USA GBM comming up soon - thoughts? - Page 1

Regarding events, I saw this same sentiment at the NE regional meeting that we're now
seeing from the national board – there is this aged belief that clubs
should feel privileged to host an event due to all of the huge spoils
of profit to be reaped from doing so.  People need to get for real –
the sport, the organization and the participation at trials is
dwindling.  Trials (especially big ones with big venues) are a break
even proposition at best these days.  Having said that, we still need
them – what would be the purpose of even having an org otherwise?
Therefore, in my mind, before anything else the national org should be
subsidizing these events, not trying to eliminate them.  Way before
cutting them they should be pumping up the money they inject to keep
them going.

My feeling is that they should remain separate events and that USA
(national org) needs to stop spending so much money on a useless
registration and papering system that will never be accepted by the
FCI (regardless as to how bad the AKC alternative is...) and
furthermore stop being so gracious in providing funds to the "big
names" who compete at the international events.  As far as I'm
concerned the orgs priorities need to be that of supporting the rank
and file membership first.  Paying money to send teams to
international events that consist of people (most who already use the
sport as a part or full time income through training, breeding, etc)
so that they can reach international acclaim to then make more $$$
from the sport - while at the same time suggesting that events to be
held for benefit of all be cut makes me angry.  There are reasons that
over 21,000 members of the 25,000 total ever signed on are no longer
in the org.  Stupid suggestions like cutting events (which let's be
honest, that's what they're suggesting when "combining" them) is just
another slap in the face.

On a side note (venting) I'm also pissed about the WUSV-08 thing.  As
cool as it will be to have it in the USA, it is stupid to expect a
cash strapped org with misplace priorities (again, read investment in
a meaningless papering system...) and barely 4000 members to fund such
an endeavor.  They are already taking "special assessments" to offset
the costs.

Wow, 136 views and no thoughts or comments? 

-Calvin

Calvin,

I couldn't agree with you more. I told the USA officers what I thought of them and the organization about 18 months ago. The useless registration system is a feeble attempt at best. Perhaps there should be a simple rule that if you derive the majority of your income from the sport, you would not be entitled to any reimbursements. Similar to the rule about being a judge and making a living breeding or training dogs.

C. Wilkins

Excellent post Calvin and I agree whole-heartedly.  I hope more people will respond.

molly