atftc round logo

American Toy Fox Terrier Club

Manage My Account Change Password Breeder Update Membership Update           Welcome:   ( Logout )

President's Report

March 20, 2008

To the Members of ATFTC,

I hope by now you have received your FOX TALES.  I want everyone to know this newsletter was put together with the membership in mind. The program Sharon used to get this newsletter together had several glitches and all the corrections she had made in the typing, when sent to the printer, reversed back to the original  text which was not found until the Newsletter was mailed.  With this discovery, we contacted Mr. Liosis at AKC for clarification of the mistakes in spelling that was mailed to you.  He requested we send him a copy of what we mailed to the members, which we did.  This was his reply:

The general rule of thumb is that if a misspelling does not change the meaning or intent of a proposal, a vote to adopt the proposal would stand.

With this as our guideline, we will continue on the path we have started in hopefully getting the Constitution and By Laws passed.  If passed, the spelling errors will be corrected in the revised Constitution and By Laws that the members will receive.  I also want to point out, several members have called wanting us to do the voting at the Annual Meeting.  Folks this can not be done.  Why?  Because in changing the Constitution and By Laws, every member must have an opportunity to vote, and everyone will not be at the annual meeting, thus would not be voting.  Our present Constitution and By Laws, Article VI, Amendments Section 2  is clear how the voting must be done when making amendments.
 
Due to the many rumors running around which I am sorry to learn about, I would like to place the facts in order for you on two of the issues that are not clear to everyone:

First,  I will address the Constitution and By Laws, issue.

The committee: Ann Walton, Rick Lichty, Cindy McNeal- this committee (It is on the ATFTC website) was formed not by the present board  but some time past and apparently was discussed at the 07 National general meeting.  Most of the members knew it was in progress for recommended changes and could at any time contacted them for submitting their ideas, etc.  How many members did contact the committee?? I do not know.   The committee completed their job, submitted it to the Board, and the Board reviewed it, made the necessary changes to be in  compliance with AKC's recommendation for parent clubs so if the membership approved it, AKC would also approve it, if it was as they suggested. 
 
The dues issue, it says, will not exceed $35 for single and $50 for family, and $15 for Junior.  The "WILL NOT EXCEED". is the important thing to remember.   Each year at the National meeting the fee for dues can be determined, but WILL NOT EXCEED the figures listed above.

The Parliamentary issue:

It was not removed, but remains, Article X, Parliamentary Authority, Section 1

A sample Constitution and By Laws for Parent Clubs was sent to every board member for review before the review of the committee's recommendations were addressed.  When addressed, each was skewed to be sure the wording was in compliance as suggested in the sample Constitution and By Laws.  I asked the Board to list our reasons why we felt they should be changed in the sections sent to us.  You will see those recommendations listed at the end of each change being proposed.
 
Each year the American Kennel club holds a conference for Parent Clubs. The Highlights from the last conference can be found on the AKC.org website.  Under clubs, then under Parent clubs.  I urge the members to review these highlights as they clarify many questions club members ask of their Parent club  for how the organization is operated.

The members can go to AKC.org  under clubs, Parent clubs, and find information, Parent Club Conference Highlights.  The items AKC put into effect are guidelines  for the Parent clubs to operate by.   I urge you to review these highlights that this Board will be using as a guideline when issues come up concerning the areas addressed.
 
There is rumbling about committees.  The following is taken from those conference highlights which this Board will be using as guidelines in working with committees.

Committee Relationship with the Board of Directors:

Committees are appointed by the Board to help the board advance the work of the club.  The board has the final authority to accept, in whole or part, any committee recommendation.  Every committee is subject to the final authority of the board.
 
The above is being presented to you for a better understanding and hopefully to bring about the best camaraderie we can create with all members of the ATFTC.  We have tried to listen to the needs of the members and the newsletter was an attempt to keep you informed of all activities of your board and members.  We strongly urge you to continue supporting ATFTC and your board in helping us make this organization the best Parent club possible.  
 
Respectfully submitted,
Dr Roger S Pritchard, President