Board of Directors Meeting
Coates, MN
April 11, 2006
Attending Officers and Board Members
Brian Feuling, Laura Mickelson, Jane Boots, Roberta Lembke, Sandy Feuling, Lori
Conway, Lori Neises, Doug Peterson, Jill Frieders, and Teresa LeFever.
Attending Delegates and Committee Chairpersons: Toni Mari O’Daniel, Larry Hoffman
Members and Guests: Deanne Muller
Excused Absence: Kim Schultz, Ann Benson, Diana Pierce, Pat Forehand, Anita Grant, Connie Robilliard, Shirley Theede
President Brian Feuling called the meeting to order at 7:00.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 14, 2006 meeting were presented. Sandy Feuling moved to approve the minutes. Laura Mickelson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Treasurer Report
Jane Boots presented the Income/Expense Statement and the Balance Sheet financial statements for the club. As of yet, the payback checks for the Spring Show have not been issued. Jane will send out an updated Balance Sheet and the Spring Show Report by the end of June. Jane estimates that the show will make money, although not a substantial amount. Questions were raised regarding the allocation of the show expenses. Jane gave a preliminary report and will send an updated report to all Board members via e-mail.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Leader
Kim Schultz could not attend. The next LEADER deadline is June
1st.
MAHA Website
The website has been updated. Everyone was asked to submit
their materials by the 25th of each month.
Expo
Diana Pierce was unable to attend. The Expo is April 28, 29,
and 30th.
Spring Show
Teresa reported that she is waiting to see what MAHA will be charged
for an early arrival fee. Laura Mickelson is working on the
class schedule for next year. Laura hopes to add another
schooling class and a reining schooling class. The Board
recommended that a schooling class for reining be added but not
any other schooling classes. The Board discussed the
merits of adding Sport Horse classes in light of the additional
costs that would be required to hire a sport horse judge. Brian
requested that Laura Mickelson investigate the costs of adding
the Sport Horse classes and report back to the Board.
WSCA Shows
Jane Boots gave a short status report on the show. At present
MAHA is the only WSCA show listed for that weekend.
Jane Boots recommended that we purchase the cover ad of the July issue of the WSCA Spotlight. Lori Conway motioned that MAHA purchase the cover of the July issue. Laura Mickelson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Open Show Championship
Laura Mickelson updated the Board on the progress of the Championship
program. Laura reported that we will run full page ads in
the two issues of the WSCA Spotlight prior to the Championship. Laura
also reported that we will give packets of information out at the
show. The packets will contain the Why MAHA information,
MAHA membership form, a Leader, and a MAHA pin. Larry Hoffman
volunteered to contact USEF to get USEF pins to include the packet.
Fall Show
Connie Robilliard could not attend. No report was given. The
Board discussed the fact that Connie received a letter from USEF
stating that she needs to use another Steward for the show, as a
Steward cannot judge the same show multiple times in a row for a
club. The Board also discussed the fact that last year the
dressage and sport horse results were not sent to AHA. The
individuals who qualified at this show may find that AHA does not
know they are qualified. Brian will contact Connie to investigate
these two issues.
MAHA Youth
Youth Directors will work on posters and other forms of promotion
to try to bring more Youth into the program. The Board discussed
that fact that the Youth could use one of our free ½ ads
in the Spotlight as a way to promote their activities. The
Youth will have to write the ad themselves. The Board also
heard that the Youth are considering having permanent name tags
made for their Board members.
Individual Region Youth Reports:
Eastern/Northern Metro: Teresa LeFever reported that her group
met on Saturday for a bowling day. Nine youth attended. Teresa’s
group also sent out thank you notes to all the individuals who donated
items to the Silent Auction.
Southern Minnesota Region: Lori Conway reported that her youth are all riders in her barn but that she has invited other youth from the area to attend events.
Southern/Western Metro Region: Toni Mari O’Daniel reported that on April 15 the Youth judging team is having an event at Cedar Ridge. Toni also reported that the judging team event at the Youth Roundup has been moved to May 12th from the 13th.
The Board discussed how the Youth Delegates that attend the National Convention are selected. There was confusion about the process and Larry Hoffman volunteered to investigate the process that is used to select students. Larry will report back to Teresa LeFever.
Welcome Committee
Sandy Feuling proposed that we once again sponsor coffee juice and
rolls at our future shows. She would like to have the sponsors
listed in the premium book. Sandy will write up a quick reference
guide on how to coordinate this service so that in the future others
could assume this responsibility
Volunteer Committee
Shirley Theede was unable to attend. Brian reported that there were
no new developments. Shirley has received no calls
of people needing help as of yet. Everyone was reminded to
call her if they do.
Membership
Sandy Feuling reported that we have 293 adults, 6 life, and 78 youth
members.
Banquet Committee:
Sandy Feuling reported that she has booked Flaherty’s in Arden
Hills on December 2nd for our Fall General Membership Meeting and
Banquet. The facility has a bowling alley and a banquet facility.
Delegate Report
Laura Mickelson submitted a delegate report. The report will be posted on the website and in the Leader. The Board discussed the concept of having the President and the entire board as Regional Alternates. Laura moved that all Officers and Board members be alternate Region 10 members. Teresa LeFever seconded. Motion passed.
Nominations and Election Committee
Lori Neises reported that she submitted a newsletter article for the Leader making a first call for submitting names of individuals interested in serving on the Board.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Gelding Award—Ambassador Award
Laura Mickelson reported that Region 10 has an Ambassador Award for
a purebred horse owned by a Region 10 member. MAHA can nominate
horses. Since we don’t have time to pull together a
process for doing this Lori Conway motioned that Bbeat Goes on
would be an ideal ambassador of the breed because of all the youth
he that have learned to ride on him. Jane Boots seconded
the motion. Motion passed. The Board agreed that we
will work on a process and form for nominating horses in the future.
WSCA Rule Change
WSCA is in the process of updating their rule book. Deanne Muller requested MAHA’s support on a rule change proposal that she would like to submit regarding the Open Western Pleasure Bridlepath class. The class specifications state that:
“The western pleasure bridle path horse is collected; moves with natural animation and an obvious degree of carriage.”
Deanne and other Arabian riders are finding that Saddlebreds are dominating this class, most likely because of the “natural animation” language. Deanne would like to see that the language be changed to read to something like:
“The western pleasure bridle path horse is collected; moves with natural animation appropriate for the breed and an obvious degree of carriage.
The Board is supportive but asked that Deanne work on the exact language of the rule and then re-submit the proposed rule change. The Board agreed that Laura Mickelson could sign off on the rule change.
NEW BUSINESS
Standard Operating Procedure Manual
Brian has requested that everyone write up a job description for each Board position and responsibility by the August meeting.
Jane Boots motioned to adjourn the meeting. Lori Conway seconded. Motion Passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:30.
Next Meeting: August 8 at 7:00PM in Coates.
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