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The American Kennel Club AKC CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Ed: Subject bolded for speed readers

August 12, 2002   New York, NY – By now you have heard about the many positive changes that have taken place over the past few years in AKC’s Registration Department. I’m pleased to report that we have entered the final phase of this initiative and expect that all registrations will be processed though this new system by December 2002. This project also includes an upgrade of our computer systems and a total review of registration processing procedures.  The end goal is to provide improved customer service while creating timesaving and cost-cutting efficiencies. The changes to our computer systems include moving Registration records from a standalone mainframe computer to a state-of-the-art database system that is integrated with AKC competition and club records. A change in one system will be automatically reflected in the others. With a single view of such information, we will be able to provide new and exciting online services for fanciers.  In addition, we expect to see a reduction in processing and records errors, and greatly ease the process of resolving errors when they do occur. The redesign of registration forms has also been an integral part of this project. The new forms have been designed to be machine-readable, so that the tedious manual entry of dog and customer information is now handled by computer scanners, increasing both speed and accuracy. As a result, fewer applications will be rejected because of data-entry errors, reducing average turn-around time for litter kits and registration certificates. Significant change is also coming to the AKC’s records archive.  Instead of the traditional microfilm storage, all copies of registration applications and related documents will be stored within the AKC database for quick reference. This permanent document archive will allow registration and customer service personnel to access relevant information in seconds rather than hours or days. While these technical enhancements will improve productivity and customer service, the changes in the department go beyond a new and more efficient computer system. The entire work culture has been reinvented with a focus on empowering employees and streamlining the workflow. For example, the staff has been reorganized into small teams, each of which is made up of operators with varied and complementary knowledge. These changes--a new mission, new tools, and better working conditions--have combined to increase staff morale and foster more collaborative relationships among co-workers. There is a renewed emphasis on professionalism and personal responsibility. During this transition, Registrations staff has successfully provided the same high-quality service to which registrants have long been accustomed. When the changeover is complete, AKC staff will spend less time managing paperwork and more time addressing the special needs of fanciers and pet owners. The improvements in our registration department are just one example of the many ways that the AKC is preparing for the future.  We are becoming more progressive yet remaining grounded in our core mission to serve the fancy and protect the purebred dog. With registration being the heart of our organization, I can’t think of a better department to be a shining example of the new, more modern AKC we are evolving into. Ron Menaker Chairman

August 8, 2002  DAVID FREI JOINS AKC AS DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS 
Kara Grobert Appointed PR Coordinator

The American Kennel Club announced today that David Frei has joined the Communications department as a full-time employee in the position of Director of Media Relations. Frei had previously been working for the AKC as a consultant.

 Frei is well known to the fancy as the longtime on-air commentator for the Westminster Kennel Club telecast on USA Network, and as a 30-year veteran of the sport as a breeder, exhibitor and judge. He will serve as a spokesperson and media contact, developing relationships with both national and local media and encouraging positive coverage of the AKC and the sport of purebred dogs. 

In addition, Kara Grobert has been appointed PR Coordinator.  In her new position, she will support the communications department in all of its programs including the national image campaign, publicity for the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship and the club communication program.  Previously, Grobert was Media Representative at the National Audubon Society. Her work there included planning and implementing media relations for initiatives such as the Great Backyard Bird Count, Christmas Bird Count and Audubon Magazine.

 “David has been a tremendous asset to our department over the past few months. His vast broadcast experience--both behind and in front of the camera--enables us to provide media with a knowledgeable spokesperson to represent the AKC and the fancy,” said Daisy Okas, Assistant Vice President of Communications.  “The additions of David and Kara are two more positive steps for The American Kennel Club.”

August 13, 2002   AKC Sponsors Two Annual AVMA Awards for Canine Research

 The American Kennel Club is proud to announce the recipients of its two annual American Veterinary Medical Association Awards - the $5,000 Career Achievement in Canine Research Award and the $500 Excellence in Canine Research Award. The awards were presented at the AVMA Annual Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee on July 13, 2002. 

