A Roadmap for SCOA’s Upcoming Year

SCOA formed a Strategic Planning Team in 2024, under the leadership of Greg Worden, to help map out key goals for the next few years.

Our new plan is built upon a refreshed vision: Foster a community that preserves the Spinone as a hunting dog and companion. It is the culmination of a collaborative process that has carefully considered the feedback we've received from all our members through surveys and discussions.

The Strategic Planning Team provided the Board with these priorities: Health, Breed Preservation, and Member Engagement.

The Board has established these new initiatives, starting in 2024 but to continue for the next few years:

Health:

•      Research & Welfare – We are exploring the formation of a charitable organization as a Spinone Trust for Health and Welfare. This would be a 501c3 (SCOA is a 501c7, and not able to accept tax-free donations). A 501c3 could have a planned giving campaign, which would enhance the funds members bequest tax-free.

•      Education – The Health Committee has been planning webinars and member discussion groups and have surveyed members to understand what topics are most needed. The committee will be announcing an upcoming virtual meeting with a holistic veterinarian, who will address management and care of our senior Spinoni.

Breed Preservation:

•      Breeders’ Education Committee (formed)

•      Spinone Preservation Bank – a new committee is forming under the leadership of Kay McLeland to explore and help define a process for the development of a preservation bank for semen that may be needed years in the future. If a health crisis or other threats to the continuation of the breed should happen, this bank would be administered by AKC under SCOA’s direction and at no cost to the club or members. Details will be forthcoming as the committee moves forward.

Member Engagement:

•      This broad topic includes Regionalization (supporting more local events and groups); Mentorship; and enhanced focus on Volunteerism and Communication. A SCOA Puppy Club is now in the works – look for more information from a newly forming team led by Delita Rosenbaum; to give you a sneak peek, we are looking forward to bringing new puppy owners together with resources, local events, and mentors. This is an ambitious undertaking that the Board is excited about, and we hope it will bring new puppy owners together with our members and make it easier for them to become part of the larger Spinone community.

We want your involvement. We hope if you are interested in any of these initiatives you will let us know so we can include you. We are certainly looking for skills and ideas from all our members. Please email Kim Vanderbilt, our club secretary, at scoasecretary@gmail.com if you are interested in participating in any of these new initiatives or any of our existing committees.

I am most of all grateful for the time and dedication of my fellow Board members, our hardworking committees, and all the volunteers who continue to be the engine moving the club forward! Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, concerns, or ideas: annbagnell@gmail.com.