MVNAVHDA 2015 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES St. John s Masonic Lodge 351 Middle Street Portsmouth, NH January 3, :00AM

MVNAVHDA 2015 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES St. John s Masonic Lodge 351 Middle Street Portsmouth, NH January 3, 2015 10:00AM Board Members: Carol Trahan Suzi Moore Casey Matthews Moishe Ragieme Joanna Korte David Trahan Gus Gouzoules (Absent) Chris Doherty Terry Long Paul Bruk CHECK IN: Jessica Barker (Chapter Membership) checked people in, received new and renewal applications and provided the Board with an updated membership list. The meeting was called to order at 10:23am. PB Determined that the Board had a quorum as 9 of the 10 members were in attendance. PRESIDENT S OPENING REMARKS: CT- Welcomed everyone to the 2015 annual meeting. Carol encouraged more members to get involved on the Board. We need more people to become board members, to get involved and help provide support for the Chapter as we continue to grow. If anyone is interested, we will be having our chapter election and you can write in your name on the ballot. PB made a motion which was seconded and unanimously approved to waive the reading of the Q4 2014 Meeting Minutes and accept them as written. OFFICER REPORTS: President: CT-The Chapter had a good year. We tested a lot of dogs and will provide more information throughout the meeting. Vice President: MR-Nothing to add. Treasurer: GG-(Gus Gouzoules was unable to attend the meeting so PB delivered the Treasurer s Report): PB-We had a very good year this year, making $18,000 by hosting NAVHDA s annual meeting and another $2,010 in the gun raffle. We started the year with a checkbook balance of $9,900 and ended the year with $9,600 for an annual operating loss of $300. The Treasurers Report doesn t include the $20,900 balance in the Chapter savings account. Our total cash position is $30,500. We had a $236 loss for clinic lunches and a $776 profit for test meals for a total Chapter meals profit of $540. The total cost of birds was $7,950 (clinic birds $5,500 and test birds $2,500). Judges meals cost $950 with a travel/lodging expense of $1,350 for a total judges expense of $2,300 which is roughly the same as last year. The Chapter is in pretty good shape financially. We made a significant ($5,000) investment in Chapter equipment this year, purchasing a new bird trailer, winger with remote, kayak and other equipment. Dave Trahan put a lot of labor into finishing the bird trailer and the Chapter thanks him for his effort. There were no questions on the Treasurer s Report. DT-made a motion to accept the Treasurer s Report which was seconded and unanimously approved. DIRECTOR REPORTS: Testing: SM-Suzi thanked the volunteers for their work. Training: CD- Last year, during our clinics we had several issues with too many people taking birds from the bird trailer. We had a couple of days where we ran out of birds at the end of the day and someone didn t get the birds that they had paid for. This year we expect everyone to pre-order their birds. If you show up and have not preordered your birds you will be put at the end of the sign-up line so we can be sure that there are enough birds for

everyone. So please keep that in mind and pre-order your birds. We have forms to be filled out at the registration table that will be used to show who has pre-ordered birds and how many you have purchased of each type. The registration table will keep one copy. Another copy will be kept at the bird trailer for volunteers to check when filling the bird bags and a third copy will go out into the field for the bird planters to confirm the number of birds you have purchased, before they are planted. To keep the cost of birds down, in the past Chris has ordered 4 extra chukar and 8 extra quail for every training clinic. But we have to recognize that some birds are lost during transfer so he may purchase a few more, ie, 6 extra chukar and 10 extra quail. There was some further discussion, including the possibility of people paying and taking/keeping their birds in their own bird bags at the beginning of the day. CM-some people may not own bird bags or may bring birds with them to the clinic. SM-the Chapter has bird bags for those that don t have them. CT-concerned because of the heat, don t want to have birds die if kept in the bags all day and can t put the bags in the truck with the dogs while waiting for her turn in the field because the dogs will get all worked up. DT- to avoid heat loss we MUST keep the birds in the bird trailer, with water, until they are used. CD-we will use the registration forms and be more vigilant this year because he doesn t ever want to have to look someone in the eye again and tell them he doesn t have enough birds for them. DT-make sure the minutes reflect that Terry Long has volunteered to install the rubber