Our USCA board has not  decided yet when to put the new rules into effect, but my guess would be sooner rather than later. I do expect the rules changes to be in effect for the North Americans. 

I will be happy to fax the section from the SV  magazine to anyone who would like a copy...

In other matters,  please remember that each club in our region must either send an
entry or a donation ($100.00) to Craig for our regional championship.  His
address is on the website. Also please plan to help out there as well as
at the North Americans in April. 

The North American website is up and going,  and of course we need donations there also ...  we are recruiting tracklayers(the unsung heroes) and would like a sponsor for draw night.
Please send along any ideas that you have  .. .thank you, and I wish
everyone a happy,  healthy holiday;   and I am sure we will all be busy with
the stand and the wall for our SchH 1 dogs!

Vicki
 
 

Below are  the major handler changes.  There are additional judging  changes to ratings and DQs.

These rules are in addition to IPO rules and titled SchH/VPG. They will not  replace the IPO rules.

 General Part:

•  The Performance Judge shall not disturb nor influence in any way the  performance of the dog. This does not mean that the performance judge shall not be  permitted toet close to the dog and its handler but that there may no longer be  any pestering of the dog, for example in the exercise "bring to a halt and  bark to warn"  The performance judge must still be in the immediate vicinity in  order to be able to make a proper assessment. 

•  There is no longer a waiting period to progress in titles, although the dog  must have reached the prescribed age for entry.

•  When carrying out the impartiality trial, care must be  taken that the  performance judge may no longer touch  the dog. Other means of irritating the dog  shall not be used. 

 SchH/VPG 1-3
 

Section A. Tracking

 Level 1 tracks 300 paces
 Level 2 tracks 400 paces
 Level 3 tracks 600 paces

 All objects are to provided with numbers, which must
 tally with the track  number.

 Section B. Obedience

Level 1
There is no test on the leash.
The obstacle (jump) no longer has a soft cover, the
upper edge must be rigid.  This applies to all levels.
The "bring over a 180 cm high sloping wall" must be
shown already in level 1. 

 Level 2 
All off-leash.  Newly added is the exercise, "Halt while walking with  fetching." (Walking stand).

 Level 3 
Walking stand is no longer included.  The only
 command to be  displayed is stopping when called when
 the dog is running. 

 Section C. Protection

Level 1 
Barking to last approx. 20 seconds. At the
instruction of the judge,  the dog handler goes up to
within 5 paces of the hideout.  At the next  instruction, 
he can call his dog into the base position or,
alternatively only at  level one, can collect him from
the hideout following off the leash.  Both  variants are
assessed equally.

For the defense exercises, in 2004, the "Assault from
the hideout," as we know  it, is no longer included.  The
new exercise is "Prevention of an attempt to  escape"
and the defense of an "Attack in the guarding phase."
"Attacking the  dog while moving" is already known to
 us.  The distance between helper and dog  handler before
the action is approx. 30-40 paces.  The type and method
of  searching and disarming is left to the dog handler. 
There is no raising of the  arm by the helper.  Side
transport about 20 paces.

Level 2. 
Duration of barking approx. 20 seconds until
approach.  After the  bringing to a halt and barking
warn, the dog handler goes up to within 5 paces  of the
hideout and calls him to the base position when the
judge gives the  signal again. A search is no longer
undertaken before the attempt by the helper  to escape
(also applies to level 3.)  The length of the back
 transport is about  30 paces.  The distance between the
dog handler and the helper in the attack  while moving
is about 40-50 paces before the action. The type and
 method of  disarming is left to the dog handler.  There
 is no raising of the arm by the  helper.  Side transport
 about 20 paces.  Everything else remains the same.

Level 3.
The duration of barking until approach is about
20 seconds.  The  length of the back transport is about
30 paces.  The distance between the dog  handler and the
helper in the attack while moving is about 60 paces
before the  action.  The type and method of disarming is
left to the dog handler. There is  no raising of the arm
by the helper.  Side transports are to be shown about 20
paces.

From Regional Director Vicki Keller  11-6-03

Great News ... South Metro Atlanta Schutzhund Club and Greater Atlanta Schutzhund Club have graciously offered to host the 2004 North Americans on April 16/17/18.  The stadium is 20 minutes south of the Atlanta airport and is available all week prior to the event for practice time ...Tracking is normal hay fields and very consistent ... Please join me in thanking these 2 clubs for their commitment to our organization and we look forward to a great event!

