President Linda Grant called the meeting of the Sierra-Tuolumne Kennel Club to order at 6:10 pm. This months meeting was held at the home of Minou Alexander.

Members present were: Linda Grant, Cherie Gessford, Lindsay Stark, Bruce Bertholf, Mary & Al Kennedy, Patti Martlew, Sydney Seiver, Ann Brown, Minou Alexander

Guests Present: Jo Ann Gritz , Rudy and Carol Leeman, Jim and Carol Frazier

Big Show discussion: Photos of the water damage were shared. Thank you gifts were discussed for Russ at the fairgrounds and Sue O’Brien for transporting the judges. We need to make sure that Russ can accept anything without jeopardizing his job, but it was M/S/P by Bruce and Cherie to get $150.00 certificate to Macy’s for Sue O’Brien.

Committee members gave brief critiques and all members shared their comments about the show.

NEW DATE: There has been much discussion about changing the date for our Big Show. The weather has always been a problem and is costing us entries. September 21 weekend has been given up by another club and would be a great weekend for us, but that of coarse affects our AKC agility trial. It was M/S/P by Lindsay and Cherie that we look into moving the Big Show to September 21 and the AKC agility trial to April 26. We will look into making these changes and get things moving.

SECRETARY’S REPORT-Lindsay: Letters about the Big Show were read.

The flag for members to hang in front of their houses for the meetings has arrived.

*******The Breeders Directory needs to be updated and I need everyone’s help. If you know of reputable breeders for your chosen breed, please get their current information and provide it to me, so that it can be listed in the new edition.*******

Second readings, Member applications were read for Jo Ann Gritz, Jim and Carol Frazier and Rudy and Carol Leeman. All were unanimously voted in as members.

TREASURER’S REPORT-Fred: No report

OBEDIENCE-Linda: All new classes will start on January 15. Intermediate will be at 4:30, Basic and Puppy will be at 5:30 and Conformation will be at 6:45

OBEDIENCE, PUPPY-Lindsay: 7 students graduated for the winter class.

AGILITY-Linda: New classes will start on April 24.

SUNSHINE-Holly: No report.

PUBLICITY: The big show had a great article in the papers.

Constitution/Bylaws-Lindsay: The updated Bylaws were handed out at the meeting and are in this months’ Howler. They will be voted on at the December meeting.

Apparently there has been some confusion about the approval of our new Bylaws. They were approved by AKC on October 1, however AKC made some suggestions that the club should consider the NEXT time the Bylaws were updated. The members voted at the October meeting to go ahead and make those small changes that mostly involve wording differences now, rather than later. This does NOT mean that we need to wait for further approval from AKC before our new Bylaws become effective. They are effective already. AKC asks only that when the Bylaws are printed, that we send them a copy.

Included in this Howler is the letter from AKC outlining their suggestions and our updated version of the Bylaws. I have underlined all the new things and crossed out the wording that has been replaced.

I hope this will clear up any confusion there may be.

Nominations Committee: There were no nominations from the floor, so the following nominations stand for the election in January. (Reminder: you cannot vote if your dues are not paid)

President: Linda Grant

Vice President: Bruce Bertholf

Treasurer: Fred Helmbold

Secretary: Lindsay Stark

Board: Ann Brown, Cherie Gessford, Sydney Seiver, Patti Martlew, Mark Azevedo

MISCELLANEOUS: Meetings for the next year were arranged as follows:

January: Cherie Gessford

February: Rudy and Carol Leeman

March: Ann Brown

April: Arline

May: JoAnn Gritz

June: Al and Mary Kennedy

July: Minou Alexander

August: Jim and Carol Frasier

September: Sydney Seiver

October: Fred and Pat Helmbold

November: Lindsay Stark

December: Christmas Party

Christmas Party at the Peppery Gar and Brill is set for December 16^th. There will be a brief meeting followed by dinner and gift exchange. Invitations will be mailed for each member and a guest.

It was M/S/P by Lindsay and Al that dinner be the Peppery Buffet.

Cheri and Moon (Australian Shepherd): Had a great time at the Aussie Nationals in Bakersfield. Did well in the pretrial, finished in the top 20 Aussies for the Finals and went 4 for 4 at the Aussie only National. Moon brought home many great big ribbons and a cool wall hanging.

Sydney and Tess (Australian Cattle Dog): at the Angels Fun Match she did her first obedience run and got a very respectable 182. (Sydney cleaned up at the raffle too)

Patti and Holli (Australian Shepherd): Aussie Nationals in Bakersfield earned 2 Q’s in the pre-trial and then Cherie ran her in the Nationals where she earned 2 more Q’s

JoAnn Gritz- Showed off a great picture of her 3 ½ year old grand son at his first dog show-how cute was that!!! Also bragged for her daughter Melissa who took Best of Match in Calaveras.

Jim Frasier and Emmy (Golden)- Went to the VAST fun run and had a few good runs. Great for her first time out.

Ann and Holly (Golden): Missed from last month-Holly is ranked 10^th Golden in the country!!!!!

Congratulations to all of the club members.

It was M/S/P by Bruce/Ann to adjourn at 8:30 pm.

December meeting: Christmas party at the Peppery 12/16/02 at 6:00pm. Bring a dog related gift.

Respectfully submitted,

Lindsay Stark