Mason Dixon GSP Club Summer Picnic.

Attention all Members!  It's that time of year again, when the club will host the Mason Dixon GSP Club Summer Picnic.  The picnic will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Patton's Turf Farm located at 24438 River Road, Dickerson, MD.    

1100 AM Board Meeting

At Noon, the Club will provide Crabs, Fried Chicken and soda.  Members are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share.  And if you have a beverage of choice you may want to include that also.  Members are welcome to invite family and friends, for a fee of $10 per person.  To liven things up-don't forget your dogs!!!       RSVP by Saturday, June 5th 2010 to cg62002@yahoo.com  Thanks, Chad Gordon

Member’s Question Answered Here.

How do you go about getting a Therapy Dog Title?  Is it from AKC?  Does it qualify as a Title toward the Versatility Title?

AKC doesn't have anything to do with therapy dogs, but maybe they should.  Anyway there are national organizations like Therapy Dogs International and Delta Society that you can get certified with, or there are also local organizations.  One example is a local organization in Texas, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas.  You can look on the Internet and find organizations near you.  You then go through and evaluation and they are all pretty much the same.  The evaluation is very similar to what it takes to get a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), plus being able to deal with medical equipment and the behavior of people with disabilities, autism, etc.  The medical equipment is usually wheelchairs, crutches, etc.  A Google search would find therapy dog organizations in your area, and then you can talk to several until you find one that is a fit for you and your dog.  Therapy Dog is incredibly rewarding and the dogs absolutely love the work 

MDGSP Member Nominated for GSPCA Director, Southeastern Region

Dear GSPCA Member

            I am honored to have been nominated by GSPCA members for the position of Director, Southeastern Region. I am writing to introduce myself (my ‘bio’ appears below this letter) and explain what I hope to achieve as your representative on the GSPCA Board of Directors. 

With no GSP Specialty clubs active in at least four states in our region, I believe many GSPCA members feel they do not have a ‘voice’ with parent club issues. Additionally, the number of Shorthairs registered with AKC continues to increase year over year; the growth in GSPCA membership, including member clubs, is not keeping pace. I want to listen to you, find out what you want and need from the Parent Club, and work with member clubs and the Board to improve the value of GSPCA membership.

As with any organization, the people who volunteer for leadership roles are usually assertive, often passionate, and outspoken. But passion and commitment are not enough: it’s extremely important that Board members have the ability to balance their responsibilities, representing the varied interests of the members they serve while working collaboratively to preserve and advance the overall purpose of the Club.

In my experience, here’s what it take to be an effective GSPCA Board member:

• A commitment to fiscal responsibility so the Club will have the continued resources to sponsor conformation, field, performance and other educational events and activities for the benefit of the breed and the members. It sometimes requires difficult decisions to fairly allocate limited resources.
• A commitment to protecting the rights of responsible breeders and owners to breed, own, and hunt our dogs. Increasingly the Board will need to focus on actions to counter anti-dog and anti-hunting legislation.
• A respect for the Constitution and By-Laws, and the willingness to effect changes reflecting the will of the membership through a formal and transparent process.
• The ability to consider the benefit and sustainability of the Club above one’s personal interests and preferences, and to suspend interpersonal conflicts or loyalties in order to consider each issue before the Board on its merits. 

I believe my experience, both professional and with the GSPCA, qualifies me to effectively represent you as your Director, and I ask for your support. I encourage you to contact me (or any other candidate) with questions. Most important, please exercise your right to vote in the 2010 GSPCA election! Thank you.

Beth Ritchie

Robaron Shorthairs

2711 Judes Ferry Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139

804-897-2367  robaron@verizon.net

Bio:  Elizabeth (Beth) M. Ritchie. Candidate for Southeastern Director, 2010

I am honored to accept a nomination as Southeastern Director, GSPCA 2010. After many years with Irish Setters as companions, my husband (Bob) and I acquired our first GSP from Canada in 1988. Thus began a love affair with the Shorthair that’s still going strong. Our first litter in 1991 produced three conformation champions including Am/Can Ch. Robaron Hans Ulrich V Greif (Rick), who was BOS at Westminster KC in 1994. Breeding selectively for structure, temperament and versatility, we have produced many conformation champions, agility and hunt titled dogs, and devoted family companions. Time constraints have limited our involvement if field events, but I am very committed to maintaining the integrity of purpose for our breed and encouraging pursuit of the Dual Championship.

