December 8, 2009
Meeting was called to order by President Marsha Putnam at 6:45 P.M. at the Brown residence.
Directors present: Marsha Putnam, Sue Chant, Pat Brown, Connie Fry, Gale Moore, and Mike Wood.
Directors absent: Val Lau, Lonnie Buck, Jackie Fisher, Barb Drake, Mary Mallory, Janet Phillips and Gary Fortin.
Members present: Carrie Barr and Chanda Donnan
Marsha presented the agenda which was accepted by all.
Marsha presented the President’s report.
All members are invited to the DNR holiday gathering which will be held on January 2nd at 12:00. Mike will send out an email invite reminding members to bring a dish to pass. Member will also be asked to email Marsha if they can attend.
Marsha reported that the new park road has been approved and the construction bids awarded. Construction will start in the spring.We are still in discussions on equestrian access to the old road, which would be particularly attractive for driving and draft events. The road bed would become part of the new loop and would be multi-use.
Marsha is securing two stickers for the auction at the annual meeting and has secured us of the township hall for February 6, 2010. The format will change with the potluck starting at noon to encourage participation from those members that travel longer distances. A donation will be made to the township consistent with past practice.
Gale Moore is securing material and will be repairing the broken bench at the staging area.
Marsha requested a press release on the annual meeting and the Board discussed a sponsor thank you paid ad in the Ovid paper following the meeting.
Marsha covered changed with Equine Times subscriptions. Subscriptions will not be paid from membership dues in 2010. Equine Times will be distributed free at various retail outlets. Member can still subscribe with ET for home delivery.The association will continue to take advantage of opportunities to include club related communications in Equine Times.
In addition to distribution at area merchant locations, Equine Time offers SHTRA a single drop point for 15 copies of ET. The Board agreed to make the drop point the Brown residence. Pat will bring the copied to events for distribution.
Marsha covered club offerings through Saddle-Up Magazine, including posting our membership application. While the mailing of application forms remains the main way we renew members, the Board agreed that publishing the membership application form as an advertisement in Saddle-Up was a good idea.
Upon a motion by Gale Moore, supported by Sue Chant, it was unanimously resolved to purchase a membership ad in Saddle-Up at a cost of $80.00.
To support the mailing of application forms, Mike Wood will also send the form out with an email alert. Mike will wait for the revised application form.
Marsha discussed the spooky ride event. A group of registration forms were paid for with a bad check.
The Board discussed some of the tack fund raisers that various group have been holding or participating in. The sponsoring organization collects a fee and/or receives a percentage of the sale proceeds. Board members were asked to think about how we might sponsor or participate in this type of event.
Marsha discussed purchasing on of Vera’s new books as an auction item.
Upon a motion by Connie Fry, supported by Pat Brown it was unanimously resolved that the association purchase Vera’s new book to be auctioned in February at the annual meeting.
Marsha discussed the honorary member list. Marsha requested that honorary memberships be granted to:
Leon Searles, Wayne Mears, Agnes Wallace, Barb Drake, Nicola Reeves, Vera Thorton, Bob & Sandra Beitie,
Sharon & Tom Tyler and the Rangers 4-H Club.
Marsha reported new Ten Year Members for 2010 include; Patty Pogue, Sue Chant, Steve Kline and Sue Thurow.
Marsha reported that the Michigan Horse Council is planning a January Day at the Races to be held at Sports Creek. All members are eligible to attend and should check the MHC web site for details.
The October meeting minutes were reviewed. Upon a motion by Pat Brown, as supported by Mike Wood the minutes of the October 13, 2009 meeting were unanimously approved.
Pat Brown presented the Treasurer’s report. Receipts since the last meeting totaled $695.75. Expenses totaled $ 90.00. The ending balance in the checking ended at $9,962.08. Upon a motion by Sue Chant, supported by Gale Moore, the Treasurer’s report was unanimously approved.
Gale Moore reported on meetings of the MHC Trials Committee. Gale covered the new access designations for various types of state and federal land and how the use is influenced by funding from hunter associated sources. Gale reported on changes in the layout and format for the Trails Room at the 2010 MHC Expo. The Board discussed membership added or renewed at expo in 2009. Our participation remains a significant membership recruiting and retention tool. Gale covered liability insurance that will drop down to SHTRA from MHC. He also discussed scholarships available through MHC. Mike Wood will send out an email alert on the scholarship opportunities.
Marsha reminded the Board of members who were up for renewal at the annual meeting; Mike Wood, Lonnie Buck, Val Lau, Mary Mallory and Gary Fortin.
Marsha updated the Board on the loss of a member's GPS while on loan to the Association. The GPS contained markers for the new trail system. It had been forwarded to a map maker and is now missing. Upon a motion by Connie Fry, supported by Gale Moore it was unanimously resolved that the Association contributes $ 100.00 toward the replacement of the GPS system.
Upon a motion by Pat Brown, as supported by Sue Chant, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:20.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael A. Wood
Secretary
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