Page 249 - ShowSight - January 2020

Candid Candidates - Part Two
7. What are you thoughts regarding term limits for AKC Delegate Committees?
Personally, I believe that the election process serves as our term limits. If the Delegate is passionate about the work they are doing and is a productive member then they should be allowed to remain on that committee. For those not on a committee or wanting to change the focus of their efforts, then they are encouraged to run during an election to join that committee.
8. Is it in the best interest of the AKC to place term limits for members of the AKC Board Of Directors?
Our current process requires the sitting Board of Directors member to run again every four years. I believe that this process serves as our term limits already.
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?
This can be necessary in time sensitive issues; however, the best course of action would be open and active communication with the delegate body, providing transparency and involvement on an on-going basis rather than by directive. I don’t believe the delegate body takes issue with the AKC Board for fulfilling their Fiduciary responsibility. It’s my opinion that the delegate body becomes disil- lusioned when being left out of the discussion.
10. What is your strategic vision for the future of the AKC? Where should we strive to be in the next ten years?
1. I think the AKC should have an aggressive marketing and public relations plan. It is going to take time to make the American Kennel Club the place to go to for the general pub- lic on all dog related items and issues. We must get the word out in any form or fashion we can, not give up and not waiver from our Mission Statement—The promotion of the pure- bred dog. The American Kennel Club and the AKC Board should not stray away from this. We should be the “go-to” place for all pet education, health issues, breeding and train- ing programs. We must be the place for the general public to come to regarding questions on raising and establishing a pet owner program. We already have the program and events that would be great for the pet owners. My goal, when and if I am elected, would be to strive to bring the American Kennel Club into the forefront of the pet owners mind for all things dog related. We need to peek the interest of the young people of this country and show them their path to the American Kennel Club. Through strategic planning and aggressive marketing, we must to stop the shrinking of our dog fancy.
2. Transparency must be there with all we strive to do. We must have committed involvement and interaction for all delegates towards this goal and the AKC Board of Directors should be the leader for the purebred dogs and educate the public on the benefits of the Purebred Dog.
3. The American Kennel Club should actively partner with all of the AKC Parent Clubs and Dog Clubs plus other organiza- tions to help fight the animal rights groups that do not strive for our goals.
KAROLYNNE MCATEER
Delegate, Irish Setter Club of America Completing my first term on the AKC Board
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 their purpose-bred dog?
BY LINDA AYERS TURNER KNORR continued
For me, as a breeder of a purpose-bred sporting dog, I can vouch for the fact that you can do it all. My dogs compete in conformation first, just to try and hang onto their coat, but do head into “juve- nile” field events and Junior Hunter at the same time as they are generally not dripping in much coat. When my Irish get into serious conformation where coat becomes a visual factor I pull back on the field events, and focus on their breed championship. Then they go immediately info field training. It is a bit of a scheduling balance, but it works, and the dogs are better for it. It is important to remem- ber all dogs have a purpose, from the herder, guardian, bird dog or beautiful toy who is bred as a companion and has so many traits to fit into that small package.
But engaging and delighting a new puppy owner sits squarely in the hands of the breeder. When a breeder is passing off the new pup they should have included a packet of every AKC event that this breed excels in, or that might be fun for the family, and that includes Juniors. I am mesmerized when someone says to me “what do you mean trick dog?” So we have some work to do internally to help advance the ways to compete and enjoy your pup as it heads to its new home.
2. Do you think AKC 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?
I think people who want a pure-bred dog do not necessarily plan to show it in the conformation ring. But the new events that AKC has introduced over the past five years are absolutely perfect for cov- ering the bases of someone who wants to just enjoy their dog and have some family fun. It is, however, good to remember that we are competing with lifestyles that are very busy, and with kids “after school” activities. But, it is my belief that AKC is in the right direc- tion here, and the growth figures prove it. And I grew up going to Matches! I’d bring back Matches ASAP!
3. The AKC performs/supports many activities that benefits dogs and their owners. The 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.
I will head straight to health. The AKC is a consistent supporter of the health of dogs, and with the ATT test, the temperament of our pure-breds. Let’s face it, health and temperament are the two most important factors that set us apart from all other canine entities. So, I am all for funding and preparing to fund health and temperament.
Increasing revenue is already in the works with the rise in reg- istrations, and with the newer, less formal, more fun activities that
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