[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Thinking... what are your thoughts?
- From: Fran Henry <fhenry1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Stormy435@xxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:54:24 -0600
I bought my first GSD from Quadrill GSDs in Colorado. I was incredibly lucky to
stumble upon a reputable breeder who encouraged and mentored me. Some of you
old timers [like me] will remember Lois Massman -- she was show secretary for
the first National in Denver.
She encouraged me to go to Rocky Mountain GSDC meetings and to join the PC. I
showed him in conformation once, and he won his class, but at the time, I was
more interested in performance. He earned a CDX, a tracking degree, and became
a member of an SAR team, Colorado Rescue Dogs.
Eventually, I got interested in conformation, but Lois was always supportive of
whatever I was doing with him. We're friends to this day, and that was 40 years
ago!
I think Stormy's idea is a good one — most people who were not raised in the
conformation arena don't say, "I think I want to buy a dog that can win dog
shows." Most want a GSD and then want to *do* things with the dog -- obedience,
rally, tracking, whatever. Seems to me we have nothing to lose, and quite a lot
to gain.
Fran Henry
Denver
On Aug 16, 2011, at 4:13 PM, Stormy Hope wrote:
> It was pointed out that by my comment of moving off the Conformation
> road" suggested that I meant to de-emphasize conformation.
>
> NO WAY!
>
> But to add to the Conformation by having other paths to follow would
> increase membership and interest for younger people, too.
>
>
> Perhaps another way to word it is to encourage more the PARALLEL roads
> of performance dogs. Would that be better?
>
> Storm
>
>
> On Aug 16, 2011, at 2:54 PM, Stormy Hope wrote:
>
> Some of us were bandying around some thought on how to improve the
> Branding of the PC. What are your thoughts?
>
> Marketing. For the Review, the Website, for the Club. I believe
> there is a Marketing Chair for the Review (I haven't checked that
> out), but shouldn't there be an overall Marketing strategy for the
> Club, encompassing each of the parts of the club? It seems that there
> can be a large improvement in that area. How would it be done? Maybe
> by giving a little to gain a lot. Putting out Press releases (I know
> there are companies who do that... That's how HSUS gets a LOT of their
> "news" on the news. I know we're on a very tight budget, but in the
> spirit of giving a little to gain a lot, maybe some ads in some other
> magazines? (Dog Fancy, AKC magazines?)
>
> AKC, realizing that they were going down hill fast with registrations,
> altered their focus. (We don't have to like it, but know they don't
> want to go broke OR cut back their cushy salaries). What if the PC
> made an honest effort to move off the Conformation road and start
> reaching out hard for the performance people. That would mean the the
> Regional clubs would have to follow the leader and make that same
> honest effort to reach out and beg volunteer trainers for obedience,
> rally etc., and let the public know they are available. At first
> there might be an pretty empty park, but it would catch on. Contact
> the Herding classes (I know of 5 within 45 minutes of me, but I think
> just a few people from the local clubs attend). Get the Herding
> instructors to give out some Brochures about the local clubs, etc.
> Brand our name!!!
>
>
> Rescue. Cathleen Bennett can tell you the story of one rehoming
> kennel that REALLY didn't like GSD breeders and what she did to turn
> them around. I checked a few AC shelters around L.A. and found 13
> really nice GSDs in them... half and half German line/American line.
> One poor little skinny guy... :-(
>
>
> I won't go into Legislation, but I'm searching HARD for somebody to
> volunteer to Chair (or Co-Chair) a Legislative Committee. The GSDCA,
> one of the largest breed clubs in the U.S., doesn't have a Legislation
> Committee. I am Leg. Liaison... a whole different story, and one
> person can't (and SHOULDN"T) do it all anyway. Send me your name!!!!
> if you will even consider it!!!!!!
>
>
> What's your opinion? Your thoughts. Not just thoughts, but concrete
> ideas on how your idea could be accomplished.
>
> Stormy Hope
>
>
>
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POST is Copyrighted 2011. 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.
Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its
administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in
any post.
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@xxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
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