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2015 Annual Meeting Agenda
July 18, 2015
Newtown, VA 23126

PLEASE NOTE THE CURRENT CHANGES TO THE HANDICAPPED RULES THAT WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING!!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE WAS ALSO A CORRECTION TO THE DIRECTIONS TO THE MEETING.

Annual Awards and Luncheon will be held at 11:00am at 761 Indian Neck Road Newtown, VA 23126
Annual Meeting to follow at same location at 1:00pm
This year we will hand out the annual awards at lunch. Lunch will be provided by the Association. Lunch Menu:

BBQ, Baked beans, Coleslaw, Hush Puppies and drinks.
(Click here for agenda)

Please Note everyone will be on there own for dinner (Click here for some suggestions)

(Click Here for directions)

Handicapped Rule will be discussed and revisions voted on.

Click Herre for Current suggested revisions for presentation to membership

Hotels available in the area:

Hotel Rooms in Glen Allen:

All located on Route 1 South from Rt. 295

All are priced around $70./night, Not including tax for 2 Queen size beds.

Econo Lodge                                     Days Inn
8350 Brook Road                             8613 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23227                       Richmond, VA 23060
804-262-7070                                   804-261-0188
www.EconoLodge.com                       www.daysinn.com/hotel


America’s Best Value Inn                 Knights Inn
8901 Brook          Road                              9002 Brook Road
Glenn Allen, VA 23060                    Glenn Allen, VA 23060
804-553-8395                                   804-266-2444
www.abvi.com                                  www.knightsinn.com

                                                         
Hotel Rooms in Mechanicsville:

Located on RT 360 West from Rt. 295

Holiday Inn Express   $130./night, Not including tax for 2 Queen sized beds
7441 Bell Creek Rd
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
804-559-0022
www.hiexpress.com

Welcome – Art Mourino

Voting members sign in

Minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting – Yvonne McKeag

Old Business:

  1. Treasurer’s Report – Yvonne McKeag
  2. Secretary Report - coupons how they are sent out
  3. Futurity Report – Ted Riley/Verlene Stephenson
  4. Sponsors –Art
  5. USCSDA – Purina Top Dogs and Handlers Program
  6. Website
  7. Insurance
  8. Discussion and Vote on Proposed Rule Changes – Rules Committee
    1. Handicapped Rule (Click here to see proposals)

New Business

  1. How to interest young people in our sport.
  2. Programs to get youth involved in field trials
  3. Should there be a merging of USCSDA and NBHA
  4. 2015-2016 Championship Schedule
  5. Trial Schedule
  6. National Championship Rotation
  7. Election Committee


 

Directions to Annual Meeting:
761 Indian Neck Road
Newtown, VA 23126
Take Rt 360 West from Rt 295 about 25 miles to Rt 721 take a left at Bradley’s Store and travel 9 miles to Indian Neck Road, take a Right and go .5 miles to 761 Indian Neck Road.  A red fence is at the bottom of the road.

If time permits, Richmond has become a restaurant town:
My choices but can get pricy:

Buckheads, Lemaire, Acacia mid-town, Millie’s Dinner, The Roosevelt, Tobacco Company.  Check out Best Restaurants and top 30 things to do in Richmond on the internet for more choices.  Also Williamsburg is about 50 miles away

4 Proposed Rule Changes for the Handicapped Rule

Please let me or Art Mourino know how you feel about these proposals:

Art Mourino, President apmourin@vcu.edu

Yvonne McKeag, Secretary uscsda@hotmail.com

You can also vote for no change.

Proposal 1

No Change

Proposal 2

Handicapped rule is not be used in any Championships. It can only be used for weekend trials

Proporal 3

 

Walking Handicap Handling Rules

1. All Handicap handlers shall possess documentation identifying him/her as being handicap to a point that would prevent him/her from handling a dog from foot for a period of 30 minutes or longer on the trial grounds.  Such documentation shall be signed by a medical doctor or issued by a public authority with power to make determinations of an individual being handicapped to a point that he/her would qualify as described above. A handicap parking permit will not qualify as required documentation. The field trial chairman/chairwoman and the judges shall make all decisions as to whether the handler qualifies as a handicap handler and that the documentation presented meets the requirements as described above.

