ESQHA General Membership Meeting

 

President Regina Kernin called the membership meeting to order on October 1, 2006 at 11:15 a.m. at the Cazenovia Grill, Cazenovia, NY. Those directors present were Ed Brenkus, Tom Hatch, Gayle Farr-Moore, Ginger Tomassini, Sandy Burback, Charlotte & Larry Jaynes, Sylvia Farr, Patti Hole, Karen Kulha. Absent were Andy & Cathy Damiano, Dave Phillips, Ann Manion, Dan Bergstresser, Wendy & Gene Bingman, Rick Kenyon and Lee Davidson.

 

Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $38,349.12 as of 8/31/06. No September report was available.

 

Communications:

Ø    AQHA advised that there will be a rate increase for QH Journal ads in 2007, but no dollar amount was given;

Ø    AIM guidelines were received in a CD format. The deadline for completion has been moved up to December 1, 2006.

Ø    Bobbie Grover from the Paint Horse Club requested that we consider including Paint Alternative competition at our novice shows in the future. This program is similar to the alliance AQHA has with NRHA.

Ø    Lothlorien is holding a fall gala at the Roycroft Inn and has invited us to be a sponsor. No action was taken.

 

Committee Reports:

            Convention: Convention will be held on January 19-20, 2007 at the Holiday Inn, Waterloo, NY.

 

            Awards: Bid requests have been sent out.

 

            Newsletter: A total of 317 newsletters were sent out in June with a printing cost of $723.97 and a postage expense of $80.76. A total of 318 newsletters were sent out in July with a printing cost of $795.14 and a postage expense of $94.03. A total of 319 newsletters were sent out in August with a printing cost of $755.72 and a postage expense of $81.47. A total of 319 newsletters were sent out in September with a printings cost of $777.86 and a postage expense of $83.77. The bulk permit was renewed in August at a cost of $160.

           

            Fall show: The show was bigger than 2005. Some bills are still outstanding.

 

            Novice show: Financial statement forwarded to all directors. The show had a net loss of $1,201.03.

 

            Region 5 show: No financial report yet. A conference call is scheduled for October 2, 2006.

 

            Ride 2006: Lee reported fewer riders this year but still made some money. A report will be completed and sent to Ed.

 

            Website: Tom has been updating the site with points, news and upcoming events. Tom has received a couple of ads over the summer. Tom has also been working to move the youth’s site to the same host as Empire’s for a more reliable service provider. Tom will post pictures from the novice show, trail ride or fall show if anyone sends them in.

 

            No other committee reports were received. A motion was made to approve the reports given, seconded and carried.

 

Old Business:

Ø    The results of the membership vote as to whether or not to increase our membership dues to $35/year for family or single member; $95/3 years and $250 for life showed 18 “Yes” votes and 5 “No” votes. Dues will increase in 2007.

Ø    The review of our by-laws with any proposed changes was postponed until November.

Ø    The secretary is still holding a draft letter to AQHA concerning special events. Regina asked to be reminded to review it.

New Business:

Ø    Discussion was held concerning the new AIM deadline and when the Board could get together to work on it. Cathy Reetz will contact the Holiday Inn and try to change our meeting date from November 12^th to November 5^th. If that is possible we will have our Board workshop on Saturday evening, November 4^th and have the meeting Sunday morning, November 5^th. We will continue to reserve one room on the 12^th for the youth meeting.

Ø    Nominations for officers was as follows:

President                     Gayle Farr-Moore

1^st Vice-President        Tom Hatch

2^nd Vice-President       Karen Kulha

Treasurer                     Ed Brenkus

After calling three times for nominations from the floor, the nominations for 2007 officers were closed.

 

Directors nominated for a 2 year term:

Mike Bednarek                                   Sylvia Farr

Ann Manion                                       Larry Jaynes

Cathy Damiano                                   Dave Phillips

Sandy Burback                                    Gene Bingman

After calling three times for other nominations from the floor, the nominations for 2007 2-year directors were closed. As the nominees were not contacted prior to the meeting, those absent will be contacted by Regina before the next meeting to confirm their acceptance of the nomination.

Ø    Horseheads show dates were discussed. Since the USEF have rolled their calendar, the May date for our spring show in Horseheads has been lost. Charlotte has contacted AQHA, but has not heard back yet. This calendar change may also affect the June and July youth shows. The possibility of combining shows was discussed. The NYS fairgrounds, Cobleskill College and Morrisville College were suggested as possible new locations.

Ø    Cazenovia will again sponsor a Ranch Horse competition on October 28^th and 29^th and is looking for our financial support. A motion was made to give $450 to the Ranch Horse Competition, seconded and carried. Ginger Tomassini offered to set up our membership booth.

Ø    Mike Bednarek suggested inviting the NRHA to combine with our spring show if it is moved to the State fairgrounds. This suggestion will be taken to the show committees. It was suggested that the show committees also review our association with NSBA classes, special events and added money.

Ø    AQHA is requesting that we designate a Region 5 representative for 2007. Gayle Farr-Moore and Regina volunteered. No location has been committed for 2007 and will be discussed on October 2, 2006.

Ø    The AQHA Affiliate workshop is scheduled for February 8 – 11, 2007 in Amarillo. AQHA will pay for the airfare and hotel for the designated representatives, which include the president or vice-president, youth advisor and Ride coordinator. Any other director is welcome but they must pay their own way. The deadline for registration is December 1, 2006.

Ø    AQHA is asking that we submit two people to participate in their Leadership Program. The nominees must be willing and able to travel and get involved on the regional or national level.

Ø    Regina suggested that we reduce the number of months the newsletter is produced as a cost-cutting measure. Going to 8 months would save approximately $3,000/year. Another suggestion to save money was to combine award purchases with the youth.

Ø    Deadline for placing ads in the directory is January 20, 2007. A suggestion was made to place the names of the officers and directors on the first page for easy access.

Ø    Sylvia Farr asked that Nutrena’s promotion offer of cash back for each bar code submitted off feed bags be included on the website. The youth are also taking advantage of this program.

Ø    Discussion was held whether or not to participate in the Professional of the Year program offered by AQHA. A motion was made not to participate in the Professional of the Year program, seconded and carried.

Ø    The Board was reminded that AQHA will offer award saddles to affiliates who hold 2 or more novice shows per year. Discussion was held as to whether or not to continue the present format with one novice show, which continues to lose money each year. No decision was made.

Ø    Gayle requested that the Board decide on the secretary appointment prior to January so whoever is appointed has adequate notice.

Ø    A member had a question about marketing sponsorship data and was asked to contact Dan Bergstresser.

Ø    Another member inquired how the decision whether or not to split classes showing in the coliseum is made. Larry addressed the issue.

 

Next meeting will be held on November 5, 2006 at the Holiday Inn, Waterloo, NY

 

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Catherine S. Reetz, Secretary