mats in the bird trailer. PB-So noted. Thank you Terry. Gunning: CM-We had another good year as no dogs or people got shot. If anyone would like to become a gunner you are welcome to try. Joanna Korte will become a Chapter gunner this year. Judging: DT-We have 2 apprentice judges, one of which has submitted his paperwork to the Executive Committee to become a judge. Chris Doherty is also in the apprentice judge program. We are holding a Handlers Clinic this Spring on May 16-17, which is a pre-requisite to becoming a judge so we are hoping to have someone step up and become an apprentice judge. We are all set for our 2 test weekends. Chip Bonde is the away judge for our Spring test and Pierre Marc Simard and Mark Whelan are our 2 away judges for the Fall test. Test Secretary: JK-We tested 42 dogs this year. DT-When considering the schedule for our Fall Test we have typically had our test at the end of August and we always consider the dates for the Invitational. This year our Fall Test will be the weekend before Labor Day weekend. JK-wanted to remind people that February 15 th is the earliest post mark date for your test entries and if you plan on testing in the Fall don t wait till the Fall to submit your test entry as we tend to fill up quickly. Send in your test registrations early. Delegate At Large: TL-Is working with Heldca to have a gate key kept at a closer location to Sharpes Farm for easier access. Also, the Patriot Spaniel Club is holding an All-Breed Fun Day on July 11 th at Sharpes Farm. DT-its basically a youth day where you can bring your dogs and put them on some birds. TL-will provide more information as we get closer. *OLD BUSINESS: 1. Website & Newsletter Updates: PB-We want to thank Mike Trull and Dennis Swett for doing such a fantastic job with the Chapter website and newsletter. a. The website is being updated to include a Payment Menu for people to make online payments for test, clinic, lunch and membership fees, and to purchase Chapter merchandise. b. Please continue to submit your stories and photos to our editor, Dennis Swett for our Chapter Newsletter. 2. Chapter Fees: PB provided a brief review of the Chapter s fees: a. 2015 Membership Fees: Regular Membership Fee: $20; Additional family members may join for another $5 ea; Junior Membership Fee (under 18) is $10. b. Clinic Fee: $10 per Handler (Regardless of the number of dogs). (NOTE: Clinic Fee is waived for Members towing a Chapter Trailer/ATV). c. Test Fees: NA: $120; UPT/UT: $140; (Test Fees include ONE lunch).

(NOTE: Later in the meeting the membership voted to stop offering clinic lunches). d. Lunch: $8. e. Bird Fees: TBD as we get closer to the season. There were no questions on the Chapter fees. 3. Fundraising: PB-A HUGE Thank you to our many donors, sponsors, committee members and to all who have worked so hard to help raise funds for the Chapter. a. Gun Raffle: Thanks to Terry Wilson for his generous gun donation we raised over $2,000; We don t anticipate another gun raffle in 2015 but will accept donations of merchandise for our regular raffles. b. Navhda Annual Banquet: We raised over $18,000. c. Chapter Sponsors: The website and newsletter will be updated soon. With a $200 donation of cash or merchandise you or your company will become a Chapter Sponsor and have your name/logo included on the website and newsletters. Please Donate! 4. Investment Committee (Gus Gouzoules & John Graf); a. PB-As of November 30, the Chapter had $20,909.24 in a business savings account and $9,885.21 in the Chapter s operating account. CT- Gus and Carol will meet next week to discuss and open the investment account so it s not just sitting in a bank account. John Graf- He and Gus had met earlier in the Summer and done some homework on investing in stocks and bonds. They had met with Merrill Lynch and some others who had asked questions about what our long and short term goals were for the money. CT-that s what will be discussed next week. (PB-requested that people please speak louder so the tape recorder can pick up their conversations). 5. Chapter Merchandise: PB-We thank Jerry and Nancy Roy for handling the Chapter Merchandise. We ve all seen their wonderful merchandise table at our Chapter events and we thank them for that. a. Shirts: Boyt High Prairie ls or ss, $45; Chapter Pins ($5 ea) & Stickers ($3 ea or 2 for $5); b. We ve had a number of member requests for white, yellow or orange Chapter shirts; We ve not been able to find those colors in cotton shirts or at an affordable price. c. Chapter Badges: As an alternative, the Board looked into offering Chapter badges and people could put them on their own shirts or vests. Chris Doherty had looked at pricing from Logo Loc in Manchester. $690 for 50 count, plus $50 set up fee (or $14.80 cost ea.); This is fairly expensive. Jess Barker suggested we offer Chapter pins with names on them and reminded me that I am speaking about Chapter patches not badges. (Note: After the Meeting had concluded, CD told me that the quote that he had gotten from Logo Loc for patches was $6.90 each not $690 for 50). The Board will revisit this again at a later meeting. 