A NAWBA officer has revealed that the association is now (early 2000) at a paid membership level of 123, reflecting a dramatic drop off from the level in the three hundred to 350 range through the middle 1990's.
Clearly, the dramatic plunge in NAWBA membership we see before us is a reaction to the temperament test introduced last year as the qualification for the Select designation.
In the world of the working dog, encompassing both IPO and Ring, the Select designation is by definition and tradition a breeding recommendation, a statement that a particular dog fulfils the fundamental ideals of his race.
This has always required a Ring, KNPV or Schutzhund level title, and this is the culture the novice embraces as he becomes a serious participant in either world.
To create a lesser, Bouvier only, standard as a stepping stone, a point of reference for the novice, would not in and of itself be especially negative. But when it is used as a qualification for the select designation it holds the association up to rightful disdain and ridicule.
If, indeed, we do not have dogs capable of earning a serious title with international recognition and exhibiting those attributes of structure, stride and conformation so as to be declared Excellent, then we should declare no dogs Select.
Pretending to have select Bouviers if we do not is a form of denial, and only delays the process and motivation to strive toward that level that will win recognition and respect in the working dog world at large.
Furthermore, to be a judge, which is a recognition of a level of accomplishment and knowledge, needs to be maintained at a high level.
But instead of relying on the many outside judges, world wide, with Ring, IPO or KNPV licenses, we have seen NAWBA temperament test committee members engineer an incestuous "temperament tester" position for which they can qualify even though they have never been able to train a dog to the senior title that would allow them to become a real judge.
This is going to give us credibility in the working dog world? This is going to encourage the novice who sees the standards of the real world in his IPO or Ring club stay with the Bouvier?
Clearly, there is a powerful motivation for the emerging Schutzhund or Ring trainer to disassociate himself or herself from NAWBA because of its failure to aspire to the standards they are coming to share as they mature in their chosen sports and their training club associations.
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Erik Johnson, NAWBA treasurer, is apparently still deep in denial, claiming that last years members who have not yet paid are, somehow, still members even though it is mid April and the due date was mid January. ( Feel free to send money for a collection to buy Eric a calendar.)
The following memo, to which we still await a reply, has been sent to our president -->
April 13, 2000
Memo to: Kathy Heilenman, President, The North American Working Bouvier Association
From: Jim Engel
cc: The Board of Directors, the membership, Mr. Ron Gordon
Subject: 123 NAWBA Members
According to Article One, Section 4 of the NAWBA Constitution By Laws:
"The Secretary or his or her representative shall send notices of dues to all members by November 1 of each year; all dues unpaid by January 15 shall be in arrears."
In fact, this notice was not sent out by Eric Johnson, until the first of January. Was this in fact done with your concurrence, or that of the board ? If so, could you please indicate where this occurs in the board meeting minutes ? Would you please comment on the appropriateness of this delay, and how it could be construed as legal under our constitution?
Furthermore, according to Article 1 Section 3 of the By Laws:
"Term of membership shall be one year, and shall lapse if dues are unpaid three months after the first dues notice mailed by the Secretary of the Association or other person designated by the Board."
Mr. Johnson has stated, in an electronic memo dated April 12, 2000 :
"At this time, we have 190 memberships, family and individual, with 67 not yet renewed for 2000."
Obviously, if our constitution means anything at all, this can not be true. Even from the two month late mailing of the dues notice three months have elapsed, and the membership of the association must, according to our constitution, be stated at 123, and only these people can legitimately be included in the published membership list.
Clearly, as of this moment, in order to be added to the membership roles a person must make a written application, have his name published and then be voted on by the board.
This was the standard applied to Mr. Gordon when he was stripped of his office and membership; how can this association have any credibility if the rules are always changing according to the political convenience of the moment? ( Quite frankly, when I failed to receive a notice in November it occurred to me that perhaps the same inadvertent omission Mr. Gordon claims was cropping up again.)
Mrs. Heilenman, would you please affirm or deny the correctness of these statements, and if you deny correctness on any point please explain your reasoning ?
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