AKC REPORT, COMMENT & HIGHLIGHTS

AKC Board Of Directors Meeting May 10 -11, 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 sensitive business matters. Nothing was reported
  out of Executive Session.

• Computer Re-Engineering
  Charles Kneifel, AKC Staff, gave an update on the project to update the Competition
  Management Systems at the AKC.  His presentation gave an overview of the agile development process that will be used in this project. He also covered the extensive, planned use of open source software and how that software was chosen. This is part of  a long term project to improve service and reduce costs for AKC, its clubs and exhibitors. Further updates will be presented to the board in July..

• 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.

• FINANCIAL REPORT
  James Stevens, AKC Staff, participated in this portion of the meeting.  Total revenues of $4.6 million in the month of April 2010 were 5% lower than the prior year. Total monthly operating expenses of $4.8 million were 1% below 2009. This resulted in an operating deficit of $192,000 for the month. A strong performance of the stock market during the month produced an investment gain of $1.5 million. This trailed the gain of $1.7 million in April of last year..

• Board Planning Session
  The Board discussed an agenda for a planning session that is to be held in August 2010. The
  subjects to be considered are:
  • Registration Trends and Implications.  • Clubs, Events, and Entries. • AKC Governance, e.g., review of New York State not-for-profit law, AKC Bylaws and the current structure and procedures to determine if they best meet the needs of the organization in the 21st Century. • Judging Approval: discussion of the current policy and procedures.

• Breeds Eligible for Miscellaneous
  Following a motion by Dr. Davies, seconded by Mrs. Strand, the Board VOTED (unanimously, absent Mr. Marden) to approve the following breeds to advance to the Miscellaneous Class effective January 1, 2011; Argentine Dogo, Boerboel, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, Pumi, Sloughi, and Wirehaired Vizsla.

• ARTICLE VII, Section 1 of Charter and Bylaws of The American Kennel Club, Inc.
  The Board reviewed a statement prepared by staff outlining the Board’s rationale for eliminating term limits. This information is attached to these minutes and will be sent to the Delegate Body for its consideration with the proposed Bylaw Amendment.

• Opening Dalmatian Stud Book
  The Board discussed the issue of the possible registration of descendents of a Dalmatian/Pointer Cross. This matter will continue to be discussed at future meetings and further information will be sought from the Dalmatian Club of America.

• FSS Guidelines
  The Staff presented the final version of the revised AKC Foundation Stock Guidelines as approved at the February 2010 meeting. These guidelines have been posted on the AKC website.

• FSS Enrollment Figures
  Staff presented a history of the number of FSS dogs and litters enrolled in 2009.  During 2009 AKC enrolled 4,968 dogs and 1,039 litters.

• Acceptance into the FSS Program Drentsche Patrijshond & German Longhaired Pointer
  The Staff advised the Board that the Foundation Stock Service (FSS) Committee recently approved a petition for the Drentsche Patrijshond & German Longhaired Pointer to be accepted into the FSS program.

• CONFORMATION
  American Foxhound Breed Standard
  There was a motion by Dr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Goodman, and it was VOTED (unanimously; absent Mr. Marden) to allow the American Foxhound Club, Inc. to ballot its membership on proposed revisions to the Height section of the breed standard in accordance with the club’s Constitution and Bylaws.

• Breed Standard Revisions; L?wchen & Tibetan Spaniel
  The Board VOTED to approve the changes to the Lowchen & Tibetan Spaniel breed standard which were approved by the members of their respective Clubs. The breed standard will be published as approved in the Secretary’s Page of the AKC Gazette with an effective date of July 28, 2010

• Deaf Dogs Competing in Agility Events
  The Board discussed the possibility of permitting deaf dogs to compete in Agility Events.  This discussion will continue at the July 2010 meeting.

• Conformation Judges Annual Fee
  In light of declining registration revenues and the commitment to maintain the preeminence of our Conformation Sport, the Board reviewed the sustainability of the financial subsidies AKC makes to support the events area annually. Fees assessed clubs and exhibitors had previously reduced the subsidy by almost 30% to approximately ten million dollars each year.  Approximately 2.3 million dollars of that subsidy relates to the Conformation Judging Operations area. The Board considered a staff proposal to institute an annual judges’ fee, which would be phased in over two years, to reduce this Judging Operations subsidy by 20% in 2011 and 30% in 2012, while preserving the same level of service to the Sport. As the AKC Bylaws prohibit Delegates from charging a judges’ fee, Delegate Conformation judges will not be required to pay this fee. Also, Junior Showmanship only judges would not pay a fee.  There was a motion by Mr. Kalter, seconded by Mr. Arnold, and it was VOTED (affirmative: Mr. Arnold, Mr. Ashby, Dr. Garvin, Mr. Goodman, Dr. Haines, Mr. Kalter, Mr. Menaker, Dr. Newman, Ms. Scully, Dr. Smith; Mrs. Strand; abstained; Dr. Davies, absent Mr. Marden) to approve the implementation of an annual fee for Conformation Judges effective January 1, 2011. The fee structure will be forwarded to all judges.

• Judging Approval
  Following discussion, the Chairman reported that he was appointing a committee to review the current judging approval system to see if any improvements could be made. The committee members are: Dr. Robert Smith, Chair; Darrell Hayes; Dr. Thomas Davies; Robert Forsyth; Edd Bivin; Jim Corbett; James W. Smith; and Roz Kramer.

• Deceased Judges:  Mr. William J. Bailey; Mr. Farnandeze “Wes” S. Cartwright; Mr. B. Nolan Dale; Mr. Alexander F. Draper; Mr. D. Roy Holloway; Mr. Dennis J. Kniola; Mr. Forrest W. McCoy; Mr. Thomas L. McPheron; Mr. Joseph Mecera; Mr. Robert J. Moore; Mrs. Rose H. Quigley; Lt. Col. Charles W. Ruppert; Mr. Robert M. VanWinkle; Mr. Richard F. Whalen; Mr. Darol L. White