In a message dated 10/2/2008 11:19:34 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, Stormy435@xxxxxxx writes: For those Board members who haven't been communicative...well, one has the power of the ballot, and that should be sent in with that in mind. OK everybody, please bear in mind that Board members are busy people. And a lot of us are busy because we are doing work for YOU!! I have visited Beaumont a couple of times now and it is a great site. It was originally presented to the Board in July 2004. At that meeting the Board voted between 3 sites if I remember correctly and by I think one vote decided to go to St. Louis in 2006 but to secure a contract with Beaumont for 2008. It has a hub airport in Houston. It is no farther from Houston to Beaumont than Atlanta to Perry - maybe not as far. Re herding - I think herding presents its own problems in terms of requirements and frequently the herding is not very close to the National. However, the herding instinct test is usually given at the National. I'm sure Nanci or Lea will let us know if that is happening this year or not. There is space at the site I believe for the instinct test but whether the sheep are available or not I wouldn't know. The membership was asked a few years ago whether it wanted the national to be in one location or to rotate and the membership stated they wanted it rotated. The difficult thing is finding a suitable site which is not too far from a hub airport. And regarding either coast - sometimes it is easier to fly from one coast to the other than it is to fly into the middle of the country. I remember when St. Louis was a hub and it was great because everything out of ABQ stopped there. Then when TWA folded everyone taking a dog to the National there had to fly to Atlanta and back to St. Louis. Finding good sites is not an easy job (and thank goodness it's not my job!!). I would recommend that anyone who can, attend a Board meeting. You will be surprised at how much work your Board members actually do. Tish **************Looking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators. (http://www.walletpop.com/?NCID=emlcntuswall00000001) ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================