Board of Directors Meeting
January 3rd, 2009
Northfield, MN
Attending Officers and Board Members
Lori Conway, Laura Mickelson, Jill Frieders, Roberta Lembke, Ann Benson,
John Diedrich, Anita Grant, Penny Gute, Hillary Hoffman, Toni Marie O’Daniel
Attending Delegates and Committee Chairpersons: Miriam McGurran, Irene Simonson
Members and Guests:
Excused Absence:
President Lori Conway called the meeting was called to order at 11:40.
President’s Vision Report
Lori Conway reported that her primary goals are to ensure that MAHA provides value to the entire membership and to grow the membership. Lori would like to have the club sponsor more workshops and seminars and would also like to see the club reach out to non-members. Lori wants to make MAHA fun and to branch out in new ways to reach members. On-line social forums such as Facebook will become increasingly more important to the club.
Minutes
Laura Mickelson motioned to approve the October 6th, 2008 minutes. Hillary Hoffman seconded. Motion approved. Toni Marie O’Daniel motioned to approve the minutes of the November 9th, 2009Annual Banquet meeting. Motion seconded by Laura Mickelson. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report
Jill Frieders reported that the club has assets of $75,792.16. The Youth have a checking account balance of $5,312.32. The financial reports were not available at the time of the meeting and will be distributed to board members at a later date.
Laura Mickelson motioned to approve the Treasurer’s report. Toni Marie O’Daniel seconded. Motion approved.
Website/Express
Roberta Lembke discussed the need for board members to help update and provide content for the website. She also discussed the advertising opportunities we have on the website. John Diedrich agreed to help gather and coordinate materials for the website, including working to sell ads for the website. The board discussed the need to have more photos of events on the site. All Board members were asked to go through the website and bring updates, comments, and articles to the February meeting. Roberta informed the board that of the 280 plus members only 25 copies of the Express had to be sent through US Mail.
Insurance
Laura Mickelson reported that our insurance is due in April.
MN Horse Expo
The Board discussed the importance of the MN Expo as an outreach activity. John Diedrich and Anita Grant will work together to coordinate the event. The Board agreed MAHA needs to work with the Half Arabian Association and the MN Breeders Association on the event so that the public sees a unified voice supporting and promoting the Arabian horse. Lori Conway will write a letter to the MN Breeders Association and to the MN Half Arabian Club to ask for cooperation and collaboration on the event. Ann Benson will talk with Chuck Richerts from the Half Arabian club about this proposed venture. Lori will also contact AHA to order the promotional booth.
MN Horse Council
Miriam McGurran reported that the next MN Horse Council is January 17th. Mirriam gave an overview of the benefits of being a member of the association, including a foundation that gives scholarships to youth. All board members were encouraged to join. The next meeting of the MN Horse Council is January 17th.
Spring Show
Ann Benson gave a progress report on the Spring Fling. While many of the volunteer spots are filled, Ann is still looking for someone to help with ribbons and the gate. Lori Conway agreed to help get patrons and class sponsors. The show will also need donations for the Youth Silent Auction. The show is going to have members’ only jackpot classes, schooling classes, and will add more diversity classes (gentleman to ride, mares, geldings, etc.). The show will have a limited number of halter classes. For fun, the show will have a boot scramble class. Jill Frieders volunteered to set up the hospitality area on Friday and Saturday.
The show committee will consider doing a Charity of Choice walk trot English/Western class. Exhibitors will be asked to donate $2 or $3 to the pot. The winner will choose the charity to which the money will be donated.
The Board discussed the dates for the 2010 show and recommended that the show be moved to the latest possible date in March. Ann will contact the facility to inquire about the date.
WSCA Shows and Open Shows Championship
Laura Mickelson reported that the WSCA and the Arabian Open Shows Championship is scheduled for September 6, 2009 (Labor Day weekend). The show committee has not yet lined up the judges. The board recommended that Laura attempt to find a judge for the AOSC show that has previous judging experience. Laura will be adding junior horse classes as some riders used this show as a warm up for the Fall Fest. This year instead of giving trophies, a $5 bill will be stapled to the winner’s ribbon. Sonia Bickford will once again make the neck ribbons.
