Question:
From: Mary Hellmeister ASCA #4164 <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, May 2, 2017 at 7:11 PM
Subject: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
Pete Dolan,
you resigned from the BoD last year.
Now you are running again. May I ask why?
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial / cost
effective?
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see added to the plan?
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA’s membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA’s BoD?
Thanks
Mary
#600924
Answer from: Lizette Busquets <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, May 2, 2017 at 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
Hi, Mary!
I’m glad to answer the questions.
1. Yes, I support the ASCA DNA program and always have. That is why I served in the committee for a
couple of years.
2. I’m a firm believer that technologies are extremely helpful and they can increase efficiency. A lot
can be done online, but I do not believe that ASCA can completely decentralize. It may be that someday
the organization may be ready for that. At this time, I think that having a central office where the
membership knows they can go to is more beneficial. I think decentralization works when everything is
going well. When there are problems, decentralization can actually be detrimental. I would like to see a
cost/efficiency comparison/analysis of some sort before I get behind something like this. As you know,
I’ve been trained to look at data and evidence. I would like to see some data or evidence that
decentralization would be better.
3. Frankly, I’m a bit hesitant to add items to the Strategic Plan when there are so many items that are
still being worked on or data gathering is still taking place. One of the items that I would like to see
progress on is judges’ education. We’re still mainly depending on the Nationals seminar for
conformation judges. The plan states to look into webinars, but, not much is happening in terms of
having more options. I know that some seminars for judges in other venues have been done, but they
are hardly enough. Yet, ASCA has been quicker in getting proposals for a controversial Introduction to
Stock Program with the idea of somehow determining who can be evaluators. We can't formulate a
better Judges' Education Program, but we can somehow find ways to add evaluators to this program. If
we want to attract people who compete (and they should not be the only ones we seek to attract), the
first order of business is making members and prospective members have unquestioned confidence in
the ability, impartiality, and knowledge of all judges.
I would like to see something that indicates transparency on the part of the Board, though. The
Nationals rotation is but one example. The membership did not quite realize what the survey would be
used for. Investigating a possibility is different from actually coming up with three sites. We can't blame
the membership for that. Effective communication is imperative. Moreover, when something like this is
being considered or passed, the membership should be informed about the specific data that was used
to make the decision at the same time the announcement is made. I’m not saying there are conspiracies
or nefarious reasons on the part of the Board. But, transparency is key. I'm sure that I'm not the only
one waiting anxiously for the next Secretary's Report or some additional communication regarding how
this decision was made.
4. This is another item that is in the Strategic Plan, yet not much has changed in terms of coming up
with a way to attract more people to ASCA. I think that we need to do outreach to get people interested.
This could be done with the help of affiliate clubs, which could perhaps set up a booth at some local
activity, invite people to watch stock trials, etc. But, I think that breeders are our main foundation. If we
don’t attract breeders to do more than register pups, we miss on an opportunity. I know several
breeders who have left ASCA for different reasons and we need to get them back or at least stop more
from leaving. This is the kind of thing where membership input can be extremely valuable.
5. I do not believe that representation in the BOD should be done by region and membership
numbers. I think that ASCA already has a huge problem with people that don’t vote and we do not need
to cut the BOD along regional lines. We need to look at what is good for ASCA as a whole and a director
that can’t place ASCA over regional issues does not belong in the BOD. The membership rightfully
expects being represented with the same diligence regardless of where a director comes from. They all
pay the same dues. Moreover, this is about the Australian Shepherd. Exactly how would electing the
BOD using region numbers help us preserve the breed? Is that not what all of us should be striving for?
Liz Busquets
ASCA #114984
Provisional Breeder Judge and Obedience Judge through Open
Answer from: Jan Wesen <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, May 3, 2017 at 8:28 AM
Subject: Re: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes, I would like to see more DNA research for our breed with the parentage DNA.
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial / cost
effective?
I have been ASCA member since 1985 and was a part of when members did the ASCA business. There
has been growing pains. I feel the office staff and the answers that they provide and the opportunity to
get the right person is Superior Customer Service. The office staff strive to help our members and I
believe that will only help ASCA.
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see added to the plan?
I believe we need to look at our long term plans. The Strategic Plan I feel we have worked to make sure
we have direction for the board and committees.
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA’s membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
As Treasurer I am looking at all those numbers every month. The membership is staying the same and
not growing. It is hard to decide which areas effect this. Personal belief we are losing people because
of mandatory DNA, pictures on registration and requiring membership to register dogs.
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA’s BoD?
