Next Event: Yankee Chapter Spring Training Clinic – April 25th

March 2026 Quarterly Yankee Chapter Board Meeting Minutes

Yankee Chapter NAVHDA Quarterly Board Meeting Minutes Date: March 29, 2026 Time: 2:35 PM ET

Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 2:35 PM ET.

Attendance Present:

  • President: Patti Carter
  • Vice President: Brian Pike
  • Secretary: PJ Rose
  • Treasurer: Shawn Mowers
  • Director of Training: Blaine Carter
  • Director of Testing: Tyler Bruce
  • Test Secretary: Nick Racioppi
  • Director of Communications: Melissa Knutson

Absent:

  • Delegate at Large: Nate Becker
  • Director of Gunning: Justin Dodge
  • Director of Youth Development: Sarah Franklin

Officer Reports

President’s Report (Patti Carter)

  • Winter Kids Day was a great success; thanks to Phippsburg Sportsman Club.
  • Donations received:
    • Ann Sears & Peter Bako – $150 (youth)
    • Ted Gagnon – $100 (youth)
  • Maine Sportsman Show invoicing issue resolved.
  • FRGB lost approximately $4,500 worth of birds due to mink invasion.

Treasurer’s Report (Shawn Mowers)

  • Discussed paying for porta-potties upfront for the year.
  • MailerLite subscription to be allocated to operating account.
  • Account balances:
    • Checking: $6,000
    • Money Market: $44,895
  • Consider moving funds into a CD for higher short-term yield (Shawn to research).
  • Clarified that P&Ls are generally reported on a cash basis.

Secretary’s Report

  • No items to report.

Motion to accept Officer Reports — seconded and approved.

Old Business

  • Browning Citori raffle ongoing.
  • Canine Sports Medicine event had 50+ attendees; approximately $450 income.
    • Positive feedback; vets interested in repeating in 2027.
    • Additional $100 donation received with thank-you note.

New Business

  • WAHP scheduled for April 10–12.
  • First training clinic on April 25 (sign-ups to be sent by Brian Pike).
  • Training Committee meeting scheduled for April 20.
  • Water clinic date changed to July 11.

Director Reports

Director of Testing (Tyler Bruce)

  • Judges and birds secured.
  • Ted Wentnik confirmed as away judge for the fall test.

Director of Training (Blaine Carter)

  • Bird trailer repaired and ready for the season.
  • Nate Becker to report on new trailer via communications with trailer committee.
  • Training Committee meeting on April 20.

Director of Youth Development (Sarah Franklin) — reported in absentia

  • Request for lifetime licenses.
  • Request for approval of two scholarships — motion seconded and approved.
  • Reminder: Yankee Chapter can sponsor camps.

Director of Communications (Melissa Knutson)

  • First two email campaigns successful.
  • Continued refinement needed, but improvement noted.

Test Secretary (Nick Racioppi)

  • June test remains a 2-day event (3rd day reserved if needed); no waitlist.
  • September test scheduled as a 3-day event (GDT and UT all three days).

Motion to accept Director Reports — seconded and approved.

Adjournment Motion to adjourn — seconded and approved.

Prepared by: PJ Rose, Secretary