BoD Meeting Thursday, July 16, 2016
Here are the highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, July 21, 2016. Full motions will be published on the AAC website (Members section) once the minutes are approved and the motions are translated.
- The Board reminds all AAC competitors of the many benefits of becoming a member:Membership
- The new AAC database and web site is completing its testing phase. Stay tuned for more info!
- There were a large number of applicants for the 2017 AAC National Team, which will compete at the IFCS World Agility Championship in Valencia, Spain, in April 2017. Many of the applicants were trying for a National Team for the first time.
Seanna O’Neill has accepted the Team Manager role for 2016-2017, with Johanna Soto having accepted the Team Assistant Role.
See National Team Org.
- The following Regional bids have been approved by the National Steering Committee and the Board:
2017
- Alberta/NWT 2017 Regionals, June 23-25 2017 in Camrose, AB, hosted by Dynamo Dogsports;
- BC/Yukon 2017 Regionals, June 9-11, 2017, in Langley BC, hosted by the BC Yukon Regional Committee;
- Ontario West 2017 Regionals, May 26-28, 2017, in Barrie, ON, hosted by Red Barn Event Centre;
- Saskatchewan/Manitoba/Nunavut 2017 Regionals, May 20-21 2017, in Prince Albert, SK, hosted by Standsure Agility.
The Ontario East 2017 Regionals site location has been revised. Absolute Agility was pleased to advise that the site for June 2-3, 2017 will be
Centennial Park, Harrowsmith, ON;
2018
- Alberta/NWT 2017 Regionals, June 15-17 2018 in Red Deer, AB, hosted by Dynamo Dogsports;
- The 2016 National Team financials were reviewed.
- The Safety Committee is investigating two injury reports (one involving the tire, one. related to a cut from a metal jump cup).
- The Board continues to review a number of topics, including:
- Judges Attire
- AAC Forms and documentation updates
- Dog measurement categories;
- Course times for very small dogs;
- Various equipment-related topics;
- Membership questions
Congratulations to everyone who participated (competitors, volunteers, organizers) in the 2016 AAC Nationals in Montreal!
Reminder:
The nomination period for the 2016 AAC elections is now open:
AAC Election 2016
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Jennifer Laird at: jennifer.lairdaarf@gmail.com.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 18.
Rhéal Nadeau, Communications Officer
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AAC Board of Directors – June 2016 Meeting Highlights (unofficial)
Here are the highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, June 16, 2016. Full motions will be published on the AAC web site (Members section) once the minutes are approved and the motions are translated.
- The Board accepts the National Steering’s Committee recommendation to amend the bid process for Regionals or Nationals. Bids will now be accepted as early as 48 months, reviews and processing can be completed between 39-36 months before proposed events.
- The Equipment Committee has been asked to review the specifications for the broad jump.
- AAC National Agility Team Manager position for the 2017 Team has been awarded to Seanna O’Neill.
- The following SRC recommendation was accepted and will be effective January 1, 2017.
For all regular events using e-timing, the finish obstacle be defined as the finish line. Crossing the plane of the last obstacle will not be judged as a non-completion but as a refusal (5 fault penalty) IF the dog is brought back to complete the finish obstacle. If the dog is not brought back, the non-completion fault would be in effect. If the dog, while being brought back to complete the finish obstacle, takes it backwards - it will be judged as a "non-completion" penalty. Having stopped the time by doing so, all further judging will cease
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Jennifer Laird at jennifer.lairdaarf@gmail.com.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 21.
Rhéal Nadeau
Communications Officer
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To our valued members and clubs:
There is a possibility that Canada Post will have a labour disruption in the near future. If this happens, members are reminded that payments are still due based on our terms. Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal.
To make a payment, contact Heather Taylor at heathlor@amtelecom.net.
Thank you for you cooperation.
Colleen Fowler
Treasurer
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BoD Meeting Thursday, May 19, 2016
Here are the highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Full motions will be published on the AAC website (Members section) once the minutes are approved and the motions are translated.
