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Canadian Kennel Club Answers Questions

I asked questions that I believe many of you are looking for answers about our CKC IT issues and upgrades.  Here are the questions and answers from Lance Novak, Executive Director.

What is being done to improve CKC IT and bring our systems up-to-date?

We submitted a business case to the board for a significant investment in our finance, website and backend system and it was approved. The investment will be over three years.

What time frame are you looking at for the system to be completed?

Tangible results will be realized during the three-year investment. The first item being delivered is a new website in the first quarter of 2014. It will be easier to navigate and will have more information. Additional features, such as better and more online forms will be delivered throughout 2014.

Replacing our 28-year-old customized backend system will take longer. Work will begin in 2014 and will be ready in 2015.

Will the membership see improvements in service at all during the upgrade?

Yes. After the new website is launched improvements to current functions, new content and services will be launched throughout the three year period. Improvements that require our new backend system will likely be rolled out at the earliest in Q1 2015.

What service improvements or changes will the members enjoy with the upgrade?

We want to increase the opportunities for members to be able to have more self-serve options. We are also aware that we need to improve the time it takes to register and process event results. We want our website to be easier to use and develop content for members and the public that best serves their needs. We will be forming a committee made up of a balanced matrix of breeders, exhibitors/competitors, junior handlers and public pet owners to assist with determining the right content.

One of the biggest complaints is not being able to register dogs online.  Will

that be happening in the near future?
Currently dogs can be registered online by logging in and visiting the Membership Services -Application Centre and selecting the “Dog Registration” option on the left hand side. It is integrated with the Litter Application. We will be working towards having a clearer process and a greater variety of dog registrations that can be done online.

Second complaint is not being able to have a timely points tracking system online at the CKC.  Will this be something coming in the near future?

CKC recognizes that event results should be timelier.  We will begin to deliver improved event results in 2014.

It took almost a year for the CKC to announce 2012 Top Dog points.  Is this going to improve for 2013 points?

Our aim is to have the results out by March.

I was noticing as I drove around the Juravinski Cancer Centre, where Zachary has been treated for cancer since March this year, that there are still people that have not caught on that smoking kills.  We typically park across the street from the main entrance and must climb a set of stairs from the street to the entrance.  I am always amazed how many people, including the hospital's employees that gather at the bottom of the stairs to smoke.  They gather there because it is technically off hospital property where smoking is not allowed.  I'm sure most people would say that I'm a nice person that doesn't look for trouble, but I must tell you that I've got to where I say something nasty to these people every time we pass them.  I say something like, "You'd rather be a patient than an employee" or "What you don't see enough suffering, you want to see your family suffer, too"!  Or I say something as simple as, "that is revolting, we are here to save a life, please don't smoke in this area"!   

People have become insensitive to others.  Either they don't care if they are disrespectful, or we are failing to teach respect. I don't just see disrespect at the hospital.  I see it at the grocery store, in parking lots, at the movie theaters and dog shows. There is a southern saying, "You can't teach Class, either you have it or you don't".  I hope to see more respect at the dog shows.  Perhaps the list below will give all of us some guidelines to follow and we will be more classy.  

Lyle, Zachary and I wish you and your family the happiest of holiday season.  Make it a season to remember.  Be safe and joyous.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

                                                                                                   XXXOOO