This may be benefit however seeing the distribution of the current board we do have a wide range in
the US. This year with 10 running it maybe would be good but last year was only a few so then may be
hard ship getting good people that have time to focus on ASCA business in each region.
Thank you for asking.
Jan
www.janwesen.com
Follow-up question from: Mary Hellmeister ASCA #4164
<[email protected]>
Date: Sun, May 7, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Subject: [ASCA-L] AW: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
Jan,
you wrote:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes, I would like to see more DNA research for our breed with the parentage DNA.
Could you elaborate a little more on what you mean with the above? It is not quite clear to me.
Thanks
Mary
Follow-up answer from: Jan Wesen <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, May 9, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [ASCA-L] AW: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
Many other DNA companies have the opportunity to use the DNA samples to see items that are unique
to the breed and health for that breed. We are collecting dogs DNA and only doing parentage. We
should be working to get more information from the samples that we collect. Many new DNA
companies are coming onto the scene and this will take research for the best fit.
I would also support an additional lab to full fill the above.
Jan
www.janwesen.com
Answer from: Pete Dolan <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, May 3, 2017 at 8:35 AM
Subject: Re: [ASCA-L] Questions for candidates
To: [email protected]
On May 2, 2017 at 8:11 PM Mary Hellmeister ASCA #4164 <[email protected]> wrote:
Pete Dolan,
you resigned from the BoD last year.
Now you are running again. May I ask why?
Yes, you may. At the time I decided to resign there were things going on in my personal life which
precluded devoting the time to ASCA required to serve as an effective Director. Things have settled so
time is available to serve effectively. Therefore I decided to volunteer my services.
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes.
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial/ cost
effective?
For an organization of this size the central office is working well so no change is needed.
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see added to the plan?
At this point I have no items to add to the strategic plan. ASCA would be better served by implementing
and monitoring the items contained in the effective Strategic Plan. Once these are implemented
effectively additional items may be generated and added. The Board manages the Plan and is tasked to
review and update annually.
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA’s membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
While growing membership is part of the Strategic Plan, there are no specific mechanisms in place to
achieve this goal. The primary effort should occur at the local level namely individuals and Affiliates.
Back in 2009 the Board implemented a survey process contacting members who had not renewed to
obtain the reason/s why they left and solicit suggestions to improve member retention. The process
lasted for several years but has fallen by the wayside. It might be worth resurrecting that effort.
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA’s BoD?
I believe that Directors should be elected by all members not along regional lines. The issue here is the
number of members voting in each election, a range of 17-22% of eligible voters. The Board is tasked to
operate and manage ASCA for the membership independent of regional issues.
Thanks for asking.
-Pete
Overboard Aussies
Molly, Annie II, Lonnie, and Vinny
Never Forgotten - Gridley, Annie, Powder, Ohlee, Dewey, Nix, Lightning, and Squeak
Answer from: Carol Gerken <[email protected]>
Date: Sun, May 7, 2017 at 4:23 PM
Subject: [ASCA-L] Questions for BOD Candidates
To: [email protected]
Hi All I have been keeping up with news on ASCA -L, and would like to answer the questions posed by the
members to the candidates for the BOD. I have been struggling the past few weeks with gall bladder
issues which I am now well on my way to resolving. That would be the reason for my delay in answering
the questions.
1) Do you support ASCA's DNA program? Yes, and I am currently on the DNA committee.
2) Do I support a central office? Yes I do. I believe that having good member support is crucial in
keeping and growing our membership. The cost of the office is greatly outweighed by the availability to
the membership to be able to speak to a person directly that can answer their questions and/or direct
them to the proper channels to get the information they need. Regardless of the need, people still
enjoy being able to have a personal touch, especially in this day and age of impersonal email, online,
cloud based business.
3) What items would I like to see added to the Strategic Plan? I would like to see some of the items
already on the agenda for the Strategic Plan to be completed before we add more. I believe that part of
the challenge we are experiencing right now is that people get in a big hurry to create, add, and change
things without spending the time to review all sides of a topic and how all of the members may feel
about it. I am sure as we grow as an organization there will be continued changes to consider, but lets
not jump from the frying pan into the fire.
4) What is my plan to combat membership loss? If elected to the board, I would work diligently with the
rest of the BOD and the Committees to promote the programs. versatility, and history of this wonderful
breed. I believe that there has to be a warm and inviting atmosphere to welcome newcomers to our
club, and that we can foster this from the Board, Committee members, and Judges down to the
membership. At the same time we can grow the participation of the affiliate clubs in a grassroots
movement to promote what ever programs they would like to, and are able to, foster in their area.
