Executive Board Ballots 2009
Vote results reported as Yes, No, NFD (needs further discussion), ABS (abstain), or NR (no response).
E-Ballot #22-09
(2010 Working Dog Championships Host)
Motion by Craig Groh, seconded by Sean O’Kane, to approve Mid-Ohio Schutzhund as the local venue host club for the 2010 Working Dog Championships from one bid submitted to the National Events Committee.
National Event Bid Form (attached)
Photos: http://www.mideastregional.com/mer2008/VenuPhotos.aspx
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 11/24/09.
E-Ballot #21-09
(Revision of World Championship Team Eligibility Document)
Motion by Al Govednik, seconded by Sara Wallick, to revise the World Championship Team Eligibility document to eliminate the following item under Qualification Process:
1.c. A club of which the candidate is not a member must have hosted one of the two qualifying trials.
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 11/2/09.
E-Ballot #20-09
(Funding for Regional Seminars)
Motion by Sean O’Kane, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve spending up to $15,000 to fund regional seminars for the fiscal year ending June 2010. The funds shall be allocated evenly among the regions, approval of the seminars shall be at the discretion of the regional directors, and the disbursement of funds shall be approved by the USA Treasurer. Qualifying seminars must be not for profit events and must be open to all USA club members.
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 11/2/09.
E-Ballot #19-09
(2010 USA Sieger Show Location and Judges)
Motion by Tim Burke, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve holding the 2010 USA Sieger show in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 4–6, 2010 with USA Judge Johannes Grewe and SV Judge Hans-Peter Schweimer as judges.
Vote: Yes–18 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Johannes Grewe), NR–1 (Mark Scarberry). Motion carried 10/22/09.
E-Ballot #18-09
(Appeal of Mid-Eastern Regional Director Decision)
O.G. Landseite Schutzhund Club has appealed the decision of Mid-Eastern Regional Director Mark Scarberry to cancel the event authorization for a trial that was scheduled for October 18, 2009 with USA Judge Mike Hamilton. The event authorization was issued on May 4, 2009, the event was posted on the USA and Mid-Eastern Regional websites, and entries have been received. The flier and entry form were sent from a club member’s work email during a server upgrade with the required 21-day notice, but apparently were not transmitted. Upon realizing the regional clubs had not received the trial flyer and entry form, they were resent 18 days in advance of the trial.
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 10/17/09.
E-Ballot #17-09
(2009 GSD National Championship Slate of Judges Changes)
Motion by Al Govednik, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve Nathaniel Roque as the obedience judge and Ann Marie Chaffin as the second IPO FH judge at the 2009 GSD National Championship.
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Jennifer Acevedo, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Nathaniel Roque). Motion carried 10/6/09.
E-Ballot #16-09
(Appeal of Mid-Eastern Regional Director Decision)
Capital Area Schutzhund Club has appealed the decision of Mid-Eastern Regional Director Mark Scarberry to cancel the event authorization for a trial that was scheduled for October 3-4, 2009 with USA Judge Mike Hamilton. The event authorization was canceled due to the failure of the club to provide written event notification to the other clubs in the region at least three weeks in advance of the event, as notification was provided just 17 days prior to the event instead. The event authorization was issued last year on July 12, 2008, and the event has been posted on both the USA and Mid-Eastern Region websites since that time.
Executive Board Ballots–2009 2 of 5 Updated November 24, 2009 Unfortunately, the club member who handles the trial paperwork overlooked the three-week event notification rule because she had been out of town as a result of the death of her father in a car accident.
Shall the Executive Board overrule the decision of the regional director and waive the event notification requirement for the trial scheduled for October 3-4, 2009?
Vote: Yes–18 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Nathaniel Roque, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Frank Phillips, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), NR–2 (Terry Macias, Jennifer Acevedo). Motion carried 9/30/09.
E-Ballot #15-09
(Amend Fiscal Year 2010 Budget)
Motion by Sean O’Kane, seconded by Sara Wallick, to amend the fiscal year 2010 employee benefits budget from $14,000 to $15,652 due to an unforeseen increase in insurance expense.
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Jeff Govednik, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 9/18/09.
