letters from the IWCA President

 

March 31, 2010 Dear Members of the IWCA,  

     Our National Specialty is only a few weeks away, and I am looking forward to it with much anticipation.   Jamie and her crew have really gone out of their way to offer the membership a memorable and fun event for human and hound alike.   I hope everyone has made his or her reservations and plans on attending.   Please visit the 2010 National Specialty website at http://www.iwca2010.com for more information, to order your meals, logo items, make room reservations, view the schedule of events, etc.  

     Thank you, thank you, and thank you!  I would like to send a most sincere, heartfelt thank you to our members of the board.   They pledged themselves to a two-day work weekend in Jacksonville, FL last month.   Day one was spent on committee, policy and bylaw revision work and the second day was the board meeting.  Sadly, four of our board members’ flights were cancelled due to weather and they had to return home, unable to join us.   The voting membership will soon receive a questionnaire asking for your input on the revision of the bylaws.  Once this task has been completed, the IWCA will then be able to move forward with pursuing a 501c(3) tax status.   

     I would like to take this opportunity to remind the membership that our bylaws allow for and specifically outline the procedure for the acceptance of additional nominations to run for an officer’s or director’s position.   I thank the nominating committee for its hard work, time and dedication in providing the club with a slate of candidates.  I also welcome those additional candidates and appreciate that they are willing to serve and to represent our breed and the IWCA.   I encourage the membership to please support our club’s democratic process by which our officers and directors are elected to represent our club.  

     Included with your 2009 #2 issue of the “Harp and Hound” was an order form for a complete set of annual reports and the “Harp and Hound” on DVD.   At the request of the membership, this digitizing project was completed in the fall of 2009.  The 3 DVD set has over 400 MB of information on each disk, each table of contents is hyperlinked and the disks are in searchable format - a must for all breed enthusiasts.   We are currently waiting to complete an order of 100 sets before production and shipping can begin.   If you would like an order form, please contact me.  

     Reminder, please have your hounds health tested and allow their results to be included in the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) registry.  This registry is not just for breeders, but for companion owners as well.  Please do this for the welfare and future of our breed.  

     Please take a moment and review the club’s Irish Wolfhound Longevity program, available on the IWCA website.  The IWCA looks forward to recognizing and joining you in helping celebrate this wonderful milestone in your hound’s life.  Thank you Kerri McIntyre Murphy for overseeing this program.  
    
     In closing, please remember that I am always available to the membership.  I want to hear your concerns, suggestions, take your advice and work with you, to help the Irish Wolfhound Club of America succeed in it’s intended purpose: to responsibly promote, guard and protect the Irish Wolfhound.  

     Looking forward to seeing all of you in California!    

Respectfully,
Jacqueline Carswell-President
November 21, 2009 Message from the President

     While driving home from the airport after attending the last board meeting and having reflected upon the previous few days, I felt extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work with such a diverse, well-informed, intelligent and problem-solving group as the current Board of the IWCA. Thank you folks for all your hard work and dedication.

     I have attended four of the five local Irish Wolfhound Club Specialty shows since May and would like to thank Linda Souza for representing the club in my absence at the Northern California IW Club show. My intentions are to show IWCA support of our local clubs and to spend time listening to the opinions and suggestions of the membership by holding round table discussions at various local IW specialties. My main purpose in holding these discussions was to find out what perception the membership had about the culture of our club and board, if they had the inclination and desire to choose and define our own culture and how we could go about achieving this common desire. I wanted to identify what the membership believed the IWCA’s most important function was to the breed, the membership and the local IW clubs and how they felt we, as a club, should go about reaching these goals. I would like to thank Tamara Ritzenthaler for helping me facilitate this endeavor. I came away from these discussions feeling inspired on each occasion and felt the participants did as well. The membership wants to work together for the future of our breed and our sport, encourage new interests and have fun in doing so. I would like to share with the membership a few of the highlights of these discussions.

