To all the members,

 

To those that were able to attend the Nationals this year, a heartily thank you for your wonderful support of the ATFTC.  For those who did not get to attend, please begin your plans for next year to attend.

Our entries were down this year, and we all can come up with reasons why, economy, gas prices, judging panel, etc.  But for whatever reason, we are starting right now to find ways to make our National a yearly event that everyone wants to attend.

 

This year, we had most of Wednesday and Thursday as educational days which the new Illustrated Standard and the new Power Point Presentation were presented to the members that attended.  With the introduction of these educational materials, the idea of the Standard revision came up.  Cindy McNeal has agreed to chair the committee and ideas and suggestions should be addressed to her.

 

The newly revised Constitution and By Laws were handed out to those attending the Annual meeting and for those not in attendance, you will be receiving your copy.  To reiterate for those who did not fully understand the revision process, NOT being a member club, AKC does not have to approve the revisions, and when the vote is taken, and the results are announced, they go in to effect immediately.  If passed the new Constitution and By Laws replaces the old, and if failed, the old remains in effect.  Hope this helps people understand the process. 

 

A lot of committee meetings were held and lots of valuable information was dispensed for the chairs to take back to their committees.

The affiliate Council, Rick Lichty, chairman, handed out materials concerning the policies and procedures for affiliate clubs.  We have received the requested materials, from only a few clubs and he expressed the need to get this information to him for the records.  Rick pointed out it was important that each club supply him with the name of the person who would be representing the individual clubs, on the council.

We now have 114 paid single members and 36 family(72) memberships for a total of  186 members.

The board decided to get more input from the membership on the applications coming in applying for membership.  So future applications will be placed on the Message board as they are received so more information can be gathered before the Board takes action on the applications.

 

The minutes from the Annual meeting has been posted on the website for your review.  The last Board minutes, as soon as they are approved will also be posted for your review.

 

Searching for a way to better communicate with the membership, Alex, webmaster, suggested a Message Board where we can post information in a quick and accurate fashion.  I do hope everyone will check out this board often and pass their ideas, suggestions to the appropriate committee chair.

 

I think it is clear, after the annual meeting, the club members want the negative things to cease and only positive, constructive,  assessments of the clubs needs to be addressed.   We welcome criticism, when warranted, but please when doing so, have a plan or a way to offer a remedy that can be addressed to benefit the entire club and not just your own agenda. Such attitudes and approaches will be considered a really sincere interest in the success of this club, and can problem happen.  Lots of good ideas are available but we must make sure they will enhance the means for successful advancement of the club. 

 

As I have said before, this is a business and it again appears we made some money this year which is a plus.   Our only possibility of income has been through donations, the National show, and of course dues from the members. A quality National Show is our objective, but it also can not be planned to lose money. Without the generosity of the members to donate, sponsor, etc. we would not have been in the black   The success of this show  was due to the cooperation and hard work of those members attending the show this year and helping cover all areas where needed. Thank you all for jumping in and taking care of  the areas that we did not have previous privy of arrangements.  Your abilities to pinch hit the unknowns are exceptional.

 

I believe the quality activities that were available this year is necessary for us to continue and we are asking  the membership for ideas or suggestions on programs they want and ideas how to finance them.  Also, how do we get the members to attend the scheduled activities? How many days are you willing to attend for scheduled activities, etc. Let us know,  the plans for next year are in progress. 

 

We will keep you informed of activities and transactions via the web site and the Newsletters.

 

Again you input is needed, please send it to the appropriate Committee chair.

Thanks,

Dr Roger S Pritchard