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Candidate for TICA Maine Coon Breed Committee
Elaine Hawksworth-Weitz - Smokeycoons Maine Coons
ELECTED
 Hi,
my name is Elaine Hawksworth-Weitz, and I'm running for the Maine Coon Breed
Committee. In 1994 my husband, Fred, and I started SmokeyCoons cattery. Our
primary goal, has always been, and continues to be, to produce healthy, happy
and well-socialized Maine Coons. We have a small cattery – we currently have 1
stud male and 2 females. We have produced and shown our Maine Coons in TICA -
many to regional wins and 3 to international wins. Plus, we’ve shown a Household
Pet kitten to an International win.
Here's a recap of my TICA involvement.
Member since 1997
Provisional Allbreed Judge
Entry Clerking Administrator
Certified Master Clerk
Member, Maine Coon Breed Committee (since 2002)
Assistant Show Manager and Treasurer of the 2004 TICA Annual (in Edmonton)
Treasurer of the 2009 TICA annual (in Orlando, FL)
Northwest Region Member of the Year, (2006)
Member, Special Regional Awards Committee (2002)
Member of the following clubs:
The Maine Event (a Maine Coon cat club)
The Evergreen Cat Fanciers
International Specialty Club
Pacific Northwest Outlaws
Garden City Cat Club
Aquaticats Cat Club
SmokeyCoons has also been a member of Maine Coon Breeders & Fanciers Association
(MCBFA) since 1996, and a breeder member since 1998. In 2000-2002, I was the
Western Region Director of MCBFA. And, for a short time, I was western area rep
for the Maine Coon International magazine.
I am also actively involved with The International Feline Foundation (TIFF) - a
nonprofit foundation (in the U.S.) that promotes, supports and encourages
scientific research programs for the benefit of domestic cats through funding
grand projects related to feline diseases and health. Since 2005, I have been on
the TIFF Board serving as the Foundation's Secretary.
Most recently, I was the Board's liaison to the Awards Review process wherein
the Foundation awarded a $9,990.00 grant to Colorado State University for a
study on "the role of bacteria in chronic pancreatitis in cats.
For the most part, the Maine Coon breeders in TICA have long been a cohesive,
strong group. Even when we've had different approaches and beliefs to our
individual breeding programs, we've always had the best interest of the Maine
Coon cat at heart. And, I believe we still do. However, over the past several
months, the TICA MC breed section yahoogroups list has seen people at each
others' throats over the issue of whether polydactyl Maine Coons should be
accepted for championship status. If you've been on the list in these recent
months, you will know there are a few people who have fervently spoken out from
'both sides of the table' of the poly issue. We all have to remember that
everyone has the right to have a different opinion. And, because of that, it
doesn't mean that the opposing view is wrong.
We need to have people on the MC Breed Committee that can:
1) work towards the common goal of strengthening the breed;
2) accept the fact that people may (and probably have) a different opinion about
the polys and to work at mending relationships; and,
3) separate personal biases and keep an open mind to other points of view.
I believe I am that 'type' of person. I love this breed and I want to see it
become better and healthier. And, I would hope that serving on this committee
would help that cause.
Per the By-Laws, page 15, Section 17.4, it describes the duties & processes by
which a Breed Committee is to operate under:
It is the Breed Committee's duty to represent the Breed Section members on any
proposed Breed Standard change, amendment or deletion, submitted by any bona
fide voting members of the Breed Section.
Any proposal submitted to the Breed Committee must be approved by a majority
vote of the Committee prior to the Breed Committee Chairperson forwarding the
proposal to the Genetics and Rules Committees for review and approval.
The Breed Committee Chairperson must forward any approved proposal to the
Genetics and Rules Committees within 5 days of approval by the Breed Committee.
The Breed Committee Chairperson returns any proposal not approved by the
Committee to the person or persons originally submitting the proposal. Note:
Individual Breed Committee members may attach comments to any breed proposal
submitted to the Genetics and Rules Committees or to the individuals who
submitted the proposal.
Upon approval of the Genetics and Rules Committees, the proposal is forwarded to
the Executive Office for balloting by the Breed Section (in accordance with
118.2).
Now that I've recapped the 'official' duties of the Breed Committee, I would
like to see the Breed Committee's duties expanded to include the following:
1) I would like to see the 'ticamcbreedsection' yahoogroups list become a more
representative & accurate tool to measure the section's wishes. Every person who
is a legitimate member of the Breed Section should be invited to join the "ticamcbreedsection'
yahoogroups list. Thanks to Laura Cunningham, that has happened. I know of at
least 60+ new subscribers to the list in just the last few weeks.
2) To lead the
Breed Section's efforts related to Maine Coon health issues (such as HCM, SMA,
hip dysplasia, and gingivitis).
3) To
disseminate information to the general public about Maine Coons through a breed
brochure (which was completed in August) and the MC breed seminar (which needs
to be updated).
4) To be advocates for the Maine Coon - as directed by the Breed Section.
5) I'd like to see an annual breed awards show for just the Maine Coons just
like the Bengal breeders do annually. I'm sure you've heard of "On Safari". To
coin an old phrase, what about "It's Coon Time"?
I believe the Breed Committee is accountable to the overall breed section.
Although the Committee members are elected to 'represent' the breed section, I
feel it is the duty of the Committee to bring appropriate issues to the Breed
Section for an open discussion. And, then based on the wishes of the Breed
Section, take appropriate action (or make proposed changes to the standard) as
requested.
If the Breed section believes that a Breed Committee, or certain members of the
Breed Committee, did something that was inappropriate, then there is a process
in place for that - it's called a recall. Or, if the Breed section believes a
Breed Committee member did something inappropriate, then simply don't vote for
them again. Your Breed Committee needs to be comprised of people that you trust.
And, if you don't know someone that is running for the Committee, then hopefully
the candidates' answers to these questions will help you make the appropriate
choices.
I was at the Annual. I was not asked to sign any petition requesting that the
Board of Directors set aside a legal TICA ballot by the Breed Section, suspend
the association's rules and allow polydactyl Maine Coons to be shown in
championship status. Rather, I believe there were some poly people who
'petitioned' to address the Board on the issue. That request was approved. I was
unable to attend the Board meeting during the time Deb Brown addressed the Board
on behalf of the poly breeders so I cannot address anything that may have
occurred at the meeting.
However, I can tell you, that if I had been asked to sign such a petition, I
would NOT have signed it. Why? Two reasons:
1. Because the Breed Section had already voted on the issue. The majority of the
Breed Section (I believe it was just over a 2 to 1 margin) was against having
polys accepted for championship status.
2. I don't believe in changing, or setting aside, the association's rules. And,
I wouldn't set aside association rules for an issue that the Breed Section had
already discussed and voted on.
In my opinion, the whole process of "New Traits" needs to be re-evaluated. I
believe that if a Breed Section turns down a request of incorporating a "New
Trait" (such as polys), that there needs to be a mandatory cooling off period (a
minimum of a year) before the new trait can be reconsidered by the Breed Section
AND the Board.
I hope this has answered some of your questions about me wishing to serve on
your Maine Coon Breed Committee. I welcome all comments and concerns.
Elaine Hawksworth-Weitz
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