| |
 |
Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America, Valdosta, GA June 4, 2010
The Board of Trustees met in special session at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center for the purpose of interviewing the final six applicants for the secretarial position starting January 1, 2011 following the retirement of current secretary, Linda Hunt. Twenty six Trustees were present. A time slot of 30 minutes was allocated for each applicant. A set of questions from contributing Trustees had been formed and were presented by President Milton. The floor was then open to other questions from the Trustees.
Applicants were interviewed on Friday afternoon June 4 in the folowing order; Allison Williams, Memphis TN; Jadie Rayfield, Mt Pleasant, SC; Karen Hurdle, Hickory Flat, MS; Hope Curry, Auburn, AL; Piper Huffman, Michigan City MS; Janice Gregory, Chepachet RI. Comments were made that the interviews from all six applicants had been impressive.
The meeting was adjourned on Friday afternoon and reconvened Saturday morning for further discussion and the selection. Secret paper ballots were submitted for the choice of secretary. A mojority did not appear on the first ballot so the President asked that a second ballot be presented and a majority was obtained forJanice Gregory . Another ballot was furnished for the first alternate that later became irrelevant.
Trustees meeting.
Following the Nestle Purina seminar the meeting was called to order by President, John Milton. The group was made aware that the meeting was being taped for the purpose of constructing the minutes. The following Trustees answered the roll call: Eli Richardson, Region 1; Dr. Hunter Wilcox, Region 2; Gary Winall, Region 3; Johnny Atkinson, Region 3; Jim Crouse, Region 4; Mike Crouse, Region 4; Stan Howton, Region 5; Sean Derrig, Region 5; Michael Shears, Region 6; Albert Necaise, Region 6; David Williams, Region 6; Bob Baylis, Region 7; Conrad Plevnic, Region 7; Preston Trimble, Region 8; Gary Young, Region 8; Harold Chadwick, Region 9; Torben Hansen, Region 11; Ric Peterson Region 12; Don Frigo, Region 13; Lou Qualtiere, Region 14, Dr. David Dickey, Region 16; John Milton, Region 16; Rick Stallings, Region 16; Dr. Pat McInteer, Region 17; Frank Lanasa, Region 19; Dr. Robert Rankin, Trustees at Large, plus Past President, Dr. D. E. Hawthorne, Secretary Lind Hunt and Bernie Mathys, American Field.
The minutes were presented. President Milton asked for a motion that the reading be waived. The motion was made by Eli Richardson and seconded by Albert Necaise. The motion passed.
The President gave the report for the Executive Committee He reported that several conference calls had taken place between the executive committee over the course of the year. One main topic of discussion was on how to generate revenue other than croporate sponsorship. A per dog fee was recommended and the President asked that each Trustee take this idea back to the respective Regions for input and be prepared for it as an agenda item at the next annual meeting. Preston Trimble was to prepare the necessary details for this to be presented as a By-Law change.
President Milton next presented the financial report. The nice increase for the year was noted. Attention was called to the audit report where he pointed out some salient points. A nice increase for the year was noted. President Milton stated that the investments were largely fixed income investments as opposed to equite assets. A report followed on the status with the IRS as well as the District of Columbia corporate filing and he felt like we were in compliance.
A sponship report from Dale Bush was given by President Milton. Details of corporate sponsorship with Purina, Tri Tronics, Bruce Fox Awards were noted. Garmen has signed a five year contract to be our official dog recovery unit sponsor through providing eight DC30 units. The Bass Pro contract has expired and a new contract has been submitted to them. No repsonse has been received at that time. Dale Bush has served in the sponsorship capacity for many years with great success. Dale asked to be relieved from heading this project although he willing to assist. President Milton announced that Jim Crouse had agreed to head the sponsorship program. He was commended for his willingness to take up this task.
Bob Baylis was thanked for having agreed to stay on the Print Project and asked to bring that report before the board. Tha duty was deferred to Secretary Hunt who announced that the artist, Herb Booth, was putting the finishing touches on the Mary and Jamie McConnell print which would be available in the early fall. The President noted that the fund raising effort that had taken place at Dixie Plantation during the National Amateur Derby and Quail Championships. The success of this effort realized a nice profit to the Twentieth Century Fund project, leading him to encourage the Trustees to make a similiar effort in their own regions. Dr. Hunter Wilcox was given the floor to make the Twentieth Century Fund report. The Chairman of that committee stated that requests were actually down this year. Noted, also, that there wa a sizeable memorial donation in the Fund for Tom Honecker. Mary Honecker would like to see some of these funds directed to a specific pheasant venue that would be decided in the future. Dr. Wilcox presented the recommentation for grants to the Board for consideration. Apparently, one request had not been included so the committee chose to present the recommendations after they had had a chance to meet on the matter.
