General Board Meeting Minutes

December 5, 2025

GroomTeam USA – Official Message Board Announcement

The GroomTeam USA Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the following rules and updates were formally approved at our Annual Meeting. These changes are designed to strengthen consistency, improve communication, support our show promoters, and help grow all GT sanctioned shows nationwide.

1. New Show Promoter Rules & Updates

• A complete listing of judges and what class they are judging must be posted at least six weeks prior to registration opening. On your website and promoted on your socials. (If there is a judge change please post the change and also update your website)
  
  This ensures competitors have adequate time to review judge assignments and make informed decisions.
• Shows must announce the date and time registration opens at least four weeks in advance. On your website and promoted on your socials.
  
  This allows competitors to plan accordingly and promotes stronger, more organized participation.
• Judges may only judge the same open level class a maximum of three times per calendar year. A list of judges will be updated on our website. If there is a last minute judge change due to illness or travel and there is another  judge at the show available to judge but has already met the maximum of three assignments please email, message and/or call a board member for approval asap.
  

2. Meeting Requirements

Top Ten Mandatory Requirements

• All Top Ten members must attend two general meetings per year. Either in person or via Zoom.
• Missing mandatory meetings will result in 1 point removed per missed meeting from top ten points.
  

Quarterly Meetings

• Quarterly meetings are strongly encouraged, especially for Top Ten members, to stay informed and engaged.
  

3. Volunteer Hours

• All members are required to complete 4 volunteer hours.
• One point will be deducted per missing hour if hours are not fulfilled from top ten points by December 30th. Unless otherwise approved by the Board.
  

4. Top Ten & Travel Team 

• New DocuSign forms will be required for all Top Ten and Travel Team members.
• Travel Team points will be calculated together starting the 2026–2027 season.
  

5. Grooming / Trims Rules

• Retro trims are allowed in the Poodle class.

• Poodle spray-up time will remain unchanged.

6. Travel Team Rules

• Travel Team members may not judge at any GT-sanctioned show—including all lower levels during their Travel Team term.

• All members must continue to compete at least three times per year, regardless of status.

7. New Top Ten

Congratulations to our newest Top Ten members!

We look forward to a successful and inspiring season ahead. We will have our top ten presentations at GROOM’D on Sunday. We look forward to seeing everyone there.  

November 7, 2025

Dear Grooming Community, 

The GroomTeam USA Board of Directors recently received a message concerning one of our team members. The message included allegations that this individual was not maintaining clean kennels, runs, or facilities, and it was accompanied by photos showing dirty bowls, cages, and runs.

Upon receiving this information, the Board immediately scheduled a Zoom meeting with the team member to discuss the allegations and allow her the opportunity to respond. She provided us with current photos of her facility, which demonstrated clean and well-kept conditions. She also explained that the original photos in question were taken by a disgruntled employee she had hired to clean her kennel and that she was present when those pictures were taken.

The Board takes all concerns seriously and appreciates the importance of integrity, professionalism, and animal welfare within our organization. After reviewing the information and evidence provided, we will continue to monitor the situation as needed to ensure that GroomTeam USA’s standards are upheld.

September 25, 2025
GroomTeam USA is proud to announce the formation of a Judges Committee, comprised of six highly respected leaders, judges, and competitors: Ann Martin, Grace Adriano, Scott Wasserman, Nicole Kallish, Irina Pinkusevich, and Elizabeth Johnson. This committee has been established to develop a recognized set of qualifications and criteria for apprentice judges and judges. By creating consistent standards, GTUSA ensures that all judges at GT-sanctioned shows are guided by the same expectations of knowledge, fairness, and professionalism. We believe this initiative is in the best interest of the competitive grooming community and will help strengthen the integrity and growth of the sport. We will continue to share updates as the program develops.

September 16, 2025
Dear Grooming Community,
A grievance was submitted regarding the posting of content that does not align with the image and standards of GroomTeam. The board has reviewed this concern and has had a direct conversation with the individual involved. It was made clear that if any content is being created or shared that could be viewed as inappropriate or not representative of the professionalism expected from a GroomTeam member, the GroomTeam uniform must not be worn or displayed in such content. All members are reminded that representing GroomTeam carries with it the responsibility of maintaining a professional and dignified image, both in person and online. The integrity and reputation of the team are a priority, and we appreciate the community’s support in upholding these values.

Dear Grooming Community, 

We would like to address a recent grievance regarding the involvement of GroomTeam USA in decisions about assistant access in the competition ring at Groom Expo in Hershey, PA.

To clarify: GroomTeam USA had no role in the decision to limit assistant activity in the ring. Decisions regarding assistants being allowed in the ring are show management or judges decisions. GroomTeam USA does not have any current rules regarding assistants. 

