AKC REPORT, COMMENT & HIGHLIGHTS

AKC Board Of Directors Meeting Apr. 12 -13, 2010, Highlights and Comments
AKC no longer furnishes "highlights" but we thought it was a good idea so we present the following:

• There was an EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss personnel matters. It was reported that the Executive Officers were re-elected:  Dennis B. Sprung President and Chief Executive Officer, John J. Lyons Chief Operating Officer, James T. Stevens Chief Financial Officer, James P. Crowley Executive Secretary

• Board Committee and Delegate Committee Liaisons
  The Chairman has appointed the following Board Committees and Delegate Committee Liaisons for 2010-2011 .There are four Standing Board Committees as indicated. The Chair and Vice Chair are ex-officio members of all Board Committees. In the case of Delegate Committees, two Directors have been assigned as liaisons to each. This is to facilitate coverage in case of absence and with overlapping committee meetings.  BOARD COMMITTEES ARE:
  APPEALS: Dr. William R. Newman, Chair Lee Arnold Patricia Scully
  AUDIT: Dr. Robert D. Smith, Chair Dr. Patricia H. Haines Alan Kalter
  PENSION: Kenneth A. Marden, Chair Carl C. Ashby III Dr. J. Charles Garvin
  COMPENSATION: Ronald H. Menaker, Chair Dr. Thomas M. Davies, Vice Chair Kenneth A. Marden
  BOARD LIAISONS ARE:
  Coordinating - Dr. Thomas Davies and Dennis B. Sprung
  Delegate Advocacy and Advancement - Dr. Robert D. Smith and Dr. J. Charles Garvin
  All-Breed Clubs -Patti L. Strand and Carl C. Ashby III
  Bylaws - Alan Kalter and Dr. Patricia H. Haines
  Canine Health - Dr. William R. Newman and Lee Arnold
  Dog Show Rules - Walter F. Goodman and Dr. Robert D. Smith
  Field Trial and Hunting Tests - Kenneth A. Marden and Patricia Scully
  Herding, Earthdog, and Coursing Events - Patricia Scully and Kenneth A. Marden
  Obedience, Tracking, and Agility - Dr. William Newman and Carl C. Ashby III
  Parent Clubs - Dr. Patricia H. Haines and Alan Kalter
  *NOTE* The AKC Board Chairman and Vice Chairman are ex-officio members of all Board Committees.

• AKC Canine Partners Program
  Doug Ljungren, Penny Leigh, and Barb Ohmann AKC staff, participated in this portion of the meeting via video conference. Staff provided a status report on the Canine Partners program. In the first two weekends when Canine Partners were permitted to compete there were a total of 147 AKC Companion Events where they were eligible to enter. There was a total of 1,110 mixed-breed entries. More than 2,000 events have already been approved in which mixed breeds are welcome to participate.

• Resolutions - "condensed"
  Following a motion by Dr. Newman, seconded by Dr. Davies, the Board VOTED (unanimously) to adopt the following resolutions:  Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia & Nina Schaefer - NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, that the Directors of The American Kennel Club extend to them their most sincere best wishes for the years ahead and their deep appreciation for their past and continuing dedicated service to The American Kennel Club.

• Article VII, Section 1 of Charter and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
  The Board reviewed and discussed a proposal from the Delegate Bylaws Committee, to amend Article VII, Section 1 of the Bylaws to eliminate Board term limits. The Bylaws Committee proposes deletion of the third paragraph of ARTICLE VII, SECTION I of The Charter and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club, Inc which reads as follows:
  No person shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms on the Board. A Board member who has served more than half a term on the Board is considered to have served a full term. This section does not preclude reelection of any delegate to the Board of Directors after a one year (or greater) hiatus from Directorship.  Following a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Scully, it was VOTED (affirmative: Dr. Smith, Ms. Scully, Mr. Menaker, Mrs. Strand, Mr. Kalter, Dr. Haines, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Newman, Mr. Marden, Mr. Arnold, Dr. Davies; opposed: Dr. Garvin, Mr. Ashby) to approve this amendment. AKC staff was directed to prepare a statement outlining the position of the overwhelming majority of the Board.

• AKC Discipline Guidelines
  The Board reviewed a staff proposed guideline for inclusion in AKC Discipline Guidelines – IV Violation of AKC Rules/Regulations or Club Regulations. If approved, the new guideline would read:
  IV. Violation of AKC Rules/Regulations or Club Regulations (Event Suspension) m. Entering/exhibiting dog that the entrant knew or should have known is ineligible to compete in the event
  MITIGATED     STANDARD          AGGRAVATED
  Rep/$200      1 year /$1000      5 year/$5000
  Following a motion by Mr. Ashby, seconded by Mr. Arnold, it was VOTED (unanimously) to consider the matter at this meeting, waiving the usual notice requirement. Following a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Arnold, it was VOTED (unanimously) to approve the above guideline, eff. immediately.

• Changes to Canine Legislation Policy Position Statements
  Sheila Goffe, AKC Staff, was present for this discussion via video conference. There was a preliminary review of current AKC Policy Position Statements. There was a consensus that these statements were generally in need of being updated and modified. Staff was directed to bring the complete compilation of policy statements with proposed changes for the Board to consider in May.

• AKC PAC
  Dr. Newman, the Chairman of the AKC PAC reported on the PAC’s need for additional funds as well as possible fund-raising initiatives.

• Planning Session
  The Board considered the possibility of extending a future Board meeting by an additional day in order to hold a Planning Session. Board members were to advise the Chairman of their availability.

• CONFORMATION
  Great Dane Club of America Breed Standard - There was a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Ms. Scully, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to allow the Great Dane Club of America to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Forequarters and Harlequin Color Description sections of the breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws.
  Pomeranian Club of America Breed Standard - There was a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Mr. Arnold, and it was VOTED (unanimously) to allow the Pomeranian Club of America to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Pomeranian breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws.