MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING IN BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
NOVEMBER 9, 2001
 

Determination of Quorum
Delegates were identified and there was a roll call of the delegates.  Forty-five delegates were present which constituted a quorum for the meeting.

Acceptance of Minutes of 2000 Annual Meeting
The minutes of the Annual Meeting held in Ogden, Utah on November 25, 2000 were approved as presented. 

President’s Message
Ben Martin welcomed all of the delegates and noted that Mark Brookshire, the Field Trial Chair would be giving the details regarding the 2001 trial later in the meeting. 

Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report for 2000
The treasurer’s report prepared by Bronwyn Vernau was approved as presented.  Jim Lightfoot asked several questions regarding the funds held in bank accounts for the NESSFTA and the status of any income tax returns.  Mhari Peschel responded that the funds were maintained in two accounts - an interest bearing money market account and an operating account.  The NESSFTA has not filed, nor was it required to file, an income tax return in recent years. 

Election of Officers
Ben Martin reported that the nominating committee had recommended a slate of officers for the upcoming year.  That slate included Roger Dolliff –President, Frank Mackinson—First Vice President,  Don Bramwell—Second Vice President,  Mhari Peschel—Secretary/Treasurer. 

Larry Yost made a motion to put forth an alternative slate  including  Roger Dolliff—President,  Frank Mackinson—First Vice President,  Jim DeVoll—Second Vice President,  Mhari Peschel—Secretary/Treasurer.   Doug Miller seconded that motion. 

Jim DeVoll made a presentation, including a video presentation, in support of having the trial in 2004 in Tekamah, Nebraska.  Jim stated certain reasons why he felt the committee did not select him as a candidate that included not wanting a professional trainer to have the trial in “his own back yard”.   Jim responded to questions regarding airport access, hotel accommodations, cover, weather and likely dates of the trial. 

Tim DeGroff stated that the committee had selected Don Bramwell because they wanted an experienced amateur to handle the trial and that they wanted someone who would be open to reviewing multiple locations and selecting the best one available. 

There was discussion regarding weather and access difficulties in both Tekamah and in Kansas. 

Dominique Savoie stated that the location of the trial was something to be decided by the interclub and that the only thing to be voted on was the selection of officers. 

Dean Reinke stated that the slate of officers was elected for a one-year term and that decisions regarding grounds would likely be discussed each year. 

The original motion put forth by Larry Yost was withdrawn. 

Dean Reinke made a motion putting forth the slate of officers was amended to put forth the slate of Roger Dolliff—President, Frank Mackinson—First Vice President, Mhari Peschel—Secretary Treasurer.  The motion was seconded by Jeff Brooks and this slate that was running unopposed was accepted by acclamation. 

Larry Yost then made a motion to nominate Jim DeVoll as Second Vice President.  The motion was seconded by Doug Miller. 

Ballots were distributed to all delegates and counted by Kevin Martineau,  Eric Adams and Bill Boeckman. 

Jim DeVoll was elected to the position of Second Vice President.

Qualification of Dogs for 2002 National Open

Jim DeVoll moved that the qualification for entry remain at 1 point.  Tim DeGroff seconded the motion. 

There was much discussion  including:
 the need to limit the size of the trial
that it is an honor to run in the National and should be inclusive
perhaps one point for an FC and two points for other dogs
perhaps the points should be weighted depending on the size of the trial
the difficulty of keeping track of weighted points
perhaps the format of the trial should be changed.

Dean Reinke suggested that this was not the time to decide upon the changes and recommended that a committee be appointed to study this issue. 

The motion was carried setting the qualification for entry at one point for 2002.

Member Club Dues for 2002

Dean Reinke moved that dues remain at $75.00 per club for 2002.  The motion was seconded and approved. 

Location and dates of the 2002 National

Roger Dolliff gave a presentation regarding the 2002 National Open which will be held in Redwood Falls, Minnesota beginning November 11, 2002.  The headquarters will be at Jackpot Junction.  The Field Trial Chairman will be Mike Salmon and the Gun Captain will be Kerm Gillund. 

Bob Sansom made a motion that the location be accepted.  Ed Faraci seconded the motion.  The motion carried. 

Entry Fees for the 2002 National Open

Ed Faraci made a motion that the entry fees be reduced to $125.00 in 2002.  Kevin Martineau seconded the motion. 

Dean Reinke suggested that it was premature to reduce the entry fee.  Dominique Savoie suggested that the only reason the 2000 trial was profitable was because of fundraising efforts including gun raffles, silent auction and promotional item sales.  If people want to reduce the entry fee then they should stop asking people for donations.  If you wanted the trial to be self sufficient then the entry fee should be increased significantly. 

A vote was taken and the motion failed. 

Dean Reinke moved that the entry fee remain at $150.00 for 2002.  Russ Verkamp seconded the motion. 

The motion carried. 

Announcement of Judges for the 2002 National Open

Ben Martin announced that the judges elected for the 2002 National Open were Ralph Botti and Jason Givens. 

Other Business

Mhari Peschel reviewed the background of the proposed bylaw revision regarding the timing for the selection of judges for the National Open Championship trial (see attached proposed bylaw change.)  The purpose of the change was to accommodate the early selection of judges and to allow the selection to take place before the annual meeting in light of the possible early trial dates. 

Tim Degroff moved that the proposed by law revision be accepted.  Steve Kane seconded the motion. 

Bill Boeckman suggested the idea of sending a card to all judges and requiring that it be returned in a specified period of time in order for a judge to be included on the list of nominees. 

Mhari Peschel responded that while the concept was a good one the logistics of carrying out this recommendation were very difficult as there were often problems with having all of the correct addresses and occasional delays in mail service. 

Steve Kane called for a vote on the motion. 

The motion was carried. 

Briefing by the 2001 Field Trial Chairman

Mark Brookshire stated that the trial would start at 7:30 a.m. and reviewed directions to the grounds.  He wished all of the participant’s good luck.

Adjournment

Ed Faraci moved that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion was seconded and carried. 
 

Note:  After the meeting Ben Martin appointed a committee to evaluate the issue of changing the point qualification. The committee members are Gary Wilson, Ben Martin, Jason Givens, John Wright and Dominique Savoie.
 

Respectfully submitted, 
 

Mhari Peschel
Secretary