6. Chapter Equipment: PBa. As previously stated, we made a significant investment in our equipment this year with a new bird trailer, winger with remote, shotgun, coolers, bags, kayak, crates, etc., so we are in pretty good shape. The Board had also discussed purchasing a couple of cheap blank pistols to keep in the trailer and have them available for the water training day. 7. Meals Coordinator: PBa. Jim Titus is doing a tremendous job with the Chapter meals! Everyone raves about our Chapter meals and looks forward to having them during our clinic and test events. b. The board is looking for an assistant to help Jim and to handle if he is absent. If anyone is interested in helping, it is an important position, one that we really need to have and we are asking for someone to please step up and help. Jim Titus-Navhda means a lot to him but he is a real estate agent and the bulk of his business is on the weekends. He doesn t feel it fair to the club if he were to continue on in this important position. With that said, he doesn t want to leave the club high and dry, he ll try to do his best but can t promise that he ll be

*NEW BUSINESS: there every clinic or test day. Karen Moody had helped Jim in the past. He will contact her to see if she would like to take on this responsibility. PB-The Board certainly thanks you for what you ve done. It was a fantastic job. 8. There was no other Old Business. DT-made a motion to accept the Old Business which was seconded and unanimously approved. *MEMBERSHIP: PB-you can renew by mail, on line or here at the meeting. You must be a member in order to hold office or vote in the Chapter Election. We have Membership Forms here at the meeting. If anyone needs to become a member please do so now. 9. Chapter Elections: PB- The following Director and Officer positions are up for election: a. Officers (3 Year Term): President: Carol Trahan is seeking another term. Secretary: Paul Bruk is not seeking another term. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as Chapter Secretary. I have enjoyed serving on the Board but the position does take some time and unfortunately I don t have the time for this type of commitment this year. Any interest? There was none. b. Directors (2 Year Term); Testing: Suzi Moore is not seeking another term. Bob Fee has accepted a nomination and is running for this office. Test Secretary: JK-If anyone is interested in her position she will help train them for the first year and they can take over for the second. She has already submitted the test forms to Navhda. Judging: David Trahan is seeking another term. PB-At this time, please come pick up an election ballot. Please bring up any election proxies that you may have. We ll sign you in and give you a ballot. Actually, before that, do any of the candidates have any comments they d like to make? DT-Does anyone have an interest in running for one of these offices? No? Then he made a motion that the Secretary hold one vote for the slate of candidates as written, as there is no opposition. Motion was seconded and unanimously approved. PB-that was a vote on the motion to vote on the entire slate of candidates all at once. That motion was unanimously approved. Now we will hold one vote to approve the entire slate of candidates. All in favor of voting for all of the candidates on the slate each of the candidates, say aye. The vote was unanimously approved. PB congratulated each of the new officers and directors and mentioned that we are still looking for another Secretary. Anyone who may be interested, please contact one of the board members. *OTHER NEW BUSINESS: 10. Discussion: 3 Day Test vs 2 Day Test with a Double Test on Saturday. a. 3 day tests are taxing on the volunteers/judges and pull members away from family and work; b. We have many experienced people who have worked together to host numerous tests. c. There will always be some minor glitches but we can work through them. PB-after some discussion the board believes that we can switch from our standard 3-day test weekend to a 2-day test with a double test on Saturday. Lou Gagnon-Would this be a 2 day test on Friday/Saturday or include Sunday? PB-we are looking to stop having Friday as a test day. SM-feels that switching to a 2-day test would require a lot more volunteers, very good coordination and if there are any glitches or bad weather it could cause a serious problem with the test. (Note: Very hard to hear the recording on this discussion). JK-Holding a 2-day double test does not reduce the number of dogs that we could run. We don t have enough dogs to warrant a double test in the Spring so we are only talking about one day, during the Fall test, when we have a lot of UT dogs testing. SM-What s the reason for not wanting to test on Friday? JK-fewer people show up to volunteer. SM-has not had an issue finding

