Teleconference of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America on September 24, 2002.
The President, Karen Kleinhans, was at her home in Pawnee, Illinois, and the Secretary, Susan Lauer, was at her home in Summerville, South Carolina.
 
In attendance were:
Karen Kleinhans-President
Jeff Mauk-Vice President
Susan Lauer-Secretary
Lynn Olds-Treasurer
Gayle Gold-Eastern Director
Dorothy Schuerman-Central Director
Marilyn Vinson-Western Director
Gail Garrison-Director at Large
Barbara Byse-Director at Large
Alan Klessig-Director at Large
Pat Evetts-Director at Large
Absent were:
Bryan Timby-Director at Large
Debby Smith-Director at Large
Visitors were:
Jo Ann Redditt-National Capital Club
Romana Arnold-Immediate Past President
Kim Albrecht-Arizona Chinese Shar-Pei Club of Phoenix
Nancy and Tim Bergeron-Star of the North Club
Sue and Roy Anderson-Web Masters
Don Nelson-Golden State Club
Gail Tighe-Desert to the Sea Club
 
The meeting was called to order at 8:06 PM Eastern Standard Time.
 
Marilyn Vinson moved, Alan Klessig seconded that the Board approve the minutes of the last Teleconference. The motion passed unanimously.
 
Marilyn Vinson felt that we should do a roll call on every vote. Barbara Byse said that she felt this was not necessary on items such as the minutes. After some discussion, Marilyn Vinson moved, Barbara Byse seconded a motion that the Board do a roll call on every vote. Marilyn Vinson amended the motion not to include that the names be called in alphabetical order. Barbara Byse seconded this amendment, which passed by a unanimous vote. Concerning the roll call vote motion, this passed by a unanimous vote.
 
The Secretary had no report.
 
The Treasurer will email the Board her report. She gave the account balances as:
General Fund: $45456.02
Rescue Fund:    $2646.70
Juniors Fund:       $713.01
Show Fund:     $28231.21
Total:                $77046.94
 
The IRS has begun an audit with Lynn Olds of our accounts. The auditor could not open the disc sent by Lynn Olds. No problems were noted by the auditor, and she was supposed to get back with the Treasurer, but has not so far.
Lynn Olds will transfer the bulk of the moneys into interest bearing accounts. She must get signiture cards signed to do this. The money will be transfered into a money market account and be transfered out when we need the money. Lynn Olds said this will not be extra work for her.
 
President's Report
From the surveys sent to Karen Kleinhans, 78% of the respondants are in favor of a dues increase. Fifty percent of those surveyed were in favor of 4 issues a year. Eighty six percent were against a black and white magazine of lower quality. Seventy five percent were against 5 issues of black and white with one color issue. Sixty percent were against 4 black and white issues with one color issue. Forty six percent stated they would remain members without a Barker. Seventy percent of the respondants, the President does not know personally. Eighty five to ninety surveys have been returned. The President is not comfortable with increasing the dues by $l0.00 a year, or by lowering the quality of the magazine a significant amount. Karen Kleinhans has been reviewing the Keeshond magazine and the Bulldog magazine and took them with her to shows in Washington State where she was judging to show them to exhibitors there, and they were well received.  Jo Ann Redditt said that advertising is going down. Karen Kleinhans felt that if we could lower the price of the ads, that more people would advertise. The Bulldogger had the financial statement and their postage statement in the back. Their full page color ads are $l50. The size is Readers Digest size. The pet owners do want not only the articles on health but also the pictures in the ads. The President does not want to increase membership dues.Jim Carter is gathering informaton on these magazines. By the next meeting, Karen Kleinhans will have more surverys in, and by the next meeting we should know what type of magazine we can afford without increasing dues. Karen will send the magazines to Barbara Byse and she will send them on to the next Board member on a list.
 
Committee Reports
There was a sumission fro the Club Presidents' Alliance on the admission of the Ark-La-Tex Club. Areas  of these three states; Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas, are included.  Pat Evetts stated she does not like the name, as Texas has another Club, the Houston Club. Karen Kleinhans will let them know that there are concerns about their name, and have one of their members attend the next Teleconference.
 
The Budget
Marilyn Vinson stated we don't need a budget now, we need one for 2003. Karen Kleinhans has put a lot of work into this one. Pat Evetts asked when we expect the 2003 budget. The President stated in January of 2003 at the latest. Marilyn Vinson asked if Karen Kleinhans would like a committee. Karen Kleinhans replied to the negative, that it would be harder with a committee. Alan Klessig moved, Susan Lauer seconded the motion that we accept the budget as written.
Karen Kleinhans
Jeff Mauk-yes
Susan Lauer-yes
Lynn Olds-yes
Gayle Gold-yes
Dorothy Schuerman-yes
Marilyn Vinson-yes
Barbara Byse-yes
Gail Garrison-yes
Alan Klessig-yes
Pat Evetts-yes
The motion passed unanimously.
 
