Kim Augustine opened the meeting and told the members that since the quorum was challenged as illegal, we would  run this meeting in accordance with the original club rules about voting which is a simple majority of club members present until it could be determined the legality of this issue.

Duane Loomis will be the Parliamentarian for the meeting and Scott Wilhelm will act as Sergeant-at-Arms.

Treasurer's Report
    Robyn Powley submitted a compilation report of the last nine months since she has been treasurer. The report includes sales in all categories and operating expenses. This report does not include the 1999 National Specialty.  A complete financial report will be published in the January issue of Borderlines. The report also did not include monthly expense reports since she has been treasurer or the balance on our Visa account.
    Robyn reported that we are spending more than we are taking in. We are still receiving bills for the 1998 National Specialty. The National Specialties take in a large amount of money which makes it seem as though we have a good account, but there is also a large outgo. We need to reinstate the registration fee. We are having problems with authorization of expenses and obligating monies without prior approval.
     Kim Bradford asked about beginning and ending balances. Robyn replied that we (currently) have $15,700 in a money management and $22,000 in a checking account. Robyn said the board has recommended raising dues to $50 household and $40 single membership. Borderlines ads will be raised to $100 for a nonmember full page ad and $80 for a member ad.
    Laura Tomaszewski asked what steps the board was taking to alleviate this problem. Robyn said that the board will form a Financial Review Committee which will do quarterly reviews in association with the treasurer. We will also plan fund raisers. Robyn stated that our bylaws direct the books to be turned over within 30 days after a new treasurer is elected and an audit is to take place which would cost $5000 to $10,000, so a review was done at the cost of $350 . The results were inconclusive due to lack of receipts. Robyn has asked Barbara Palmer to help straighten out the books. Robyn stated that good records are a matter of receipts and pre-authorization numbers. In the past, we have had many oral contracts. From now on, all contracts must be written. The club will be happy to take suggestions from members with financial expertise.
     Ann Marie Silverton asked about the editorial fee given to the publisher of Borderlines, Helen Phillips. Helen receives $500 per issue and, after discussion, it was deemed that this is an expense that is warranted. The expense seems to be one incurred by many dog clubs
    Emily Czapek asked about the use of phone cards as far as eligibility to use one. This will be assessed by the board.
Emily suggested that at this point in time the club refrain from further spending until the books are straightened out and we are sure of our financial status. All spending must have board approval and an authorization number must be assigned by the board. The board will spend money on operating expenses only. Communication must be maintained with all club members in regard to our financial statements. Barb Hoursey inquired about the 1997 tax returns and about the cost of the penalty and the accountant's fee. Ronni DeLay explained that when she was treasurer, she did not realize that once we had monies that amounted to over $25,000, that we were required to file a return, even though the money would be spent to pay bills within a short period of time.
Barbara Hoursey inquired about the Visa processing fee. Many clubs offer this service and it was a board decision to have this. It will give us added income from people who may use it for entries and it is good for international travelers
    Other clubs' editorial fees were discussed and the fee paid to our editor is reasonable. Ronnie DeLay stated that the amount of time and effort is worth the small fee paid. Emily Czapek stated that Borderlines is a quality production and that costs money. Bob Tainsh said no one else volunteered when Helen wanted to resign. We could use articles by volunteers.

•  Health Committee
The health committee was represented by Bob Tainsh who has resigned but will stay until someone else volunteers to take his position. Thanks to Deanna Vaselka for the health survey that she sent out. We need more response as only about 100 have been returned. Some people did not remember getting a survey and it was suggested that it be put on line.
Bob reported on several health issues that seem to be prominent in Border Collies. They are hypoparathyroidism and metabolic acidosis

• Herding Committee
The herding chair is Claudia Frank who spoke about the Herding Instinct Program. Money taken in goes to pay for rental and insurance so other venues could be used and the results sent to Claudia There are changes in the AKC Herding Program and comments should be sent to Larry Sisson by November 1.
Claudia is making handouts containing information on herding
Ronni De Lay asked if we could charge a fee for the herding instinct certificate but this is done by volunteers and there is no fee.
Claudia was asked about the minimum age for obtaining a herding instinct certificate as it was six months but it is now nine months Claudia said this was a typographical error.

• Standard Committee
Ronni DeLay stated that the committee was accepting suggestions The new standard will be presented with the old and new side by side, paragraph by paragraph with reasons for the change stated and a yes or no vote beside each change.

• Versatility Program.
Linda Rand stated that the board wished to form a committee to study changes to the present requirements.

• Breeder Referral Committee
Davida Dzierla has resigned and a new chair is needed

• Border Recorder and Registry of Merit
The Border Recorder of 1998 has sold enough copies that any others sold will be profit. It was suggested that we do a new Recorder every four years. We should begin collecting information in 2001 for a new Recorder to be published in 2002. The Registry of Merit will be based on versatility, including herding and performance.

• General Education
Emily Czapek reported that the brochure "The Border Collie" is ready to be distributed to the public. Another brochure," The Border Collie Starting Out" will be ready soon and consists of basic training facts.

• Judges Education
The first program was here at Purina.  The AKC has stopped production of the video on Border Collies. Robyn will check with AKC to see why. Judges education needs to include herding and volunteers are needed to show herding to judges at homes and to talk about the breed in general, not just about your own dogs.   We have been approached by other herding clubs about the way we are doing judges education.

• Borderlines
Volunteers are needed for the Scoreboard. Scott Luckin asked about the way USBCHA results are published and suggested that people send in their score sheets in order to have their results counted. Nancy Keller stated that it is important for members to become actively involved in Novice and Pro-Novice and publishing the results is a good idea.

• Rescue
Bobby Farquhar asked everyone to please support their local rescue group and to talk to other breeders about rescue.  Barbara asked about national rescue for our club. We do not have one group for BCSA, but we will give grants to the existing rescue groups. Laura Tomaszewski made a motion that we use the breeder referral list, which was seconded and passed

Scott Wilhelm moved that the standard of the country of origin be included as an option when the new standard is presented. The motion was seconded and passed

It was moved that general meetings not be in conflict with any event and be held in the early evening. This motion was seconded and passed.

Frank Bayliss moved that a preferential list of judges from all elements be selected by the club every five years and the show committee will choose judges based on the list and availability. The motion was seconded and passed.

Rose Bedford moved that committee reports be submitted in writing before the general meeting so that people can read them before the meeting begins. This did not need to be voted on as it is already part of Roberts Rules.

Bob Tainsh moved that you use Purina for all future specialties and that we will give Purina one year notice, if we decide to move. Ronnie DeLay seconded and the motion was passed.

Barb moved that we contact Purina and send a letter to them thanking them for the offer and also to thank them for allowing us to use the site.

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Baron BCSA Secretary