Good Morning, I’ve been reading the list the last few days, and would like to clear up a few misconceptions about, at least myself. I am one of the candidates running that was from the “floor”, and not proposed by the nominating committee picked by the board. I’d like to answer my running mates email, as I too don’t want misconceptions running around.

1- EDUCATION: regarding Saint Bernard University: I too have written numerous chapters for it. It’s a great endeavor and I hope when it is done, it will be a wonderful educational tool for those new to our Fancy. I have seen the power point presentation twice, for the Judges Education, and think it would be wonderful if it was available to the Fancy. One of the best meetings I attended discussing the Saint Bernard was when that power point was shown at the Jamboree, and we all took time to discuss it. It was a great learning experience for all the new and the old folks.

2- regarding the SBCA WEBSITE – Having been the predecessor of the current Webmaster, I think it is a great tool to get new members, inform folks about Saints, and keep the membership up to date on the Boards “doings”. I think there are various things that are outside my area of web building, that we could put into use, such as forums, and discussion boards. There are also interactive things we could do for education such as SBU online or the Saint Bernard CD that can get more people interested in learning about our breed. I think we could also build some databases of dogs, pedigrees and photos as a more detailed history of our breed.

3- HEALTH: Paul and I practice what we preach. Health in our breed is finally starting to get noticed. We have personally participated in the Perdue Bloat Study, were some of the first to send in samples to Missouri for the epilepsy study (after our whole kennel was affected, and we had to start over), and we xray hips and elbows of all our dogs and send it in to OFA on an OPEN registration (if they pass or fail it is on the database).

4- – Regarding the FANCIER. I LOVE the new Fancier, and think that one of the challenges the new board will have is to figure out how to keep the same level of service, yet cut costs. I have participated whenever needed for article or data to help keep this beautiful publication and history of our breed alive. There are a lot of great folks working on this publication, including both the Radcliffe’s, Lacey Wilson, Nancy Nosiglia, Jacqueline Rudman, Marge Macgregor, Rolland Kaemerer and numerous others. I am very proud of all these folks for stepping up to the plate over and over again, to give us something we can be proud of. I wish them luck at the DWA awards!

So, no, as President, I won’t be throwing everything the last few boards have accomplished.

Let me also, say that I have the utmost respect for Donna, and this is not intended to be casting stones at her. I will however, if elected approach the job differently.

I have been the president of many different organizations. In that capacity, I try to follow Roberts Rules of Order which most clubs (including this one) have said they will abide by. The job of the President is one of a facilitator of discussion and the keeper of the order, and in a large assembly, unless that person steps down, the president is not able to make or second motions or give opinions. He/She should also be a leader which the membership can go to. Decisions made at the annual meeting should be dealt with IMMEDIATLEY. The membership should have a voice, and it shouldn’t just be the loudest ones that are heard. We should also keep to an agenda so we aren’t spinning our wheels. Our constitution says: “Any resolution adopted at the Annual Meeting shall be subject to ratification or rejection by mail ballots to be sent by the Recording Secretary within 60 days of the Annual Meeting to all members in good standing based on a plurality vote of those voting.” I believe that even if I personally don’t like or agree with a motion that the intent of our constitution was to SEND it to the membership. (As many of you might not know, a resolution was made at the annual meeting to be sent to the membership, and was overruled weeks later by our President as null and void.)

Donna and I have agreed that whichever one of us wins, we will support the effort of the new committee which is working on a scoring system to take the politics out of the National Selection.

I believe that the membership should be heard and kept informed. I would like to see “housekeeping” motions gone and membership comment allowed on all motions. Although most won’t cause comment, I think the membership should be ALLOWED to comment.

I would also like to see the database of Board motions on the secure log-in on the website. Many motions are made by prior boards and it would behove the membership when researching elections or looking to see what has been done in the past, or volunteering to be able to look it up.

I would also like to see the Boards discussion available for the membership to read, excepting executive session items. Just as they are able to attend the annual meeting and listen, I think the membership might be informed if we lift the layer of secrecy. This may not come to pass, but it might just raise the bar of politeness to each other.

I would also stay ON the lists instead of isolating myself. It’s my feeling that as a member, Board members, volunteers etc., can campaign and say what they like to the membership, but when campaigning for a slate etc., but you need to differentiate between when you are speaking as a member or a person, and when you are campaigning for a slate, and sign it in that capacity.Its also important that we keep our ear to the members and know what is going on.

Another thing I want to do, if elected President, is have a Club Visioning session with the membership at the National. Club Visioning, is a exchange of ideas that the members in the session brainstorm and decide what projects they want to back, and where they want the club to head. The Facilitator (the president) makes it a fun and non-threatening session, but only asks the questions, doesn’t “give” the answers. The board then reviews the outcome and takes it into consideration when doing their short term and long term planning. It also usually produces volunteers to head projects and take on new things. Yes, it is fun, but having done this for previous clubs, it can produce some great ideas in a very short time.