     The members I spoke with feel the principle responsibility of the IWCA is to maintain the standard "as written". It was felt that more input from the local clubs with educational functions and programs would be beneficial, utilizing several different long-time breeders. Local IW clubs would like help and instruction from the IWCA in the areas of training people for the role of mentor and in the proper protocol on the presentation of breed seminars. When choosing and voting on the location for the National, the members would like to be provided with more information prior to the AGM (i.e. site comparisons, what criteria was used when board decides which site is chosen, more facts about each location, etc.) It was suggested the IWCA hold fun, non-AKC events for the companion owner to encourage and increase the membership, potentially getting more IW owners involved with the IWCA.
 Members would like more communication between the local IW clubs and the IWCA with the formation of liaison meetings at the national specialty and phone conferences with an agenda of items. They would like to see the facilitation of communication between the club liaisons with the IWCA and feel it is the responsibility of the IWCA to make this happen. Smaller local clubs would like assistance from IWCA in meeting the AKC requirements to keep their clubs’ status current. I explained to the members that the board was currently in the process of examining our club’s bylaws for revisions and asked if there were any areas of concern or suggestions to offer. Some told me that they would get back with me and some gave suggestions on the spot. The number of board members needs to be addressed as they felt there are currently too many. Term lengths need to be longer for some positions. (i.e. Pres. Sec. Treas. AKC rep.) In the area of filing charges, members want board members to ask complainants what they have done to resolve these types of issues first. Members would like to see more teamwork within the IWCA and would like to be asked by the officers of the IWCA to help with club functions.

     I would like to thank Susan Bleakley, Jill Bregy, Eileen Flanagan, and Roberta Pliner for volunteering to staff the AKC meet the breeds’ event held in NYC, on Oct. 17-18, 2009. Also, a big thank you to Cathy Heintz for representing the IWCA at the recent AKC Canine Health Foundation’s parent club conference held in St. Louis, Oct. 23-25, 2009. Without the help and selfless dedication of our club members, these types of educational and sharing opportunities and would not be possible for our club.

     Our next board meeting will be held in Jacksonville, FL at the Airport Clarion hotel on February 12-13, 2010. Please check the club news closer to time for the exact location and time. The board meeting, open to the membership will be held on the 13th with a closed work session for board members only on the 12th. Please be an integral part of the IWCA and share your thoughts and opinions with your board members. I really look forward to working with all of you; this has truly been a fun and rewarding experience. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Jacqueline Carswell
July 7, 2009 President’s message
July 2009

     As President of the IWCA, I intend to uphold the commitments I made when running for this office and I look forward to our upcoming club year with much enthusiasm. The board members have spent the last few weeks getting better acquainted with one another while establishing and organizing their committees. Our membership abounds with diverse talents, needing to be utilized and the board is eager to hear from you!

     I would like to thank the 2009 National Specialty Committee co-chaired by John Fitzgerald, Doug Marx and Amy Benjamin for a job well done! Everyone had a wonderful time, the show ran smoothly and the exhibits were of outstanding quality. The IWCA/IWF co-sponsored auction was a huge success. The heart testing provided by the IWF and the CERF testing provided by the IWCA health committee was well supported. The education committee provided outstanding seminars and judges’ education, including ringside mentoring. Thank you to all participants for supporting the health and future of our breed!

      Please join me in supporting Jamie Souza Bartlett and her 2010 show committee by attending the National in Pleasanton, CA next May. Jamie has a full schedule of fun, health and educational activities planned for all exhibitors and attendees. This is our club's premier event, the venue for us all to come together and share our experiences and knowledge with one another and showcase our hounds!
The IWCA board is currently researching the feasibility of restructuring our club's bylaws. If we are to become a 501 c (3) non profit organization as requested by the membership, some adjustments have to be made to our existing bylaws. Our bylaws must meet the Internal Revenue Service's interpretation of our club's intent and purpose. Now is the time for the membership to become involved in the process and make your desires known. I ask each and every one of you to be an integral part of this endeavor by sending your opinions, suggestions and concerns to the club secretary for immediate dispersal to the members of the board and bylaws committee. Term limits, consecutive term limits, types of membership, number of officers and directors are just a few of the items needing consideration and joint approval.

     Our next board meeting will be held in Cheyenne, WY in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Irish Wolfhound Association’s regional Specialty show. The show will be held on Sept 4th with the meeting on the 5th. Please check the club's website (http://www.iwclubofamerica.org) under the events link for exact location and time. Club members are welcome and encouraged to come and observe.

     Please remember, your most loyal friend, the one that will always be by your side, protect and adore you, is your Irish Wolfhound. When we joined the IWCA, we agreed to promote honorable dealings in all canine matters. Let us honor our promise to the Irish Wolfhound and the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. At the end of the day, you have to look your true friend in the eye and know in your heart, you made the right choices.

Thank you,
Jacqueline Carswell
   
April 30, 2008 President’s Message
April, 2008

     Thank you for the honor and privilege of being elected the President of IWCA. I am grateful to the members who voted for me. I also want to thank all the members who participated in the election process because full participation in the club requires not only voting, but discussions with others, grappling with complicated issues and often coming to a compromise.

