PBGA Minutes – June 17, 2006

Delegates and Officers In Attendance

1. Breakneck Ed Sankey

2. Central David Bagaley

3. Carlisle John Cable

Conemaugh Valley Absent

Eldred Absent

4. Elizabethtown John Gibble

5. Indiana County Sara Sharer

6. Jacobus Todd Seitz

7. Lebanon Gary Keller

8. Lycoming Charlie Flexer

9. Lykens Valley Josh Herring

Mason-Dixon Absent

10. Monroe Edgar Burdette

11. N. Lancaster John Kiak

Oil Creek Absent

12. Pucketos Ron Hawk

13. Rainbow Gary DeFoor

14. Rayburn Twp. Dan Zerick

15. Sharpsville Doug Pears

16. Susquehanna John Yagielniskie

Towanda Absent

17. Tunkhannock Joe Kaschak

Webster Absent

18. West Branch Don Wagner

19. York & Adams Rick Merkel

2/3s of 19 = 13 votes required

Officers:

President Sam Lauchman

20. EVP Mark Malloy

WVP Gary DeFoor (voting as club delegate)

21. Secretary Absent

22. Treasurer Dave Sharer

23. Dir of Communications Tina Grim

Call to Order at 5:25 p.m. by President Sam Lauchman. First order of business was to approve the January 2006 minutes. Motion by Gary DeFoor, seconded by Gary Keller, motion passed.

Sam introduced the officers and announced how pleased he was with the turnout for the Derby Championship Trial. Saturday’s entries totaled 36 and we only need 10 more entries on Sunday to beat last year’s total number of entries. EVP Mark Malloy said that he was also very pleased with the number of entries. He’s eager to do a good job and encourages anyone to approach him with suggestions and ideas. WVP Gary DeFoor distributed the tentative 2007 Field Trial Schedule and reminded clubs that we will formally vote on this at the October meeting, so please have any changes to Gary before that time. Treasurer Dave gave a treasurer’s report (see attached). He also encouraged clubs to submit their trial results and per capita in the same envelope and to try to submit this paperwork within 2 weeks after your trial. Secretary Jared was absent due to his attending a wedding, so Tina is serving as secretary pro tem. No Report. Director of Communications Tina Grim just encouraged people to contact her with any questions or concerns. Most communication is now handled via email.

Committee Reports: Political Awareness   A. June 6 Game Commission meeting with Houndsmen was held and attended by John Gibble and a few others in the room. They addressed the following issues: 1. Coyote hunters asked for clarification on using vehicles to pursue game.  Is it a violation to get in your truck and go to where the chase has gone?  2. Thanked Commission for clarification on using tracking collars.  Commission changed rule to allow retrieval of hounds with tracking collars.  Clarified that use was not the same as the use of electronic devices to harvest game animals.  3. In response to question, Mike Schmidt, Deputy Executive Director is preparing standard operating procedures for rabbit trapping permits to be followed by all Regional Offices.  He will provide written comments when policy is sent out.  4. Questioned length of rabbit season, suggested open until end of February.  Calvin DuBrock, Chief of Wildlife Section, said they will revisit idea. May be based on squirrel and grouse populations.  5. Only 18 houndspeople there (8 beaglers).  Carl Roe, Executive Director; Mike Schmidt; Cal DuBrock; Office of Counsel; and 4 of the 7 current commissioners attended.  It is important to have this opportunity and we need to send representatives to future meetings.

Show Seminars – no report from Cathy or Ginny. The issue was raised about the inconvenience of hosting an all day show seminar and clubs were encouraged to have those interested in show judging to shadow a veteran judge. Since there are no requirements for being a show judge, no motion was needed to approve this suggestion. Tina suggested we at least have a packet of information explaining the standard. We will begin to seek apprentice show judges as we do for field judges at our championship trials.

Hall of Fame Committee – Sam asked for two volunteers from the west and two from the east to review the nominations and serve as this year’s committee. No one volunteered.

