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Candid Candidates - Part Two BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR continued
“ULTIMATELY, DELEGATES AND BOARD MEMBERS SHARE A COMMON GOAL: TO SEE AKC SUCCEED AND PROSPER. WORK- ING TOGETHER IS THE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THIS VISION.”
— JEFFREY BALL
voted down increasing groups; respecting that vote, is there a way we can collectively agree on another solution?
I am not trying to avoid this question, but it is not something that any one person should decide. This decision needs to involve all the groups and focus on what will make the sport and the AKC better.
7. What are you thoughts regarding term limits for AKC Delegate Committees?
This matter can be debated forever. Committees benefit from members with history and experience, but new committee members bring new ideas and different experiences. A mix of both is the ideal situation. If that mix cannot be accomplished via yearly elections, it might be worth looking at limits; all options should be on the table to advance AKC. Society changes, we need to be open to changes as well.
8. Is it in the best interest of the AKC to place term limits for members of the AKC Board Of Directors?
As with term limits for the delegate committees, there is no simple answer. A mix of new and experienced board members is the ideal situation for the success of AKC and that may not happen unless there are limits.
9. How do you reconcile the fact that often the AKC Board of Directors must make decisions that may not please the Delegate body yet may be necessary to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to AKC?
It’s important that a board member has the faith and trust of the delegates. Trusting relationship depend on good communication and a level of transparency. All delegates’ voices need to be heard and their questions should be answered as fully as possible. Not all questions can be answered, but ignoring or not responding to inqui- ries is unacceptable. Ultimately, delegates and board members share a common goal: to see AKC succeed and prosper. Working together is the way to accomplish this vision.
10. What is your strategic vision for the future of the AKC? Where should we strive to be in the next ten years?
AKC needs to regain its position as the public’s primary resource for information about everything pertaining to dogs. We need to reeducate the fancy, public, and legislators on who we really are. We need to stabilize our clubs by any means necessary, which may include changing guidelines or policies. We need to assist our breed- ers in every way. Without clubs, breeders, and the public, AKC will continue to decline or exist only as a registry.
We need several strategic plans in place. By including and utiliz- ing the knowledge, experience, and the strength of all involved in the canine world, we can accomplish our goals. No one person can do it alone.
DR. CARMEN BATTAGLIA
1. The AKC has long advocated for the value of the purpose- bred dog. However, the competitive nature of the AKC’s tradi- tional sports encourages owners to specialize to succeed. What can be done to encourage breeders and owners to embrace all of the characteristics of the purpose-bred dog?
Those who compete in any one of AKC’s 35 different kinds of competition know that pure bred dogs are predictable in size, color,
breed characteris- tics and behavior. Those who choose to breed and exhib- it them are the AKC customers. A recent study shows that if you want to motivate people to participate in any one of the 35 sports you need to:
• Engage them in a sport that makes them feel the sport is not subject to fac- tors out of their control
• Give them the feeling and feedback that gives them a sense of belonging.
2. Do you feel that AKC’s traditional sports are consistent with the interests of the younger generation of dog owners? If not, what can be done to attract the younger generation to engage with AKC?
AKC has expanded its sports offerings to 35 different kinds of competitions. Many are aimed at the younger generation. Whether they choose to try one and continue depends on many factors some of which I have identified in my answer to question #1. In addition, younger exhibitors will be attracted to the traditional versus newer sports for different reasons. There are a number of controlling fac- tors. For example, we know:
• That a sport with beginning levels provide a more inviting initial experience to newcomers
• Stair stepping of classes and titles promotes a sense of improve- ment, accomplishment and recognition
These are just two features known to attract the younger genera- tion. There are many others. Sports that include these features have attracted the younger generation.
3. The AKC performs/supports many activities that benefit dogs and their owners. This support is limited by the financial resources that AKC has available. How can AKC increase its revenue in order to further benefit the world of dogs?
Over the past ten years, AKC has pursued a number of projects that were designed to increase participation and entries. Some have done well and should be continued. A good example of one of these new ideas came about in early in 2018 when AKC launched a new program called the Achiever Dog. I was part of the group that pro- moted Achiever Dog. It was designed to introduce and encourage dogs and owners to stay in the sport. The focus was on achieve- ment for owners and their dogs not just winning. Dogs that earned a placement or qualifying score (ribbon) in three different sports earned an AKC Achiever Dog certificate. All dogs were eligible including, those listed with the AKC Purebred Alternative List- ing (PAL) or the AKC Canine Partners program, or Recorded as a
238 • ShowSight Magazine, January 2020