     I ran for office to protect our By-Laws and the Standard in behalf of our Irish Wolfhounds and the IWCA. During the National Specialty, I listened to what people were willing to share with me. It appears we have two clubs existing side by side, and I don’t believe that this is in our best interests. Our hounds deserve better from us. It is time that we all come together to protect our club and our hounds. Diversity is good. We have to listen to each other, agree to disagree, and carry on above board with honor and integrity.

     The Board must and will be accountable to the membership. If you want to be on a committee, contact the Chairperson and ask for a position on the committee. We need willing workers for the here and now, and to develop leadership for the future.

     At the April Board meeting after the Judges’ Dinner, I decided that continuity in the leadership was important for the club, and I did not change any committee chairs. Every one will stay in his/her current position for now and will be evaluated at the next Board meting. Extra positions were filled. I will ask each committee chairperson to submit to me by July 15, 2008 a report detailing each committee’s goals, the current status of tasks completed, and the work remaining to be accomplished.

     I have sent the previously approved policy of an additional $500.00 to file a complaint (Article VII, Section 2) to the Governance Committee for review and reconsideration. Should this change be recommended by the Board as an amendment to the By-Laws, it would be sent to the AKC for approval and brought to the membership of IWCA as a proposed amendment to the By-Laws. In addition, the policy regarding electronic voting will be sent to the Governance Committee to be reviewed and to ensure it is complaint with Kentucky laws, our state of incorporation. As pointed out by Board Member Dr. Caren Carney, Kentucky corporation law does not allow email voting. The policy as presently written may not be compliant with Kentucky law. Every idea, regardless of origin, must be processed within our By-Laws, the regulations of the AKC, and the State of Kentucky.

     The date of our next Board meeting will be Oct. 25, 2008 at the IWAGS Specialty in NJ and will be posted on our website as will all future Board Meetings. The Board meetings are open to all to come and observe. While non-Board members can not participate in these meetings, all members of IWCA, including Associate Members, are encouraged to come, take notes, and ask questions or make suggestions to Board members after the meeting.

     This is your club and your participation is vital. The April Board meeting had four non-Board members present. I hope many more of your can join us at our next meeting in October. If your have any concerns or suggestions, please contact me or Judy Simon, IWCA Secretary. I guarantee that your concern will be presented at the next Board meeting and you will receive a response. I personally go to some 40-50 all-breed dog shows each year and always watch Irish Wolfhound breed judging. If you see me at a show, come up and introduce yourself, and share a concern or a suggestion with me if you have one. I will listen.

Dennis J. Gallant
President, IWCA
 
   
September 21, 2007 Dear IWCA Members:

Several emails have been sent to the Board in the last few days about a web list discussion of the position of the IWCA on dog fighting. Some of the authors think the IWCA needs to publish its position,

I thought we had,

First, the IWCA Standard For Ethical Conduct begins:
“The following standard of conduct should govern the members of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America in all actions in all actions concerned with breeding, selling, exhibiting, owning and protecting this breed. It is difficult to cover all situations and for this reason members should follow THE INTENT of this standard even when specific areas are not covered.” This Standard is published on our website,

Second, following the Michael Vic arrest, the American Kennel Club published a statement strongly opposing dog fighting. The IWCA is a member club of the AKC and as such subscribes to that statement.

Also received via email is an accusation that an IWCA Committee member supports dog fighting. I have investigated that claim and find no proof of such.

For those who need further confirmation: The Irish Wolfhound Club of America is strongly opposed to any activity which exposes any animal to abuse and brutality. “Animal” includes people too.

Sincerely,
Beverly C. Little,
President, IWCA
 
August 25, 2007 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear IWCA Members:

Over the past few months, club members have provided me with fresh ideas and new recommendations about how to move our club forward. Today I am announcing formation of a new committee to study our corporate governance issues. Corporate governance involves how the Board fulfills its responsibilities to our members. Also, it includes our need to follow federal and state laws, our responsibility to manage our relationships with the AKC, and our mandate to manage our club via our bylaws. Corporate governance is a process many Board-run organizations undertake. The committee will have a broad scope to look at how we can better organize and run our club to serve our members and our breed. This action represents one more step in fulfilling some of the objectives we promised when we took office this past April.

After consulting with several Board members, I have asked Caren Carney to head this committee because of her long-standing interest and expertise in this area. Caren has recommended that we move cautiously and carefully in studying where we are and we do not expect any immediate changes to take place. I am pleased that Steve LeVan has agreed to join the new committee and bring his past experience in this area to this project.

