CURRENT MINUTES
   
ANNUAL MEETING BOSTON TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. June 27, 2005  

Present: The meeting was called to order at 8:06 pm EST by President Fred Comstock. Present were Sunday, Dresselhuis, Kennedy, Staley, Jackson, Fletcher, Jones, Brewer, Uzoff, Ochiai. Mary Miller, Chair of the Health Committee also joined the meeting for a discussion of outstanding issues concerning funds in the Charitable Trust, reimbursement and health research funding.

Marby Kelly was absent.

1. Charitable Trust: Fletcher read a letter from Miller requesting a current accounting of the balance available in the Charitable Trust asking the Board for an answer by July 1st. Jones answered That As of 5/31/05, the balance of the Charitable Trust was $19, 519.20. Jones asserted that no further information regarding this balance, and specifically no breakdown of income and expenses for the Charitable Trust would be provided to the Board unless the Trustees (Jones, Schmitt, van Avery) approve such accounting. Further, it is Jones’ view that the BTCA Treasurer reports directly to Trustees; the Treasurer is not required to report to the Board or to the Health Committee. There was discussion of the Charitable Trustees status. Dresselhuis noted that because it has non profit tax exempt status from the IRS, requests to the Trustees must be in writing. She also noted that as trustees, they are an entity unto themselves which can make its own rules. Uzoff asked if the board can have a copy of the Trustees rules. Sunday asked if they do not have to give an accounting to the BTCA. Jackson asked if the Trustees reported to the IRS? Jones responded that not report to the IRS was necessary unless the Trust makes over $10,000.00 per year. Jackson asked if Ed Sedzik was getting reports on Charitable Trust. Fletcher raised the matter of a special meeting with the Trustees and the Health Committee which was held at the Nationals this year, and which she attended as the Board’s representative. At that time (April, 2005) the Health committee requested an account from the Trustees. There had been no response to these requests. There was renewed discussion of the necessity of written requests, and Kennedy asked why the members of the Health Committee had not been told in April that requests must be in writing. Jackson asked again when the Board would get a report from the Trustees. Jones responded that the July 31 2005 balance would be reported in September. The Board directed Fletcher to write to the Trustees.

2. ,b>Health Committee: Uzoff asked Miller about the status of the Puppy Handbook. Miller reported on various editing problems that put the book on hold. When these are resolved, she will send the Trustees a copy of book and it will then go to the editors. In response to Kennedy’s question regarding funds for the brain tumor study, Jones said that a check had been sent Friday June 24, 2005. There was discussion of the cataract study proposal by Katherine Graves. Brewer said that Graves’ grant proposal had not been successful. There was discussion of whether the research will be funded. Miller replied that it would not. She described briefly a genetics project involving three different research teams. Fletcher asked that Graves join the July 18 Board meeting to explain this work.

There was renewed discussion of Pay Pal. Comstock informed the Board that it would be expensive to use, depending on volume. Miller thought it would be used in 1.9% of sales. Fletcher asked Miller to write a proposal laying out potential uses and cost.

Uzoff asked how many members the Health Committee has. Recording Secretary-elect Melany Anaya has resigned, Miller reported, but Donna Coleman has been nominated to the committee for a total of 10 members. Jackson moved, Uzoff second to approve Donna Coleman. Miller reported that Maureen Blackwood will take over financial aspect of Health Committee.

Ochiai asked again about hemi-vertebrae information in the C-to-C. Comstock informed the Board that Carlene Gray has resigned as C-to-C editor. There was discussion of how this information could be distributed to the membership.

There was further discussion of reimbursement problems. Jones noted that she must have receipts in order to reimburse.

Miller left the Meeting at this point.

Board Reports:

President – No Report
Vice President – No Report
Recording Secretary– No Report
Treasurer: Jones had reported a General fund balance on January 31, 2005 of $26, 677.50 There were some corrections Jones moved, Sunday second to accept.

