Congratulations to the Daytona Beach Cat Fanciers on bringing us back to the beach and holding a wonderful show.

This club held a first rate show and made all feel welcome.  They also had some special treats like old show albums

From a couple of their first shows (1983 and 1987) including catalogs, flyers, and some great old photos.

 

I also want to thank all the show exhibitors who took the time to attend my regional meeting.  For all those not attending

this show, this email will also share some of the information discussed during that meeting. 

 

1. CFA 2005-2006 Show Schedule
   1. The current CFA 2005-2006 show schedule has been posted on the CFA SR website (www.cfasouthern.org).
   2. The SR has 56 shows scheduled for this show season including 7 shows in Maryland, 8 shows in Virginia and DC, 8 shows in North Carolina, 7 shows in South Carolina, 1 show in Tennessee, 1 show in Alabama, 5 shows in Georgia, and 19 shows in Florida.  We currently have 3 SR clubs actively looking for venues and show dates
   3. While most SR clubs hold only 1 show, there are 4 SR clubs holding two shows and 1 SR club holding four shows. 
   4. As you can see, he SR show schedule is very tight with few open weekends and more than one weekend with multiple shows.
2. SR Shows
   1. The SR continues to hold the most and largest shows each year with 56 shows held in 2004-2005.
   2. The average size of SR shows remains close to 250 cats per show.
   3. The number and size of CFA shows were highest in the mid nineties when cat registrations were at their highest.
   4. Fewer registrations mean a smaller exhibitor base to draw to shows so  clubs need to budget and plan shows for number of exhibitors they can expect at shows.

3. CFA Registrations
   1. Recent emails indicated that the number of CFA Registrations and Breeders are down approximately 40% since the highs in the early 1990's and asked what the CFA Central Office and Board was doing to address this.
   2. The CFA Central Office and Board can do little to increase the number of breeders or kittens registered.
   3. Exhibitors attending the Daytona Regional meeting indicated that they were producing fewer litters and that not all were registering every kitten in their litters.
   4. Registrations will increase if all kittens are registered and produced.
   5. Decreasing registrations are caused by anti-breeding legislation, poor economy, and several other factors.
   6. Breeders are the only group that can increase registrations and we are all responsible for registering all our kittens and mentoring new breeders.
   7. The CFA Board is addressing how to improve CFA.  Several new committees including the CFA Management Committee have been formed to identify new ways to improve CFA.
   8. An outside consultant has also been brought in to look at CFA Central Office and CFA Structure to provide recommendations for improvement.  These recommendations including longer Board terms were outlined in the February 2005 Management Committee report.

4. SR Show Scheduling
   1. The Show Scheduling guidelines are outlined on the CFA Southern region website and follow basic guidelines used for over a decade.  
   2. The basic guidelines include establishing a location and date at least 500 miles from other SR shows and not too close to other shows in the same area

3. A club established a show date after holding a show for two consecutive years on the same show date in the same location.
4. Traditional show dates are held as long as a club holds a show for at least once every two years on the same date.
5. Clubs that are canceling shows should notify the CFA SR Show Scheduler (Pam Huggins) as soon as possible so the open date can be made available to other clubs.

6. Treasure Coast was hit especially hard by last seasons hurricanes with their show venues first taken over by the sheriff’s department and latter the inmates.  During a recent club meeting, they released their traditional show dates while they look for a new show venue and show date for next year.  Big thanks to Treasure Coast for this.  We are working closely with Treasure Coast to help identify a new date outside the hurricane season.

7. A reminder that CFA show rules require the Regional Directors approve any show whose date changes. For example, if a club cancels a show for one year, the Regional Director will be asked to approve the show the following year.

5. Assistance for Florida Clubs
   1. Last year, a global request was made to assist Florida clubs due to the hurricane.  This request specifically addressed deferring show licenses and show entry fees for Florida clubs.  A recent email indicated concern that this request had been ignored.

2. Last year was a year of emergencies for many throughout the CFA footprint including hurricanes, flooding, mudslides, and fires.  Changing show licensing and show entry fee rules would need to address more than just our own Florida disasters.

3. To address this, several posts were made asking impacted Florida clubs to contact me for assistance.  After the third set of posts, only one Florida club has requested assistance.  Assistance for that club in the form of contacts for budget advice, recycling rosettes, and co-sponsoring their 2006 show is in the progress.

4. Several clubs and groups are willing to help.  Sue Beuerlein personally recycled rosettes last year for 7 shows.  CCPB also had a rosette recycling program.  Many SR clubs have also indicated they would be willing to help.

5. It is very difficult to provide assistance on a global level.  It is much easier to provide assistance if the request is specific as to who needs help and what type of help is needed.

6. As a reminder, any CFA SR clubs who need assistance, please contact me at heartbeeps@comcast.net.  Please include a "description" of your problem and what type of help you need.

6. Legislative Issues
   1. Florida is currently facing some very disturbing anti-breeder legislation in several counties including Orange County.
   2. Pat Hawke gave an update and has already posted additional information to the CFA-SR list.
   3. Please remember that the CFA-SR list is a great place to post information on legislation issues and request assistance.
   4. Legislative information and/or links can also be posted on the CFA SR website.

 

Thanks again to all who attended and contributed to the CFA SR meeting at Daytona.

      

Peg Johnson
Southern Regional Director