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Board of Directors Message October 2025We have received some messages of concern regarding the recent rule change to temporarily allow an option for a pull to be sanctioned without requiring handlers to go behind the line before encouraging their dog to pull while still allowing sanctioning allowing handlers to go behind the line. These concerns have been heard and recorded. Regarding the survey posted on the Western Canada Pull Club Facebook page, this was not an official survey of IWPA members and was done in the capacity of the leadership team of that local club, not as a board member. The data from that survey was not discussed at length, merely mentioned in passing as a small part of the complete discussion, involving both pros and cons during the conversations leading up to and within the special board meeting on Oct 9th. Gathering information from local members who any board member represents is a part of due diligence before making any decision. Any survey, member email or social media communication is merely a single drop in the ocean of data driving the votes or opinions of the free-thinking board members, who voted for what they believe is in the best interest of the organization. The majority of the board made this temporary interim decision for the remainder of this season. Giving an option to use the line was chosen to give handlers freedom in how they prefer to pull. This will also help the organization gather more data to make an even more informed decision for a possible permanent rule change in the future. Many options were discussed, including but not limited to removing the line altogether, and giving each handler the option to pull with or without the line, but the board decided to keep the rule on a competition-by-competition basis so handlers could choose which pulls they preferred to attend. Regarding notice of the special board meeting, Article II Section 4 – Special Board Meetings within the bylaws does not include a requirement for a 30-day notice in the case of a special board meeting, as would be required of a special general meeting as per Article II Section 2 – Special General Meeting. Article II Section 6 does require 30 days’ notice for a meeting to be sent to directors only, but any director may waive notice of the meeting. In this case, notice was waived by attendance, and there was representation from the full board of directors. Regarding tabling the issue and waiting for a member vote, there is no requirement for a member vote on changing any part of the standing rules, following the past process at many board meetings, most recently in June 2025. The board felt that with dwindling membership and limited sanctioned pulls, the continuance of the organization was in jeopardy, and this issue could not wait for a whole season and be pushed to the next board meeting at the end of the season, so to bolster the membership and revenue for the organization, the decision was made to vote on this change in-season. Action was required to revive the organization. The season had just started, there had only been 2 pulls that had been completed and no other pulls sanctioned at the time these discussions started. This issue was also voted on by the sitting board in June 2025 and the vote was a tie twice (old and new business) to keep the rule, so there is support within the membership to change this rule. The board was also put in an unfortunate, difficult and rare situation by the resignation of most of the past board on the first day of the official pulling season, leaving remaining board members scrambling to fill positions from very few applicants. The board’s proposal is to receive member feedback following trailing this rule change for the season, leading to a permanent decision at the offseason board meeting. The board is not making permanent decisions on this issue without the full input of the complete membership. Regarding the historical info provided to the board, this information, along with an article written by John Podolak on the history of the organization and the sport was circulated and discussed at length prior to making any decisions. Both would be good information for future newsletters, as has already been suggested by board members. They can also be posted on the website and be a part of the pro and con listing regarding a vote on this rule change as per Article II Section 8.E of the constitution. Regarding the notion of a dog being more likely to be injured pulling without the line vs pulling with the line, consideration was given in this discussion about dog welfare. There is no evidence of any dog injury caused by pulling any weight, regardless of handler position. Regarding records and awards, rules change over time, as has been the history of this organization. A major rule change happened in the past to not require the dog to be at a standstill while the handler went behind the line, and some records still stand from that time. Rules change in professional sports, and eras come and go. Regarding thoughts that this rule changes the integral makeup of the organization, IWPA is differentiated from other pulling organizations in a lot of great ways through regional competition and medals, attainable titles, travelling championships, insurance issuance, a robust Hall of Fame program, and many more. The board urges all handlers to keep or renew their memberships so their vote can count, both when voting for the board members who best represent their desired direction of the organization, and in important matters like this rule change. The board urges anyone who feel strongly enough, wants to be a part of their desired solution and to drive the organization in the direction they desire, to get involved, of which there are many ways to do so – become members, organize pulls, become a regional representative, bid to organize championships, or even apply to become a board member. If any member who has not yet pulled this season would like a refund, please notify the secretary in writing as per Article I Section 5.A of the constitution. Looking forward to seeing you all at a pull sometime. IWPA Board
Connie Meech
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