Called the meeting to order at 2:05 pm
President Tommy Parrish called the meeting to order and opened with the moment
of silence and acknowledged the Vets in honor of Veteran's Day. The Pledge of
Allegiance to the US flag followed. He then introduced the Board:
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| National Retriever Club President Tommy Parrish |
President: Tommy Parrish
Secretary/Treasurer: David Opseth
Directors: Mitch Patterson
Julie Cole
Ginger Cope
Jeff Talley, Field Trial Chairman
Judges of National
Retriever Championship
Mary Ahlgren
Breck Howard
Tony Despenas
Tommy Parrish introduced the Mayor of Boston, Danny Groover, who welcomed us and thanked everybody for coming.
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| Secretary/Treasurer David Opseth takes "roll call" of the clubs |
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| Vice-President Mitch Patterson with Board Member Julie Cole and Chairman Jeff Talley |
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| There was "standing room only" at the General Meeting |
Secretary/Treasurer David Opseth gives the role call and established quorum. He had a motion to approve the 2016 minutes. David stated most all Club dues were collected. He thanked the clubs who donated to Workers' Party. David also mention the dropped clubs and added clubs: Alamo Retriever Club, Inc. (NEW CLUB), Alaska Working Retriever Club (No trials in 2017), Cimarron Retriever Club (No trials in 2017), Dardenne Retriever Club (NEW CLUB), Mobile Amateur Retriever Club (Renewal of Club), Sunflower Retriever Club (No trials 2017), Tejas Hunting Retriever Club (NEW CLUB), Tri State Retriever Club of Iowa (NEW CLUB), Tulsa Retriever Club (Held trial Spring 2017).
Just for clarity on the Alaska Working Retriever Club (AWRC) not holding trials this year, the Club was combined with Retriever Club of Alaska (RCA) WITH permission from AKC. The RCA has been granted permission indefinitely to hold all events for both clubs.
Marshall Dunaway was called to
present
the dedication of this year's trial to Dr. Tom Strickland. Marshall spoke
about Tom's involvement in the sport for more than 40 years, being a member of
Purina Awards Committee, developing the grounds that he shared, and mentored
pro's and amateur and brought many people into the sport. Tom was
presented the honor and in true humble fashion, accepted the
honor on behalf of the "Old Timers," Joe Waddlesworth, Marshall
Dunaway and Dick Johnson. Tom also thanked the Board, Purina and the
people of the sport.
David Opseth gave the Treasurer’s report that was distributed and David mentioned last year's leftover inventory was donated to Goodwill. He also stated the bird bill was higher last year and there was $2000 paid to the gunners. He acknowledge Mark Medford getting the Ford Motor Company as a sponsors for 2018 Event. He also thanked Retriever News for their efforts in the Training Grounds Book and that generated nearly $11,000 without the expense of printing it since the book was offered only in a digital version. He complimented Patti Simmons on her merchandising efforts and the products she had for sale these year.
Paul Sletten, President of the PRTA spoke about this past Friday's meeting. Five land grants were awarded of $3000 each instead of their normal three.
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| Marshall Dunaway speaks about the trial Dedication |
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| Dr. Tom Strickland |
David Opseth gave the Treasurer’s report that was distributed and David mentioned last year's leftover inventory was donated to Goodwill. He also stated the bird bill was higher last year and there was $2000 paid to the gunners. He acknowledge Mark Medford getting the Ford Motor Company as a sponsors for 2018 Event. He also thanked Retriever News for their efforts in the Training Grounds Book and that generated nearly $11,000 without the expense of printing it since the book was offered only in a digital version. He complimented Patti Simmons on her merchandising efforts and the products she had for sale these year.
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| Secretary/Treasurer David Opseth |
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| PRTA President Paul Sletten reads off the 5 clubs that were given land grants this year. |
Paul Sletten, President of the PRTA spoke about this past Friday's meeting. Five land grants were awarded of $3000 each instead of their normal three.
A portrait was presented to owner/handler Charlie Hines of 2016 NFC Windy City
Mighty Mouse. The painting donated by Purina and painted by the official artist Ross Young.