E-Ballot #14-09
(2009 GSD National Championship Slate of Helpers)
Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve the USA Helper Committee’s recommended slate of helpers for the 2009 GSD National Championship:
John Bochenek Sean Murphy Marcus Hampton Steve Romard Final placement will be determined by helper tryouts prior to the event as outlined in the USA Helper Program.
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Pedro Jimenez, Warren Jones, Dena McGowan, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Jeff Govednik), NR–1 (Thom Payne). Motion carried 9/10/09.
E-Ballot #13-09
(Scorebook Price Changes)
Motion by Sean O’Kane, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve raising scorebook certification fees to $10 for USA members and $40 for non-USA members.
Background: Currently we charge members $5 and nonmembers $20 for scorebook certification. The following motion passed at the AWDF General Board meeting:
All AWDF score books must be acquired from their specific AWDF member sport/breed club with the exception of the sporting clubs (Mondioring, LV/DVG, etc) in order to retain the breed identification in the AWDF score book, otherwise the breed ID will be listed in the AWDF score book as MIX BREED.
The scorebook certification fee increase is proposed to offset the potential loss of USA members with breeds other than German Shepherd Dogs due to the requirement they must obtain their scorebooks from another AWDF member club. This will encourage those showing in local USA events to become members or continue being members with a minimal extra expense versus being a nonmember paying the higher scorebook certification fee. Vote: Yes–17 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Willie Pope, David Witmer), No–1 (Mark Przybylski), NFD–3 (Craig Groh, Frank Phillips, Mark Scarberry). Motion carried 7/22/09.
E-Ballot #12-09
(USA Breed Show Regulations Revision)
Motion by Johannes Grewe, seconded by Tim Burke, to approve the revised USA Breed Show Regulations.
Background: Breed shows have been constantly declining over the last several years. Shows with 10–30 dogs entered are not uncommon. This development is being witnessed all over our regions, while at the same time WDA clubs have decent entrees in their show events. WDA does not require a registration process as we do, and only requires a valid FCI or WUSV-recognized registration/pedigree. Our registration requirement was implemented with the intention that a lot of members would register their dogs to get a large amount of data and revenue. This did not work that way as we know now. The registration requirement is not serving its purpose and is actually hurting our local clubs and regions by not getting enough entrees.
Our dogs do not need to be USA registered in order to achieve a Schutzhund title, so why do they need to be registered in order to achieve a conformation rating? Our GSD National Championship and our Sieger Show are different. In order to compete in either of these national events the dogs need to be USA registered and this will stay that way.
The President, Vice President, National Breed Warden, Treasurer and Senior Breed Judge discussed and analyzed the proposed revision and ask you to vote in favor of the proposal so that hopefully we will see more entrees in our local and regional shows.
The revised Breed Show Regulations are the same as the original regulations, with the exception that for local and regional shows dogs will no longer need to be registered with USA. Also, some additions have been made to clarify the show procedures and the duties of the show secretary.
Motion withdrawn 6/22/09.
Executive Board Ballots–2009 3 of 5 Updated November 24, 2009
E-Ballot #11-09
(Fiscal Year 2010 Budget)
Motion by Sean O’Kane, seconded by Craig Groh, to approve the fiscal year 2010 budget with total income $525,500, total expenses $515,008, income tax expense $10,000, and net income $492. (Budget attached.)
Vote: Yes–20 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), NR–1 (Willie Pope). Motion carried 5/29/09.
E-Ballot #10-09
(Recognition of WPBTCA Judges Program and Titles)
Motion by Al Govednik, seconded by Mark Przybylski, that USA recognize the WPBTCA (Working Pitbull Terrier Club of America) judges program and titles awarded by their judges as prescribed in E-Ballot #26- 05 (Entry in AWDF Affiliated Breed Club Trials).
The WPBTCA has an acceptable judges program that mirrors our own, and the titles would only be accepted as progression pertaining to performance titles (i.e., SchH1 to SchH2, etc.). The WPBTCA currently has one judge who has met the requirements of that organization’s judges program.
Titles earned under a WPBTCA judge will not be recognized for German Shepherd Dogs in any context that applies to breeding, breed surveys, breed shows, and registration with USA. These titles will also not be recognized for the USA SchH3 Club, the USA Sports Medals Program, or entry in the USA-GSD National Championship.