Promote youth through programs outside ASCA such as 4-H, FFA, etc. Establish a program that
recognizes the merit of people's relationship with their Aussie that is not based on our competetive
programs, but just being an integral part of the family. Promote good sportsmanship above all else, and
discourage bad behavior of existing members. We are a diverse group of people that love our dogs. We
do not need to be bullied, harassed, or threatened. There are positive ways to effect change. Everyone
should have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
5) Do you think regional representation should be enacted for ASCA's BOD? No. I think by having
regions it would limit the diversity of the group of people the members could choose from. Instead I
believe that the BOD that the members elect should represent the best interests of ALL of the
membership. I believe that as a BOD it is your responsibility to be open to communication from all of
the membership, regardless of if they live in your area or not.
In response to Jerry's question about supporting the Intro to Stock program: My initial exposure to this
wonderful breed was as a teen ager observing a gentleman in our area using his Aussies on a daily basis.
I fell in love with their loyalty, beauty, usefulness, and smart behavior. I believe that it is important to
promote our dogs as the working stock dog breed they are. That does not mean to the exclusion of any
of the other programs. I do not think we have to have a sanctioned program to do this, but that we can
develope some guidelines and structure for the Affiliate clubs to use if they so choose. Someone
mentioned insurance, and I will say that as a club we need to have insurance available to the
membership that will cover any of the venues with much better and more specific coverage then is
currently afforded us through ASCA.
I welcome any other questions any of the members may have of me and am more then happy to
address them on ASCA-L or any other way they would wish to contact me.
Carol Gerken
ASCA# 204577
Answer from: Rachel Vest <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, May 4, 2017 at 3:55 PM
Subject: [ASCA-L] Candidate Questions & Other Topics - Rachel Vest Response
To: [email protected]
From Rachel Vest
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes, I do support the DNA program. However, I believe that we need to investigate other providers for
this service.
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial / cost
effective?
I support the current ASCA Business Office and do not believe that de-centralizing would be a viable
option for ASCA. This is due to the size of the organization and what it required to manage the functions
within the ASCA programs. The Business Office staff are efficient and timely at their tasks which makes
their efforts a cost efficient expense for ASCA.
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see added to the plan?
Would like to see us follow through on the current Strategic Plan before additional items are considered.
If and when those are completed, consideration of an Education Coordinator may be beneficial to the
Judging/Showing/Trialing community.
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA’s membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
Make the ASCA website and other ASCA social media sites inviting to Members and the public.
Simplifying registration and adding a cost incentive for breeders to register puppies before placing with
new owners. Continuing to work with each program to determine what is needed to help make ASCA
programs attractive to beginners. Be friendly and welcoming at each ASCA event that we attend, make
an effort to greet newcomers and visit with them about ASCA and what we offer.
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA’s BoD?
Enacting a regional methodology for the BOD may be difficult to achieve. A BOD position takes hours
out of one’s life and some of the decisions that must be made can be extremely difficult. Finding
Members who will dedicate the time and effort required to be a Director cannot be dictated by region.
We have a great slate of individuals running this year, but that is not always the case……sometimes it is
as few as three. Therefore, would not see this as a viable plan.
My opinion on other recent topics on ASCA-L:
Introduction to stock – I support this as a method by which we may bring those interested in working
stock with their dog into the ASCA Stockdog program. I support a program that educates those
interested on how to handle stock in a respectful manner, what is required of them to work with their
dog, and to understand that a one day stock introduction does not mean that they have a trained
stockdog. I support the use of dog broke stock in a contained environment in which the Evaluator can
and must ensure the safety of stock, dog, and handler. Sanctioning these events through ASCA provides
Affiliates with the same insurance benefit that is common with ASCA stockdog trials. This is beneficial as
some Affiliates do not carry insurance. I do not support this as a method by which the Evaluators are
setting themselves up to make income from the dogs they are evaluating. If an ASCA Judge applies to be
an Evaluator, they must do so understanding that their purpose is to evaluate the dog’s interest in stock
on that day.
Natl sites – I have supported a static Natls/Finals site for several years and in my last term as a Director,
submitted a proposal to the ASCA BOD to use Greely CO as ASCA’s permanent site. This is due to the
site requirements, cost, and the year after year re-invention of the wheel by Affiliates.
In spite of the best efforts of the Host Clubs, there are always unexpected issues that arise. Moving to a
static site(s) would reduce the occurrence of such. The cost issue is becoming increasingly more
alarming each year and moving to static sites would help us to negotiate with the sites/vendors/lodging.
