Board Members
The board consists of the club’s current President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the immediate past President, and two members at large, all of whom shall be members in good standing and all of whom, except the past president, shall be elected for one-year terms at the club’s annual meeting, and shall serve until their successors are elected. The board shall make recommendations to the membership regarding club activities and policies.
PRESIDENT
Current President: Kelley Ferguson
Points: 115 per year
The President shall preside at all meetings of the club and of the board and shall have the duties and powers normally related to the office of president in addition to those particularly specified in these by-laws.
VICE PRESIDENT
Current Vice-President: Christie Williams
Points: 75 per year
The Vice President shall exercise the duties of the president in the event of the president’s absence or inability to serve.
SECRETARY
Current Secretary: Nancy Phelps
Points: 100 per year
The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the club and of the board; shall keep a roll of the members; shall notify officers and board members of their election to office; have charge of correspondence; notify members of meetings; and shall carry out such other duties as are prescribed in the by-laws.
TREASURER
Current Treasurer: Nory Prochaska
Points: 150 per year
The Treasurer shall pay all bills and account for all dues and other monies due or belonging to the club. All such monies shall be deposited in a bank satisfactory to the board, in the name of the club. The treasurer shall prepare reports for each meeting of the board; and shall make a detailed report semi-annually of the financial condition of the club, showing its expenditures and receipts for the current year, the number of members and other matters of interest to the club. A copy of this report shall be handed out at business meetings. The Treasurer may be bonded in the amount as the board may determine and shall submit any or all records for audit at the request of the board.
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Current Members: Chris Lang and Kat Brown
Points: 75 per year
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Current Past President: Joe Root
Points: 75 per year
Public Relations
Current Public Relations: Karen Baker
Points: 50 per year
- Maintain BRAC Facebook page
- Write a detailed press release for each upcoming BRAC trial
- Email the press releases to media outlets 3 weeks before each trial, the market depends on the location of the trial (print & electronic media)
- Submit trials to online event calendars (electronic & print media)
- Compose & print flyers of upcoming trials to take to trials to attract competitors & increase entries
- PR promotes BRAC’s website, it is mentioned in every release and on the flyers o As a result of the releases TV stations and newspapers have covered many of BRAC’s trials
- To attract the public to the events and introduce them to the club & sport, which draws handlers to the club and trials
- New handlers are constantly moving into Western NC, this makes them aware of BRAC and entices them to join
Webmaster & Email Group Manager
Current: Shani Thimm
Points: 40 per year for webmaster and 40 per year for email group manager
Maintain club website and BRAC google group. Add new members to google group and online membership list. Send welcome emails to new members.
Points Manager
Current: Kat Brown
Points: 50 per year
Maintains record of members' points accumulation towards the annual Member Appreciation Clinic.
Facilities Coordinator
Current Facilities Coordinator: Lynn Hurley
Points: 80 per year
- Recommend suitable trial dates and locations to the Board, about 30 months before the proposed start date.
- Handle requisite documentation and payment to secure the use of the selected facility.
- During each trial, act as the primary point of contact for solving facility problems requiring intervention of facility management.
Judge Coordinator
Current Trial Coordinator: Kat Brown
Points: 60 per year
Secure the services of one or more judges, as required. Communicate hired judges to the Trial Secretary and to the judge liaison to secure accommodations early. Communicate all pertinent information regarding the facility, ring dimensions and restrictions, available equipment to the judges for course design.
Equipment Manager
Current Equipment Managers: Patrick Irwin, Evelyn Irwin
Points: 100 per year
Responsible for ensuring that we have all the equipment we need for each trial, and that the equipment and equipment trailers is in good repair and working order. Purchases equipment when necessary (with board approval). Modifies equipment as necessary to make it conform for each particular sanctioning body. Plans and oversees necessary equipment work days for the club.
Trial Chair
Experienced Members: Bill and Chris Lang, Joe Root, Brian Ferrand, Linda Nash, Christie Williams
Points: 30 per day
Trial Chair(s) oversee all aspects of running the trial. Pre-trial work can involve setting up the site, date, working with the Trial Secretary on the trial application with AKC, UKI or USDAA, and planning classes to be offered. Assigns workers to key positions and makes sure they carry out their jobs. Plans trial class schedule with Trial Secretary. Oversees ring set-up and clean-up after the trial (or designates someone else to do it). Assists in making the trial report to the sanctioning agency. Handles any problems that come up before or during the trial. See Trial Chair Responsibilities document for more details.
Volunteer Coordinator
Experienced Members: Judy Chaet, Linda Nash
Points: 30 per day
Works with the Trial Secretary to produce the online volunteer sign up form. Answers questions about various trial jobs from volunteers prior to the trial and helps to assign volunteers prior to the trial. Produces ringside volunteer boards for sign ups each day. Monitors the distribution of vouchers to workers. Helps to re-assign volunteers as necessary during the trial to cover move-ups and absences.
