May 13, 2008 Minutes

Attendance- Sharon Costello, Ingrid Fortunato, Donna Welty, Irene O’Connor, Rita Biddle ( called in late ) Anita Goetz, Kendail Gonzales, Jennifer Groves, Nikki Stamper, Shani Stewart – Robbins, Nydia Thornton

Guests – none

Meeting called to order at 9:08 PM EST
Motion made by Nydia Thornton, seconded by Kendail Gonzales, to accept minutes from April 13th meeting as printed.
President’s Message – Mrs. Costello extended a thank you to the board for their participation at the 2008 USNMC Nationals held this past April in Timonium, Maryland. She also referred to the Annual Report distributed at the Annual Meeting and thanked everyone again for doing a great job. We are now gearing up for the 2009 National.
Secretary’s Report - Correspondence sent included various emails on inquiries and legislation.
Correspondence received included the letter from the AKC regarding the donation of medallions for the next “Eukanuba” show to be held in December. Jennifer Groves moved to send the $75.00 for the medallions. Irene O’Connor seconded. Motion passed – all ayes
Membership – Following were voted in: Welcome to New Members Ena Barrise (associate),Judith Forrester ( associate ) Pamela Hamilton ( associate) Heather Welty ( full), Susan Vann-Spruill (full), Michael Hinshaw (associate), Michael Vescio (associate), Jane Pampelone ( associate) and Carlos Calderon ( associate )

New Membership Applications Ready for a vote:

New Member Applications

Treasurer’s Report – Irene O’Connor will send a written report. Mrs. O’Connor gave a closing total of the club account as of April 30th of $30, 901.17. Bills presented to be paid included a bill from Cathy White for $204.48 for mailing of VIP materials and a bill from Heather Welty for $29.85 for mailing of Neograms. An insurance bill from Equisure needs to be paid. Jennifer Groves moved to pay bills. Ingrid Fortunato seconds. Motion passed – all ayes. Irene O’Connor informed BOD that the accountant – Kathy O’Gouric has filed an extension for the 2007 tax return.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Communications – liaison Ingrid Fortunato
Website – New Site is up! Looks great, easy to navigate. Still needs content. We need administrators/ superusers. A “how-to” class was suggested. All passwords should be sent to Sharon Costello and Donna Welty. Suggestion made that Ted DeLuca be content manager who then will forward content to appropriate liaisons
Neogram – Letter will be sent to members regarding options for future of Neogram

Fundraising – liaison Nydia Thornton
Short discussion on the topic of an online store. Need details on organization and how it will work. Sharon Costello has repacked and inventoried items from Ways & means table from National. Inventory needs to be done from others. It is reported that
Anthony Gomez has 4 boxes of items that Nikki Stamper will be picking up soon.
Jennifer Groves stated she has 4 boxes and Nikki Stamper said she has 2 boxes. On line raffles being held.

Judges’ and Public Education – liaison Sharon Costello
No report

Health – liaison Nikki Stamper
Tabled motion from last meeting discussed and added to. Motion now states:
The USNMC BOD made the following motion regarding the establishment of a separate website for the Health Committee. These motions are part of a whole and should not be construed as independent motions:

a. The Health Committee will have their own website.

b. The site domain will be purchased and owned by the USNMC as part of the parent club’s website. Possible link to be Health.Neapolitan.org

c. The two websites shall have links to each other.

d. Passwords will be held by club secretary and site webmaster. Any changes of any passwords to be approved by the Board of Directors.

e. Content materials will be maintained by the Health Committee.

f. the USNMC retains the right to back up all materials posted on website

Nikki Stamper moved to accept motion as printed above. Ingrid Fortunato seconds.
Motion carried. All ayes

Legislation – liaison Rita Biddle
No report – keep reading those emails!

Historian – liaison Donna Welty
No report

Ethics – liaison Shani Stewart-Robbins
No report. Committee working on Code of Ethics. Waiting for feedback

Membership – liaison Anita Goetz
Anita summarized email sent by Membership chair – Cathy White. Email was forwarded to all BOD
Rita Biddle called in at 10:25. She had been hosting an Akita meeting at her home.

By-laws – liaison Kendail Gonzales
Brian King has stated that draft is going well. Should be ready soon, he has been extremely busy with his law practice.

Local Clubs – liaison Irene O’Connor
No report

2009 National and Awards – showchair Jennifer Groves
All trophies have been sold. Shadow Boxes have been sold. Marjorie Martorella (NBKC) has filed paperwork with AKC for Palazzo to judge AKC event. Emails have been sent to Palazzo.

OLD Business

1. AKC “Member” Club
Initial fee of $250, annual fee of $25, no fee for first show, $15 for each show thereafter. Would entitle us to a “Delegate” (club appointed or volunteer ) who must attend AKC meetings around the country. “Our” delegate would have to assume all travel and lodging expenses. Rita Biddle told us that some club will pay travel or one night’s lodging. Short discussion ensued. Donna Welty moved not to pursue AKC member Parent Club status at this point in time. Nikki Stamper seconded. Motion passed. All Ayes

2. Update on September 19th and 20th regional specialties in GA
Trophies have been secured through the efforts of Carlos Calderon. Premium information is completed and has been sent to two clubs’ show chairs

3. 2009 National
Need two Sweeps judges (Club vote had Lisa Cincirpini for 2009 National Sweeps)
Need 1 class judge for Friday tabled

4. ATIMANA
Letter for BOD to review will be emailed

NEW Business

1. 2010 National Shani Stewart- Robbins and Ingrid Fortunato are working on a proposal for the 2010 National to be held in the state of Washington. Two kennel clubs are being considered.

2. Rita Biddle updated us on the seminar she attended on Animal Law and on several pending bills and their potential impact.

Next meeting date: Sunday, June 8th 9 PM EST
Adjournment moved by Jennifer Groves at 11:12 PM