Moving some functions to ASCA for cost reductions (example – ribbon vendor – by moving the purchase
to the ASCA Business Office, using the same vendor each year – we can reduce cost).
The size of the ASCA Natls/Finals have grown to a point that site requirements have made it difficult to
locate a site that can host with availability in the timeframe required by ASCA. The survey results drove
to the use of at least 3 sites. Over 22 sites were suggested by the survey and each was investigated for
site suitability, cost, option to host every 3 years, and availability. To be honest, of the sites that were
investigated, few we willing to consider hosting every 3 years. The sites plan their schedules with
current customers as priority, therefore availability was limited. Hence, the sites that were chosen as
they met each of the criteria required for hosting.
I am not opposed to a West Coast site, other than Bakersville, there were none suggested. Members
expressed grave concerns for their safety, hence the reason that Bakersville was excluded. Recently, a
Member suggested the Bend Oregon EXPO site and based upon the website information, it is worthy of
consideration.
The end result of this decision is to provide an enjoyable and cost effective Natls/Finals to our Members.
Some will have to travel further than others, there is no option to prevent that.
RV
Follow-up question from: Mary Hellmeister ASCA #4164
<[email protected]>
Date: Sun, May 7, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Subject: [ASCA-L] AW: [ASCA-L] Candidate Questions & Other Topics - Rachel Vest Response
To: [email protected]
Rachel,
you wrote:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes, I do support the DNA program. However, I believe that we need to investigate other providers for
this service.
Why do you think that the investigation of other providers is warranted? How long ago did the Board
renew the contract with Therion?
Mary
Answer from: Judy Boone <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, May 4, 2017 at 11:39 PM
Subject: [ASCA-L] Questions for BOD candidates/ Mary
To: [email protected]
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA's DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
Yes, I do support ASCA's DNA program for parentage verification. I also support and applaud ASCA's
continued support of genetic testing in hopes of finding those DNA markers for inheritable diseases.
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial / cost
effective?
I support a central office. Having everything in one place makes it much easier for staff to interact. While
online may be easier, it would mean paying for many different places for staff to work. The office staff
will not work out of their homes for free - unless we want to go back to the original "store the club
records in your garage' approach.
I see online as a place to disseminate and collect information quickly.
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see added to the plan?
I think we need to work on the ideas already in the plan before we add more.
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA's membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
We need more representation at showcase events (as the Strategic Plan outlines). I remember taking
the ASCA booth to the Red Bluff CA Bull sale. I believe this could be done anywhere there is a dog event.
I think the main problem with ASCA is that people don't know about it.
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA's BoD?
No, I would not be for this. I think it is more important to have people involved in ASCA's programs
direct it than to have people elected just because they are from a geographical region.
Thanks for asking, Mary.
Judy Boone
member 100171
Director candidate
Answer from: Preston Kissman
<[email protected]>
Date: Thu, May 4, 2017 at 1:10 PM
Subject: Response to Mary Hellmeister's Candidate Questions
To: ASCA-L <[email protected]>
What follows is my response to the questions from Mary Hellmeister:
1. Yes, I do support ASCA's DNA program. It is a work in progress. We already have the BEST stockdog
and companion dog. There is no reason to change.
2. I will continue to support a central office. The interaction that occurs between the Business Office
staff is important to the consistency and accuracy of their work. They have an excellent manager who
knows the rule books, helps his staff with issues and works well with the ASCA Board of Directors.
3. There are numerous items in the Strategic Plan that are being worked on by the ASCA Board and the
Committees that support the Board's work. Items are continually being completed and removed and
new ones are being added. Many items will need membership input before they are ready to be
implemented. One item that I am working on is to make adjustments to ASCA's regions. We currently
have 7 regions including Europe. With the largest member representation in a region being over 1200
members and the smallest member representation in a region being under 400, it is logical that
adjustments should be made. My thinking is to move from 7 regions to as many as 14 regions. The new
regions would be designed to better meet an average in membership population and reduce the
geographical size. Since the 14 region geography would be much smaller than what is current,
committee members would be able to better serve their membership. This item is just one of many that
is being discussed.
4. I believe Membership loss is occurring for several reasons. ASCA has not had as many new members
join in past 5 years. While I could point to the poor economy or job loss, I believe it goes deeper. As my
answers to the questions on the ASCA Web Site describe, I do not believe the membership is having FUN
working and competing with our Aussies the way that we did 20 years ago. I believe that money is an
issue and I believe that the strong competition that goes along with National Finals is an issue. Do not
get me wrong, I am not against Finals. Charm and I competed in several Stockdog Finals including the
first one.
