SEPTEMBER 9, 2007

MINUTES

Board Members in Attendance: Sharon Costello, Ingrid Fortunato, Donna Welty, Irene O’Connor, Anita Goetz, Jennifer Groves, Kendail Gonzales, Nikki Stamper, Nydia Thornton, Shani Stewart-Robbins, Board Member; Absent – Rita BiddleGuests: none

Meeting Called to Order at 9:07 PM Minutes from August 20, 2007 accepted as read with no corrections. Moved for acceptance made by Jennifer Groves, seconded by Ingrid Fortunato President’s Message: Welcome to all attending. Mrs. Costello extended a thank you to all board members for all their time spent since July 1st on getting things done. 100 copies of the current Judges’ Education have been printed and are in the process of being mailed to those judges interested. All current board members and mentors should have received their copies. Several former members of the USNMC have contacted Mrs. Costello and are interested in rejoining. Correspondence from Rosemary Rosensteel stating that Rosemary would like to remain on Rescue Committee and Ethics was received via a phone call. The Parent Club Pledge Form for Eukanuba has been mailed.

Secretary’s Report: Correspondence received from the following:

  • An email from Nataly Hohlova Means requesting information on membership status
  • AKC sent approvals for Sweeps on 4/19/08, Specialty 4/19/ 08 and Sweeps 4/20/08
  • Copy of 2005 By-laws from AKC verifying copy on record
  • Copy of letter from AKC to Dr. Scalia suggesting the merging of the two proposed local clubs
  • Copy of letter from Dr. Scalia requesting the BOD to send letter to AKC stating knowledge of the existence of the ASPNM
  • Email from Robert Gravel stating how upset he is re: not being contacted on website committee and local club
  • Email from Cathy White in regards to membership matters and letters
  • Email from Carlos (last name??) requesting information for holding a USNMC Specialty to be held on Nov. 23, 2007 (received 8/22/07 – does not meet 6 month time span required by AKC). I suggested that we start process for next year.
  • Emails from Peggy Wolfe in regards to Pedigree and AKC Gazette
  • Emails from USNMC website concerning membership and problems with getting on website Correspondence regarding membership received from the following:
  • A complete membership application received from Wendy Gieske for associate or full. (Wendy was a former member).
  • A sponsor sheet only received from Anita Goetz for Deborah Cerraifo
  • A sponsor sheet only received from Anita Goetz for Mary Ann Whitehead

Treasurer’s Report: Checking Account Total - $39,834.42

Bills to be paid: $657.19 to be paid to Sharon Costello for printing, $177.22 to Cathy White for Membership, $342.35 to CPA and $41.00 to Donna Welty for postage

Jennifer Groves moved to pay bills, Ingrid Fortunato seconded

Committee Reports:

Communications – Ingrid Fortunato liaison

Website – Next meeting set for Sept. 12. Agenda items include visual criteria, graphics, and architectural design. Karl Groves has given a 10 week schedule to migrate old site to new site

Neogram- A conference call was held on September 4, 2007. Heather Welty will be new editor. Good Impressions, a printing company located in Washington, NJ, will be printer at this time. Heather will be meeting with them. They do a direct mailing. Ads are coming in and it is noted that all ads must be pre-paid. Looks like we will be on schedule for October printing. All articles may be sent to the Neogram at the following email address – usnmcneogtram@gmail.com. Club members are encouraged to contribute articles, show wins, and pictures

Fundraising – Nydia Thornton liaison Conference call held on August 22, 2007. Following topics brought up: Online store possible? Suggestion made to ask Karl Towels being embroidered Bird Dawns embroidery company – do a great Neo head As yet, no logo completed for 2008 National – once done will seek media T-shirts Cook Book Collars Committee needs a chair Judges & Public Education – Sharon Costello liaison

Meeting held last Friday

Shani Stewart-Robbins has graciously offered to do color printing of Judges’ Commentary for free if we supply paper

Presently, $10 is the cost to print and mail each copy. Perhaps we are not charging enough? Change to $12-$15?

Judges/Public Ed Chairman Jim Deppen has offered our newly revised Standard/Commentary for sale of $10.00 on The Judges L Message board to help defray cost of publishing and postage

35 copies are to be sent to Mindy Aaron- McElyea for Monroe K.C. presentation set for Sept. 29, 2007

Jim Deppen has volunteered to organize Eukanuba Meet the Breeds Booth Dec. 1 and 2 2007 in Long Beach, CA. Jim said Joyce Wolfe is willing to help also.

Health Committee – Irene O’Connor liaison

No Report

2008 National – Jennifer Groves chairperson

AKC has sent approvals for Sweeps and Specialty on 4/19/08 and for Sweeps on 4/20/08

Monday’s, 4/21/08, Catoctin Kennel Club has been trying to contact Alessandra

Keys chains as seen on the website of Nine Witches Melting Pot are being researched

Everything on schedule so far

Legislation – Rita Biddle liaison

Rita absent

Donna Welty gave brief summary of current legislative news

Historian – Donna Welty liaison

No report

Code of Ethics – Shani Stewart – Robbins liaison

Will contact Rosemary Rosensteel

Meeting held. Discussion ensued on filling out an application to be on committee, revisions needed.

Some suggested revisions would include the amount of meetings that could be missed on committees. Extend this to BOD and by-laws

Trying to establish criteria

Membership – Anita Goetz liaison

Results from board vote on new members given

New letters were suggested by Cathy White. Letters must be presented to Board for approval.

Updates on contact for membership must be done on the website

By-Laws – Kendail Gonzales liaison (Kendail absent at this time)

Brian King has date stamped 2005 By-laws

Meeting to be scheduled

Local Clubs – Nikki Smith-Stamper liaison

By-laws state Chapter Club

Checked website – state can be an Affiliate Club after 4 mos, must be an AKC club to be Chapter.

Acknowledged that some of us have seen and participated in activities (breed seminars, educational materials, shows, and website) of the ASPNM

OLD BUSINESS

Rescue Status

Insurance information submitted to company

Expect answer shortly

Discussion on monies received in 2006. All monies were sent to Janet Hospador

Judges’ Letters

Members MUST vote for 3 judges

Names with top 3 totals for each category are final choices

ATIMANA

Cut off date for enrollment?

Decision tabled

NEW BUSINESS

Must address the number of acceptable absences for committee meetings and Bod

Must set limit for committee members

Next meeting – Sunday, October 21, 2007 9 PM EST

Adjournment: Jennifer Groves moved to adjourn meeting at 11:18 PM