Committees
In the interest of our mantra – Education, Participation and Communication – a board member has been designated as a "liaison" for the purpose of communication and as a source of guidance for each committee. Each committee will pick their chair, develop their organizational structure and develop their plan of action. Please keep in mind that some committees will function best with a specified number while others may be unlimited.
Below you will find a listing of the committees that will be currently functioning within the USNMC. The Rescue Committee information will soon follow.The opportunity to join any of the committees is now open to all members – both full and associates. Read over the below descriptions of the committees. If you feel that you would like to be part of any of them, contact the Board liaison listed at the end of the description. Members previously on these committees should also contact the Board liaison if they are interested in remaining on their committee. This information will also be printed in the Fall issue of the Neogram.
| Committee Name | Liason |
|---|---|
| Communication (Website and Neogram) | Ms. Ingrid Fortunato |
| Fund Raising | Ms. Nydia Thornton |
| Education (Judges and Public) | Mrs. Sharon Costello |
| Health | Ms. Irene O'Connor |
| Legislation | Ms. Rita Biddle |
| Ethics Review | Ms. Shani Stewart- Robbins |
| 2008 National/ Awards | Ms. Jenn Groves |
| By-laws Review | Ms. Kendail Gonzales |
| Membership | Ms. Anita Goetz |
| Historian | Ms. Donna Welty |
| Local Clubs | Ms. Nikki Stamper-Smith |
Historian committee
This is a new committee formed to preserve our past history! The 20th Anniversary of the creation of the USNMC will occur in 2011 and it would be in the club's best historical interest to have some memorabilia from those years. Items such as a copy of the first Neogram, pictures of dogs from the "early" years of the club to today, listings of the people who have helped shaped the Neo of the past to the present, etc. Committee members should decide how best to "present" this history to the club (ie -as a scrapbook on a cd )If you think you would be interested in joining this committee, contact Donna Welty at forrestedge@att.net or call at 908-637-8957
The USNMC Show Committee
The USNMC Show Committee is responsible for putting on the Club's annual National Specialty show. Members of the Show Committee perform a wide array of duties ranging from organizing the show itself to setting up the annual banquet to fundraising, to orchestrating the annual auction. Because of this diversity, the Show Committee is often an excellent way for members to get their feet wet when it comes to volunteering their time for the club. If you're enthusiastic, hardworking, and want to help out, please contact Jennifer Groves at jennifergroves@gmail.com if you are interested in working on the 2008 National Specialty show!
Fund-raising committee
The fundraising committee is responsible for developing new and inventive ideas for raising funds for the club for it's daily operation and areas of interest, being but not limited to; health, legislation and public education. Under review and discussion will be developing an online store, yearly calendar and note cards. The committee shall report to the Board of Directors monthly, or as needed, to update said Board on the happenings of the committee. Included in the report shall be an inventory of the items for sale, with cost of development along with expected income. The committee Liaison will be responsible for compiling this information and report back to the Board.This committee can be comprised of as many interested members. If you are willing to volunteer for this committee, contact Mrs. Nydia Thornton, nythornton@aol.com . 413-238-5994
Membership Committee
Membership plays a major role in any club. Our club is made up of people just like you and me. Of course, without members there would be no club. Serving on the membership committee will give you the opportunity to help us grow. Making new applicants feel welcome and providing them with educational materials are a part of the committee's task. Come with your ideas, time, and enthusiasm to serve on this committee. We all have something in common,- we love this breed! Please contact me, Anita Goetz at 219-324-9447, or at Centurianmastini@yahoo.com . It is time to grow through Education, Participation, and Communication. Come be a part of this team and let's get to work!
Judges and Public Education
You will be given an opportunity to work in one of two areas (or both areas if you so choose). If you choose the Judges' Education and Mentoring area, your focus will be aimed at revising and updating the USNMC Commentary portion of the breed Standard. Our presenters will be able to utilize this material as one of the Components used for the AKC Judges' Education Seminars. Mentoring …Public education is our second focal point. You will be able to create a guide of resources on various topics regarding the Neapolitan Mastiff. Subject areas such as health, responsible ownership, training, puppy care, etc are some of the key areas.If you are interested in joining this committee contact Sharon Costello at sharonmcostello49@hotmail.com or call 908-454-8100
Health Committee
The USNMC Health Committee is an area for the breeder and the pet owner alike. Our objective is to educate and communicate as much information about the Neapolitan Mastiff as possible. In doing so, we will help to identify health concerns and determine their impact on the breed. These can be genetic problems, breed specific problems, or general concerns. We need the participation of pet owners, breeders and veterinarians. If you are interested in helping out or have ideas that would be of interest, please contact Irene O'Connor at ioconnor@earthlink.net or call 908-362-6708
Ethics Committee
The Code of Ethics is established in accordance with the objectives of the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club as set forth in Article I, Section 2 of the Club Constitution and shall serve as a guideline for a minimum standard of excellence in the ownership, breeding, selling and exhibiting of Neapolitan Mastiffs by all Club members.
The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to encourage the use of the Club's Code of Ethics which promotes the highest professional standards for members of the USNMC as well as educating members and the general public in the club's code, ensuring that all clauses contained in it are required and reasonable and maintaining the code of ethics through periodic review.
Alleged violators of the Code of Ethics will be subject to discipline under Article VI of the Bylaws by the Board of Directors. Complaints regarding alleged violations of the Code of Ethics must be formally filed in duplicate with the Secretary and accompanied by a $50.00 check which will be refunded should the allegations not be entertained by the Board of Directors.
If you are interested in joining this panel contact Shani Stewart-Robbins at usnmcethics@comcast.net or call 253-223-31
Communication Committee
The NeoGram and the website both fall under one committee, which is the Communications Committee. These two areas are where Communication really comes through to YOU, the members of the USNMC. If you have interest in content for the website, technology, journalism , selling ads for the NeoGram , or just helping with some research, please join this commitee. You can contact Ingrid at Ins8neHorses@aol.com
By-Laws Review Committee
Bylaws contain the basic framework for the structure and function of the UNMC. This committee will give its members the opportunity to review and propose changes and amendments to the current bylaws if and when needed. This is YOUR club and this committee will review the backbone that describe the rights and the duties of its membership if you are interested in being a part of this team please contact me,Kendail Gonzales at (408)-779-0097 or at Kendail@mac.com
Legislation committee
The legislation committee will work on identifying legislation that threatens our ability to own, breed, and to compete with and show our dogs. We will need to monitor legislation at all jurisdictional levels from townships, municipalities, counties, states to the federal level. AKC's Legislation Department and the AKC website are good resources for learning what legislation is being proposed where and how to fight it. It is critical that the dog fancy be on top of any threatening legislation. The animal rights people are determined and well financed in their efforts to take our dogs away and to meet their goal of "One generation and out: spay and neuter until there are none." If you are interested in being a member of this committee contact Rita Biddle at RITABIDDLE@aol.com.
Local Clubs Committee
The Local Clubs Committee is here to assist local clubs and their representatives. It will help guide clubs thru the process of becoming a USNMC affiliated club, and an AKC recognized club. These tasks can seem daunting to beginning clubs and it's good to know someone is here to help! We need volunteers to give assistance in different parts of the country so that the local club representatives have someone to help in their area. If you are interested please contact Nicole Smith-Stamper at Nikki@AgrippinaMastino.com or at 301-782-3504