Greetings!
Welcome to the January 2008 issue of NCA e-Notes. Yes, that's our new (and final!) name. Read below about the results of the Name-the-Newsletter contest. This is a particularly exciting issue because, in it we are able to announce two exciting new programs: the debut of the Online Whelping Box and the establishment of a new award for dogs whose health test results are posted in an open database. Both of these programs are major steps forward in advancing the welfare of the Newfoundland breed. Read all about them, and be sure to send your comments to the NCA Board of Directors. But keep reading, because there's other news as well, including a plea for help in entering data into the new NCA database, just weeks away from its formal debut. If you've been looking for a way to help the club, now's your chance. Thus far, this newsletter has been received enthusiastically by our membership. Our distribution list is growing each month with the addition of Newf lovers who care about staying on top of what's happening in the NCA. We now have over 1140 subscribers . If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving NCA e-Notes on a regular basis, be sure to forward this along to them with an invitation to subscribe. As always, we want to hear from you. Email us at any time with your comments and suggestions.  |
| New NCA Member Wins the Name-the-Newsletter Contest
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By any measure, the "Name-the-Newsletter" contest to dub the NCA's new electronic newsletter with a new moniker was a huge success. Almost 40 NCA members submitted 91 different suggestions, presenting the Board with a real challenge for selecting the best. After much discussion, they selected "NCA e-Notes," submitted by Hope Taylor.
Although Hope has had Newfoundlands for about thirty years and is a member of the Old West Newfoundland Club, she just recently joined the NCA. (In fact, she is so new that her name was not even in this year's NCA directory and we had to check with our Membership chair to make certain that she was, indeed, a member and eligible to enter the contest.) Hope, a widow, lives in Coldspring, Texas with her 14-year-old son, Josh, four Newfs, and two Great Danes. She is an award-winning artist whose paintings are held in many private collections. Because Hope's "goal is to help this incredible breed in any way possible," I'm certain we'll be able to put her talents to work soon.
Hope and her son will be coming to Rhode Island - their first National Specialty show - and she's excited to be starting off her membership in the NCA by winning this contest and accepting the small token of our appreciation that will be given to her at the Annual Meeting of the Membership on Tuesday evening April 29, 2008.
Congratulations to Hope, and many thanks to all of you who took the time to send in entries.
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| Board Approves Online Whelping Box
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 At its January 17th teleconference, the NCA Board voted to implement the Online Whelping Box-a topic that has been under much discussion for more than a year.
To a large extent, the newly enacted Whelping Box concept is an electronic version of the old Whelping Box column that years back appeared in NewfTide. The purpose of this Online Whelping Box is a bit different, however; its primary goal is to provide a way for potential puppy buyers to connect with NCA breeders who have puppies available rather than having them connect with the myriad of Internet websites taking orders for puppies online. READ MORE
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New Recognition for Those Who Post Test Results
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 For many years, the NCA, by policy, has supported the concept of posting health test results--both positive and negative--in an open database. Now the NCA will provide special recognition to those members who do so in the hope that it will inspire and motivate more people to do it.
LEARN MORE
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Help The Breed--
From the Comfort of Your Own Home
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 The Technical Resources Committee will soon be unveiling the new NCA database--a valuable resource that will be open to store and provide information (openly accessible) on our dogs and their pedigrees, titles, health test results, and more. We are currently populating that database through a variety of means, but now and over time the committee will be looking for people to assist with data entry and quality assurance tasks. Can you help?
If you've been looking for a way to help the NCA, this might be the right job for you -- and it's one that you can do right from the comfort of your own home. Qualifications for the job include the following:
· a computer and access to the Internet
· good attention to detail
· enough working knowledge of the NCA that you understand both NCA and AKC title acronyms and health test acronyms
· some knowledge/familiarity with Newfoundland breeder kennel names (very helpful but not mandatory)
If you're interested in donating some time, please contact the Technical Resources Committee and provide us with a brief overview of your abilities and the amount of time that you might be able to devote to this job on a weekly basis. |
| 2007 ROM's and VN's Take Note
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During the transition to the new database, there will be a period of downtime when data is not accessible, and we are constructing lists of award winners manually. If you believe you have a dog that has qualified for a ROM during 2007 (or if you know someone else who has), and you have not already heard from us, please contact Dejah Petsch.
If you have a dog who completed the requirements to earn a VN in 2007, please contact Jacqueline Brellochs. These volunteers will be hand tallying the data to confirm titlists prior to the Awards Ceremony at the 2008 National Specialty.
Although we believe that our lists are very close to complete, it is possible that we might miss someone during this transition. If that happens, just let us know. You will receive your award and be appropriately honored next year.
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Junior Scholarships Application Deadline Approaching
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Dreaming of a higher education? The NCA, through the Charitable Trust, makes available scholarships to our qualified and deserving Juniors, worth up to $1,000 each year.
Find out more
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Last Chance to Vote for NCA Board Members
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Get your voice heard. Vote today. If you have questions, please contact the NCA Recording Secretary, Cathy Sands.
To be counted, ballots must be received no later than February 1st.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE.
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Oldest Living Newf Award
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Deadline for submission is February 10, 2008.
Please include your Newfoundland's name and date of birth; your name, address, telephone and email. Also include a copy your dog's AKC certificate and veterinary proof that the dog was alive as of 12/31/07.
Apply Today
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WRDX Video Needed
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All you amateur Steven Speilbergs out there take note. The Working Dog Committee, in conjunction with this year's National Specialty, will be presenting a video seminar on the WRDX. Raw footage is fine, or submit edited versions. Since this is an educational event, video of exercises performed both correctly and incorrectly will be helpful. Practice sessions can also be included if they contain exercises from start to finish. If you have video to share, please
Contact Sue Marino
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