MN 4-H Dog PDC Minutes


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Saturday, November 6, 1999 ~ University of Minnesota ~ St. Paul Campus

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Members Absent
NW: Jennifer Erickson, Karen Loken
NE: Elizabeth, Chapman, Pat Chapman, Joseph Dolan, Regina Dolan
C: Kelly Hanson, Karl Reimer
SW: Loretta Eichmann, Melanie Pamp
SE: Marlene Scott

Extension Educators Present:  Laurie Magnus, Al Rasmussen
Extension Educators Absent:  Renee Hink-Ferrington
Center Staff Present:  Tammy Lorch, Brad Rugg

Guests Present:  Karl Oestrich, Jon Hjelm, Sandra Sedivy, Ron Geske, Anita Geske, Chelsey Knoll, Marlene Keller, Dorthy Brouwers, Nancy Holmseth, Donna Sonnek, Mary Ellen Steinhoff, Sandy McMaines, Ryan McMaines, Mackenzie McMaines, Emily Wagner, Jenifer Brouwers

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair, Cherrye Tagatz at 10:45 a.m. Everyone present introduced themselves.  The districts met in caucus to discuss concerns.

District Update

• NW: - Concerns addressed on agenda.
• NE - no one in attendance.
• C - No concerns.
• SW - Need clarification on the number of obedience trainings that they need to attend in order to attend regionals in agility.  Concern that Cloverbuds will not be able to train their dogs independently.
• SE - Ring protocol and separating agility and obedience/showmanship at the State Show.

Treasurer's Report
A written report was given with an ending balance in the account at $6,501.27. The complete report is attached to these minutes.  All Regional Dog Shows made a profit:  Southern Regional $1,340.20; Central Regional $1,724.38; and Northern Regional $1,377.63.

Appointment of New Members
Brad Rugg from the Center for 4-H Youth Development highlighted some issues:

• Congratulated the committee on the growth of this committee
• Budget Items
• The PDC used to have a balance of $11,000, it is now less than $2500
• Registration fees were increased, judges fees were looked at.  A well thought out judges fee scale has been established.
• Since this year did show profit, re-visit the judges fee structure.  Maybe appoint a subcommittee to look at this.  Brad recommended Lucille Belch be the senior judges who would work with this.
• Requests from EE looking at the judges for county fair judges:
• There are not enough Certified judges on "the list".
• Increase the number of certified judges by holding several judges trainings .(not certifications clinics)in different locations and times throughout the coming year
• Continue to protect the integrity of the dog project.
• There are good people out there who don't want to be certified to judge at Regionals & State, but are good with kids and could be good with county fair shows. A list needs to be started.
• Super Session - needs a committee of people to do this - not one person.
• Agility at the state show - growing pains at the state show - look at a second day to support that show.
• Cloverbuds - K-2 and possibly 3rd grade.  The Center for 4-H Youth Development pulled together a Cloverbud Committee to establish statewide guidelines for Cloverbuds.  This resulted in a new statewide "Cloverbud Policy" that takes effect this year.  Two important highlights for the dog project are:

A resulting conversation among committee members about what the new Cloverbud Policy means for the dog project occurred.  The dog project is different from other livestock projects like beef or rabbit in that with those projects it is more feasible for the parent or junior leader to lead or hold the animal in the show ring.  All aspects of a dog show (agility, obedience, and showmanship) require training of a skill and there are major issues around parents training the dog.  The group agreed that we would uphold this new Cloverbud Policy by expecting counties to not allow Cloverbuds to participate in dog training and shows (agility, obedience, and/or showmanship), but encourage counties to develop ways for Cloverbuds to explore the dog project and then participate in the fair with some kind of dog related exhibit (poster, display, notebook, etc.).

Standing Committee Reports
Agility - Owen & Cathy

• Separate day for the obedience/showmanship and agility for the state show.  The regional would be held in the morning and the state would be held in the afternoon.  The committee would have games set up for those who are eliminated from the competition.  This is due to the conflicts of scheduling.
• It was brought up that this would eliminate some kids from showing if it were to be taken from the regional.  More discussion will be done before a motion is made.