- Effective immediately, in Regional and National events only, the final obstacle will be defined as the finish line. As a result, going past that obstacle will now be considered a refusal (5 faults) rather than a non-completion (20 faults). A dog that goes past the obstacle and then performs it backwards will stop the time and incur a non-completion fault. If the dog is not brought back to perform the obstacle, the non-completion fault would be in effect.
- A motion that toys used in FEO runs may not be thrown has been defeated. This will be left to the discretion of the hosting Club.
- The AAC National Team is recruiting Management and canine care personnel for the 2017 team, which will compete in Valencia, Spain, April 26-30, 2017 (2017 Nat. Team Staff ).
- The Board approves equipment specifications, clarifications and changes recommended by the Equipment Committee, including:
- A-Frame - slats are now optional on rubberized surfaces (effective immediately); A-Frame panels must be secured by two separate chains or other support devices (effective January 1, 2017).
Painted surface anti-slip specifications for slats have been clarified.
- Chute - the barrel chute will be phased out (effective July 1, 2018). Either the chuck wagon-style (flat-floor) or tunnel chute will be acceptable. In addition (effective immediately), the length of the chute fabric may be of six to eight feet in length.
- Jumps - effective in 2017, the use of one-piece jumps of any material will not be allowed at AAC National events.
- New members (judges only) from the Atlantic and Prairie regions are required for the Judges' Standing Advisory Committee. (Judges' Advisory Committee -PnP.htm).
- The new Development Committee is now in place and has begun work
- Final testing of the new AAC database and web site is under way
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Jennifer Laird at: jennifer.lairdaarf@gmail.com.
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The AAC and the AAC National Team Management Group are looking for people to fill the following positions with the 2017 AAC National Team, who will be competing in Spain at the end of April, 2017:
- Manager / Assistant Manager / Canine Chiropractor / Canine Physiotherapist.
If you're supremely organized, great under pressure and up for a little adventure, consider applying for a position with the Management of the AAC National Team.
Manager/Assistant Manager duties will include working with the AAC National Team Management Group to:
- assist the team with all aspects of preparation before / during/ and after the event, including making travel arrangements, and complying with health/veterinary requirements;
- work to coordinate information and define/accomplish goals;
- work with team members to coordinating fundraising campaigns;
- assist team members with selecting and acquiring uniforms and other gear;
- coordinate remote coaching and other preparatory exercises;
- act as liaison between team members and event officials at the event;
- manage team members at the event
Those with previous experience in organizing international travel with dogs, or who have International agility competition experience will be given priority, as will those who have demonstrated a commitment to the AAC National Team program. Great communication and people skills, a flexible schedule, and bilingualism will also be considered assets.
The Manager and Assistant Manager will also be expected to be in attendance at the AAC National Championships (at their own cost), in order to to assess the potential candidates for draft selection, and help with scoring and fundraising at the event.
These are volunteer positions; however flight/hotel/vehicle expenses for both positions will be covered for the World Championship event. Application forms can be found on the AAC National Team page, and deadline for applications is June 9, 2016.
Chiropractor/Physiotherapist duties will include:
- advising team members on how to physically prepare their dogs in the months before competition
- traveling with the team to assist at the competition with Chiropractic/Physiotherapy needs
- assisting with the sponsorship/fundraising effort dedicated to travel expenses for these positions
Those with previous experience with looking after dogs at an International agility competition experience, and those who are also Veterinarians will be given priority, as will those chiropractors who can meet the needs of both human and canine athletes. Great communication and people skills, a flexible schedule, and bilingualism will also be considered assets.
Depending on the efficacy of our fundraising efforts, some portion of the travel expenses for the health care practicioners may be covered. If some portion of the expenses are covered, the fee for services to the team would be reduced by a similar amount.
Application forms can be found on the AAC National Team page, and deadline for applications is June 9, 2016.
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BoD Meeting Thursday, April 28, 2016
Here are the highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, April 28, 2016. Full motions will be published on the AAC website (Members section) once the minutes are approved and the motions are translated.
- Congratulations to the AAC National Team, which finished second overall (out of 16 countries) at the IFCS World Championship, with many great runs and results: 2016-results.
- The Board amends the Veterans requirement to clarify that five-year-old dogs may move to Veterans if they have been competing in Specials during the 12 immediate months preceding the move.
