| VIRGINIA CAROLINAS MORGAN HORSE CLUB MINUTES August 2009 Saturday, August 8 at Flintlock Farm in Chapel Hill, NC The meeting was called to order by the president, Pete Jaeger at 2pm. A Quorum was declared by the treasurer. The minutes were read and approved. Pete asked all members to go on line to support the club’s fund raising efforts. Mitch Ehrlich gave the treasurer’s report: At present there is $2,214 in the club account and $133 in the SCRIP (fund raiser) account on line. In discussion of the funds, he mentioned there was not spring gala in 09, so fund raising was minimal. The club subsidizes the Awards banquet – last year the feel was $1000.00. This year we may need to raise the dinner charge. The silent auction brings in $300 and Elizabeth tries to make sure the awards are covered by the sponsorships – that amount last year was $400.00. The income from the ’09 show is yet to be deposited. Nancy Warren requested Southern States seals be sent to her – She has a good collection, and the last time she turned them in we earned about $500.00. Jennie recommended using Horse.com for tack and supplies – it benefits the club and is a fast and reliable site. Leanne Jones was not present for a membership report – she is with her daughter Rebecca who is competing at Walnut Hill Carriage show next week. Elizabeth Abernathy sent a request that we send in points for the awards program. It is entered in the record that we all thank Elizabeth for her hard work on the Awards and for finding such wonderful awards for the winners! Gael Jaeger is program chair – the membership thanked her and Pete for their hospitality today! Gael told about Team Morgan’s plans to come to Flintlock for a dinner and exhibition after their day of competition in the International Saddle Seat Competition held at Cash Lovell’s farm in Winston Salem in mid August. Gael said she is open to suggestions for meeting ideas! Wendy Ehrlich reported on the web site – requested members send pictures. Mary Daughtry reported that she has sent pictures, but they are not used yet. The site makes a great sales tool. She reported the domain name is now registered in Australia and she plans to bring it back to the US. The membership gave Wendy a round of applause for her work on the site. Jenny Mercier gave her report for the very successful So. States Show this year. The Pink Ribbon Class was a big success, and we gave over $3000.00 to the Cancer research organizations. We had several new barns this year and were only down 20 horses from the 2008 count – a great record for this economy. Several people refer to SS as a ‘mini nationals’ as the quality continues to maintain a superb level and almost all divisions have Grand National champions contending! Pete pointed out that the show operates on a budget over $140,000.00. Anne Marsh reported for the Youth Club that there are now over 30 active members working on their badges – that is a wonderful increase from the 6 members two years ago. The membership gave her a round of applause in appreciation! Barb Hewitt reported as our regional representative to the national AMHA. She attended the August 09 board meeting where one of the topics was an international reciprocity for the breed registry. There is a fee structure to be worked out. She noted that the registry is now almost entirely electronic. Voting will be on-line in 2011. The IT committee reports a very favorable use of the AMHA website. For National finances she said there is a $91,349 loss as of May 2009, of which $39,000 is because of the current law suit. August 1, 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers' return to Vermont. A celebration to mark this commemorate this milestone is slated for Saturday at Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, Vermont, as part of the Lake Champlain quadricentennial (from the AMHA website). She reported that there will be new criteria for the Regional shows for 2010. Southern States is again the site for a Judging Seminar. There is a summary of the board meeting on line. Pete pointed out that in 2012 the Convention is scheduled to be held in Raleigh, NC – a great opportunity for our club members to be involved! The membership thanked Barbara for her representation on our behalf (and that of the other member in this region). Ours is a relatively small organization – only 100,000 Morgans registered and less than 8,000 membership in the national organization. We all need to be involved and help promote the MORGAN! Old Business: Pete gave us a history of the Epperson award, with some of the background of why the award was established and who some of the past winners have been. This year the award was not presented at Southern States and was, instead, presented today to a very outstanding youth who has contributed her exuberance and energy to support the youth and the breed – congratulations to Hailey Garbee!! The Kentucky Horse Park was discussed – the Morgan pavilion is under way and will be a fantastic asset to the breed in a park where thousands of horse lovers come every day. We again thanked Mary Daughtry for her work on the club scrapbook which won the club national recognition…Mary in turn recognized June for contributing the writing. She requested materials for the promotion booth which she takes to numerous shows each year – another great way to promote your farm, sales list, etc! Pete appointed Andree Vetrano chair of the nominating committee for the club officers to be elected in November to serve from Jan 2010 to Dec 2011. Jenny reported that 4 show committee members have had to resign for one reason or another. The four nominees presented were elected by the members: Karyn Richardson, Michael Leary, Linda Sewell and Andree Vetrano. We again thanked Jenny for her hard work on the show. Mary Daughtry made a motion that the club sponsor Morgan classes at other shows. The motion was seconded by Hailey Garbee. (this has been approved in the past, but no action taken to date). Gael Jaeger moved the meeting be adjourned at 3pm. Respectfully Submitted, Betsy Buchanan, Secretary |
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