Members

Committee Chair & Liaison:  Kristine Maser
Committee Members: Donna Crary Johnson, Taylor Hayes, Teresa Hunt

Purpose/Charter

• Promote education and opportunities for members to train and work with their dogs and attend agility events in their area.
• Promote agility and effectively communicate to members via Tuesday Talk and dedicated Facebook page. Communication may include agility training videos, articles and any agility changes.
• Design, develop and provide member training videos to provide foundation for beginners to higher level competitors.
• Annually recognize:
  • Top 5 MAS dogs in each agility class
  • Top 5 MAS dogs for Invitationals

Members

Committee Chair & Liaison: Tina Winston
Committee Members: Melisa Tiffany, Michelle Cousin, Maddie Koehler, Carrie Witt

Purpose

The Awards and Recognition Committee is responsible for overseeing and supporting MASCUSA’s existing award programs that recognize the achievements of the Miniature American Shepherd and its members.

Responsibilities

Administer and maintain the following established programs:

• Register of Merit (ROM)
• Hall of Fame (HOF)
• Versatility and Performance Awards
• MASCUSA Member Year-End Award Program
• MASCUSA Showcase Events (reports to Nationals Chair)
• MASCUSA Sportsman of the Year (reports to Nationals Chair)
• Collaborate with and incorporate individuals currently serving on relevant committees to ensure continuity and utilize their knowledge of the sport
• Research and propose new awards that highlight excellence in performance and companion sports in which the Miniature American Shepherd competes
• Promote awareness and participation in all awards programs through effective communication with the membership

Members

Committee Liaison: Karen Keller-Ross
Committee Members: Jerisha Ganske

Purpose/Charter

The Breed Standard Committee is formed to research the history of the Miniature American Shepherd standard, review the current breed standard, and, if necessary, recommend revisions in accordance with AKC rules and procedures. The committee is also tasked with supporting member and judges’ education, gathering member input, and ensuring clear communication throughout the review and potential revision process.

Scope of Work

Research and Review

• Study the existing AKC-approved MASCUSA breed standard and collect feedback on how it is being interpreted in conformation events.
• Examine historical context and foundational sources on the development of the Miniature American Shepherd standard to clarify how and why the initial breed standard was created.
• Identify potential areas of ambiguity and inconsistency or sections in need of clarification or revisions.
• Research breed standards and revision efforts from other AKC parent clubs as appropriate comparative references.

Membership and Judge Feedback

• Conduct surveys or solicit structured feedback from MASCUSA members, AKC judges’ comments, and breed mentors to identify concerns and needed clarifications.
• Provide education on the review and, if needed, the revision process; gather member input, and ensure clear communication throughout the research and revision process via polls, Tuesday Talk, Townhalls, and Facebook Members Only group.
• Incorporate formal input from the MASCUSA Judges Education Program via presenters and mentors, and judges’ comments.

Development of Proposed Revisions

• Prepare clear, well-supported draft proposals for any recommended standard revisions.
• Ensure all language complies with AKC’s style and structure requirements for breed standards.
• Submit all proposed revisions to the standard and supporting documentation to the MASCUSA Board for review. The board will be responsible for any official communication or coordination with AKC regarding standard revisions.

Reporting and Oversight

• Submit quarterly updates, or more frequently if requested, to the MASCUSA board. Reports should summarize work in progress, member feedback, proposed revisions, and supporting material.
• All draft proposals and final recommendations must be submitted to the MASCUSA board for review and submission to AKC, as well as any distribution to the membership.
• All materials, proposals, and written work generated by the committee are the intellectual property of MASCUSA.

Communication and Education

• Provide members and judges with a historical perspective on the breed and development of the breed standard.
• Create explanatory materials for members, including historical context, FAQs, or infographics on the breed standard.
• Develop visual aids and presentation tools that can be used to improve understanding of the proposed changes.

Compliance and Governance

• No revisions may be submitted to AKC by the committee. All research, findings, and proposed revisions must be submitted to the MASCUSA board.
• The MASCUSA board reserves the right to amend, revise, or dissolve this committee or its charter at any time.

Membership Composition and Terms

• The committee will consist of MASCUSA members in good standing who have relevant experience in conformation, performance, breeding, or breed education.
• A Board liaison will be designated to facilitate communication between the committee and the MASCUSA Board.
• All committee members must agree to keep discussions and materials confidential until work is officially approved for release.
• The MASCUSA Board maintains full authority over all official communications with the American Kennel Club and will follow AKC procedures for breed standard revisions as outlined in the latest AKC guidelines.

Overview of the AKC Breed Standard Revision Process

• Any change to the breed standard, including edits, clarifications, or deletions, must follow the formal revision process established by the American Kennel Club. Once a revised standard is approved, there is a five-year moratorium during which no further changes can be made.
• When a parent club initiates any revisions, a Breed Standard Committee is formed. The club must notify AKC staff at the start of the process and share draft revisions as they are developed.
• When the proposed changes are finalized, they are submitted to AKC staff for review. AKC will then publish the proposed revisions in the AKC Gazette for a 60-day public comment period. During this time, the club is expected to engage its membership and provide transparency to maintain clarity and trust.
• Following the comment period, the club reviews feedback and responds. AKC staff will present the materials to the AKC Board, who may approve the club to ballot its membership according to the club’s bylaws. If the revisions pass by the required vote, the results, ballot materials, and final standard are submitted to AKC for review.
• If approved by the AKC Board, the new standard is published, and the five-year moratorium begins.

