I am running by petition
for a seat on the Board of Directors of the GSDCA and I am asking for your support.
My involvement in
the breed began as a young child with our family dogs. In 1985, as a young
adult, I purchased my first show dog and decided on my kennel name, Inflight.
Since that time I’ve gained much experience as a breeder and a person, but
even so, I still consider myself a "Student of the Breed". I treasure my many positive experiences being a “Dog Person.” I am as
passionate about this breed now as I was when I started. I love these dogs!
I consider myself a hobby breeder, who breeds or co-breeds maybe 1, sometimes 2 litters
a year and am the Breeder/Co-breeder of 1 AOE, 1 GV, 1GVx, 4 CH., & 2 ROM’s.
Some of the dogs that are more well known are 1995 US Grand Victor
"Spencer" ROM and AOE, 1996 US Grand Victrix, Heaven Only Knows, PT,
affectionately known as "Lilly Marlene." When
I'm not doing dogs, I enjoy other interests such as gardening, cooking,
singing, camping, historical re-creation/renn-faires, reading historical romances and/or
science fiction-fantasy novels.
Professionally,
it is generally considered that I have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
I have been employed in various small businesses since 1984, starting with a
Market Research Company for 6 years, to being the Office Manager and
Bookkeeper for a Real Estate company and then a Property Management company.
During the past 4 years, I have been the Office Manager, Bookkeeper, Executive
Assistant, and Event Planner for a 501c(6) Non-Profit organization.
Dealing with bylaws, correct procedure and policy implementation is part of my
normal day-to-day tasks.
Throughout my career, I have successfully used my talents for
budgeting, marketing, and promotion to assist these companies in achieving
their fiscal and marketing goals. I feel it is exactly this kind of varied experience pool,
which will allow me to serve the Membership of the GSDCA and therefore, Breed.
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I
was a founding member
of the Wild Rose GSDC. I also served as Secretary of the GSDC of Washington
State, Inc. for 5 years. I am presently the 2nd Vice President of the GSDC of the Pacific
NW where I suggested the use of some of my entrepreneurial tactics to help our
club function on a stronger financial level. I can proudly say that the
first year's use of these tactics has allowed the club to show a small profit
for it's barely 4 point entry. I have also helped get the club's website
up and running more smoothly, getting an online entry system underway, all the
while turning it into a potential profit center for the club. I am also
working with the GSDCA Web Committee, keeping the show results up-to-date and
updating the look of various other pages.
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Kathaleen & AOE GVx "Lilly Marlene" in
during Lilly's PT Trial.
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I have
judged 2 GSDCA futurity/maturity shows and 1 in Canada. I am not
presently an AKC judge. While I am presently actively involved in conformation and herding,
I believe that the working abilities of our breed are the hallmark for what
makes a German Shepherd Dog so unique; therefore, I am a strong proponent for
the Club to live up to it’s objectives and provide avenues for all facets of
our breed to be showcased.
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I
believe
that the GSDCA, Inc. is and should remain as the voice for the GSD in America
& the World, and should be America’s only representative in the WUSV.
However, I believe that it is also imperative that the GSDCA’s representatives
maintain the highest level of integrity and honesty when respectfully
negotiating with the various other GSD organizations to insure that America is
also represented fully and by the best, at the World level, including the WUSV
Championships. All of these organizations represent the Breed, and as such,
should be held in the highest regard and dealt with honorably.
I’ve long felt
that the GSDCA needs to take a stronger leadership role in many areas, but
most importantly, education. The club also needs to take a leadership role in
promoting the Breed to the general public. I think the best way to do this is
to reach people on the regional level. By developing and providing
educational tools for Regional Clubs to use and promote their growth, this
will in-turn assist the breed’s visibility through the Regional Club’s ability
to provide more venues to showcase the breed’s versatility.
I also feel that
a level of open communication needs to be maintained and continually nurtured,
so that the membership will feel content with the knowledge that the club is being managed
according to their wishes and the Bylaws. As your board member, you can
be assured I will swiftly respond to your queries whenever possible.
Based upon the various bylaw and procedural deviations
experienced within the GSDCA in the recent past, I feel it's extremely
important that our Board Members have a strong grasp of the Bylaws, Policy and
Procedure and Robert's Rules of Order. If elected to serve as a Board
member, I will work to ensure that bylaw and procedural deviations will not go
unchecked. When I am elected to the Board of the GSDCA, I will use my
various skills to promote the expansion of improvements in these and other
important facets of Club management.
Most importantly, I
believe that the Club is only a club as
long as it is serving the needs and desires of its membership, and I’m asking
you for your support to allow me to assist the Board in delivering the wishes
of its membership.
Thank you in advance for your
consideration of my candidacy.
Sincerely,
Kathaleen Strong