Assistant Trial Secretary
Experienced Members: Judy Chaet, Kat Brown, Kelley Ferguson
Points: 20 per day
Assist the Trial Secretary during trial days. Helps with entering scores, organizing scribe sheets and paperwork, pre and post trial work which can include hanging running orders, daily courses, putting out course maps, etc.
Hospitality Chair
Experienced Members: Linda Brown, Laura Fine, Bill & Chris Lang
Points: 20 per day
Purchase food and drinks for trial volunteers. Set up and oversee food area during the trial. Clean up area each day. Inventory and store hospitality supplies between trials.
Ribbons Coordinator
Current Ribbons Coordinator: Tamara Einspanjer (AKC Ribbons), Deborah Dickerson (UKI Ribbons)
Points: 10 per day
Maintains ribbons, championship bars and other awards for each trial and ensures every trial has enough ribbons/bars, etc for competitors. Is responsible for purchasing ribbons/bars & delivering & setting up for each trial, as well as storing ribbons after each trial. Works with the Trial Secretary to be aware of potential championship achievements and ensures a ribbons and bars are available ringside for award. Keeps ribbon inventory.
Always remember that if you can’t make a trial, you can ask someone to set up the ribbons for you, or take them home. It takes a team and teamwork is what makes our trials work.
Prize Coordinator
Current Prize Coordinator: Chris Lang
Points: 20 per trial
Responsible for preparing two raffle baskets for each trial day. Baskets may contain dog treats, dog toys, BRAC voucher for one free run, etc.
Voucher Manager
Current Voucher Manager: Linda Brown
Points: 25 per trial
Responsible preparing vouchers for each trial and coordinating with trial chairs.
RV Coordinator
Current RV Coordinator: Bill Lang
Points: 40 per trial
Knows the layout of RV/Camper space, rules, etc. Coordinates RV/Camper reservations with competitors and provides fees to club Treasurer.
Vendor Coordinator
Current Vendor Coordinator: Judy Wiltsek
Points: 20 per trial
Knows the space available at a trial location and corresponds with vendors pre-trial. Sets up spaces for vendors at trials. Collects vendor fees and provides to the club Treasurer.
Chief Course Builder (CCB)
Experienced Members: Dan Haddy, Freda Jessen, Brian Ferrand, Annette Alfonso
Points: 4 trial entries per day/2 entries per half day
Is in charge of building each course in his/her assigned ring. Uses the judge’s coordinates map to lay out the obstacles and oversees the rest of the course builders. Distributes course builder vouchers.
Judge Liaison
Current Judge Liaison: Joleen Eizember
Points: 10 per day
Responsible for judges’ accommodations, transportation and meals during the time they are in the area. This includes picking them up and dropping them at the airport, picking them up and dropping them at their hotels on trial days, taking them to dinner (or arranging for other club members to do so), and making sure they have all the drinks, snacks and food they need during the trial.
Timer Manager
Current Timer Manager: Kelley Ferguson & Shani Thimm
Points: 15 per day
Responsible for the maintenance and working order of timers at the trial. Ensures batteries are on hand, timers are ready and working each morning and are cleaned and properly stored each day and after the trial. Storage of timers in between trials.
Set-Up Manager
Experienced Members: Patrick Irwin, Evelyn Irwin, Brian Ferrand
Points: 20 per day
Supervises ring set up, as well as unloading and set up of equipment the day before the trial. Keeps a list of club members who are helping with set up and ensures that list gets to the Trial Chair to accumulate member points. Hands out vouchers to volunteers helping with set up that are NOT club members.
Tear Down Manager
Experienced Members: Patrick Irwin, Evelyn Irwin, Brian Ferrand
Points: 20 per day
Supervises ring and equipment tear down and loading of trailers at the end of the trial. Keeps a list of club members who are helping with tear down and ensures that list gets to the Trial Chair to accumulate member points. Hands out vouchers to volunteers helping with tear down that are NOT club members.
Trailer Hauler
Points: 15 points per trip and reported mileage at IRS rate
Hauling trailers to and from the trial.
Scribe
Vouchers: $3 per class
AKC & USDAA Hand Signals
Your job is to accurately record each dog’s score, as signaled to you by the judge. Because the judge’s signals will be physical, it is vital that YOU MUST ALWAYS WATCH THE JUDGE--NOT THE DOG. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE JUDGE AT ALL TIMES!
The judge or Chief Ring Steward will tell you where to sit during each dog’s run.
1. As each dog comes to the line, check to be sure you have the correct scribe sheet, the Gate Steward will help with this.
