MAHA Board of Directors Meeting
January 7, 2006
St. Marys Point
Attending Officers and Board Members
Brian Feuling, Laura Mickelson, Jane Boots, Roberta Lembke, Sandy
Feuling, Doug Peterson, Lori Conway, Teresa LeFever, Shirley Theede
Attending Delegates and Committee Chairpersons: Diana Pierce, Toni Mari O’Daniel, Larry Hoffman
Members and Guests: Mike Theede, Dean Lembke
Excused Absence: Jill Freiders, Pat Forehand
Unexcused Absence: Robin Arbuckle
President Brian Feuling called the meeting to order at 12:00.
Approval of Minutes
Laura Mickelson motioned to approve the minutes of the August 8th Board of Directors meeting.. Jane Boots seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Laura Mickelson motioned to approve the minutes of the November 11th Board of Directors meeting. Jane Boots seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Sandy Feuling motioned to approve the minutes of the November 11th General Membership meeting. Jane Boots seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Presidential Report
Brian thanked everyone for attending, Shirley and Mike Theede for having the meeting at their house and thanked Shirley and Sandy Feuling for providing lunch. Brian outlined his club goals for the coming year:
- To make every MAHA event the best it can be.
- To increase our volunteer base.
- To get the youth more involved in club activities.
Secretary Report
Roberta indicated that one of her goals is to get the old club records in order. Former secretary Beth Leszczynski has volunteered to scan in old minutes and burn the data to a CD. Roberta will file a copy of the CD(s) and give one set to Brian as a backup. Roberta informed the Board that she will need a two-month lead-time to prepare and send out mailings to the general membership because we tend to use bulk mail for these mailings.
Treasurer Report
Jane presented copies of the Treasurers Report to the Board. The reports included the cash balance, income and expense statement, as well as some of the individual event income/expense statements. The club Liabilities and Equity Statement as of December 31, 2005 was $60,619.11. Net income for 2005 was a $-2408.79. This year all three shows made a profit. The Spring Fling made $5811.45. The previous year the show made $11,178.60. The decline in profit can be attributed to the blizzard and two major barns that couldn’t attend because of the weather. The Fall Show had a profit of $886.89. The change from a two-day to a three-day made it difficult for the show to generate more income. The WSCA Shows made $255.87.
Jane asked advice from the board concerning investing another $10,000 into a CD. The Board ultimately determined that we should hold off doing so until after the spring show. Laura Mickelson motioned that MAHA hold off investing $10,000 into a short-term CD until after the Spring Show. Sandy Feuling seconded. Motion approved.
Jane also reported that she pulled together the list of MAHA National, Reserve National, and Top Ten rides from this year’s 4 national events.
Delegate Elections
The club can send one delegate to convention per every 50 members. Four individuals requested to be on the ballot. Lori Conway, Jill Frieders, Ann Benson and Anita Grant were elected. Anita Grant will be motioned to an alternate position if membership drops below 300.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Leader
Kim Schultz, Editor, could not attend. She did send a report
and indicated that there was a lot of advertising support for this
addition of the Leader. Kim has extended the deadline for the
Leader for important Board topics until Tuesday, 3:00PM. She
requests information on the Horse Expo announcement, Event Listings,
approved minutes and updated Officer information,
MAHA Website
Roberta reported that the website was just updated with new materials
and she is working to get color business cards and image for the
ad section. Roberta also reported that she is starting to
get e-mails to the mnarabhorse account regarding the club, events,
and shows. Roberta will be using Jane’s list of MAHA
national champions to solicit new photos for the website. The
banner photos will rotate among the different pages.
Insurance
The club insurance (Equisure)
will be up for renewal in April for a projected cost of $845.46. Show day rates will be $110.50
per day for shows. They are the only company that includes
participant liability. Diana Pierce requested that Laura get
her a copy of the insurance documents that she can present to MN
Horse Expo; they require a copy of the documents for all participants. .
MN Horse Expo
Diana reported that the Expo is April 28-30th and does not
conflict with the Sioux Falls show. MAHA has reserved 10 stalls;
7 horse stalls and 3 for tack, feed and a hospitality stall. MAHA
and MAHAHA share a booth inside the coliseum
Diana submitted her budget request for 2006 with an expected cost of $652.50. Some of the costs are for the volunteers admittance to the Expo. MAHA gets 7 free passes for the Expo; 4 of which are 3 day passes. Diana also buys a number of one-day passes for the other volunteers. Diana would like 4 volunteers per day, splitting time between the barn and coliseum. The hours are 8:00 til 5:00. Diana estimates she needs 10 people to help with set up and tear down.
