Board of Directors Meeting
House of Coates
March 5, 2007
Attending Officers and Board Members:
Brian Feuling, Laura Mickelson, Jane Boots, Roberta Lembke, Lori Conway,
Jill Frieders, Kevin Price, Shirley Theede, Hillary Hoffman, Tom
Fisher
Attending Delegates and Committee Chairpersons:
Toni
Mari O’Daniel, Anita Grant, Irene Simonson, Emily Simonson,
Absent: Diana Pierce, Teresa LeFever, Ann Benson
President Brian Feuling called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
President Report
Brian Feuling reported that he will have some new policies to present to the board at the next meeting. This will be part of a larger effort to document our current policies and procedures for future club officers and directors.
Secretary Report
The minutes from the January 20th meeting were presented for approval. Two areas were noted as in need of correction, the insurance section and the Open Shows Championship section. Laura Mickelson moved to approve the minutes with noted corrections. Jane Boots seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Roberta Lembke, Secretary reported that the MAHA website was just updated and requested articles for the next updates. The MAHA Express will be produced after the next update. The Express will have articles on the MAHA Frequent Riders, the Open Shows Championship, perhaps a budget update, and a miscellaneous article of interest to the general membership.
Treasurer’s Report
Jane Boots, Treasurer, reported that the Spring Fling has seven Patrons that have sent in their $200 checks. The club has $63,793 in assets; $60,816.69 in cash and $2,276.67 in fixed assets. Jane reported that we have received $3,915 in dues income. The Board discussed the costs of producing the Spring Fling and Fall Classic program. Next year the board agreed that we should find ways to cut the expenses of producing the program. Lori Conway moved to approve the financial report. Kevin Price seconded. Motion passed.
Insurance
The Board confirmed that USEF will contract for the club insurance; MAHA will be responsible for covering the costs. USEF is moving to this policy to ensure that all clubs have insurance. Laura Mickelson reported that we can expect a 10% increase in premiums.
Expo
Roberta Lembke reported that Dianna Pierce is preparing her advertising for the Expo program. Roberta volunteered Dan Beach’s time to help design the ad. The ad will have the same look and feel as the website.
MN Horse Council
Roberta Lembke reported that Miriam McGurran attended the meeting of the Minnesota Horse Council. The council is having to re-run their elections because of a voting discrepancy.
Spring Show
Brian Feuling reported that Teresa LeFever, Co-Chair of the Spring Fling, feels that everything is ready for the show except they need a ring person for Sunday. Ten barns or individuals have signed up to be patrons; seven have paid.
Arabian Open Shows Championship
Laura Mickelson reported that the Open Shows Championship committee has determined that they will put on a one day open show that will include the championship classes. The committee is looking into having the show at the Northfield Rainbow arena. To save costs, Anita Grant and Natalie Anderson will make the ribbons for the show.
Laura Mickelson also reported that Region 10 will be having an Open Show championship. They will be giving the same coolers and neck ribbons as the Region 10 Championship show.
MAHA Youth
Irene Simonson reported that the MAHA Youth High Point program details are on the MAHA website and encouraged everyone to sign up their sons, daughters, or youth clients.
Fall Show
Jane Boots reported that she has everything ready that can be at this time.
Welcome Committee
Shirley Theede reported that there are no current known needs for volunteer help. Teresa LeFever will let Shirley know if she needs volunteers.
Memberships
Shirley Theede reported that MAHA currently has 274 adult members, 6 life members, and 71 youth.
Annual Banquet
Hillary Hoffman reported that she has started to look at spaces for the banquet. She is looking at a variety of places such as the Science Museum and Dave and Busters. Shirley Theede and Jane Boots volunteered to help. December 1st is the target date for the banquet.
Delegate Report
Laura Mickelson reported that the Region 10 meeting is scheduled in two weeks. She reported that the Region 10 show is scheduled for June 14-17 with the pre-show on the 13th. The premium book should be out soon. Laura reported some of the highlights of the show: the adult amateur hunter and western are split, the show has added a select rider class for AOTR country, the ½ Arabian Adult hunter is split, there will be no AOTR driving, and some of the equitation classes have been combined.
The board discussed the pros and cons of bringing forward a resolution to stop the practice of announcing the names of horses and/or handlers in the breeding classes at the national show. The board did not feel strongly enough about this issue to push it forward to Region 10 for support. The board did feel that the performance horses (and owners) deserved to get recognition at the regional and possible national level.
The board discussed sending a letter to Region 10 to have the performance horse winner sire and dam announced at the regional show. Laura will bring this issue to the Region 10 meeting and will report back to the Board at the March 5th meeting.
Black Horse Literary Program
Hillary Hoffman reported that she contacted the representative with the Arkansas Black Horse Literacy program. She reported that they had between 1200 to 6,000 students engaged in the program. The Arkansas club had to manage the finances and help volunteer at the final event. Hesten Park, Westridge, Shada Arabian Sanction, and Cedar Ridge Arabians, and Conway Arabians have agreed to participate. Hillary has also contacted Midwest, Argent Farm, and Willowbrook. She has yet to contact LeFever’s and Sara Parapovich but will shortly. Hillary will be contacting the Black Horse Literacy Program to get more information about the financial requirements and arrangements.
Lori Conway moved that MAHA support the Black Horse Literacy Program. Jill Freiders seconded the motion. Motion approved...
Gamaar Fynal Edition Traveling Trophy.
Jill reported that she developed new guidelines for the program. The horse must be an Arabian, owned by a MAHA member, and the horse must be shown in two or more classes (country, show hack, or costume, all AAOTR). The same point program used for nationals will determine the winner. Individuals interested in the program must send their nomination to Jill. There is no fee to participate.
Board Vacancy
Brian Feuling reported that Kerry Murray will serve out the remainder of Sandy Feuling’s position on the board.
2007 Budget
The Board discussed the 2007 budget. Roberta Lembke presented the board with a few opening comments to set the stage for the discussion. Roberta recommended that the club needs to rein in spending and only allocate funds to critical projects and then only based on available funds. Roberta recommended that at the end of this fiscal year we determine the profits (or losses) from 2007 and then set the 2008 based on those profits.
The Board agreed to this concept and agreed that our estimated income (dues, show income, reimbursements, etc.) is $80,650. Our maximum expenditures (assuming the shows break even) would not exceed $81,200, amounting to a net loss of $450. The budget was set with full knowledge that no funds were allocated to support delegate travel to convention. The board agreed that the delegate travel stipends would be set in the fall after we determine the show profit or losses. SOMEONE moved to approve the 2007 budget. SOMEONE seconded. Motion approved.
The youth budget was approved with an expected income of $1600, expenses of $2925, for a net loss of $1,875. . Jill Freiders moved to approve the 2007 budget. Kevin Price seconded. Motion approved.
Other Issues:
Shirley Theede reported that MAHA needs to buy a large coffee pot for the shows. Anita Grant has one pot that someone can pick up. Shirley also volunteered to check on the status of the radios we use at the shows. Tom Fisher will donate a stop watch.
Laura Mickelson volunteered to check on the possibility of using the Rosemount Community Center for our meetings. Brian Feuling will check with the Sylla’s to see if they would be willing to host the spring meeting. Kevin Price also volunteered to check on the possibility of having a meeting at Cedar Ridge.
Laura Mickelson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Jane Boots seconded. Motion approved and the meeting adjourned at 9:05.