Registration, Handler’s Meeting, & Annual Meeting

The day began at 8:00AM with Handler Registration and ever popular M erchandise Sales for the 2007 Master National. As handlers and visitors crowded the merchandise tables to get first crack at the wonderful products brought in by Carol Heule, Chief Marshal Bill Teague met with the committee chairs: Gunners, Bird Stewards, Throwers, Marshals, etc. to review their duties for the upcoming week. At 11:00am the Committee Chairs met with the volunteers for assignments to shifts and explanations of job responsibilities.

At 1 pm, the Bill Teague conducted the Handler’s Meeting and provided the judges’ instructions for 2007. AKC representatives Jerry Mann, Field Director & Doug Ljungren, Director of Performance Events were introduced at this time.

Next the 2007 starting number was selected. This year a new methodology was chosen by the Master National Board to determine who would start this year’s Master National. All handlers were asked to stand as MNRC Secretary Frank Barton brought his 9 year old chocolate lab, Niki, into the meeting. The center aisle was cleared and numbered bumpers were put in a pile at the end of the room. Each bumper represented a group of 10 dogs 1-10, 11-20, 21-30 and so on. Niki was sent to retrieve a bumper and Bill Teague announced that group as “safe” and they could be seated. This process continued and the crowd of handlers laughed heartily as Niki continued her work especially on one retrieve when she brought back two at one time. Finally there was only one group of handlers left standing representing dogs 141-150. Ten bumpers were placed at the end of the aisle and Niki was sent one last time to retrieve the “winning” number. Bumper #2 was brought back and Missy Lemoi, A-142, and Doug Shade, B-142, came forward as this year’s starters. Chief Marshal Bill Teague presented each of these lucky handlers with a special black MNRC cap with “I Ran First at the 2007 Master National” in silver embroidery.

Bill Teague then announced the pairings of judges for this year. Sam Ferguson & Rich Pyka will work together and Kevin Bunnell & Lynn Morrison paired up for the other flight. Finally the judges, by blind draw, drew for which flight they will judge; Sam and Rich drew the A flight and will start their series at Shady Grove hunting Preserve. Lynn and Kevin will start the B group at Phelps WMA.

To be continued……..

At 2 pm, the MNRC Annual Meeting was held and a high number of the member clubs were represented by either a delegate or proxy. The following business items were completed:

• Minutes of the 2006 annual meeting were approved (hard copy will be mailed).
• The treasurer’s report was accepted.  Although the organization had a financial loss last year (reduced number of dogs resulting in reduced revenue and higher expenses for a California test, etc.), it is in strong financial shape. (hard copy will be mailed)
• The 2008 Event will be in Hibbing, MN (about 212 miles north of Minneapolis), September 19-28. Host club is the Minnesota Iron Range Mountain Retriever Club, www.mirrc.org .
• The 2009 Event will be in Paige, TX (about 40 miles from the Texas capital, Austin), October 23- November 1. Host club is the Waterloo Amateur Retriever Club, www.waterloo-retriever.org .
• Judges for the 2008 event were elected: Region 1: Auggie Augerbright ( Maryland); Region 2: Ed Sullivan ( Kansas); Region 3: Tim Buck ( Texas); Region 4: Ron Sauls ( California).
• Board members completing their terms were recognized and presented traditional service pins for their efforts. Those recognized were: Frank Barton, secretary; Gene Byrd, Region 1 Director; Gloria Mundell, Director, Region 3; Julie Cairns, Immediate Past President; Mike Bunting, Treasurer; and Mary Williams, President. Mary was presented w/the traditional MNRC jacket.
• Board position elections resulted in: Frank Barton; secretary/treasurer, John Blackbird ( Minnesota), Vice President, Region 2; Sam Ferguson ( Florida), Director, Region 1; Gloria Mundell, Director, Region 3 ( Colorado).
• Possible TV coverage for the MNRC was discussed and the delegation was in favor of it if the tests were not interrupted and we could continue to use live flyers and other birds in lieu of rubber ducks and pheasants.
• A discussion about the MNRC paying licensing fees, like out of state gunners having to buy local licenses to shoot flyers in the event, resulted in a motion to approve such payments. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn.
• The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.