Jim Crouse was asked to give the report on the Bass Pro Shops seminars. Jim thanked all those that had helped with the seminars to complete our contractual agreement for the year. Although the status of the new contract is not known Jim asked for volunteers for the upcoming season seminars. Several graciously responded. Their service to the organization in this capacity was given a nice response. Volunteers for upcoming seminars, should they be needed, were Gary Winall, Eli Richardson, David Williams, Don Frigo, Dr. Pat McInteer and Ric Peterson.
Frank Lanasa presented the insurance report. It showed no changes in companies other than the workers coompensation where it was stated that a change in companies brought about a sizeable savings. Frank reminded that when the office location changes most companies should be licensed in that state other than the carrier of the fidelity bond.
Linda Hunt delivered the secretary report. The secretary travel expense verses judges travel expense was explained from the audit report. The 100 shares of Quaker Chemical stock held by the Organization and the dividends it generates were noted. The group was apprised that from the Limited Edition Knife fund raising project the number two and number four knives were still in the safe. The affinity credit card contract with Bank of American (originally with MBNA) was discontinued for lack of growth potential effective June 2010 when the final quarterly payment is sent. Profit and loss sheets for the field trial season (fall and spring) were included in the files, as well as Twentieth Century Fund and Print Project Program financial report since our last annual meeting.
President Milton directed attention to the draft of the resolution in memory of Tom Honecker to be presented to Mary at the evening ceremony. After being scrutinized Albert Necaise made a motion that the document be accepted. Torben Hansen seconded the motion which was passed. (This will be added at the end of the minutes as Exhibit A)
Before proceeding to new business Lou Qualtiere asked for feed back on the Garmin dog recovery unit throughout the field trial season. Sean Derrig related that he had noticed that people were not always keeping their units off while riding in the gallery. More vigilance was advised from all Trustees. Several offered testimony with all seeming positive. Mike Crouse reminded that cell phones were a problem which also warranted vigilance. President Milton reviewed the way in which they were dealt with at the championships on Dixie Plantation this spring.
A letter from Art Mourino had been included in the files with a request to clarifythe wording of the Definition of an Amateur. The Trustees voted to correct the wording in Article II, Section 1 to read "Any person who received or has received, either directly or indirectly, compensation for training and handling dogs ( including handling of dogs on a plantation or shooting preserve) other than his own, or those of an immediate family member, is not an amateur". It was established that this agreed with the spirit of the original motion and its intentions. A motion to accept this wording was made by Jim Crouse and seconded by Gary Winall. The motion passed unanimously.
The matter of an assistant to the handler in grouse woods when the handler is hearing impaired was brought up for discussion. This matter had been presented to both the AFTCA and the American Field and they had agreed to allow the club to sanction it for this particular instance only before bringing it to the board for consideration. Both entities elected to let this be allowed by special dispensation only through the American Field and the AFTCA exectutive committee. It was further discussed as to whether judges could use motorized vehicles to judge from. The consensus was that custom dictates this was not to be permitted..
A controversy had arisen over how many dogs were required in a stake to issue one placement. AFTCA running rules stated "Stakes with three or fewer dogs competing, one win certificate will be issued". The American Field requires that 3 dogs are required for one placement to be given. It was proposed and passed that the AFTCA running rules should state"That in stakes with a minimum of three dogs competing, one win certificate will be issued'. A motion was made by Sean Derrig and seconded by Gary Winall. The motion passed uninamously.
Gary Young brougt up the subject of a Regional Championship where the judge was a co-owner of the runner up was brought to the floor. Conrad Plevnic who was involved in the situation asked to address this. He gave the circumstances and volunteered that a mistake had been made. He stated that Region 7 would be writing a letter to the secretary asking to have this placement voided. Bob Baylis questioned that this situation might need to be addressed in the AFTCA Running Rules. President Milton suggested that this be presented at next years meeting for necessary action so that it can be dealt with properly. Pat McInteer made a motion to void the placement. Michael Shears second the motion which passed.
Torben Hansen took the floor to discuss the current secretary traveling for a time with the incoming secretary. After differing views on the topic Jim Crouse made a motion that this to the discretion of the President and the executive committee. It was seconded and passed.
Dr. Pat McInteer took the floor to apprise the group that he had been in contact with a representative of the AKC, Doug Ljungren, where they discussed the issues we both share and how we might work together. Dr. Bob Rankin added some input for the American Brittany Club.