We have been members of the GSPCA for more than 15 years, and members of various all breed and/or local specialty clubs wherever we have lived. When we relocated from NH to NC in 1995, we started the GSP Club of Central Carolina where I served as Treasurer for 2 years. I also served on the Board of the GSP Club of Indiana and currently am a Board member and Vendor Chair for the Virginia Kennel Club and a charter member of the Central Virginia Agility Club.

I hold a graduate degree in Human Resources Management. After an early career in law enforcement, I moved to a corporate environment; for the past 20 years, I have worked in Strategic Sourcing for several Fortune 500 companies. Bob has just completed his provisional assignments as an AKC judge for the GSP. My career has taken us to North Carolina, Indiana, and Central Virginia, where we’ve lived since 2002. In my current position as Director, Strategic Sourcing & Risk Management for Owens & Minor, I work collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders around the country. My role involves significant contract work, analysis, project management and change management, requiring strong communication, leadership and facilitation skills.

I have served as Vice President, GSPCA since June 2007 when I was honored to accept an appointment to fill an unexpired term; I was subsequently elected by the membership for the 2008-10 term. I am currently Board Liaison to the National Specialty, Versatility and Membership Committees, and to the Journal and Yearbook. During my tenure, we conducted a successful request for proposal for an editor for the Journal; as a result, we have seen the Journal return to a timely and informative publication, and reverse the economic loss trend. In 2010, we will see the Yearbook publish a 3-yrear ‘catch-up’ edition.

Much as I have enjoyed my participation on the Board, the role of Vice President has no specific responsibilities. I believe my talents and experience will better serve the members (and prospective members) of the Southeastern Region. I have no personal agenda beyond a real concern that membership in the GSPCA, and the formation of local specialty clubs, lags significantly behind the AKC registration of Shorthairs, raising a concern that the Board must find new ways to attract and support GSP owners and enthusiasts. I’m committed to maintaining and advancing the German Shorthaired Pointer as an all-purpose gun dog, an intelligent and versatile canine athlete, and a loving and loyal family companion. I’m vigorously opposed to legislation that restricts the rights of the responsible breeder and/or pet owner, or prohibits the responsible hunter from pursuing the sport on public or private grounds. I practice, support and encourage genetic testing to continuously improve the health and longevity of our wonderful breed. I’m confident that my education, training and experience – both professional and in the sport of dogs – allows me to advance and address issues raised by the membership in an objective and equitable manner. I will strive to contribute to the continued growth, integrity and financial health of the parent Club while representing the Clubs and members in the Southeastern Region.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

In accordance with the by-laws, a nominating committee was appointed to find candidates for

the 5 vacancies occurring this year.  Following is a list of those positions and the individuals nominated as candidates.

                                                Vice President-           Chad Gordon

                                                Treasurer-                    Ken Huyser

                                                Field Trial Chair-         open

                                                Membership Chair-     Carolyn Felter

                                                Rescue Chair-              Robert Loew

If any member would like to nominate an individual for one of the above positions, please

contact John Warren, Secretary, at JWARREN1024@aol.com or 301  792-2555.

BUILDING the PAVILION WALL

On  March 13 at 8:00 a.m. a band of brothers (and one sister) met at McKee-Beshers in the

middle of a ‘northeaster’ to build a knee wall around the 3 open sides of the pavilion.  After a

great deal of discussion, a plan was devised, jobs assigned and work commenced.  By

3:00 p.m. the work was basically done, with the exception of painting the inside.  Now

spectators are shielded from the worst of the wind and rain.  Come on out and take a look.

The combatants were Jim Birdsall, James Birdsall, Julie Birdsall, Pat Dady, Jim Felter,

Dave Jordan, Rob Loew, John Naughton, Jeff Lagasse, Carroll Waltemeyer and John Warren.        Thanks to all!