TOTC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

APRIL 1, 2010 AT LUCKY DOG PARK

After a program by Gina Smith of the R.E.A.D. program and the First Quarter Charitable Donation to BARC (Humane Society) in Palestine, President Harry Steelman called the meeting to order at 7:20 PM.

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

REPORT OF PRESIDENT: Harry let us know that he is hoping that there will be some more oxygen mask presentations soon. Watch for notices of where and when.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER: Treasurer Don Etheridge reported that we made a profit on the February Agility Trials. 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 let us know about upcoming events. The Hideaway Mini-Obedience sessions were set for the next three consecutive Saturdays. Members interested in helping were advised to contact Don Etheridge. Saturday April 24, TOTC is set to go to Quitman Animal Clinic for Obedience and Rally demos at the vet’s annual fair. Volunteers are needed. We get paid for the Quitman event and have in the past used that money for our Raffles. On May 29, BARC is having a fun-day/fundraiser. We are needed there for an Obedience demo only. Joyce Anderson is heading up our TOTC group and needs volunteers. Mary also said that the new window decals are on their way. We have t-shirts and blankets for sale. A drawing was held for the First Quarter Prize (for member participation) and Don Etheridge won $100. The more you participate the more chances you have for your name to be drawn!

REPORT OF THE TRAINING DIRECTOR: Training Director Joyce Anderson said that she, with the help of Mary Jenkins, is starting a TOTC Drill team for members and their dogs. Their first performance is scheduled to be at the BARC event on May 29. Tryouts were scheduled for 7:45 PM Thursday April 8. They hope to practice once a week on most Thursdays. The next set of classes starts May 11 (Obedience & Rally). Joyce also reminded us that there is time for Member Training on Thursdays between 8 and 9 PM after the finish of Agility classes. She also said that she might be making some changes to the class schedule for classes that start in September after our “Summer Break” during the hottest weather.

COMMITTEES:

Agility Trials May 15 & 16 at Texas Rose Horse Park – Trial Chair Cheryl Etheridge reported that everything is set except one of the judges needs a supervisor and she is working on getting one. Mary Jenkins who is the Chief Ring Steward needs stewards and will be contacting members to set up a schedule. The Girl Scout Troop who helped before will be at these trials too. We will start scoring electronically and hope it will be easier. Robin Visniski, Raffle Chair needs donations of items or money to buy items.

Obedience & Rally Trials, July 31 and August 1, 2010, Longview – Trial Chair Don Etheridge

said that everything is pretty well set. Kathleen McCullough, Prize Chair needs additional sponsors for classes and passed around her sign up list. The Premium List was scheduled to be finished within three weeks or so and sponsors needed to sign up to have their name listed. Don reminded everyone that although mixed breed dogs will be allowed to enter they have to be registered with AKC to participate in an AKC show.

ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS:

First Reading – Maria Berger has a GSD and took the most recent Puppy Class session and was taught by Don Etheridge.

Second Reading – Nancy Davis, Stormi Johnson, Edi Warren & Julie Williams were each brought up and voted on. They were all accepted as TOTC members. Congratulations and we hope to see you all often!

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Cheryl Etheridge has arranged some dates we can use Lucky Dog Park for Tracking practice. Members interested expanding their experience after the seminar we had last year should be at Lucky Dog on April 17 @ 1:00 PM, May 22 @ 9:00 AM and June 12 @ 8:00 AM. This isn’t a formal course – just people helping each other get a start.

Don Etheridge let us know that the new Newsletter would be out in a few days. It will be sent to each member electronically.

We talked about other organizations we might give charitable donations to during the year. Mary Jenkins said she had gotten some information about a program to send care packages to military dog/handler teams so we will put that on the list. We donated some money to the Canines for the Cure – Texas Agility Shoot-Out event to be held June 19 and 20 in Fort Worth. The TOTC logo will be on the official event shirt. Don and Cheryl Etheridge have information about the event.

NEW BUSINESS:

Robin & Dave Visniski let us know that there is an Agility Match set for April 11 at Lucky Dog Park.

Harry adjourned the meeting at 7:55 PM.