Banquet – discussion ensued about the lack of good attendance at the annual banquet. Several options were raised: upscale the event, maybe have a live band vs a dj, lowering the cost and keeping it the same, moving the time earlier in the evening, not charging those individuals winning an award. Further suggestions are to be given to Dave and Sara Sharer as the chair of the banquet. The date of Saturday, January 13, 2007 has been reserved with Dunnstown Fire Hall. Dave said we were just breaking even financially at the banquet. Local hotel costs c$68/night, which could be prohibitive for people. Directory – Tina encouraged clubs to meet the deadline, thanked everyone who supports and buys ads in the directory, look for more info to be mailed in August. Website – Tina encouraged people to visit it often and to feel free to make suggestions. It was announced that the NEBGF has a website up and running, which we will link to, as well as the IBGA and the New England group. Field Trial Committee – all felt the trial had gone very well in spite of the high temperatures.

Old Business: Shamokin Beagle Club – section of the minutes from the January meeting were read to bring everyone up to speed on the previous suggestions and options proposed. Shamokin members reported that they took back to their club the proposal of moving their licensed trial date and their membership rejected the idea. The date they have is one of the oldest ones with AKC and they are not willing to change it to join the PBGA. Suggestions were proposed: that the PBGA make an exception for this club, that the PBGA All Age Championship Trial and Pucketos switch their dates (provided Pucketos agrees), changing dates moves us into the Small Game Season (is that a problem that could adversely affect entries?), it was mentioned that the PBGA moved the date before, why not do it again. Pucketos has been claiming low turnout at their qualifiers, is it because they are at the beginning of the trialing season or due to the fact that they’re in small game season? What if we move our trial and we see a reduction in entries, can we reclaim our date? Not if another club claims that date. We have spent years building up this trial to be a huge success, we need to be cautious in what we propose and try to focus on what we feel is in the best interest of the association and our 25 clubs. Sam proposed we take a dinner break and asked us to continue to mull over our options.

Meeting reconvened with Shamokin saying that they understood the PBGA to promise them membership provided they cleaned house with some problem people. This matter is a by-law change since the by-laws stipulate when our trials are held, and that requires a formal notification of at least 60 days to all clubs and a 2/3’s approval of the majority. Lycoming moved that “the PBGA All Age Championship Trial move to the last weekend of October contingent on the Pucketos Beagle Club approving the change of date.” Motion was seconded by Tunkhannock and a ballot voting was conducted. Gary DeFoor and Dave Sharer counted the ballots. Motion was defeated 12 to 10. Tina proposed that Mark consider putting in a motion a recommendation he had pertaining to sharing the date. Mark Malloy moved that “the PBGA All Age Championship Trial and Shamokin continue to share the date and keep it the way it is.” Motion was seconded by Carlisle. A friendly amendment was added to state that “this is a one time exception due to the fact that Shamokin has one of the oldest licensed trial dates with AKC.” A ballot vote was in favor of this motion by a vote of 20-2 and votes were counted by Dave Sharer and Gary DeFoor. This notice will need to be sent to the delegates informing them that this will require a vote at the October meeting.

PBGA Raffle – Tickets are available and were distributed. Clubs were asked to take 40 tickets and to sell whatever they can. Some great prizes, thanks to Rick Merkel for coordinating and obtaining the prizes. Consistency – Dave Sharer reported on the consistency program. We had a total number of 444 hounds entered at 20 PBGA derby trials, with 62 at the Championship Trial, we had a total number of 506 hounds compete. Winners are as follows: 13” Male – Roaring Brook Reno, owner Jeremy Gregory; 15” Male - Cotton Country Big Head II, owner Rich Eidem and Terry Derr ; 13” Female – Bottle Run Huney Buns, owner Charlie Flexer; 15” Female – Kachinka Hollow Hunka Junka Muffin, owner Charlie Flexer. Audit – Tina reported that she reviewed the books this afternoon with Dave and the checkbook balances and matches the checking account statements, that thorough financial reports are maintained and that Dave has done an excellent job as a treasurer. Apprentice Judging Seminar – change the title to Clinic to avoid any confusion between what we’re proposing and the AKC Judging Seminar. Rick Merkel reported that he plans to move forward with this and hopes it will help clarify some gray areas and help our judges be more consistent. Consistency Winners were announced.

