General Membership Meeting of the Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America, Inc.

September 30, 2009

Sheraton Four Points Hotel

Denver, Colorado

The Annual General Membership Meeting was called to order by President Grace Fritz at 7:10 pm.  President Fritz welcomed everyone and introduced members of the Board of Directors.  Secretary Pro-tempore will be Jocelyn Barker.  It was announced that copies of the  agenda for the meeting are on the table at the back of the room.  There are no unapproved minutes of a general membership meeting.

The President thanked everyone who is attending the National Specialty and noted that everyone realizes that the cost to do so is significant.   A special thank you to members who are working at the show was extended on behalf of everyone. 

The Eukanuba Show in Long Beach will be supported by the CSPCA and Conformation and Companion events medals will be provided.  The CSPCA encourages all members to support this show.

The Express Newsletter for the CSPCA was started about a year ago.  It provides current information to members and is available on the CSPCA website.

The CSPCA Rescue Trust has calendars for sale.  Members are encouraged to buy early and often!  The calendars are $10 each or 3 for $25.  They feature artwork by David King and also significant dates in the world of Chinese Shar-Pei.  The artwork in the calendar will be the theme for the 2010 Nationals trophies.

There will be a hearing held after the conclusion of the committee reports.  Only CSPCA members will attend that meeting.

There was no report from the CSPCA Secretary. 

The Report of the Treasurer was given by Marilyn Currey.  Printed copies of the financial statements for the CSPCA are available at this meeting.  Any member with questions concerning the financial position of the CSPCA should speak with Marilyn.  Currently the club has approximately two hundred thousand dollars on hand.  The report will appear in The Barker.

ADOA Representative’s report will be in The Barker.

 AKC Breeder Referral – no report

Agility/Performance Committee  - no report

AKC Delegate – no report

AKC Judges Education Committee  - no report

Awards Chairman – no report

CHIC Committee reports that six Shar-Pei were enrolled this year.  The committee encourages all members to participate. 

CSPCA Charitable Trust report was given by Lee Arnold, Chairman.  The CSPCA currently has $3300 in the AKC Donor Advised Fund.  The Trust also has $130059.46 available. 

Ethics Committee Chairman Alan Klessig reported that Larry Harvey and Pat Roach have been added to the committee.

DNA Committee Co-Chairman Grace Fritz reported that Terry Faulkner will be available to do blood draws during the show and encouraged members to take advantage of this opportunity.

Health Committee Chairman Jeff Vidt reported that a new mast cell cancer drug is now available through oncologists and internal medicine specialists.  This drug is available due to our cub and member support through the Charitable Trust.  The committee encourages members to continue donations to the Trust.

Futurity/Maturity Program Treasurer Kay Rosenberger reported that financials for the program are available on the back table.  The staff would like to thank breeders for their continued support of the program.  Members may now pay for Futurity/Maturity nominations by using Paypal.  The staff will be emailing ballots to participants for the selection of 2011 F/M Judge.

The Barker report was given by Sandy Woodall and Alan Klessig, Members are encouraged to submit stories suitable for publication.  They would like to thank the membership for continued support of The Barker and are excited the new printer’s rates have allowed the price of ads to drop by 25%.

Health Testing is available from Terry Faulkner who asked that members arrange appointments in advance.  The prices for the OFA patella and thyroid tests include the fee for submission and are done at cost.  If you have any questions please stop by her booth.  She has all health forms available for members to pick up.

Custodial Historian – no report

Junior Advisor Lisa Myers was introduced.  The junior members have had a handling seminar and had dinner together this evening prior to attending this meeting.  There will be another handling seminar on Friday and David Williams will be in charge.

Longevity Committee Chairman Bobbi Libman reported that the program is on track.  She encourages members to submit their information for a certificate.

Membership Secretary Harry Roach gave a report on his assumption of the duties.  He reminded the membership of the process for becoming a member, completion of the form, consideration by the Board of Directors and a vote on each member.  When the process is complete you are assigned a start date which will determine when you need to renew your membership.  If you do not pay the next year’s dues with in thirty days of the last day of membership you will be considered a lapsed member.  If a member pays dues with ninety days they will be allowed to continue as a member without having to go through the entire application process again.  You will however get a new start date.  Harry does maintain the data base on two computers in case there should be a problem with one of the machines.  Harry reminded the membership that the membership data base has been computerized for sometime but it is not possible to back and change data from past years.

National Specialty Coordinator Karen Burgess thanked all attendees and workers.  The Chief Ring Steward Cate Stewart also thanked the many members who volunteered to work as stewards. 

National Judges Nomination Ballot will be due by Friday evening.  The ballots are at Marilyn Currey’s booth.  Please see her to pick up a ballot and cast your vote.

The Policy and Procedures Manual is being maintained by Bob Rosenberger.  It is on the CSPCA website.

Presidents’ Alliance for presidents of local CSP clubs will be meeting thirty minutes after the end of judging on Friday.

Public Education Committee members Alice Fix and Deanna Harvey gave a report of the recent activities their committee has undertaken.  CSPCA member Debbie Johnson has provided artwork for a Shar-Pei coloring book.  They plan to use this item at Meet the Breed activities and similar events.  The Board will have to approve the design prior to the book being made available. 

Regional Specialty Coordinator – no report

Register of Merit awards for five Shar-Pei will be presented at the Awards Banquet according to Pat Evetts who is the coordinator for this program.

CSPCA Rescue Trust – no report

Standard Committee Chairman Judy Dorough reported that a number of publications to the judging community will carry an article concerning color in Shar-Pei and a description of proper ears.  After discussion about issues concerning the tongue color in dilutes and under certain conditions it was determined that a future article will discuss these issues.

Therapy Dogs Coordinator Marilyn Vinson reported there a couple of new therapy Shar-Pei this year.  Approximately twenty dogs and fourteen handlers are doing therapy work.  Therapy work helps to establish Shar-Pei as gentle dogs who work well with the ill and frail.

Hall of Fame.  This program to recognize the first, best, oldest, youngest, biggest, smallest Shar-Pei to accomplish any number of things is on display in the back of the room.  It will soon appear on the club website.

Top Dog and Top veteran standings are publish on the club website under “Recognition”.

Versatilty is being coordinated by Paula Perry.

Harry Roach announced he has additional Regional Specialty Show catalogues available if anyone would like one.

Members of the CSPCA including members of the Board of Director were reminded to sign in on one of the forms.

A Special Committee report will follow and only lifetime, individual and family members may attend.  Junior, Foreign and Associate members will need to leave the meeting at this time. 

The membership met in closed session.

At the conclusion of the closed session there remained a few items of business.

The membership was encouraged to participate in the final thirty minutes of bidding on silent auction items in the Raffle Room

A Minutes Review committee was appointed with one member from each region.

East: Amanda Bauer

Central: Terry Faulkner

West: Janine Rodriguez

There were no items of New Business.

A motion for adjournment was made by Pam Burns and seconded by Georgette Schaefer.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted: Jocelyn Barker, Secretary Pro-Tempore