Four people have contacted Diana and expressed a willingness to bring their horse and ride at the Expo. Diana needs 4 additional riders. Everyone is encouraged to try to find members who might be interested in exhibiting their horse.
Diana requested another stall drape be purchased. Brian will verify how many we have before a decision is made. Sandy and Brian volunteered to re-create the “Why MAHA” poster. Lori Conway is going to contact Susan Bavaria at AHA to get some free materials like the new poster on evolution of the horse that we could use at the Expo. Lori will also check to see if we can get the booth.
MN Horse Council
No report
Spring Show
Ann Benson and Teresa LeFever, Show Chairperson for the Spring
Fling reported that the show preparations are going well. The
premium book will go to print this week. Debra Johnson, a Nationals
judge is the judge; Van Jacobsen has been asked to serve as the ringmaster. One
outstanding issue being worked on is the EMT situation. Teresa
is coordinating the Patronship work. She reported that because
stalling is limited, premium stalling will be assigned by the date
the check is received.
There will be two seminars at the show. Lori Conway will give a presentation on the new shoeing regulation sometime on Saturday. There will be another seminar on the new Sweepstakes rules. Ann announced that there will be a Youth Silent Auction at the show. Individuals interested in donating items should contact Teresa LeFever. Shirley will contact tack shops for donations. Laura Mickelson reminded everyone that individuals must be already signed up for the new Sweepstakes program before the show in order to get Sweepstakes points.
WSCA Shows
Anita Grant reported on behalf of Pat Forehand
that since Cornerstone is in bankruptcy she and Pat Forehand are
looking into moving the two Open Shows back to the Northfield Rainbow
arena. Pat and
Anita will work with the Youth President and Youth Director on these
shows.
Open Shows Championship
Laura Mickelson
presented the document outlining the concept for a new Open Shows
Championship. Laura Mickelson, Anita Grant,
Pat Forehand, and Jane Boots are serving as the Championship committee. The
program is not a fundraiser; it is a promotional event. The
program, 10 Championship classes to held at the Steele County Free
Fair in Owatonna , is designed to recognize the people that show
in the open show circuit. The fair already has Arabian-only
classes. The Championship program would have 10 classes ( 2
halter, showmanship, 2 western horsemanship, English equitation,
2 western pleasure, English pleasure and native costume ) that will
be integrated into the other classes of the fair. The fair
doesn’t allow post entries into classes but would allow post
entries into the Championship classes. We would require that
individuals wanting to show in the Championship classes to have shown
in a total of 3 open shows (including this show).
Laura is seeking donations of neck roses from past Region 10 shows that will be re-made with new plaques. Ribbons will be given to the champions, as well as the qualifiers. They will try to set up a MAHA banner at the fair for photographs but need a volunteer to staff this area.
Laura developed a budget based on 10 horses. With 10 participants the program would cost $850. The loss decreases as the number of horses increases. The committee is seeking $50 sponsorships for each class. The board discussed the class charges and agreed that we need to keep it low to be attractive. The cost will be $5 per class.
The board agreed that the concept was excellent and that we should support the program. Doug motioned that the board support and approve the concept of the new MAHA Open Shows Championship to be held at the Owatonna Free Fair. Lori Conway seconded the motion. Motion unanimously approved.
Fall Show
Connie Robilliard reported that
there will be a combined premium book for both the spring and fall
shows to keep costs down. Candice
Zeier will judge the two-day show. Because the entries in the
halter classes are low, all halter classes will be amateur only except
the Arabian geldings which will be AAOTH so that it can be a sweepstakes
class. All amateur championship classes will be ATR.
Youth
The Board discussed the issue of
MAHA Youth Leadership. Nancy
Seward has declined to continue with the position. Lizzie Seward
is also stepping down as Youth President. At this time there
is not an official Youth President. The Board discussed the
need for an adult leader for the Youth. After discussion the
Board came up with idea that perhaps we could try a regional concept
and ask individuals from different areas of the state to coordinate
activities while retaining a couple of meetings that included all
the youth. Lori Conway agreed to be responsible for the southern
part of the State, Teresa LeFever volunteered to handle the east
Metro and Toni Marie O’Daniel will take the North and West. Toni
agreed to serve as the Reporting Coordinator for the group and will
also be the designated AHA Youth Coordinator.
