[ SHOWGSD-L ] To Join the GSDCA or not?
- From: DKARLOFF@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:30:48 EDT
A while back we had this discussion - I wrote some notes and read/kept many
comments. Below is but a compilation of these thoughts as expressed by many
GSDCA members.
Best always,
Dania Karloff
GSDCA Membership Committee
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I have been mulling a response to this post for a couple of days but I have
not been able to come up with any great tangible or financial benefits earned
from joining the GSDCA. I can tell you that the GSDCA was founded in 1913
to encourage, promote, and improve the breeding of quality purebred German
Shepherd Dogs, to educate the fancy, and to do all possible to bring the
natural
qualities of the German Shepherd Dog to perfection. However, I tend to think
that if you need someone to enumerate the benefits of joining the GSDCA, as
in â??what is in it for me?â?? - you are likely to be disappointed.
When asked, most GSDCA members say they joined because of their love for the
breed, their desire to give back some of the joy, love and devotion our dogs
have brought to their lives and, finally, so that they can join a group of
people that share this love and admiration for the German Shepherd Dog.
I can also tell you some of the things that the GSDCA offers to all. For
example:
- You can have access to the GSDCA web site with information about upcoming
shows, almost instant results of specialty shows (many times with pictures)
and even â??videosâ?? of our National Specialty show.
- There are GSDCA sponsored regional Futurity shows where breeders bring
their best to compete against the best.
- The GSDCA and its members are the AKC designated â??keepersâ?? of the GSD
standard by which German Shepherd Dogs are judged.
- The GSDCA has a number of Awards that while they seem like small offering,
there are of big significance to all enthusiasts.
- GSDCA members receive the monthly magazine, The German Shepherd Review,
which has received numerous national awards.
- There are approximately 120 regional clubs under the sponsorship of the
GSDCA that offer many local dog related events.
- Because of the many activities the GSDCA supports, its members are able to
participate, not only in conformation, but in many performance venues as
obedience, herding, rally, agility, performance, etc.
- The GSDCA also provides financial support to various organizations that do
health research to benefit the German Shepherd Dog.
Nowâ?¦ looking backâ?¦ many of the above activities and benefits can be
enjoyed
without joining the GSDCAâ?¦ butâ?¦you must remember that these are only
available because there is an organization, the GSDCA, that sponsors these and
its
members are willing to give of their time and energy to get these
accomplished. I sincerely hope you become one of us â?? always remembering
that through
your vote, a most powerful tool, you can influence and impact any of the
above.
As a member, the most "tangible" benefit is that I can VOTE and have a voice
in the breed, both present and future. I have worked for regional shows,
the
National, and a few things in between. We have earned a few things through
being a member, things you can "touch."
But it is the right to VOTE that is the most important. Our country was
founded on this principle and countless men and women have died over the
years in
wars to ensure that I retain the right to VOTE.
Yes, this is "just" a dog club. But dogs are my life, and I can't imagine
not wanting a say in this breed. Those who are very vocal, but not members,
will only be heard for a moment. And if you don't have the right to VOTE,
your
moment will come and go, while the rest of us who are members will continue
to
shape the present and future.
The monetary amount of the dues is a very small price to pay (less than the
cost of one show) for the right to have a say in the breed.
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