MAHA Youth High Point Program
Irene Simonson reported on the Youth High Point Program. To entice more youth to join the program, Irene will go the spring show to pass out entry forms to the parents and trainers. The Board agreed that we should expand the high point program to include adults. The MAHA treasury will pay for the adult high point awards but the youth will be the sponsoring group. Irene was charged to update the forms.
Fall Classic Show
The Fall Classic is scheduled for September18th - 20th. Lori Conway agreed to serve as the show manager for the Fall Classic. Toni Marie O’Daniel agreed to serve as the barn manager. The Board agreed that it is important to find a local judge to help contain costs. After considerable conversation the Board decided that the Fall Classic would be a Local Members only show. This gives the club the opportunity to further contain costs while still providing a show that qualifies horses and riders for Regional and National events.
Banquet
Hillary Hoffman reported that she has not started planning for the event but is considering returning to the Chart House in Lakeville. The Board expressed support for returning to this venue.
Membership
Lori Conway reported that we have 228 members, 1-3 year member, 10 life members, and 78 youth.
Black Stallion Literacy Project
Hillary will contact Kara Laventure with information about the literacy program. Anita Grant made contact with one of the program coordinators and will provide this information to Hillary.
Delegate Reports
Delegates were reminded that they needed to submit their convention reports before their reimbursement checks will be issued. Once all the reports have been submitted they will be posted on the website.
Board Member Election
Due to the resignation of one Board member and Lori Conway’s election as President, the board was down by two members. As per the club Bylaws, the Board elected two new board members. Teresa LeFever was elected to fill the two year slot and Mirriam McGurran will serve out the remainder of Lori Conway’s term.
New At Large Board Position
The Board spent considerable time discussing the need to reach out to non-show members. The board decided that we should create a new At Large Board position to focus on this area. This position will focus on events and activities for non-showing Arabian enthusiasts. Pat Swenson, a competitive trail rider, was recommended for the position and is interested in serving on the board. Laura Mickelson motioned to appoint Pat Swenson as the new At Large Board Member for Non-Show Outreach. Anita Grant seconded the motion. Motion passed.
2009 Budget
The Board agreed that we will set the annual budget at the February meeting. Everyone was asked to develop their budget requests for discussion at this meeting.
Membership Survey
Roberta Lembke started a conversation about the need to find out more about our membership, why they join MAHA, and the types of activities and events they want to MAHA to sponsor. The Board agreed that we should do an electronic survey using Survey Monkey or other similar service.
Arabian Horse Gallery
Ann Benson talked about the Arabian horse gallery being built in Lexington, Kentucky. Ann asked the Board to consider joining forces with the MN Half Arabian to donate $1000 to the gallery (each club would be responsible for donating $500). Lori Conway motioned that MAHA donate $500 to the Arabian Horse Gallery. Laura Mickelson seconded. Motion passed.
2009 Meeting Dates
February 4th, 7:00PM Black Stallion Restaurant, Hampton
April 4th, 10:30-11:00 Board Meeting, 11:00-4:00 Clinic, Open House,
and Showing of Horses. Conway Arabians, Chatfield
May 6th, 7:00PM Black Stallion Restaurant, Hampton
August 5th 7:00PM Black Stallion Restaurant, Hampton
October 7th 7:00PM Black Stallion Restaurant, Hampton
November 14th Banquet
2009 Events
March 27, MAHA Spring Fling, MN Equestrian Center
September 6th, MAHA WSCA and Arabian Open Shows Championship
September 19th, MAHA Fall Classic, MN Equestrian Center.
Hillary Hoffman motioned to adjourn the meeting. Laura Mickelson seconded the motion. Motion pass and the meeting adjourned at 3:00.