PATRIOT PUG DOG CLUB
MINUTES
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Canine Companion
796 Boston Post Road East Marlborough, MA 01752-3763
Meeting Convened at 1:45 p.m.
In attendance:
Members: Alan Alford, Jackie Bertrand, Jennifer Haeckl, Yvonne Mullen, Doris Aldrich, Shirley Tosh, Dick Finnegan,
Joyce Finnegan, Charlotte Scott, Linda Pearson, Sandra Williams-Shea, Carol Carbone, Pam Donaldson
Guests: Monique Bertrand, Ken Aldrich, Dave Tosh, Liz Weiler
1) Pam Donaldson’s President’s Report consisted of a deeply felt expression of concern about the future of the
Patriot Pug Dog Club (PPDC). The Club has been losing members and there has been a lack of candidates to fill
Club officer and Board member positions. Unless we mount a multi-pronged program of corrective action this could
be the last year of the Club. This call to action ushered in a vibrant discussion in which several meaningful thoughts
and action steps were put forth. A committee to be led by Sandra Williams-Shea and to also consist of Yvonne, Jen,
Linda and Pam was formed to consider these and to formulate a concrete plan of action. These included the
following:
a) Alan Alford will contact the AKC and seek to obtain a list of pug owners in PPDC membership area. These
folks should be sent invitations to come to PPDC meetings
b) Flyers regarding the PPDC and Pug Rescue of New England (PRONE) should be produced and distributed at
dog shows and other pug related events. The flyer should describe the background of both the PPDC and PRONE
and how they are interrelated. This information should also be published in the Club newsletter. A piece about
PRONE should be a part of each PPDC newsletter.
c) Jen offered to produce the first draft of a Power Point demonstration about pugs that we could use to
promote the PPDC. In this regard Jen is requesting the all Club members assist her in this project by sending her
pug related articles, photos, fun pieces etc. Jen’s e-mail address is Haeckl@ge.com
d) Joyce made a case for the regular inclusion of speakers and presentations on a host of interesting topics at
our Club meetings. In addition to seeking out program contributors from within our own ranks and from our
acquaintances, we should be willing to pay for the occasional speaker.
e) Alan suggested that, at an upcoming PPDC meeting we have a speaker knowledgeable about pugs give a
good talk about pugs. After discussion, it was agreed that Pam would contact Dave “Doc” Johnson to see if he
would undertake this task.
f) We should have meetings that feature demonstrations of agility and rally
g) We should seek out new pug enthusiasts at dog shows and invite them to be guests at upcoming PPDC
meetings
h) We should continually underscore our close relationship with PRONE by sponsoring joint meetings.
i) We should plan an event in commemoration of “September Is Responsible Dog Ownership Month. AKC will
provide packets and supplies for handouts.”
j) Jen suggested that we create “pockets of interest” in the PPDC by having meetings, perhaps at a restaurant,
of small groups of new people that are interested in pugs.
k) We should sponsor Pug “Meet Up Meetings” and/or a “Meet the Pug Family Day” event.
l) In recruiting new members to the Club and while respecting the concern of some regarding our straying too
far from show dog enthusiasts in favor of pet pug owners, the predominant sentiment was to embrace a “Come one
come all” approach..
m) At the annual Fall Saturday-Sunday, Show-Social event in Spencer, MA we should take appropriate steps to
promote the PPDC such as by making pamphlets available.
2) The minutes of the September 27, 2009 PPDC meeting were approved.
3) Corresponding Secretary Joyce Finnegan reported that:
a) She received a request for information regarding pug rescue from Pug Dog Club of America.
b) She received information from AKC, available on its web site, regarding responsible dog ownership
c) Jason Huff was approved as Sweepstakes judge for the Fall Specialty Show. Suggestions are still being
solicited for the match judge in October.
4) Treasurer Shirley Tosh gave the following report:
a) Beginning Balance $3,897.71
i) Expenses
• $194.16 Trophy engraving
• $35.85 PPDC website
• $230.01 Total
ii) Income
• $1,435.00 Trophy donations
• $60.00 Dues
• $0.32 Interest
• $1,495.32 Total
b) Ending Balance $5,163.02
5) Trophy Committee representative, Pam Donaldson, announced that almost all of the trophies are set for the
Specialty Show in May. Just three trophies are still to be finalized. Work proceeding well on the engraved
medallions and the judges’ gifts. Joyce offered to pick up trophies for Pam from Debbie Mason.
6) May Specialty Show in Fitchburg May 29, 2010
7) November Specialty Show
a) Judge for the classes will be Tammy Lago
b) Still looking for a Sweepstakes judge
c) One week later this year … weekend after Thanksgiving
d) Some new features are being planned by Deborah Hokennin who is the chairman of the Specialties Group
8) Election
a) Alan Alford and Yvonne Mullen agreed to fill the two vacant positions on the PPDC Board of Directors
b) On a motion duly made and seconded the Recording Secretary cast one vote for the following amended slate
of officers and Board members:
• President: Pam Donaldson
• Vice President: Jenifer Haeckl
• Recording Secretary: Dick Finnegan
• Corresponding Secretary: Joyce Finnegan
• Treasurer: Shirley Tosh
• Board Members:
(1) Doris Aldrich
(2) Alan Alford
(3) Carol Carbone,
(4) Yvonne Mullen
(5) Linda Pearson
(6) Karen Stakum
9) The following new members were voted in by the members attending:
a) Sandra Williams-Shea, 371 Liberty Sq. Rd., Boxborough, MA, 01719
b) Elizabeth Weiler, 101 Plain Rd., Wayland, MA 01778
10) Joyce agreed to set up a PPDC Group on Facebook. This will be a companion to the YahooGroups PPDC
group that already exists.
11) Next Meeting: Saturday, May 29th at the Specialty Show in Fitchburg , one half hour after judging is
completed.
12) Business Meeting Adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
13) Pam introduced our guest speaker – Monique Bertrand, daughter of Jackie Bertrand. Monique gave a well
received presentation with several handouts on important current legislative issues that are very important to those
concerned with the welfare of dogs. She raised a big red flag regarding the Humane Society of the United States
which she described as a misguided legislative lobbying organization that in no way rescues or shelters dogs. This
organization is behind much of the legislative proposals that are contrary to everything that responsible pure bred
dog breeders stand for. She strongly urged that we support Massachusetts Senate Bill SB 2172 (Dog Law rewrite)
and oppose Massachusetts House Bill HB 344 (De-vocalization or anti de-barking bill).
Respectfully submitted,
Dick Finnegan, Recording Secretary