Comments

Ideas

I think a lot of us donate to charities throughout the year.  I think the ones you have listed are wonderful causes but don't really benefit the members directly. 

#6 ranks a 1+ for me. There are some people out there who are doing some interesting work in rehab. Perhaps we could get our own hydrotherapy unit going. This whole area is really important. We as a group also need to think about prevention.

Scholarships to classes for young people who want to get involved in agility.  If young people don't get involved  the sport will die  out.

Research into the issues unique to agilty dogs will only happen if agility people foot the cost.

Adequate research will result in safer courses for the dogs, improved training techniques and better treatment for injured dogs.

So much money and nowhere to go??   Wish I had that problem!  How about taking some intrest in the people who pay out for their dogs?  Cheaper entry fees for members? 

believe we should donate $ to both humane societies AND Dove Lewis. Split the $ 3 ways.

All of these are great ideas!  Why not take the top three and fund one a year, maybe not at the $10,000 level, but at 10% of our gross earnings for the year.College scholorships to any active CAT members.

his survey replaces my previous survey.  I have given this some thought and feel we are more of a social club and not a charity orginzation.  I fell we can support the juniors and 4H club, b\we probably have enough equipment that isn't beeing used that we can donate this equipment instead of buying new equipment..  I can support setting up a fund or trust  fpr K9 rehab for needy members.  But I don't see how this recognizes CAT's tenth birthday.  See below

Let's continue to *promote the sport of dog agility*, first & foremost.

Donation is always good, but why so much to one of the above. What about smaller donations to multiple worthy causes?

I'd like to see CAT purchase police dog vests to outfit those serving in WA and OR. In honor of the partnership we all have with our agility dogs.

Decrease the dollar amount and give to more organizations.

I fully agree with the post that Carol Helfer made to the AgileCAT list re: research into canine sports medicine, and think a sizeable portion of the money should go for this. 

I am strongly in favor of applying our money to a foundation to study how to prevent and/or diagnose and/or rehabilitate injuries in agility dogs.  It's potentially highly beneficial to all dogs involved in agility, esp. if we find course design is contributing to injury. The publicity potential for CAT also is very large.  We should establish this grant/foundation and publicly challenge *all* agility organizations to contribute.  Develop a standard press release canine health lists,  agility lists  etc.  Have an address in it for other people's contributions.  Suggest that every agility person in the country (or beyond) contribute 1 run's cost to the foundation every month/season/year. CAT alone does not have the money to fully fund the type of research we need.  But we certainly can live up to our newsletter title and become a CATALYST!!!  Agility and our dogs need us to do this.  I know I feel badly about my dog's competitive-agility-ending injury.  and I would prefer no one else have to feel this way.A foundation will ultimately give us the biggest bang for our buck."

There is an appalling lack of information regarding canine sports injuries in general.  Funding research into agility related injuries would benefit our club members in ways most people don't realize.  A small research grant ($10000-20000) could begin the process by funding an inquiry to establish the most common types of injuries in agility dogs.  (We could also fund limited research on a very specific question such as what is the difference in ground forces between a 5'6"" and a 6'3"" A-frame.)  I'm not talking about a large prospective double blind placebo controlled NIH funded study.  Those studies are always preceeded by a small limited study to establish a valid research question before the NIH will even consider funding them.  I think it is very doable for CAT to begin the process by funding a small grant for such project."

I like the idea of helping our fellow CAT members who need the help financially if their dog gets hurt with vet bills.  One of my dogs had knee surgery a while ago, and I could not imagine what I would have done had I not been able to afford it.

#6 is the only one worthy of a ten year success story that we've had at Columbia Agility Team.  The other ideas are good.  I think the club could pick a few of those ideas and accomplish them also. Example, we're putting on a Junior Handler trial this year, we have donated to Dove Lewis and other projects before and can again.  We could also start a fund for helping members pay for medical expenses for their dogs.  People could donate specifically to that fund. But for a 10th year project, we can think bigger. Thanks to the Board and our president for letting members have our say.

Would like to see reduced rates for seminars, CAT classes and barn time (make it free) for members.  Also like the idea of a fund for vet care for injured dogs belonging to members.  Having been unemployed for a year, and having had vet bills in excess of $1000 for my agility dog, I've had to cut WAY back on trialing and training - I could use some help :-)

Do we really want to give away our money????  Research intrigues me, but not such large donations to 4H, OHS etc.

But I like the idea of grants for CAT members whose dogs are agility-injured best."

