January 2010

Dear Region Presidents:

During the meeting held by the National Officers in Georgia prior to the start of the 2010 Grand National Trial some decisions and recommendations of extreme importance to the organization were reached. We take this opportunity to share this information with you now, and to ask that you inform all of your members of them.

Recently the National Officers made a recommendation to the Board of Directors for a disciplinary action that was different than that made by the region initiating the disciplinary action. It was our unanimous interpretation that neither the National Officers nor the Board of Directors is limited by the constitution or the bylaws to accept a recommendation for discipline from a region in its verbatim form, ie; in the exact way and language in which it is recommended.

It is our firm belief that disciplinary recommendations made by the regions are not binding and may be exceeded or modified by the National Officers, with the majority concurrence of the Board of Directors, if we believe that doing so helps ensure objectivity and fairness in the matter at hand, not only for the individuals named but as it affects the organization as a whole.  We take the responsibility of disciplinary actions very seriously and strive to impart fair and objective solutions to any recommendation that we forward to you.

Additionally, we also discussed the issue of “running in the field” during national trials. The National Officer’s Handbook reads “any final decision on any extenuating circumstances must be determined by the consensus of the elected officers and must be considered on an individual basis.” It was decided that after the first warning the handler will be asked to pick up their dog. A warning may be issued at the sole discretion of any trial official (chairman, co-chairman, judge or field marshal). Hopefully this clarifies once and for all the issue for individuals who have tried to define or redefine the term “running”.

There was also discussion about adding language to the existing ATV variance. Effective immediately, it was determined that during any trial “if a handler gets off his bike, he/she must stay besides the bike unless he/she is involved in a flush, retrieve, back or relocation. There will be no handling on foot at any time by an individual who has an ATV variance”. Again, enforcement or implementation of this additional clarifying language remains the sole discretion of the judge.

During the meeting it was also agreed to formally appoint a rules committee. Its purpose would be to review all proposed rules submitted prior to the national meeting and to make recommendations to the National Officers, who would in turn make their recommendations to the Board of Directors. The committee will consist of 5 members from across the country, appointed by the National President, and would be under the purview of the 2nd Vice President. We will provide you with more specific information on this group after it is appointed.

Also, in order to avoid any potential future conflict, all regions must officially submit to the office AND to the National Secretary, in writing, the names of the regional officers and the regional board of directors after each region’s election. Should any of these names change at any time, these changes must also be reported to the office no later than 7 days prior to the National Officers and the Board of Directors meeting (TOC,DOY). In order for a region to be allowed to vote during the national meeting the name(s) sent to the office as the duly appointed regional representative must concur with the region’s elected officers list.

The management of salient issues for NSTRA has become an evolutionary and formative process, and as such we try to address and correct them as soon as we become aware of their nature. We are happy to discuss with you any of these issues and ask that you call the National Officer assigned to your region if you have any questions. We believe these clarifications should go a long way in eliminating many of the concerns that might exist.
As always, we appreciate the support that you have continually provided us and look forward to continue working with you and to serve you in these matters. Please share this information with all of your members. Working together we make NSTRA stronger.

Sincerely,
The National Officers