@MacPack:
I tired to join years ago, was asked by a local breeder "Why I wanted to be a member?" and when I said because I love the breed and thought it was a club for people who loved the breed, I was told not really, it was for breeders and 'professional' basenji folks. I saw her several times over the years and finally she signed an application and went with me to another breeder to sign, as my sponsors.
Frankly I didn't understand why you had to have 2 members sign off that they knew you well to join a breed fancier's club! At any rate, after trying to get this membership for YEARS, I lost the application before I got it in the mail!
It was funny, over 10 years later I found that application but thought it waaaaay to late to send it in. Not sure what I ever did with it.
I don't know enough 'well known breeders' in person (to get signatures) to sponsor me to join the club. I guess I always figured it was a bit too snooty for me, anyway, if it required more approvals to join than a country club, haha!
So that's why, after 35 years with the breed, I am not a member.
That is really a shame that you were told that…. it is for sure NOT the case (just for breeders, that is just plain a very stupid comment, IMO). Every member is valuable and you don't need a well known breeder to sign, any member can sign your application. And I think that almost every regional club requires that an application be signed by members. Basenji Club of Northern California requries two members sign for new members, as does Evergreen.
There are so many things that non-breeders can do for the breed especially things like Education and Health. What better person then all of the pet owners to talk about the breed and what they are like to live with? Honestly, when people call me looking or asking about a puppy, I would much prefer that they first visit with a non-breeder first. That way the see what it is like to live with a Basenji is a total family situation. Good, Bad, and Ugly. Of course I want to meet them too, but if they don't know the breed and meet with a family/owner that is not a breeder I think they are are more likely to make a better decision if this is the right breed for them, with no pressure (real or not)