Minutes – PBGA Delegates Meeting

January 12, 2008 

 Attendance – Carlisle, Eldred, Elizabethtown, Indiana County, Jacobus, Lebanon, Lycoming, Lykens Valley, Mason Dixon, Monroe, N.Lancaster, Oil Creek, Rainbow, Rayburn, Shamokin, Susquehanna, Tunkhannock, Webster, West Branch

Absent: Breakneck, Central, Conemaugh Valley, Pucketos, Towanda, York & Adams

CALL TO ORDER

I.       All Officers present – President Jared Shade welcomed all to the meeting

II.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES

President Jared Shade asked for approval of October 2007 minutes with motion to accept as issued.  Motion Passed.

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS REPORTS

a.  President -   President Shade addressed the delegates, first thanking Charlie Flexer for the arrangements for the banquet.  He then announced that Scott Dennis would be the MC tonight for the awards banquet.  He also welcomed Tina Grim back as Communications Director and thanked her for all her had work on the website and keeping everyone informed of the changes to the Dog Law Enforcement.

b. Eastern Vice President: Mark Malloy

c. Western Vice President -  Gary DeFoor thanked all who participated in assisting with the PBGA Field Trial Schedule. 

d. Secretary  -  Josh Herring thanked all who participated in the raffle.

e. Treasurer’s Report:

Dave Sharer reported the following: Income for the PBGA was $6,159.32,

Amt. rec’d from banquet: $2521.00

Total Bills: $2315.16 Balance:  $6364.70

One outstanding bill of $740.00 for trophies

Dave reported that Club dues can be paid today or mailed to him.

f. Director of Communications: no report.

III. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Political Awareness - John Gibble reported that the Dog Law Changes last December have been tabled.  There have been 80 pages plus an additional 30 pages added.  This umbrella legislation is trying to define our type of kennel vs. puppy mills.  John handed an update our and sample letter to take back to the Clubs and send to their local legislators.  The next meeting is January 23, 2008 at 1:00 pm at the PA Farm Show.  President Shade suggested supporting this cause.  The US Sportsman’s Alliance is currently working on our behalf.

Show Seminar Tina Grim and Sam Lauchman will continue to set up these seminars and are planning Seminars in the east and west.

Hall of Fame: All three nominees on the ballot will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Wanda Borsa will be receiving the Houndsperson of the Year award.  Monica Kline from the USSA and John Gibble will be presenting Wanda’s award.

Banquet: Dave Sharer thanked Charlie Flexer for helping with the Banquet set up.  Social hour will be from 5 to 6.  Six of the eight consistency winners will be at the banquet.  The January 2008 attendance will be the highest to date.   

2008 Directories John Gibble stated that the directories are not available to date.  John will require information from several clubs.  Please get the information to John as soon as possible.  Each club will receive one free directory.  John will make sure the club receives all directories that are ordered.  Need Purina qualifying trial correct information for the directory.  Purina Trials do not need to be advertised in Hounds and Hunting (any monthly periodical will suffice).

            Website – nothing to report

Field Trial Committee: Gary DeFoor gave out his new telephone number for clubs to contact him with questions/concerns about the field trial schedule.   All licensed trials must be on the website.  

            By-Law Committee: nothing to report

PA Game Commission Meeting - The PA Game Commission meeting is January 27, 28 and 29. Sunday, January 27, is open for public comment.  Delegates mentioned they would like to see Rabbit season extended till the end of February, and included in the student/youth hunt.  Charlie Flexer wanted to know the status of Sunday hunting.  John Gibble responded that it is an active discussion, but must go through the legislature.

Derby Championship Judges   There will be 4 judges selected from the East and 4 from the West, plus several apprentices.  Discussion was held regarding use of out-of-state judges.  There is nothing in the By-Law regarding the use of out-of –state judges.  Charlie Flexer stated we should be cost effective in the use of Judges as well as using competent judges.  President Shade said we will use the highest votes gotten from the East and West.

