• Treasurer Will Flory presented the financial report for discussion. The Board has requested that Will and John Cleland prepare a proposed budget for the Annual Specialty based on income and expenses for the last 2 Specialties. Once the budget is approved a template can be developed for all on-going Specialties. In addition, the treasurer was asked to develop a strategy to increase earnings of both the Club's general funds & Rescue Reserve Fund.
• The Board was delighted to appoint Peggy Slattery as Specialty Chair for the April 2011 Sweepstakes/Specialty. The Board further encourages all PCTC members to contact Peggy to offer assistance. This Club has always taken pride in the levels of participation and cooperation the members have provided and hope that this will continue.
• Lynda Hammell reported that the Mt. Vernon Inn has changed its policies and will require a room fee for our March Annual Meeting. The fee will be $100 - the Board approved this expenditure. The luncheon after the December Christmas Walk will also be held at the Mt. Vernon Inn, but we have not requested a private room for this event, thus no room charge. The date for the Winter Match has been set for Feb.6, 2011 .at the Oriole Dog Training Center in Baltimore. Sharon Howse has been contacted and will be judging our Winter Match. The Health Clinic at Southpaws Veterinary Referral Center has been changed to Nov., 21, 2010 due to a physician scheduling conflict.
• Molly Wilder, Secretary, reported receiving a correspondence from the Cairn Terrier Club of America asking that we donate a basket for their auction at the CTCA Annual Dinner. Jackie Sowards has agreed to be in charge of the basket and requests monetary donations.
• Cindy Rivers, Odenton, MD., was voted into membership on July 24, 2010. She has two Cairns, Barkley and Cooper, and hopes to help with rescue, attend and support PCTC events and get to know other Cairn people. She was sponsored by Lois Cleland and Veronica Hudak-Moe.

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Minutes from the PCTC’s Annual Meeting which was held on March 20, 2010 at Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick, MD. There were 26 in attendance.

Officer’s Reports

President John Cleland: 2009 was another wonderful, exciting year for the club. We kicked things off with another successful Specialty and are ending the year here among friends. Every event and activity was fun and exciting with plenty of people and Cairns adding to the festivities…except for that little blizzard that canceled the world along with our match. We embody the characteristics of our Cairns. We work hard, we play hard and we compete hard. We are the blue collar, work-a-day folk, who, as individuals go at our tasks full tilt and don’t quit until it is done But, when the job is tough or dangerous, we put aside our differences and come together instinctively to work as a pack, as our Cairns do. This ability to become one for the good of the Club is what makes PCTC a strong club that has thrived for the better part of 40 years. As individual members and committees members, we do our best to help the club through hard work and ethical conduct. We thank all who volunteered this year in the many activities that were held and ask all of our members to get involved! We need you. We volunteer because we are not only members but are friends with a common bond – our wonderful Cairn terriers! And that, my friends, makes us all happy.

Secretary Peggy Slattery: The PCTC’s Annual minutes for 2009 were typed and presented in the April edition of Thistletalk. PCTC’s regular class judge for 2012, Yvonne Catto, has been contacted and has accepted the club’s invitation. Also, the 2012 Sweepstakes judge, DiAnn Flory, has accepted PCTC’s invitation. The Board met 4 times during the past year and the minutes have been taken, typed, and distributed by the Secretary. A brief overview has been put in Thistletalk under Board Briefs. The Secretary keeps in touch with AKC and other Cairn club affiliates – such as CTCA. Letters were sent to all club members with the upcoming slate of officers with a notice that any additional nominees were to be sent to the Secretary for the club’s vote at the annual meeting. No additional names were received. This is my last year as Secretary of PCTC after 4 years and I wish to sincerely thank all of you for your support.

Treasurer Will Flory: A copy of the financial report for 2009 may be obtained by contacting Will Flory via e-mail or phone. His number is listed in the newsletter.

