President, Fred Helmbold called this month’s meeting, hosted by Cherie Gessford, to order at 6:09 p.m. The following members were present:

Minou Alexander, Linda Grant, Fred & Pat Helmbold, Mark & Holly Azevedo, Nancy Wyllie, Sydney Seiver, Ann Brown, Patti Martlew and Bruce Bertholf.

Guests present were Sharlene Craig and Sue O’Brien

Nominations for the 2002 Board of Officers and Directors were held. Sharlene Reed withdrew her nomination as Secretary, so the position has a vacancy. The outcome of the voting was:

President, Linda Grant; Vice President, Cherie Gessford; Secretary, vacant; Treasurer, Fred Helmbold; Board of Directors, Mark Azevedo, Bruce Bertholf, Lindsay Stark

Secretary – Linda: The Leonberger Club will be hosting their Regional National Specialty at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds on February 16-17, 2002. STKC will be providing 2 rings (one obedience and one conformation) of equipment. Setup time is after 2:00 p.m. on Friday the 15^th.

Calendar in the Howler – A 4-month calendar of upcoming events with be printed in the Howler.

Treasurer – Fred/Mark: Mark gave an update on the Club’s financial status.

Committee Updates:

Membership – Pat: Linda reported that there is not a good membership program, so another way of making the membership booklets will be figured out. Memberships are delinquent on March 1^st.

Obedience – Linda: We have 18 in Basic/CGC and Puppy has 14. Puppy instructors are Lindsay/Holly. Lindsay will be on vacation for Classes #3 & 4, so Pat and Sydney will provide assistance. CGC Instructors are Linda and Cherie with assistance from Bruce and Sydney. Graduation will be February 27^th. Next session starts on March 13^th, Session #3 will start on May 29^th. Ann Brown will be giving an obedience demonstration with Holly on Week #6 (February 13^th). There will be an agility demonstration (outdoors, weather permitting), on the following week, February 20^th.

Humane Society Donations – Fred: The Club is presently donating $100 of food per month to the Humane Society. Dusty’s Den is handling delivery of the food, and they reported that the Humane Society is presently going through one bag every other day.

Therapy Group – Sydney/Ann: Ann Brown has offered to assist Sydney. Bruce is still trying to obtain his certification from TDI. Linda provided Sydney a reporting requirement from TDI. Fred reported that the AKC Gazette had a nice article on TDI Bernese Mountain Dogs in the recent issue.

Agility – Linda: The Club does not have a location for Classes, but Lindsay Stark has offered her field next to her business as a location for the classes and FunRuns. The Agility Group will remove rocks, and get it set up. We’ll also use the orange snow fencing to rim the perimeter.

Howler – Nancy: She needs information for the Howler, but if it is copyrighted, please submit an authorization to reprint.

Hiking Committee – Minou/Cherie: This new committee will arrange weekly hikes. Minou and/or Cherie will provide dates and times.

Upcoming Events:

February 16-17, 2002 – Leonberger Specialty

April 27, 2002 – ATTS Test, Fairgrounds – Linda: Awaiting information from ATTS. Information will be provided at the next meeting for those interested in exactly what the ATTS test is all about.

June 8-9, 2002 – ASCA/NADAC Agility Trial – Linda/Lindsay: Linda reported that the Judges have been secured, room reservation done, and the paperwork has been submitted. Nancy will be Chief Scorer.

September 7-8, 2002 – AKC Agility Trial – Linda/Lindsay: The judge is secured and paperwork has been submitted and approved by AKC.

Discussion was held regarding purchasing another Laptop Computer for use at the Agility Trials. It was M/S/P by Cherie/Pat, and passed by the General Membership to have Linda and Nancy research a new computer. Fred will check prices through his work.

November 11-12, 2002 – AKC Conformation Show: Linda/Fred – more to follow.

New Business:

The Club members requested a formation of a Committee for the Revision of the Constitution/By-Laws and Policy Manual (as needed). Committee members will be: Lindsay Stark, Ann Brown, Holly Azevedo, Nancy Wyllie, and Fred Helmbold.

Next month’s meeting will be held at Lindsay Stark’s home in Jamestown. Nancy Wyllie passed around a signup sheet for the next year’s host homes. Linda Grant will host the Board meetings.

Brags:

Sydney and Tess (Australian Cattle dog). They went to Soulsbyville Methodist Church for Men’s Breakfast to talk about Therapy Dogs. There was nothing like a room full of Methodist’s with breakfast sausages and eggs to make a Therapy dog happy! Lots of interest generated in our Therapy program.

Linda and Dexi (Australian Shepherd) – at San Mateo received 1^st place, Winner’s Dog and Best of Winners for 3 points and his 2^nd major towards his Championship. This gives him 8 points.

Cherie and Mori (Australian Shepherd) – at the Ione ASCA show, Mori received has ASCA Companion Dog (CD).

Cherie and Moon (Australian Shepherd) – at the StarFleet Training Facility, Moon received her Veteran’s NADAC Agility Trial Championship! (NATCH-V). More elsewhere in the Howler.

Ann Brown and Holly (Golden Retriever) – at the Santa Clara DTC, San Jose, Holly received her Obedience Trial Championship! (OTCH) More elsewhere in the Howler.

It was M/S/P by Linda/Nancy to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Champagne was served in honor of Holly (the dog!) and Moon on their achievements.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Grant

Secretary