I would like to thank the members of both the Western Irish Setter Club and the Irish Setter Club of Milwaukee for hosting a spectacular 38th National Specialty in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. From the continental breakfasts in the morning, to the wonderful Region 2 Hospitality to the free lunches on Friday and Saturday, the spirit was warm and welcoming!   A special thanks to Chairs Dewey Drummond and Tina Gradowski for this year’s event.  Their committees worked hard not to forget one detail involved in this type of event. I would like to thank Ed Liermann and Ken Ruff for their help in our bird training work session; the turnout was wonderful and there were dogs that really showed potential for field work.  Jan Ziech introduced a new idea this year " Senior Showmanship". The competition was hot and heavy and judge Susan Schafer had to resist many bribery "attempts" including a phone call in the ring to sway her decision!  I feel this was a huge success and we will see it again in Oklahoma so start planning now-obviously ANYTHING goes!!!
    At the Annual Meeting this year a discussion was held regarding changing the veteran age from 8 years old to 7 years old. Heidi Laabs discussed the reasons why the age should be changed, and Karolynne McAteer discussed the reasons to keep the age the same.  The floor was opened to the members to express their opinions regarding the possible change. The subsequent vote was to keep the Veteran age for all events at 8 years of age.
       Our AKC Delegate, Connie Vanacore, announced her impending retirement at the end of this year. Connie has served as our Delegate since the mid-90's and her diplomacy and knowledge of the sport have been a huge asset to ISCA and to the sport. From Board member to President to Show Chair to Memo Editor to Health Committee Chair to Delegate, Connie has never said no to ISCA and was one of the first recipients of the E.Irving Eldredge Award for her contributions to the breed, the Club, and to the sport. "Thank you" just doesn't seem enough.
      As President, one item  discussed was the continued  poor participation in the voting for judges. For 2012, there were a total of 122 ballots from all regions, Region 1: 43 ballots, Region 2: 24 ballots, Region 3: 7 ballots and Region 4:48 ballots.  This is very disappointing and I expressed to the members how important it is to vote for judges, if they wish their favorites to make the list. The ballot for 2013 (Region 1) will be in the Memo at years end so promise yourself to look for it and vote...even if just for one person!
    We had nine club presidents attend the President’s Roundtable:
           Irish Setter Club of Arizona
           Irish Setter Club of Pacific
           Irish Setter Club of Michigan
           Irish Setter Club of Oklahoma
           Irish Setter Club of Minnesota
           Eastern Irish Setter Club
           Irish Setter Club of Jacksonville
           Irish Setter Club of Houston
           Irish Setter Club of Central California

Discussion was held regarding legislation form letters and talking with members regarding the judging ballots and how to get more members to participate.  I thank all the Presidents for coming for this important discussion and exchange of ideas.
    On Saturday the Irish Setter Club of Oklahoma handed out their packets and sold their T-shirts for the upcoming May 2011 National Specialty.  They will have a facebook page posted in September and more news to come in upcoming Memo’s.

   Thank you again to all who participated and made the 2010 National Specialty a huge success!!!

     Prior to coming to the National Specialty I was on business in Shanghai, China and had the opportunity to meet the REX Club who breed Irish Setters and Border Collies.  It was wonderful to see the Irish Setters they have and talk to them regarding our dogs in the States. I welcome them as a new member to the Irish Setter Club of America, and they look forward to receiving our publication and information regarding Irish Setters in America.

 Our next National event is our National Field Championship to be held in Booneville, Arkansas October 31 – November 7, 2010. Information regarding this event will appear in this Memo.  I hope many will be able to attend and enjoy watching our redheads work in the field. The board will be holding their fall board meeting at this event.
  Don’t forget to get your information in for the pictorial, regular advertising deadline is August 31, 2010 and book order deadline is December 31, 2010.  
     I am honored to be your President and promise to do my best for you and our beloved Irish.
 
Debbie Davis