The temperature was about 20 degrees less than last year as we traveled to Bowling Green, KY for the Annual Meeting of the United Beagle Gundog Federation We began gathering at the Holiday Inn on Friday, August 11, 2006. Delegates greeted each other with handshakes and hugs, seeing those they hadn’t seen in a year, as well as the ones they met just last weekend.  Less Yates was seen hugging all the ladies and sharing those long, tall stories of his.  Less and Gladys Yates are excellent examples of the beaglers in our federation, always trying to find more ways to be of help.

The meeting began at 8:05 A.M. Saturday morning called to order by President Robert Oliver. John Stuckwisch gave the invocation and Recording secretary, Christine Hubbard took roll call of delegates, with 42 clubs being present at that time.

Mel Stewart representing AKC spoke about the letter requesting copies of the By-Laws from each club. Eddie Wiley of Purina talked about the three trials in 9 days being held next April. (See last months magazine for info)
Rick McDonald of Greenville Turf & Tractor thanked the UBGF for the support they have received. He presented two tickets to the football game that night with the Tennessee Titans for auctioning at noon, and another set of tickets to be auctioned off at the banquet, for a game to be determined. Thanks very much, Rick.  Russ Klontz, a past officer of the federation, was introduced
Bright and early Saturday morning, Joyce Stuckwisch and Annette Atkins of the host club, Southeastern Indiana Beagle Club, did an excellent job of taking credentials and were kept quite busy as we prepared for the first morning of business.
 

Art Slike thanked the delegates for their support and we certainly appreciate everything that Hounds and Hunting has done for us!!! Many times their support has been behind the scenes, but we sure are happy to be associated with them.
Next Robert introduced the Past Presidents in attendance, Jimmy Apple, George Pirman and Rick Persing. He also introduced the Hall of Fame members present: George Pirman, Art Slike, Mel Stewart, Sam Butler, Glenn Cole, Rick Persing, Joe Dan Carter, Teddy Atkins, Jim Tignor, Robert Oliver and John Stuckwisch.
George Pirman spoke briefly about the Junior Handler Program. Cookeville ($100) and SW Ohio ($400) Beagle Clubs presented George with checks for the program. The delegates dipped into their pockets with the pass of the hat and donated $478. Mel Stewart mentioned that three of the AKC scholarships this year went to children of persons involved in the SPO movement.
Minutes were read by Christine Hubbard from the 2005 Annual Meeting, and were approved. Sam Butler gave the Treasurer’s report, indicating the Federation is in sound financial shape at the present time. He reported that 50% of the proceeds from the Jess and Gladys Yates Picnic was donated to the UBGF ($3,139) and the other 50% went to the Deep South Beagle Gundog
Federation. Carl Buchanan presented Jess & Gladys with some gifts from the federation for all that they do for us. (A Collector’s Cookie Jar for Gladys to fill with her delicious cookies, and a drill set for Jess to get his work done!)
Dean Moorhouse presented the two clubs that had applied for membership in the UBGF and had completed their observations, Garden State, NJ) and Wisconsin (WI). These clubs were accepted unanimously. Dean then reported that we now have 66 clubs in 21 states. WAY TO GO!!!! Carl Buchanan reported on the availability of judges books and field cards, as well as reminded the club reps to get him the trial dates for the coming year.

I then gave the Corresponding Secretary’s report, reminding clubs that the directories need to be updated each year — let Christine know if you have no changes. The information for the annual meeting is mailed out using the addresses in the directory. So if your club doesn’t get the info, get your info updated in the directory!!!! A new procedure was explained on how we would be selling tickets for the banquet this year.

Christine Hubbard talked about the directions to the club grounds to be put on the Website. John Stuckwisch reported on the one seminar he conducted for conformation at Cookeville and indicated he would come and do a seminar for any club, all the club needs to do is cover his expenses. Also, other members of the board are certified to hold a seminar and would be willing to help out any club wishing to schedule one.

Robin Jenks gave her report on the entries we had this past year. There were 7,097 All Age entries at 68 trials, and 51 derby trials with 2,662 entries. There were 228 entries at the 2005 All Age Run Off and 274 entries at the 2006 Derby Run Off. A motion to charge a service fee of $10 to any person requesting replacement qualification papers for a run-off entry was passed by the delegates.
Marvin McGlothlin gave the report on the 2 Couple Pack Program this past year. A total of 181 packs qualified thus far providing our federation with $900 in income. Each club received a packet for the next season. He asked that consideration be given to moving the date of the runoff as the past two years the weather was quite bad.

