Secretary’s Report

This report details the day to day activities of the ASCA Board of Directors and includes issues brought before the ASCA Board and communications done by mail, fax, e-mail and/or phone.

July 1 – 31, 2005


98:05 CONFORMATION COMMITTEE - Chapter 4
Motion by DeChant.
I move to approve the following Conformation Committee Motion:
Comments from the Liaison: This Conformation Committee Motion is the first place that needs to have the Altered Reduced slate Deleted. The Motion that I sent on 7/9 was Chapter 4, 4.14. Both Motions need to be approved in order remove the mention of the reduced slate from the show rules. The reduced slate expired on May 31, 2005. Ann
Subject: [ASCA_CC] Chapter 4 motion
We have a motion by Glenda with a second by Liz.
I would like to make a motion on CHAPTER 4 DOG SHOW CLASSIFICATION to remove the sentences:
"A-CH OPTIONAL CLASS DIVISION REDUCTION:
Until May 31st 2005, Hosting clubs have the option of selecting the reduced class divisions for the Altered Program only:
6-12 months
American Bred
Bred By Exhibitor
Open
These classes shall be divided by sex. Clubs may still maintain the current ten class division if they so desire.
The Chapter in its entirety (with out the removal of sentences) is as follows:
AS READ NOW: CHAPTER 4 DOG SHOW CLASSIFICATION
The Mandatory regular classes of ASCA are as follows:
6 mos. to 9 mos.
9 mos. to 12 mos.
12 mos. to 18 mos.
Novice
American Bred
Bred by Exhibitor
Open Blue Merle
Open Red Merle
Open Black
Open Red
Winners
Best of Breed
These classes shall be divided by sex. (except Best of Breed)


Voting as follows; Yes- Janet, Peter, Glenda, Mary, Liz, Margi, Denise, Rick No- Wendy S. Motion Passes.
Directors voting: Approve: Aufox, Hollen, DeChant, Gray, Hellmeister, Bryant, Walter & Stevens. Non-Voting: Davenport. Motion is approved.
98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Sit/Down
Motion by Walter.
I move that Chapter 1, section 2, subsection 2.2 be changed to read, in whole:


Motion by Burlingame,second by Cornell
"Obedience group exercises shall be performed after the individual exercises in groups no larger than twelve as the individual exercises are completed. A club can elect to hold the group exercises before the individual exercises, but only if it is listed in the premium list and flyer.
If a club holds the group exercises before the individual exercises, all group exercises will be completed before the Novice and Open individual exercises begin. If Utility is scheduled to run first, the club is encouraged to complete the Utility class before starting the group exercises. At the discretion of the judge, groups for Novice A & B and for Open A & B can be combined or separated as needed to accommodate exhibitors.
Reason: To clarify that the default of performing stays is after the individual exercises so that clubs aren't expected to list this information on their flyers unless they intend to run stay first.


Voting yes: Burlingame, Cornell, White, Mann, McNee, Waller, Franks, Case, Cox, Willems. Voting no: Link
Directors voting: Approve: Unanimous. Motion is approved.
98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Alterations
Motion by Walter.
I move that the following sentences be added to the end of Chapter 1, section 12, paragraph 1:

Motion by Burlingame, second by Case.
"Changes in appearance by artificial means" does not include dogs that have been surgically altered for health reasons or disease, such as the loss of an eye or the removal of broken teeth. Dogs that have lost a limb are ineligible to compete.
Reason: To clarify that dogs who have been altered for legitimate medical reasons will be allowed to compete as long as the alteration does not keep the dog from being able to compete normally.


Voting yes; Burlingame, Case, White, Cornell, McNee, Mann, Cox, Link, Willems, Waller. Voting no; Franks

98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Hands Position
Motion by Walter.
Please approve the following obedience committee motion:

Motion made by Burlingame, second by White
I move that Chapter 2, section 19 paragraph 1, be moved to become the second paragraph. I further move that the last sentence be deleted and replaced with:
"Hand position, other than during the fast, must remain constant during the heeling exercise, except if a hand signal is used to begin heeling. In that case, an acceptable hand gesture is allowed instead of a verbal command. After the hand gesture is made, the hand must return to one of the acceptable positions. There shall be a minor to substantial deduction if the hands and arms are not carried in one of the positions stated above."
I further move that the new paragraph below, be inserted as the 1st paragraph for this section. The new paragraph will read:
"In all exercises in which a dog is required to heel on-lead, one of the options below shall be followed:
(1) The handler's arms and hands shall move naturally at their sides while in motion, with the leash held in the left hand, or (2) the hand(s) holding the leash will be held against, and centered in the front of the body, in the area of the waist. The forearm(s) shall be carried, as much as possible, against the body. In either of the above situations, the hands and arms may be adjusted during the fast portion of the exercise, in order to maintain balance. Hand position, other than during the fast, must remain constant during the heeling exercise, except if a hand signal is used to begin heeling. In that case, an acceptable hand gesture is allowed instead of a verbal command. After the hand gesture is made, the hand must return to one of the acceptable positions. There shall be a minor to substantial deduction if the hands and arms are not carried in one of the positions state above. "
REASON: No mention is made in the existing rules regarding hand position for *on-lead* heeling. The committee felt it was important to clarify that correct hand position is necessary for on-lead and off-lead heeling. We also changed the deduction from a "substantial"to a "minor to substantial"
Voting yes; Burlingame, White, Waller, Case, Cornell, Cox, McNee, Willems, and Mann Voting no: Franks, Link


Directors Voting; Approve: Davenport, DeChant, Gray, Walter, Bryant, Hellmeister, Hollen & Stevens. Disapprove: Aufox. Motion is approved.
98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Ties Motion
Motion by Walter.
I move that Chapter 2, section 9, second sentence, be replaced with the following:


Motion by Burlingame, Second by Franks.
"The original score and any placement and/or leg the team won shall not be changed regardless of the outcome of the run off. This includes, but is not limited to, events such as a dog fouling the ring.
Reason: To clarify that events that transpire during a run off will not affect the original score or any placements/legs the score has earned.

Voting yes: unanimous.

Directors voting: Approve: Unanimous. Motion is approved.
98:15 OBEDIENCE COMMITTEE - Move-Up Motion
Motion by Walter.

Motion by Case, second my Cox.

I move that we change the wording of CH 1, section 12 (When titles are won) PP 2, From:
"The third qualifying score must be received before the closing date of the trial in which the entry in the advanced class is to be made" to:
"The third qualifying score must be received before the start of the next trial in which the entry in the advanced class is to be made. If two trials are held on the same day, the dog may be moved up in the second trial, providing the trial has not started and they have received official notification from the judge that they have qualified in the lower class.
Reason: When the original rule was written, ASCA only allowed one obedience trial a day. Now that multiple trials are allowed, it is possible that someone would finish a title in a morning trial, and wish to move up for an afternoon trial for which entries have not yet closed. This change would allow that.
Voting yes: Case, Cox, Burlingame, Cornell, Waller, White, Link, McNee, Sidwell, and Mann. Voting no: Willems.


Directors voting: Approve: Unanimous. Motion is approved.

97:14 - Section 2.2.5 - Genetic Disease Database
Motion by Gray, seconded by Aufox.
I move to delete Section 2.2.5 - ASCA Genetic Disease Database from the ASCA Registry Rules.
Comment: This Database was added several years ago and to my knowledge has never utilized. While the concept is a good one, I feel it should be an individual owner's responsibility to pay for the DNA profile and store/send the blood to whatever laboratory is doing research on the genetic disease the dog has.
Section 2.2.5 - ASCA Genetic Disease Database
ASCA will also admit up to 25 ASCA-registered dogs per year to the DNA program at no charge to the owner if the following criteria are met:
1. The dog has an inherited disease.
2. The owner will provide information on what the disease is plus diagnostic evidence to that fact (OFA evaluation, CERF form, statement from veterinarian, lab reports, etc.)
3. The owner will provide a blood sample, using ASCA's DNA kit (also to be provided at no charge.) NOTE: Such documentation may be on an affected offspring rather than the dog itself, for purposes of indicating carrier status.
4. The owner fills out and signs a release form allowing ASCA to contribute a portion of the sample and the dog's pedigree to legitimate research projects.
Dogs so enrolled will become part of a "Genetic Disease Database." Information will remain confidential and will not be provided to anyone other than a qualified researcher.
These samples will be entered in the parentage verification program and the remaining sample stored, as with any other dog. Should ASCA at some future date become aware of a legitimate research project being conducted on any disease for which one or more samples are stored, ASCA may contact that project to inquire whether a portion of the sample(s) might be wanted for the research. If the sample(s) are wanted, ASCA will direct it's contracted lab to forward them. ASCA will also forward to the researcher a certified pedigree on each of the dog(s) so submitted.
Any dog previously enrolled in ASCA's DNA program via a blood sample may also be added to the Genetic Disease Database if the owner submits the above documentation, however no refund of DNA program fees will be made. If the annual limit of 25 has already been met, an owner has the option of submitting a sample at his/her own expense.
These provisions apply ONLY to dogs specifically enrolled in the Genetic Disease Database. Stored blood samples for other dogs enrolled in the DNA parentage verification program will NOT be released without the written request of the owner.
Directors voting: Approve: Davenport, Aufox, DeChant, Gray, Bryant, Hellmeister & Walter. Disapprove: Hollen & Stevens. Motion is approved.
98:11 OBEDIENCE RULES- Immediate Family