Vicki

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From Regional Director Vicki Keller

Notes from General Board 10-30-03
 

• Membership revenue is up 5 percent 
• The breed registry did not lose money 
• 243 schutzhund trials and 45 conformation shows were held during the last year 

• The president can replace committee members who do not perform their duties 
• Handlers can show 3 dogs per trial at the local club level 
• Judge emeritus can be a candidate for director of judges 
• The nationals is renamed ... USCA National German Shepherd Dog Championship 
• The judges committee with input from the host club will recommend and secure judges for national events 
• Regional elections are decided by majority of votes cast (at regional meeting or by electronic means) 
• Dog-handler teams can not show in WPO and SCH championship in the same championship 
• Alabama is now in Eastern zone 
• USCA no longer will  recognize WDA scorebooks 
• Youth dues are reduced to $12 per year 
• USCA membership is required to register a kennel name 
• No dues increase for members 
• Regional dues of $50 per club are due annually to the USA office … this money will be sent back to the region to support education and regional events 
• R Carbajal was approved as USA conformation judge 
• Judge applicants must have trained a GSD to fulfill judging requirements 
• The 2004 Sieger Show will be held in Nashville Oct 29-31 and the Schutzhund Championship will be held Nov 5-8 in Nashville 

Look for the  official version soon … 

Vicki Keller

Wednesday, October 01, 2003 5:12 PM
To: Vicki Keller; Al Govednik; Carl Johnson; Dave Wood; Diane Madigan; Howie Rodriguez; Jim Elder; Joe Morcantonio; Johannes Grewe; John Oliver; Julia Grayson; Kay Koerner; Kristian Taves; Lyle Roetemeyer; Mark Przybylski; Mike Hamilton; Nathaniel Rogue; Ray Blomberg; Scott Boedecker

Subject: Financial Update 

I was just reviewing our first quarter results and I thought I would share a few interesting observations with you. 

Compared with the first quarter last year Membership is up 5%, Individual Registrations are up 7%, Litter Registrations are up 4%, Breed Surveys are up over 200% and A Stamps are up 150%.

Our Total Income is up a little over 6% to $ 152,945 while Total Expenses are up only up 4% to $ 111,496. 

We have a solid cash reserve now. Some of this will be used during the slow income winter months, however, we do have sufficient cash to take care of any emergency that may come up. 

It is good to see our organization financially healthy once again. 

Bill  Plumb
wplumb@ameritech.net

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Thanks to everyone who made our first southeastern helper seminar such a success ... Butch England and Toni Brezel provided the perfect setting for a wonderful 2 days of outstanding helper training ... The beautiful sod farm was a dream come true for the helpers and dogs ... miles and miles of terrific level footing ... All those  escape bites went on and on ... 

Our esteemed trainers ... Tracy Betenbaugh, Dennis Vander Linde, Martin Gynp and Arthur Collins,  were the most perfect trainers for our southeastern helpers ... Our helpers included Bill Adamson, Fayetteville ... Robert Chittick, Jacksonville ... Jay Ferrera Jacksonville ... Ray Jeffers, Raleigh ... Bill Ludwig, Chattahoochee ... David Morris, Piedmont ... Milton Maldonado and Vaidas Paknys, GASA ... Tom Shaftoe, Raleigh  ...  and Jerry Wilkins OG Volmarstein ... 

Thank you again to all participants for your terrific effort and willingness ... There was great camaraderie and we look forward to many more training sessions that will benefit all our schutzhund dogs ... 

Vicki
 
 

Don't forget your dogs, video camera and to make your reservations.

Vicki 

1 .Jerry Wilkins

2. Tom and Linda Saftoe

3. Robert Chittick

4. David Morris

5. Bill Ludwig

6. Juergen Lukas

7. Jay Ferrera

8. Ray Jeffers

9. Vaidas Paknys

10. Milton Malclonado

11. John Siemers 

and our helper committee ...Tracy, Martin, Dennis and Butch.

And a special thank you to Butch for hosting this event!

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Also several other educational events are planned in the coming
months. Please note the dates and more details will follow.

1. Conformation handling seminar in November on the Friday before
the southeast regional conformation championship. This is a free seminar
sponsored by our German judges.
2. Helper seminar. This is a free seminar to be held before our
regional schutzhund championship in February.
3. Obedience seminar. We are working on this for mid- to late-spring
and it will be no cost to club training directors.
4. As always let me know of your suggestions ... and hope to see you
soon.