I do not support a grant for rehab of injured dogs.  We made the choice to run our dogs, we need to be responsible for that choice.  However, if its a real hardship case (not just hospital bills for the dog, but much more), then I think the board can deal with that on an individual case basis.  There are other ways for people to deal with vet bills and its called pet insurance.  Also, see my #1 comments. 

I still feel helping the agility community is the right way to go.  Alot of dogs do and will need rehab and alot of the folks just won't have the money to do it.  They may try and bring the dog back too soon or without proper rehab, because they can't afford it and the dog may pay the price. I think this is a very good investment of the money.  I think helping to fund research is also a good way to go the more we know hopefully the less problems we will have with our sport dogs.

It is my view, the choices of giving away $10,000 to $20,000 is not why I joined CAT and have been supportive of the organization.  While it is fine to celebrate our 10th anniversary in some modest way, I don’t think it is prudent for CAT to give away its money.

Last year the city of Hillsboro lost a canine officer because he didn't have a bullet proof vest.  Each Vest costs $650.00.  The city of Hillsboro has 7 canine officers.

Why does the fact that CAT is turning 10 precipitate the need to dispurse its funds?  This is not a charitable organization.  Those who helped generate the funds were interested in training their dogs and competing.  It seems the hard earned funds should be used for the benefit of the membership and /or those who helped build our nest egg.  Why not put on a fee free trial as our anniversary celebration.  It could include a door prize type raffle of agility related items. (Free entries at future trials, agility equipment, etc.)Item #7 is not clear.  Does this refer to dogs owned by members or the general public?  Who would decide who qualifies?  Making ANY grants in excess of $1000.00 sounds absolutely absurb.

I'm with the mindset that it seems a little strange to give away so much money so carefully saved to charities.  I would assume, as animal lovers, that many members already donate to local shelters and animal causes.  Using the money to benefit dog agility seems more logical.

I havent a clue how business arrangements are made between CAT and the trial facilities so I aplogize if this is tooooo ridiculous, but is there any way some sort of deal could be made with the Clacamas County Fairgrounds where CAT could supply funds for improving the Canby arena in exchange for decreased rental fee or something? Just a thought.  I like the ideas looking into the prevention of agility related injuries as well.

I think the Columbia Agility Team should donate to the community we live and play in.  Promoting agility and/or the welfare of animals in the Pacific Northwest would be something our club could be very proud of doing.  Please don't waste the money on throwing a party

I like the MacLaren contribution suggestion.  While the other ideas are good, some are not very realistic.  For instance, any research grant most surely must be continued or the initial grant and initial research will be in vain.  Even $50,000 or $100,000 would be a drop in the bucket.  think giving something back to the betterment of our community is an admirable idea.  Troubled kids need to know they are not forgotten.

I feel the money should go towards agility specific causes which includes canine sport injury research. Setting up a Foundation and organizing the other Agility groups to support it along with ourselves is the golden idea in this list.This rules out The Humane Society,Project Pooch, etc...all worthy causes, but our focus should be agility. I don't like subsidizing entries or animal care for individuals. The decisions made would be fraught with controversy and the why-her-not-me syndrome that arises when individuals benefit and not the group. Neither do I like the idea of parties and give-aways, even though the whole group participates.

I am amazed that one sitting Board would consider making such a sweeping decision, with our money, when so many people have worked so hard, over the years, to make this Club successful.   All aspects have not been considered and the Board is limiting our options with this survey.   Furthermore, any discussion at General Meetings where usually about 1/6 of the membership attends, does not fully represent the membership.  Any consideration of these issues should involve the full membership and they should have the opportunity to approve or disapprove any action of this magnitude. 

All of these options have merit.  How wonderful to have the money to be able to put toward some good programs!

I really like the idea of protecting our K9 police officers with Kevlar vests (or whatever is used).  This is my first choice.

Another suggestion.  See if Linda Friday would be interested in covering the area she has available to us to use for west side training and offer a donation to pay for the roof.

We should dedicate one trial, this could be the Columbia Cup, and give each participant a Classy Mug, commemorating CAT's 10th aniversary, with a t-shirt with the same message honoring the 10th anniversay.

College scholorships to any active CAT members.

So, as I stated in the previous survey.  We need to give honor and glory to our Clubs birthday at one of our events, i.e. the Columbia Cup.  Give every one a commemorative Mug and shirt who attends the celebration, and present your donation to the organization at this event.

Further reduce the cost CAT members pay for CAT trials.

Plan to take a large hit on the cost of bringing in big-name seminar presenters.  Let's not worry about breaking even.  Let's further reduce seminar costs to CAT members.

Let's go hog-wild on library purchases, obtaining, for example, multiple copies of training books & videos.

