The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President, Marcy Bankus.

In attendance were Dan Hodel, Joe Gentzel, Kathy Lee, Judy Brown, Flo Laicher, Kerry Kern Woods and Christine Palmer-Persen. Darrell Goolsbee was absent.

President's Report Appointments –
Sergeants-of-Arms – Whitney Coombs and Bret Zacher
Minute Review Committee – Valerie Seeley and Amy Zacher

Secretary's Report –
Dan Hodel stated that all prior minutes have been approved as submitted via email.

Treasurer's Report –
Christine Palmer-Persen distributed her report. It was discussed that the wording for items available through the Health Committee's on-line store be changed to “donation” rather than “price”. Flo moved to accept the Treasurer's report. The motion passed unanimously.  

Vice President's Report – Judy Brown's report was centered on our outdated policy manual.

Committee Reports –
It was decided that the Historic Preservation Committee should go forward with the Phase I request to obtain Archival supplies, at a cost of approximately $1200. In Phase II, #1 - Website access to our entire collection be done as soon as possible. In Phase II, #3 – Establish a deed of gift and loan agreement, to be done as soon as possible. In Phase II, #2 – The purchase of new items for the collection, should not be done until more funds have been donated, or by the sale of some duplicate items in the existing collection.

Judy Brown moved that we change the name of the Obedience/Performance committee to Performance/Companion Events committee. The motion passed unanimously. The committee will be encouraged to come up with the criteria to award a high scoring dog for agility and rally, as requested by the committee chair.

The Board will ask the 2010 World Conference Committee to give a report at the Annual Meeting.    

Unfinished Business -
The Board will review the Database Manager contract. It was agreed that the membership directory shall have members listed only twice, alphabetically and by state.

Flo Laicher moved that the GPCA purchase greatpyreneesclubofamerica.org, greatpyreneesclubofamerica.com, and greatpyreneesclubofamerica.net. The Board will be looking for a recommendation from the Information Technology Advisory Committee on web design and hosting.

Kathleen Monje, the new Bulletin Editor, will publish the second quarter issue of 2008, as her first issue.

Judy Brown moved that the President ask all committee chairs and board members to assist in updating the GPCA policy manual. The motion passed unanimously.

Judy Brown moved to repeal the 2006 GPCA Board of Director's decision to poll the membership regarding the revision of the Illustrated Standard. The motion passed with Dan and Kerry voting no. Darrell was not present.

The notice printed on the annual dues notice stating that donations are tax exempt will be more visible. Donations to GPCA are tax deductible. GPCA dues are not tax deductible.

New Business -
Discussion regarding the Bulletin subscription price, brought up by a member, resulted in the Board deciding to leave the price as it is presently.

The application from NEPR to be an affiliated club was determined to be incomplete.

Judy Brown moved the following corrections/clarifications/updates be adopted for the National Specialty policies:

All non-placing entrants in Veteran Conformation classes will receive a teal green participant ribbon.

All banquet trophies accepted in the future must be in the memory of a person. If the trophy is artwork of a deceased dog, the dog may be named in the description printed in the catalog; and, also in the script that is read at the banquet.

Was : For National Specialty publicity in the GPCA Bulletin, a host club may have, at no charge, a one page ad in up to 5 issues and a 2 page ad in any one issue. The Bulletin will also report the results of competitions at the National Specialty.
Now : For National Specialty publicity in the GPCA Bulletin, a host club may have, at no charge, a one page ad in up to 4 issues and a 2 page ad in any one issue. The Bulletin will also report the results of competitions at the National Specialty.

Was : AKC requires that an AKC banner be displayed at all AKC events. If the hosting club is using a licensed Superintendent, they should be required to provide the banner. Otherwise, the host club must obtain a banner from the National Specialty Coordinator.
Now: AKC requests that an AKC banner be displayed at all AKC events. If the hosting club is using a licensed Superintendent, they are required to provide the banner. Otherwise, the host club may obtain a banner from the GPCA National Specialty Coordinator. ( This becomes a guideline instead of a policy)  

Was : The hosting club for the National Specialty is mandated to provide booth space for the GPCA Ways and Means Committee as close to ringside as is practical. All other booths, vendors and rental space shall be at the discretion of the hosting club.
Now : The host club is required to provide a table for each of the following GPCA committees: Ways and Means, Rescue and Health. These tables should be as close to ringside as is practical. All other tables, booths, vendors and rental space will be at the discretion of the host club, regarding their locations and fees.

Was : The Show Secretary will provide two marked catalogs to the GPCA Vice President/National Specialty Coordinator which are to be submitted to the AKC Library and the GPCA Historic Preservation Committee.
Now : The Show Secretary will provide one marked catalog to the GPCA National Specialty Coordinator, which will be held for one year, then sent to the GPCA Historic Preservation Committee.

Was : Net profit is to include all income emanating from the show. For purposes of reporting Specialty profits, ALL FUNDS RECEIVED in conjunction with the Specialty (including, but not limited to, entries, catalog, banquet, auction, sale items, rescue, ways and means, etc.) less verified expenses shall constitute total profits.
Now: as passed at last November's Teleconference : The GPCA will give the host club $1500 up to one year in advance, with the written understanding that this would cover all GPCA required activities at a National, such as: Board Meetings, Annual Meeting, Committee Meetings, Historic Preservation, Judge's Education, tables for sale items, and any other required activities that would be added in the future.

Was : The AKC Application Fee for the GPCA National Specialty shall be the one free application granted yearly by AKC to our club.
Now : The AKC Application Fee for the GPCA National Specialty shall be the one free application granted yearly by AKC to our club. Any additional fees will be paid by the GPCA, such as the fee for the obedience trial and the rally.  

Was : The GPCA shall require an Award of Merit in the ring at all National Specialties according to the following guidelines:
•  The awards will be presented to the dogs or bitches who, in the opinion of the judge, deserve special recognition even though they were not winners of BOB, BOS or BOW.
•  The judge may award any number, up to a maximum of 10% of the total number of dogs and bitches shown in the ring for the BOB competition. For example, if there are 38 Champions shown plus WD, WB and 4 Veteran class winners, there are 44 animals in the ring. 10% is 4.4 and the number is always rounded down. Therefore, a maximum of 4 AOM could be presented.
•  Any dog in the BOB ring is eligible for an AOM, excluding the animals chosen BOB, BOS, and BOW.

Now : The GPCA shall require an Award of Merit be offered in the ring at all National Specialties. Awards of Merit will be presented to the dogs or bitches, who, in the opinion of the judge, deserve special recognition and were not winners of BOB, BOS or BOW. The maximum number that may be awarded is based on the total number of dogs and bitches shown in the ring for BOB competition. If that total is 10 or more, the maximum is 1 Award; if 20 or more, the maximum is 2 Awards, if 30 or more, the maximum is 3 Awards, and so forth.  

Remove : The Memorials Committee will work closely with the National Specialty Host club Chairperson to provide a list of approved Memorials awards no later than December 1 st of the year prior to the show. Memorials Committee will deliver the Memorials trophies and certificates to the show.

The motion passed unanimously.

Flo Laicher moved that GPAW be allowed to hold a regional specialty on 3/29/09, following the National Specialty.

The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.