Jane Boots motioned that the MAHA Board adopt a regional concept for the Youth Programs with one central coordinator. Laura Mickelson seconded the motion. Motion approved.
Welcome Committee
Sandy Feuling reported that she will be sending out a welcome letter
and the MAHA pin to all new members. She will also seek out
sponsors for Spring Fling and Fall Classic shows for morning coffee
and roll breaks and the complimentary water, coffee, and candy
that MAHA provided at last year’s shows.
Volunteer Committee
Shirley Theede reported that she is available to help find volunteers.
Membership
Shirley Theede reported that we have 191 members and 42 youth that
have renewed their membership. We also have 4 lifetime memberships. The
board clarified the fact that the lifetime memberships are to AHA
and not to MAHA. To retain MAHA membership the AHA lifetime
members must pay a $20 yearly MAHA membership fee. MAHA has
two lifetime MAHA members (Carol Carbonell and Mary Taylor).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bylaws
Laura Mickelson reported that the bylaws still need to be approved. The
bylaw changes will be presented to the general membership for a vote
at the spring meeting to be held at the Spring Fling horse show on
Friday night. Jane volunteered to make copy of the Bylaws
to distribute at the meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Membership Types
The Board discussed the
fact that MAHA has had Associate members. These
individuals paid $30 to be a member of MAHA only. AHA lists
this Associate membership as $20. Jane Boots motioned that
the Associate membership be decreased to $20 from the current $30
to match the AHA Associate membership. Roberta Lembke seconded
the motion. Motion approved. Sandy Feuling will redesign
the current web-form to include the new information. This form
also needs to be included in the premium book.
Meeting Times and Dates
The Board set meeting dates for 2006:
February7th—7:00PM, House of Coates
March 14—7:00PM, House of Coates
March 17 –General membership meeting—Spring Fling Show
April 11--7:00PM, House of Coates
August 8—7:00PM, House of Coates
December 2--General Membership Meeting, Location TBA
The Board discussed the fall annual meeting and the need to get this planned and announced early. Sandy Feuling volunteered to coordinate the general membership meeting.
MAHA Locker
Brian Feuling reported that we no longer have a New Brighton locker. The
contents are stored now in Brian’s garage. A variety
of items were in the locker including some glassware, storage racks,
a MAHA banner, a Region 10 banner, TV/VCR and other items. Some
of the items will be moved to the Winona locker. At this point
the other items will be held at Brian’s house. Some of
the glassware and glasses will be used as gifts for volunteers at
the Spring and Fall show. Some items were ruined by the elements
and mice and were thrown.
Brian stated that he would donate 4 wooden directors’ chairs to the club but that we need to buy seats and backs for the chairs at a cost of $180. Teresa LeFever motioned that MAHA agree to accept the donation of chairs and purchase the seats and backs for the chairs. Jane Boots seconded the motion. Motion passed.
The Board also discussed the need for lightweight folding tables that could be used for the Expo and other events. Tables are now on sale for under $30. Doug Peterson motioned that we buy three tables. Laura Mickelson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Youth Judging Team
Ken Price has extended an offered to coordinate a MAHA Youth Judging
Team. The board discussed the offer. Laura Mickelson
motioned that we support the offer from Cedar Ridge’s Lesson
Program Director, Ken Price to coordinate the MAHA Youth program
contingent on all MAHA Youth being welcome to participate. Jane
seconded the motion. Motion passed
Region 10 Show
Laura reported that the Region 10 Board meets tomorrow to discuss
the Region 10 show. Laura is going to recommend the addition
of some new classes and the elimination or combining of other classes. The
Board provided feedback on the specific classes. Laura will
report the results back to the Board.
2006 Budget
Roberta Lembke asked that all major committee coordinators start
pulling together their budget proposals. Roberta will forward
to everyone an Excel spreadsheet form that they can use to create
their budgets. The Finance Committee will review the requests
prior to the meeting.
Laura Mickelson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Jane Boots. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 3:30.