The meeting of the Great Lakes Region was called to order by Regional Director Liz Watson at 5:05 p.m., January 15, 2000. Secretary Rachel Anger recorded the minutes.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Susan Johnson gave a report. Our Annual Fund is $42,772.66. Individuals who have bounced checks for regional functions will be on a cash or money order basis in the future. The issue of how to handle outstanding club assessments was discussed. Treasurer Johnson proposed that delinquent clubs be published in the next Newsletter. Jeanne Warren does not want the names published. Some clubs, specifically Canadian clubs, are simply broke. Jerry Kithcart said that as president of a club, he could be unaware of a delinquency because the notice is being sent to the secretary. He suggested notifying the secretary and the president of the club. Bill Lee asked if "CFA good standing" status for clubs didn't include payment of assessments, as in failure to pay bills, and clubs not be relicensed if they have not paid all of their bills, including regional assessments. [Director Watson to check on this.] Gary Veach feels that if a club can pay their CFA dues and have a vote, they should be able to pay their regional assessment. The motion to include delinquent clubs in the next newsletter FAILED.
Regional Show: Polly Grabecki presented the Regional Show report. The show is in Buffalo and has been licensed. Flyers are available; show hall and banquet hall booked; 8-piece band hired for dancing; great caterer has the menu set; tables of 8 will be benched just like at the Annual as funds are received. Everyone is really going to enjoy our awards banquet, so bring your dancing shoes. Regarding rosettes, our Rosette Chairman Eve Russell asked to report that she is tired and the rosettes are, too, so donations were solicited and pledged from the following clubs for rosettes: London Cat Fanciers, Thumbs Up Cat Fanciers, Cat Nation Fanciers, Ohio State Persian, Cleveland Persian, Western Pennsylvania Cat Fanciers, Midwest Persian Tabby, Queen City, Kittyhawk. We will ask Eve to order the rosettes and coordinate. Shelby Friemoth volunteered to do the regional raffle.
2001 Regional Show Proposal: Director Watson asked that we look forward to 2001 and that the clubs think about where we would like to have the show and what club would like a turn at hosting it. Midwest Persian Tabby stepped forward and tentatively proposed Dearborn, Michigan.
Qualifier Report: Eric Thompson gave a report on our 2000 Qualifier. We are moving the Qualifier to Youngstown where we have a 44,000 square foot facility in a mall which runs $4,500 and a $1,000 deposit has been paid. There are lots of restaurants in the immediate area. Great gate is anticipated through mall publicity, humane society and general traffic in the area.
2001 Annual Report: Judy Thompson gave a report on the upcoming 2001 Annual. The facilities at the Hilton are very accommodating, but there is no pool. The rooms, although small, all have nice views and are newly renovated. The areas for vendors, check-in and hospitality are spacious. Airport transportation and parking are available. No trips are currently scheduled, but lots of activities are available. A Friday evening paddle boat dinner cruise was discussed and favorably recommended. Raffles will include a digital camera and a suite at the Hilton. Logistics of the raffles were discussed and a proposal will be presented at the next meeting.
New Clubs: Liz Watson read a proposal provided by Region 1 Director Sharon Roy regarding the regulation of new clubs and discussion followed. Susan Lee feels that clubs should have full voting privileges during probationary period. Gary Veach proposed a one-year probationary period, then be granted the right to vote. Jerry Kithcart mentioned that some clubs have an internal one-year requirement for members to vote on club issues. Donna Jean Thompson said that there would be problems monitoring new clubs.
New Club Application: Sharon Powell then spoke on the Great Lakes Great Cats, and discussed their proposed ring sponsorship. This will not be a show-producing club, but will sponsor stand-alone Maine Coon specialty rings which should bring in additional entries for the sponsoring club, with the funds going directly to research. With over active 150 members, Sharon assured the attendees that this is not a paper club. Favorable recommendation of the club was voted on and PASSED.
[At this point, the meeting was temporarily adjourned until Sunday morning when it was called to order at 8:30 a.m.]
Mentoring Program: Gary Veach spoke about the need for a mentoring program and the fact that we have few new people entering the fancy. The survival of our hobby depends on us not shutting newcomers out. Several suggestions were presented, including benching mentoring volunteers near the front gate in a designated section so that visitors to our shows can freely talk to these mentoring exhibitors. It would be advantageous to our hobby to hook up new exhibitors with individuals who are willing to help out. Gary had contacted Central Office about having a directory by state so that new people can look up other exhibitors in their area. A proposal will be submitted for the newsletter.
What Is a Breed: The WIAB topic was discussed at great length. Liz read a letter from Sharon Roy on this topic. Sharon was looking for direction if there was not a concensus from the Breed Councils and Liz wanted to have some input from the region. Gary Veach spoke about WIAB and indicated that there are other alternatives. Perhaps we should find ways to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. A vote was taken and the people attending the meeting did not support WIAB
Upon motion by Herb Zwecker, seconded by Gary Veach, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 a.m.