enough volunteers for Friday. PB-the real issue is that a 3 day test takes people away from their families and jobs and is also very taxing on the volunteers and judges to have to work for 3 days in a row. So we re trying to cut back on the time commitment. Personally, it is not an issue for me as I can commit to help out on test weekend. But I know that it is definitely an issue for many people. CT-it is definitely an issue for she, David and others who all have to work on Fridays. PB-for a double test we would have 2 sets of judges and volunteers to work both the field and water segments simultaneously. We have held double tests before. CT-You can t foresee every glitch or delay that may happen but it all works out. Yankee has held double tests. DT-Many chapters hold double tests. We re not the first Chapter to do this. All we re doing is having 2 sets of judges and handlers test simultaneously and then they will switch off in the middle of the day. DT doesn t foresee this as a real issue. And this year, Yankee s Fall Test is on the same weekend as ours so we may not even need to have a double test. PB- Its definitely going to require some good coordination. But with the experienced people that we have in the Chapter we should be able to make it work. There will always be some minor glitches but with some good coordination we should be able to work through them. MR-sees the positives and negatives of going either way. He has talked with some people during the clinics who have often told him that they work during the week and can not make it to a 3-day test. And Moishe works in an ER and can not take off 3 days in a row. So that s why we probably have fewer volunteers on Fridays. We have held double tests before. PB-our chapter tests have become so popular that we may, at some point, depending on the number of applicants have to go to a 3 day test with a double test on Saturday. It depends on how many applicants we have. And so that raises the question of whether we want to try and accommodate every test application we receive and kill ourselves in the process or limit the number of test days and make it easier on our volunteers and judges. JK-it has always been either a 3 day test or a 2 day test weekend with a double test on Saturday. It s the same amount of dogs either way. DT-Because a lot of the judges are younger and still have to work It is getting harder and harder each year to get judges to commit to a 3 day test weekend. And for a lot of them, they will arrive on Thursday and leave on Monday so that makes it especially hard on them. (SM- asked a question but can not understand it on the tape). DT-so you understand the perspective of how Navhda looks at judges on assignments, we can have repeat judges one year and then we (could not make out the recording). DTassuming that Bob Fee becomes a judge this year, and I don t want to jinx him (can t make it out). DT-We have the judges in place in case we need to hold a double test this Fall. Lou Gagnon asked about the 3 test days we have listed on the Event Calendar. PB-we are holding those days in reserve for our events. 11. NAVHDA 2015 Annual Meeting: Hosted by Pacific Northwest Chapter, Portland, Oregon, Jan. 16-18; a. Our Chapter has donated a $250 Legal Seafoods Gift Card for the banquet fundraiser. b. Carol Trahan is our Chapter Delegate. Thank you Carol for serving in that position. c. Chapter Motions/Discussion Items: Note: The BOD briefly discussed these motions and recommends that Merrimack Valley disapprove all of them. DT-will discuss the motions and the reasoning prior to a vote by the Membership on whether or not to support them at NAVHDA s annual meeting. You have copies of the chapter motions attached to your meeting agenda. DT- Appalachian Valley Motion: To Change the scoring of the pointing portion of the NA test. DT-read this motion. Navhda established the scoring system many years ago. If we change the scoring system how does that reflect on the scores of the previous tests? Its not going to happen, Navhda won t change the scoring system. It is designed to reflect how the dog does and some test segments are weighted more importantly than others, ie nose, pointing and desire. SM-the grey is necessary. DT-this is the hardest thing for apprentices to understand. When the judges are evaluating a dog, we give it the benefit of a doubt. We look at everything and give it the opportunity and that is where the grey area comes in. The judges take everything into consideration. They may not like certain aspects or some

