CCAA Breed Standard Information and Timeline

Dear CCAA Member,
 
As chair and director of the Standard committee, I am delighted to inform you that we are now moving into the formal standard revision phase. This has been an extensive process. When I took office and appointed a committee in 2020, we painstakingly reviewed and compiled all the input from the last decade. This information comprises historic standard writings, AKC breed standard comparison, dialog, communications, suggestions, and comments from judges, past standard committees, and the Corso community.
 
The committee's next step was to determine if standard revisions were necessary at all. We did find significant evidence that certain portions of the standard were either ambiguous or confusing. It was concluded that a limited amount of wording to clarify certain sections would be beneficial.
 
In October, I attended an AKC webinar on the policy for standard revisions and began the formal process. On January 17, 2021, I notified the AKC in writing that the committee was entering the development stage of a revision. I will remain in contact with AKC staff throughout this process to get their advice for the best possible proposed language. At this time, I am formally requesting that any CCAA member in good standing that wishes to submit standard input and/or suggestions should send them to me at: Kathy.Cressia@sbcglobal.net 
 
This initial member input stage will be open for 14 days, starting today. At the end of the 14 day input period, the committee will chart and organize information that was received. This process will also include AKC staff.
 
The Timeline from there will be:
 
1. There will be an initial standard committee presentation to the Board and membership. Members will also receive a comparison chart between the current standard, the first round of suggestions, where each suggestion came from, and reasoning as to why the committee added it for consideration.
 
2. The date the committee presents the initial suggestion chart will open a second 14 day membership input stage and Board review. (The AKC does not require these 14 day input periods, but the committee feels members should have every opportunity to contribute to the process).
 
3. After the second 14 days have elapsed, the Committee will review and make any adjustments needed based on the Board and membership input. This draft will then be sent to the Board for approval.
 
4. Board will vote whether or not proposals are to be sent to AKC in an official request. If CCAA Board votes affirmative, a 60 day period will commence in which the AKC will review and publish the proposals in the AKC gazette. The standard committee will continue to take comments/questions from eligible members at that time.
 
5. After 60 days, members' questions will be addressed in either a virtual meeting or in writing.
 
6. Following publication, comments received and response to such comments from the club will be presented to the AKC Board for approval to ballot the membership.
 
7. Upon AKC Board approval, a line item ballot will be sent to eligible CCAA members. Each AKC-approved adjustment will be listed, and the members may vote on each one.
 
8. An affirmative 2/3 of the eligible votes are needed to pass a revision.

9. Ballot results are then sent to the AKC. Those that support a revision to the standard will be scheduled for inclusion on the AKC board's agenda for approval. The approved standard will be published on the AKC Secretary's Page, and the club will be notified in writing of the final approval with a reminder of the five-year moratorium.
 
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me. I look forward to your input on this matter.
 
Sincerely,
 
Kathy Cressia
CCAA Director #1
Standard Committee Chair