We hope to provide some history about the club’s organization and changes over the years. We want to provide our members with accurate information about strengths and weaknesses in how we conduct club business now. And, within the legal constraints of our state incorporation as a not-for-profit organization, we also want to identify opportunities for how we might move forward. The active member interviews we are conducting now in preparation for our wider survey later this year have already given us an indication of your thoughts. Later this year, a wider membership survey will allow you to weigh in on some of these issues and the future direction of this club. As soon as the committee is up and running, they will begin providing information to members via the website.

In running for office this past year, we noted that some of our goals and objectives would not be accomplished in a single year. Corporate governance is one of these areas. However, we believe that paying attention to it will strengthen our club in ways that will allow us to better serve and protect Irish Wolfhounds.

Beverly C. Little,
President, IWCA
 
August 23, 2007 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear IWCA Members:

There is much swirling around Internet chat lists about the alleged misconduct of The IWCA Board, and me in particular. Since it is my firm belief that IWCA business should not be conducted on chat lists I have not sent replies to the lists. Silence in this case does NOT mean consent!

I have been accused of “misinterpreting” the Constitution and By-Laws. In reality I did not “interpret” at all, I simply read it and followed it to the letter. Our Constitution like our Standard of Excellence is a simple one but easy to follow. One definition of “interpretation” is “version.” I like and follow the printed one.

Further the accusation that we ignored a request to put an item on the agenda. The request came after all votes were taken, the decision made, and the case closed. At that point the item was moot. I did err here in not writing the member to inform her of the decision.

I found the accusing letter unacceptable to post on the IWCA list because it is open to everyone, members and the general public. When we have in place a planned “members only” area on the website then we will have a place for members to pose legitimate questions about the Club.

And of course my phone number, email, and address are posted on the website for anyone to contact me with any questions. And if you live in my area you can always knock on my door.  If you really want an answer to a question, go directly to the person/s who can answer it and ask!

All IWCA Members receive a copy of the Board Minutes in which Board actions and Board votes are listed. Yes, all members present have a vote and you can read those in the minutes.

I thought we were all on the same side here and working toward the same goals. Posting accusations on an Internet chat list may not be seeking answers but seeking allies.

Beverly C. Little,
President, IWCA
iwcabiz@comcast.net
425 392 7241
16252 Tiger Mountain Road SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
 

August 15, 2007
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

On August 3rd, 2007, seventeen members of the IWCA Board of Directors (and two guests) met in Auburn, Washington the day before the Thirty-Third Annual Specialty of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Puget Sound.
It was a great opportunity for members of the Local Club to meet and visit with Board Members who live far across the country and for those Board Members to meet and talk with the “locals.” Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity.

We had a very productive Board Meeting. Several new policies were adopted and are now available for you to read on the website Policy Page.

ALERT!! This morning two emails concerning new threats to dog ownership landed on my desk. One is in San Antonio, Texas where legislation mimicking California’s AB1634 is going to be presented and the in Los Angeles where the City Council is going to consider new dog legislation.

Once again a CALL TO THE PEN! We need everyone to write letters, raise voices, visit legislators, and attend protests where you can. This is a constant battle and we cannot let down our guard for a moment.

Please go to the website “Legislation Page” where you will find the appropriate names and addresses of legislators to contact and PLEASE, do so.

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance,” (Thomas Jefferson).

Beverly C. Little,
President, IWCA
 

June 5, 2007
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear IWCA Members:

Thank you to everyone who took time to write the Mars Corporation and protest Pedigree’s donation to the American Humane Association and their attempt to force membership in the AHA upon Parent Clubs. The AHA fully supports California’s punitive AB1634 (Go to http://www.americanhumane.org/ and click on "Take Action" - see link under State Alerts.).

Those cards and letters worked!

Pedigree is now offering to donate to all Parent Clubs $2000.00 for rescue operations with “no AHA strings attached.” Pedigree has further mandated AHA not allocate any of the Pedigree funds presented to that organization be spent upon any legislation issues.

The latest attempt at anti-dog legislation is now taking place in our Nation’s Capitol. We have an alert posted here on the website.

Here in Washington State, the King County Council is considering what it is calling an “anti-kill” measure in its animal control facilities. King County is the largest county in the state. The Humane Society of the United States and PAWS support this measure. Both of these organizations are on record as strongly supporting mandatory spay/neuter legislation. Is this the first step toward “KC1634?”

Is your town next?

If we all actively work together, keep each other informed, and most importantly keep tabs on our local legislators we can ensure our right to own, show, and breed our beloved hounds.

