PENNSYLVANIA BEAGLE GUNDOG ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

Minutes of the Meeting of the Officers and Official Delegates

 

1.             The meeting of the Officers and Official Delegates was held at Dunnstown Firehall, Dunnstown,       PA on Saturday, January 17, 2004.  It was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by President, Gary Slick.              The attached sheet shows all that were present at this meeting.

2.             The minutes of the meeting held on October 10, 2003 at York and Adams Beagle Club were read.       MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES AS READ, made by Cathy Stewart, seconded by Stan              Breon.  Approved.

3.             Officers Reports:

                A.            President. Gary Slick thanked everyone for making the trip.  Stated we had a good year.                                      Thanked Tina for getting the facility and planning the banquet and Dunnstown Firehall                                               for having us back again.   Entries were up so the Championship trials were a success.                                              Had 18 out of 25 clubs response to the Hall of Fame voting.  We are here for you, its your                           Association.

                B.            East Region Vice President, Scott Dennis thanked Tina and Sam for doing most of the                                         work for the banquet and securing the facility for us.  Very successful year, thanked went                                        to Breakneck and York & Adams for making the Championship trials a success.                                     Participation is up.  Consistency awards, almost all the feed has been distributed.  The                                   guns for the Derby trial have been distributed, the guns for the All-age are on hold, we are                                in negotiations with Gander Mountain.  May be able to get the guns as a sponsorship                                        award or half the price of the guns.  2004 Derby Championship will be held at Northern                                                Lancaster and the 2004 All-Age Championship will be held at Sharpsville.  Continuing                                            apprentice judge program.                 

                C.            West Region Vice President, Glenn Spath reminded everyone if there is a problem with                                       the schedule contact him.  This is a leap year so the dates may look off.

                D.            Secretary, Virginia Conrad reminded everyone that the sign in sheet was at the end of the                                  table and to be sure that when signing in that you check your name and address, if                                    incorrect please put correct information in the space.  Congratulations went out the                                               clubs in perfect attendance in the year 2003 Conemaugh Valley, Indiana County,                                  Northern Lancaster, Rainbow, Rayburn Twp., Towanda, West Branch, and York &                                              Adams.  Pucketos is on the endangered list with no attendance for over three (3)                                                  meetings.  MOTION TO SEND LETTER TO PUCKETOS BEAGLE CLUB                                                 EXPLAINING THE BY-LAWS REGARDING THE ATTENDANCE  OF                                                            MEETINGS, made by Kevin McEwen, seconded by Sam Lauchman.  Approved.

                E.             Treasurer, Charlie Flexer reported that on 6-14-03 we had a balance of $500.29.  He                                                collected from per capita, dues 2004, directory’s, raffle money and Derby trial money for                                               a total of $1,871.92 plus the $500.29 gave a balance of $2,372.41.  Expenses came to a                                    total of $2,368.21.  $2,372.41 minus $2,368.21 leaves a balance of $4.20 as of 1-17-04.                                      This account will be closed as soon as all checks have cleared. MOTION TO ACCEPT                                      THIS TREASURER’S REPORT, made by Stan Breon, seconded by Bob Kitchen.                                                Approved.

                                Bills to be paid:  $414.12 for plaques Glenn Spath.  MOTION TO PAY BILLS,  made                                            by Tina Grim, seconded by Len Wert.  Approved.

                F.             Director of Communications, Tina Grim reported that she is communicating with                                   delegates through email.  Keep delegates updated.  She is faxing things to people that                                          don’t have email.  90% of the delegates are excellent.  Keep us updated on any changes                                  with your clubs.  The emails contain information about trial changes, hall of fame voting                                           and schedules for things that need done. 

                H.            New treasurer, Dave Sharer took over January 1, 2004.  Dave Sharer gave his bio and                                           thanked everyone for electing him to this office.  He reminded everyone that the memo                                       part of the check to put on there what the check is for, like per capita, dues, etc., that way

 

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                                he knows how to apply the check.  Income was as follows:  banquet $1,140.00; All Age                                       Run-off shirts $105.00; Ad’s $508.00; Dues $75.00; All age qualifiers $152.00;                                                  directories $20.00 for a total income of $2,200.00.  Expenses paid out $16.50.  Leaving a                                               balance of $2,183.50 as of 1-12-04.  (see copy attached)  MOTION TO ACCEPT                                               TREASURER’S REPORT, made by Len Wert, seconded by Jim Roush.  Approved.

