Saturday, December 26, 2015

2016 Specialty Volunteers Needed

Hi Folks -
Putting on a national specialty takes  a village.  There are many things that need to be done at the Specialty itself, as well as other tasks that need to be accomplished ahead of time.
Here are some of the things we need help with:
1)  Freebies for the Welcome Bag.  Does your workplace have free stuff that it gives out to the public?  Can you procure 125 to 150 items for stuffing in our welcome bags?  (Traditionally, everyone who comes to the Specialty gets a welcome bag with goodies both doggie and human.)  Do you know any business owners who would be willing to donate?  Anyone have special connections with pet stores in the Portland area?
2) Speaking of welcome bags, does anyone have a connection an inexpensive source for the bags themselves that we can print our logo on?  In past years they have ranged from backpacks to canvas bags to other tote-type bags.  
3) Does anyone have the ability to (or access to someone who does) to cut small (12" or less) Briard silhouettes from a piece of plywood?  This would be for a fundraiser -- we would send out the silhouettes to artistic club members for decoration and then sell the decorated Briards in a silent auction.  They did this a few years ago and the range of decorations that people used was amazing.  But in order to do this, we need to find someone to make the silhouettes (we can provide the template)
4) Fundraising generally -- we need help.  If you have a great idea for a fundraiser, share it now!  And if you see a fundraiser announced, please support it!
5) Welcome table and staffing -- at every specialty there is a welcome table where people can get their Welcome bags, check out the schedules, sign up for events, etc.  It needs organizing and staffing.
6) Groundskeeping -- if you want to earn extra cosmic brownie points, and have some time -- or maybe some energetic teenagers -- we need to have someone in charge of poop patrol.  I promise this will not be a thankless job.  Making sure that poop bags, scoops, and buckets are placed throughout the grounds is critical.  
7) Hospitality Suite -- we need a volunteer to organize the hospitality suite,  At the Holiday Inn it will be a suite on an upper floor of the hotel.  
8)  A tourist excursion -- is there anything fun to do in Portland (like a river tour or Multnomah falls or the Rose Garden) that could be planned for anyone interested on Monday or Tuesday evening?  We would not be subsidizing this, but it might be fun if it were made available to out-of-town attendees (without their dogs).  Can someone research prices and options?
There's lots of other stuff to be done too, so if you don't see something you are interested in or have time to do right now, please let me, Carol Wolfram, or Gabrielle LaRoche know.  We can use your help!
Thanks all.  Give your puppies an extra cookie tonight from me.
Tracy Thorleifson, 2016 Specialty Co-Chair

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Three Days Left

Our 2016 National Specialty fundraiser is almost complete, but there's still time to help us reach our $750 goal and take care of that last minute gift.

Support the BCA by shopping with Lynch Creek Farm! 20% of every purchase of beautiful, handcrafted Christmas wreaths and holiday arrangements goes back to our fundraiser! These products are so lovely and fresh, those that have purchased have done so again and again!

Be sure to use this link to ensure the BCA receives credit: https://www.lynchcreekfundraising.com/c/32225

(If you do not receive thank you from me, please email me at Gabrielle.e.laroche@gmail.com to ensure the BCA receives 20%).

Thanks for your continued support,

The 2016 Fundraising Team

Sunday, December 6, 2015

2016 National Specialty in Portland!

Hi Folks -
 
The 2016 Briard Club of America  National Specialty will be in Portland at the Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center.  It will be DURING THE WEEK, Tuesday through Friday September 19-23, with a Regional Specialty Show on Wednesday, Sweeps and Obedience on Thursday, and the Specialty itself on Friday.  We also hope to have supported entries at the Centralia and Gig Harbor shows on the weekends prior to and following the Specialty, so there will be lots of opportunities for points.
 
If you need to plan your vacations in advance, now is the time to reserve that week for dog stuff!  And start saving your pennies for entry fees!
 
For those of you who do not show your dogs in the "beauty contest" it is still a great way to come see the biggest assemblage of Briards in one place in the Pacific NW.  It is a lot of fun and you and your dogs are all welcome!  There will be much Briards fun to be had, and you can hang out with other Briard owners, meet other Briards, and even buy -- or win - Briard-related items.  There will also be a herding instinct test in nearby Vancouver WA that is fun for everyone.
 
Mark your calendars now! 

 
Tracy Thorleifson