2. The judge will discuss his signals with you before you begin scribing. Just ask the judge to go over their signals, they will be happy to do so! During each dog’s run, you will tally the judge’s signals for the following faults: Refusals/Run-outs (R), On-Off the Table (T), Wrong Course (W), Failure to Perform (F), or Elimination (E). Write in the letter of a fault each time it is signaled by the judge. (For example, a scribe sheet might contain the following: R R W T F).
R = closed fist W = 1 open hand T = two fingers F = both hands up E = whistle
Remember to keep looking at the judge while tallying fault signals. Do not look at the scribe sheet during a dog’s run. Also don’t write something down even if you think you saw it, it is always the judges call!!
Write the faults in the largest space near the bottom of the scribe sheet. Try to make all of the letters legible—don’t make the score table guess between an R and an F.
3. After each dog has finished his run, hand the scribe sheet to the scribe sheet runner or your timer who can hand to the scribe sheet runner.
4. Although speed is important, accuracy is even more important! IF, DURING ANY DOG’S RUN, YOU THINK THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED A SIGNAL, OR MAY NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD A SIGNAL, OR MAY HAVE NEGLECTED TO TALLY A SIGNAL, GO TALK WITH THE JUDGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT DOG HAS COMPLETED ITS RUN. THE JUDGE WILL BE VERY HAPPY YOU DID!
REMEMBER TO WATCH THE JUDGE, NOT THE DOG. Thank you for helping at our trial!!
Timer
Vouchers: $3 per class
The job is really pretty simple:
1. make sure the timer stops when a dog finishes its run, and
2. make sure the timer starts running when the next dog begins its run, and
3. make sure the scribe writes down the time correctly on the scribe sheet.
If, after reading these instructions, you have any questions, ask the Chief Ring Steward and/or your judge for clarification before the class you are timing begins.
We use electronic timers for all trials. Your judge and your Chief Ring Steward will be available before your class begins to help you set up the timers and show you how to operate them if you don’t already know how. Your Chief Ring Steward will tell you where to sit.
At the beginning of each new jump height, make sure the eyes at the start and finish are properly positioned so the line with the appropriate jump height shows just ABOVE the Velcro loops. The eyes with Velcro loop attachment slide up and down the posts and should not be undone to reposition them. When the eyes are positioned to the correct height, test them by having someone pass their hand between the eyes first at the start and then at the finish. The time on the console should start and then stop.
When a dog completes the first obstacle, he will trigger the timer to start. As each dog starts his run, the only thing necessary is that the timer is stopped – it does not have to be zeroed out each time. It will reset when a new dog crosses the starting obstacle, and it will stop when he crosses the last obstacle. If, for some reason, the timer is actually running when the next dog comes to the line, you must stop it by pressing the black <Start-Stop> button. This is the only time you should touch the black button – normally everything happens automatically. If you should accidentally stop the timer, all is not lost as long as you do not press the Black button a second time; you can recover by pressing the Red <Restart> button and the timer will continue with the correct time.
After the dog has started, visually check to see that the timer is running. If it is not working, sound the horn, or blow a whistle so the handler and judge can hear you indicate a timer malfunction. This should be done in the first few obstacles. The judge will then decide whether to rerun the dog immediately, or to let the pair make their run later.
If the timer does not stop at the end of a run because the dog fails to pass through the eyes, DO NOT stop it manually with the Black <Start-Stop> button unless the dog and handler leave the ring—then stop the time and give the dog “No Time”. The handler has the option of taking a refusal and bringing the dog back to take the last obstacle to stop the timer themselves. If the timer fails to start when the dog crosses the first obstacle, blow the whistle or sound the horn to stop the run.
We want to keep the time between runs to a bare minimum--just a matter of a few seconds. When the judge and scribe signal you that they are ready, it’s up to you to tell the handler to begin their run. One of the sets of timers has a “voice” that says “READY”; the other says “GO”. Adjust the volume so that your voice is loud enough for your handlers to hear, but not so loud as to distract handlers in the other ring. To start a dog, press your GO or READY button. It is the handler’s responsibility to be on the line and ready to run. If the judge and scribe are ready, tell the handler to start, no matter what the handler may be doing. Handlers are requested to start their dogs as soon as you signal them. They may run with their dogs or lead out and call the dogs to them. If someone is guilty of delaying the trial, the judge will let them know.
After each run, say the time to the Scribe or Assistant Scribe, and let them see it. Check that the judge and scribe are ready and cue the next dog to start by pressing the GO or READY button.
Thank you for helping with our trial!!
Gate Steward
Vouchers: $3 per class
Your job is to make sure that the trial runs smoothly and efficiently by getting each dog into the ring, in order, with a minimum of down time. It is also your job to alert the ring crew of height and course changes, and to work with the Scribe to make sure that the scribe has the correct sheet for each dog as it goes into the ring. (Any of the instructions below may be superceded by the judge.)
