RFTEntry Introductory Letter
Purpose and Plan
The overall purpose of RFTEntry is to provide
a “low to no cost” electronic entry service to our member club community and to provide
statistical information for our sport. Statistical information available from one central database
is necessary for our sport to feed the appetite of our results-oriented viewership and to provide qualification
information for all three National clubs, including the Master National.
The Boards of Directors of both the National Amateur Retriever
Club and the National Retriever Club indicated the intent to provide an electronic service in late 2006.
Following an affirmative vote of both Boards, the final direction to proceed with RFTEntry was communicated
during the National Amateur Retriever Championships in June, 2007.
Initially, RFTEntry will accept entries only from trials
that have selected RFTEntry as the online service provider. The overall schedule of AKC field trials and
hunting tests is included in our website www.working-retriever.com
“Low to No” cost to the Club
The burden of conducting a field trial or hunting test is both time
consuming and expensive. Judges' travel costs, birds and catalogues are the three most expensive elements
of a weekend event. Fortunately, RFTEntry already has an office infrastructure in place. The incremental
cost of conducting an entry service is less than a stand alone business. In addition, the support of our
advertisers will provide a significant offset to catalogue production costs, which we will immediately pass on to
our user clubs.
Free Catalogues
As an introductory offer, RFTEntry will provide free catalogues for the
first 75 clubs that select RFTEntry for their event. This approach is the best way to both load our database
and to provide the clubs with a significant cost savings! In order to spread the good word, this benefit is limited
to one event per club.
Cost to the Competitor
We encourage everyone to load up the profiles of their competing dogs and to
use the RFTEntry service. Electronic users will be charged $2.50 per entry. Electronic entries made through our
VIP program will incur a $2.00 per entry charge. RFTEntry recognizes that some dog owners do not have access to a computer
or simply elect to use paper entries. For this small group of owners there will be no cost in
sending paper entries. In our discussion with field trial secretaries, there were generally less than 5 entries
per trial that were received from owners in paper form. Agents and other members of “the trade” that
file paper entries will incur a $3.50 charge per entry. For professional handlers, alternate handlers, and agents,
this charge creates the proper incentive to use our electronic database.
Database
Our database is easy to use and will provide the raw information needed
for obtaining statistics, qualifications and catalogue information. Once you have entered your dog’s
data into the system, you can recall it each time you use RFTEntry. The AKC has indicated that it is willing
to accept electronic information. When available, RFTEntry will be leading the way for club secretaries to
convey the required information to the AKC. Until then, RFTEntry will endeavor to assist club secretaries in
reducing time consuming paperwork. Our system will track all-age points, derby points, and national
qualifications. This system will allow the News to use these valuable statistics in our website and in effect
have an “on line” All Age Summary available at the click of a mouse! Among other electronic
enhancements, a user club will no longer be required to send marked up catalogues to us through the mail.
Frankly, the easiest way to move forward is to “load up” our database with your dog’s profile. Enjoy the lower costs and include a picture of your pup as well!
Summary
The leaders of our sport have recognized the need to move into the
electronic age. The technology is available, not complicated, and will provide our member clubs an opportunity
to reduce the cost of conducting their weekend events, along with a solution to providing accurate results and the
statistical information we all desire!
Good Luck and Guns Up, Dog to the line!
Respectfully submitted,
M. J. Rosenblum, President and Editor in Chief
D. Bath, Director
J. Poer, Director
R. Van Bergen, Director
J. Russell, Director
www.rftentry.com
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