Boykin Spaniel Society and Boykin Spaniel Rescue forge agreement on recommendation of directors and future donations.

The Boykin Spaniel Society (BSS) and the Boykin Spaniel Rescue (BSR) have reached an agreement on BSR director recommendations from the BSS. This is a positive move for both organizations as each entity moves in parallel to support and assist Boykin Spaniels but does so with differing mission statements.

The BSR was formed in its present legal status in 1999. During the formative years the BSS assisted the BSR with procedural, governance and financial issues. The BSS, at the request of the BSR, agreed to recommend two directors (one from the BSS board and one At-Large) to the BSR board in an effort to provide guidance and assistance where appropriate. The recommendation process for two board candidates by the BSS has continued unchanged since 1999. Additionally, the BSS agreed to provide some limited financial assistance until such time as BSR was able to stand financially on its own. This support took the form of a donation from the BSS to the BSR by contributing $20 from each litter of pups registered with the BSS. These understandings were not legally binding on either party, nor were these understandings a part of either organization’s Constitution or By-Laws, but were understandings in principle between the two entities.

The boards of both the BSS and the BSR believe that now is the appropriate time for changes in the director recommendation procedures and the donation amount. The BSS board and the BSR board agree that the BSS shall no longer be asked to recommend candidates for BSR board seats and that the donation per litter will be reduced from $20 per litter registered to $15 effective October 1, 2008, and to $10 effective October 1, 2009, and shall remain at that level for the future. All other aspects of the BSS and BSR understanding in principle shall remain as is.

The $5 reduction in 2008 and the additional $5 reduction in 2009 will be used dollar for dollar in support of the Boykin Spaniel Foundation as it continues to fund the following initiatives:

• Free health clinics
• The very successful OFA hip evaluation reimbursement program
• The current veterinary school grant program with NC State and the University of Georgia
• The proposed expansion of the grant program to Auburn University and Cornell University
• The funding of programs relative to genetic concerns and overall health issues