 2.  All handicap handlers shall declare their desire to participate as a handicap handler when the dog is entered and present their documentation to the field trial chairman/chairwoman upon their arrival at the field trial grounds.  Once declared, a handicap handler may not change his intent to run as a handicap handler. In cases where state owned property requires that the permit applicant identify motorized vehicle use and users prior to permit issue it shall be the responsibility of the handicap handler to provide that information in a timely manner.

 3. The mode of transportation for the handicap handler shall be an ATV/”4 wheeler” or golf cart furnished by the handicap handler except in cases where ATV/”4 wheelers” or golf cart other than official field trial vehicles are not permitted on the course.  In such cases the mode of transportation shall be a horse furnished by the handler.

 4. At all times the ATV/ “4 wheeler”, golf cart or horse mounted handicap handler shall follow a designated walker who shall be furnished by the handicap handler.  The handicap handler shall not pass the designated walker at any time.  This designated walker shall in no way handle or call the dog during the running of the brace including calling point for the dog.  The designated walker is a “walker” and his pace shall remain at a walking pace as determined by the judges at all times.  The sole purpose of the designated walker is to set the walking pace for the handicap handler.  The handicap handler may tell the designated walker the direction he wants him to go either by voice or hand signals. Once the brace has started the handicap handler shall remain mounted on the ATV/”4 wheeler”, golf cart or horse except to flush for the dog, water the dog or if permission to dismount is granted by the judge.

 5. The handicap handler and his designated walker may pass his brace mate in the same manner one walking handler passes another. however the handicap handler shall remain behind his designated walker.  The handicap handler may not pass his brace mate when his brace mate’s dog is on point or his brace mate is flushing unless permission is first obtained from the judge.

 6. Once mounted, or seated on the ATV/”4 wheeler”, golf cart or horse the handicap handler shall remain mounted or seated except to dismount to flush for a pointing dog, to water the dog, or with permission of the judge.

 7. Any violation of these rules shall be cause for a judge to order up the dog being handled by the handicap handler and banning that dog and the handicap handler from further completion in the stake.



 

Proposal 4

                   Proposed Handicap Rule--4
The stake manager will confirm the handicap status of any participant declaring he/she is handicapped by determining if the handler in question has his/her name on the approved list.  The USCSDA secretary will keep a current list of handicapped handlers  and it is the responsibility of the potentially handicapped handler to have his/her name on the approved list  by supplying a proof of age document (copy of birth certificate, driver’s license), a state approved placard or a signed doctor’s statement to the secretary.  The list will be kept current and posted on the USCSDA website.
A handicapped handler is defined as:

  1. An amateur handler who is 75 yrs. or older
  2. An amateur handler under 75 yrs. of age who has filed a timely doctor’s statement* with the USCSDA secretary saying the would-be handler cannot/should not walk at a field trial pace for 30 minutes.
  3. An acute situation may present itself when for example an amateur person under 75 severely sprains an ankle during a brace/trial.  In cases like this the trial chairman along with the judges may declare the person handicapped for the brace and/or the remainder of the trial.

All professional handlers will walk.
 On grounds where state and/or federal handicap rules apply the state/federal definitions and rules take precedence.  Note that these rules differ from state to state.
Other stipulations:

  1. The handicapped handler may choose a replacement handler or may choose to ride and will be responsible for providing  an electric golf cart (preferable) or gas powered golf cart or ATV (less preferable) when handling.   A horse (least preferable) may be used only if a golf cart or ATV is prohibited from being used.  If only one golf cart/ATV is allowed on the course the handicapped handler will have preference over using the cart for planting birds. 
  2.   The walking handler will determine the pace of the brace unless two handicapped handlers are in the same brace in which case the judges will determine the proper walking pace.  The judges will insure the handicapped handler will not use the chosen method of conveyance to achieve any unfair advantage under penalty of disqualification.  Fairness in an unequal situation is the goal.  At all times the emphasis will be on preserving the walking nature of the stakes.

