September 2005 Meeting Minutes

by Sandra Shiver

The meeting on September 1^st was called to order at 7:20pm by President Roger Dougan.

New members and guests included Lou and Carol Chandler, on behalf of their son, Michael; Paul and Sheila Johnson; Donna and Alicia Franus; and Dee Dee Messersmith.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as read as Sandra Shiver. The treasurer’s report was approved as presented by Jenni Dougan.

Committee reports:

· Scholarship: Sandra Shiver reminded everyone the Youth Scholarship application is available online at www.hat-texoma.org or by calling (903) 868-1453. Information will be provided to the schools this fall and the scholarship will be announced and emphasized during any H.A.T. events.

· Shows and Events: Sally Thomason reported the Loy Lake indoor arena had been reserved for the November 6^th Halter Challenge. The Loy Lake Livestock Committee will have new officers in January and they will decide how they are going to work with us going forward. A showbill must be decided on and submitted to Mike Bernier for inclusion in the October newsletter. Added money or a Champion of Champion award for the Halter Challenge was discussed. A show committee meeting will be scheduled.

· September 18^th Open Show: Sally also confirmed we were on the calendar for the Grayson County Sheriff’s Posse arena at Loy Lake for the Sept. 18^th show. The judge has been selected and Sally is in the process of recruiting volunteers. A sign up sheet was passed around. Jenni and Sally will purchase supplies for the concession stand, Sandra will do awards, and trail obstacles will be leased from the 4-H club for $100. Some of the new members and visitors volunteered to help. Sally will complete the remaining advertisements.

Old Business:

· Website: The showbill link is working and interested parties have called for further information. Additions suggested were directions to Loy Lake and a simple weather link or display. Everyone is very pleased with the content and information on the web site.

· Adult Clinic: Gerry Snipes provided her available dates. Several possible locations were discussed. The date will be confirmed based on availability of the arenas. We decided to limit the number of riders and charge a small auditor fee with all proceeds to go to the Youth Scholarship fund. The focus will be basic horsemanship for adult riders with emphasis on correct body position which is applicable to all riding disciplines.

· Sandra Shiver, Mike Bernier, and Mike Scully will compose a letter to the Loy Lake Livestock Committee (LLLC) which Sally Thomason will present in an effort to keep arena costs at a minimum.

· THC renewal: Mike Bernier had contacted the Texas Horse Council as to their legislative accomplishments over the past year with no response. After input from several members, Mike Scully moved not to renew our chapter membership in the Texas Horse Council and to disassociate ourselves with said council including removing the link on our website. The motion was seconded and passed with all in favor.

· Club promotion: Several members called other members with a meeting reminder. That effort along with the Shopper ad resulted in one of the best attended meetings of the year.

New Business:

· Sandra Shiver suggested we consider a Katrina disaster equine rescue and relief donation as well as offer prayers for the safety of all evacuees, but in particular those animals in need of help. The initial decision was to table until the next meeting, but as we closed the meeting, members of the 4-H club meeting in the Court House joined us. They were taking donations to the Habitat for Horses chapter in Van Alstyne who would be leaving as soon as staging was available. It was moved and approved to donate $100 to the HFH in association with Lone Star Rescue. The check will be delivered by one of the 4-H members who was our 2005 Youth Scholarship winner.

· It’s time for membership renewals. With the exception of those who joined in August or September, memberships are renewable October 1^st. Please plan to pay your membership at the October meeting.

· Officer elections are just around the corner. There was a plea for a real secretary! And there was interest from one of our newest members. The restructured all day showing fee is a prime opportunity to boost our membership.

· Educations, seminars, clinics: there was interest expressed in first aid for horses, nutrition programs, horse theft prevention, freeze branding, dealing with problem horses, learning to groom for show and how to show, and group arena riding.

The HAT Chats were distributed with new members volunteering to distribute. A special thank you to Alicia Franus for stapling all of the issues during the meeting!