michigan dutch rabbit clubmidutchclub.com/news_files/mdrc winter newsletter.pdf · 3 secretary’s...

MICHIGAN DUTCH RABBIT CLUB

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President’s Message It is hard to believe the 2017 show season will soon begin. The first show here in Michigan will be the 75th MSRBA Annual Convention March 3rd, 4th and 5th. Rabbit School commences on Friday night and the shows begin bright and early Saturday morning. Speaking of Saturday morning, we will have our annual raffle and Dutch booth on Saturday. This year it will be very important for our members to support our raffle by bringing some quality items as it is the last big money maker before for our NDS show in be held in Kalamazoo the last weekend in April 2018. We will also need adult help behind the raffle table on Saturday. Our annual spring meeting will be held on Sunday morning along with the awarding of the 2016 Sweepstake awards. We will post the time at the booth for the meeting after we get the Sunday morning MSRBA starting time for the show.

I would like say thank you to a few of our members who have stepped forward into new positions within our club. Nancy Taylor will be our new Vice President, Andrea Perez will be our new Treasurer, Jenny Janetzke will be our new Secretary and Charlene Hecht and Rachel Ehnis will be serving as two of our new Directors along with Nancy Mason who is an ongoing Director for another year, and Katie Gibbs will be our 2017 youth Director. A big THANK YOU to Julie Hume our outgoing Secretary-Treasurer and Kristy Grinold our outgoing Vice President. Both Kristy and Julie have held several positions in our club over the years and I personally want to say thank you to both of you for all you have done for MDRC.

In this issue of the newsletter is the updated MDRC Constitution and By-Laws. Changes were voted on and approved at our 2016 fall meeting, and this is the recent updated version available to our membership.

In closing, if you have any agenda items please send them to Jenny by February 15th so they can be discussed at our March 5th meeting.

I’m starting to get some promising juniors for this years’ NDS to be held in Ohio on last weekend in April, I hope all of our MDRC members are planning on attending. See you all soon, IT’S TIME FOR A RABBIT SHOW!

Janet

Officers and Directors

Janet Bowers, President 517-449-8341

[email protected]

Nancy Taylor Vice-President

989-225-0510 [email protected]

Jenny Janetzke Secretary 616-642-6637

[email protected]

Andrea Perez Treasuer


Nancy Mason Director


Rachel Ehnis Director


Charlene Hecht Director


Katie Gibbs Youth Director


Terms expiring in 2017 include Janet B., Jenny J., Nancy M., and Katie G. Terms expiring in 2018 include Nancy T. , Charlene H.,

and Andrea P. The MDRC will be holding a raffle at the March convention at MSU. Please consider donating quality items! There will

be a club meeting on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. at the show arena.

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Vice President’s Message Happy New Year to MDRC members! The New Year is a time for resolutions, and with the election of new officers and directors, the timing is perfect. “Resolutions” might be better understood as “re-solutions,” and new people in old positions are the perfect way to come up with new solutions to old problems, and new, improved ways to operate. New people in new positions, along with the wisdom and experience of long-time officers and directors, help our resolve to do even better for our rabbits and our members.

Our resolve to be successful means that we must work together towards a common goal. The problem is that there IS no common goal. MDRC is a club with a complete constitution and set of by-laws and NO mission! When Stephen Covey talks about best practices for success by organizations, he encourages the membership to “keep things simple by adhering to the basic values instrumental in the birthing of the organization.” Well, we can’t do that, because MDRC has NO mission to guide us! Each of us probably has his or her own ideas why the MDRC is important, but our ideas are bound to vary and without knowing the goals of the founders or having a mission to guide us, we are bound to struggle. We need a mission!

Perhaps a mission will be my mission, this year.

Respectfully,

Nancy Taylor

Did you know that all officers MUST be members of ARBA and must be Michigan residents? Did you know that MDRC bylaws require that the president call at least two general membership meetings per year, along with two executive board meetings? Did you know that the MDRC constitution requires that MDRC holds at least one all-Dutch show each year?

Find us online!