Again, the above is not intended to be a slight on anyone or on Donna. Many of the phone calls I have gotten had asked what I would do differently and I thought it important to give you some ideas on where I stood with things. Personally, I am tired of watching this club fight and argue and think we lose some great members by the bickering. I would love to see us come together as a club to move forward with some of the wonderful things our breed has to offer. I

f any of you have any questions of me, my cell number is 541-218-5902. Please don’t hesitate to call.

Thanks for listening,

Karen Bodeving

Dear Fellow Saint Fancier,

If you are a current SBCA member, you will be receiving a ballot for the SBCA leadership in the next few days, as our constitution requires that they go out on or before January 15th.  There is no longer recourse of referendum to the membership from motions made at the Annual Meeting.  Many Board Motions are now labeled “Housekeeping” so the membership doesn’t have time to comment on them.   It is my position that you elect the board to be your representative, and you as the membership, should be heard.  Our Board needs to be accountable to the membership.

It is now, more than ever, important that you vote and return your ballot in order to have a voice in our National Club!

Our club is facing many other challenges at the moment, which is why I am running for President of our Club.

What about the position? The President, as an officer of the club also has other duties.  It is important that this person follow our Constitution and Roberts Rules of Order.   The President must facilitate orderly conversation and communications within our club in a clear and impartial manner.  It is important that all members get treated with the same respect.

Accountability. Our members need to be accountable to the board if they take a leadership position.    Our Meetings need to be run in an orderly fashion according to Roberts Rules and our Constitution, not just when it’s convenient.   A parliamentarian should be at the Annual Meeting for advice, should the occasion arise, so a ruling can be made immediately.

What about the club? It is time for unity in our club and not fractioning.   What are we all about?   We are the keepers of the breed and all in it for the same goal – not to be back-biting each other!

I just completed a two year term as Charter President of our Local Rotary Club.  This involved bringing together people of different social, financial, political and economic backgrounds in our small community, facilitating conversations and ideas and putting these ideas into place with the backing of the entire club. In being trained for this on a regional level I gained some great tools that I will put into place in the Saint Bernard Club of America.

Our board needs to SUPPORT the people that volunteer, and everyone needs to play by the same rules!  Our club needs to SUPPORT each other and work towards the common goal of a meaningful membership in the SBCA.  It should be important to be an SBCA member, not just a way to get the Fancier!

What about the dogs? Have we gone so far that we have forgotten about them?  Is our breed so diverse from east to west and north to south that the breed is no longer unified?   We need to be talking to each other about The Standard, Health, Structure and Temperament – without casting stones or challenging each other.  The SBCA has a membership in the World Union of Saint Bernards – we need to be up to the challenge nationwide and worldwide.

While our present treasurer is doing a wonderful job, the club is facing financial challenges at the moment.   I believe that as President of the club, my background as a CPA, Investment Representative and running businesses can help with these challenges and hopefully still keep the same level of service to its members.

I don’t have any ulterior motives for politics.  I am what I am. I want to make sure that the breed and the breed club survives all these challenges.

I have been the president, vice-president, recording secretary and board member of our local all-breed club, the President, Vice-president and working dog chair of our local Saint Bernard club.   For the SBCA I have been the Recording Secretary, the Working Dog Chair, the SBCA Webmaster, Ways & Means Chair, the New Titleholders Chair.   I show in Conformation, Weight Pull, Rally, Obedience and Drafting events.  I am an AKC Provisional Judge in Saint Bernards and Limited Jrs, an SBCA Weight Pull judge and was formally a AKC canine good citizen evaluator.   I help with Rescue when possible.  Both our daughters have grown up in Junior showmanship and in the Saint Bernard Breed.   I am a founding member and current President of the Saint Bernard Club of Southern Oregon, a member of the Saint Bernard Club of the Pacific Coast and of the Saint Bernard Club of Puget Sound.

I believe that I can be open to each of you in a straight forward fashion.  As a “bean-counter”, I like to try to look at all angles of a challenge and resolve it in my mind before tossing all ideas out.   I know I can fulfill the duties of this office FAIRLY, and IMPARTIALLY. This club needs to rehabilitate, regenerate and recuperate.  It is time to get back together.    We as members can disagree sometimes, and that’s ok, as long as we treat each other with RESPECT to ALL.

If you have any questions of me before you make up your mind on your ballot, you are welcome to email me at:  karen@saintbernard.com or call me at 541-592-6529 (west coast).

I would appreciate your vote of confidence.

Karen M Bodeving, CPA