 Dr. Rudolf Tass Dueland, recipient of the AKC Career Achievement in Canine Research Award, was recognized for his 30 years of involvement developing creative, innovative treatment strategies for common hip conditions and other orthopedic problems. Dr. Dueland is considered a leader in investigating canine veterinary orthopedics.

 The recipient of the AKC Excellence in Canine Research Award was Dr. Craig Greene. Dr. Greene was recognized for his involvement in areas of research and publication including neurology, blood coagulation disorders, internal medicine, and infectious diseases.

 “The AKC is committed to supporting initiatives that improve the quality of life for dogs, and the Career Achievement and Excellence in Canine Research Awards are symbolic of that.

August 15, 2002   Highlights from the August 2002 Board Meeting

The Board, based upon input received at the June, 2002 Delegate Meeting, voted to schedule the March and June 2004 Delegate Meetings on a Monday, rather than the usual Tuesday. In those months the meetings of the Standing Delegate Committees will be scheduled for the proceeding Sunday.

Effective January 1, 2004, the Board voted that it would interpret Chapter 2, Sections 3, 5, and 6 of the Rules Applying To Dog Shows, to require that a member club hold a show at least once in every two consecutive calendar years at a site within its own show territory in order to retain the sole show privilege in that territory.

The Board directed the AKC President to write to American Airlines, expressing its displeasure and disappointment at the breed-specific shipping ban imposed by that carrier.

The Nominating Committee that is to select candidates for the Board Class of 2007, which are to be filled at the March 2003 Delegate Meeting were elected. They are Don Adams, Chair, Arlene Czech, Linda Flynn, Nancy Perrell, Cindy Vogels with alternates Clare Lincoln and Virginia Van Doren.

The Board adopted the following Hardship Policy concerning innocent third parties involved in circumvention:           

            “Effective January 1, 2003, innocent third parties who purchase dogs from individuals who have acquired registration by circumventing their suspension will not have the registration of their dogs/litters cancelled if the parentage of their dogs is not in question.”

The penalty assessed for refusing to produce dogs and records was amended to make it consistent with the penalty for failing an inspection as follows

Mitigated – 5 years/$1,000         Standard – 10 years/$2,000      Aggravated - Life/$3,000 

The Board approved a number of amendments to Chapter 11, Sections 4 and 6 of the Rules Applying to Dog Shows effecting what must be included on an entry form and when and for what reason an entry may be changed. These amendments will be read at the September 2002 Delegate Meeting and VOTED on in December, 2002.

The following Delegates were approved: Mr. William S. Geshwiler to represent the Nashville Kennel Club, Inc.; Ms. Kathleen Mae Nuzenski to represent the Galveston County Kennel Club, Inc.; Ms. Kerstin Thell Ottmar to represent the Providence County Kennel Club, Inc.; Mr. Frank Pupek to represent the Bulldog Club of New England, Inc.; Ms. Janet Saporito to represent the Del-Otse-Nango Kennel Club, Inc.

August 15 AKC CALLS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES TO RECONSIDER BREED BAN

The American Kennel Club is publicly calling on American Airlines to reconsider their newly announced policy prohibiting the shipment of Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers and any mixed-breeds containing one or more of these breeds.

The AKC believes this policy will unfairly punish many responsible dog owners and strongly opposes any policy that determines a dog to be "dangerous" based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs. There is broad agreement among canine experts that aggressive or dangerous behavior is not breed specific, and can not effectively be predicted or controlled by breed specific regulations. Breed specific dangerous dog regulation is opposed not only by the AKC, but by such organizations as the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal Control Association, the National Animal Interest Alliance and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The AKC advocates that a dog's behavior, and not its breed, should determine whether it is accepted for air shipment.

The incident that gave rise to American’s policy was apparently a kennel failure incident.  Any dog unaccustomed to confinement in a crate, and to air travel, might panic when crated in an aircraft cargo hold, and try to escape. If the kennel fails under such circumstances, any dog of significant size could do damage and create a safety hazard.

“This is an incident that could have occurred with any breed of dog, and is more of an issue of making sure the dog is in an appropriate traveling crate than it is about the breed of the dog,” said Noreen Baxter, VP of AKC’s Public Education and Canine Legislation division. “We want to collaborate with American on an effective solution that does not adversely affect their customers.”