Dr. Hunter Wilcox gave the recommendations for grants totaling $21,500 from the 20th Century Fund to the following clubs; Kentucky Field Trial Assn, $2,000; Boise Valley Pointing Dog Club, $1,000; North Carolina Field Trial Assn, $1,500; Tri State Brittany Club, $500; Southern Iowa Pointing Dog Club,$500; Western Michigan Brittany Club, $2,000; York Pointer & Setter Club, $500; Field Trial Sportsman's Assn, $3,000; Stranger Creek Field Trial Club, $1,000; Continental Amateur Field Trial Club, $2,500; Georgia Field Trial Assn, $3,000; Ames Amateur Field Trial Club, $2,000; Associated Bird Dog Clubs of Ohio, $500; and Ohio Valley Field Trial Circuit, $2,500. The motion to accept these grants came from Albert Necaise. It was seconded by Don Frigo and passed unanimously.
Joan LeBree had sent an application for reinstatement along with the comment that she had been a professional only by being the wife of a professional trainer. It was established that she had not violated her amateur statis thus no need for reinstatement. Frank Lanasa had endorsed Bill Holton, Kensal, ND. The motion for reinstatement was made by Jim Crouse and the second from Stan Howton. The vote was in favor of reinstatiment. A letter from Richie Frisella's for early reinstatement to amateur status was discussed. Albert Necaise made a motion that this reinstatment be denied. It was seconded and passed.
President Milton gave the group the terms of employment and salary package that would be offered to Janice Gregory. He asked Preston Trimble, as the next President, to be present when the offer was made. A motion to accept was made by Jim Crouse and seconded by Michael Shears. The motion was approved.
Annual Meeting
Presdient Milton called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM in the James H. Rainwater Conference Center, Valdosta, GA. The minutes were dispensed with and the Presdient Milton gave the financial report. Various committee chairmen gave their reports. President recapped the Trustees meeting and asked if there were any questions.
The nominating committee was ask for their nominations. Gary Winnall, chairman, submitted the following;
Region 2, Dr. Hunter Wilcox; Region 3, John Q. Atkinson; Region 4, Ray Wheeler; Region 6, Albert Necaise; Region 7, Bob Baylis; Region 14, Lou Qualtiere; Region 16, John Milton and Mike Husenitts Region 2, to replace Mike Peretto, who had submitted his resignation. No nominations were brought from the floor and the slate was elected by acclimation.
The meeting was adjourned.
Exhibit A
WHEREAS, Tom Honecker seved the AFTCA as a loyal and dedicated Trustee from Region 4 from 1987 until his untimely death on March 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Ton Honceker served the AFTCA as its President beginning in 1993 through 1994, during which years his leadership and vision for our organization strengthened its fabric and solidified its foundation; and
WHEREAS, through his years of leadership as a trustee, Tom repeatedly served as the steadfast runner for our organization on the many issues confronting it, consistently espousing positions of reason, fairness and practicality always coupled with his convincing ability to build consensus for postive and lasting precedents; and
WHEREAS, in more recent years Tom Honecker took responsibility for maintaining and shepherding the running of our National Amateur Pheasant Championship at the Killdeer Plains venue in his home state of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, this organization wishes to acknowledge to Tom Honecker's family our eternal appreciation for his life, his leadaership, his courage and dedication, and most of all his beloved friendship to us all;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMATEUR FIELD TRIAL CLUBS OF AMERICA, THAT;
A. A fund be established as a component part of the twentieth century fund as a memorial to Tom Honecker, contributions to which and the funds from which will be used in accordance with our charitable purposes to support the amateur championships conducted by this organization with which Tom was most involved; and
B. A perpetual trophy be acquired with a prtion of the contributed funds from the Tom Honecker component fund of the twentieth century fund, to be named in Tom's honor, for the National Amateur Pheasant Championship, such trophy to bear the names of the dogs, handlers, and owners winning the champion and runner up champion commencing with the 2010 running of said championship; and
C. That this Tom Honecker Memorial Trophy be delivered to and displayed to participants at each running of the National Amateur Pheasant Championship; and
D. That this Tom Honecker Memorial Trophy be displayed in the Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee, in the interval times between each subsequent running of the National Amateur Pheasant Championship; and finally
E. THAT EACH OF US, AS SECRETARY OF THE AFTCA, AND AS INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEES DO HEREBY EXTEND TO TOM HONECKER'S BELOVED FAMILY OUR HEARTFELD THANKS FOR THEIR SHARING OF HIS LIFE WITH US AND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE LOSS OF HIS LIFE AND CONTINUING LOVE.
UNANIMOULSY APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMATEUR FIELD TRIAL CLUBS OF AMERICA AT VALADOST, GEORGIA, THIS FIRST DAY OF JUNE, 2010.
The Trustees were called into executive session. The nominating committee presented the current slate of officers for the coming year which was elected by acclimation as follows: John Milton, President; Preston Trimble, 1st Vice president; Jim Crouse, 2nd Vice president; Torben Hansen, 3rd Vice president; Linda Hunt, secretary-treasurer. The meeting was adjourned.
|