New Business: Sponsors – Sam acknowledged the presence of Mike Luchetta from Purina and gave him an opportunity to speak. He also thanked Mike for the new commitment of Purina jackets for our four field placements at the All Age Championship Trial. Art Slike from Hounds & Hunting was present and his donation of the field trial cards was also acknowledged. Tri-Tronics provided 25% coupons for our four field placements for the Derby Trial and will provide the same for the All Age Championship Trial. All Age Championship Trial – announced that it is scheduled for Oct. 14-15 at Breakneck Beagle Club. Voting for judges occurred now and will be announced at the end of the meeting.

NEBGF report was given by John Gibble.  Judging Seminars are scheduled by Lisa Carroll at Performance Events, (919) 816-3900 or lac@akc.org. AKC National Committee wants names of five judges.  Will select in order sent.  This year's nominations are, in order, Edgar Burdette; Mark Malloy; Tippy Willis; Larry Master; Scott Dennis.  Expect directive from Mel Stewart, on measuring field champions.  Whichever class a hound receives its last win (not which class it finished in) will be the hound's official measurement henceforth.  No more one time measurements.  Either get three measurements for official card or attend mass measurement.   A mass measurement must be scheduled at least 90 days prior to the event and an AKC official must be in attendance.  Certified judges, acceptable to AKC may do the measuring.  Beagle Advisory Committee Rep is now Gary DeFoor. Gary talked about a proposed combined hare/cottontail trial. That SPO reps only vote on SPO issues. New England was proposing that numbers are read when names are given during roll call. There is a teleconference scheduled for July 13-14. He’ll keep us posted.

Hounds Group in PA. Sam announced he was given a letter from N. Lancaster from a gentleman who was hoping to unite all hounds people in PA to rally behind important, shared causes. We thought it was a good idea and would like to be kept in the loop. John Gibble talked briefly about the Houndsmen’s meeting with the PA Game Commission and encouraged everyone to attend. This is an important opportunity and we should take full advantage of it. AKC By-Laws: Dave Bagaley talked about the recent letter sent to all clubs from the AKC pertaining to by-laws. He proposed clubs who do not have by-laws simply fill in the blanks, sign it, and send it in. Those clubs with more extensively by-laws can adopt this as an addendum and send it in to AKC. To comply with IRS standards as a non-profit organization, clubs are required to have open membership and a dissolution clause that benefits another non-profit organization. Tina will make extra copies tomorrow in case any clubs need them.

Ballot voting on judges for the All Age Championship Trial scheduled for Breakneck in October was conducted. Our proposed judges are as follows: East – Todd Seitz, Gary Keller, Rick Merkel, and John Gibble; West – Dan Zerick, Ed Sankey, Doug Pears, and Kevin McEwen. Show judge: Cathy Wheeler. Ballots were counted by Dave Sharer and Mark Malloy.

Before the meeting adjourned John Yagielniskie wanted to express his unhappiness over the voting and questioned whether the officers could vote and whether Director of Communications, as an appointed officer, can vote. [Note that the bylaws state that Director of Communications is a NOMINATED position with full voting rights. Interesting enough, nowhere in the minutes does it address the issues of the other officers voting, although this has been the past practice for at least five years since I have been in office. However, if officers are serving as their club delegate at a meeting, they cannot vote a second time as an officer. There were 19 clubs represented and 3 officers with voting privileges, totalling 22 votes. The president does not vote except to break a tie. Sam apologized for not being aware that the President only votes in a tie and will withdraw his votes on the issue. On issue #1 he withdraws a “nay” vote and on issue #2 withdraws a “yes” vote. This does not affect the outcome of either vote, since a 2/3ds majority is required for any by-law related voting. I strongly recommend we modify the bylaws to clarify voting rights]

Having no further business, Ron Hawk moved and Gary Keller seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Adjournment was at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Tina M. Grim

Secretary pro tem.