January 28, 2025
Dear Member Clubs,
Thank you to all delegates and guests for attending the recent Annual Members’ Meeting, where 35 of 37 voting clubs were represented. Your participation is vital for our sport’s success.
As we approach the 75th Anniversary of the National Retriever Club of Canada in 2025, we celebrate this significant milestone, largely due to the dedication of our volunteers and host clubs. We invite you to join us in recognizing this legacy at the 75th National in Manitoba and to celebrate Manitoba Gun Dog’s 90th anniversary. We hope you plan to attend!
The meeting minutes will be available soon. In the meantime, here’s a brief update from the Executive Committee:
What is the NRCC? To answer this, I’ll start by clarifying what it isn’t: it isn’t the CKC, Canuck Dogs, or the CKC Field Trial Rules Committee. It isn’t a source of training information, the place to file complaints about weekend trial judges, trial procedures, or where to train.
Quite simply, the NRCC and the Board of Directors further the sport of Retriever Field Trials by providing guidance and advice to National hosting Clubs. It is the governing body that oversees the Annual Championship Stake. We approve and authorize the location and host club, the Chief Marshal, and the Judges for the event. In addition, we provide a communication service and identify and secure corporate Sponsors.
Currently, there are 226 members in the Canadian Field Trial community, and our board structure, using a formula from the 1960s, needs reconsideration to improve representation and effectiveness. Comparisons with the US NRC show a small board of 4 directors is successful. We are not suggesting this model, however, they have many policies and procedures that are worth considering. Research shows that large not-for-profit organizations tend to be most successful when they have between 8 and 12 Directors.
The review considers the organization’s operational goals and mission, as well as the expertise required for board members to improve NRCC effectiveness. It will ensure diverse perspectives and adequate representation from the various geographic areas are covered along with equal Eastern and Western representation.
The board will review proposed options in February with a goal to complete the review by May. We will hold forums for member feedback and call for a Special Members Meeting in early summer.
We seek your constructive input: “If you were creating the National Retriever Club of Canada today, how would it be structured?” Please consider this question seriously.
In closing, the poll results regarding the motion to amend the term of directors to one year and to defer filling vacant positions received overwhelming support, with 94% of you approving the motion. This strong level of support we believe showcases your involvement and commitment. Thank you.
Regards,
Doug
Doug Shepherd, President NRCC
