Ever since I joined the cavalier lists about five years ago, I have followed the rotational debates of CKCSC-USA vs ACKCSC/AKC. As an outside observer I can clearly see that THE one original mistake make by the BOD (overestimating its own powers and underestimating the power of AKC) continues to divide your US cavalier population. No amount of justification of either position (past or present) is going to change what you have today. "Today" is your point of possible change and it starts with each one of you.
Finally, there is talk of unity. Even with this current debate, positive comments and clarifications are being made. 1) Pet owners are primarily concerned about health issues; 2) CKCSC-USA breeders want access to ACKCSC cavaliers and vice versa; 3) Breeders do not want mandatory testing; 4) Accessibility and health testing should be separate issues; 5) there has been discussion as to which agenda item the BOD should consider first in order to facilitate the acceptance of ACKCSC cavaliers (health testing standards or reciprocal accessibility); 6) it has been stated that the majority of the voting membership of CKCSC-USA are pet owners (see #1); 7) the venues of each club have unique benefits that the other does not have, therefore both should be considered desireable. To my logics, the CKCSC-USA BOD and its membership should first pay attention to the wants and needs of the majority of its membership and get its house in order before inviting in new guests. Once in order, the same rules would apply to everyone in it. Your health registry is an enormously important instrument that can start your journey of CKCSC-USA and ACKCSC unity. Through it, you eliminate the NEED for mandatory testing. Participation in it by both sides will show your "pet owners" your desire to do what is best for the breed. Once your "pet owner" membership population is assured that the ACKCSC members have the same desires, they would logically not view the ACKSC/AKC as opposition. Step two then could be addressed, ie opening up your breeding registries to accept ACKCSC/AKC cavaliers, thus satisfying the desires of the breeders. Membership acceptance rules would have to be ironed out. I don't think this would take a great deal of time. My view is - pet owners/breeders are both focused on the future of the breed; however, they disagree on how the future of the breed can be protected. Since the pet owners tip the scales in power, I would think it wise to acknowledge and act upon what it is they want. In doing so, we all still benefit. Without doing it, you will continue the discord, to everyone's detriment. Many have expressed their opinions, but how many are truly listening to what is being said? I know for sure, that under the current conditions, I would certainly not want to be on either BOD. They don't have the option of throwing up their hands and giving up. They must make a decision. Instead of just providing all the reasons why something won't work; tell them what you do want. Members clearly stating (without getting too wordy) what you do want, will soon show the BOD (by majority consensus) what decision must be made. Unity should be the goal. Figure out how to get there in the most expeditious way. Likely, it will be one step at a time. Considering the issue in an "all or nothing" approach is overwhelming and generates negativity. Each single positive step will also likely gain a momentum which will achieve your goal faster than you are currently encountering. BTW, our Canadian cavaliers are unable to (by way of governing rules of the Canadian Kennel Club CKC) to breed to CKCSC-USA only registered cavaliers. So, your club is not just restricting the ACKCSC/AKC cavaliers, but ours as well. Pat Barrington - Barrington Cavaliers (Southern Ontario-Canada) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
