TOTC ANNUAL MEETING

DECEMBER 17, 2009

AT HOLIDAY INN SELECT ON SOUTH BROADWAY

TYLER, TEXAS

President Kathleen McCullough called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

The first Door Prize of the evening (treat jar) was won by Pat Gannon.

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

REPORT OF PRESIDENT: No formal report.

REPORT OF SECRETARY: No formal report

REPORT OF THE TREASURER: Treasurer Don Etheridge reviewed the last month and gave an overview of the year. A motion was made, seconded and passed approving Don’s report. 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 first General Membership Meeting of 2010 would be on January 7th at a restaurant to be determined. She hopes to have a speaker. More on that later in these notes.

REPORT OF THE TRAINING DIRECTOR: Training Director Robin Visniski announced that the first registrations for 2010 classes would be on Tuesday, January 12th and Thursday January 14th.

REPORT OF THE TRAINING SECRETARY: Training Secretary Carl Strange said he would need lots of help for registration in January.

Another Door Prize (massage by Dena Fedor) was won by Joyce Anderson.

The 4th Quarter Prize (cash) was won by Phyllis Hagen.

The Year End Prize (cash) was won by Cheryl Etheridge

COMMITTEES:

Obedience & Rally Trials, July 31 & August 1, 2010 – Tabled until the New Year. Don Etheridge is the Show Chair.

Tracking Seminar, November 21 & 22, 2009 – Cheryl Etheridge reported that we had a wonderful seminar with Charlene Dunn and that she hopes we can have another one in the future and possibly even hold an AKC Tracking event someday.

Agility Trials, February 20 & 21, 2010 and May 15 & 16, 2010 – Cheryl Etheridge said that we have both judges for the February Trials and one for the May events. All will be held at Texas Rose Horse Park.

More Door Prizes - Suzy Walker and Kathleen McCullough won treat jars.

Taylor Albritton won a black portfolio with the TOTC logo on it.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD:

Secret ballots were cast and the TOTC Officers and Board for 2010 are:

President – Harry Steelman	Vice-President – Mary Jenkins
Secretary – Ann E. Buchanan	Treasurer – Don Etheridge
Training Director – Joyce Anderson	Training Secretary – Carl Strange

ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS:

First Reading – Beverly Carter has a Min-Pin named Ender and took Pet Class with Robin. Julie Petré has a Shiloh Shepherd named Kallik and a Golden Retriever named Boo. She also took Pet Class with Robin. Sandi Whitten has a Min-Pin named Cullen and rounds out Robin’s Pet Class Applicants.

Second Reading – Motions were made, seconded and approved to accept Diane Nipp and Jan Graham as TOTC members. Welcome, we’re glad you decided to join us!

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Robin Visniski said that, although the Tyler Christmas Parade went well for those who attended, there were no-shows who had committed to the event and did not let her know they would not be there. This was very disappointing and resulted in a sparse group to represent TOTC at a public event.

Each year the TOTC Board makes monetary contributions to charities on behalf of the club. In some years opportunities present themselves - remember Katrina. This year we hadn’t given to charity and the Board researched several organizations after asking for member suggestions. One organization, Patriot Paws, stood out. Kathleen McCullough presented information about Patriot Paws and explained what the Board was planning to do for local participants in the program. Patriot Paws is located in Rockwall and provides service dogs for veterans. Three people in our area are raising and socializing dogs that will then go (or go back) to a women’s prison for additional training. While the dogs are in their care each individual takes on the full expense for their care. Each dog goes through initial training and is matched with a potential veteran. They are then given additional training depending on the specific need. The TOTC Board decided to take up a collection at the banquet and match the amount given by members. If the total amount turned out to be less than $300 the Board would guarantee a minimum of $300 divided evenly among the three. Additionally, they can take any class they are eligible for without charge or just come out to take advantage of the socialization opportunities available when we have classes. Robin Visniski has checked with the area Nutro Dog Food representative and Nutro agreed to provide food for the dogs while they are in the local homes. $407 was collected from TOTC members at the banquet. This means that, with the TOTC Board matching dollars, by the end of the evening at least $814 was available be divided evenly between the three. Additional donations could be made after the banquet and will be reported on at the January General Membership Meeting as well as the final total. Mary has invited the three local participants to join us at the January meeting and we are hoping that as many as possible including the dogs will be with us. For more information about Patriot Paws their website is: patriotpaws.org

NEW BUSINESS:

A question was brought up about the 2010 class schedule and whether the Obedience/Rally day (Tuesday) and the Agility day (Thursday) could be switched. Outgoing Training Director Robin Visniski said that since the 2010 schedule has already been posted we can’t change the first session, but the new TOTC Board can discuss the issue and decide if any adjustments can be made either later in 2010 or in 2011. This was an excellent question and the TOTC Board appreciates it when members let us know their preferences.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to adjourn. Kathleen adjourned the meeting at 8:15 PM.