We understand that tight scheduling can create unnecessary stress for competitors. The feedback shared particularly regarding assistant parameters and class timing is both valid and appreciated. We encourage continued dialogue with event organizers to help shape an environment that supports fairness, clarity, and professionalism for all involved.

We remain committed to promoting excellence and integrity in the grooming community and thank those who have reached out to advocate for improvement and transparency.

Groom Team USA Board of Directors 

The GT board of directors recently received a grievance about a judge at a recent grooming competition judging competitors that work for, rep for and/or are on the same company team asking was this considered a conflict of interest. With our industry being small and the competitive side even smaller we look very closely when something like this occurs. The Conflict of Interest policy reads as follows: “Vested business relationships, defined as an involvement having the element of personal monetary gain, within the last six (6) months including but not limited to:  Employee/ employer/ subcontractor, Consulting, Professional handling or handling assistant,  Business partnership”   Two people that both work with or are involved in the same company do not have a vested business relationship, no money passes between them. Many times, they don’t even work together, and for this reason, the GT board feels that this situation was not against our Conflict of Interest policy.

July 21, 2025

There were multiple inquiries regarding an apprentice judge discussing how they influenced a placement at a recent sanctioned show after an investigation was held it was found to be false and the issue has been resolved. 

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the foundation and future of sanctioned shows we have started conversations with show promoters regarding the development of additional policies and procedures for all GroomTeam sanctioned shows. One of the topics we discussed is apprentice judging guidelines. 

• Rules and expectations for Apprentice Judges
  • Establishing qualifications and criteria for future apprentice judges 
  • Setting clear boundaries and professional standards 
  • Outreach to show promoters with consistent guidelines 
  • Clear guidelines for judges that have apprentice judges working under them 

In order to remain transparent, consistent, and maintain the integrity of GroomTeam USA sanctioning we feel there is a need to streamline all sanctioned shows including the lower levels. We will be meeting and working diligently on this project for the next two year cycle so it can be ready for 2028-2029 sanctioning. 

GroomTeam USA Board of Directors

June 2025

GroomTeam has approved the Teton Grooming Expo for sanctioning years 26-27, and the dates are May 28-31, 2026.

January 2025
Exciting News!

GroomTeam has decided to add two new breeds for the 2026-2027 show cycles. They are:

Glen of Imaal Terrier – 2 hour time limit
Parson Russell Terrier – 1 hour 45 minute time limit

January 2025
Judging Process

Beginning in 2026, GroomTeam USA will implement a streamlined judging process. Judges are limited to the maximum of 3 assignments per class per year. This adjustment (applies exclusively to GroomTeam USA sanctioned classes) aims to ensure consistency, uphold the integrity of evaluations, and enhance overall efficiency during competitions. Example: Judge A has judged 3 open level poodle classes this year, they are ineligible to judge any more open level poodle classes for the remainder of the year at any sanctioned show.  In collaboration with show promoters, GroomTeam USA Board and judges are working together to ensure the integrity and fairness of the competitive ring. In order to hold and protect accountability a spread sheet of judges will be available on groomteamusa.org

December 31, 2024

Beginning in 2025, GroomTeam USA® Board of Directors has implemented a Grievance Liaison to be present at all GroomTeam USA® sanctioned shows to facilitate a proactive approach to resolving issues promptly and transparently. This person will be available if an infraction occurs against the Conflict of Interest Policy, Code of Conduct, or Standards of Conduct and Sportsmanship Rules.  

The Grievance Liaison’s sole responsibility is to create a timeline of events, gather information pertaining to the infraction, and present it to the board. Grievances must be filed by the end of the show. The liaison will provide the Board with the information and within five days of the close of the show the Board will decide how to proceed. The grievance liaison for each show will be listed on the 2025 show calendar available on groomteamusa.us. Grievances will still be accepted through GroomTeam USA’s® website if an infraction occurs outside of a GroomTeam USA® sanctioned show against the Code of Conduct or Standards of Conduct and Sportsmanship Rules. Any past Top 10 or current point holder must adhere to these rules.

December 17, 2024

Dear Grooming Community

The Board of Directors received several inquiries as to whether a competitor is able to be judged by a mentor or by a judge that the competitor was receiving instruction from for the World Championships.  After reviewing our conflict of interest policy the board has voted to not award points from Groom South which took place December 7, 2024. The decision was made due to the following sections of the policy.

• Personal Mentoring Relationship with judge(s) assigned during the timeframe(s) of that sanctioned class(es). (Excluding post contest critiques).  
• Private or semi-private instruction (less than six attendees) within four months of competition.  

As a result, the board has determined that while the competitor can still compete under this judge in future events, they will not be eligible to earn GroomTeam USA points in such cases due to the nature of their relationship. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

GroomTeam USA Board of Directors