Website: www.midutchclub.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/michigandutchrabbitclub

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Secretary’s Message With the New Year, comes a new face. Beginning January 1, 2017, I started my position as Secretary of the Michigan Dutch Rabbit Club. My name is Jenny Janetzke and I am from Saranac, MI. I became involved with the club through my son showing in the youth division at ARBA shows in Michigan. While the rabbit project is his, I have found myself learning more and more about the breeding and showing of the Dutch rabbit through MDRC members and shows. The outpouring of support has been amazing; from Bryant’s first ARBA show in September 2015, overcoming adversity throughout the year, to celebrating his successes. While the love of the Dutch rabbit can’t be ignored, neither can the people who make up the Michigan Dutch Rabbit Club. The overall goal of raising rabbits is to better the breed, but being a part of the MDRC also provides lasting friendships in return.

During 2017, my goal is to make connections purposeful in order to promote the MDRC, which will in turn build membership. The people are what make the club, a club. Members should have this on the forefront of their mind when meeting new people through the sales of rabbits, or at shows. If people become educated with what is offered within the MDRC, they will come.

Thank you for the warm welcome. I am excited to collaborate and work with a talented group of people.

Submitted Respectfully,

Jenny

MDRC Secretary

Upcoming Shows in Michigan…….mark your calendars!

Ø March 3rd-5th: The 75th Annual MSRBA Convention in East Lansing

Ø March 25th: Lapeer

Ø April 1st: Evart

Ø April 8th: Kalamazoo

Ø April 22nd & 23rd: Ionia

Visit the ARBA website at www.arba.net for a full list of shows!

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Minutes from last club meeting Minutes of the MDRC meeting held on November 27, 2016

Call to order at 7:38 am at the Pavilion in East Lansing, MI.

Roll call of officers:

Present: Janet Bowers, Kristy Grinold, Julie Hume, Nancy Taylor, Andrea Perez, Nancy Mason, Katie Gibbs

Secretary’s Report: the minutes from the 7/9/16 meeting were published in the newsletter. Shannon Krolikowski moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Nancy Mason. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Currently the club has $3,156.65 in the account. Andrea Perez moved to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by Shannon Krolikowsk. Motion carried.

Officer’s Reports: There were no officer’s reports.

Unfinished business:

2018 National Dutch Show: Selection of judges needs to be made. The senior judge is voted on by the membership. Glen Carr is at the top of the list, followed by Kevin Hooper, then Erik Bengtson. As Glen Carr is senior judge for 2017 NDS, Kevin will be asked first, then Erik. Five judges will be hired for open in the following order:

Kevin Hooper

Erik Bengtson

Glen Carr

David Moll

John Grimm

Josh Humphries

Dr Chris Hayhow

For youth two judges will be hired:

Allen Gerhart

Erik Mixdorf

Kevin Hooper will be asked to be a backup judge for youth.

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MDRC Constitution and By-Laws: The proposed changes to the Constitution and By-Laws were printed in the last newsletter. Andrea Perez moved to approve the changes, seconded by Nancy Taylor. Discussion followed concerning the proposed Section 4, letter D, which read “Turn over all books at the end of Treasurer’s term of office for auditing thirty (30) days prior to December 31sdt to an auditing committee appointed by the President.” Julie Hume brought up the problems of having the records sent prior to the end of term. It was decided that a typo had been made in this proposed change and it should have read “prior to January 31st”. Andrea Perez amended her motion to approve the changes excluding Section 4, letter d. Nancy Taylor seconded the amendment. This means that the current article stands, which reads “Have all books audited thirty (30) days prior to January 31st by an auditing committee appointed by the President”. Motion carried.

New Business:

Audit: Andrea Perez volunteered to do the audit, with Dennis and Barbara Iott as committee members.

Gift Card for Webmaster: Nancy Taylor moved to purchase a $50.00 gift card for the webmaster, seconded by Charlene Hecht. Motion carried.

MDRC Sweepstakes Awards: Micki Gibbs stated that the deadline to contest the final sweepstakes placings is January 15th, 2017, unless there is a delay in receiving the show reports. Micki and Katie Gibbs run separate reports to double check all points. The club has collected $5.00 in donations and $76.00 in membership fees in 2016 for use in the purchase of sweepstakes awards. Janet Bowers offered to donate $19.00 to make it an even $300.00 that can be used for awards (the club donates $200.00).

Table at the 2016 State 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show: The club has been offered a table at the 2017 State 4-H Rabbit and Cavy Show on January 28th for promoting Dutch Rabbits and the club. Andrea Perez has been in charge of the booth for the last several years. She stated that the table gets no traffic and not one membership form has ever been taken. It was decided the club will not contract a table at this event.

