Minutes from January 13, 2008

OPENING

The meeting was called to order at 1:40pm.

A thank you was extended to Jaye Ventresca for inviting us into her home.

All present introduced themselves and signed the attendance sheet (kept as part of meeting minutes file).  All 2008 elected officers were present (Sandy Gambuti, President; Kathy Sellers, Vice President; Roxane Martin, Recording Secretary; Sandy Lapp, Corresponding Secretary; Kathy LaFrana, Treasurer; Kelly Anderson, Newsletter Editor)

Reading of Minutes

Minutes from the Nov. 4, 2007 meeting, taken by then Recording Secretary Sandy Gambuti, were read by Roxane Martin.  Motion was made by Linda Mott to accept the November 4^th minutes, seconded by Denise Kellner, and motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Kathy LaFrana read the Treasurer’s report.  A copy of the treasurer’s report is available upon request to members in good standing.  KMHC currently has 15 members that have renewed for 2008 (editorial reminder—dues needed by Feb. 15^th)

Comments:

·         General member consensus to rejoin the PA Horse Council, utilizing the ending 2007 membership of 61 members.

·         Extra expense required at last minute to cover the 8 days of the Farm show.

·         There is an unidentified $25 member renewal that was given to Kathy LaFrana at the Christmas Breakfast.  Please contact Kathy if it is yours.

A motion was made by Ken Mott to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Kathy LaFrana, and motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

(President Sandy Gambuti reviewed past meeting minutes for old items that hadn’t been finished previously and these were brought up for review.)

KMHC History:

Donna Julius had been preparing but she was not present.  Sandy Lapp had been in contact with her regarding this, and will contact her again.  Jaye Vantresca gave copies of older KMHC newsletters to Sandy Gambuti.

KMHC Membership Applications:

·         Sandy Lapp passed around sample application that she had prepared.  Consensus was that Sandy Lapp can modify applications as needed as long as minimal information, e.g. name, address is present.

·         Discussion regarding charge for farm link in website.   Motion to retain charge of $2 for farm link through 2008, but to be increased to $10 in 2009.  Motion approved by Kathy LaFrana, seconded by Kathy Sellers, and approved by membership.

Fall Fun Show:

Discussion regarding several changes that were implemented that did not work as planned.  Main issues were late start, long classes and canceled classes.  Special considerations given to the “barn kids” may have backfired, although they enjoyed participation.  Brainstorming ensued.

The following conclusions were reached for the next Fun show, to take place on Sunday, April 27, 2008.

·         Kelly Anderson, as Show Manager, can set class schedule as she wishes.

·         Fun show will start on time.  Opening ceremonies will begin at 8:45am; show to start at 9am (“Be there or be square!”)

·         “Barn kids” will be responsible arrange use of KMHC member horses.  Kelly will prepare a contact list of those member horses that would be available for use and post it at the barn.

·         These barn kids will not have a discount, as had been the case in the 2007 fall show, but will pay the non-member fee.

·         Additional help is needed—ring steward (Karen Freeborn had previously volunteered) and an additional person for registration so that two people can register for classes.

·         AMHR rules will be followed.

AMHR National Convention in Buffalo:

·         No one from KMHC actually attended, but the display was taken up by Kathy Ballentine.  The display was voted as “Best Display”.

·         It is unknown if the Chocolate Basket that was approved was actually purchased.

·         It is unlikely that the AMHR National convention will be held in the Northeast again in the near future.

2007 Christmas Breakfast

·         Excellent time at Cherry’s.

·         Club paid for breakfast, but the costs were made up from the raffle proceeds.

·         Kathy Sellers will continue to arrange these breakfasts.

·         Motion by Kathy LaFrana to continue, as long as the KMHC budget allows, paying for the incoming/outgoing officers and the first 30 KMHC members.  Seconded by Linda Mott, and approved by all.

