Proximity to New York City has been a major consideration for some clubs in naming their delegates to the American Kennel Club.
Fri, 09/30/2022 - 7:59am

Editorial: September 30, 2022

Delegates: Diligent or Delinquent?

What is the role of a club delegate? In simple terms, the American Kennel Club is a club of member clubs. These member clubs are entitled to have a delegate to represent them. In years past, a club delegate was a member of that member club and lived in that community. It was presumed that member clubs had enough money to send a delegate, or a wealthy member to absorb the cost to travel to New York for the meetings. Parent clubs would often elect delegates who lived near New York City, where the delegate meetings were held, to cut down on expenses. Years passed, and the practice evolved to include member kennel clubs electing a delegate who neither lived in the club’s incorporated area nor was for that matter a member until they were selected to be their delegate. In other words, a delegate who lived in New Jersey represented a club from California. This was the start of a disconnect: Western states had fewer but larger shows as the choices were few, the East Coast was saturated with shows, and the Midwest had a bit of both. Different parts of the country had different situations and realities; the values and exposure were different and not really understood. That brings us to the present, where the dynamics of breeding and exhibiting and the cost of breeding dogs are much different than years ago. The AKC board, the staff and the delegates suggest rule changes. These member club delegates speak for the entire sport. When it comes to major changes, should the delegates notify their respective club members, only seek the advice of the club officers or just vote as they see fit? How long has your delegate represented your club and are they active breeding and exhibiting dogs? We know the turnover in the delegate body is large, coupled with delegates who have served for decades. With the advent of committees, created and endorsed by David Merriam, the delegates serve and get paid a stipend to attend those Monday committee meetings, where each committee meets with its members. On Tuesday, the traditional day of the delegates meeting, when all the delegates present are together and topics can be discussed by the entire body, the meetings are not very long. 

For example, the June delegate meeting, the latest one posted on the AKC website, was called to order at 10:06 a.m. and adjourned at 11:55 a.m. All that travel and expense for a meeting that lasted one hour and 49 minutes. It’s no wonder that the directors can push through almost everything they want without much discussion. Yet the committees last all day. We are so pleased that there aren't any pressing issues that we face as a community that the meeting was less than two hours. 

 

 

© Dog News. This article may not be reposted, reprinted, rewritten, excerpted or otherwise duplicated in any medium without the express written permission of the publisher.

Stay Connected

YES! Send me Dog News' free newsletter!