2017 NDS: A motion was made by Andrea Perez to donate $25.00 towards open awards and $25.00 towards youth awards at the 2017 NDS, seconded by Charlene Hecht. Motion carried. The donation will be mailed with the directions of applying the funds where needed.

Booth at the MSRBA Spring Convention: Cost for tables at the Spring Convention is $30.00 per table. Andrea Perez moved to purchase two tables for the club to use at the Spring Convention, seconded by Kristy Grinold. Motion carried. Andrea volunteered her parents are to run the raffle table. The club needs to make money at this event to help pay for 2018 NDS. It was suggested to have a big ticket item for $1.00 tickets. Micki Gibbs and Shannon Krolikowski volunteered to donate a carrier.

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MDRC Clothing: The club has a handful of clothing items that have been in storage for several years. It was suggested that pictures be placed on the website to try and sell them items. Also, Micki Gibbs said she would post the pictures on the club’s face book page. If the items are not sold, they will be put in the raffle held at Spring Convention.

MDRC Specialty Show: The specialty show held last year in conjunction with the Intergalactic show was economical and made money for MDRC. Nancy Taylor moved that we hold another specialty show at the Intergalactic show scheduled for May 20th, 2017, seconded by Nancy Mason. Motion passed. The specialty show that is usually held in July in conjunction with Cal-Bra Hill is tabled until the March meeting.

Nomination and voting for offices: The positions up for election are vice president, secretary, treasurer, two adult directors, and one youth director. Micki Gibbs moved that Nancy Taylor be nominated as vice president, seconded by Charlene Hecht. Nominations were moved to be closed by Micki Gibbs, seconded by Katie Gibbs. Nancy Taylor approved to be vice president by acclimation. Micki Gibbs moved to nominate Andrea Perez as secretary, seconded by Nancy Taylor. Andrea Perez declined the nomination. Nancy Taylor moved to nominate Jenny Janetzke as secretary, seconded by Micki Gibbs. This will be a one year position to re-align the board so it evens out the number of positions that are elected each year. Jenny had concerns about being show secretary for the specialty shows, Andrea Perez offered to run this part of the position for a year. Karl Ehnis Jr moved to close nominations, seconded by Micki Gibbs. Jenny Janetzke approved to be secretary by acclimation.

Micki Gibbs moved to nominate Andrea Perez as treasurer, seconded by Karl Ehnis Jr. Nancy Mason moved to close nominations, seconded by Kristy Grinold. Andrea Perez approved to be treasurer by acclimation. Nancy Taylor moved to nominate Rachel Ehnis as a board member, seconded by Andrea Perez. Nancy Taylor moved to nominate Charlene Hecht as a board member, seconded by Andrea Perez. Andrea Perez moved to close nominations, seconded by Micki Gibbs. Both Rachel Ehnis and Charlene Hecht approved by acclimation to fill the two board positions.

Andrea Perez moved to nominate Emma Perez as youth director, seconded by Nancy Taylor. Micki Gibbs moved to nominate Katie Gibbs as youth director, seconded by Charlene Hecht. Andrea Perez moved to close nominations, seconded by Ivy Hecht. As there is only one youth position available, ballots were passed out. Katie Gibbs was voted into the position.

Other New Business: Julie Hume requested to meet with Janet Bowers, Andrea Perez and Jenny Janetzke after the meeting to distribute items in her possession for the secretary and treasurer.

Micki Gibbs confirmed that Shannon Krolikowski was to continue as chair for the membership committee. Meetings will be planned for 2017.

Motion made by Nancy Taylor to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Andrea Perez. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 am.

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Treasurer’s Message My name is Andrea Perez and I am the newly appointed treasurer for the Michigan Dutch Rabbit Club. Currently, I am the treasurer for Michigan State Rabbit Breeders so I should be able to navigate this position quite easily!

I have been a member of MDRC since 2012. Over the years, I have been involved in various different capacities such as director and audit chairman.

During this transition period, I do not yet have a financial report to submit however, I am diligently working on the 2016 audit. I will have the audit complete at the MSU show in March, but feel confident that there are no issue to report.

I would like to take a moment to thank Julie Hume and Kristy Grinold for their service as they exit our 2016 board. Julie has also taken on the job of separating her prior position into two new positions and making sure that I am prepared to resume as treasurer. Both of you ladies will be missed on the board.

