Question of the Week
Diana Skibinski
Crown Point, Indiana
Absolutely not. Member kennel clubs do not need anyone micromanaging their delegate choice.
Sue Bauman
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
I believe that term limits would be a way to get fresh eyes on all the AKC issues, as some have been delegates so long they are stuck in a rut and not looking for new ideas.
Bonnie Threlfall
Cary, North Carolina
Although it may place a burden on some member clubs without a decent-sized treasury whose delegate travels on their own nickel to enjoy fabulous lunches and/or assignment trade, a definite YES from me.
Julian McConnie
Silver Spring, Maryland
Term limits for AKC delegates? Yes, please.
Any healthy organization needs fresh ideas — private, non-profit or government. Keep the same people in the same seats year after year and you don’t get innovation, you get déjà vu.
Our AKC delegates are some of the most committed, experienced people in the sport. But are they truly representing the full spectrum of today’s fancy? Social media has been buzzing about lost revenue, lack of transparency and the $1.50 fee hike. The comments section was on fire with clever ways to boost income and cut costs — yet most of those voices weren’t delegates. Translation: great ideas, zero way to make them happen.
Meanwhile, there’s a whole bench of retired “rock stars” in the fancy — folks who’ve run companies, managed big budgets and solved tough problems — just waiting to be called in from the sidelines. Imagine that playbook in action.
Instead, when new ideas pop up, we hear: “That’s not how it works,” “You don’t know the fancy” or the classic, “We like things the way they are.”
If we want sustainability, mentorship and leadership succession, we can’t just keep passing the ball to the same players. Term limits = new energy, new solutions and a better future for our sport.
Jan Leonard
Denver, Colorado
No. The delegates are the choice of the club that has qualified to send a delegate to the meeting. Nothing should interfere with each club being able to choose the person they think will best represent them.
Dick Korn
Malabar, Florida
I do not favor term limits for delegates. The AKC is a very important part of our society and requires the very best leadership available.
I have met some very knowledgeable and capable delegates who should be encouraged to continue leadership in this community. Also, there are some clubs that have only one member who is able to serve as their delegate, and term limits would basically disenfranchise them.
Barbara Burns
Freeport, Illinois
I have been a delegate for the Rockford Freeport Illinois KC for more than five years. It takes a few years to get your bearings as a delegate. Over those five years I have been able to represent my club and have been successful in getting things done for my club. I have more to do, and I see that the latest issue my club is advocating is gaining ground. I believe it is up to the clubs to initiate term limits, not AKC. I do believe there should be term limits for committee members. That will be a challenge. Like Congress, no one will accept that change.
Lynda Lamensdorf
Memphis, Tennessee
It would make more sense for the "upper" echelon tier to be limited.
Sylvia Arrowwood
Charleston, South Carolina
Term limits for delegates, no. Another consideration: Should it be the club being served or the total time served as a delegate no matter the club? Many delegates have represented more than one club. This is not the easy question presented.