The AKC believes that the appropriate response to this incident, for all breeds, is for American to upgrade its specifications for kennel construction and door closures. AKC has offered to consult with and assist American Airlines to identify existing products that are acceptable and to develop new secure kennel specifications.  Further, if appropriate new kennel standards are developed, the AKC would be willing to advocate the adoption of these standards by the United States Department of Agriculture, the FAA and/or other appropriate federal agencies, for shipment of dogs on all carriers.

 A letter from AKC President and CEO Al Cheauré to American Airlines outlining the AKC’s suggestions and offers for assistance is posted at www.akc.org.

August 16  AKC Reorganizes to Maximize Efficiencies and Expand Resources

The American Kennel Club announced effective today a number of key organizational changes intended to maximize efficiencies, streamline internal operations, and expand resources among departments. 

The first change is the establishment of a new Operations group under the leadership of Vice President Chuck Musciano. The new group will immediately incorporate Information Services (headed by newly promoted Assistant Vice President (AVP) Jim Etheridge), Show Operations (headed by AVP Barbara Schwartz) and the plans and records staff of the Performance Events and Companion Events divisions.  It also includes the Support Services department (headed by Director Kirby Dennis). The Operations group will eliminate inefficiencies, facilitate cross training and emphasize the interdependence of various event departments, information services, including the AKC website, and support services, including fulfillment and printing.

The second change involves shifting the Human Resources (HR) division under the CFO’s organization, combining the efforts and resources of CFO Jim Stevens and AVP HR Vicki Rees.  In addition, a new division, Corporate Training & Development, has been formed within the HR division.  Headed by newly promoted AVP Mari-Beth O’Neill, the Corporate Training & Development division encompasses Judges Education, the Junior Program, and Corporate Learning and Development.  In her new role, O’Neill reports to Rees.  By bringing these areas together into one division, the AKC will realize consistency in the programs and materials being developed for both internal and external training.

Finally, the AKC Archivist/Historian and the Library will be incorporated into the Special Programs division, headed by AVP Linda More. The move will coordinate AKC’s efforts in the retention and preservation of materials detailing the past and present history of the AKC, its events and clubs, and of purebred dogs.

“These organizational changes will eliminate redundancies and emphasize cross training between the various event plan groups,” said Al Cheauré, president and CEO of the AKC.  “In addition, these changes allow us to recognize and strengthen the role of some of our key executives.”

August 19, 2002   AKC Unveils Four DOGNY Dogs on NBC’s Today Show

  The American Kennel Club today announced the unveiling of four dogs from its DOGNY public art project on NBC’s Today Show with Matt Lauer on Friday.  AKC spokesperson David Frei appeared on the morning show to introduce four of the artists and their newly-designed dogs.

Artists displaying their work included Cecelia Holmes (sculpture sponsored by The Iams Company), Charles Fazzino (sponsored by Mickey and Linda Low), Roy Rivera (sponsored by the Hartz Mountain Corp.), Lucia Yee Lupitz (sponsored by Polo Ralph Lauren).

Earlier Friday, Frei also appeared on NBC’s Today in New York, along with artist Rob Burns, to discuss Burns’ creative vision and display his artwork (sponsored by The Iams Company and A&P).

“We are pleased with the tremendous response to the DOGNY public art project,” said Al Cheauré, president and CEO, AKC. “We hope in the weeks to come, as statues are unveiled around the city, that additional sponsors, such as Iams, Hartz and FedEx, will participate in this exciting and important initiative.“

These sculptures, as well as more than one hundred other dogs, will be on display in New York City through November, marking the one-year anniversary of September 11th, before being sold at auction in December at Sotheby’s and on Sotheby’s.com. All net proceeds to go to volunteer and professional Search and Rescue organizations across the United States through The American Kennel Club (AKC) Companion Animal Recovery Corporation Canine Support and Relief Fund, an established 501 (C)(3) charity.

For DOGNY sponsorship opportunities, please contact The American Kennel Club toll-free at 1-866-DOGNY-911 or visit the official website at www.DOGNY.org.

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