Doctors Statement**
Date signed_____________                     Time span statement is in effect_________________
This is to certify that _________________________ cannot/should not walk continuously at a field trial                                         (Name of handler)      
pace (3- 5 mph) for 30 minutes because__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
(Medical Diagnosis)
_________________________________________
Physician’s signature

**  This statement will be available for print out from the USCSDA website or it can be mailed from the USCSDA secretary to the would-be handicapped handler.

 

 

Proposal 6

 

The stake manager and field trial chairman will confirm the disability status of any participant who declares that he/she is disable by determining if his/her name is on the approved listed kept by the USCSDA secretary. 

It is the responsibility of the disabled handler to have his/her name on the approved list by supplying a signed doctor’s statement to the secretary or a state placard attesting to the disability.  This list will be kept current and posted on the USCSDA website.

 A disabled hander may choose a replacement amateur handler or may choose to ride in order of preference an electric golf cart, a 4-wheeler or horse when handling.  A horse can only be used if an electric golf cart or 4-wheeler is not allowed.  The walking handler will determine the pace and the disabled handler will not use the chosen method of conveyance to achieve an unfair advantage.

The disabled handler can only run 2 dogs in an amateur or open stake.

The disability rule will not be used in Open U.S. Complete Championships.  The rule can be used in Open trials that are not championships.

                               

DOCTOR’S STATEMENT

 

Date signed _____________  Time span statement is in effect __________

 

This is to certify ________________ cannot or should not walk

                             Name of Handler

 

Continuously at a field trial pace (3-5 mph) for 1 hour because

(Medical Diagnosis)

 

_____________________________________________________________
Physician’s signature                                           Telephone number

 

Address_______________________________________________________

             _______________________________________________________

Proposal 7

The discussion over amending the handicap policy identified a number of elements that should be addressed in any changes to the rules. The agenda as written, however, presents four alternative amendments to the policy, each of which addresses some but not all of these main elements. In addition, the proposals contain varying levels of specificity, which further complicates comparison between alternatives. Rather than voting on one of four distinct proposals, one possible alternative would be to take a nonbinding vote on each of the relevant questions (a list of questions that I have identified are listed below) and have the secretary construct a single proposal based on the majority response. Then, the membership could take a final vote on the unified proposal.
In reading the discussion, I believe the main elements are as follows:

  1. Is the trial chairman or the USCSDA secretary responsible for certifying a handler’s handicapped status?
    1. If the USCDA secretary is responsible, how long must documentation be sent to the secretary before the individual is able to register for a trial?
    2. If the trial chairman is responsible, is s/he responsible for sending a copy of the documentation along with the essential data form to the USCSDA?
  2. Does the handicapped handler need to fill out a specific USCSDA form, or is any doctor’s note that specifies they are unable to walk for 30-60 minutes acceptable?
  3. Can a professional handler be considered a handicapped handler?
  4. Are amateur handlers over a specified age granted disabled status without any additional documentation?
  5. Are professional handlers over a specified age granted disabled status without any additional documentation?
  6. Are disabled handlers restricted to handling a limited number of dogs at a trial?
  7. Is a handicapped placard sufficient to be considered to have disabled handler status?
  8. Is disability status indefinite, or will handlers be required to have a doctor’s notes dated within a certain time period?
  9. If a handicapped handler chooses a replacement handler (Proposal 2 and 3) and the dog places, which individual receives points for the win?
  10. Can a handicapped handler elect to walk a brace?
  11. Can a handicapped handler change their means of conveyance (walking vs. riding) during the course of the brace?
  12. Can a third party drive the vehicle while the disabled handler sits in the passenger seat?