Balances as of May 31 2005 were as follows:
$15 990.71 Gen fund
3, 731.25 general fund
1,834.95 health committee.
2,996.89 trophy
7,377.62 rescue
19,519.20 + 50.00 for CT

Jones requested everyone send a receipt for reimbursement for one night’s lodging for Board Members at the National. Corresponding Secretary: Byron Elder has accepted the post of Affiliate Club liaison. Letters have been sent to newly elected board and departing Board members. Fletcher reported that there memorial checks for Judy Gabriel in the amount of $385.00 have been received.

There was discussion of dues notices. These should go out by April 15. In response to questions, Jones reported that she had not yet mailed out the notices. There was consideration of extending the deadline. Kennedy moved, Jackson seconded to extent dues additional 90 days. Motion defeated. There was further discussion of why dues notices had not been sent. Jones replied that she did not have a corrected roster from the Recording Secretary. Kennedy reported that she had been asked by Jones for this on June 1 and had sent a disc. Jones responded that she had not received this. Kennedy asked why she had not called again.

There was discussion of the situation with the failed Boston Bulletin publication. Jackson reported on problems with merchandise belonging to the Health Committee which was not returned by the publisher of the Bulletin.

4. Unfinished Business:
Show report: 2005 Brewer had no report.
Jones reported a loss of $4,906.06. There had been no bills submitted as yet by the Houston host club. Jones to send a copy of the breakdown of expenses for the 2005 show.

Perpetual trophies: There was extensive discussion of ongoing insurance and storage problems. Jones reported that the silver Davis Cup and the figure of a Standing Boston costs $300 per year to insure. Jackson suggested these be on permanent loan to the AKC museum, with photos only on display at our shows. Kennedy vigorously resisted this idea. The trophies are a history of the breed, and our members expect to see them each year. Kelly Estes has volunteered to have trophies shipped to her home. Jones moved, Kennedy seconded that BTCA pay half the storage costs.

Brewer asked the Board’s permission to hold Rally in Performance Events. Unanimous approval. There was discussion of changing the days for the auction & Annual General Meeting. Fletcher moved that we switch the dates of the auction with the date of the Annual Meeting; Jackson seconded. Motion approved.

New Members - The following new members were voted into membership via secret ballot: Non Keenan, Scotland; Janet Metcalff, England; Stephen Hoxwarth, CA; Linda Howarth, CA; Dawn Law, UK; Jackie Webb, England; Ann Marie Knudsen, CA; Mickie Hines, CA; Georgann Mathis, NC; Patricia Gurtner, CA; Mary Lawman, WA; Dorothy Snowden, TX; Lisa Braunstein-LaMere, CA

Breed Standard: A petition regarding the proposed revisions had been circulated at the Nationals requesting that the draft not be sent to membership for approval for at least 8 months. Sunday made a motion that any proposed changes to the membership not be submitted before December 8, 2005; Fletcher seconded the motion. Approved.

Fletcher reported on correspondence regarding “Meet the Breed” seminars at the AKC Invitational. The BTCA has been asked to sponsor medallions at $75 each for BOB, BOS, and Best Bred By and also to continue its support for Meet the Breed. Fletcher moved, Kennedy 2nd . Motion approved. It was noted that the AKC must have our contributions by August 18th AKC. Kennedy asked about reimbursement from Susan Adams, chair of last year’s “Meet the Breed”. Jones reported that “Meet the Breed” had cost the BTCA $900.00 last year. After further discussion, Comstock stated that he will inquire further on “Meet the Breed” 2005.

There was discussion of BTCWW revisions to its charter. Jackson moved, Sunday 2nd to approve. Motion approved.

Membership chair: Peg Selvay has been nominated. Fletcher moved, Uzoff second to appoint Selvay. Motion carried. There was discussion regarding costs of Coast to Coast, and concerning its editor. Jones reported that each issue costs $2,000. It was suggested that Byron Elder write to the Regional clubs, asking if editors of their newsletters would be interested in this post.

There was discussion of appointing a new Chair for Ways & Means. Jackson moved Jones seconded to table this matter.

There were continuing problems with the BTCA website. Discussion of costs, administration followed. Jones reported that the site costs $480 last year. To date she has not received an invoice for the current year.

The next Board meeting will be July 18, 2005.

President Comstock thanked retiring members Staley and Kennedy for their service to the Club.

Uzoff made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Staley. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00pm EDT

Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Kennedy, Recording Secy