Vicki

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The following is additional information from Mark Przybylski concerning judging restrictions:

  "No one single person or judge has been or is targeted for special
attention as a result of the recent USA Executive board ruling.  All the
individuals listed on the WDA website as WDA judges are viewed as having
a direct conflict of interest with USA due to the aforementioned USA EX
Board ruling and some of these individuals are in conflict with the USA
by-law passed at the USA General Board meeting in Alabama last year and
therefore are restricted from judging at USA events or having titles
awarded by them recognized by USA."

"All of these individuals on the WDA website who are listed as WDA
judges and are restricted from judging USA events and whose titles are
not recognized by USA have the one common factor of being listed as WDA
judges." 

"Other factors considered in this decision was the appointment of
certain individuals to national posts within WDA being licensed as WDA
judges and also being contacts and/or officers of WDA or WDA clubs."

Current trials scheduled for 2003 will be honored by USA

"No USA event authorization forms with any of the individuals listed on
the WDA website on their judge's list or that fall under any of the
criteria I have already mentioned will be approved as of Jan 01, 2004"

Let me know if you have questions.

Vicki 
 

Some Executive Board E- ballot results Aug. 14, 2003

E-ballot #21-03
 Subject: Deletion of Forming Club Status
 Motion by Diane Madigan seconded by Kay Koerner.  To no longer offer a forming club status.
 Accepted Unanimously

E-ballot #22-03
Subject: Probationary USA Breed Judges License for Ricardo Carbajal
Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Johannes Grewe, to accept the Judges  Committee's recommendation to grant a probationary breed judge's license for  Ricardo Carbajal.
Accepted Unanimously

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*USA-GSD National Championship Entry Requirements

* Contingent upon a name change for the USA SchH3 National Championship. Needs General Board approval.
 

•  Limited to members in good standing with the United Schutzhund Clubs of America.  Scorebooks must be registered with the USA Office.  Individuals whose permanent residence is outside the US are exempt from these requirements.
• A qualifying score of 270 or better at a USA sanctioned event.
• This score must be obtained after the previous year’s National Championship and before the cut-off entry date.
• The same handler requesting entry at this event must have earned this dog’s SchH3 qualifying score.
• All dogs must be registered with the USA/SV Breed Registry in order to be eligible for entry.  This rule does not affect the entry of individuals whose permanent residence is outside the US. 
• Any SchH3 dog imported into the US whose scorebook is registered with the USA Office after January 1 of any calendar year must attain a qualifying score by August 1st. of the same calendar year for entrance into that year’s National.  This rule does not pertain to imported SchH1 or SchH2 dogs or their equivalent.

Regional Championships will be open to all USA members in good standing.  This rule does not affect the entry of individuals whose permanent residence is outside the US.

Starting in 2004, all entries in the USA German Shepherd Dog National Championship must have shown at a USA Regional Championship any time after the 2003 USA National Championship. All regional entries must compete at their current SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3 level or the next higher level. This is "in addition" to the required 270 point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club trial and/or a USA Regional Championship.

Starting in 2005, all entries to the USA German Shepherd Dog National Championship, must receive a passing score at a USA Regional Championship any time after the previous year's USA-GSD National Championship. All regional entries must compete at their current SchH1, SchH2, or SchH3 level or the next higher level. This is "in addition" to the required 270 point qualifying score attained at any USA regular club trial and/or a USA Regional Championship.

The above rules were approved by the Executive Board through mail ballots #08, 09, 10, 11, 13, 18 and 19, 2003.

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return to southeastern region front
 
 

We are pleased to announce that the 2004 Southeast Regionals will be
hosted by the Palmetto State  Schutzhund Klub and will be  Feb 21-22 near
Columbia SC.

Stadium - Lower Richmond High School (blinds left to right) and normal
grass surface

Tracking - very nice winter wheat (no FH2, only FH1)

Judges - Willie Pope Obedience and Protection;  and Nathanial Roque, Tracking 

Entry fees are $100;  (BH $60 if offered)

Friday events will include BH, Helper seminar and helper tryouts.

Information on Hotels and seminars to follow.

Please make plans to attend. Remember, starting in 2004, entries for the
National Championship must have shown in a regional event in addition to
posting a nationals-qualifying score. We look forward to another super regional
event!  Thank you. 

