKC staff to revisit the alternatives
discussed over the past year in addition to the other suggestions made
recently by several judges to arrive at several equitable methods for
consideration.*
*3.** The Board has instructed AKC staff to meet again with
representatives of judges organizations for input on these
methodologies
before any final decision is made.*
It is imperative that all of us come together to face our challenges
with
the same passion, sportsmanship, and determination that is the
hallmark of
the great competitive spirit of the fancy. When we have come
together in
this manner in the past, we have accomplished great things. For the
good of
the sport we all love so much, we must now move forward together.
Ronald H. Menaker
Chairman of the Board
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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