A direct link to AKC’s complete guidelines will be provided for those who wish to review the full policy.

Approved by the MASCUSA Board of Directors October 15, 2025.

Members

Committee Chair: TBD
Committee Members: Laura De La Cruz, Melinda Stevenson, Michelle Cousin
Committee Liaison: Terri Dickerson

Charter TBD

Members

Committee Chair: TBD
Committee Members: Lisa Hansen, Janice Morris
Committee Liaison: Tina Winston

Purpose/Charter

The important goal is acting as a third-party review group with varied accounting backgrounds who can subjectively look at procedures and controls and offer input to the full Board to improve them.

• Committee should be comprised of 2-3 MASCUSA members in good standing that are not currently serving on the board.
• To review the accounting and recordkeeping processes of the Club.
• Prepare a report to provide information to the membership regarding the management of the Club’s finances.
• To provide feedback to the Board to assist them in resolving questions about the business of the Club, and setting policies and procedures that safeguard the Club’s assets for the future.

MASCUSA Board Approved January 5th, 2021

Members

Committee Chair & MASCUSA’s Junior Club Representative: Cindy Weight-Carter
Committee Members: Tobin Carter, Lenny Schudar, Caryn Thornburg, Karen Ross, Tiffany Hatch, Ana Ford
Committee Liaison: Tiffiny Hatch

Purpose/Charter

The Mission of MASCUSA Youth Handlers Council is to promote the dedication to the pure-bred Miniature American Shepherd and to display their natural qualities in all facets of Miniature American Shepherds as a breed. It is to empower the youth with creative ideas to succeed in making the pure-bred Miniature American Shepherd a breed in which they choose to pursue.

Along with that, our mission is to empower camaraderie and close relationships with all youths that will last a lifetime.

Members

Committee Chair: Erica Beattie
Committee Members: Lindsey Condra, Kayla Starnes, Robin Boos
Committee Liaison: Monica Rinehart

Purpose/Charter

1. Research prevalence of health issues in the breed.
2. Recommend updates for the CHIC program, as needed.
3. Coordinate with health database sites and laboratories for health statistics on the breed.
4. Maintain a list of sites providing quality information on health and genetics.
5. Research and develop educational material.
6. As needed, develop a budget/cost projection for expenses.

Administration of the Purpose

1. All major work products of the committee must be submitted to the MASCUSA Board for approval prior to releasing to the membership or the public.
2. All work generated by the committee for the committee is the property of MASCUSA with the exception of educational articles or unsupported research will remain the ownership of the author or researcher.
3. Proposals should be submitted to the Board liaison who will present the proposals to the MASCUSA Board for review and approval.
4. Submit a report, quarterly or as directed by the Board, of all issues under consideration with recommendations or findings of the committee, supporting documentation, motion and vote results to the Board Liaison for presentation to the MASCUSA Board. Report should be submitted in a format that may be prescribed by the MASCUSA Board.
5. Design and develop forms, as needed. The MASCUSA Board must approve all forms to be used by the membership and/or the public.
6. Coordinate with other committees, as needed.
7. Provide content for the MASCUSA website to the MASCUSA Board.
8. The MASCUSA Board reserves the right to amend, alter, or otherwise change the charter for all committees.

Members

Committee Liaison: Tina Winston

Purpose/Charter

Plan and organize the National Specialty. Organization and/or support of events such as Meet the Breeds, Supported Entries, and Specialties.

Members

Committee Co-chairs: Beverly Chang and Chris Roeder
Committee Members: Sandy Walroth, Melisa Tiffany, Barb Kelm, Caterina O’Sullivan
Committee Liaison: Melisa Tiffany

Purpose/Charter

• Work with various affiliate representatives throughout the country to help them promote education, promote opportunities for Miniature American Shepherd owners to train and work with their dogs, and promote AKC events in their area of performance for Miniature American Shepherds.
• Promote your performance area for the Miniature American Shepherd through educational articles for the Tuesday Talk. These articles can be from experts outside MASCUSA, from MASCUSA members in general, from committee members or written by the committee head. The subject matter will be educational including such topics as how to get started, where to look for training, how to get your dog to do a specific skill, or describing someone’s experience in the area of performance.

Members

Committee Chair: Cindy Angiulo
Committee Members: Chris Roeder, Jo Ann Peterson, Brian Peterson, Mary Hoover
Committee Liaison: Teresa Hunt

Members

Committee Chair: Kristine Maser
Committee Members: Arieanna White, Lynette VandeVenter, Terri Dickerson, Erika Holbrook
Committee Liaison: Monica Rinehart

Purpose/Charter

To research considerations to be taken into account when requesting to continue to keep the stud book open for the AKC Miniature American Shepherd, including but not limited to: Gene Pool Diversity, Registration, and Breed Health to benefit the overall development and health of our breed worldwide.

Members

Committee Chair: Lenny Schudar
Committee Members: Lauren Brown, Lisa Friel, LeAnn Fenton
Committee Liaison: Tina Winston

Purpose/Charter

This committee’s focus is to determine the ideal method of presenting the MAS dog to the judge during the “hands-on” examination portion of the conformation show competition. Floor, Table, and Ramp methods shall be considered during the review. The committee will report its findings and recommendations.