A few observations on the NUSC - Page 1

I saw the results posted on the website this evening. Congratulations to JoAnn.  She works hard and has a great dog and they both deserve this.  Sadly, it doesn’t mean as much because of the dismal showing.

First, let me say, I did not enter a dog or go.

Why? I considered entering (conformation, not for the Universal Sieger title) but it took so long for a venue to be picked and details to be posted, I got frustrated and went on to other things.  I understand it was posted on Facebook but I never signed up for their Facebook page. Other than the Hundegram which I received literally a day or two before entries closed, I received no email, advertisement or request to enter.  I also have heard about how rude Sally is on Facebook to people who disagree with the party line.  So the reputation of the chair and co-chair was not something that would entice me to reconsider and support this event. I have heard the same from others in my area. Comments such as; “Why bother?” and “Why would you want to support anything that group does?”

In the real world, (whether this was a corporate event, a not-for-profit event or a fund raiser for little league or the PTA, etc.) and the event had such a dismal turnout, the first step would be to evaluate why and see what can be learned for the next time. I hope this group does that and takes time to look inward for reasons rather than just blame the membership for not supporting our “wonderful, amazing super volunteers”. It is not about throwing stones or looking for someone to blame but it is about learning and changing accordingly as we move forward.

The choice to support National events is one way the membership can send a message to the leadership. The question now is;  Will the leadership hear the message and change? Or, will they continue to blame the membership for their failures?

Just what "GROUP" are you speaking of????
Debby

I did go to this event, and I did show. Although the turnout was quite disappointing, our group had a fantastic time. We had 4 dogs entered in various classes. The hosting club was just wonderful and friendly and really tried to do their best to ensure everything was smooth. I have to say that I am quite disappointed that this event was not supported more. THIS is the type of event that needs to grow if we want our breed and our organization to head in the right direction. Kudos to Landheim for putting this on! Thank you for effort and great attitude. What a nice group of people. Theresa

Also, as far as advertising is concerned- I would agree that this event was not promoted enough. HOWEVER, the NUSC was revived last year, I knew about it, and followed up, inquired, sent e-mails to WDA POCs, etc. Because I feel strongly that this is the a very positive event for the WDA. Using lack of advertising as an excuse is just that, an excuse.

Theresa,

Do you have the results for the Universal Sieger competition.

Thanks, much,

Kevin Nance

Sorry Kevin, I don't have the final results, but they should be posted soon. Theresa

Katsgsds:
You have not answered me on just what "group" you are speaking of! Please clarify.
I would first like to say to you that we are also disappointed that you did not enter or attend. Maybe next year?!
Second I would like to say that the facts needs to be clarified:

When NUSC was planned in 2011, the venue was suppose to be hosted by a Kentucky club. This club hadn't paid their dues for 2 years, and ended up backing out of hosting as well as their WDA membership as a club last minute. By last minute I mean in January of 2012!! OG Landheim formed a club in January of 2012 and took on the event in January 2012. The venue was announced multiple places in January including January's Hundegram. There is not one person there that would denie that this was a first class national event. So if your comments about not supporting a specific "group" was about them(OG Landheim).... that you heard second hand from someone.... there is no justification at all for not supporting a brand new club who dug in and put on a first class national event in just a few months time after forming!!!

Yes, absolutely there should have been MORE advertising! 
BUT, it was posted here on the pedigree data base in January 2012 and several times since! No excuse for not knowing about it because you did not have access to the facebook page! 
It was posted on the facebook page starting in January 2012. You obviously knew about the facebook page so why did you not inquire about how to GET access?
It was announced in January's Hundegram.
The WDA has it's phone number posted on it's webpage for access to the office for specific information on entering if you could not find it elsewhere.
Yes this does need to be improved for next year.

Second hand... again,.... you HEARD second hand about Sally? Come on! Unless you have specifically seen the entire conversations that Sally has had you have no business complaining about someone you don't even know or have personal experience with!!! I have gotten to know Sally personally over the past several months and I can tell you and everyone else that she is a very personable, kind, intelligent generous and hard working person. But she like anyone else, when attacked, will defend herself. So, until you have read ALL that has gone on, I suggest you stop keep your second hand gossip to yourself! 