PA Farm Show:

·         Issues as reported by the booth attendees:

o        Location of booth (much of the time had cattle with dryers going, however being near the entrance, bathroom and food was a plus)

o        Need to have a mini present for all days     

§         Rotate as the continual lights, noise and concrete floor is hard to take on

§         Due to placement, we only had one booth, but if do this again, would request 2 or 3 booths, so that one could be for the mini(s) only.

·         Goal of being in the Farm show was to have TV time.  One way to achieve this would be to have minis in the Carriage Racing.  However, competition is by invitation only.  It is quite unlikely that we will ever be invited to compete.  Jaye Ventresca said that she will know if minis can get into the Carriage Racing.  Additional issue is that the farm show runs for 8 days which requires that much insurance.  Further discussion needed to see if participation meets our clubs goals (Note:  post-meeting information—scheduling plans submitted by Karen Freeborn if we decide to participate next year.)

·         Discussion continued regarding participation in the Horse Expo that is in the 3^rd week of February.  We are too late for participation this year, but could find out for next year.  It was noted that the “early bird” participation fee was $250 for a 10X10 space for the 4 day event.  This event does reach horse owners.

·         No decision was reached; further discussion and investigation required.

KMHC Insurance Questions:

Sandy Lapp and Kathy LaFrana both noted that we have high coverage and an extremely responsive agent (e.g. the fast turnaround for the Farm Show).  Nonetheless, we should still look at our options.

Keystone Classic:

Kelly Anderson reported the following status:

·         Larry Thurber, AMHR National judge, has been confirmed; the 2nd judge has verbally confirmed; the 3^rd judge is yet to be determined

·         Ribbon order is coming (ordered in time to achieve 10% discount)

·         Bloomsburg Fairground reservation is confirmed

·         Class list is confirmed

·         Karen Freeborn is working on link with hotel for show discount

·         Karen has checking for the food vendor

·         The vendor rules are being checked with Bloomsburg fairgrounds, as we may have a new tack vendor

·         Photographer position is in progress

·         Kelly is trying to get AMHR show packet to confirm sanctioning (membership suggested to start advertising show as “AMHR sanction pending”)

Newsletter issues:

·         Ken Mott noted that the newsletter is still not getting to all members (he has been contacted during his tenure as president).

·         Sandy Gambuti noted that the timeliness of issuing the newsletter was an issue.  Kelly had been ill, but Sandy advised to please contact club officers and they would take up the project if needed.

·         Sandy also noted that the layout of the newsletter was fine but there continues to be comments regarding errors and typos.  She proposed to Kelly that she send draft to Roxane for review prior to publication.  Both Kelly and Roxane agreed to this and would determine the best program format to achieve this efficiently.

NEW BUSINESS

Jaye Ventresca Brandywine Club event:

·         Brandywine Valley Driving Club wants to encourage VSE (Very Small Equine) to compete at their ADS recognized show with Open and Novice divisions.

o        To that end, the BVDC will have a high point trophy for VSE Novice offered at the show the second week of June at the Ludwick Corners show grounds.

o        As a note, the Arena Combined trial will be held on March 15^th at Delaware Valley College

o        Other Brandywine clinics will be offered throughout the year that are free to BVDC members, see www.bvdc.org.

·         Jaye volunteered to teach a lecture clinic to prepare for ADS VSE completion.

o        Saturday March 29, free to KMHC members

o        10am-lunch would review driving in and ADS vs. AMHR show. 

o        Lunch would be covered dish potluck

o        After lunch, ADS outfits will be reviewed

NAIS Update:

·         Email from Loretta Oswald presented by Sandy Lapp

·         Discussion—NAIS (National Animal Identity System) may be dead at the Federal level, although may be part of the current Farm bill.  May be enacted at state level however.  Unsure if this will come down even to dogs and cats.  Should write both federal and state representatives as well as governor stating your concern.

o        One place to check is www.nonais.org

Tack Swap announcement:

Tack swap to be held in Brodheadsville on Saturday, February 16.  Tables available.

Adjournment:

Linda Mott made motion to adjourn; Carol Smith seconded and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 4pm.

Respectfully submitted by:

Roxane Martin

KMHC Recording Secretary