[Gerard Rozas]

No wonder Ed has been quite on the some of these threads.

 

[Patrick Johndrow]

How could it be a secret if everyone knows about it? :?

 

[W Knight]

Gerard

What is S C R A :?: :?: :?:

white knight

 

[W Knight]

Gerard

What is S C R A :?: :?: :?:

white knight

 

[Jerry]

And why or how is he being "quite" on it?

Jerry

 

[EdA]

the South Central Retriever Association is definitely not a secret

through the efforts of Bill Speck and Michael Liosis of the American Kennel Club we have jointly formed the SCRA which is in effect a club of clubs.

We hope that all the clubs on the Texas, Oklahoma, & Louisiana circuit will join the SCRA.

Our initial function will be to allow new clubs or individuals who have organized a field trial (like the Central Texas Retriever Club) to hold events under our auspices using our club number, thereby bypassing the laborious task of fulfilling AKC requirements for new clubs. Ultimately we hope to expand our influence to help manage our circuit better. Nothing we do will have any effect on any existing clubs or events.

We are in the process of writing by-laws and establishing dues for the association

Officers for 2006 will serve one year, then member clubs will vote on a slate of officers to serve 3 year terms

President - Ed Aycock
1st Vice President - Jim Cope
2nd Vice president - Jan Schrader
Secretary/treasurer - Ed Fullerton
Board Members at large - John Russell and Scott Carruth

we will not be sufficiently organized to get the Central Texas Retriever Club event up and running this spring, but they will be able to hold an event this year if they choose to

you will hear more in the future

this is really really cool!!!!! we have in essence been granted breed club status 8) 8) 8) 8)

 

[Charles C.]

Is there anything we can do to help? Like, for example, suggest to our local club that they join, join ourselves, etc?
Charles

 

[K G]

I didn't want to put this into out until the Texas folks got their organization formed. Here's the basic information with regard to the formation of retriever FT associations:

Aim: Develop a mechanism whereby Retriever field trial enthusiasts can find more trials to enter and, at the same time, ease the burden on existing Retriever clubs whose events have grown unmanageably large.


Solution: Approve regional or state-wide Retriever Field Trial Associations. This will not require the holding of sanctioned trials or ?mentored? license field trials, or the submission of membership lists, bylaws, and lists of activities or documentation of members? long term experience. The Associations would be given AKC club numbers so that events could be approved and results processed.


How RFTAs Would Function:
1) the initial officers (President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) would be appointed by the management of AKC Performance Events for a term of no more than one year, or until their successors are elected;
2) the successors would be elected by the Presidents of the Retriever field trial clubs in the respective state(s) for a term of three years;
3) no one club in each state would be represented by more than one person;
4) The Association would determine when and where in the state to schedule field trials;
5) Should the location of the field trial be in the territory of a Retriever club, the Association would have to secure the written approval of the affected club;
6) The Association or the local group approved by The Association will select the field trial committee and the judges for the event (the members of the field trial committee must be members of Retriever clubs in that state).

Effective Date: This can be implemented as soon as we receive sufficient positive feedback from the Retriever field trial community.

That positive feedback resulted in the formation of the SCRA. How's that for the AKC being proactive? :wink: !

kg

 

[achiro]

In!

 

[jeff t.]

I wonder if the AKC rules regarding the number of events a club can host apply to such associations? (i.e. how many trials per year can use the association's club number?)

Is the sole purpose of the association to ease the process of clubs getting started or will the association also put on trials not associated with new clubs?

When a fledgling club puts on their intial trials using the association's club number, how does the process differ from the "mentoring" program that was announced in the fall?

What does the fledgling club have to do before they will be approved to go on their own?

Jeff

 

[Paul Rainbolt]

Your the man, pure genius, much appreciated and let me know if I can help.

 

[EdA]

I wonder if the AKC rules regarding the number of events a club can host apply to such associations? (i.e. how many trials per year can use the association's club number?)

Is the sole purpose of the association to ease the process of clubs getting started or will the association also put on trials not associated with new clubs?

When a fledgling club puts on their intial trials using the association's club number, how does the process differ from the "mentoring" program that was announced in the fall?

What does the fledgling club have to do before they will be approved to go on their own?

Jeff

1. there was no discussion as to the number of events, the primary limitation is/will be conducive weather, pre-existing events, and individuals interested in putting on an event

2. the primary purpose is to allow interested and qualified individuals the opportunity to host a field trial without forming a new club

3. new events could be hosted by a new club or the association could host one or more events

4. any club which chooses AKC licensed club status will follow the same procedures that are currently in place, that is approval of by-laws, submission of membership for approval, hosting sanctioned events before final approval for hosting licensed events

if a new club only wished to hold 1 or 2 field trials per year there would be no reason for them to seek AKC licensed club status, they would merely hold their events under the auspices of SCRA

here's how it would work hypothetically........Jerry, White Knight, and Gerard decide that they would like to put on an additional field trial in Anderson Texas May 19-21 at the end of our spring circuit, they secure grounds, get judges, purchase the appropriate state licenses and permits, secure liability insurance and appoint a field trial committee, they then submit their proposal to SCRA for review, SCRA BOD reviews and approves their request, the information is filed with AKC using SCRA's club number, the appropriate fee is paid, and Performance Events approves the trial.

