TOTC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

JULY 2, 2009 AT LUCKY DOG PARK

President Kathleen McCullough called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. She held the Quarterly Participation Prize Drawing and Taylor Allbritton won $100!

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: A motion was made, seconded and approved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the June meeting.

REPORT OF PRESIDENT: No formal report.

REPORT OF SECRETARY: No formal report.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER: Treasurer Don Etheridge reported that in June we spent more money than we made but we are still up around $2,000 January – June. TOTC usually does some kind of charitable donation/s toward the end of the year. The Board is open to suggestions of organizations to receive money this year. Don’s report was approved. A full copy of the financial report is available to any member upon request.

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT: Vice President Mary Jenkins said that the August General Membership Meeting will be held at Spring Creek Barbeque on August 6th at 6:30 PM. The TOTC Annual Member Picnic will be held Thursday September 10th at Lucky Dog Park beginning at 6:30. TOTC will provide the food and we will play games that include the dogs. Our December 10 Annual Awards and Officer Election Dinner will be at one of the Holiday Inns in Tyler although the location has not been set. Mary also said she had bandanas, t-shirts and bags for sale and refreshments for everyone.

REPORT OF THE TRAINING DIRECTOR: Training Director Robin Visniski handed out Teacher Certificates/TOTC Bucks. She will need teachers and assistants for classes that begin September 15th. Between now and then Lucky Dog Park will be available on Tuesday (Obedience) and Thursday (Agility) evenings beginning at 6:30 for member training. For the three weeks between the meeting and our July Obedience/Rally trials Cheryl Etheridge will be available to help members who are going to compete get ready.

REPORT OF THE TRAINING SECRETARY: Training Secretary Carl Strange had nothing for this month but he will need help when we start to register classes again in September.

COMMITTEES:

Obedience & Rally Trials, Longview, July 25 & 26 – Don Etheridge reported that the Premium List was out. Kathleen McCullough will organize not just one but two C-Matches - one on Friday afternoon (24th) and the other after the Trials on Saturday. She is also in charge of Prizes. Robin Visniski needs any raffle items people have promised to donate ASAP. The TOTC Board decided to keep with tradition and have the club donate $300 for Robin to use to purchase additional Raffle prizes. Tina Albritton will be Chief Ring Steward. Don said working as a Steward is the best seat in the house and you get a free lunch too.

Obedience & Rally Trials, Canton, October 10 – Don also reported on the October trials. The Premium List is at Onofrio for the first review. He is still not sure what Onofrio is going to do about the mats but is scheduled to get a final answer soon. Kathleen is also in charge of Prizes and the prices are the same as for the July trials. $35 to sponsor a Class, $100 for High in Trial and $100 for High Combined, and breed/special prizes to be valued around $35 with those donating them getting the prizes and giving them to Kathleen.

Seminars – Cheryl Etheridge reported that the Beginning Tracking Seminar with Charlene Dunn is scheduled for November 21 & 22 and will be held at Lucky Dog Park. There will be a maximum of 15 working spots and TOTC members get first priority and at a price of $100. Member registrations for working spots were opened at the meeting. Unexpired TOTC Bucks can be used as payment. If there are any working spots left after TOTC member registration public registrations will be $200. All audit spots will be $50 but TOTC members can use TOTC Bucks.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

East Texas State Fair, Wednesday September 30, 6:00 PM – Mary Jenkins is coordinating our appearance at the Fair. Volunteers who participate will get a parking pass and ticket to the Fair that are good for all days of the Fair. Our dogs will only be allowed in the area where our presentation is given but with the passes you can come back another day.

Newsletter – Don Etheridge asked again for member reporters. If you participate in a TOTC activity, compete at a trial or attend a seminar send him a description of what happened, who was there etc and he will put it in the Newsletter. Any member is always welcome to submit articles or ideas.

NEW BUSINESS:

CPE Agility – Robin Visniski reported that she and Dave are still gathering information about how TOTC might affiliate with CPE to offer trials. However we are within a short geographical distance from another CPE affiliated facility, Terry Dyke in Frankston, and would have to get permission from that her.

Robin also announced that she and Dave will sponsor another Beginning Agility Seminar with Daisy Peel at Lucky Dog Park December 19, 20 & 21.

Don Etheridge announced that in honor of Dave Gannon and in memory of Skater a friend of Dave & Pat’s in Oklahoma, Helen Smith, is coordinating donations for an ad in Front & Finish Magazine. Don has designed the ad and will get any donations to her that any TOTC member would like to give. This is to be a surprise to Dave & Pat. Any surplus in donations will be given to the Zeke Cancer Fund, which is a Golden Retriever cancer research charity.

ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS:

Second Reading – Charles and Marian Dunn were each voted in as TOTC members. They have two mix breed dogs, Toby & Hunter. Welcome!

Kathleen McCullough adjourned the meeting at 7:15 PM.