WRC-NAVHDA Annual Membership Meeting

February 8, 2025 10:00 AM

Attendees: Sandee Macht, Amanda Venturino, Tim Kill, John Bogdanske, Brad Wagner, Jacob

Zeuske, Andy Prell, Donna Cochenet, David Terrall, Gordy Paulson, Sarah Ryan, Shannon

Ryan, Ryan Tredinnick, John Masters

• Sandee called the meeting to order thanking the outgoing officers Gordy Paulson, Shannon Ryan and Chris Worley for their work.

• She welcomed and introduced the new officers Andy Prell (Vice President), Brad Wagner (Treasurer-1 year term) and Donna Cochenet (Secretary). She also thanked Jacob Zeuske for his past and continued commitment as Training Director. In addition the continuing 2025 officers include: Sandee Macht (President), John Venturino (Promotions), Amanda Venturino (Webmaster), John Bogdanske (Test Secretary) and Tim Kill (Test Director). At the end of this year the positions of President and Treasurer will be open for the 2026 season.

Unfinished Business:

• New member orientation – Amanda suggested the need for volunteers or possible “mentors” to welcome new members. Jacob mentioned that in another club they have a new member coordinator who welcomes new members with info packets. Gordy and Donna explained that North Central NAVHDA holds an orientation day for new members prior to the training season. Ryan suggested setting up a new member area on training days. Current members could greet them and offer assistance. Brad offered to put together a welcome packet including favorite training articles. This information would be included on the website. Gordy will try to obtain a copy of the new member orientation packet from NCW-NAVHDA. Sandee questioned whether a committee or a single person coordinator should be established. Brad, Sandee and Ryan will pursue some of these suggestions and develop a welcome packet. Amanda will update the website as needed.

New Business:

• Sandee shared a brief synopsis of the International NAVHDA Annual meeting in Bozeman, MT. 40 chapters out of 120 sent a delegate to the meeting. The motion to create the option for a lifetime membership was rejected. Out of region judge requirement was modified to 500 miles. Utility Preparatory Test (UPT) was eliminated and replaced by the Gun Dog Test (GDT). The major change is the removal of the duck search from this test.

• 2026 Annual Meeting will be held in San Antonio, Texas.

• Training and Testing dates are as follows:

  • March 15 Saturday, April 12 Saturday, May 3 Saturday, June 15 Sunday, June 21 & 22 Saturday-Sunday (potential AIMS Clinic), July 19 Saturday, August 10 Sunday

  • May 10 & 11 NA only, August 2 & 3 NA, GDT, UT

• Weekday Training

• Weekday evening training is not a scheduled event. Members are encouraged to form small groups with similar goals to train together. Most members who regularly train on weeknights are working towards a UT level dog and need helpers to gun or plant birds (ie ducks). Members are encouraged to house their own birds for weeknight use or volunteer to pick up birds from the bird supplier for the group. Remember that other dog groups also use the Mazo grounds. The training grounds may be reserved by another dog training group. Consult the Mazo Grounds calendar for dates.

• AIMS & Rules Clinic

• Brad will pursue organizing an AIMS & Rules training clinic to be held on June 21-22. A request to hold this training clinic will be submitted to Int NAVHDA. Upon approval they will assign a judge as clinic leader to conduct the training. Our chapter will be responsible for the judges travel costs. Jacob mentioned that the Mazo town hall could be reserved for the classroom part. Amanda will add the dates and info to the website.

• Donations

• Friends of Poynette Game Farm (FPGF) - In the past our chapter has supported FPGF with a monetary donation. FPGF conducts learn to hunt programs with the assistance from area dog training clubs. Following a discussion a motion was made by Gordy to make a $250 donation to FPGF, Brad 2 nd . Motion passed. Sauk Prairie Trap & Skeet Club and Corey Bauer bird supplier – After a short discussion it was decided to make a donation to our bird supplier and to Sauk Prairie Trap & Skeet for use of their clubhouse for the annual meeting. Gordy made a motion to donate the same amounts as last year, Andy 2nd . Motion passed.

• Treasurer report

• Brad presented the 2024 Treasurer report. He explained that the chapter ended the year with a loss of $2573.99. He mentioned that the new testing fees should help improve the deficit for this next year. Ryan moved to accept the report, Sarah 2 nd . Motion approved. Brad will submit the annual filing to the State of Wisconsin and Federal IRS. Tim mentioned a reminder to pay for parking the chapter trailer ($75).

• Electronic Payments

• Brad presented an electronic payment system (Square) to use for paying membership dues, testing fees and bird orders. He felt electronic payments would be beneficial for the treasurer and Jacob who fills the bird orders. Jacob asked that a limit be set on the number of birds ordered per person. If large number of birds are ordered, the bird supplier might not currently have that many in inventory. A cut-off date for ordering may need to be established so the total number of birds needed can be ordered from the bird supplier in a timely manner. Shannon suggested that if a dog owner does not show up for training to claim his birds, the bird order fee would be non-refundable. Additional discussions included requiring electronic payment, paying for extra birds with credit card, set up a members only profile, need mechanism for non-members to pay testing fees, require test entry to sign up thru International website portal, develop a PDF packet on how to use the Square payment system, transaction fees paid by orderer (2.9% of fee + $0.30 per transaction), add cut-off date for ordering birds on website. Shannon made a motion that there would be no refund if birds are not picked up when ordered. Ryan 2 nd . Motion passed.

• WRC Merchandise

• Amanda described a fundraiser selling Yeti stainless steel mugs/drinkware etched with the WRC logo. WRC must place a minimum order of 24 items or $300. Several options are available from mugs to water bottles. Discussions occurred regarding which items to make available for the general membership to order, how much revenue the chapter would receive with this fundraiser, would the mug or bottle fit in car’s cupholder and should the chapter purchase several to show the members. Amanda would open the store to members in time to receive items by May. Shannon made the motion that Amanda should choose a few styles for the members’ options and buy extras for the Executive board to give to judges as gifts. Sandee 2 nd . Motion passed.

• Miscellaneous

• Trailer inventory – Brad will take inventory of the supplies in the trailer. Possible items that may need to be purchased or made include bird bags and tie out stakes. Brad may make training supplies such as force fetch dowels. Lifetime membership – Thoughts were expressed whether this would be an honorary chapter membership or paid lifetime membership. For insurance purposes a lifetime chapter member probably needs to be an International member. Sandee questioned whether WRC should proceed since NAVHDA International has tabled the issue. Sandee made the motion that WRC’s Executive committee should discuss and review the issues. Gordy 2nd . Motion approved.

• Bird supply – Jacob mentioned there are no issues at this time.

• Insurance waivers – Liability waivers will be made available for any non-member who leaves the pavilion area to participate or watch training sessions afield. Blank copies of the waivers will be stored in the trailer.

• Opportunities for volunteerism – Amanda will develop a web page describing opportunities to volunteer and promote hunting using trained gun dogs. She’ll include information for Friends of Poynette Game Farm (FPGF) and Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo (MOHEE). Gordy moved to adjourn the meeting. Tim 2 nd . Motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 11:50 am.