When and if the 200 mile rule is voted in SCRA would be able to allow interested parties to hold an event to conflict with one of our huge spring trials without the formation of a new club

additionally we plan to explore the possibility of SCRA securing liability insurance covering all of it's member clubs and events, perhaps workman's comp as well

if this association works to it's maximum the entire circuit will be pulling in the same direction rather than acting as separate entities, I think that everyone will ultimately benefit

 

[Jerry]

Ed, it's been many years since I was actively involved with a particular club but if there's anything you think I could do, just let me know.

I'm at your disposal.

Jerry

 

[Gerard Rozas]

Ok Keith and Ed:

This is the one that I find interesting

4) The Association would determine when and where in the state to schedule field trials

Does that mean what I think it does? Pretty powerful sentence.

 

[EdA]

4) The Association would determine when and where in the state to schedule field trials

Does that mean what I think it does? Pretty powerful sentence.

don't read too much into it, it is what I stated, and the Association can schedule field trial(s), that is the stated purpose, don't look for conspiracies, they don't exist

but read the part that says we have nothing to do with any existing club or event (or only to the extent that said club would want)

 

[K G]

I don't know how you've interpreted that, Gerard, and I can't speak for how Ed will respond.

The way I take it is that these associations will work with existing clubs to use current locations when/where available, and perhaps (down the road) work to secure new grounds to use for new/competing trials that involve the associations.

As for the "when," the associations will exist to help current conflicting situations, not make them worse.

kg

 

[EdA]

potential South Central Retriever Association member clubs

1. North Texas Ret. Club (a done deal)
2. Bluebonnet Ret. Club
3. Metro Alliance Ret. Club
4. Rose Country Ret. Club
5. Texas Panhandle Ret. Club
6. Wichita Falls Ret. Club
7. Lone Star Ret. Club
8. Piney Woods Ret. Club
9. Port Arthur Ret. Club
10. Alamo Ret. Club
11. Brazosport Ret. Club
12. Coastal Bend Ret. Club
13. Cimmaron Ret. Club
14. Tulsa Ret. club
15. Sooner Ret. Club
16. Shreveport Bossier Ret. Club
17. Ouachita Ret. Club
18. Acadiana Ret. Club
19. South Louisiana Ret. Club

did I miss anyone?....we want all of these clubs to be members, they will continue to have control of their own destiny, eventually new trials will come under the umbrella of SCRA and we can mutually benefit from the alliance (insurance, organization of our circuit, and.......???????)

 

[jeff t.]

I wonder if the AKC rules regarding the number of events a club can host apply to such associations? (i.e. how many trials per year can use the association's club number?)

Is the sole purpose of the association to ease the process of clubs getting started or will the association also put on trials not associated with new clubs?

When a fledgling club puts on their intial trials using the association's club number, how does the process differ from the "mentoring" program that was announced in the fall?

What does the fledgling club have to do before they will be approved to go on their own?

Jeff

1. there was no discussion as to the number of events, the primary limitation is/will be conducive weather, pre-existing events, and individuals interested in putting on an event

2. the primary purpose is to allow interested and qualified individuals the opportunity to host a field trial without forming a new club

3. new events could be hosted by a new club or the association could host one or more events

4. any club which chooses AKC licensed club status will follow the same procedures that are currently in place, that is approval of by-laws, submission of membership for approval, hosting sanctioned events before final approval for hosting licensed events

if a new club only wished to hold 1 or 2 field trials per year there would be no reason for them to seek AKC licensed club status, they would merely hold their events under the auspices of SCRA

here's how it would work hypothetically........Jerry, White Knight, and Gerard decide that they would like to put on an additional field trial in Anderson Texas May 19-21 at the end of our spring circuit, they secure grounds, get judges, purchase the appropriate state licenses and permits, secure liability insurance and appoint a field trial committee, they then submit their proposal to SCRA for review, SCRA BOD reviews and approves their request, the information is filed with AKC using SCRA's club number, the appropriate fee is paid, and Performance Events approves the trial.

When and if the 200 mile rule is voted in SCRA would be able to allow interested parties to hold an event to conflict with one of our huge spring trials without the formation of a new club

additionally we plan to explore the possibility of SCRA securing liability insurance covering all of it's member clubs and events, perhaps workman's comp as well

if this association works to it's maximum the entire circuit will be pulling in the same direction rather than acting as separate entities, I think that everyone will ultimately benefit

Thanks Ed,

So, if this idea takes off and there are clusters of retriever club associations or federations scattered across the country (maybe wishful thinking, maybe not), would there be any reason to start any new clubs?

Years ago, wasn't there a "Mid Atlantic Federation" of retriever clubs? I seem to recall a glossy publication they put out. It was mosty HT test clubs IIRC.

 

[EdA]

So, if this idea takes off and there are clusters of retriever club associations or federations scattered across the country (maybe wishful thinking, maybe not), would there be any reason to start any new clubs?

I guess that would depend on the club's goals, if they were loftier than holding a couple of field trials every year then it might be worth the agony of becoming a licensed or member club.

if the goal is to hold a couple of field trials each year (and the powers that be do not disenfranchise the Association) I see no reason for a new organization to jump through the hoops to become a licensed or member club

 

[Gerard Rozas]

Any thoughts about reviving James Parker's plan now that we have an organization to oversee it?