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April 10th, 2006
Mr. Ronald Menaker, Chairman
Mr. Dennis Sprung, President
All AKC Board Members
The American Kennel Club
260 Madison Ave. 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Subject: Consideration by the AKC Board to
Limit AKC Judges to Judging AKC Shows Only
Dear Ron, Dennis and All Board Members:
It has just come
to our attention that the subject of limiting AKC judges to judging
AKC events only may be discussed at the April 11th, 2006
AKC Board meeting. This subject was discussed during the rumor
stages at SCJA’s Annual General Meeting in Louisville, KY last
month; now that it has been fairly well confirmed, it was decided by
the SCJA Executive Board Committee that the SCJA voice our strong
objection to this unbelievable consideration by the AKC Board.
First of all,
each and every AKC Board member is aware of Article IX of AKC’s
Charter, Constitution and Bylaws which gives the AKC Board of
Directors the general management of the business and affairs of the
American Kennel Club; however, it clearly states “that all the
powers conferred by this Article of the Bylaws shall be exercised
subject to all other provisions of these Bylaws” and equally
important “and to the statutes of the State of New York and all
amendments thereof and additions thereto”.
A good many of
you have indicated to the SCJA in writing that you agree you must
abide by the above. First, we would suggest each of you personally
assure yourself that the New York statutes allow for the exceptions
to federal law concerning the interference with intrastate commerce
as well as any restraint of trade.
In addition,
AKC’s RULES APPLYING TO DOG SHOWS CHAPTER 7 JUDGES SECTION
1 “Any reputable person who is in good standing with the American
Kennel Club may apply for approval to judge any AKC recognized breed
or breeds of purebred dogs, which in his or her opinion he or she is
qualified by training and experience to pass upon, with the
following exceptions:” … Nowhere does it say that anyone
judging for any other organization cannot apply to judge. One
could easily assume on the face of it that none of our AKC judges
could judge for Canada or any other foreign registry to say nothing
of some of the rare breed registries here in the states. We would
also assume that you would prevent anyone other than AKC judges to
judge AKC shows. No more foreign judges! Perhaps if this policy
is adopted, you are planning for a long list of exceptions. A
question you should ask yourselves, “Where do the individuals gather
their experience on the rare breeds that the AKC has approved in
greater numbers than ever before?”
This proposed
policy would not have the significant ramifications for the
multiple-Group judges, but we ask you to think of the newer judges
just getting started that might judge two or three shows a year.
Where on earth is he or she going to get their practice judging
dogs? If the AKC really had the best interest of the sport and in
an individual becoming a better judge, you should encourage them to
judge as often as possible. On the other hand, if the AKC Board is
just concerned with furthering its dominance over the dog world and
becoming even more dominant, then of course you are on the right
track, or perhaps this might be the proverbial straw that broke the
camel’s back.
Perhaps the AKC
is concerned about competition? Everyone agrees the American Kennel
Club is the preeminent force in the sport today and is an old and
venerable organization with little real competition. In the event
you are concerned with maintaining your dominance, you should not
entertain the use of heavy-handed or possible illegal tactics to
achieve this goal. For once, why doesn’t the AKC Board have some
consideration for their judges and look at it from their point of
view. We have an AKC Board member on record as saying that the
judges should be treated like employees and the President going a
step further saying the judges should be treated as family. Now is
an excellent time to apply this philosophy. Doesn’t the AKC Board
have enough real problems to solve without opening up another can of
worms?
The SCJA
strongly recommends this subject be squelched before it receives any
serious consideration. We have been told that the thought behind it
was that the AKC is spending so much money on judges’ education that
they feel like they are educating the judges for the other
organizations. The AKC is spending money? Have you folks any
idea of the money the judges spend in educating
themselves to meet the ever-increasing requirements for judging
approval?
We were asked
over a year ago by AKC’s President if the SCJA would be willing to
assume more responsibility and programs for judges’ education. He
stressed that it was just being contemplated without any firm
decision. Nonetheless, AKC did abolish the judges education
department, and the SCJA Board agreed to double the number of
Institutes that our sister organization, the American Canine
Education Foundation (ACEF), puts on. But the SCJA learned a few
months ago that AKC’s judges department will now assume that
additional role. We have a separate letter on the subject of a
Basic Course for judges; however, the subject of this letter
(restriction on AKC judges) came up on such short notice that it had
to take priority and be sent out in a timely manner in order for you
to receive a copy before you leave New York.
You will be
hearing separately from us concerning a Basic Course for judges
which the ACEF has been conducting and refining for the past
nineteen years. Up until now, all of the AKC requirements listed
for judging approval have been based on what is needed to obtain
additional breeds. Nowhere have any requirements and credit been
established to learn the basics. Our letter will cover this.
Sincerely,
Wallace H. Pedé
Chief Executive Officer
WHP/kms
SCJA: Dedicated to serving for the good of all associated with the dog world.
Handy links:
SCJA Cites AKC Charter/Bylaws re Delegate Duties June 2006
Delegates have "sole power" to make the Rules!
Not the AKC Board.
Senior Conf. Judges Assoc. Letter to the AKC Board April 2006
Individual Rights or AKC's Right to
Change The Rules in Mid-Game?
AKC
Conflict Of Interest Policy May 2006
The Policy That Launched A Rebellion
Senior Conf. Judges Assoc.
Letter To Members
No Judges' Associations Were Contacted, SCJA
Reacts, Seeks Input
Conflict Policy
Prohibits Learning New Breeds May 2006
Where Are Judges To Learn About
Plott Hounds and Icelandic Dogs?
____________________________________________________
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