CHINESE SHAR-PEX CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. Teleconference Board Meeting Tuesday, November 10, 1998
Meeting of the Board of Directors held via teleconference call at 8:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. The following members were in attendance: President Jocelyn Barker, Vice President Cathi DiGiacomo, Treasurer Kay Rosenberger and Secretary Georgette Schaefer; Eastern Directors: Romana Arnold, Ann Hickman, Kimberly Philipps; Central Directors: Robert Hall, Jim McFarland, Jo Ann Leistner; Western Director: Dawn Walling (Darlene Wright was available, but the operator did not hook her up to the conference).
President Jocelyn Barker called the meeting to order at 8:14 p.m. Central Standard Time
Therapy Dog Program Bobbi Philipps was unable to give a full report, as she had not heard from all that are involved. President Jocelyn Barker received today a fax from Sherry Munsell regarding comments on the Therapy dog Program. Sherry agrees with many points and has suggestions on others. Marilyn Vinson was pleased with the report and may have a few suggestions. She will be writing a letter to Bobbi and Jocelyn regarding the report. Jocelyn stated that we would probably hear more about the program after the first of the year.
Web Page Cathi DiGiacomo has received a call from a dog food representative inquiring about advertising on our web page. Cathi suggested they get back to us with an offer and then she would present it to the Board. Kay reported the server expense to keep the web page up and running. This is the only expense that the web page has as Tom and Cathi DiGiacomo donate all their work in keeping the web page updated. Ann suggested that we should check out what other web pages charge so that we have an idea what the going rate is. Cathi stated the ad would probably be like a banner across the bottom of the page or direct link to their web page She also told the representative that we could not endorse their product Discussion was made by the Board that the CSPCA could have a disclaimer at the bottom of the page so that there would be no misunderstanding on this issue The Board will discuss this further once we get a price offer
Dog World Advertisements Dog World has requested that we include in our information packet a flyer on their magazine and for every subscription they receive via CSPCA, they would donate money to our Club. Jocelyn wrote a letter back to them on behalf of the Club stating that when they respond to our previous request regarding non-Standard Shar-Pei, we would then consider participating in their program, but at this time we are not interested in their program.
1999 National Specialty Jo Ann Leistner reported that the Superintendent will be Onofrio. The General Meeting and the Judges’ Seminar will be held on Thursday night, May 20, 1999. There was a question about the Futurity and Maturity Judge Cathi said she had spoken to Ann Hickman today and that it had been taken care of. Cathi faxed the information to AKC requesting approval and she also sent Jo Ann Leistner a copy in the mail. Jo Ann wanted to know if there will be an auction for the Charitable Trust this year. Romana said, "Yes ," during the banquet. Jo Ann then asked who would do the announcing at the Specialty. Lee Arnold will do the announcing for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Bob Rosenberger will do the announcing prior to Lee’s arrival. Georgia was concerned that people are requesting information off the web page from her and it costing her considerable amount of money sending these people copies of the forms. Cathi stated that these people can copy the forms directly off the web page themselves, but she should not be concerned as those expenses should be covered under the Show Chairman’s budget. Jo Ann asked if the Club has considered an overdraw for judges if we exceed 200 entries. Discussion was made by the Board and it was decided that we would wait and see if we needed another judge.
Ann Hickman had not heard anything on the money from the entries regarding the Futurity and Maturity of last year’s National Specialty. Kay Rosenberger stated that she has not received anything from the last two Nationals. She has not received a final accounting from the Kansas City Nationals and she has not received any communication from Sherry Munsell. Sherry told Cathi that she is working on tidying up loose ends and that she should have a check to Kay Rosenberger soon by the end of the year. Jocelyn and Kay had offered to close out the show for Kansas City, but they have not heard from them. Jim McFarland said that he would see what he could do to help out.
Lifetime Memberships Cathi DiGiacomo went back through the records to see what members had belonged to the National Club for the longest period of time. There were 10 members who have belonged for twenty years or more Cathi suggested that we do something special to honor those members and that we might consider Lifetime memberships for some. Suggestions made by the Board are to look at each individual and their contributions to the Club. A motion was made by Cathi DiGiacomo and seconded by Jun McFarland that anyone that has been a member for 20 years or more will receive a CSPCA 20 year pin that will be presented at the 1999 National Specialty. Motion passed unanimously. Robert and Cathi will work on a few ideas for the pin and report back to the Board.
A motion was made by Cathi DiGiacomo and seconded by Romana Arnold that a secret ballot for lifetime memberships for members who have 20 or more years standing the Club will be offered a lifetime membership. Contribution to the Club over the 20 years will be a determination of this ballot. The complete results of this written ballot would not be published so as not to embarrass any of the members being considered. Motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Amendments to the Bylaws Jo Ann Leistner suggested that the Board consider changing the number of directors for each region from three down to two. Jo Ann thought that since Alice Pool is unable to fulfill her position as Central Director that this may be a good time to consider this reduction. The Board discussed this in great detail and decided that representation was important for the Club. We must follow our Bylaws and therefore, we will need to replace Alice Pool as Central Director. The Board decided that this issue of reduction of directors will be put to a straw vote at the General Meeting at the Nationals and see what the membership indicates as their preference.
Two members’ names were brought up in regard to censorship of their previous articles. Jocelyn wanted to know if we should go into detail of this type of censorship. The fix regarding "permission slips" from the last meeting was not a good one. The Club’s attorney felt that we should stay with the verbiage on the Guidelines that we currently have on page two of The Barker. There is a perception among some that if you know the right people, you will be protected; if not, you will not be protected. Discussion was made regarding rankings of dogs in advertisements. The Board agrees that Jocelyn will write a letter to the Editor to inform her to receive written proof on advertising of rankings/standings of dogs. If there are any mistakes, there needs to be a retraction/ correction in the next issue.
(Dawn Walling has been connected to the teleconference as she was at work.) Jocelyn filled her in on the discussion on censorship. Many Board members feel that if it is an opinion, it will probably offend someone. An Editor has got to be given the right to edit.
The Board, after having a very long discussion on censorship, felt that taking action at this time would be more limiting than allowing The Barker Editorial Policy to move forward as it has in the past. Our current policy will deal with censorship appropriately
Miscellaneous Information Dawn had asked what the cost of underwriting a page for The Barker is. Cathi said she thought it was about $100.00 per year. It was brought up that the Board members should be supporting The Barker.
Jim McFarland asked the Board what he should do with the Book of Champions that he is currently storing. He has approximately one to two thousand. A motion was made by Cathi DiGiacomo and seconded by Jim McFarland to send 500 copies to the next two Nationals Georgia Alexander and Gail Garrison) and recycle the rest of them. In Favor: Kay Rosenberger, Georgette Schaefer, Cathi DiGiacomo, Jo Ann Leistner, Jim McFarland, Ann Hickman, Dawn Walling, Kim Philipps, Romana Arnold. Opposed: Robert Hall
A motion was made by Cathi DiGiacomo and seconded by Ann Hickman that the teleconference meeting be adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Central Time. The motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Georgette Schaefer, Secretary