WCA Dual Futurity/Maturity Program Changes

The WCA Dual Futurity/Maturity Program was started in 1954. The program has undergone a number of changes over the years as the needs of the club have evolved. From the beginning it was designed to be self-sustaining in that income would cover the associated costs.

It began as a field program with an annual Futurity stake at the National Field Trial.  A bench program was started separately a year later with three sectional events. In 1982, due to large field and bench entries, a fourth Futurity was added and the Maturity was inaugurated. In the late 80s the field and show programs were combined into one.

The combined program has run with four events for over 30 years, however over the last few years the nominations have declined to the point where the program is no longer self-sustaining. It is currently losing a significant amount of money annually.  In 2007, the total loss for the WCA was nearly $4,500; in 2008 the loss was just over $9,100 and last year the loss was nearly $8,500. 

With this level of losses, the program cannot be maintained in its current format.  At the May meeting in Gettysburg, the WCA Board of Directors voted to make a number of changes to the Futurity/Maturity program in order to reduce costs at the National level and to cover expenses of trophies and administration.  These changes will be effective beginning with the 2012 Futurity year.

• The number of Futurity/Maturity events will be reduced from four to three.
• For the bench we will hold a Western, Central and Eastern
• For the field we will hold a Western, Eastern and National
• The hat pins will no longer be awarded but will be available for purchase
• The medallions will no longer be awarded
• Payouts will be eliminated - 100% of fees will be retained by the WCA to cover trophies and administration

The board also considered the costs incurred by the local clubs when hosting a bench Futurity/Maturity event.  It is important to the WCA that the local club not be financially penalized for hosting these events.  Local clubs are responsible for judges’ expenses, superintendent’s fees and rosettes.  These expenses have increased in recent years and at the same time entries have decreased.  Because of this we also made some changes to the program to increase the income available to the host club to offset their expenses. These changes will also be effective beginning with the 2012 Futurity year.

• The bench Futurity entry fee will increase to $30.00 and will continue to be retained by the host club
• The Maturity entry fees will be retained by the host club

These club level changes do not affect the field events because the field entry fees are set by the host club and there is not currently a field Maturity.

By making these changes the board expects the program to break even beginning in 2012 and also expects that local clubs will not be financially penalized for volunteering to host a bench Futurity/Maturity.  These changes, while difficult, were necessary return the Futurity/Maturity to a self-sustaining program and to ensure continuation of the program into the future.

As we move beyond the immediate need to stem the financial losses and look toward the future, the membership may desire to make additional changes to the program. A few suggestions have already been received and will be reviewed.   However, the board is open to and eager for further membership input.  Please feel free to contact any board member with your ideas or comments.

Approved July, 2010