Committee Reports

Specialty Weekend Report (Pam Davis): The 2010 Specialty plans for April 22nd-April 26th are well underway! The committees have been hard at work and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved. In January, I mailed 200 brochures along with raffle tickets and advertising information to PCTC club members and CTCA Board members and others who had attended this specialty in the past. The newsletter included information about the event as well. The hotel is filling up quickly so I hope that everyone makes their reservations before the deadline. The Cairn Terrier Club of America will be holding its semi-annual Board meeting at the hotel on Saturday April 24th. It has been my pleasure to serve as Specialty coordinator and “Let’s Have a Ball!”

Ways and Means (Jackie Sowards): Sales continue to be strong. Ways and Means was present at the club’s specialty show, all field trials and matches. A detailed accounting is provided by the Treasurer in his report. I am requesting help with Ways and Means for the Specialty Show and appreciate any appropriate items which you can donate. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the club. Please keep supporting Ways and Means for the good of PCTC.

Breeder Referral (Roberta Perry, Marsha Quinn): The Breeder Referral committee provides information to people who are considering adding a Cairn terrier to their family. Internet requests and phone calls are just about even in number, as many people like to have a personal conversation about Cairns. We answer these requests by providing website articles, member contacts and other support as needed. The committee maintains a list of available Cairns in order to offer the caller contacts with responsible breeders. To maximize your contacts, please inform us directly so that we can help place your Cairns. Your support helps us to put our best “paw” forward.

Rescue (Lois Cleland, Veronica Hudak-Moe): In 2009 we had the busiest year rescue has had in a long time. We placed 7 males and 3 females through our foster program and 6 males and 5 males through our assistance in direct adoptions. Each one of these dogs has a name and a story. Several were owner surrenders. They were dogs whose owners did not make wise choices when choosing them. Foster homes provide training, schedules, and nurturance. These homes prepare displaced dogs for their “forever” homes. In October PCTC rescue assisted with the huge undertaking of rescuing 13 dogs from a breeder whose health became so bad that she could no longer maintain her kennel. We thank everyone who stepped us to help, especially Marty and David Levy. In 2009 PCTC rescue worked with Scottie Rescue of MD, Westie Rescue of metro DC, Cairn Rescue USA, Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue, Cairn Rescue League, Housatonic Cairn Terrier Club, Prince George’s County Shelter, and the Annapolis SPCA. We welcome all club members who would like to get involved with PCTC rescue.

Membership (Veronica Hudak-Moe): Since the last annual meeting, we’ve had 4 new members join. James Reid, Karen Yu, and Michele & Steve Engebretson were voted in as new members in 2009. Eight membership packets were sent out in the last year: 6 via e-mail and 2 via snail mail. As of this writing, we have 130 members in 89 households. We have 2 applicants that are pending a vote to membership, and they are Lynn Sanderson and Sara Fairchild. Also, I am tracking membership dates so if you remember the approximate date or year that you became a member, please let me know.

Newsletter (Becky Sims): The newsletter continues to be published 6 times per year. To date, there are 40 households who have opted to receive the newsletter online, while 49 households still receive the hardcopy via US Mail. As a reminder, opting for the online version saves the club money, saves volunteer time, and saves paper. The editors will continue to accept breed and dog-related articles from any member, as well as photographs. The editors prefer information to be sent electronically, as this makes the job of merging the information into the newsletter much easier and cuts down on the possibility of error.

Field Trials (Veronica Hudak-Moe): The club held 2 field trials in 2009, both of which were held at my home in Haymarket, VA. In May, there were 45 Cairns entered in the races and 18 in Go-to-ground. In November, there were 47 Cairns entered in the Races and 12 in Go-to-Ground. The weather for the fall trials was rotten and very “Scottish-like.” The general consensus was “we’re already wet and the dogs don’t care, so let’s go for it!” Thank you to everyone who helped out with the field trials planning and execution. Without you, the field trials cannot continue to be a success. We are always looking for volunteers. If you can help with anything, please let me know.