            DERBY JUDGE RESULTS/High Vote:

            Eastern Judges: Edgar Burdette, Mike Johnson, Charlie Flexer, and Gary Keller

Western Judges: Kevin McKewen, Dan Zerrick, Ed Sankey, Doug Pears

            Show Judge: Wanda Borsa

             Apprentices: Matt Johnson, Mark Malloy will go the remaining apprentice vote getters.

2008 OUTSTANDING HOUND AWARD  

The 2008 Award for Outstanding Hound will be a Dog Box (similar to 2007).  Josh Herring and Andy Purnell will head up this task. 

            PBGA 2008 RAFFLE AND SPONSER

The Purina contract has been renewed for another year. 

OLD BUSINESS

New Membership Status – 1) Cambria Beagle Club might be ready for a Spring/Summer qualifying trial.  2) Stein’s Hollow Beagle Club is still working on their grounds.  3) Bellwood Beagle Club is interested in joining the PBGA.  They must comply with the By-laws and send a lettering stating their interest. 

            Consistency Award – these awards will be awarded at the Banquet

Field Trial Secretaries: All results and per capita for both PBGA and NEBGF trials will be sent to Dave & Sara Sharer.  They will then forward the results to the NEBGF. 

Club Absence at Meetings – President Shade spoke to both clubs (Mason Dixon & Oil Creek) regarding their absence.  The PBGA will abide by Article 13 of the By-Laws.  Both clubs were present at this meeting.   Stan Hepler attended 2 out of three meetings, but did not sign the Attendance sheet.  Terry Gregory was in attendance for Mason Dixon stating their case.  Motion made by Mark Malloy that the clubs can hold qualifying trial, seconded by Edgar Burdett, Motion passed. Article 13 will be put in PBGA Directory as a reminder to clubs. 

NEW BUSINESS

NEBGF UPDATE - The PBGA would like to see increased seminars for Judges and AKC would have some influence at trials.  Member clubs van hold 3 qualifying trials and 1 Derby trial – One can be a licensed trial.  A newsletter will be out soon regarding dog food, etc. Josh Herring asked how much the NEBGF is going to enforce Advertising trial. John Gibble replied that it can be advertised on the website and can be discussed at next meeting. 

AKC NATIONALS’ will be held April 11th and 12th in Kentucky.  Anyone interested in being a Marshall should see John Gibble.  Marshalling fees will be approximately $200+ a day.  John Gibble encouraged attendance. 

NEBGF Championship Event: May 30th- June 1st @ Susquehanna Valley Beagle Club.  The NEBGF will be holding the continuing education 4hr seminar at this event. 

            DERBY QUALIFIER        

Discussion was held on the PBGA Derby Qualifier trials.  Mark Malloy stated that there has been a decline in entries at Derby trials. What can be done to boost entries at the qualifier/championship?  Only had 12% of derby qualified entered in championship?  Would it be best to cancel derby trials and have just a Championship trial?  This would open more dates for new clubs.  The weather (heat) is always a factor for the derby championship for young dogs.  Lisa Snyder stated that the combined class does not work well for young dogs.  Separating by gender might be better.  Dave Sharer stated that $407 per capita was received by PBGA from Derby trials.  Motion was made to eliminate derby qualifiers and consistency prizes.  The PBGA would simply have Derby Championship trial.  President Shade would like this taken back for discussion to Clubs and bring back to next meeting for a club vote.

            GOOD OF ASSOCIATION         

Jacobus Beagle Club is holding an SPO AKC Judging Seminar on July 12th.  Update was provided by Jim Katchko.  Any one wanting to attend should send their information to Jim Katchko

Running Rules - President Shade asked that he attachment provided at the meeting be taken back to Clubs and discussed and brought back to next meeting for further discussion and vote.

            Motion for Adjournment

            Motion to adjourn made by Jim Katchko and seconded by Ryan Becker. Motion passed

           

RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED – JOSH HERRING, SECRETARY