On that note-I look forward to serving on the board as your treasurer and making sure that we are financially stable. Here is to a great 2017!!

Andrea

If you would like to become a member of the Michigan Dutch Rabbit Club, please download our Membership Application,

print it, fill it out completely, and mail the form and appropriate membership fees to:

Jenny Janetzke 4303 Misty Meadow Dr

Saranac, MI 48881 616-642-6637

[email protected] Membership Fees

» Individual - $6.00 per year » 2nd Family Member - $5.00 per year » Family (3 or more) - $15.00 per year

NOTE:The membership application will open in a new window. If you have any issues opening the file, please contact

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Youth Director’s Message Hello members! I hope everyone is keeping warm and is having luck with winter babies, I always get excited to see everyone’s new juniors when the spring shows come around. To start, I would like to congratulate all of our youth sweepstakes winners- Sam Krolikowski, Emma and Landon Perez, Bryant Janetzke, and Trevor Sierzputowski. I know everyone worked very hard this year and all of the varieties were fought hard for. Awards will be given out Sunday, March 5th at our club meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact me via email and I will help find a way we can get your awards to you. Please always keep in mind, winning isn’t everything. If you’re anything like me, you have had to have your mom repeat this to you on countless occasions, and if you’re like me, you still haven’t quite wrapped your mind around this concept. What can I say? Losing is hard. One piece of advice that a breeder gave me a long time ago was that everyone gets their chance in the spotlight but no one can stay in the spotlight forever. Some of you may know this if you’ve been in this hobby since I first came into it, but for those of you who don’t, when I first came into this hobby, it only took two shows for me to enter the spotlight, and my stay there was anything but short. I started out this hobby with two rabbits, and the blue buck that started my winning streak and my love for blues. He is the rightful owner of 15 legs, 8 Best Of Breeds, several BOS wins, and the 2014 Rabbit of the Year. His winning streak lasted about a year and just as he was starting to get out of condition his son took his place and went on to win BOV blue at the 2015 National Dutch Convention in Ohio. However, once he grew older and lost his condition… no one took his place. I went into the 2016 season with no big stars, which was a first. I went from the top to the bottom before I could even realize it. It was a first for me. I wasn’t used to losing so much and so hard. My losing streak lasted until October when a black doe named Gibbs’ Sparty took Reserve in Show at the Fall Convention. Now, I did not take the time to type out that paragraph just to give you a summary of my life story. There is a lesson behind it. Everyone gets his or her turn. Maybe it’s your turn right now, maybe you’re waiting for your turn. Either one is okay. If you haven’t had your turn yet, it will come. Everyone gets their star at some point in their show career if you take the time to make smart choices in your barn. It just takes patience.

Katie

Important Dates

March 4-6

MSRBA Convention East Lansing

Spring MDRC Meeting and presentation of sweepstakes

awards

April 28-30, 2017

National Dutch Show Ohio

2018

National Dutch Show will be hosted in Michigan!

April 27th-29th

Final 2016 Sweepstakes

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MICHIGAN DUTCH RABBIT CLUB CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I NAME

SECTION 1. This association shall be known under the name and style of the MICHIGAN DUTCH RABBIT CLUB. SECTION 2. The above named Association shall be chartered with the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. and shall not proceed in any manner or have any rule that is in conflict with said Association. SECTION 3. This Association shall host at least one (1) annual ALL DUTCH SHOW. SECTION 4. Upon dissolution any remaining funds shall be split with one half going to the ARBA Youth Scholarship Fund and one half going to the American Dutch Rabbit Club. ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1. Any person of good character and reputation may make application for membership in the association. SECTION 2. Application for membership shall be in written form through any current member with the organization. The signed application with membership fee for one (1) year from date of acknowledgement and receipt of membership dues as fixed in the By-Laws. SECTION 3. Any member having paid 30 years of adult membership regardless of age, or that has 20 years of paid membership upon reaching the age of 65 will receive a life membership. SECTION 4. The Executive Committee reserves the right to approve or reject, for any cause, any application for membership or renewal in this association. SECTION 5. All members, including out of state members, will be considered voting members in this association. Those not residing in the State of Michigan will not be allowed to hold office.