The representative to the BAC is Robert Oliver and he talked about their meeting and what we can look forward to in the coming year.

Sam Butler gave his report on the progress on the building, they hope to have the site work begun by the 1 st of September and the Steel Building up (at the shell of it) by the Run-off. Sam is also looking for a plumber to volunteer his time.
Mario Santilli gave the Butler County Beagle Club report as host club for the run-offs. He asked clubs to consider volunteering help at the runoffs as Butler County is a small fledgling club.

Next Robert Oliver presented a proposal from the Board of Directors to establish a scholarship fund that would provide two $500 scholarships per year. One scholarship would be for a member of the federation or their child or grandchild; and the second one would be presented to a Graduating Senior from the Morgantown High School . The delegates voted unanimously in support of this. A donation of$1000 to begin the program came from Jess and Gladys Yates. Robert and Art Slyke presented a check in the amount of $500 to be added to the fund. We wish to extend our deep appreciation for the support of these wonderful individuals.

The five motions before the federation as presented in the packets to the delegates (with one minor amendment) were all passed

President Oliver announced the running order and dates of the National All- Age National Run-Off 2006: Friday, November 3, 2006 13” & 15” Females; Saturday, November 4, 2006, 13” & 15” Males. Closing for all classes will be 7:00 A.M. (CST).  Butler County Beagle Club will host all these trials. The running will be at the UBGF National Running Grounds, Morgantown
,KY.

The running order of the Derby National Run-Off 2007: Friday, May 4, 2007, 13” & 15” Females; Saturday, May 5, 2007, 13” & 15” Males. Closing for all classes will be 7:00 A.M. (CDST). The location.of the 2007 Derby Run-Off will be our land outside Morgantown , Ky.

The date of the National Two Couple Pack Run-Off 2006 is December 1-2, 2006 closing for all packs will be 7:00 A.M. This also will be held on the UBGF National Running Grounds.

Then nominations and elections ofjudges for the National Run-Offs were held. Results are as follows:
Judges for the 2006 All Age National Run-Off are: 13” females, Jackie Johnson & Chris Eutsey; 15” females, Scotty Pannell & Junior Gilliam; Alternate female judge: Jason Taylor. 13” male judges are Phil Secker & Mario Santilli; 15” males, John Porter & Reid Cole; Alternate judge is Dennis Carden. Conformation judge is Carl Buchanan.

Judges for the 2007 Derby National Run-Off are: 13” females: Jimmy Hamlin & Bob Branch; 15” females, Lynn Hutson & Ryan Ray; Alternate female judge is Chad Parker. 13” male judges are Shadrick Seals & John Findley; 15” males: Art Clay & Tim Kazmarzik; Alternate judge (TBA). Conformation judge is Christine Hubbard.  Judges for the 2006 Two-Couple Pack National Run-Off are: Tristan Bramlett & Keith Loudermilt. Alternate judges are Adam Isley & Charlie Holewinski.

We next took nominations for nominees for the 2006 AKC National SPO Championships. Our nominees submitted to AKC are Darien Archie, David Owen, Robert Prater, Mario Santilli and Richard Sawyer.

Next it was time to nominate officers for the UBGF. Officers to be voted on were lst vice-President - two-year term, Corresponding Secretary - two-year term, Recording Secretary - two-year term, and President - one-year term. Nominated were the current officers.

The meeting was recessed until Sunday morning; the banquet was scheduled for 6 PM.

Saturday night we had our Awards Banquet. Dinner was served following grace. Following dinner, awards were given out along with the always-popular door prize give-aways, donated by clubs. The awards are listed elsewhere in this article. Thank you to all those clubs who help to make this event such a good time.
Sunday morning we reconvened at 8:00 AM, starting with a prayer by John Stuckwisch.

The meeting was opened for new business. A motion was presented by Jack’s Creek, seconded by Southwind, to allow horses to be used by more than just the judges, as many of the older beaglers can no longer follow the dogs in all the packs. Criteria was set with a minimum age of 25, must own your own horse, and you must stay 30 feet behind the gallery. After much discussion, a written ballot was taken, the final vote being J 2 yes and 20 no. The motion was defeated.

Being that there were no new nominations for officers, the current officers were re-elected by unanimous ballot.

The President then spoke on the welfare of the federation. He thanked everyone for the help during his illness of the past year and said the board will continue to work together.

Following adjournment, the delegates headed home.

See you at the All-Age Run-Off.