- The Board accepts the recommendation of the Standing Rule Committee (SRC) to allow optional start and/or finish jumps in Snooker (effective January 1, 2017). A member suggestion to allow an optional start jump in Gamblers was rejected.
- The Board clarified the rule for FEO runs to indicate that, for safety reasons, toys may not be thrown.
- Successful candidates for the new AAC Development Committee have been contacted, and the committee should soon be active.
- Once the new AAC database and website (currently undergoing testing) are implemented, the administration fee for PayPal and credit card payments will be set at 3%.
- Discussions continue on a number of possible changes that would have significant impact (for example, reviewing jump heights and cut-offs, chute, etc.)
- In addition to the topics above, the Board discussed a number of questions and proposals from members, for example the height of the tire, tunnel movement during trials, Regional sites, etc. Some topics were referred to the appropriate committee, replies were prepared for others.
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Jennifer Laird at jennifer.lairdaarf@gmail.com.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 19.
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The dog sports community of B.C.'s Interior lost a bright light on April 7th, when Adele McNiven passed away. Adele loved training dogs - and she excelled at it. She also loved her many whippets – Little Dude, Montana, Gunner, Zoomy, Poppy, Bec and Elsa.
She became president of the Whippet Club of B.C. in 2002, and she built it up from a small club to a thriving one that hosted events in Agility, Rally-O, Obedience, CARO Racing and Confirmation. Adele was a judge in Agility (AAC, UKI and CKC), Lure Coursing (both in Canada and the U.S.), Rally-O, and DOCNA. She was also the CKC Rep for B.C., and played an integral part in developing new CKC events. As if that wasn't enough, she was also a Canine Good Neighbour Evaluator, and wrote articles for several dog sports publications.
On top of all these accomplishments, Adele and her husband of 51 years (Don) found time to travel the world, often by motorcycle. And she always found time to spend with her three children, Darren, Heather and Neil, and her adored grandchildren, Makena and Corbin.
Adele will be greatly missed by all who knew her; her enthusiasm for life and for dog sports was a joy to experience. She was truly one of a kind.
Jan Johnson, CODAC
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BoD Meeting Thursday, March 17, 2016
Here are the highlights of the AAC Board meeting held on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Full motions will be published on the AAC website (Members section) once the minutes are approved and the motions are translated.
- The AAC National Team is getting ready to leave for the Netherlands to participate in the IFCS World Championship April 13-17. A full report on the Team will be published in the next issue of On Course.
- The Board accepts the Equipment Committee's recommendation to disallow the S-shaped tunnel in courses, except for soft S shapes under the A-Frame and dog walk. (Effective January 1, 2017)
- The Board accepts the Junior Handler Committee's recommendation to add Junior National awards for the Nationals events (the top 10 junior handlers by aggregate score will receive awards equivalent to the other Nationals aggregate winners). The Board also approves changes to the separate Junior Handler Championship.
- The Board accepts the Judges' Standing Advisory Committee's clarification of weave performance in the Snooker opening for Starters and Advanced: until the weaves are completed no activity (pop-out, back weave, etc.) will be faulted.
- The Board agrees to continue holding the 3-Dog Team event at Nationals for 2016 and beyond. For 2016, all handlers must be AAC members as of the Nationals closing date (starting in 2017, participants will have to be members as of April 1)
- The Board discussed a number of questions from members, responded to some and referred others to the appropriate Committees for consideration.
- New members are needed for the Standing Rules Committee, (RuleCommittee-PnP), for the following regions: BC Mainland, BC Vancouver Island, NB-PEI, and SK-MB-NU.
To obtain a copy of the AAC Board minutes (in English or French, once approved), email Jennifer Laird at jennifer.lairdaarf@gmail.com.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 21.
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The AAC is looking for a Technical Systems Administrator. The successful candidate will be the custodian and technical expert on the AAC Database system and will provide the primary in-house frontline desktop and software related technical support to the end users.
This is an independent contractor position. The duration of the contract is four (4) months, (which may be extended on approval from the AAC board of directors).
Further details including job description and qualifications are available from the link below. Deadline for applications is February 14, 2016
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