Background: We do not confer any credentials on the judges programs of AWDF member clubs, and their judges may not under any circumstances judge at any USA-sanctioned event. A motion to change this policy would require approval by the Board.
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Dena McGowan, Thom Payne, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), No–1 (Gordon Esselmann), NR–1 (Willie Pope). Motion carried 5/21/09.
E-Ballot #9-09
(2009 Sieger Show Slate of Judges)
Motion by Tim Burke, seconded by Craig Groh, to approve the USA Breed Advisory Committee’s recommended slate of judges for the 2009 USA Sieger Show:
Margit van Dorssen (SV) – (6–9 Month Female, 9–12 Month Female, 12–18 Month Female, Adult Female, Kennel Groups)
Hans Joachim Dux (SV) – (4–6 Month Male. 6–9 Month Male, 18–24 Month Male, Adult Male, Progeny Groups)
Johannes Grewe (USA) – (4–6 Month Female, 9–12 Month Male, 12–18 Month Male, 18–24 Month Female, Progeny Groups, Kennel Groups)
Mark Przybylski (USA) – (Protection Female, Protection Male)
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Thom Payne, Willie Pope, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–2 (Mark Przybylski, Johannes Grewe). Motion carried 3/21/08.
E-Ballot #8-09
(2009 USA Working Dog Championships Slate of Helpers)
Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve the USA Helper Committee’s recommended slate of helpers for the 2009 USA Working Dog Championships:
Clark Niemitalo Sean Murphy Steve Romard Chris Fodera Final positions (front half, back half, alternate) will be determined per USA policy through a helper tryout on Thursday prior to the event.
Vote: Yes–21 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Thom Payne, Willie Pope, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 3/19/08.
E-Ballot #7-09
(Recognition of WPBTCA Judges Program and Titles)
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Al Govednik, that USA recognize the WPBTCA (Working Pitbull Terrier Club of America) judges program and titles awarded by their judges as prescribed in E-Ballot #26- 05 (Entry in AWDF Affiliated Breed Club Trials).
The WPBTCA has an acceptable judges program that mirrors our own, and the titles would only be accepted as progression pertaining to performance titles (i.e., SchH1 to SchH 2, etc.). The WPBTCA currently has one judge who has met the requirements of that organization’s judges program.
Titles earned under a WPBTCA judge will not be recognized for German Shepherd Dogs in any context that applies to breeding, breed surveys, breed shows, and registration with USA. These titles will also not be recognized for the USA SchH3 Club, the USA Sports Medals Program, or entry in the USA-GSD National Championship.
Background: We do not confer any credentials on the judges programs of AWDF member clubs, and their judges may not under any circumstances judge at any USA-sanctioned event. A motion to change this
Executive Board Ballots–2009 4 of 5 Updated November 24, 2009 policy would require approval by the Board. (WPBTCA judges program, letter of request, and judge’s resume attached.)
Motion withdrawn 3/2/09.
E-Ballot #6-09
(Allocation of Funds for Legal Services)
Motion by Sean O’Kane, seconded by Sara Wallick, to allocate $20,082.18 for professional services rendered and costs incurred through December 30, 2008 from the Law Offices of Lathrop and Gage.
Background: These services were for recent events in 2008 that were unforeseen. There is $5,000.00 for legal fees in the current budget. There was only $3,098.00 left within this line item and that has already been paid to Lathrop and Gage. The total bill was $23,180.18 and the remaining balance is $20,082.18.
Vote: Yes–21 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Thom Payne, Willie Pope, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 3/5/09.
E-Ballot #5-09
(Funding for Judges Meeting with SV Head Judge Günther Diegel)
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Craig Groh, to reallocate $10,000 from Events Expenses/WUSV 2008 Contribution to Officer and Committee Expenses/Judges Meetings. The funds will be used for the reimbursement of USA judges who attend the judges meeting conducted by SV Head Judge Günther Diegel in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 27–March 1, 2009. Reimbursement for USA judges will be a maximum of $800 per judge attending. Only fully licensed and working USA judges will be in attendance (that number is currently 15). The expenses of Herr Diegel will also be reimbursed. It is estimated $14,500 would cover all of the expenses.