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| Charlie Hines looks on as the portrait of "Mickey" is unveiled |
Tommy Parrish then introduced the 2018 Board:
Mitch
Patterson, President
Julie
Cole, Vice President
Ginger
Cope, Director
Jeff
Talley, Director
David
Opseth, Secretary/ Treasurer
A motion was made to close nomination, and to approve
the board as presented.
The judges are:
Atlantic Timezone: Dave Opseth
Pacific Timezone: Charles Tyson
Mountain Timezone: Ed Ayock
Corporate liaison Gwen Jones was unable to attend this years event so David Opseth presented the Sponsor gifts in her absence. The sponsors were presented with a gift and thanked.
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| Karl Gunzer of Purina shakes Tommy Parrish's hand |
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| … and David Opseth's, too. |
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| Karl thanked the crowd for their support of Purina |
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| David Carrington from Avery Sporting Dog loves his gift! |
The Sponsors are:
Purina - Karl Gunzer
Avery - David Carrington
Garmin - Mike Perry
Dogtra - Ken Neil
Kent Ammunition.
Tony Despanas - Central Time Zone
Breck Howard - Mountain Time Zone
Mary Ahlgren - Pacific Time Zone
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| (L-R) Tony Despanas, Breck Howard and Mary Ahlgren – Our 2017 NRC Judges |
Jeff also thanked donors and sponsors and encouraged participation for the raffle. He thanked Ag Pro, James Groover for providing the facility for tonight's Cocktail party and the ATVs. Then he presented Judy Ramuson with a beautiful platter with a hand-painted Labrador and thanked her for the use of her land.
Jeff thanked all committees for their hard work. He also stated that the first 4 series will probably be held at Parramore Fish. As of right now, prior to the bitch check there were 2 scratches who were #30 and #58.
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| Chief Marshal Mark Menzies |
Chief Marshal Mark Menzies came to the podium and announced that the first test will be a land triple with a rooster pheasant flyer, a dead rooster pheasant and a dead hen pheasant.
The Caravan is leaving the headquarters hotel at 5:30 am. Test dog at 6:30 am with first running dog at 7:00 am.
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| Jeff Talley's granddaughter chose the starting number bumper – #72 |
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| "What a C-U-T-I-E!" |
Gun changes and rebird every 25 except for the 1st series there will be a quick rebird after 9 dogs.
No Bird:
First No-Bird Handler will go back five numbers and run sixth.
Second No-Bird Handler will go back five and run sixth.
Third No-Bird the Handler will run at the end of the rotation.
Second No-Bird Handler will go back five and run sixth.
Third No-Bird the Handler will run at the end of the rotation.
If no bird was thrown then you will come right back to the line.
Callbacks will be posted at the headquarters and Retriever News Blog.
If test is scratched the next running dog will be the 1st dog of the new setup and if it's on the same day. If it starts on the following day the dog starting the rotation will start again.
We have three Test Dogs for the first day. Amy Hunt and FC Sureshot Watt's Up, "Juice," will be the Honorary Test Dog. Amy had qualified for last year's National Open in Bonham, TX before she suffered a stroke.
The female Test dog is AFC Mac's Sweet Eleanor Rose, "Rosie," with owner/handler Michael McDaniel.
The male Test Dog is Smackwater's Coast To Coast, "Coast," with owner/handler Valarie Marks.
We have three Test Dogs for the first day. Amy Hunt and FC Sureshot Watt's Up, "Juice," will be the Honorary Test Dog. Amy had qualified for last year's National Open in Bonham, TX before she suffered a stroke.
The female Test dog is AFC Mac's Sweet Eleanor Rose, "Rosie," with owner/handler Michael McDaniel.
The male Test Dog is Smackwater's Coast To Coast, "Coast," with owner/handler Valarie Marks.
Workers are to be present prior to 5:45 am.
Bitch check following the meeting.
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| Incoming President Mitch Patterson gives an appreciation gift to outgoing President Tommy Parrish |
Committee meetings to follow.
Motion to Adjourn.