Enjoy your dogs and the rest of your summer!

Vicki

Directions to Palmetto State Schutzhund club. (New location)
From Columbia: Take exit 9 off I-77 in Columbia (Garners Ferry Road) and head east. Hotels are directly off of I-77. If coming south, take exit 9B. Head east on Garners Ferry Road approximately 15.4 miles, club field is on right just past Hwy 764. 
For more info contact:
Craig Lanham, president mailto:clanham@sc.rr.com
 
 

The southeast region helper committee would like to invite you to a FREE
helper seminar on Sept. 20 and 21. The seminar will be held at Butch
England's club in Hendersonville NC.  Seminar leaders are Tracy
Betenbaugh and our helper committee.

Information that will be covered ...

1. Proper Trial Equipment.
2. Thinking safety for the dog and helper.
3. Correct trial work of Sch 1,2,3.
4. The seminar will start at 9 am Saturday and Sunday.
5. Helpers should bring their own equipment and a dog to work.
6. Video cameras are welcome.
7. Each club in our region that sends a helper will receive $100
at the seminar to cover part of your expenses. Clubs may send more than
one helper but the travel expense remains the same and there will be
some meals provided.
8. Please RSVP as soon as possible to  vickik@kellergroup.net and
no later than SEPT 10th. 
9. The hotel is the Quality inn  828 692 7231 or
info@qualityinn-suiteshvl.com   $79 per night and you are responsible
for making your own reservations. Maps to the club field will be at the
hotel.
10. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you next month!

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E-ballot #16-03
Subject: WDA

Motion by Lyle Roetemeyer seconded by Diane Madigan that USA no longer
recognize the existence of the WDA. USA will not recognize any of their activities, judges or scorebooks; and will not recognize awards or titles issued by any judges, including SV judges, at WDA events. 

Motion Passed.
Vote: Yes-20,   Needs Further Discussion-1 (Vicki Keller)
 

E-ballot #17-03
Subject: 2 dog per handler per trial variance
Motion by Mark Przybylski seconded by Bill Plumb that USA make a
variance from SV rules that allows for handlers to show 3 ( three ) dogs
per handler per trial in all USA trials, excepting any and all championship trials, where the 2 ( two ) dog limit will still apply.

Motion Passed
Vote: Yes-14, No-7

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There are two motions before the EB board and I would like input,  as I would like to cast my vote that reflects the views of the majority of the SE Region members.
1. #16-03 is a motion to no longer recognize the WDA. This means that WDA titles, awards,  judges,  etc.,  will no longer be recognized by USA.

2. #17-03 is a motion to allow handlers to enter three dogs in club trials. Currently we only allow two dogs per handler and SV only allows two dogs per handler.

3. Please email me your response.

Here are the results of other recent Executive  Board ballots: 

1. #8 Name change for the Nationals to GSD Nationals ... Passed
2. #9 Sieger show the weekend before the Nationals ... Failed
3. #10 2004 required showing at Regionals to enter the Nationals ... Passed
4. #11 2005 passing score required at Regionals to enter Nationals ... Passed
5. #12 2006 qualifying score at Regionals required to enter Nationals ... Failed

However, the following motions that have been approved by the
Executive Board still must be voted on by the General Board (your club's
delegate in Reno in November): Deleting the German Shepherd
Championship; renaming the nationals; and no longer recognizing
WDA.  These are among the topics that will be on the agenda.

The Executive Board also has passed the requirement that you must
show in a regional championship in addition to having a 270 passing score
before you can enter the nationals, effective 2004. So plan to be in
Columbia in February!

Vicki 

Please  read the following PROPOSALS for national-level changes that will affect our membership. Please send your comments to me via email, and I will vote next Monday. 

The following proposals are currently in discussion for the Executive Board.  Anyone can comment to me by Friday and then I will vote next week. I would like my vote to reflect the regional members' views on these topics.