  4.           Committee Reports:

                A.            Political Action:  still need someone to handle this.

                B.            Show seminars:  Cathy Stewart reported that we are planning on holding more seminars.                                     We are also planning to hold raffles to give prizes to the show portion of the                                                               championship trials.  We have graduated close to 30 people.  Any club interested in                                     holding a seminar please contact Cathy or Virginia. 

                C.            Hall of Fame Exhibit:  Gary Slick is looking for someone to put it together, so it is still on                     hold at the moment.

                D.            NEBGF:  Gary DeFoor wanted everyone to understand that he is not personally                                    criticizing any person  or organization.  He talked to Mel Stewart to see if there were any                                             negative implications if we do  decide to withdraw from the NEBGF, “said that although                                               the AKC would rather not be involved at this point, there would not be negative                                                                 implications for that.”  Gary asked him about the Association  versus Federation in                                              reference to BAC representation and Mel Stewart said he did not see any problem with                                       that. It is a hands off  policy until we decide.  Gave him a reason that we are considering                                         the move is because we are strong organization with good leadership.  Stan Breon                                             reported he sent out a letter dated October 18, 2003 to all PBGA delegates regarding the                                      NEBGF.  We need the NEBGF be stronger.  We could be the largest Federation with                                            some changes.  Next meeting of the NEBGF is on May 29-30, 2004 at West Branch                                               Beagle Club.  Officers are doing nothing.  They have a lack of leadership.  NEBGF                                        qualifiers run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of the year.  There is a lack of Communications. We                                           don’t need to organize a new federation we need to work on the one we have.  Send                                       everything to Stan Breon regarding the NEBGF qualifiers.  Make your next PBGA                                                 qualifier a NEBGF qualifier too.  After alot of discussion a motion was made.                                                          MOTION TO GIVE THE NEBGF OUR SUPPORT FOR ONE YEAR WITH NEW                                    LEADERSHIP, made by Tina Grim, seconded by Stan Breon.  Approved with 5 nay and                     17 yes.

                E.             Banquet:  Tina reported that there were more people coming this year.  Thanked Dave                                         and Sara Sharer for all their help.  Also thanked Sam for all his help and support.  Bob                                          Ford from Better Beagling was coming to the dinner to report on us. 

                F.             BAC:  John Gibble reported that there were 3 members absent on the teleconference call.                    It was a good meeting.  1.  Combining the sizes, same sex, if not enough entries in class                                                instead of combining sexes.  Failed.  2.  Points to NBQ. Failed.  3. 2 couple/hunt test.                                                  Tentatively passed.  Next on the agenda was defining a derby, change it from current date                           structure to any hound 2 years or younger on date of trial.  Allowing SPO Clubs to hold 2                                  licensed trials if they choose instead of holding a dissimilar trail.  The per capita, there                                        was a discussion regarding the increase of $2.00 per capita.  At the next Federation                                             meeting there will be needed 3 nominations for a delegate to BAC. There was some                                    discussion regarding the per capita raise from AKC.  It is $2.00 per dog. 

                G.            Directory:  Tina stated that the directories that the clubs had ordered were in .  The                                              directory brought in $710.00 in ad money so far.  Tri-Tronics is a new sponsor and                                                received a page in the directory and on the website.  Thanked the members that took out                                          ads.  It cost $500.00 to print the directory. 

                H.            Website:  Our fee for maintaining the website is $200.00 and $39.00 per year to keep our                                      domain name.  MOTION TO KEEP THE WEBSITE, made by Stan Breon, seconded                                       by Len Wert.  Approved.