What I do believe is that each of us should go out of our way to welcome Aussie owners that are new to
the sport. This is the reason that I support the concept of Introduction to Stock and Dock Jumping. We
all need to find ways to have more FUN with our Aussie.
5. No, I think that each director on the ASCA Board should represent each and every individual in the
ASCA membership. The ASCA Board is composed of 9 individuals from all over the United States that
were elected by all of the ASCA membership. With the help of membership input, these individuals do
what they believe is best for the Australian Shepherd. They are volunteers that give their time and
efforts to promoting and improving our club as a whole. If ASCA had Board members that only
represented their regions, they would find it very difficult to reach agreement and consensus on issues
much like we see with the US government. There may be a better leadership plan than we currently
have, but Regional representation is not it.
Preston Kissman
ASCA Board member
Answer from: Leah Swatko <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, May 3, 2017 at 11:14 AM
Subject: [ASCA-L] Questions for all candidates
To: [email protected]
For all candidates:
1. Do you support ASCA’s DNA program? If the answer is NO, please share your reasons.
I have always supported ASCA's DNA program and would like to see an expansion of the program to
gather samples from offspring that may never be bred, but could contribute to a valuable DNA profile of
the Australian Shepherd Breed. Think of it as a genetic picture of this date. We all appreciate the
foundation dogs and many wish we had DNA from these dogs. Imagine the possibilities in researching
genetic diseases, markers, and predispositions to cancer, epilepsy, eye defects. Important to find
mutations and when they happened such as the MDR1 or HSF4?
2. In this day and age of almost everything residing online or in the cloud I have the following questions:
Would you support a central office or do you think decentralising ASCA would be more beneficial / cost
effective?
Maintaining a central office is very important. Keeping our office staff informed and educated helps to
improve how ASCA functions. I consider each member of a standing committee and Affiliate club, as a
branch of the office and ASCA's ear to the ground in this global world. With the ease of electronic
communication and dissemination of information at the speed of light can only help keep ASCA a
cohesive functioning organisation.
3. ASCA maintains a Strategic Plan. Which items would you like to see addedto the plan?
The Strategic Plan is broad in its concepts of ASCA.
Taken from the document:
Demographics
Demographics Summary – information needed
Demographic Strengths – information needed
Demographic Needs/Weaknesses – information needed
The strategic plan is plastic and malleable, open to making additions and changes as ASCA moves
forward into the 21st Century. On first look it seems rather simple and focused on everyone being
considerate and courteous to all members and the Australian Shepherd community as a whole. We do
have some issues that need to be looked at in a more serious and proactive way. See question 4 for
more on this one issue.
Detailed demographics are needed if ASCA hopes to progress. We need to know the W5 answers. Who,
What, Why, Where and When.
4. Recent numbers show that ASCA’s membership is declining over the last few years. What is your plan
to combat this membership loss?
Give a limited membership to our registered puppy buyers. Require the registration of each puppy in a
litter. Individual identification of each puppy. The registration process is not onerous to those who are
devoted ASCA members. It is difficult and not valued by puppy buyers who receive their puppy and a
folder of information which is soon lost in the back of some drawer. If that puppy and siblings were all
individually registered with ASCA think of the numbers of people who will see ASCA in a new light? Think
about the day that registration certificate arrives in the new owner hands along with an informative
pamphlet introducing them to the founding family of their new Aussie!
The introduction of new sports into ASCA does not diminish the origins of the breed, it does highlight
the versatility which is one of the hallmarks of the Australian Shepherd.
5. ASCA has established multiple regions across North America and Europe to ensure equal
representation of the membership in its standing committees. Do you think a similar representation
should be enacted for ASCA’s BoD?
The good: a larger voice from the now Global world of ASCA. ASCA is no longer that small group of
devoted people who first organized events, registry, and formed the Club known as The Australian
Shepherd Club of America. As the breed has gathered interest on many platforms be they UKC, AKC,
CKC, FCI, more people have found the breed. Unfortunately these other registries do not recognize
ASCA. They need to be informed and I think a sub committee should be struck to pursue recognition of
ASCA registration and ASCA judges on a global stage. Our breed is bred, like it or not, by those who have
no connection to ASCA. Many have lost or have never known this breed as an ASCA registered dog. We
need to change that.
The bad: Spreading our BOD and volunteers over more territory. The added costs of getting the BOD
together in one physical location twice each year as more numbers are added to the BOD roster.
If anyone would like to ask me more questions please feel free to post them to this list.
-Leah Swatko
Judging ASCA
Rally Provisional
Obedience
Provisional Breeder Judge