LETTER FROM AFTCA PRESIDENT JOHN MILTON

LETTER FROM AFTCA PRESIDENT JOHN MILTON

April 5, 2011

Dear Field Trialers:

For the pasts two years, the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee of the AFTCA have been studying our expenses and revenues with the goal of making our organization both more efficient and ultimately self-sufficient to the end that we are not dependent on outside sponsors to furnish the monies necessary to meet our annual operating costs for trials, championships and win certificates.

With the loss of the Bass Pro Contract this past year (which provided more than $30,000.00 to us annually), the Executive Committee has determined that it is time for us to raise additional monies from our sanctioned trials in order to balance our revenues with operating expenses. The committee has approved the recommendation of a by-law change (SEE PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE BELOW) to be considered at the upcoming annual meeting of Trustees in June in Kansas City, MO, that would impose a $3 per dog additional fee for each dog entered in a stake for which a member club intends to award win certificates. The fee would be collected by the club as part of the entry fee for the trial and forwarded to the AFTCA secretary with the essential data form reporting the dogs earning win certificates at the trial.

Realizing that additional charges are never welcome unless absolutely necessary for the continuing operation of the organization, the Executive Committee is also considering trying to reduce our expenses by learning to post our win certificates on line so that the recipient can simply download the certificate and print it (thereby avoiding the mailing and handling costs for paper certificates).

As your President, I ask for your support for this proposed by-law change in order that our organization can remain strong and viable into the future and preserve such sponsor money as we may be able to attract for uses in line with the goals of our twentieth century fund.

Please let your position on this proposed change be known to your Trustee in order that he may properly vote the conscience of his region on this issue.

Thank you for your consideration of this proposal and for all each of you does to make our sport more enjoyable and successful for all!

ALL THE BEST TO ALL OF YOU!

JOHN D. MILTON, JR.
PRESIDENT, AFTCA

(PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE)

AMATEUR FIELD TRIAL CLUBS OF AMERICA

WHEREAS, Preston A. Trimble serves as a dutiful and loyal member of the AFTCA and moves for the adoption of this proposal; and
WHEREAS, the present bylaws fail to provide for a charge per each dog entered in every amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued; and
WHEREAS, a $3.00 charge per each dog entered in every amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued could cumulatively defray a large cost to the AFTCA; and
WHEREAS, a $3.00 charge per each dog entered in every amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued would not pose an undue financial burden on competition entrants; and
WHEREAS, a $3.00 charge per each dog entered in every amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued would ensure greater future financial stability to the AFTCA:

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMATEUR FIELD TRIAL CLUBS OF AMERICA, THAT:

A. This proposal be included in the official agenda for the proximate meeting; and
B. That the assembly adopt this proposal at the outset of the meeting; and
C. The present bylaws be amended to provide for $3.00 charge per each dog entered in every amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued; and
D. Chapter Three, Article 1, Section 1 be expanded to include a sub point (j); and
E. That this sub point (j) be worded and adopted as follows:

“All entrants shall pay an additional $3.00 fee per each dog to the AFTCA upon entering an amateur stake in which a placement certificate is issued. This fee shall be paid in advance of participating in the trial and added to other registration fees incurred and membership dues owed.”

In example, if one entrant registered ten dogs in a single amateur stake in which a placement certificate was issued, this entrant would owe $30.00 in fees.