Judges Certification - Jeff & Donna
The task force appointed at the last meeting brought the following proposal to the meeting:

• Purpose of the Judges Certification Committee

Four categories of judges were defined:

• Provisional - In the process of being certified, but not yet completed.
• Certified - Have met the requirements to become certified.  May be certified in any area (Example:  Agility only, Obedience only, Showmanship only, Agility & Obedience, Agility & Showmanship, Obedience & Showmanship, or Agility, Obedience, & Showmanship).
• Senior - Have been certified for five years and have judged a minimum of 25 shows (at the county, regional, and/or state level) in agility, obedience, and/or showmanship (not 25 of each).
• Master - A senior judge who is certified in all three areas with a minimum of five shows (at the county, regional, and/or state level) judged in each area.

Committee Membership:

• Members of the Judges Certification Committee will be selected by the PDC evaluating their qualifications and their interest in this committee - apply through application which will be developed.
• The Judges Committee would be made-up of a minimum of:

• The committee must represent each region of Minnesota with a minimum of one person from each the Northern, Central, and Southern Regional Show areas.
• The committee must represent all current aspects of the dog project with a minimum of one judge representing agility, one judge representing obedience, and one judge representing showmanship.

M/S/C (Donna/Jeff) to approve of the representation /membership of the committee.
M/S/C (Rhonda/Nick) to amend the committee structure by adding three volunteers (do not have to be members of the State Dog PDC) to the membership of the committee.
M/S/C (Nick/Jessica) to amend the committee membership to include two youth.

Cherrye, PDC Vice-Chair, appointed a Judges Certification Committee.  Members are:

• Certified Judges - Dorothy Brouwers, Maureen Martin, Wally Steinhoff
• Senior Judges -Leona Hellesvig, Jeff McMaines, Donna Sonnek
• Volunteers - Kelly Edgar, Karl Oestrich, Rhonda Weis
• Youth Members - Jenifer Brouwers, Owen Holmseth

Committee Meetings:

• Minimum of one per year, once procedures have been established.  Meetings date(s) will be announced at the State PDC meeting prior to the date of the committee meeting.  Agenda items for the meeting may be submitted to the committee 30 days in advance.  Additional meetings as needed and can be via teleconferencing, e-mail, or in person.  If in person anyone would be allowed to attend the meetings as a 'silent observer' and at the end of the meeting ask questions.

• This would be a separate committee to establish criteria for any complaints made by an exhibitor regarding a judge. The committee would be:

State and Regional Show Judges:

•  In regard to the above mentioned purpose of the Judges Certification Committee, we suggest the respective Show Committees select judges for Regional and State shows in consultation with the Center for 4-H Youth Development.

Jessica addressed the issue of the Veterans Class.  It was specifically designed at the Graduate Novice level and not Novice (as in AKC).  The purpose of the class is for the 4-H'er and dog who have progressed thru dog training and competition for several years and then when they complete Graduate Novice the dog may be too old/physically unable to advance to the jumping that is required in Pre Open, Open, Graduate Open, and Utility.  This is why a dog in Veterans is prohibited from participating in Agility, but is encouraged to participate in showmanship.  This class (Veterans) allows the 4-H'er with only one dog the ability to continue with the dog project.  Jessica supports combining Veterans into one class at the Regional & State Shows because at this time there are not enough participants to break it into Junior and Senior divisions (like Pre Open, Open, Graduate Open, and Utility).

Show - Cherrye
No report.  (Committee has not met.)

Dale Blyth
Dale Blyth, Director of the Center for 4-H Youth Development, briefly joined the group.  He shared some ideas that are developing to enhance the image of 4-H.

Other Committees
Supersession - Jeff
June 16-18 in Barnsville.  Jeff is looking for help in Agility.  Dorothy Brouwers volunteered to help with Agility.  Jeff will have all information and registration information to Tammy at the 4-H Center by February 15.  Tammy will then send information to all county extension offices and the list of county dog project contacts that she has.

State Fair Dog Project Activities/Demonstrations - Dorothy Brouwers
Freeborn County ended up doing the three days -17 kids and 23 dogs participated.  Challenges were no outside space was available and the inside space was small.  Parking was also a problem, especially getting through the barricades to unload at the 4-H building.  Agility was a big hit as were the demonstrations on scent discrimination & making treats to teach tricks.  Dorothy is willing to coordinate next year only if the other districts each participate in a day.  Also, scheduling needs to be coordinated to eliminate competition with other events in the building.  Marlene Keller and Ron & Anita Geske volunteered to help next year.