1. Change the name of the Nationals to GSD nationals. 
2. Move the Sieger Show to the fall to be held the weekend before the GSD nationals
3. The world teams would be selected from the scores from the Nationals and the North Americans
4. In 2004 all entries for the nationals must have been shown at a regional championship
5. In 2005 all entries for the nationals must have a passing score at a regional championship.in addition to a 270 qualifying score
6. In 2006 all entries for the nationals must have a qualifying score of 270 or better at a regional championship

Discussion: We would have 2 major events, the GSD nationals  in the fall and the North Americans in the spring. The Seiger show would be moved to the fall. My concern here is where the event would be held. I do not know what clubs could host these events on back-to-back weekends and what cities could accommodate that  numberof dogs, and who could volunteer to work the events  for the two  weeks. Concerning the regionals, I think it is valid to require dogs to show at their regionals, but I am not in favor of making the nationals harder to enter. If our
membership wants to attend their national event and has a qualifying score then that seems fair to me. I look forward to hearing from you.
 

Also these are a few more updates.

1. the following judges have been approved for the 2003 nationals: Tracking, Willie Pope;   obedience, Igor Lengvarsky;  protection, Gunter Diegel. Igor Lengvarsky  judged at the 1999 WUSV in Germany.
3. The helper committee currently is  working on plans for regional helper seminars that will be open to all club helpers. All clubs that send a helper to the seminar will receive travel  expenses (up to $100)  for their participation. Please contact Tracy Betenbaugh for more information.
4. Please remember our conformation championship in November, hosted by Chattahoochee and our regionals, hosted by Palmetto State SchH Klub next February. The judges for the regionals are Nathanial Roque and Willie Pope.
5. Please send me an email if your have received USA sports medals. I would like to recognize those awards. Jim Hall recently received the highest award level of Master. Our congratulations!
6. USA is in good position financially, with membership income up - good news.
7. USA has voted to allow judges to judge for a new doberman club, ADA.
 

 Have a fun summer and enjoy your dogs.

Vicki

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From Regional Director Vicki Keller - Memo to Southeastern USA region

Thank you to the clubs who voted. The following officers are elected:

Secretary /Treasurer --  Lisa Saabye

Training Director -- Gary Hanrahan

Youth Director --  Ray Jeffers

Helper Committee -- Tracy Betenbaugh, chairperson ... and members
Martin Gynp, Dennis Vander Linde, Butch England, Richard Shook, Arthur
Collin.

Thank you again to all who agreed to serve and we look forward to a very
productive year ... Please contact me or any of your officers if you have
any questions.

Thank you

Vicki

Email from Regional Director Vicki Keller 5-25-03:

Memo to Southeast region USA clubs please respond to this email with
your vote for the following regional officers. You may also write in a
candidate.

Secretary /treasurer ... Lisa Saabye

Regional training director ... Gary Hanrahan

Youth director (appointed position) ...  Ray Jeffers

Helper Committee(appointed position) Tracy Betenbaugh ... Marin Gynp ... Dennis
Vanderlinde ... Butch England

 Thank you very much and I will count votes until May 31.

Vicki 

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May 12, 2003  Memo to Southeast Region USA clubs

The following are candidates for regional officers:

1.  Secretary /Treasurer ... Lisa Saabye. Lisa is a veterinarian in private
practice in Knoxville Tenn. She has been a member of USA for 8 years and is
a member of the SchH 3 club with her Rottweiler, Iko, and she currently is 
training a GSD. She is also a member of Jefferson-St Clair Schutzhund
Club and has served as a trial secretary for the 2002 Nationals  as well
as for local club trials.

2.  Training Director ... Gary Hanrahan. Gary probably does not need an
introduction to anyone in the world of Schutzhund, but you can go to the
website  www.canineconcepts.com   for a list of his accomplishments, as well as club members and clients.

3.  Youth Director ... This is an appointed position, and I have appointed
Ray Jeffers of Raleigh Schutzhund Club. Ray has participated in local
and regional events and was selected as Helper at the regional
championship and the 2003 GSD championship. He is 19 years old, a
college student, and is currently training his dog, Brix.

4.  If you would like to write in a candidate for any of these
positions, please do so. Otherwise, each club has one vote for each
office. Also please return your vote to me by email by May 20th.

5.  Also many congratulations to all regional members who participated
in the North Americans. Tracy and Xantto, Dennis and Eik, Craig and Don,
Gail and Boris, Joni and Yel, Morgan and Tommy, Nona and Kimmi, and
Martin and Ceasar and Jim Hall and Archi ... There were many great
performances!

