Report on status of Foundation to MNRC Delegates & Members,
October 18, 2019. Cheraw, South Carolina
As previously reported, the establishment of the Foundation that functions as a totally separate, IRS 501 (c) (3) organization from the MNRC was approved by the MNRC board July 7, 2013 and chartered in the state of Tennessee, December 20, 2013. Its EIN is 46-3114401. The purpose of the Foundation is primarily, but not exclusively, to support the programs and projects of the MNRC. The Foundation received its Determination Letter from IRS stating the Foundation was granted a 501 (c) (3) code designation on September 17, 2014 in record time thru a newly approved IRS “online” application process. As such, the Foundation can receive Charitable Contributions and the donor can receive all the benefits allowed by that IRS Code. The MNRC is an IRS Code 501 (c) (7) and contributions to it are not a Charitable Contribution.
Since the last report to this body, October 19, 2018, Roseburg, Oregon, the Foundation has completed nearly all organizational efforts and is fully operational under the Code determination. The Foundation has approved Bylaws, Conflict of Interest Policy, Gift Policy, and other organizational efforts.
The establishment of the Foundation was suggested by an active supporter of the annual Retriever Hunting Test by MNRC who wishes to remain anonymous. No, it wasn’t me or any other member of the board; wish I’d thought of it and had funds to give. This donor has provided a generous contribution that has enabled the Foundation to become effective quickly and we are deeply indebted to them. Many people ‘talk’ a lot about providing this type of support, this individual’s actions speak louder than words. While the donor’s gift was originally restricted to Awards, you’ll hear about a little later in this report, they have generously agreed to allow some of the contribution to cover establishment costs and some grants you’ll also hear about later in this report. I think it’s appropriate to acknowledge this anonymous support with an enthusiastic & appreciative round of applause! We would encourage each of you to consider making a contribution to the Foundation; I know the original, anonymous donor would encourage you to do that. It’s easy, just make a check payable to MNRCF and provide to me or any MNRCF board member.
The Foundation “hit” the ground running and has responded favorably to several MNRC requests for financial support and the Foundation has provided almost $2,000 to support AKC Advanced Judges’ Seminars hosted by MNRC member Retriever Clubs. If your club is interested in receiving this type support, the request should come thru the MNRC.
In 2015, the Foundation announced they had approved supporting three, new Awards developed by the Foundation and suggested by the original donor. The Foundation has carefully followed the donor’s request. Hard copies of the details of each of the three awards are available at the check in table and this info was shared with other organizations for publication in their venues!
The Awards are:
- Youth Handler of the Year Awards: There are two, separate Awards that represent handlers aged 8-12 y/o and 13-17 y/o. Details on the Awards, including criteria reviewed, are available at the check in table. Nominees for this Award must be received by the Foundation within 30 days of the conclusion of this event. Each Award consists of a plaque and a check for $1,000. No nominations for either award were received this year.
This next award is personally embarrassing but very humbling and is in complete compliance with the donor’s request.
- Bill T. Teague Handler of the Year Award: Details on this Award are also available at the check in table. Nominees must be received by the Foundation within 30 days of the completion of this event. This Award also consists of a plaque and a check for $1,000.
In addition to the individual plaques received for each award, there is a “Perpetual Plaque” for each award that displays the individual’s name and year of the award; the “Handler of the Year” plaque is on display here.
The “Humanitarian Sportsman Recognition” (Recognition) was established by the Foundation in February 2019 to recognize individuals or groups within the Retriever Hunting Test (RHT) Sport that participate in the Master National Retriever Hunting Test program and provide humanitarian services to either those in the sport or outside the sport. The Recognition may not be given every year. This Recognition is designed to recognize members of the RHT sport for their humanitarian services and raise the awareness of the positive impact on individuals, groups and communities that members of the RHT provide. While it is expected members of the RHT sport will provide some humanitarian services, this Recognition is to recognize those who go ‘above and beyond the call’ to provide that service. Candidates for this Recognition must meet the tenets of the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Master National Retriever Clubs’ Code of Ethics. This award consists of a personal plaque, name on a perpetual plaque & presentation of the plaques at the first Master National Retriever Club’s annual event following their selection. Nominations for the recognition will be received within 30 days after the close of this event and criteria for the recognition is available at the delegate’s check-in table.
The Foundation board is exploring ways to financially assist youth handlers at weekend tests as well. The AKC regulations currently include an option for the club conducting the test to reduce, or eliminate, an entry fee for youth handlers and some clubs are offering seminars to youth without charge. The Foundation has begun a feasibility study to determine how it might assist youth handlers at weekend events to encourage new entries in the sport. If you have ideas on how these youth handlers could be supported at weekend tests, please let any of the board members know, we’d love to hear from you. For example, the Wisconsin Amateur Field Trail Club has produced two, youth, seminars and the Foundation has financially supported both of them.
The 2015 (the first) “Handler of the Year” Award was presented to Ken Vidrine on March 17, 2016 at the monthly meeting of his home club, the Lake Charles Retriever Club in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The “2016, Handler of the Year Award” was presented to Bill Autrey at his kennels outside Bentley, Louisiana on January 17, 2017 & the 2017 Handler of the Year award was presented to Bob Neipert, Lexington, Texas in February, 2018 at the monthly meeting of the Waterloo Amateur Retriever Club.
The 2018 Bill T. Teague Handler of the Year Award was earned by Lyle Steinman. Mr. Steinman summers in Gower, Missouri and spends the winter in Natchez, MS. Owner and operator of Castile Creek Kennels; LLC in Stewartsville, Missouri, Lyle has accumulated an impressive success record in American Kennel Club retriever hunting tests and the Master National Retriever Hunting Test programs. He has qualified 198 dogs at the MNRHT; 31 dogs he’s handled have earned the MNRC’s ‘Hall of Fame’ honor & AKC title of MNH (Master National Hunter) earned by having passed three MNRHT’s; and he and his team have earned more than 3,000 AKC Master Test passes and titled 166 dogs with the MH (Master Hunter) title from AKC. He’s a charter member of the MNRC and strong supporter of the Retriever Hunting Test Sport. Congratulations, Lyle and please come up. Lyle is capably assisted by his wife, Stephanie & the award was presented to Lyle in July at his kennels.
We commend the MNRC for authorizing the establishment of this totally separate functional organization and the anonymous donor who conceived the idea of establishing the Foundation and the concept of the Awards. We hope you’ll make a charitable contribution to the Foundation while you’re here and send your nominations for this year’s awardees.
In September 2018, the Foundation Board of Directors approved a gift of $2,500 to the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Since this was a ‘1st time gift’ from the Foundation, the Canine Foundation matched the gift so $5,000 was added to the Foundation. The Foundation asked the MNRC to consider giving the same amount to the Canine Foundation and raising awareness of the Canine Foundation at the MNRC event.
We also commend members of the Foundation’s board of directors for their dedication, expertise and strong support; it’s clearly exciting but very challenging to get such an organization established and functional & each member of the board has done an exemplary job!
The members of the Foundation board are:
- Jimmy Hughes, Secretary/Treasurer
- Gloria Mundell, Director
- Jack Morris, Director
- Jack Combs, Ex-Officio Director (bylaws are designed to include each MNRC President for their term in an attempt to insure close coordination & effective communications of the Foundation’s activity to the MNRC board)
- Bill Teague, President
President Jack, thank you again for allowing us to give this report & Lyle, congratulations on your well-deserved award.
Good luck with your dogs and have a safe trip home. Many thanks!
October 18, 2019
Cheraw, South Carolina
BTT
