Approved Minutes

Board of Directors
Boston Terrier Club of America, Inc.
December 2, 2008

President Ola Jeanne McCollough called the meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. (EST). Present were Ola Jeanne McCollough, Melany Anaya, Sharon Stoll, Linda Jett, Richard Nix, Peggy Jackson, Carolyn Gastley, Dane LaJoye, Maureen Blackwood and Dick Wiest. Joyce Fletcher and Marby Kelly were absent.

Board Reports

President - no report

Vice President – Fletcher was absent but LaJoye read her report. As liaison to the newsletter, Fletcher states that the Coast to Coast is due to be printed and mailed in approx. 2 days. Fletcher added that she had one change to the draft minutes from 10/14/08 that she would like incorporated before they are approved. She also sent out her appreciation to Richard Nix for his outstanding handling of the recent audit. Lastly, in regards to Kathryn Graves obtaining a research grant from BTCA for juvenile cataracts, Fletcher would like more information from Graves before the board makes a decision on this issue. Blackwood added that Graves is not yet prepared to address the board until further information is gathered in regards to feasibility and legality issues.

Recording Secretary – Motion by Nix to approve the minutes of 10-14-08 as corrected, seconded by Jackson. Motion approved. Gastley joined the meeting at this point.  Minutes of 11-11-08 approved as read. Anaya reports that she has received the slate of nominees from the Nominating Committee for the 2009-2011 term and that the slate would be mailed to the membership on/after January 1, 2009, as per the bylaws. Additional nominations are due by February 1, 2009.

Corresponding Secretary – LaJoye sent a letter to Kathleen Brewer stating she because of lapse in her dues she was no longer a BTCA member or BTCA board member and that she needs to send all BTCA belongings to him via C.O.D. LaJoye also reports that in regards to the 2009 specialty that the planning is right on track and that the show packet is due out in the next newsletter and the winter Boston Quarterly. He added that the host club has asked that they receive 2-days of RV parking revenues but BTCA has never done that for any other host clubs. LaJoye to call Charlotte Comstock (of the host club) to discuss. LaJoye left the meeting at this point, the time was 8:36 p.m. (EST).

Treasurer’s Report - The balance as of 10/31/08 is $64,215.57. The board thanked Nix for his contribution towards the recent audit.

Unfinished Business

Budgets – In regards to the committee budget list, the BT of the Year was just added to the list and it was reported that Ken Roux stated that the committee “didn’t need a budget”. McCollough suggested the 2009-2010 budgets be discussed at the board’s annual meeting in April. Kim Pennington sent a committee report to the board stating that the costs of her being the rescue chair include her phone, internet and voicemail. After a brief discussion the board decided to change the current $500/year budget to $600/year.

Newsletter – There was a brief discussion on the costs being incurred for the newsletter. The annual budget is $5000 yet the most recent invoice was for $1595.00 for one issue. Nix proposed that the newsletter editor possibly shop around for a printer with better prices. It was also noted that the current printer requires Nix to sign an agreement in order to proceed. Fletcher to review first. Further discussion tabled until Fletcher reports back to the board with her findings.

Top Boston/Futurity – Tabled until next meeting.

New Business

2008 Audit – Nix reports the audit is moving along smoothly and that everyone is using the expense/revenue form as requested.

Health Committee – There are 2 new proposed Health Committee members, Glenna Sprague, DVM and Renee Buzzell. Brief discussion. Jackson motioned to accept Glenna Sprague, DVM and Renee Buzzell to the Health Committee. Seconded by Gastley. Motion approved.

Rescue – Kim Pennington, the Rescue Chair reports that the committee is still in need of members. It was originally decided to include 4 people from different areas of the U.S. but since no one has come forward it was decided that 2 people, one from each coast, would suffice. Peggy Jackson, acting as the committee’s liaison, will write a letter to the membership and mail it out to all affiliate clubs in hopes that at least 2 people will step forward.

AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award – Jackson reports that last year she and Marby Kelly (the first recipient of the award) were the ones who selected the 2008 recipient. She noted that it would be easier if the committee had 3 members so that there was never a deadlocked vote. Jackson suggested that the recipient from the previous year be on the committee with at least one board member. If the recipient were a couple, then the committee would have just one board member but if the recipient were just one person then there would be 2 board members on the committee. It was proposed that for 2009 Melany Anaya would be on the committee along with Dan & Julie Haddy, the 2008 recipients. If Anaya or the Haddys were not at the 2009 national to present the award then it was clarified that the President would do the honors. In addition, the general membership will play a part in the selection by sending in a name of a potential recipient to the committee for further consideration. Jackson to draft a letter to the membership and send to LaJoye to distribute to the Affiliate Clubs (since we missed the cut off for the information to be in the next Coast to Coast).

Website – Anaya, the BTCA Web Editor, reported that the basic format for the new BTCA website was almost finished and as soon as the committee had approved it that she would forward it to the board for their approval. Once approved, the new webmaster would get started transferring the new site.

Misc. – Jackson added that she appreciates working with the new board and that it’s nice to have a group of people that work together and have fresh ideas.

Next board meeting is January 20, 2009.

A motion was made by Nix to adjourn.  Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. (EST).

Respectfully submitted,
Melany Anaya
BTCA Recording Secretary