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ARTICLE III OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The Elective Officers of the association shall consist of: a. President b. Vice-President c. Secretary d. Treasurer e. Directors (3) Open (1) Youth f. The Secretary and Treasurer can be two elected positions or one individual combined elected position. SECTION 2. All elected officers shall meet the following criteria: a. Be a resident of the State of Michigan b. Be a current member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association c. Be a current member of the American Dutch Rabbit Club. SECTION 3. Term of Office: a. The Office of President, Secretary and one (1) Director shall be for a term of two (2) years, to be elected on the odd numbered years. b. The Office of Treasurer, Vice President and two (2) Directors shall be for a term of two (2) years to be elected on the even numbered years. c. Youth Directors to be elected for a term of one (1) year SECTION 4. The term of office for these officers shall be assumed on January 1st of the fiscal year and continue until December 31st of the second year following, or until one tenders their resignation in written form to the Executive Committee. SECTION 5. Vacancies of office during a regular term shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee present, with no proxy votes. SECTION 6. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer and three (3) Open Directors. ARTICLE IV

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS SECTION 1. The President shall have the following duties:

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a. Preside at all meetings of the above named association. b. Act as chairperson of the Executive Committee. c. Appoint all committees as necessary. d. Plan all meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. e. Fill all vacancies and assume such duties as pertain to the office of President. f. Follow Roberts Rules of Order in conduction all business meetings. SECTION 2. The Vice-Presidents duties shall consist of: a. The same as the Presidents in his/her absence or disability. b. He/she shall assist the President with duties as requested. SECTION 3. The Secretary shall have the following duties: a. Perform all correspondence for the above named Association. b. To send out all notices for meetings of the Association and the Executive Committee. c. To keep minutes from all Association and Executive Committee meetings and to keep all pertinent records on file for one (1) year including all letters received and a copy of all letters sent out. d. Perform all duties as directed by the President and Executive Committee. e. Assume no obligation and take no actions of major importance without specific authority from President or Executive Committee. f. Forward all collected money for memberships to the Treasurer. g. Assist members and breeders when possible. SECTION 4 The Treasurer shall have the following duties: a. Perform all duties as directed by the President and Executive Committee. b. Assume no obligation and take no actions of major importance without specific authority from President or Executive Committee. c. Assist members and breeders when possible. d. Secretary/Treasurer shall collect all monies due and make payable from funds of the club, all claims as properly authorized and approved. e. Have all books audited within thirty (30) days after December 31st by an auditing committee appointed by the President. SECTION 5 If the Secretary and Treasurer is elected as a combined position, the duties will be combined. SECTION 6. The Executive Committee consisting of the Officers and the Board of Directors shall have the following responsibilities: a. Have charge of all business transactions of the association. b. Authorize all special expenditures of money from the treasury. c. Act upon special expenditures of money from the treasury in conflict with the instrument of the Constitution and By-Laws. d. Have exclusive power to make contracts in the name of the Association.

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e. Supervise all business of the Association. f. Supervise all duties of the Officers. g. Make rules as deemed necessary during the year for the club and the meetings. h. Select judges and prizes to be awarded at the ALL DUTCH SHOW. i. Assist any breeder or member when possible. ARTICLE V DISCIPLINE Section 1. The Board of Directors may, by a 2/3 majority, suspend or expel any member, providing charges have been made by another member. If the charges are upheld, the Secretary will inform the member against whom the charges were made. The member will be given thirty (30) days to reply to the charges before action is taken by the Board. If reply is made, it shall be considered by the Board along with the charges Section 2. Any person expelled or rejected shall not be eligible for reinstatement for one (1) year, and only upon approval of the Board. Section 3. An officer whose membership has expired shall be notified by mail. If the renewal has not been made within thirty (30) days from the date of expiration, the office shall be declared vacant and the President shall fill by appointment the unexpired term of office. Section 4. An officer who shows lack of interest in his/her official duties, or fails to answer correspondence of Club matters, shall be asked by the President to resign. If there is failure to do so, the Board by a 2/3 majority shall declare the office vacant and the President shall appoint an officer to fill the remaining term of office. Section 5. An officer who gives up the breeding of Dutch rabbits during his/her term of office shall resign his/her office and the President shall appoint a replacement to fill the remaining term of office.

Our next newsletter will be published in May 2017. Please send

any articles, announcements, or submissions to

Charlene Hecht and Katie Gibbs!

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