things may be a bit wishy-washy but not bad enough to take the dog out of consideration. It is really not cut and dry, especially in NA. One of the things that Bodo explained to Dave, when Dave apprenticed under him we start a UT dog at 100% and work backwards. If a dog screws up we are taking points away. In NA it is just the opposite. We start at 0 and add points. PB-with that in mind and the fact that the board recommends voting against this motion, PB made a motion that the Chapter vote to not support this chapter motion at Navhda s annual meeting. Seconded and unanimously approved (not to support it). Michigan Motion: That NAVHDA recognize and accept UKC as a valid registry. Jim Titus-the difference between AKC and UKC is that UKC is more lenient on accepting dogs with less desirable physical traits where AKC will reject registration of such a dog. Ie, in the West there are some yellow GSP s that have been accepted by UKC. DT-if Navhda were to accept these dogs and UKC as a registry we would lose the support of AKC. And Navhda will not allow this. As an example, UKC has accepted some Griffs that have been cross-bred with wire hairs or Cesky Fousets and AKC would not accept these dogs in their registry. The AKC and CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) do not recognize the UKC as a valid registry. There were no other questions on this. PB-held a vote to NOT support this Chapter Motion which was unanimously approved (to not support it). Southeastern Michigan Motion: To amend the AIMS Book re: the UT duck search to give Judges the ability to control and reduce the number of ducks in the water. DT-what they are questioning is if they see other ducks out there do they need to put out additional ducks. And if you are the fourth or fifth dog testing there could be multiple ducks out there and it could get ugly. So what they are asking is if the judges see other ducks in the water then they not be required to put out another one. BUT, the problem is people could raise a stink if a fresh duck is not put out for them. PB-As a handler in the test, you don t want multiple ducks in the water because it is better that your dog not find a duck and spend the entire 10 minutes searching rather than have to be resent. SM-it should be up to the discretion of the judges as to whether or not to put out another duck. PB-agrees. DT-agrees with SM but is concerned that a handler may use the excuse that the judges did not put out a fresh duck for his dog, that s why his dog did not do well in the test and that s what the judges are trying to avoid. PB-there is always somebody who will not be happy with the test or the results. I d like it to be up to the judges discretion. CT-recalls one dog who tested at Yankee who came back with a total of 5 ducks in the duck search and this could have been a nightmare for another dog who had brought back a duck and had to be resent multiple times. SM-proposed a change to the language in the last paragraph to say that it is up to the discretion of the judges (plural) as to whether or not to put out another duck when they see other ducks already in the water. DT-Our Delegate CAN (at the Hall of Delegates)make a recommendation to amend the language in the chapter motion to read that its at the discretion of the judges, to make it more palatable to the delegates and Executive Council. DT-if the sponsoring chapter does not show up to support its own motion then it is dead in the water. TL-No matter if a motion is accepted or rejected isn t it really up to the board on how it is handled? PB-correct. CT-but a motion could be amended during discussion in the Hall of Delegates prior to a vote by the delegates. (PB and CT separately discussed recommending a change of language in this chapter motion from if one of the judges can visually verify to read: if the group of judges can visually verify that at least one of the previous ducks is in the search water and agree that it is not necessary to release an additional duck then it is not necessary to release an additional duck. PB-we have made a motion to accept the SE Michigan chapter motion with a change of language in the last paragraph to read if the judges can visually verify (NOT if one of the judges can visually verify ). There was not further comment or discussion. The Members unanimously voted to support the SNE Michigan Chapter Motion with the change of language. Willamette Valley Motion: If practicable, the bird field not be used for the Tracking portion of the NA test. DT-this is normal protocol. This motion is probably the result of that happening during a test and someone getting angry. Bob Fee-it happened at our test when Izzy ran her track in the same field that UT had done their field work. PB-we didn t use that field for utility that day but some of the birds could have flown over there. SM-we have been very, very careful to avoid this situation. PB-is this motion something that is really necessary or is it pretty much common sense and standard procedure? John Korte-is this motion necessary to protect some of the smaller chapters? PB-the goal here is obviously to make sure that the field is clean for the NA track. But is it really necessary to have