Regional Show Reports

• South - Things went very well.  There were 146 exhibitors with a total of 317 entries.
• Central - A good but long day.  There were 250 exhibitors with a total of 541 entries.  Gave out the ribbons at the end of each class and will do again.  Nice facility.
• North - Things went well.  Had to add a judge and another building the week before the show.  There were 178 exhibitors with a total of 341 entries.  Will be doing it again next year at the fairgrounds

State Show Report - Cherrye
The show went very well.  There were 241 exhibitors with a total of 368 entries.  Results were sent to every county extension office the week after the show.  For next year, it was suggested that agility move to Friday or Sunday and having the regional competition in the morning and the state competition in the afternoon.  There would be games having during the down time for the participants.  Then it was suggested to eliminate the regional show part allow all youth to compete at the state level and average the score of two runs.
M/S/C (Rhonda/Kelly) to move agility at the State Show to Sunday and no have no Regional competition for agility in 2000 and to revisit this decision for 2001.

2000 Looking & Planning Ahead
Project Bowl
State Project Bowl will be held April 8, 2000 at the St. Paul Campus.  Marlene Scott and Kelly Edgar are coordinating.  Kelly is writing questions.  Regional Contests are:  Wright County - March 4, Norman County - March 11, Steele County - March 18, and Pope County - March 25.

Rhonda suggested that the showmanship judges take their questions from the dog bowl references and that this be written in the guidelines and website.

Regional Shows

• Northern will be hosted by Beltrami County, but needs to find a host for 2001.
• Central will be hosted by Anoka County, but needs to find a host for 2001.
• Southern will be hosted by Freeborn County.  They will also host 2001.

Web Page
The web page has not been updated lately.  Tammy will work on it again after the move.  Her goal is to get the new dog vaccination certificate up so that it can be downloaded from the site.  Hopefully the agility rules can be put up there, too.  She will also work on developing the PDC part of it.  The address is:
http://www.fourh.umn.edu/mndog/

Appointment of New Members
Brad explained that the nomination process requires the recommendation and signature of the Extension Educator on the application.  Brad also recommended this once, since there is only one case where two people applied from the same district and there is only one vacancy in that district, that the person who is not elected be allowed to serve in another district's vacancy until the time when that other district fills their vacancy.
M/S/C (Cathy/Jessica) to accept Brad's recommendations in regard to full districts.

Unopposed applications received from:

• SE - Angela Aanas- LeSueur, youth term ending 2001
• C - Marlene Keller - Anoka County, term ending 2001
• C - Kelly Strei - Washington County, term ending 2002
• NW - Karl Oestrick- Beltrami County, term ending 2002
• SW - Melanie Pamp - Lyon County, term ending 2002

SE had two adult applications received and there is only one vacancy.  A paper ballot vote was taken.
        Kelly Edgar was elected and will fill SE 2002
        Cherrye Tagatz will fill the vacant SW unexpired term which ends in 2000

Al Rassmussen, Extension Educator will be resigning from the Committee.  Jon Hjelm, Extension Educator from Beltrami County, was appointed to the vacant Extension Educator spot.

Election of Officers
Election of officers was held with the following results:
        Chair-Cathy Steinmetz
        Vice Chair-Cherrye Tagatz
        Secretary- Kelly Edgar
        Treasurer-Karl Reimer

2000 Meeting Dates
Meeting Dates for 2000
        February 6
        June 9
        November 4

Other
Copies of the recent (Summer 1999) AKC Jr. News were circulated.  Jessica Sedivy, (a MN 4-H graduate and member of our dog PDC) was listed as a 1999 AKC Juniors Scholarship Winner.  The AKC Juniors Scholarship is based on academic record, involvement with the fancy, and financial need.  34 scholarships of $750 were awarded nationally.  The award reflected Jessica's 11 year involvement in the sport of dogs, as well as her academic pursuits in the fields of Biology/Environmental Studies at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.

M/S/C (Rhonda/Nick) to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:
Laurie Magnus, Secretary