Since this is "our money", what about reducing barn rental fees, seminar fees, Holiday party fee etc. I am in favor of some of the charitable donations, but many members of the club can barely afford to attend trials, so why not reduce our entry fees?

If donating to shelters is considered consistent with CATs bylaws... ;)

Free NADAC trial for members only.

Free CAT 10 yr. anniversary T-shirts. Free agility or performance dog seminar."

My #1 idea and I know others agree -- is to not give the money to charity but keep it to purchase our own facility, or property.  There is a lot of money and it is for our members and to better our club.  

zI also agree with what some others have posted, that some of the money could more immediately go to benefit the club members by reducing entrance fees,  barn fees, seminar fees, also more items for the library or possibly a CAT sweatshirt or something like that for all the members.

My 2nd choice would be to underwrite the cost of training seminars to allow members to participate/audit for a significantly lower fee. 

see above - reduce the cost of agility training for club members CAT club member discounts for trials Workers at trials get a choice of either meal ticket or voucher to be paid against an entry fee at a future trial (same $5 either way!)"

Research!!!!!!  Carol Helfer sould be a good source for this.  affordable insurance for club members.....who do their part...not just a member to get the group rate. you go Hilary!! I think that the key workers at each trial.....chairman, sec, chief Ring steward should get a free weekend entry for one dog. emergency fund to help with vet bills. college scholarship(s) to young folks active in agility and trying to go to college. these are my thoughts.....many have appeared on the list"

# 2 Scholarships for those wanting to go to school to study some form of animal related field.# 3 Increase library budget. A lot.

My #1 support goes to educating handlers, instructors and vets of the risks associated with agility, how to evaluate dogs for agility so that they can take measures to assure their dogs will live a long and comfortable life after a career in agility, and how to properly care for their dog to prevent and rehab injuries.  I think this would benefit a large number of people including their dogs and is timely.  I rarely see people warm up their dogs before a run or a class.  Are CAT instructors even addressing this topic?  Don't you think we should be at the start of every class? How about how to run a course safely for their dog? I support having seminars available of the Suzanne Clothier type which is affordable.  We just need people to be aware so they can take steps to prevent unnecessary injuries. We need to be talking about it more.  We owe it to our dogs.

I don’t think we have evaluated our options for developing a facility for CAT.  As far as I am aware, there has not been a serious effort to research this subject.  We may not be able to buy or build a facility by ourselves, but there may be other options, such as a joint development with other interested clubs or organizations, a quasi- governmental development, or grants from private parties and organizations.  To give our assets away at this time will almost guarantee that we have no options available to us. 

I would like to see CAT donate the funds to purchase at least one vest for their canine officers.

I personally think that the money should go towards benifiting our own club. Although everything that is listed above sounds very generous, we are an agility organization. We could spend the money on our own members. Free entries into our trials for the members who run and plan the event, larger discounts for club members, etc. Why not allow every member a free entry to the trial of their choice next year or hold a Happy Anniv. trial (USDAA:)and give every member who enters a free entry and goodie bag with a T-shirt, mug etc. That is almost like a party, but better (I think). I think we should start thinking about or own facility. It would be so nice to have a decent site to hold trials. I know we are talking quite a bit of money, but we should start planning for something like that.

The fee free trial is suggested above. It should be a public celebration, not a give away.

College scholorships to any active CAT members.

Agility is such an expensive hobby, I would like to see the funds put to helping members enjoy their hobby by putting on a free for members trial, lowering barn rental costs, etc.

How about also contributing some agility equipment and intial training time by volunteer club members to Project Pooch?  This would promote not only responsible ownership  but would also help them further develop their relationship with their canine companion building upon the fun agility represents - hopefully showing them a 'clean' way of life is full of benefits they might not otherwise realize."

I think CAT should be the go-to place for education and seminars. Cat should have a library that is beyond compare for being up to date and wide ranging in agility and agility related subjects (diet, training techniques,  dog and sports psychology,  Championship videos from day 1). We should have multiple copies of key items  and multiple drop off points. We should continue to put major resources into bringing the best and the most innovative handlers and teachers regularly and frequently to the NW.

I think we should a goal  to have a training and show facility."

reduce entry fees for club members

One thing that a club I was in back east for its members is to make/have made pins to commemorate the years they had been in the club.  You could also indicate charter members.  This could be a tradition that you could do yearly at the holiday or annual meeting. 

My idea is to sponsor a animal shelter each year, contribute money, our time, build exercize areas, etc. I would like to see the poorest shelters helped such as Yamhill Co, Mult Co, Newberg for a few. I also believe the Newberg shelter is trying to raise money for a new building.