another law that requires it that way? DT-it is up to the senior judge to look at the grounds and make sure they are adequate for the test and in 20 years of judging he has only said one course was not adequate for the test. PB-So what is your recommendation Dave? DT-believes this motion will die in committee. PB-So how do we want to leave it? Do we want to leave it up to the discretion of our delegate? DT-its going to be brought up, but yes. PB-Ok then let s move on. Midwest Tri-State Discussion Item: Proposal to hold Youth-Only Handlers Clinics. PB-I think it s a good idea to have youth involved in the handlers clinics but do we need or want to have them for youth-only? DT-Understands what they would like to do is get the kids involved but its hard enough to fill the regular handlers clinics but to get 15-20 kids to participate? Doesn t see it happening. PB-This is a discussion item and does not require a vote. MR-proposed that we leave it up to our delegate for discussion. The Chapter members agreed. 12. 2015 Event Schedule (See Below): PBa. Handler Clinic (May 16&17) at the Pavillion at Sharpes Farm. b. Invitational Training Clinic; c. Youth Day; DT-we have the field set aside. He has spoken with NH Fish and Game about holding a pheasant or chukar hunt. NHF&G can help provide the kids through their youth camp program. CT-asked if we would need to get NAVHDA s approval. DT-Navhda can help with the expenses through the youth fund set up by Terry Wilson. We have reserved the field at Sharpes Farm on Sept. 19 th for this event. It is an opportunity to get kids interested in bird hunting. We can introduce them to the dogs, explain what the dogs do and take them out to shoot a few birds. Dave, Casey and John Korte will get together to discuss the age group and number of kids that we want to work with and what to do. They are also working on obtaining an alternate location. CM-discussed some safety rules, ie, the kids will not carry the guns. The guns will be break-open shotguns and only be loaded when the bird is ready to be flushed, etc. 13. PB-asked if there were any other comments, questions or suggestions from the membership. Chris Pope pointed out that the Heldca Cleanup dates were incorrect on the Event Schedule. (PB corrected them below). TL-we re planning to mow the fields on July 16 th and could use some help. CT-Where our Meals Coordinator (Jim Titus) may not be able to provide clinic lunches for us, unless we can find someone to step in, we may have to go back to having bagged lunches where people would have to bring their own lunch to the clinics. CD-when he sends out emails for the training days he could notify the members whether we would provide lunches or not. SM-we need to get people to recognize the value of having clinic lunches. The same core group of people are doing all the work. Jess Barker announced that if we are not providing clinic lunches she and Mike will take the Chapter bbq grill out of the trailer to provide more room. SM-wanted an update on Gus. TL-Gus has a bad bronchitis and they are waiting for it to clear up before he has his surgery. SM-made a motion to eliminate clinic lunches for 2015. Motion was seconded. PB-called for a hand vote. 12 voted to eliminate clinic lunches while 8 voted to continue them. Motion passes. NO CLINIC LUNCHES FOR 2015. Jim Titus-Where Jim is not required to provide clinic lunches, he committed to providing test meals. DT-reminded us that the Chapter Fall Test is not on a holiday weekend this year which should make it easier for Jim. 14. There were no other member comments, questions or suggestions so : *A motion was made to adjourn. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. Meeting Adjourned.

*Important Dates for 2015: April 18: April 25: May 2: May 16 & 17: May 22-24: June 13: June 14: July 11: July 25: Aug. 15: Aug. 28-30: Sept. 19: Other Dates: Sept. 3: Heldca Cleanup Day at Sharpe s Farm (Alternate Date of April 19); Training Day Pre-Test Clinic Handlers Clinic (2 Day Event at the Sharpes Farm Pavillion) Spring Test (NA/UPT/UT) Training Clinic Invitational Training Day Fun Day (ALL Breeds, NOT Sponsored By MVNAVHDA) Water Clinic Pre-Test Clinic Fall Test (NA/UPT/UT) Youth Day HELDCA Annual Meeting Other Heldca Meetings: 3 rd Thursday in December, March and June; It has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board and as your Chapter Secretary for the past three years. I will remain an active Chapter member and look forward to the start of another training year. Respectfully submitted, Paul Bruk, Merrimack Valley NAVHDA January 5, 2015