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.” (John P. Curran)


Beverly C. Little,
President, IWCA
 
May 10, 2007 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:

"I just had several emails forwarded to me in re the American Humane Association's support of California Bill AB1634. I did check their home page and indeed there is a "help prevent overpopulation of pets in California" link where they endorse the punitive bill. (Go to http://www.americanhumane.org/ and click on "Take Action" - see link under State Alerts.)

"Pedigree recently donated thousands of dollars to the American Humane Association and offered $2000.00 to AKC Parent Breed Clubs for rescue but accessible only if the Club joined the AHA. In her wisdom, Jean Minnier, the IWCA Rescue Chair, declined this grant partially due to the requirement to join AHA.

"What is wrong with this picture? A dog food manufacturer collecting millions of dollars from dog owners and breeders at the front door and spending them out the back door in support of AB1634 to do away with them?

"Here is a list of products manufactured by Pedigree's parent company, Mars Corporation. I might suggest we all look at this list and decide if we want to continue to support this company by buying its products. Write to them and let them know. We need to flood Mars Corporation/Masterfoods USA with letters. Money talks!"

3 MUSKETEERS
AMICELLI
AQUARIAN
BALISTO
BISC&
BOUNTY
CANIGOU
CASTELLARI
CATSAN
CELEBRATIONS
CESAR
CHAPPI
COMBOS
COOKIES&
CRAZY HAIR
DOVE
EBLY
ETHEL-M
EXELPET
FANFARE
FLAVIA
FLYTE		 FROLIC
GALAXY
GOLDEN COB
GOOD-O
KAL KAN
KAN TONG
KIT E KAT
KLIX
KUDOS
LINGUANOTTO
LOCKETS
LOYAL
LUCKY
M&M'S
MALTESERS
MARS
MASTERFOODS
MASTERFOOD SERVICES
MILKYWAY
MONDO
MY DOG
PEDIGREE		 PEDIGREE DENTABONE
PEDIGREE MEATY BITES
PEDIGREE PAL
PEDIGREE OPTIMUM
RARIS
REVELS
RONRON
SEEDS OF CHANGE
SHEBA
SKITTLES
SNICKERS
STARBURST
SUZI WAN
TRACKER
TRILL
TUNES
TWIX
UNCLE BEN'S
WALTHAM
WHISKAS
WINERGY
 

So write:

Mars Corporation
Masterfoods USA
MasterFoodServices
P.O. Box 29333
San Antonio, TX 78229
Phone: 800-432-2331
Email: (mailto:mfs@directhitdata.com)


" In the end, I think it would be lovely if we stopped this whole notion of pets altogether."
— Ingrid Newkirk, President of PETA

"One generation and out. We have no problems with the extinction of domestic animals."
— Wayne Pacelle, President, Humane Society of the United States


                                                                                                  Beverly C. Little
                                                                                                  President, IWCA
 

April 26, 2007  		MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:

       Because of the escalating anti-dog legislation proliferating across the United States we have re-established the IWCA Canine Legislation Committee.  Board Member Donna Brown has volunteered to chair this committee and has some excellent ideas on how the membership can help “fight back.”

        Many of you may be aware of the very punitive anti-dog legislation that has advanced to the State of California Appropriations Committee, AB 1634 (as amended by the Assembly Business & Professions Committee 4/24/07.  Certainly in the past the sponsors of this bill have advocated passage of like legislation in various city and county venues.  This is the first time I’m aware of that their attack has been aimed statewide.  If successful in California this type of restrictive legislation will sweep across the county and could make it impossible for any of us to breed, show, course, enjoy, or even own our beloved hounds.       

       This is a Call To Arms!  In my capacity as the IWCA President I emailed each and every member of the Appropriations Committee putting the IWCA on record as opposed to the passage of AB1634 (as amended 4/24/07).  I have written to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, Attn:  Mr. Chuck Nicol, Committee Consultant, State Capitol Room 2114,  Sacramento, CA 95814.  I urge you to do so also and to ask every dog lover you know to join you!  I have also written to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking for his veto of this bill should it be passed.        

       Watchdogging legislation is not a one-person job, nor a one-committee job, but the job of each and every one of you.  If you have information to share, help to volunteer, solutions to offer, do so.  All Committee Chair email addresses are posted on the website.  My email, phone number and address are there also.      

       The Canine Legislation Committee (nor any other Committee) is not the place to complain, call names, repeat innuendos, hurl insults, or make accusations.  It is a Committee to bring us all together and help us plan and implement programs to protect our hounds from anti-dog activists.

               As Eldridge Cleaver wisely said, “you’re either part of the solution or part of the problem.” Now is the time to choose sides.
 

                                                                                        Beverly C. Little
 


Return Home