The purpose of this meeting is to facilitate the further recognition of USA judges by the SV. All USA judges in attendance will be granted an SV license through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America for use within the United States. This will be beneficial to all USA members. It will further promote recognition of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America and our Judges College in the world of German shepherd dogs. It will also enable our members to acquire the prerequisites needed to show and/or koerklasse their dogs in Germany with titles acquired under those USA judges in attendance.
Background: The budget usually contains one line item (Judges Meetings) in the amount of $20,000 ($10,000 for the annual Judges College and $10,000 for WUSV/FCI meetings). Last year the judges voted to forgo the annual Judges College and put the money toward the WUSV 2008 event in case it was needed.
In the 2009 budget there are two separate line items: Events Expenses/WUSV 2008 Contribution–$10,000 and Officer and Committee Expenses/Judges Meetings (WUSV/FCI)–$10,000. As stated in the WUSV 2008 report at the General Board meeting, the $10,000 budgeted for the WUSV 2008 event was not needed and was not transferred into the WUSV 2008 account. In the 2009 budget there is currently about $4,500 left in the Officer and Committee Expenses/Judges Meetings line item.
Vote: Yes–21 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Thom Payne, Willie Pope, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer). Motion carried unanimously 2/17/09.
E-Ballot #4-09
(2009 GSD National Championship Slate of Judges)
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve the USA Judges Committee’s recommended slate of judges for the 2009 GSD National Championship:
Tracking – Mike Hamilton (USA)
Obedience – Mark Przybylski (USA)
Protection – Günther Diegel (SV)
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Michelle Kutelis, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Mark Przybylski), NR–1 (Willie Pope). Motion carried 2/9/09.
E-Ballot #3-09
(2009 USA Working Dog Championships Protection Judge)
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Sara Wallick, to approve the USA Judges Committee’s recommended change of protection judge for the 2009 USA Working Dog Championships from Al Govednik to Johannes Grewe. This change is due to a work schedule conflict.
Vote: Yes–17 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Al Govednik, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Michelle Kutelis, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Johannes Grewe), NR–3 (Steve Cobb, Pedro Jimenez, Willie Pope). Motion carried 2/7/09.
E-Ballot #2-09
(Funding for Judges Meeting with SV Head Judge Günther Diegel) – Withdrawn
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Johannes Grewe, for USA to allocate funds for the reimbursement of USA judges who attend the judges meeting conducted by SV Head Judge Günther Diegel in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 27–March 1, 2009. Reimbursement for USA judges will be a maximum of $800 per judge attending. Only fully licensed and working USA judges will be in attendance (that number is currently 15). The expenses of SV Head Judge Günther Diegel will also be reimbursed. It is estimated $15,000 would cover all of the expenses.
Executive Board Ballots–2009 5 of 5 Updated November 24, 2009 The purpose of this meeting is to facilitate the further recognition of USA judges by the SV. All USA judges in attendance will be granted an SV license through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America for use within the United States. This will be beneficial to all USA members. It will further promote recognition of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America and our Judges College in the world of German shepherd dogs. It will also enable our members to acquire the prerequisites needed to show and/or koerklasse their dogs in Germany with titles acquired under those USA judges in attendance.
Motion withdrawn 2/3/09.
E-Ballot #1-09
(Advance Payment for 2009 GSD National Championship)
Motion by Craig Groh, seconded by Nathaniel Roque, to approve a $1,000 advance payment to the Machtig Strom Schutzhund Verein for the 2009 GSD National Championship. The funds are to be used to pay a deposit to secure the stadium for the event.
Vote: Yes–19 (Lyle Roetemeyer, Craig Groh, Sara Wallick, Sean O’Kane, Mark Przybylski, Tim Burke, Johannes Grewe, Terry Macias, Frank Phillips, Nathaniel Roque, Pia Blackwell, Steve Cobb, Arthur Collins, Gordon Esselmann, Scott Hedger, Pedro Jimenez, Michelle Kutelis, Mark Scarberry, David Witmer), ABS–1 (Al Govednik), NR–1 (Willie Pope). Motion carried 1/21/09.
Executive Board Ballots 2009