Board room at the new AKC headquarters in New York City.
Mon, 05/17/2021 - 9:58am

Editorial: May 21, 2021

COVID recedes, but Zoom should stay

 

Mask

 

For well over a year, we were told to cover our mouths and noses with a mask to lower the risk of transmitting the virus. As dog shows started to be held, social distancing and mask wearing became the norm among show-giving clubs, either by their own decisions or decisions made by the state or county in which they were held. Even with these health measures and lockdowns, life had to go on.

Two very useful things happened: The use of Zoom and conference calls became de rigueur. The AKC board of directors held their meeting via Zoom, as did the delegates. The board meetings were so successful that a bylaw change to the American Kennel Club constitution was proposed to allow remote board meetings. It should have also included the same provision for the delegates meeting. We were told that the delegates meetings were very organized, and advanced mailings that included what would be voted on gave the delegates time to submit any questions they might have had on a particular subject or vote. Approximately 400 of the 600 delegates participated in the meeting. Why the remaining 200 did not attend is questionable. Even the annual meeting, in which elections for new board members were held, went off without a hitch. The votes were counted electronically.

In the future, meetings for both the board and delegates should be held remotely. Except for the annual March meeting, the cost to the member clubs would be minimal. Plus, member kennel clubs from across the country would be able to have a club member from their area be their delegate, instead of these surrogate delegates who represent clubs in parts of the country where they never attend any club events. Nor are they aware of the local problems that these kennel clubs experience. As for remote board meetings, like the delegate meetings, think of the savings – the planning, travel time away from home, no airfare, lodging or meals for both board members and kennel club staff. I’m sure Dennis and Paula would relish the idea; only Benjamin’s would be disappointed.

 

Unmask

 

Now comes the CDC directive that those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear masks anymore, except for public transportation, hospitals, nursing homes and privately held businesses who still want their clientele masked. It is hard to comprehend this decision, because for more than a year we were told to wear masks. Some think this decision came too soon, and others not soon enough. It is incumbent upon us to be respectful of this decision, and for those who have not been fully vaccinated to continue wearing masks for their own protection. Surely, we all look forward to the day when we are all unmasked. We look forward to dog shows being held as they were before the pandemic, but the board and delegates should heavily consider changing to remote meetings.   

 

 

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