MESSAGE FROM THE ARC PRESIDENT
Dear ARC Members,
Dear ARC Members,
As I have stated publicly before, this Board applies the same rules
to all members, even if they are sitting on the Board. I would ask that
each ARC member take a look at the recent President's message
from Gwen. I believe it is self explanatory. She and her husband,
Chip, have self-reported this Mandatory Practice violation to the ARC
BOD and appropriate action will be taken. And Gwen has gone a step further
and, for the best interest of the club, resigned as President on her
own volition.
The Board has accepted her resignation from office, not the club - Gwen
knows that is not the way "out". I hope that Gwen & Chip
continue to offer their service in a hands on way, donating time and
knowledge that can't be replaced. The decades she and Chip have given
to this club and our breed makes my 25 years, as well as most other
members, pale in comparison. It has been an honor to serve with her.
As of now, I will serve the remainder of Gwen's term as President. Janet
Fletcher will serve as Vice President. Janet has demonstrated what it
takes to be a member of the Board of a dog club . . . independence in
doing what she feels is in the best interest of the club and the Rottweiler.
Marilyn Piusz will be serving the one year remaining of Janet's term
as a Board member; her appointment will become effective on July 1st,
once Lin Beenen takes over as Treasurer. Marilyn's knowledge of the
club history, bylaws and regulations is beyond compare. This Board is
a diverse group elected by and representing many of the varied interests
that make up this club. We will continue to try and do so to the best
of our ability by following all rules and regulations of the club.
The American Rottweiler Club has a myriad of Bylaws, standing rules
and Mandatory Practices that govern how we operate as a club. Some of
these are clear-cut; others are not, leaving them open to interpretation.
All Boards, this one being no exception, have to interpret the intent
of these, even though many may be old or seem outdated to some. This
ongoing interpretation is what all elected officials have to do, whether
for this club or a city council. We are always, in essence, trying to
decide what someone in the past meant when a rule was written and give
those rules meaningful interpretation based on all available data.
A few months ago a longtime member and noted breeder of repute self-reported
a violation of Mandatory Practice #4:
Breed only bitches two years of age or older with OFA certified
normal hips, in good health, free of communicable diseases, having
none of the faults listed above in Section 2, to not more than one
stud dog at any one season, and not more than two out of three consecutive
seasons. Plan all litters with the goal of improving the breed.
The board issued a letter of reprimand, which the member graciously
acknowledged. This “Disciplinary Action” was due to be printed in the
2nd Qtr. ARK. However, unlike the previously issued reprimand to two
members for violation of this same section, this member owned the two
stud dogs, but did not own the bitch.
The Board has since reviewed the facts and determined that the above
rule is not applicable to the situation. While this section of the Mandatory
Section might be interpreted to include owners of male Rottweilers,
the Board debated the issue and made a decision to rescind the letter
of reprimand.
All rules of this club are subject to member change through several
processes. This Board welcomes all constructive suggestions in this
regard. But these suggestions need to be made thru the processes as
outlined in our Bylaws and Standing Rules.
An example of this was when a motion was submitted in writing to the
Secretary to be presented at the 2006 ARC Annual Meeting:
A motion was submitted by Juan Griego, who was not able to attend,
requesting a motion to allow multiple sire litters. President Grant
stated that because the current Mandatory Practices only allow one
stud this would require a vote of 2/3 of the membership.
Even though this could not be something that would be able to be changed
at the meeting, the members were able to motion and vote as to whether
or not this matter should be sent to the entire membership:
Roberta Martin motioned for a vote to the membership to amend
the ARC Mandatory Practices to allow multiple sire litters. Second
made by Jill Kessler Miller. Discussion followed regarding the pros
and cons of multiple sire litters. Vote of attending members taken.
Motion failed.
The process was followed and worked, whether some members liked the
results or not.
Please email or call me with any pertinent questions or concerns you
have. I or the Board will immediately acknowledge your inquiry and respond
as soon as possible; I am shooting for no longer than a 5-7 day turnaround
on answers. You may not always like the answers, but they will be prompt
and based solely on the rules applicable to club. Ask me! Ask the Board!
Investigate on your own! Then read the applicable Bylaws and Standing
Rules that we may reference in response. There is only one overriding
goal for this Board: the preservation of our dogs as we wish them to
be - healthy in mind and body - and our ability to responsibly own them.
If anyone doubts this goal, please just ask around.
Take advantage of this great ARC website, as maintained by Audrey,
and visit often. Paws4laws.com has been completely rebuilt. ARC’s response
to AVMA is due out very soon and I think you will be very pleased. Also,
read the ARK and let's all stay informed of the events that affect our
dogs on a daily basis. We have many new volunteers added to various
positions that are bringing new blood to this club's efforts.
Over the last 5 years the ARC has lost over 400 members. The economy,
apathy, and the end of the "Rottie Boom" (a good thing?) have
all contributed. In spite of this our membership has remained fairly
constant as over the same period we have also gained valuable new members.
In 1997 we had 1,389 members and 12 years later we have 1,189. I don't
think a loss of 200 over 12 years is too bad. During this same period
each Board has done it's best to promote membership and our dogs. This
Board will continue to do the same.
My door is open, as is this Board's.
Respectfully,
Jeff Shaver
President
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