Questions about Possible Changes in APDT Rally

1. Why is the APDT transitioning Rally to a new owner?

The APDT Board of Trustees met in late January to develop our strategic plan for the future. Like any organization, our human and financial resources determine what and how much we are able to do. We have decided that it is essential for us to focus our efforts on APDT's core mission of educating trainers, professionalizing the industry and promoting the APDT and our members to the general public and others in the pet care services industry. While the Board is very supportive of Rally and what the sport and its supporters have accomplished, being a dog sport titling registry does not fit within APDT's core mission. In retrospect, trying to make it fit has been a disservice to both Rally and the APDT. We have limited
resources and want to focus on excelling within our core mission.

The Board has decided that finding a new home for Rally is in the best interest of Rally and APDT. In the interest of being transparent we have announced this news prior to having that new home. Because this action will involve the sale of an APDT asset we must follow certain laws on what we can and cannot disclose. APDT staff is currently in the process of preparing a detailed prospectus which will be made available to qualified parties that are interested in acquiring Rally. At this time, we have no other details that we can release as the staff is still in the process of putting the process plan together, but please be assured that we will report to the membership, exhibitors, and trial officials as soon as we have more details to share.

Rest assured we will be choosing a new home for Rally very carefully as we want to find a place for it that will help it grow and thrive in a way we have not been able to accomplish. We are also looking for a home that will continue its spirit of a fun, human and dog friendly sport with an emphasis on building positive relationships with our dogs. We will be specifically looking for a place that will maintain the spirit of Rally as it is now and that will grandfather in titles and ribbons. We are confident we can perform this transition with minimal disruption.

2. Was the Rally Committee consulted on this decision?

The APDT staff, with the support of the Rally Committee, has been responsible for managing the operation of Rally and as such the Board has been kept apprised of Rally, Rally issues, and Rally's performance. The Rally Committee was not part of the decision to sell Rally as the APDT Board of Trustees is the only body that has the authority to make this decision, and the Rally Committee’s role is a supporting one, not a managing one. This decision was made as part of a review of ALL of the APDT’s programs during our latest strategic planning process. The Board agreed unanimously that we need to focus on our core mission of educating trainers, professionalizing the industry and promoting the APDT and our members to the general public and others in the pet care services industry.

3. Since Rally does not fit with the original core mission, why not change your core mission?

While an organization's mission may change over time, the APDT has always been a professional association and as such the Board believes that our primary focus needs to be on educating our members, professionalizing the industry and helping our members build successful dog training businesses. We still have much to accomplish in those areas and this is a very different task than effectively running a dog sport titling registry. The Board and staff recognize that the APDT does not have the financial and staff resources to do both successfully, as evidenced by Rally's limited growth on APDT's watch. The Board feels that it is essential to focus all of our resources on our core mission and to make sure we excel in every program we offer. We believe that Rally's best chance to excel is with an organization that can provide it with the focus and attention that the APDT cannot provide.

4. Why would the APDT transfer Rally to a new home when so many of its members participate?

While Rally has some very devoted fans within the APDT, after 10 years, only 10% of our members are involved in Rally. As a comparison, the new C.L.A.S.S. program has not been in place for even a full year and we already have 10% of the membership involved. Meanwhile, the APDT has been devoting the equivalent of one full-time staff member’s available staff hours to Rally. Investing that much of our resources in a program that serves so few of our members, when we need those resources for other programs, cannot be justified.

5. How does the C.L.A.S.S. program fit into the APDT mission if Rally does not? 

APDT C.L.A.S.S. is not a dog sport nor a titling registry. APDT C.L.A.S.S. was developed as a curriculum that would appeal to the average dog owner, most of whom do not participate in dog sports. It was also conceived as a curriculum that members can incorporate in their classes, giving them an added value to promote their business. The program has a shelter networking and public relations rationale as well. The APDT board of trustees feels that the program is a strong fit with our mission of educating members, building their businesses and promoting the value of training.

6. Why would the APDT find a new home for Rally when it brings in revenue?

The decision to find a new home for Rally is not related to revenue, it is based on the board’s desire to focus on our core mission of educating trainers.

7. Has Rally already been sold?

Rally has not been sold. The board only just made the decision at the meeting at the end of January to explore the possibility of selling and is in the initial planning stage. The Board announced this change immediately in the interest of full transparency, and will continue to release more information as updates develop.

8. What will be the process for selling Rally? Who will make the decision on who gets to purchase Rally?

The staff is currently preparing a prospectus on the Rally program with the assistance of our accountants and lawyers. Once completed, that prospectus will be made available to qualified individuals and organizations that have expressed an interest in taking over Rally. Everyone who asks to be on that list of potential purchasers will receive the information, provided they complete a confidentiality statement, which is the normally accepted process in the sale of any asset. Groups that wish to pursue the acquisition of Rally will be invited to make a bid and the Board, with assistance from staff, our accountants and lawyers, will pursue the transaction that it determines, in its discretion, best meets APDT’s needs.

9. When do you anticipate Rally being transferred to the new owners?

Since we are just in the initial planning stages, we really cannot predict when the sale will be completed, but we will provide updates as information becomes available.

10. Will all titles earned at existing and upcoming scheduled trials be properly recorded and certificates issued on a timely basis even as the transition is happening?

We plan to operate Rally "as-is" until the sale is complete. Titles will continue to be recorded and certificates issued.  We intend to address any transition issues that may arise.

11. What do we do about our ribbons?

We anticipate that we will license the new owner the right to continue to use "APDT Rally" for a specified length of time. However, eventually we will expect them to drop "APDT" from any materials in favor of the new name. Grandfathering in the use of ribbons already purchased will be addressed as part of the sale.

12. How long will our show records be held on the APDT site?

Show records will be maintained on the APDT site until such time as we can arrange for an orderly transition to the new owner.

13. Will you make title grandfathering part of your sale?

Grandfathering of existing titles will certainly be discussed during the negotiation process.

14. Will you be willing to turn over all dog/handler records to the new owner?

Existing records would be part of the assets that are being sold so that the new owner can continue with building on the success of our participants.

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