NRCC Annual Meeting

The National Retriever Club of Canada Annual Meeting was attended by member club delegates and interested trialers. It was chaired by NRCC President Jim Ling, and ably assisted by Secretary treasurer, Marg Murray. After roll call, we received reports from Field Trial Marshall, Gerry Pozzebon and Field Trial Chairman Jim Green as well as a welcome from Pine Ridge President, Don Wilson. All reports indicated everything was going smoothly in preparation for the week’s competition.
Marg Murray presented a proposal from the B.C. Association of Retriever Field Trial Clubs to host next year`s National near Merritt BC from 20-25 September. Field Trail Chairman will be Graham Tyler. It was also announced the judges would be John McBride from Central zone, Richard Dresser from S. Ontario zone and Tom Hawley from the Eastern zone. Chuck Dygos spoke to the 2010 National Amateur to be held by the North Bay and District Retriever Club on 12-18th July. Judges will be Dawne MacKenzie from Central, Barry Grundy from Western and Gerry Pozzebon from S. Ontario. It was also decided that the qualification period would be the two years preceding the trial.
A variety of NRCC business and was dealt with including some changes to 2010 dues, and running dog fess but the entry fees for 2010 will remain at $250. Election of Officers resulted in the following new NRCC executive. President, Gord Benn, 1st VP, Bev Fowler, 2nd VP Fred Benjaminson and Sceretary- Treasurer, Marg Murray. Retiring Directors were recognized and new Directors, Ray Smith, and Dan Yeomans, were welcomed. Dennis Voigt, Corpoate Sponsor Liaison reported on major NRCC Sponsorship contracts that had been negotiated this year. Of note were major 3- year contracts with Purina, Tritronics and Dogs Afield as well as contracts with Ducks Unlimited this year for Finalist gifts, and a commissioned painting for winners for next year by Connie Swanson. Several potential other Sponsors were discussed, including the possibility of Entry Express doing entries and catalogs. This program now worth over $60,000 annually to National host clubs and participants will allow the NRCC to maintain the quality of Canadian Nationals as well reverse some NRCC budgetary deficits in the future.
Finally, a new NRCC position was announced, Communications Officer. Duties are being refined but will include future web reporting like this for Nationals as well as expansion and development of a new NRCC website. Dona Martin was appointed to the position. A huge thank you to Tom Murray who has developed and maintained the NRCC site all these year’s on a volunteer basis. The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 so all could prepare for the Banquet in a few hours.