ESQHA General Membership Meeting

 

President Gayle Farr-Moore called the membership meeting to order on September 30, 2007 at 11:05 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Waterloo, NY. Those directors present were: Tom Hatch, Karen Kulha, Ed Brenkus, Regina Kernin, Ginger Tomassini, Patti Hole, Lee Davidson and Sylvia Farr. Those directors absent were: Charlotte and Larry Jaynes, Wendy and Gene Bingman, Dan Bergstresser, Rick Kenyon, Dave Phillips, Sandy Burback and Ann Manion.

 

Minutes from the March 18, 2007 meeting were approved.

 

Treasurer’s report showed an ending balance of $80,145.82 as of September 30, 2007. Ed answered some questions concerning the report and will amend some items into more appropriate categories in next report. Ed also explained how the insurance charges are divided among all our events.

 

The youth have a balance of $15,883.81. Over $12,000 was earned through fundraising events.

 

Communications:

• AQHA forwarded the registration information for the Affiliate Management Workshop. Registration is due by December 1, 2007.
• American Youth Horse Council is conducting a youth activities survey. This survey was given to Karen Kulha for response.

 

Committee Reports:

           

Trail Ride: Lee reported 13 riders participated on the first ride and 12 riders participated in September on the second ride. Conditions at both Camillus and Cleveland locations were good. Lee shows a profit of $565. The drawing for the buckle will be held after the remaining raffle tickets are added in. No charity has been chosen yet, although a couple handicapped riding programs were suggested as recipients. It was noted that Lee and Mary donated a great deal of time, food and energy to make this project a success. They have agreed to continue chairing the committee next year and have chosen June 14 and September 6, 2008 for the dates. A charity will be chosen and the name will be used in advertisements for the rides.

 

Fall Show: Regina distributed a draft financial report. The show was a success and thanks go out to all involved. The committee will address the issue of ring crew shortages for next year.

 

Promotional/Trail Riding: Dave forwarded a reminder that all show forms and trail riding logs sheets must be mailed to Kathy Stoll and postmarked by October 31, 2007 to be eligible for year-end awards.

 

Old Business:

• We did not participate in the May expo at the Syracuse fairgrounds.
• Ginger contacted management concerning vendor space at the Syracuse Invitational and found that outside vendors might not be allowed to participate. Class sponsorships will be accepted, but after discussion, it was decided not to pursue this event due to the small Quarter Horse presence.
• Karen talked about the youth committee and how she is trying to draw more memberships from interests other than showing. Karen thanked Linda Wendt for her outstanding work in getting more youth involved in horse judging, horse bowl and hypology contests.
• Joe Connors mentioned RFD-TV as a possibility to attract new members to both our organizations. This is a dish/direct program focusing on rural live and often is directed at the horse industry. Joe Connors will get some information on the cost of advertising in this type of venue.
• David Phillips advised that a notice was placed in the September newsletter outlining the executive secretary’s responsibilities. Letters of interest for this position should be mailed to Dave prior to October 31^st. The committee will review the letters and interviews will be conducted. The committee will then submit their recommendation to the board.
• Sylvia Farr reminded everyone that the Nutrena feed tag promotion is still in effect. Sylvia is sending in her second batch of tags and has raised approximately $230 for our club.
• The novice show held this July showed a small profit due to help from the AQHA grant money we received. It was noted that Julie Young’s facilities were advantageous in attracting riders in the hunter classes.

 

New Business:

• The youth club has requested financial help to purchase shirts for the Congress team members competing in horse judging, horse bowl and the hypology contest. Linda Wendt explained what is involved in this level of competition. Discussion was held concerning what type of shirt and the cost of embroidery. A motion was made to give $500 to the youth horse judging, horse bowl and hypology Congress teams. Seconded and carried.
• Nominations were held for 2008 officers:

President, Gayle Farr-Moore

1^st Vice President, Tom Hatch

2^nd Vice President, Karen Kulha

Treasurer, Ed Brenkus

After calling three times for any other nominations for each office, nominations were closed.

 

Nominations from the floor were accepted for the two-year term of ESQHA directors beginning January 1, 2008. Those nominated were: Dan Bergstresser, Lee Davidson, Patti Hole, Wendy Bingman, Ginger Tomassini, Regina Kernin, Charlotte Jaynes and Cathy Reetz. Cathy declined the nomination. After calling three times for any other nominations, nominations were closed.

 

·      Gayle expressed concern that the committees were not reporting back to the board before major decisions were made and will require more accountability in the future.

·      Discussion concerning the combined youth and Empire shows held in June. Ed commented that Empire showed no profit and the youth shows possibly had a $500 net gain. Concern was voiced about how reports are made and whether or not combing the shows would be a option in the future. Ginger will get the schedule of auto racing in Watkins Glen and an effort will be made to get all show dates and locations locked in early. Regina has already begun getting dates for the fall show approved by AQHA and researching what dates are available in Syracuse if the youth decide to move their shows’ location.

·      A horse council group has been formed which includes organizations that use the state fair grounds for horse shows, to address various facilities issues such as the coliseum footing. Gayle has appointed Joe Connors to be Empire’s representative. A letter of introduction was prepared by the secretary naming Joe as our representative and Kim Connors as our alternate to these meetings.

·      Regina reviewed who AQHA will sponsor at the AIM Affiliate Workshop. AQHA has indicated that they will not pay for anyone who has received reimbursement from them in the past. It was noted that any of our board members are welcome to participate, but they are responsible for their own expenses. Ed recommended that we continue to finance a representative and made a motion to send Tom Hatch to the AIM Affiliate Workshop in Amarillo and pay his expenses up to $1,000. Motion seconded and carried.

 

Future meeting dates:

 

November 4, 2007, Holiday Inn, Waterloo, NY

December 2, 2007

 

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

 

 

 

Catherine S. Reetz, Secretary