Nominating Committee
Susan Lauer is the only person suggested  from the Eastern Region, Ann Cookson was the only person suggested from the Central Region, and and from the Western Region, Sue Anderson, Debbie Bachand, and Jan Otterson have volunteered.  Marilyn Vinson said that the first three who offered were Susan Lauer, Ann Cookson, and Sue Anderson. The Board must pick a chairman from these three. Susan Lauer was selected. Marilyn Vinson moved that Jan Otterson and Jerry Doka be the alternates.
Karen Kleinhans
Jeff Mauk-yes
Susan Lauer-yes
Lynn Olds-yes
Gayle Gold-yes
Dorothy Schuerman-yes
Marilyn Vinson-yes
Gail Garrison-yes
Barbara Byse-yes
Alan Klessig-yes
Pat Evetts-yes
The motion passed unanimously.
The offices open are: President, Secretary, Eastern Director, Western Director, Three at Large Director positions, those now held by Alan Klessig, Debby Smith, and Pat Evetts.
 
By Laws-Marilyn Vinson
Marilyn Vinson reported that the pamphlet the AKC is sending out with registration papers on dogs has only one space for a sponsor to sign for the new member. The Board is supposed to vote on all potential new members. Marilyn Vinson will be suggesting a change to have the Board vote on potential new members with only one sponsor. She stated that this is in the By-Laws and that we cannot operate in opposition to the By-Laws. The President stated that Jeff Mauk will continue as he has been doing, and that 6 times a year we will vote on the new members who do not have 2 sponsors. Karen Kleinhans told Marilyn Vinson to get something in writing about associate membership for Karen Kleinhans to have Mr. Sledzik to approve or disapprove. This will improve our possibility of having a quorom at Nationals. It must not affect our tax status.
 
Old Business
Roy Anderson is working with Jeff Mauk concerning computer programs for the membership lists to help with the Web site. Roy Anderson will speak with Tom DiGiacomo.
 
2004 Nationals will come before the Board next month.
 
New Business
The Old english Sheepdog Club of America sent us a request for support to ask the AKC to report in the Awards Book the number entered in each breed in the Group write-up. This will make it easier for Clubs to compute the rankings of dogs shown. Karen Kleinhans will offer our support.
 
Award of Merits at Nationals
There was a discussion of whether Awards of Merit should be given to a maximum of 5 percent of the champions entered or a maximum of l0 percent. The judges on the Board spoke. The percentage at Westminster Kennel Club is l0 percent.
Karen Kleinhans
Jeff Mauk-yes
Susan Lauer-yes
Lynn Olds-yes
Gayle Gold-yes
Dorothy Schuerman-yes
Marilyn Vinson-yes
Gail Garrison-yes
Barbara Byse-yes
Alan Klessig-no
Pat Evetts-yes
The motion passed with one vote against it.
 
Nationals' Traveling Trophies
Currently the Nationals' traveling trophies are shipped in crates that were built specifically for them. Nancy Bergeron now has these trophies in her home. The options are leave them at her house, but she may not go to the next Nationals and if she does, they take up a lot of space; send them to Texas by freight for $400, UPS for $200, but both of these use a conveyer belt, or we can  have her take them to a pack and mail store to be shipped. There are 4, there were 5, but one of the crates is broken. The Board has no idea what the values are. If we estimate $l000.00 some may not be able to be replaced perfectly, but could either be repaired, or another nice trophy bought. Gayle Gold moved, Marilyn Vinson seconded a motion that Nancy take the trophies to a pack and ship store to be shipped, and that they be insured for $l000 per trophy.
Karen Kleinhans
Jeff Mauk-yes
Susan Lauer-yes
Lynn Olds-yes
Gayle Gold-yes
Dorothy Schuerman-yes
Marilyn Vinson-yes
Gail Garrison-yes
Barbara Byse-yes
Alan Klessig-yes
Pat Evetts-yes
The motion passed unanimously.
 
Book of Champions
Pat Evetts asked what it would cost to publish a Champions Book. Jo Ann Redditt remembers that it was very expensive, and we lost a good bit of money. The last one was published in l993. Pat Evetts referred to an AKC title, with the book published once a year. This would not be in the form of ads, but more a history of the breed. This is a big money maker for other breeds, Pat Evetts said. Jo Ann Redditt gave a history of the prior one. The total cost was about $35,400.00 and made only about half of this back. They printed 3ll5 copies. Karen Kleinhans mentioned that William Clark had the same idea about a week ago. He will do the leg work. Pat Evetts says she will work on it with William Clark.
 
Barker Covers
Jo Ann Redditt stated that many Barker covers are not sold, including the inside front cover and inside back cover of the upcoming issue. She asked if she could offer a small discount. Gayle Gold stated that this would be better than having it blank. 20% discount is suggested.  
 
Calendars
Dorothy Schuerman mentioned that the calendars are ready to go to the Clubs having specialties. She will order some for her club's October shows. She is considering ordering 50.
 
Jo Ann Redditt is still accepting donations for the Murph cover. Alan Klessig will donate.
 
Barbara Byse moved, Pat Evetts seconded a motion that we adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at l0:38 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Lauer, Secretary