Changes in Directors & Nationals 2012

[JerryBradshaw]

In continuing with open discussion with the members, here is an update on some further changes that are taking place with the administration.

(1) On Monday, Midwest Director Darryl Richey tendered his resignation. Darryl will continue his association with PSA as a Judge and Decoy, and we appreciate this, as do the members in the Midwest who have depended on his advice and expertise in PSA.

(2) Midwest Assistant Director Mic Foster, will become the Interim Midwest Director, and handle the duties of Midwest Director, and then at our National Meeting we will discuss permanent status as Midwest Director. On behalf of PSA we appreciate his willingness to take over this position.

(3) West Coast Director Dwayne Baker tendered his resignation this morning, due to personal and family obligations, that have prevented him from devoting the time necessary to his position, and Mic Foster and I will discuss making a replacement for Dwayne. On behalf of PSA we thank Dwayne for his efforst, and many years as a National level decoy for PSA. His replacement should be announced shortly.

I know these changes are confusing to some people, and some members are wondering if there are serious problems in the administration. All I can say is that at times in any organization, the administrators need to decide if devoting their time to the organization is in line with how they think the organization should be run, and whether they have the time or inclination to participate fully. Recently there have been disagreements amongst the directors about how things should be run, and the result of that has been the changes of which you have been informed.

It is my opinion as one of the founders of the sport, and the person, who for the most part, ran the operational side of PSA for the first 5 years and has consulted on the direction of PSA for the last 5 years as executive director, that change is not necessarily a bad thing. While the directors who have resigned recently have been major forces in the sport, there are many members who are willing to put in time and energy to continue to grow PSA. In the end, this sport is not about the personalities in the administration but rather about the members who make the sport. PSA is by membership and trials the largest bite suit sport in America and it is the mission of the administration to continue the growth and popularity of PSA.

I look forward to working with Mic Foster, and the new West Coast Director when he/she is announced. Mic and I have established a good line of communication for moving forward with the rest of the 2011-2012 Trial season and beyond.

More Announcements:

Nationals will be in Ohio. The date is going to be late in October or the first weekend in November. Mic Foster and his club are busy deciding on the venue for nationals, checking out various places where it can be held on those dates. We anticipate a decision within the next 7 to 10 days so members can have ample time to make travel arrangements. We anticipate another amazing event in Ohio as Southern Ohio Protection Sports has proven time and again they put on high quality events, and we are very proud to have them hosting. National select decoys will be announced here very shortly.

East Coast Regionals venue will be announced within the next day or so. Massachusetts Working Dogs will host and the venue will be announced shortly. Please stay tumed for venue details, and announcement of regional select decoys.

I will continue to communicate with the membership on the forum, the new website is due to come online very soon. We will be able to make quick announcements on there, put up trial results, post member content in the way of training information, videos. If members have videos of passing routines in PDC - Level 3, please send links to me, as we will want to make the new website a place where people can do more than read about PSA, where they can see it. If you have great pics and video, share it with us, note who is to receive photo credits, and we will post selected videos and pics on the site.

Thank you for your attention to these changes, and as always if anyone has questions about anything, I am easily reached at malinois_jb@mindspring.com.

Jerry Bradshaw
Executive Director
Interim East Coast Director

[NicoleM]

I may have some videos on my you tube from Nationals 2010 with level 1 and 2 routines and I think I have a coupel of my level 3 routines I can upload. The National's videos are not just of me so probably best to ask those competitor's if they're ok with using them (I think I have Hill and Ariel's performances not sure who else) but you can use mine.

[Britney Pelletier]

That would be great, Nicole.. thank you!

The new web site will be ready very soon (possibly this week), so feel free to email the videos to Jerry :)