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Lines From Linda: Candid Candidates Part One BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR continued
For example, as president of the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, I have had a great deal of experience working with multiple clubs and delegates. I am proud of the success we have had with the NJFDC, which has established itself as one of the best federations under the AKC. That started with transparency and education, not only with other Board members but also with the delegates. The NJFDC Board works with the delegates on regular bases to estab- lish plans to move the organization forward. We have intelligent delegates who want and should be involved and the NJFDC takes advantage of that. AKC needs to do the same.
Over the years, I have been part of clubs that have had suc- cess and failures. When we had failures, we learned to take a new approach. Creative thinking and constant innovation are what made us an organization that keeps up with the times. We went from being a club that was about showing and breeding to a club that was more welcoming to the canine public. Adding new fun- draising technique and not solely relying on show revenue. This added new life to the club, which is now involved with education, rescue, therapy and many other canine activities.
I believe in accountability and we owe that to our delegate body, which is no different from shareholders in a major company. They have a voice in the organization, which should be heard. No one person or select few should run this organization alone. We are a complex organization, which needs to empower delegates so that they take ownership of the organization. We all need to remember that we are a democratic organization and that we need to think outside of the box in order to come up with unique ideas and turn those ideas and goals into reality. I take pride in doing that.
I have the commitment and passion to protect the sport and to hold to our mission statement. I believe we need to work continually to reorganize and update ourselves or otherwise, we will fall behind as we are now. I can assist with that as well as helping build new relations with legislators. I can also help reestablish our reputation as the lead organization in the public and the fancy’s eyes when it comes to being the canine experts.
A true leader should not just sit in a boardroom, they also need to be involved by communicating with and inspiring others. I am prepared to do that.
“OUR GREATEST STRENGTH IS OUR PASSION FOR PUREBRED DOGS AND OUR SPORT. IT’S THE GLUE THAT KEEPS US SHOWING, BREEDING, JUDGING, PARTICIPATING IN CLUBS, AND CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING.” — CARMEN BATTAGLIA
Share your educational and professional backgrounds that have prepared you for the decision making for an approximately 77 mil- lion dollar a year organization.
CARMEN L. BATTAGLIA
Carmen Battaglia: AKC has grown and become a multi-million- dollar organization that not only registers dogs, and is the largest stud book in the world, but it fights anti-dog legislating, supports dog research, provides public outreach about canines and has more than 130,000 breeders, 5,000 clubs and 35 different kinds of com- petition. This $77-million-dollar enterprise needs a diverse and skilled board of directors that can help guide and direct its future.
My background, skills and experiences in and out of the dog world qualify me for the AKC Board of Directors.
1. I first became a delegate in 1992 without a break in service.
2. I came into the Sport as an eager and uninitiated dog owner
with a puppy from an unknown breeder. With that background, I carry with me a respect for our constituency.
3. I have been actively involved in the sport of conformation and obedience since the 1960’s. I began with one German Shepherd Dog and since then have bred, shown and finished many cham- pions. I have also owned other breeds: Portuguese Water dog, Dachshund, Pembroke Corgi and an English Springer Spaniel. I am approved to Judge, Best-in-Show, the Herding and Working Groups, some Sporting breeds and the Chinese Shar-Pei. I am an active Breeder of Merit and continue to breed.
4. I have twice been President of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and for 26 years have remained its delegate to this day. I am also a member of the Atlanta and Morris and Essex Ken-
nel Clubs, a founding member of the Lawrenceville Kennel Club and past president and longtime member of the Atlanta German Shepherd Dog Club and the North Georgia German Shepherd Dog Club.
5. I have been lucky to serve on the AKC Board for multiple terms and in many capacities which involved: Chair of the AKC Committee for the Future, a lead role in establishing the DNA program we have today and president of CAR, now called Reunite, for 10 years during which time I expanded the mission to assist in the recovery and response when disasters occur.
148 • ShowSight Magazine, DeceMber 2019