1. The gate sheets will include the name and entry number of each dog that will run in the current class. Handlers will be asked to check in with you before their class runs. As each handler checks in, make a check mark beside their number. Call out names of any dogs/handlers that haven’t checked in before the class starts. Mark absences on gate sheet and be sure they are marked on the scribe sheet.
2. In each height category, once the event starts, have one dog in the ring, one ready to move onto the start line, and one “on deck.” Have the next two dogs nearby, or at least know where they are. The judge will tell you when you can send the next dog to the line. For example, the judge may tell you that the next dog can go in when the dog on course finishes the A-frame. You need to make sure that each handler is going in and setting up when they are supposed to. So you will need to remind many of them -- “you can go in now.”
3. You will need to coordinate with the Scribe, who will have scribe sheets for each dog. The Scribe needs to know which dog is on line, so the correct scribe sheet is being used for the dog running. Whenever there is a dog running out of order or an absent dog, you need to let the Scribe know.
4. As each dog enters the ring, draw a solid line through their number/name on the gate sheet, and bring another dog on deck. If you call the next dog, and the handler does not come forward right away, skip that dog and go to the next one. But if you make a change in the order, you MUST let the Scribe know. If that handler shows up later, run them at the end of the height.
5. Try to keep the “ready” and “on deck” areas cleared out, so that the two dogs that need to be there have plenty of room. Ask others to wait further away from the gate.
6. Just before the last dog in a height runs, ANNOUNCE, “LAST XX-INCH DOG.” (Dogs will be 4” 8”, 12”, 16”, 20”, or 24”). Make this announcement loud enough that the ring crew can hear it. Once the dog has finished its run, ANNOUNCE, “JUMP CHANGE TO XX INCHES.”
7. Just before the last dog in the class runs, ANNOUNCE “LAST EXCELLENT DOG” (or whatever the event and level is). When that dog is finished running, ANNOUNCE, “COURSE CHANGE.” Don’t worry about bothering handlers or their dogs if you shout your announcements--the ring crew and course builders need to hear you so they can swing into action immediately.
Some handlers with more than one dog in a class may need to have their running order changed to allow them more time between runs. Whenever possible, try to accommodate handlers in this way, as long as the change does not inconvenience other handlers or hold up the trial.
When you change the running order for a handler you can use arrows or whatever works on the gate sheets to show the new order—just be sure to let the Scribe know about the change. Also a person’s multiple dogs may be moved in the order, but they still must run in their original order – so their ‘first’ dog still has to run first. NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule!
Ring Crew
Vouchers: $3 per class
Your job is to make sure all the obstacles in the ring are ready for the next dog to run. This may include:
1. setting jump bars to the correct height
2. setting tire jump to the correct height
3. changing legs on table for the correct height
4. raising/lowering the A-frame to the correct height
5. adjusting tunnels/tunnel bags as necessary
6. assisting the judge as requested
Changes are required when switching between jump heights and when a dog drops a bar.
Unless instructed differently by the judge, wait until the dog has cleared that part of the course before running out to reset a dropped.
Typically, a “ring crew” consists of 3-4 volunteers. Each volunteer will take a seat in one of the chairs that are distributed inside the ring to allow coverage without interfering with the competitors or the judge. You will remain seated while teams are running the course, only getting up when something needs to be adjusted. Be attentive. Silence your phone and do not respond to messages/calls while volunteering.
While it is fine to watch the dog running, avoid making eye contact and being distracting. If the dog comes to visit you, don’t speak to, or touch the dog. Instead look away and ignore the dog.
Score Runner
Vouchers: $3 per class
Your job is to move completed scribe sheets from the scribe’s table to the trial secretary. Once you have 3-4 sheets, place them in the basket on the trial secretary’s table or clip them onto the pulley system and immediately return to the scribe for the next set of scribe sheets to be delivered. Repeat until the entire class is completed.
Leash Runner
Vouchers: $3 per class
Your job is to safely move the leash from the start to the finish of the course while the dog is running without interfering with the run.
For each run, the leash runner stands inside the ring near the first obstacle/entrance gate. Once the dog and handler have started the course and they are moving away from the entrance gate, the leash runner gathers the leash and walks to the exit gate (staying inside the ring) and places the leash in the designated spot (usually a chair). Your goal is to transfer the leash from the start to the finish before the team completes the course and be back at the start before the next team begins their run. Please walk calmly. Do not run and do not toss the leashes from afar.
It is good to keep an eye on the dog during your walk. If the dog’s path is coming close to your path, you may need to stop and possibly turn your back to the dog until they move away from you.
If the leash is to be placed on the ground, be mindful not to place it in the dog’s path or right by the last obstacle.
