MN 4-H Dog PDC Minutes


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Saturday, February 26, 2000 ~ University of Minnesota ~ St. Paul Campus

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Members Absent
NW: Jennifer Erickson, Karl Oestreich
NE: Joseph Dolan, Regina Dolan
C: Erin Adley, Marlene Keller
SW: Cherrye Tagatz
SE: Angela Aanas, Owen Holmseth, Rhonda Weis

Extension Educators Present: Jon Hjelm, Laurie Magnus
Extension Educators Absent: Renee Hink-Ferrington
Center Staff Present:  Tammy Lorch

Guests Present: Vanessa Magnus, Mackenzie McMaines, Ryan McMaines, Sandie McMaines

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Cathy Steinmetz, at 10:32 a.m.  Everyone present introduced themselves and then districts met in caucus to discuss concerns.

We are saddened to announce that Maureen Martin, one of our 4-H dog judges, passed away suddenly on December 29, 1999.  Maureen judged many Regional and State Dog Shows and was instrumental in restructuring the judges certification committee.  Please notify local show coordinators of Maureen's death so that her family does not receive requests to judge dog shows.

District Update
NW - Concerns addressed on agenda
NE - No one in attendance
C - No concerns
SW - Concerns addressed on agenda
SE - Concerns addressed on agenda

Secretary's Report
M/S/C (Jon/Marlene S.) to accept the minutes of the November 6, 1999 meeting as printed.

Treasurer's Report
The current balance is $5,261.16.  The State show's net profit was $1,134.61.  The net profit of the Regionals is as follows:
    North $927.08
    Central $1,187.39
    South $884.42
For additional details, see attached State and Regional Show financial statements.
M/S/C (Jon/Marlene S.) to accept the treasurer's report as stated.

Appointment of New Members
Applications were presented to fill unexpired terms.
M/S/C (Marlene S./Nick) to appoint Mackenzie McMaines to fill the open Northwest youth position.
M/S/C (Marlene S./Melanie) to appoint Cathy Bechtold to fill an open Northeast volunteer position.
M/S/C (Jon/Laurie) that Laurie contacts Joseph and Regina Dolan to see if they are still interested in continuing on the committee.  They have never attended any meetings.  If they decline, then Cynthia Sasson will fill Joseph's Northeast unexpired term.
M/S/C (Laurie/Jon) to replace Renee Hink-Ferrington with Kelly Strei as an Extension Educator position.
M/S/C (Marlene S./Jeff) to appoint Leona Hellesvig to fill Kelly Strei's unexpired Central volunteer position.

Standing Committee Reports

We discussed scheduling meetings in between State PDC meetings so that upcoming dates are announced at one meeting and reports are given at the next.  Tammy will look into creating listservs (electronic mail groups) for the committee members to easily communicate.  Another possibility would be to have committee meetings on-line in the Extension chatroom.  Those without internet access could go to a public library or local extension office.  If interested in setting up a meeting in a chatroom let Tammy know.

Agility - Cathy

• Agility judges' training is set for June 10-11th.  MN Agility Club made a donation of $400 to defray the cost of the agility judges training.  It will cost $300 to rent Animal Inn for the weekend.  Martha Healy is assisting in the training of the judges.
• The agility program has been growing and would like to purchase their own official measuring device for Regional and State shows and other training.  Currently we have been borrowing one from others.  The cost is approximately $160.

• Advanced classes will be developed for 2001, comparable to AKC open or USDAA advanced class.
• Clarification:  Multiple tunnels may be used on intermediate and senior courses.
• Currently approximately 22 counties have agility programs.
• Reminder: When building equipment, the committee recommends using the book Construction Plans for Dog Agility Obstacles by Kenneth Tatsch.
• Rulebook will be put into the Distribution Center by fall and everyone will have access for ordering.

• Regional and State Shows have all experienced a profit this year.  A recommendation was made that the standing committees bring a proposed budget in the fall for the next year.

• Has not yet met.  The committee needs to develop a certification process, provide judges training, and then certify judges.

Obedience/Showmanship - Jeff/Kelly

• Has not yet met.  Committee members are:  Kelly Edgar (chair), Jeff McMaines, Melanie Pamp, and Marlene Scott.
• The Group Stand Exercise in Graduate Open should possibly be changed to a Moving Stand for a better transition to Utility.
• Will be rewriting the show guide and separating according to section:  obedience, showmanship, agility, and general rules. Deadline for next year:  January 1st need booklet ready, Sept. 1st for ready for PDC, and all major changes need to be ready for June. Incorporate show handbook with general rules.

• Committee members:  Laurie Magnus, Cherrye Tagatz, Tammy Lorch   Meeting March 18th
• Want to set up checklist for shows.  Hope to meet in June with Regional Show chairs.

• Cindy Stover volunteered to chair the state dog bowl, which is April 8th.

• Basics are on website and brochures will be sent to all county extension offices, all committee members, and everyone who participated in the 1999 State Show.  Clay county volunteers are leading most of the sessions.  Microchipping will be available and therapy dog certification will be available.

• Dorothy needs more volunteers from other counties.

• At the last meeting we were informed of the new state Cloverbud policy (refer to November meeting minutes for clarification).  Option to use two leads is not allowed.  Recommending that counties use the AKC program "Best Friends" which is written for kids in grades K-3.  A youth leader could easily lead this program or set up a program on their own.

• The State Horse Show dates have changed, therefore we need to adjust accordingly.
• Recommendation to have North and South Regionals on the same dates and Central a different date, if overlap is required.
• Long-term ideas:  Possibly add a 4th Regional show.  Otherwise drop all Regional shows and only have a state show.  Could add more age groups to regulate class size.  May have to limit those who qualify.  Tammy will ask county staff for input at the State Fair trainings.  The show committee will develop a survey for counties.

Website update - Tammy

• MN 4-H Dog Project Vacc. Cert. and ID Form is available on the web.  Address is:  www.fourh.umn.edu/mndog  The new forms will be required at Regional and State shows this year.
• PDC section:  approved minutes will be included, as well as a list of members (District, First/Last name, e-mail-adults only, and county), and by-laws

2000 Meeting Dates ~ 10:30 a.m.
    Friday, June 9 (Gateway - Mpls.)
    Saturday, November 11 (note change) - location TBA

M/S/C (Marlene S./Cathy) to adjourn the meeting.  Meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:
Kelly Edgar, Secretary