American Rottweiler Club, Inc,
2008 Annual Membership Meeting
May 24, 2008

Members Present: 49 Quorum: 122
Board Members Present: Juan Griego, Jeff Gregg, Diane Garnett, Joan Klem, Bob Busby
Parliamentarian: Chris Dickey AKC/IFR Delegate: Peter Piusz

The meeting was called to order by President Diane Garnett at 8:16PM, CDT at Washington County Fairgrounds, Lake Elmo, Minnesota. The meeting was preceded by an excellent presentation by RHF's guest speaker, Jaime Modiano, VMD, Ph.D., Perlman Professor of Oncology/Comparative Medicine, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and Masonic Cancer Center and Co-researcher on RHF funded Cancer research.

In the absence of the ARC Secretary, minutes and motions to be presented to the membership were recorded by Gwen Chaney.

Diane brought pertinent information to the membership:

  • 2007 Annual Meeting Minutes stand approved as printed.
  • Paws4Laws is owned by ARC and is an all-breed legislative action website.
  • Audrey Bye has done a stellar job as ARC's web master.
  • Barbara Haywood has done publications, ads, and letters.
  • Lynn Lopez is the moderator of the ARC owned member Yahoo-group, as a communication link from the membership to the Board.
  • July 1, 2008 Diane Garnett, Jeanette Tonini, and Joan Klem terms end.
  • June 1, 2008 last day of the 2008 Election.

Fund for Docking and Cropping was questioned. Peter Piusz explained this fund was formed because the Brittany parent club was sued and ARC donated funds for the legal actions.

Treasurer's Financial Report: July 2007 – May 12, 2008 was handed out. Marilyn Piusz has spent a year reviewing Kelly Fadel's Treasurer's Books. There will be an explanation to the membership in next ARK. Lynn Lopez and Marilyn have been working toward the agreement of funds. There has been agreement and reconciliation of RHF, KRB Junior Scholarship, and RRF funds. Outstanding are the BSL and Education Funds agreement. Marilyn's goal is June 30, 2008. There are no funds missing, the funds were placed in the general fund, because of timeliness and interpretation.

Questions:

  1. If we give $5,000 seed money to National Host clubs, what is $6,009.79? Why does ARC have $309.22 in bank fees?
  2. Is the Treasurer bonded? Yes, actually the Board is bonded. (Note: the entire Board is not bonded. The bond covers anyone who has signing authority on an ARC account(s).)
  3. Connie Hinz clarified that when Kay Lutz retired as Treasurer, there was an actual audit and the books were in order.
  4. Should ARC initiate an annual or biennial Treasurer's books review?

The Financial Report will be filed as reported and as noted.

Doris Baldwin, AKC Breed Referral Coordinator, reported many phone calls, even foreign asking where they can purchase docked Rottweilers. Doris' complete report will be published.

Dr. Tommy Caisango, Carting Test Coordinator, reported AKC did not approve the all-breed draft test. Five more clubs have hosted a carting test this year. ARC's scoring system makes us different. Dr. Tommy's complete report will be published.

Connie Hinz, Futurity Chairman, reported that we need to encourage breeders to nominate their bitches prior to whelping and entering the puppies before 4 months of age. This year 92 litters and 219 individuals. Connie's complete report will be published.

Marilyn Piusz, Membership Renewals, a complete report will be published.

Question: With $41,790.09 income has ARC filed with IRS? We do file every year.

Liz Wertz, President of Rottweiler Health Foundation, Inc. (RHF), outlined how RHF disperses, manages and its relationship with AKC – CHF. Veterinarian peer review of received proposals and RHF reviews proposals specific to Rottweilers. RHF notifies AKC- CHF with the amount and time span of the study. AKC – CHF will match the amount awarded by RHF.

Liz also discussed the Purina relationship with AKC – CHF and the Donor Advised Fund (RHF – DAF). The RHF website now has a special opportunity, Happy Birthday page. It is another option for RHF to raise money. Liz's complete report will be published.

Diane informed the membership present that the 2008 Membership Renewal Form has been changed because the ARC Board does not wish to collect for another group consequently the foundations (RHF & RRF) are no longer on the renewal form. The renewal form modification at this point is only for 2008 – 2009 renewal. Nothing is carved in stone.

Jeff Shaver, President of Rottweiler Rescue Foundation, Inc., thanked Northstar RC. and explained the formation of RRF in 2000 – 2001. RRF has finalized their Spring 2008 Grants. With these checks RRF has supported 45 rescues with 4400 dogs to the total of almost $90,000.00. RRF is in the process of setting the guidelines for the Linda Stoltz Fund. Concerning the ARC membership renewal form, RRF will bide its time to evaluate the result of ARC Board's decision. One last thought, if anyone knows of a rescue group that should be applying for a grant please notify us and/or notify them of our existence. A full report will be published.

Diane discussed the Katrina money (Disaster Relief Fund), the Purina Partnership (health/rescue/education) which the Board needs to discuss. There is $15,356.60 in the account. ARC received a check from Pedigree, $2,000, which went to RRF.

Peter Piusz, AKC/IFR Delegate, complimented Northstar on the awesome Rescue Parade. Peter suggested that it needs to be held before the BOB.

The membership voted to no longer continue ARC's membership in the IFR. Peter will write a very short, clear note to IFR stating just that.

Concerning AKC and Carting, 3 years ago the complete rules and regulations for a Parent Club Event were written. The AKC Parent Club Committee had to explain why it was tanked. It is not over. After the June Delegate's meeting ARC will have a better idea what is going on because carting is a good public event, ARC never expected to make money.

Money drives AKC. AKC having withdrawn from the contract with Petland, they are now proposing to accept registrations from other registration groups even though parentage may not be registered with AKC, as long as somewhere in the background there are AKC registrations it will be OK. ARC needs to pay attention to this and write letters.

ARC Working Sport Trial will be holding in North Carolina. Peter's complete report will be published.

New Business
Diane received a gift for all her years of service to ARC as Secretary and President.

Motion:
Lew Olson moved to create a Finance Committee comprised of three (3) ARC members (independent of the Board) to inspect and audit the ARC Treasurer reports and funds. This will be done yearly at the close of the current fiscal year (June 30th) to be completed by October 1st of the same year. Sweetie Kay seconded. Approved.

Motion:
Connie Hinz moved that ARC offer Armetale plates for first in each class and for all placements in Futurity classes at ARC National Specialties. Laura Wright Smith seconded. Discussion with a suggestion that 1st place plates in regular classes be 7” plates. The Futurity Classes 1st - 4th will be either 6” or 4” plates. Approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:52PM

Respectfully submitted,
Gwen Chaney