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U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association
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July 23, 2011 Annual Minutes

 

U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association
July 23, 2011

 

U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association
July 23, 2011

The U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association held its annual meeting at the Club House in Dick Cross WMA, Boydton, VA. President Phil Culbreth brought the meeting to order at 1:00pm.  First order of business was for voting members to sign in and proxies to be counted.

The 2010 minutes were posted on the uscomplete.org and Rich Warters made a motion we dispense with the reading and approve as posted.  Jim Bush seconded.  The futurity report was made by Yvonne.  Larry Wade will be moving the Futurity to NC in 2012, were he will be able to have the help necessary to put on this trial.  He will continue running the Bob Lee Shooting Dog Classic and the Puppy Classic, in conjunction with the Futurity and will start on Wednesday, March 7.

Jim Bush gave a sponsors report, and thanked Dean Reinke, who was in attendance again this year, for Purina’s continued support.  Members were reminded to note in the write-ups that it was an US Complete trial along with thanking the Purina our sponsor.  Dean then spoke for a few minutes and stated that yes they have someone in the corporate office who verifies the sponsor is mentioned in our write-ups, along with photos of the winners showing the Purina banner.

Tritronics will continue supporting us with the same number of collars as last year and now that Garmin has purchased Tritronics they will try to put something together with Garmin.

Next to be discussed was the website.  Yvonne asked if anyone had any questions and requested they give any input for changes or additions to the website.  More National and Regional pictures of the winning dogs were requested for the website.

The $900.00 fee for liability insurance for all clubs will be paid US Complete again this year.  All clubs are required to send in a new membership form (this form can be found on the website.) each year if they wish to be covered by the insurance.   If a new application form is not completed each year and submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer the club will not be covered.

The Invitiationals' will be hosted this year by; open – Sandland Field Trial Club in NC headed up by Rich Warters, and the Amateur again by Art Mourino to be held in Boydton, VA.  Anyone wanting to host these two championships for the following year need to make a request to Phillip Culbreth.  They are open for possible rotation.

Next was the status of regions and who qualifies for Championships this year.  It was first recommend that we vote on the potential rule change that would affect the status of qualifying regions.  A vote was called for regarding the number of clubs that make a region.  (Rule attached)  It was voted on and approved by all.  With the new rule in place the following regions qualify for Championships in the upcoming season:  Central States, Great Lakes, International, Mid Atlantic, Mid-South, Northeast, and the Southeast.

The remaining rule changes were then voted on and the list is attached. 

The 2011-2012 Championship schedule will be put on line the week following the meeting.  However we are still missing some information from a few regions.

The National Amateur Championship Rotations for the next several years:
2011/2012 – Great Lakes Region
2012/2013 – Central States Region
2013/2014 – Northeast Region

The Treasurer report was given.  Eliminating the mounting of the dog of the year plaques for economic reasons was discussed.  It was agreed to watch our spending but continue with mounting the plaques for the Regions Dog of the Year.

Rich asked if the organization would like a water color portrait of the Open and Amateur National Championships winners.  After some discussion Bob Phillips challenged Rich that if he bought the Open painting and donated it he would do the same for the Amateur.  They both agreed and everyone approved.  Rich and Bob  will try to find sponsorship to continue the paintings in the future.

The last item to be discussed was the secretarial position.  After Yvonne’s illness this year along with the large amount of work she does as the secretary, treasure, web master it is time to find either a new secretary or at least an assistant to help with the workload.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:52.

Respectfully submitted,

Yvonne McKeag
Secretary

 

2011 Rule Changes

 

 

Change 1

Article 6 -- Geographical Division

Section 1:  The Board of Directors shall divide the United States into regions. The regions may be changed at any time by the Board of Directors. Regions will be composed of three (3)  or more clubs. The Board of Directors will assist the active member clubs in organizing the regions and which regions will host the regional championships.

Meredith Jones made the motion to approve the above rule change and Ted Riley seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Change 2

Article 7 - - Amendments

Section 1: The Constitution, Bylaws, and Running Rules may be changed, amended or repealed only by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting members of the U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association present at the annual meeting or at any meeting called for that purpose.

Meredith Jones made the motion to approve the above rule change and Bob Phillips seconded.

 

Change 3

Under Running Rules:

New Rule

 1B. Drawings will be done for the order of running.  The responsibility to have the appropriate dog at the time and place where he/she is to start rests solely upon the owner or handler.  If there are extenuating circumstances why a dog had to be scratched, it is the prerogative of the club not to collect the fee, but the current dog fee must be paid either by the handler/owner or the club.  

(Change 1B to 1C, 1C to 1D, and 1D to 1E only if the above is passed.)

Motion made by Bob Phillips and seconded by Jim Bush all approved.


Change 4
 
1C. Recognized States:     Gun Dog Stakes   Judgement change to Judgment  

It was decided typos do not need approval.
 
 Change 5


6.
Q.    Judges for U.S. Complete club trials are permitted to use utility vehicles to judge.   Judges shall ride on separate vehicles.  Utility vehicles are NOT permitted for judging Championships.

Earl Drew made the motion and Jim Bush seconded the motion. All approved.

Change 6

18- - Point System:
J. These numbers are based on the number of dogs drawn:

Change to:

Points are tabulated by the number of dogs drawn and not the number of dogs that ran. There must be a minimum of three dogs in a stake for one placement, 4 dogs for 2 placements, and 6 dogs for 3 placements.
     
Earl Drew made the motion and Jim Bush seconded the motion.  All approved.

 

Change 7
(Meredith made a motion that either 12 or 15 dogs need to drawn for a championship.  Bob Phillips seconded that motion.)  The vote then went on to the number of dogs required for a championship.  After the first verbal vote President Phillip Culbreth requested a paper vote.  The following was approved.

 

A Championship must have 15 dogs drawn, with the exception of the invitationals.

 

Change 8 -  This is a guideline not a rule

Guidelines for a U.S. Complete Shooting Dog

The dog should exhibit superior bird sense and handling ability.  He should hunt the course and find birds independent of his handler’s commands.  Excess commands and guidance by the handler are not acceptable.  The dog should show extreme class displayed by speed, style, character, range and stamina.  The dog should adjust his gait and range according to the terrain as desired in a walking dog and hunt forward and to the sides.   Coming from behind is not desirable. Range should be commensurate with the cover and terrain.  Excessive range and frequent long absences from view are not desired.  Scouting is permitted but only with the judge’s permission.  Handling by scouts is forbidden. The dog must display excellent manners around game that clearly show his sound training.  The most desirable performance displays receptive behavior to the handler and is accentuated by the dog’s eager and stylish hunting and pointing of game exhibiting exceptional manners in every circumstance.

 

 

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