The dismal turn out can be contributed to several different things. I personally believe that the biggest reason is that there was a rumor started that said the WDA was NOT going to help the winners financially, to get to the International competition. This rumor proved to be FALSE, but it's damage was done.

The dismal results are due to, in part, because this club carried a very high percentage of the entries, and not all of the dogs were actually ready to trial, but were entered anyway just to show support for the competition. Remember the vast majority of these club members are brand new to IPO/SchH and worked very hard over the last few months to get their dogs there. Because they didn't quite get there is nothing to be ashamed of. The people that should be ashamed are the ones who's dogs were ready and were not entered!


Joann's win should NOT be diminished at all! She got very good scores while those around her failed. Not only that in the WDA Nationals, just a few weeks ago, she had qualifying scores! She bettered those scores by 10 points in most of the phases!!! A routine and the judgment of that routine has NOTHING to do with how many other competitors there are!!! GREAT job Joann you deserved it and earned it!!!
Debby

Group=board members. Did not mean Landheim. Don't know them but I don't fault them for doing their best.

As far as I know, the Kentucky Club was very willing and they had a field and hotel and were ready to work on it. Not sure about the dues situation but it is sad that the club was lost to WDA. Would be interesting to find out why we lost them.

As far as Sally goes. No, I have not had a run in with her but I have seen the Facebook posts. She is not defending herself against attacks. She is usually the aggressor. what good is a Facebook page if as soon as someone says something could be improved or changed or that something is a problem, they are attacked.

The WDA Board's love it or leave it attitude may well be their undoing. 

I doubt that rumors that the WDA was not supporting the Universal candidates was the undoing of this event.  Maybe if the same person was not the chair of mutiple National events, each would get the attention needed to actually make it an event worth attending.

I will stick to my initial evaluation. This was a National event and it was not done well. The fault lies at the board's feet not Landheim's. The membership deserves more.

Whatever on the KY club! They didn't have ANY communication with the WDA for months even after being asked and confronted. Wow they had a hotel and field. WHY didn't they follow through and communicate if they were so willing if you know so much???? It took only days to PICK the venue and announce it. It took just a few short months for OG Landheim to put on a FIRST CLASS SHOW. 

YOU are totally off base with Sally. If you do not have access to the facebook page, just how do you know so much??? I quote: " I considered entering (conformation, not for the Universal Sieger title) but it took so long for a venue to be picked and details to be posted, I got frustrated and went on to other things. I understand it was posted on Facebook but I never signed up for their Facebook page. "  Hmmm never signed up huh? Why is it on April 11th,(the day that you made or duplicated your user name on the PDB...) you posted on PDB specifics about the facebook page? In that post on April 11th, you stated the reason you were not entering was because of the board. NOT because you had no information!!! So how are we to believe anything you say???
  
You can doubt all you want, but when it comes to thousands of $$$ that have to be invested to travel to the world competition having to come out of your own pocket with no help.... that can make or break most people. I didn't say it was the only reason.

You have no right to judge how a competition was run without being there. There is no one disagreeing that the advertising and pre-competition promotion should have been done better, but by, Sticking to your judgmental and pessimistic opinions only makes you look bad. People who truly care are the ones who ask what they can do to help! NOT JUDGE and complain. So just HOW are you going to help if you care so much??? 
Debby

This year IPO Nationals had a small turn out?  The problem is not advertising or venues, the problem is you can't expect people to turn out or compete by only making IPO important once or (Now with the universal sieger show) twice a year.  Let's face it, the universal sieger is half IPO!  The only way the two events are going to grow is by the organization making IPO important by making it mandatory that every club host a trial every year.  If Club's have to put on IPO trials then people will have to start doing/thinking about IPO and when people start doing and thinking IPO they will want to display their skills at big events. Advertising? The Nationals was well advertised.