Minnesota Chapter Annual Meeting
The Board of Directors decided to once again NOT hold our traditional Fable Fest Potluck and in person annual meeting due to continued concerns about CV-19, and the fact that our group size has outgrown the venue we had been using at Chomonix golf course. We hope we can get back to an in person get-together in 2023.
Our Bylaws do require us to have an annual business meeting during January or February, and like we did in 2021, this meeting will be a virtual meeting on the Google Meet platform. It will be held Tuesday February 15th at 7pm. You can join by video or phone. The agenda will include reports from each Director about the past year, what we have in store for 2022, and a briefing about the NAVHDA annual meeting held on Jan 29th.
Click here for the Online virtual meeting link or phone call-in details
NAVHDA International Annual Meeting & Auction/Fundraiser
The 2022 NAVHDA International meeting is being held virtually again this year for chapter delegates only, but there is an online auction/fundraiser that is open to all NAVHDA members. Lots of dog and outdoor equipment is up for auction as well as some hunt trips to cool locations. The auction ends 1/29 and is open for bidding now. Register, browse, and bid here
Scholarships
Applications are Open for the Joe Dolejsi Youth & New Handler Scholarship. Applications accepted through March 5th, 2022. Full details and application form here.
Interested in becoming a NAVHDA Judge? The Bill Jensen Apprentice Judge Scholarship was created to assist chapter members in that journey. More details here
NAVHDA Aims & Rules Clinic with Blaine Carter-June 4th & 5th
Minnesota NAVHDA will once again hold the popular AIMS & Rules Clinic this year on June 4th & 5th at Kelley Farms. Clinic Leader will be Blaine Carter from the Yankee Chapter in Maine. This is a 2 day in depth clinic about NAVHDA principles, the testing system and scorecards. Limited to 20 people. Any member interested in becoming a NAVHDA Judge must attend one of these clinics. Full details & Registration here.
2022 Test Entries
Minnesota NAVHDA is expanding our tests to EIGHT weekends this year to try to meet the demand for test slots. To also help our own members this year, we are initially restricting test entries to chapter members only. Entries will open on Feb 1st. Full testing details and calendar can be found here: 2022 Test Dates & Registrations.
Mock NA Tests are BACK!
After a 2 year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are offering two MOCK Natural Ability tests. Limited to 12 handlers each day and reserved for chapter members who are signed up for Minnesota chapter NA tests. April 30th & July 30th at Kelley Farms in Hugo. Registrations will be by invitation as NA test entries are accepted.
NEW for 2022!
Versatile Dog 101-Search, Point, Track, Swim. A One Hour introduction to NAVHDA principles. Good information for new members and Natural Ability Handlers. Will be run in conjunction with the MOCK NA tests and OPEN training days at Kelley Farms on April 30th & July 30th.
Versatile Dog 201-Heel, WHOA, Fetch. Learn principles about Obedience training and transitioning from a dog’s natural ability & cooperation to what it takes to create a “finished” versatile hunting dog. Demonstrations will then be given about each segment of the NAVHDA Utility Preparatory & Utility Test. Will be run in conjunction with OPEN training days at Kelley Farms on April 30th & July 30th.
Small Group Training
Minnesota NAVHDA encourages all members to work together to form their own small training groups, and we will help support those groups with access to birds and grounds. For new members who need help meeting people and getting in a group, you can fill out our Training Survey/Questionnaire.