 

 

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5.             Old Business:

                A.            Pencils:  Glenn Spath reported that he found on the internet, pencils with one line imprint                                   with free shipping, 1440 @ $69.12 or 7200 @ $300.00.  Discussion about putting PBGA                                        spelled out or www.pabeagle.org on them.  About 15 clubs were interested in ordering the                  pencils.  Some suggestions were having the clubs pre-order the pencils and pay up front.                                         If the clubs are interested   contact Dave Sharer, once we have the money we can order.                                     They would cost about 5 cents a piece.  Financially we can not pre-order for the clubs and                                 have them pay later.

                B.            Trial Schedule:  Glenn Spath reported that there were are few changes that had to be                                           made and that he and Tina are working on them.  Watch the website for current schedule.

                                The dates for the run-offs are correct.

                C.            Shamokin:  still interested.  Had an election and things haven’t changed.  They are not                                       ready for the PBGA yet.  They would not give up their license trial date. 

                D.            Tri-Tronics:  Rick Merkel reported that they are a new sponsor.  See their full page ad in                                     the directory.  They have changed their collars.  The batteries are lasting three times                                     longer and they are charging better.  Hopefully a good building relationship with the                                  PBGA.

                E.             Consistency Awards:  Scott Dennis reported that we are still talking to dog food                                                  companies, Tri-Tronics and Gander Mt. about sponsorships.  We are offering them full                                            page ad in directory and ad space on website.  Talking with Gander Mt. regarding the                                            gun, either getting it free or at a discount price.  If it does not work out we will talk to                                                 someone else.  No guarantee of what you will win other than the shotgun.  Will update                                       more on sponsorships in June.

                F.             Hall of Fame Criteria:  Sam Lauchman reported that the committee has been working on                                       this for a year.  This criteria is only to get the nominations on the ballot.  Had a roll call                                   vote for the proposal, see attached sheet.  Vote:  3 clubs absent, 21 yes and 1 nay.                                                         Approved.

                G.            Trophies:  discussion about whether or not to have the PBGA place an order on trophies                                   to get a discount. Need to talk to suppliers about becoming the official supplier for                                            trophies.  Cathy Stewart to check on this.  Gary Slick feels that it will not work for the                                     benefit of the clubs.  Dropped.

6.             New Business:

                A.            Dog Food Suppliers: Tina Grim reported that she is still negotiating with different dog                                         food companies.  She told us that she was talking to Black Gold, Purina, Joy and Casco.                                               She is trying to get a similar deal that we had from Sportsman’s Pride.  Joy has given us a                             proposal.  This was tabled until the June meeting. There was more discussion on this                                               subject.   MOTION TO LET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD TO ACCEPT A DOG                                      FOOD SUPPLIER’S PROPOSAL, made by John Hudak, seconded by John Gibble.                                           Approved.

                B.            Dues:  Tina stated that the dues have not been raised for a long time and feels that it needs                               to be raised.  Increase to consider is about $5.00 to $10.00.  Delegates were asked to take                                            back to clubs.

                C.            Magazine advertising:  which magazine is the majority advertising in?  Hounds &                                                 Hunting 12, American Beagler 12, and Better Beagling 7.  Place your ad in the month                                                 before if you have a first of the month weekend trial, suggestion was that if you are having                    a trial the first 10 days of the month then put the trial in the month before.  Hounds and                                          Hunting was the better choice.

                D.            BAC nominations:  John Gibble yes, Rick Merkel yes, Cathy Stewart yes  and Gary                                              DeFoor yes.  These names will be brought up at the NEBGF meeting.

                E.             Unified Sportsman:  John Gibble is not impressed with Unified.  He got a letter from PA                                       Sportsman Alliance. MOTION TO SWITCH OUR MEMBERSHIP FROM                                                                 UNIFIED TO PA SPORTSMAN FEDERATION, made by John Gibble, seconded by                                      Cathy Stewart.  Approved.

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                F.             MOTION TO PAY THE BILLS FOR THE BANQUET, DJ AND FIREHALL, made                              by Cathy Stewart, seconded by Stan Breon.  Approved.

                G.            PA Dog Owners Association dues are $10.00.  Discussion that if a club does not belong,                                   they should.

               

Gary Slick thanked the officers, Charlie Flexer and Rick Merkel for a good job.

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN, made by Jim Roush, seconded by Matt Minnick.  Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.