Motion by Walter.
I move to approve the following obedience committee's motion.
Motion by White, second by Burlingame.
I move that we change Chapter 1, section 6 FROM:
SECTION 6 Immediate Family
As used in this rulebook, "Immediate Family" means husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, or person residing in the same household.
TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
As used in this rulebook, "Immediate Family" means: spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, or any combination of the preceding by marriage, i.e. stepchildren or parents-in-law, or person residing in the same household.
Rationale: The Conformation Committee updated the rules to the above, which I think is more clear. This motion is to ensure consistency between the various venue rules.

Voting yes: Unanimous.

Directors voting: Approve: Unanimous. Motion is approved.
98:05 CONFORMATION COMMITTEE -- CHAPTER 4 Removing reduced classes
Motion by DeChant.
I move to approve the following Conformation Committee Motion.

Motion by Glenda with a second by Liz
I would like to make the Motion on CHAPTER 4, Section 4.14 to remove the following sentences from the Section:
"CLASSES- Until May 31, 2005, Hosting clubs have the option of offering a full slate of regular classes or selecting the reduced class division for the Altered Program only: 6-12 mo., Am. Bred, BBX, Open."
AS READS NOW:
The Section 4.14. ASCA Altered Conformation Program (A-CH) In it's entirety (without deletions) reads as follows:
Section 4.14. ASCA Altered Conformation Program (A-CH)
The Altered Conformation Program shall be a regular, mandatory program held in conjunction with all ASCA Conformation events. All ASCA Conformation Rules and Regulations shall apply to the Altered Program.
ELIGIBILITY
1) Eligibility is restricted to regular ASCA registered dogs that have been spayed or neutered. LEP registered dogs are not eligible for competition in altered or non-altered conformation programs. The ASCA Breed Standard shall be used as a measurement of comparison in all other areas regarding Altered Championship competition. Points earned in Non Altered conformation classes can be carried over into the Altered Conformation. ASCA Champions of record will be eligible to compete in Best of Breed in the Altered Program if they have been neutered.
CLASSES- Until May 31, 2005, Hosting clubs have the option of offering a full slate of regular classes or selecting the reduced class division for the Altered Program only: 6-12 mo., Am. Bred, BBX, Open.
CLASSES
Regular Classes shall be:
6 months-9 months
9 months-12 months
12 months-18 months
Novice
American Bred
Bred By Exhibitor
Open Blue Merle
Open Red merle
Open Black
Open Red
Winners
Best of Breed
These classes shall be divided by sex except for Best of Breed.
TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
Section 4.14. ASCA Altered Conformation Program (A-CH)
The Altered Conformation Program shall be a regular, mandatory program held in conjunction with all ASCA Conformation events. All ASCA Conformation Rules and Regulations shall apply to the Altered Program.
ELIGIBILITY
1) Eligibility is restricted to regular ASCA registered dogs that have been spayed or neutered. LEP registered dogs are not eligible for competition in altered or non-altered conformation programs. The ASCA Breed Standard shall be used as a measurement of comparison in all other areas regarding Altered Championship competition. Points earned in Non Altered conformation classes can be carried over into the Altered Conformation. ASCA Champions of record will be eligible to compete in Best of Breed in the Altered Program if they have been neutered.
CLASSES
Regular Classes shall be:
6 months-9 months
9 months-12 months
12 months-18 months
Novice
American Bred
Bred By Exhibitor
Open Blue Merle
Open Red merle
Open Black
Open Red
Winners
Best of Breed
These classes shall be divided by sex except for Best of Breed.