Field Trials Registrar (Judith Simmons): PCTC held two trials in 2009. At the May 31st trial, three Working Certificates were issued to Annwood Eros CDX, RE, NAJ owned by Bitsy Armstrong, Scotty of Sligachan owned by Sue Hathaway, and Bubbles Owned by Darlene Simpson. Two Sporting Certificates were issued to Nightfalls Colby Jack owned by Claire and Darrell Dise and Tintop Mainframe, owned by Sara Fairchild and Patty Dameron. At the November 1st trial, one Working Certificate was issued to CH Annwood Epitome owned by Sherrye Schenk and two Sporting Certificates were issued, both to Nightfalls Colby Jack owned by Claire and Darrell Dise.

Web Site (Veronica Hudak-Moe): The web site will be having its 10h anniversary this June. In the last year, the whole site got a new look, the event calendar was upgraded, Google Checkout capability was added for taking credit card payments online, and the “Members Area” was further enhanced. Members now have the ability to pay dues and submit entries for the Field Trials online. Finally, I added a Potomac Cairn Terrier Club group on Face book that allows PCTC members and non-PCTC members to follow club happenings. Members of these groups can also share Cairn-related photos, videos, and links. It’s another way to get more traffic to our web site and inform the public about our club.

Match Report (Diane Ondo): There were two matches held during the last year. The entry for the spring match was 10 dogs. The winter match was rescheduled due to the weather. It is to be held tomorrow March 21st. I would ask for volunteers to help coordinate the VA matches as it is more difficult for me to attend. Also, I would encourage all to participate.

Specialty Judges Balloting Committee (Joe Vernuccio, Molly Wilder, DiAnn Flory): Molly Wilder reported that 50 ballots were received. All the ballots were opened by Molly and DiAnn Flory with no irregularities reported. The results of the balloting are as follows: Regular Class judge for 2013 are: (1) Mareth Kipp, (2) Al Ferruggiaro, (3) Judy Webb. The Sweepstakes judge for the 2013 classes is: (1) Cathy Nelson, (2) Rena David, and (3) Sharon Howse. Molly stated that the balloting showed interest in all the candidates which in her view showed an able and competitive group. Also Molly stated that the PCTC Board would discuss ways to improve the balloting process at its next meeting.

Selection of PCTC Match Judges: Four names were presented for a vote for the fall and winter matches: Sharon Howse, Bitsy Armstrong, Patty Dameron, and Steve Sudcamp. Steve Sudcamp and Sharon Howse were elected by the membership vote. Steve Sudcamp will judge the fall match and Sharon Howse will be invited to judge the winter match.

Presentation of the 2009 Annual Awards (Lois Cleland): Fifteen awards were presented for Conformation champions. Six awards were presented for Performance champions. Two special Rescue Awards were presented. The full report will be presented in the newsletter.

Special Service Award (John Cleland): The 2009 award was presented to Beth Wilder Wilson for her outstanding commitment and service to PCTC.

Nominating Committee Report (Sas Argentine, Ann Gates, and Jackie Sowards): The new slate of officers is as follows: President-John Cleland, Vice President-Lydia Hutchinson, Secretary-Molly Wilder, and Treasurer-Will Flory. Board of Directors: Lynda Hammel, Diane Ondo, and Jackie Sowards. The Secretary received no additional nominations from the membership. The Secretary cast a vote for approval of the nominated slate of officers. All present voted to affirm the presented slate of officers.

Old Business: Peggy Slattery stated that in response to Judy Irby Wickham’s concern which was stated under New Business at the 2009 Annual Meeting regarding the PCTC vote which is cast for all CTCA ballots that the PCTC Board decided that the PCTC Delegate would be responsible for disseminating all the voting agendas to the PCTC membership for feedback.

New Business:
(1) Two new members were voted into membership. They were Lynn Sanderson, sponsored by Judy Irby and Darlene Simpson; and, Sara Fairchild, sponsored by Patty Dameron and Darlene Simpson.

(2) Lydia Hutchinson presented information regarding the Foundation of CTCA, which gathers funds and recommends grants concerning health issues affecting Cairn terriers. Lydia encouraged anyone who sells Cairn terriers to please send the names and addresses to Clare Redditt so that they may receive packets about the Foundation.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.