Mission

The Mission of the Public Education Committee is to evaluate, develop, and disseminate materials and programs intended to inform the general public on the responsibilities involved in owning and caring for a Golden Retriever.

Purpose

• To support the Golden Retriever Club of America's objective of promoting responsible ownership by developing programs and materials in a variety of formats that meet the needs of the general public.
• To coordinate GRCA public education efforts with those of the American Kennel Club, and other appropriate organizations, whenever possible.
• To serve as a resource for other GRCA committees that interface with the general public when requested to do so.
• To serve as a public education resource for local Golden Retriever Clubs and rescue organizations.
• To develop programs, materials, and services that will make the GRCA a leader in public education.
• To work with other GRCA Committees, particularly the Puppy Referral Committee and the Breed Education Committee.
• Act as a public information inquiry resource.

Committee Type and Structure

This committee will be a standing committee comprised of six to ten members including the PEC Chairperson or Coordinator. The PEC Chair will be appointed by the GRCA Board. Additional members of the Committee will be approved by the GRCA Board. Each committee member will be responsible for coordinating one of the major functions of the committee. Each region of the GRCA should be represented in the committee if possible. The Committee will communicate via an electronic mail group on a regular basis. All members of the Committee will work cooperatively to develop public educational material. Additional resources for this committee would be the GRCA Technology Committee, the Golden Retriever Foundation, and the Puppy Referral Committee. Appointments to the Public Education Committee will be reviewed yearly.

Responsibilities of the Chairperson

• The chairperson will oversee the work of the other committee members and ensure a coordination of effort between each area on related projects, and between the PEC and any other GRCA committees that require assistance or support from the PEC.
• Provide an annual report to the Board of Directors on the work of the committee and its projects.
• Ensure that any projects which require an expenditure of funds are outlined in detail and submitted in advance for funding approval to the Board of Directors. Further, the chairperson will be responsible for keeping track of project expenses and should provide the Board with a final report at the conclusion of each project.
• Provide the GRCA Secretary with an annual report that summarizes the accomplishments of the committee and outlines proposals for future programs and projects.
• Maintain all records of the committee.
• Provide successor with all committee records and materials.

Each committee member is to be responsible for their area, all helping each other and reporting to and being guided by the PEC Chair. Each committee member will help develop new materials as the need is recognized.

GRCA Web Site

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate the maintenance the Public Education section of the GRCA website.
• Gather information and input from other committee members.
• Work in cooperation with the GRCA Technology Committee and GRCA Webmaster.

Media

Responsibilities

• Identify publications which carry GRCA educational ads.
• Maintain contact with advertising staff of these publications.
• Monitor the publication dates, making sure that the advertisements do not expire.
• Explore further options for publishing GRCA educational ads in other publications.
• Keep the PEC Coordinator informed well in advance of the expiration of ads so that a proposal for renewing the advertisements may be presented to the GRCA Board.

The GRCA Board must approve the expenditure of funds to cover the costs of any advertisements.

Events

Responsibilities

• Identify dog shows and related events throughout the country where GRCA could set up an information booth. These events could include the AKC Invitational, and other large events. Care should be taken to identify events in all areas of the country.
• Contact local clubs in the same geographical area to seek volunteers to staff a GRCA information booth at those events.
• Contact the GRCA Administrative Assistant well in advance of the events so that educational material can be provided to those staffing the information booths.

Club Communications

Responsibilities

• Compile a list of public education representatives from GRCA’s member clubs.
• Solicit input and suggestions from the member club PECs regarding their activities and projects.
• Produce and mail a PEC Newsletter on a quarterly basis. Keep member clubs informed about educational material available from GRCA.
• Solicit suggestions from the member club PECs for the development of additional material and report to the PEC Committee.

Educational Curriculum

Responsibilities

• Be a resource to teachers and educators who are teaching classes about responsible dog ownership.
• Develop an educational curriculum for use in schools, etc. This could be either breed specific or general in nature about the responsible ownership and care of animals.
• Develop an educational program for veterinarians to inform about genetic concerns, how to help clients make informed decisions about breeding, and make them aware of Rescue. This should not be breed specific but should be general in nature.

Information Officer

Responsibilities

• Provide support to information officers in the field by disseminating the current list of local club contacts (public information persons, puppy referrals, secretaries and presidents)
• Develop and maintain a list of resource contact persons with specialized knowledge or expertise who are willing to respond to questions from the public
• Provide support to information officers as needed and attempt to recruit additional information officers in order to increase the geographical coverage served by information officers
• Provide support to other committees as needed (example: furnish membership lists to puppy referral persons)
• Refer inquiries to information officers in the field

Qualifications of PEC Members

The Public Education Committee members should have a thorough knowledge of the breed as evidenced by:

• A minimum of five (5) years of membership in the GRCA
• Participation in various forms of competition
• Demonstrated involvement in the activities of a local Golden Retriever club, all-breed club, or training organization, especially in the areas of public education or puppy referral
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interact with committee members and the general public in a constructive non-confrontational manner
• Must have a computer and access to email and the Internet

Res. 04-48