Minutes of the HFC Meeting
dated July 31, 2012
The meeting took place by teleconference. It began at 9:00p.m. EDT and ended at 10:32 p.m. EDT. Present were Hob Brown, Dave Williams, Dennis Joannides, and Barbara Haupt. Absent were Ernie Hasse and Sue Rose. A.R. Ginn joined us late because of a family emergency and had to leave the call early.
It was unfortunate that all members did not participate as everyone confirmed they would make the meeting. This resulted in a number of issues having to be tabled.
AR made a motion for us to accept the minutes of the last meeting held on June 25, 2012. The motion was seconded by Hob Brown. The motion was passed unanimously by the 5 HFC members present.
There was considerable discussion about the inclusion of the American Cockers into the English Cocker Field Trial Hall of Fame. The consensus of those present was that all Cockers should be recognized in our history and be part of our timeline.
There was further discussion about American Cockers being eligible for the ECSFTHF and the general feeling was that dogs should not be eligible as this is a breed specific field trial hall of fame. AR gave as an example that just because English Cocker won a national championship in Canada at a combined event for Springers and Cockers it would not make it eligible for the English Springer Spaniel Hall of Fame. Hob expressed the point that Cockers are really all the same and that this is about the evolution and development of the ECS in field trials and we shouldn’t dismiss history. Dave pointed out that in the earlier years there was no distinction between the breeds. Following some heated discussion on the subject and the fact that the entire HFC were not present, plus AR having to get back to his family matter, we tabled the question about the eligibility of American cockers to a later meeting.
Barbara raised the question about whether a formal written response should be given to the ASC and others running American cockers. Again, because we did not have all of our members on the call we tabled this to a later meeting.
Dennis raised the question about whether we should permit American Cockers who have an AKC FC designation to be included on the Wall of champions. This too was tabled.
Hob Brown reported that Lisa Brown has been actively collecting information about our field trial history from the AKC library in New York, and by contacting families that were actively involved in field trials in the early years. Fortunately, through Hob Brown’s family connections they were able to make contact with some of the Harriman family descendants. Hopefully Lisa can have her time line available for our review at our next meeting on Wednesday, August 22, 2012. Dave indicated it is important for us to give a detailed time-line to Tony White if we expect him to create a wall display. Dave also mentioned we need to give Tony photos for the time-line and the mural. Dennis asked Dave to please contact people such as Carol Janousek, Dick Bends, Hudson Nicolls and others who are known for taking photos at multiple events and asking them to put together a digital collection of photos depicting English Cockers in field trial and hunting scenarios. Committee members can also offer photos they may have. So that we do not get all of the same type of photos we may want to be specific and ask for photos of dogs questing, flushing, honoring, retrieving on land and water, etc.
Dennis asked about the status of the founder’s plaque as well as exactly what will be offered to those contributing toward the Champions Wall. This was tabled until Dave talked to Tony and until the HFC finalized its position about Cockers.
Dennis stressed the need for us to establish target dates for completion of portions of the project. He was concerned that without them we will not meet our date of having a good portion of our display complete in time for the HOF induction ceremony. In addition, we are moving into the height of our field trial season and coupled with the selection of people to the hall of fame too many things will fall through the cracks.
The next HFC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 9:00 Eastern time.
Please confirm your availability for that date.
Respectfully submitted
Dennis N. Joannides, Chairman, Secretary.