M&P Winter 2024

Delegate Report Karen Dorn

• Vice President Sandra Wolfskill – who also serves as the Chair of the DDTCA Policy Committee – reported that the Policy Committee had been working very hard for several weeks, and meeting often to review and to make important revisions to the Club’s Policies. Members serving on the Policy Committee include Sandra Wolfskill (Chair), Barbara Baese, Richard Yoho, Diane Hanowitz, Karen Dorn, Earl Hunt, and Trisha L. Smith. Ms. Wolfskill also advised that the Policy Committee decided to recommend nine (9) DDTCA Regions (expanding from five [5] Regions) to help promote regional activity in exhibiting, education, and sociability, and to provide better opportunities for people within a Region to be closer geographically for networking and events. The Board agreed to add the Committee’s proposed nine (9) DDTCA Regions to the November 2023 Board Meeting Agenda for discussion and consideration. November 2023 • The Board voted unanimously to adopt the nine (9) DDTCA Regions recommended by the Policy Committee to help promote regional activity in exhibiting, education, and sociability, and to provide better opportunities for people within a Region to be closer geographically for networking and events. These Regions are an informal part of the national club structure, not “affiliate clubs.” The nine (9) DDTCA Regions are: Region 1: NY, NH, MA, RI, CT, VT, PEI, NEW B Region 2: PA, MD, NJ, DE Region 3: OH, MI, W VA, IN, ONT Region 4: NC, VA, TN, KY, SC Region 5: FL, GA, AL, MS Region 6: MO, IL, IOWA, NB, MN, WI, SD, ND, KS Region 7: TX, NM, CO, HI, OK, LA, AR Region 8: WA, OR, ID, ALB, BC, AK, MT, WY Region 9: CA, AZ, NV, UTAH • The Board voted unanimously to approve AKC’s changes to the brochure that AKC sends to newly registered Dandie Dinmont Terrier owners. December 2023 • The Board voted unanimously to approve and adopt the Policy Committee’s proposed Electronic Balloting for Members language for inclusion in the Policy Manual as new Section XI. • The Board voted unanimously to approve and adopt the Policy Committee’s proposed Electronic Authorization Form for inclusion in the Policy Manual’s Appendix. • The Board voted unanimously to approve and adopt the proposed New DDTCA Policy Manual and Appendix as prepared and submitted to the Board by the Policy Committee.

I am now ending my 16th year as the DDTCA delegate. I have enjoyed the position immensely and I thank the board for my reappointment these many years. I feel like a younger person should take over, so I have resigned. I have learned so much about the many parent clubs involved in the AKC. I have seen the work AKC has done in providing over 50 disaster trailers for the pets in our nation. Reunite has been there with financial help during all the disasters in our nation. The Canine Health Foundation has supported research that has helped all of our dogs. The humane fund has supported shelters for abused women that will allow pets. They are the dogs’ champion! I have met many new friends from all over the country and found the AKC staff members ready to help. Thank you for allowing me this learning experience. I wish a wonderful new year to all of you. Starting on July 3 of this year, the rule of Reserve Winners Dog or Bitch getting a thre-point major if the entry in their sex is twice the number needed for a five-point major in the region where the show is held will be extended to specialty shows. This may help the larger entries of dogs with specialty clubs all over our nation. But it could be helpful for some of our low entry breeds, too. In one specialty we just missed it by one dog. Let’s bring out our puppies of all ages, and those dogs not finished due to COVID. We just need 12 of the same sex in the classes to do it. In March, your delegate will be voting for three AKC board members. The four people running for three seats are Dr. Michael Knight, Dallas Kennel Club; Dr. Carmen Battalia, German Shepherd Dog Club of America; Sally Fineburg, Hatboro Dog Club Inc.; and Laurie Maulucci, South Windsouk Kennel Club. The plans for the AKC Purebred Preservation Bank are going forward. Forms for donations are being made. Saving semen from our low-entry breeds is very valuable as it is for all breeds. Often the family members of dog fanciers do not realize the value for the future of the breeds. Many precious vials of semen are dumped each year due to nonpayment of storage fees. Giving to AKC Political Action Committee (PAC) is important to keep people in office that are pro-pet owners. The animal rights groups would keep breeders from producing our darling Dandies. Each PAC donation must be from an individual. With all of our dog lovers, that could really add up. We have our rights, too. When alerted by the AKC government relations department, please respond by contacting your senator or congressman.

Mustard & Pepper

4

Winter 2023