Showsight - January 2022

SHOW CHAIRS NEVER SIT

Concurrent Specialties that regularly come to our cluster and are always open to accommodating others who want to join us. We have also had a number of Supported Entries (most recently, RRCUS, Red River Stan- dard Schnauzer Club, Norwich Terrier, and others) and we are always happy to welcome other breed club inquiries to support the entry of their breed at our shows. 6. How are judging panels decided? Who stewards at your show(s)/ cluster? Each club determines and hires the judges for their individual shows based on input from club membership. Sometimes, we are able to share multi-Group judges to reduce costs for both clubs. Each club makes its own contracts with steward clubs and for show photographers. 7. Are Breed Seminars and Judges Education offered? We have offered breed seminars and JE opportunities in the past, but have not had resources recently to manage them. We would love to provide JE opportunities and can pursue those when breed clubs have specialties or supported entries with our shows. That would be great! We would just need some help to do so as our memberships are small, and we all stay pretty busy! 8. How are your show(s)/cluster promoted? TV? Radio? Print Media? Social Media? We have not actively used advertising through TV, radio or print media. This past year, we took advantage of advertising our cluster through an email blast. The Southern Handlers group as well as the clubs with supported entries or specialties posted on social media regarding our shows.

9. What are some of the challenges that you’ve had to face as show/cluster chair? As with many other clubs, the need for more volunteers and more work- ing members is a challenge. Like many dog clubs, our membership is aging and there does not seem to be many younger people with interest in club participa- tion. Personally, I hope that we, as a club, are encour- aging newcomers and new members by allowing input and contribution to the decision-making processes of putting on a show as a way to develop the “new” gen- eration of show chairs and club members. 10. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, what have you and your club members learned about put- ting on a dog show? What, if any, are the differences from previous years and how are you planning for the future? We have followed the requirements set forth by state and local authorities regarding these health issues for our shows in 2020 and 2021. We have found that exhibitors, volunteers, and judges alike work together to adjust to new and on-going challenges presented by the pandemic. Courtesy always works to smooth out difficulties. Our cluster fosters and actively promotes an “exhibitor friendly” atmosphere, and we all work hard to make our shows a great experience for all.

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88 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2022

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