DELEGATE’S REPORT, February, 2008

 By Connie Vanacore

            It has been a privilege to serve ISCA members as your Delegate since 1997.  Thank you for selecting me in December to continue in this service to our breed.  I am grateful that I will have the opportunity to continue to work with you for the benefit of the Irish Setter Club of America.

            We are an extraordinary group unified by a deep love for our Irish Setters.  We help those in need through our Foundation. We support research into genetic diseases affecting our breed. We host first rate events: our National Specialties, Field Trial and Hunt Tests. We put on seminars, judges’ education and health clinics. Our Juniors program is exemplary. Our scholarships benefit worthy students.

            Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of how much we have in common and how much all of the members of ISCA contribute to keep our club moving forward.

            Just as we take the necessary steps to advance and protect our breed, the American Kennel Club takes positive measures to energize its future and to further its mission.  Working to advance the cause of the purebred dog in society, AKC has recently launched three new initiatives.  First:  The new AKC Political Action Committee will seek to guide and inform legislators on the state and federal levels.  Its fund will be highly regulated and open only to member clubs of AKC.  Individuals may contribute to this fund only if and when they are clearly identified and their donations are made by and through the club members.  No outside solicitations and donations are permitted.

            Second:  AKC has established the AKC Legislative Support Fund in order to strengthen the effectiveness of the AKC Legislative Department.  This fund will help pay expenses for the AKC staff to travel to hot spots on anti-dog legislation.  These targets include California and other states which deny individuals the rights to keep their dogs whole and intact and to pursue responsible breeding programs.  This fund will also help pay for legislative counsel.  It will help to prepare and distribute literature pertaining to dog laws.  And it will help send AKC staff to speak to federal and state groups.  Individuals are permitted to contribute directly to this fund. 

             The third new initiative is the AKC Humane Fund. This is a tax deductible resource which will be used in disaster relief.  It has a broad mandate to provide needed funds to charitable groups.  And it will be able to make grants for scientific research.

            These three initiatives will complement well established AKC efforts.  We are all inspired by the on-going accomplishments of AKC Companion Animal Recovery.  This effort effectively unites separated dogs, cats and occasional snakes and birds with their owners. It also provides significant funds for disaster relief. The AKC Museum of the Dog is another organization, dedicated to preserving and enriching our heritage of outstanding artists and sculptors.

            The Canine Health Foundation is the most notable achievement in the existing AKC arsenal of affiliated organizations. AKC is working closely with the CHF board in order to remedy some recent problems.  Its special focus is flawless management of the money donated to the foundation’s endowment and donor-advised funds.  AKC involvement is both cooperative and managerial. One third of all the money given to CHF comes from AKC directly, to help with the expenses of the organization, to contribute to its endowment and to assist directly in providing grant money.

             At the Delegate’s quarterly meeting in December, several decisions were made about the governance of the organization. One decision affirmed term limits by failing to reverse a vote in favor of term limits which was passed seven years ago.  A limit of two continuous terms in office was passed and approved in the year 2000.  The first time this decision will become effective will be in the year 2009.  Four sitting Board members will be ineligible to run again in 2009. They are Steve Gladstone, Dr. Charles Garvin, Hon. David Merriam and Patricia Scully.

             Another bylaw amendment approved in December allows a Director losing a Delegate’s seat to continue as a Director until the end of his or her current term.

            Another action by the Delegates at the December meeting permits the removal of a Delegate or the disapproval of a Delegate-candidate who is found, in a civil court or criminal court, to have stolen funds or property from an AKC sanctioned, licensed or member club within the previous ten years.

             An amendment to the Dog Show Rules retains the Novice class at shows as an option and creates a new class for the Amateur-Owner-Handler. This also is an optional class. In fact, the only two classes mandated in the rules are American Bred and Open. Rules for the new AOH class are on the AKC website and will be sent to all clubs.

             AKC has announced the enhancement and renaming of its Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP.) Its new name is Purebred Alternative Listing (PAL).  As of February 1, it will be in effect and open to all dogs who are ineligible for AKC registration but who are distinguishable as members of breeds which may be registered by AKC. These dogs may compete in AKC companion events, Performance events and Juniors competition. Dogs which currently have ILP numbers will retain their original numbers and enter events under those numbers. PAL numbers will be issued beginning February 1, 2008. Additional information is on the AKC website.

             I wish all our members the best of all good things for 2008. I welcome questions and requests for any information concerning AKC or the role of the Delegate in our organization.

                                                                                                 Sincerely, Your Delegate

                                                                                                Connie Vanacore

                                                                                                fcvanacore@aol.com