6. And finally, to address regional educational programs this year ... a
helper seminar (free to all club helpers) will be held in conjunction
with the regional conformation trial in Atlanta in November ... There will
be a followup seminar also, at the regional schutzhund championship in
Feb 2004.  This seminar will feature a European training helper and will
focus on trial helper work as well as training helper work ...This has
been the most requested area of need from our member clubs.

Thank you in advance for taking time to vote and enjoy your dogs!

Vicki

April 25, 2003 - Just a reminder to all southeast region clubs ... please send your
nominations for the following regional offices. We still need volunteers!
Secretary ...Treasurer ...Training director .. .thanks again and good luck to
our North American participants ...Gail Dodd, Martin Gnyp, Joni Gnyp, Jim
Hall, Dennis Vanderlinde, Tracy Betenbaugh, Nona Luth, Morgan Shaw, Gary
Hanrahan, and Craig Lanham ...

Enjoy your dogs!

Vicki

There is currently discussion among the executive board about changes in
the national events schedule, and I would like to have your input as this
affects all USA members. 

The discussion concerns hosting the Seiger Show and the GSD Nationals on back-to-back weekends in the same location. This would allow the general board to meet mid-week between the two events and spectators to enjoy all aspects of our sport.

There is discussion of whether the events should be held spring or fall. There is
discussion to eliminate the "qualifier," and the nationals would be GSD
only and the North American would be the all-breed championship. Also
more importance would be given to HOT dogs at national events. Example,
top five placements would be given awards.

Some concerns for our region: It is very hot in late spring in most of
the southeast for dog performance events, so if the super week were
scheduled then,  our region could not be considered as a host club/region
due to heat. Most of our clubs are small in numbers, and I am concerned
as to which clubs could find enough members to host a 10-day to two-week
event. That is a lot of time away from work and family, and hotel
accommodations for a large number of dogs is always an issue. Also, no one wants
alternate breed dogs to feel slighted. 

This is just some of the discussion. You can send me your thoughts and I will add our input to the discussion. It will be voted on by the Executive Board and then brought to the general board.

Also, we are still looking for nominations for the positions of Regional
Secretary, Treasurer, Training Director. These are elected positions and
please volunteer if you can.

I would like to congratulate Gary Hanrahan and Bastin as our 2003 GSD
champion.  We are very proud of our "region of champions."

Also please read your newsletter from USA. There is a great tribute to
our own Floyd Wilson in the news!

Enjoy your dogs and best of luck to all North American participants!

Vicki 

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From Regional Director Vicki Keller:

A new Regional Policy was approved April 6, 2003 by the executive board. The policy mandates  a  governance structure for the regions, which includes in addition to current officers a regional secretary, regional treasurer and regional training director.  The description of those positions is given below in the full text of the  policy adopted by the board.

The policy mandates new annual regional dues of $75 per club. USA will collect these dues with the national dues.

The policy includes additional criteria for participation in  the USA National Championship.  In 2004, dogs with a nationals-qualifying score of 270 or better must enter a regional championship as a prerequisite for entering the nationals.  Beginning in 2005, dogs with a nationals-qualifying score must obtain a passing score at a regional championship as a prerequisite for entering the nationals. 

We are taking nominations for the positions of all of the mentioned  positions except 
Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director and Breed Warden. We will hold an email ballot in May. Clubs can email nominations to me.

The entire text of the policy is set out below:
 
 

•  REGIONAL DIRECTORS

•  ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTORS

•  REGIONAL SECRETARY

•  REGIONAL TREASURER

•  REGIONAL BREED WARDEN

•  REGIONAL TRAINING DIRECTOR

•  REGIONAL HELPER COMMITTEE

•  REGIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE

Southeast region USA clubs.

  I would like to thank you for electing me as your regional director
for this 2 year term of office. I am deeply honored and look forward to
the new challenges.  I would also like to thank Floyd Wilson who was
elected assistant regional director and will provide invaluable
assistance in continuing to maintain our region's reputation for
excellence in dog sport. 

 Please take a moment and answer the following questions so we can
develop programs and services that meet your club's needs. Thank you in
advance!  Also if you have club members who would like to be included on
my mailing list to receive news updates please send me an email.
 
 

1. What is the most effective way to communicate with your club..website
email fax or phone...please send address or #

2. What are your club's main 3 areas of concern?... ie what would make
your club better

3. What assistance could the regional director provide your club?

4. How can we improve the dog sport education of local club members?

5. How would your members like to be more involved with USA on a
regional and national level?

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from each of you!