Furthermore, I believe it is ill advised to require the handler to specify a medical diagnosis on the doctor’s note (Proposals 2, 3 & 4) or publish a list of handicapped individuals publically on the organization’s website, as this may open the USCSDA to liability and is not necessary to achieve the goals of this policy.
Below, I have included a revised draft of the handicapped rule that incorporates all of the main elements listed above. This could serve as a template for the secretary to modify based on the majority positions on the questions above to produce a final rule that could be voted on for final approval.

 

Proposed Amendment to the Handicapped Rule

  1. A disabled handler shall be defined as any handler that has a physical disability preventing him or her from handling a dog from foot for the full duration of a brace, generally between thirty (30) and sixty (60) minutes, or any handler over the age of seventy (70).
  2. All disabled handlers shall declare their desire to participate as a disabled handler when entering their dog in the trial and present their documentation to the field trial chairman upon arrival at the field trial grounds. The handler may not compete without presenting documentation to the trial chairman.  Once declared, a disabled handler may not change his intent to run as a disabled handler for the trial. A disabled handler may run in any open stake but can run no more than two (2) dogs in each stake nor can receive more than one entry fee in prize money per stake. In cases where state owned property requires that the permit applicant identify motorized vehicle use and users prior to permit issue it shall be the responsibility of the disabled handler to provide that information in a timely manner.
  3. All disabled handlers shall bring documentation supporting their disabled status to any trial in which they participate.  The field trial chairman shall be responsible for determining if the documentation presented meets the requirements as described above. The chairman shall send a copy of the documentation to the USCSDA along with the required Essential Data forms at the completion of the trial. The only documentation that shall be accepted for the purposes of identifying a disabled handler are as follows:
    1. A letter signed by a medical doctor and dated within one (1) year of the running date of the trial that specifically states that the individual has a physical disability preventing him or her from walking over uneven ground for a period between thirty (30) and sixty (60) minutes.
    2. A valid and unexpired disabled parking placard or the registration for a vehicle with a disabled parking plate issued directly to the handler. Any such documentation must contain the handler’s full name.
    3. Any form of government-issued identification which states both the handler’s name and date of birth, if the date of birth is seventy (70) or more years before the date of the trial.
  4. The mode of transportation for the disabled handler shall be an all-terrain vehicle (also referred to as “ATVs” or “4-wheelers”) or golf cart furnished by the disabled handler. In cases where motorized vehicles other than official field trial vehicles are not permitted on the course, the means of conveyance shall be a horse furnished by the handler.
  5. Disabled handlers riding an all-terrain vehicle or horse shall follow a “designated walker” who shall be furnished by the disabled handler. The disabled handler must be in control of their means of conveyance at all times. No other third party may steer or lead the means of conveyance while the disabled handler is riding.  The disabled handler shall not pass the designated walker at any time.  This designated walker shall in no way handle or call the dog during the running of the brace including calling point for the dog.  The designated walker shall travel no faster than the walking pace as determined by the judges.  The sole purpose of the designated walker is to set the walking pace for the disabled handler.  The disabled handler may tell the designated walker the direction he wants him to go either by voice or hand signals. The disabled handler shall remain mounted except to flush for the dog, water the dog or if permission to dismount is granted by the judge.
  6. The handicap handler and his designated walker may pass his brace mate in the same manner one walking handler passes another. however the handicap handler shall remain behind his designated walker.  The handicap handler may not pass his brace mate when his brace mate’s dog is on point or his brace mate is flushing unless permission is first obtained from the judge.
  7. A disabled handler may elect to walk a brace and are not bound to the provisions of §V and VI. While the handler is walking, their means of conveyance shall be ridden by a designated third party at the rear of the walking gallery. At any time, the walking disabled handler may choose to use their means of conveyance. Once they elect to do so, however, they may not return to walking and are bound to the restrictions of §V and VI.
  8. Any violation of these rules shall be cause for a judge to order up the dog being handled by the handicap handler and prohibiting that dog and the handicap handler from further completion in the stake. In no cases shall the entry fee be refunded to the disabled handler if their dog is removed from competition for the violation of these rules.