GSDCA Annual Report 2012 - German Shepherd Dog Council of ...

as a positive way of progressing ideas forward with the full participation of the delegates, judges and surveyors.
My belief is that we must continue to ensure that matters are discussed at member club level by the
membership in first instance and then further considered by the peer group prior to formally returning items
back to the membership for a decision via their member Clubs. It is only with ownership by all that true
progress can be made. Of concern is the fact that we tend to get 100% turnout of resident judges and surveyors
from where the meeting is held and spasmodic attendance from the others. I can only urge all GSDCA Judges
and Breed Surveyors to make the effort and attend these annual meetings. As members of the peer group your
attendance and input is, I believe essential to the work of the Council.
The matter of 6 Breed Surveyors resigning was discussed at these meetings and as a result a number of motions
are listed on this AGM agenda. Whilst the motions as listed may change the future status of the individuals
concerned, I believe it’s appropriate of me at this time on behalf of the Council to acknowledge and thank Mr
Louis Donald, Mr James Rodger, Mrs Fran Fraley, Mr Reg Bonello, Ms Melanie Groth, and Mr John Hugo for
their dedication and work over many years as GSDCA Breed Surveyor’s.
Obedience Committee Meeting:
My call to conduct an Obedience Meeting in 2012 was approved at the last AGM and the meeting was held in
Melbourne. I believe the holding of this type of meeting was long overdue. The meeting was very well attended
and the agenda cantered around how better to run the obedience at the National. The meeting also provided an
opportunity for all attendees to gain an appreciation of how each club conducts or hopes to conduct obedience
and commence dialogue between each other in order to exchange educational material. I can only reiterate that
Member Clubs that do not conduct obedience training should seriously consider its introduction ASAP.
Member Clubs who do conduct this training have indicated they are willing to assist. I am certain it will
increase membership, provide an essential service to the GSD owner and gain positive feedback when
negotiating with governments and local government regarding breed specific legislation.
GSDCA Forward Directions Workshop: A Shared Vision for the GSDCA.
The Forward Directions Workshop (FDW) was an initiative I proposed and its conduct was approved at the last
AGM. The FDW was held in Melbourne and all bar one Member Club was represented. The focus area over
the three days was Collective responsibility, Breed Affairs: a common approach and Communication. As it has
already been reported on both in my quarterly reports I will limit my comment to what I believe were the
important matters discussed over the three days.
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Member Clubs: The presentations by each member Club on how they conduct their affairs was most
enlightening and demonstrated how diverse each is from each other. There are models that can be
applied and I believe for the first time in the history of Council each Club has a better understanding of
each other. The concept of collective responsibility is a key element in the way the Council conducts its
affairs - it is only with the support of Member Clubs via their membership can we truly make any
progress. I emphasis again the Council is the Member Clubs and not individuals that hold executive
office.
Breed Affairs: a common approach
Discussion saw the issue of GSDCA Judges and Breed Surveyor accountability raised. This matter was
also raised at the NBC & Judges Meetings and is a ‘real’ issue that can affect continuing membership
and confidence in the Council. The NBC Executive is well aware of the concerns as raised and has
started a process of reviewing how we do business.
Communication:
It was soon evident from discussion that communication is the one issue that affects all of us. The
membership accuses their clubs of not communicating with them and then accuses the Council of not
communicating directly with them. Hence it is imperative that Member Clubs disseminate information
as received from Council ASAP and conduct open forums where GSDCA related business is called for
and or to be discussed.
The future challenge for the Council is how to better utilise its Communication tools in order to
maximise communication and do away with duplication which should reduce total cost for all of us.
The QNR is an excellent publication but unfortunately comes at a high cost. Editors in the past have
struggled to keep it financially viable in order it does not erode Council finances and ability of Member
Clubs to subscribe to it. This effort involves much time and stress for the individual concerned.
GSDCA Inc. 2012 Annual Report 9 th & 10 th February 2013 - Victoria Page 7