Vicki Keller

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As a robin is busy looking for worms in the pasture, a cow comes along and dumps on the robin. While he’s struggling under the massive dump, along comes a cat and helps the robin to get out. The moral of the story is, those who dump on you are not necessary the enemy; and those who pull you out from the dump are not necessary your friends - as the robin found out.

First of all, I want to thank all of you who helped to make the Southeast perhaps one of the strongest regions in U.S.C.A. Furthermore, it is with a great deal of satisfaction that I had a part in the creation of all of the clubs with the exception of two. 

My last creation was this past weekend. Full membership was granted to Coastal Carolina SchH Club.

Overall, we have 23  clubs. Catawba County SchH Club was dropped from the roll,  (1) for not having a trial in 2002, and  (2) for not paying their club dues to USCA. Otherwise, all clubs met the requirements in 2002. Thus far in 2003, several clubs already have had their trials. They are  Piedmont SchH Klub, Jacksonville SchH Club, Seminole SchH Club, 0.G. Volmarstein, Spirit SchH Club, and Central Florida SchH Club. Many of you have already scheduled your trials. If you have not, I urge you to do so.

The following clubs already have inquired about having the Regionals for 2004: Palmetto State SchH KIub and Piedmont SchH Klub. Either club should do a super job.

The East Zone is responsible for the FH and North American Championship in 2004. Heads up, I believe you can land it in the Southeast Region.

For you that do not know: In Boston, the General Board voted to place Alabama in the Mid Zone for National competition. Just recently, I made a motion to move the line back, thereby making Alabama a part of the Southeast Region again for National competition. The Executive Board upheld the motion. So Alabama is back. The General Board will have to vote to ratify the Executive Board at the next General Board Meeting. Enclosed you will find copies of the motion.

As President Eisenhower left office he made a powerful speech warning Americans to beware of the military-industrial complex. Thus far, Eisenhower has been right. So switch the idea around a bit. I say to you, beware of the same type of thinking when you deal with the dog sport.

As some of you know, this is my last year of judging. I will be judging in the FH and North America, the nationals in Australia, and a Province Championship in Canada.

For you who are interested, my health is good and I am enjoying life. It has been my pleasure to serve you over the past 20-plus years, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I plan to concentrate on my judging and training my dogs. Therefore, I will not run for Regional Director again. I wish all of you the very best, and if I can be of service to you please do not hesitate to call. 

When General MacArthur addressed Congress, he closed his talk by saying: "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away." So I say farewell, and thank you for our years together.

Floyd Wilson, USA Judge #13

RECOMMENDATIONS 2-24-03

I recommend that the region move the dates of the regional event to a more suitable
time of the year.

Furthermore, I recommend Vicki Keller, present assistant regional director, to become the regional director Southeast Region.

Information: If nominated as assistant regional director I will accept. Also, I will serve the Southeastern Region in any way to help preserve our status.

Floyd Wilson. 
 

TO INDEX

Southeast Region:

This past year was just great for the Southeast Region. Except for one, all Clubs have met and fulfilled the trial rule. The club (Catawba) has been 
placed on affiliation status. All other clubs payed their $25.00 dues. In fact, I have already received dues from several Clubs. Thanks to all.

Thanks to all who help to make the Nationals a success. I saw many of you helping out which was necessary for such success. This National Event was 
the last one conducted under the rotation schedule. The 2 clubs in Alabama and the one in Tennessee move to the Central Zone. Good Luck!! They leave behind the most successful North American, 1999 and USA Nationals, 2002 in the history of U.S.A.

The Regions as we know them will probably be changed in the very near future. Whatever we do at our Regional in Pensacola may have to change.

General rules of the Regional. All clubs are supposed to send an entry fee to Pensacola, requirement for voting on the location 2004. You are supposed  to send Pensacola one dollar per member to be applied to the trophy fund. Do not make it hard on Pensacola. Go ahead and do the right thing. (One entry fee plus one dollar per member, Thanks)

Each club present at the meeting will have one vote. You will be electing your Regional and Asst. Regional Director.

For you that do not know John Mulligan SV-USA Judge passed away. John's funeral will be Thursday Jan.23, 10:00 AM. If you wish to send flowers 
you can by contacting Carols' Flowers in E. Peoria at 309-693-0093 or Becks in Peoria at 309-688-4416. John will be missed, especially by me.

Until next time.
Floyd