General Membership Meeting Saturday

Board members in attendance were Judy Jones, Wilburn Williams, Jake Jacobs, Jim Morris, Darlene Harris, Barbara Johnston, Howard Bellamy, Joan Hart, Eddie Barrow, Larry Street, Tim Toler, Ronnie Hooker, Jerome Zahnd, Oscar House, Keith Ailshie and Nell Brown. Absent were Clyde Creech and Jimmy Lacy(excused).

Vice President Jake Jacobs called the meeting to order. Wilburn Williams opened with prayer. Vice President Jacobs told the membership that Clyde Creech had resigned as President of the RHBAA, but that he would stay on as a member of the board.. He told the membership that the board would be meeting again at 1:00 PM. He stated we would have the committee reports.

Treasurer's Report
Darlene Harris reported that we have about $7000 in the bank. Jim Court asked if we were current on the mortgage. She said yes we were current on the mortgage and that we will be having events in May and June that would help out financially. The accounts receivable are being worked on also. She stated how much we appreciated the volunteers.

Advisory Committee - Howard Bellamy
Robert Riles asked the question when the advisory committee would be meeting. A meeting will be called soon.

Breeders' Committee - Ronnie Hooker
He told the membership that the committee would be looking into papers with the pedigrees on them and also filing online. A member asked if we would be mouthing in the Fall Celebration. Bellamy said we would be mouthing in the fall.

Mike Meisenheimer made a motion that we dispense with the reports and get on with business. Motion was seconded. Members want to know what you have been doing. They had heard that Judy Jones was going to be president. There was a lack of communication. Vice President Jacobs said it would be Judy Jones decision. Judy Jones told the membership that people are interested in buying all the property for development. A discussion began regarding who signed these contracts and should they sue James Morrison. They asked what was the possibility of getting John Baggett back as RHBAA attorney. It was not clear if Mr. Baggett had resigned or not. James Morrison had obtained another attorney. During a phone call in August, Mr. John Baggett stated that since they had a new attorney there was no need for the RHBAA to have two. Paula Sensing asked the question if we were bound to stay with Porter. Judy Jones said she would talk with Mr. Porter. She had also called the bank to discuss the situation. If we were going to sell this place - it will be a major decision. We will need unity between the members and the Board. The membership asked the Board if everyone could meet again after the show tonight for Judy Jones to report back on her meetings and phone calls. The Board agreed.

Several members stated they felt better about the Board than they had in years. It was stated that we need to move on. The $70,000 for the land was brought up again. Shannon Cotter stated that Judy Jones should get with the bank president to discuss any options we might have and the situation over the $70,000. Everyone agreed that Mr. Porter should send an itemized statement of the hours he is charging the RHBAA. Judy Jones asked the membership if they would let the Board handle this situation and they agreed.

Jim Court's wife said she was upset about what had gone on about Jim Court and the office computer system. She felt her husband needed an apology. After the meeting several people apologized to Mr. Court.

Horse Show Committee - Barbara Johnston
Barbara reported on the Horse Show. She said there had been lots of volunteers use and the show had saved over $10,000 using volunteers. She gave a few examples of the savings, but that all the figures were not in at this time. She thanked all the volunteers.

According to the P&L, last year we paid for the following positions, 2006 Show we either used volunteers or did not fill that position.
Position 2005	Amt. Paid	Position 2006	Amt. Paid
Paddock Master & Gate person	$515.00	Paddock Master & Gate person-Volunteer	Comp Room
Custodian	138.13	Position not filled	-0-
Announcer & Organist	1100.00	Announcer & Organist	1000.00
Judges (3)	1500.00	Judges (3)	1200.00
Stewards (3)	1350.00	Stewards (5) (3 comp rooms)	-0-
Entry Office	300.00	Volunteer	Comp Room
Scorer	550.00	Donna Kaufman - Office staff	-0-
Jerome Zahnd's, Assistant	500.00	Jerome Zahnd's Assistant	amt. not available
Trophies	4500.00	Bridles	590.00
Center Ring (decorating)	540.00	Volunteers (decorating center ring)	397.00
L & M Awards	2933.78	L & M Awards (ribbons)	1507.54
Security	1320.00	Position not filled	-0-
Sani Ballews - Service	1500.00	Figures not available at this time	----------
EMT's	400.00	Figures not available at this time	----------
Front Gate - Priceville Civitans	1500.00	Volunteers	-0-
Admission Tickets Mental Health	1000.00	Volunteers	-0-
Show Coordinator	500.00	Volunteer	-0-
Advertising - (table tents)	409.00	Donated	-0-

Mike Meisenheimer asked about the proxy. Jake Jacobs explained how the committee that was appointed to decide on the procedures of the proxy vote had met. He explained the procedure that would be used for the proxy vote. Every eligible voter would receive the proxy. The way the proxy was worded last time was confusing. The wording would be clear, so that everyone would understand how to vote, for chains or not for chains. There would be a deadline to send it in. The proxies would be picked up at the post office. A committee would open and count the proxies and the count would be given to the secretary, Nell Brown for recording. If you wanted to be on the committee to count the proxy vote just let him (Jake Jacobs) know and he would be glad to have you on the committee. Everything will be in the open. Everyone agreed with the proxy.

Membership and Promotions Committee - Tim Toler
One of the things that the committee had done was to hand out flyers for the celebration. Flyers were placed in businesses in Decatur and the surrounding towns. He wanted to thank those that handed out the flyers and contacted the businesses. He wanted to discuss an advertising opportunity in the Gaited Horse Magazine. The magazine covers all gaited horses. He explained what the page would look like. It would advertise the association and stables could buy advertising spots around the sides of the page. This would help with the cost of the page. They will be doing an interview with Barbara Agnich in the magazine soon. It is a bi-monthly magazine. The Gaited Horse Magazine donated a year's subscription to each class winner for the spring celebration. They are holding a National Championship in Alabama this year. We will be donating bridles to Racking Horse winners. He checked into advertising in the Southeaster Horseman but felt it was too expensive for the RHBAA at this time He said that Nicole Rehkemper had donated a nice picture to the Membership and Promotions committee to raise money. He also stated the committee is looking into several ways to promote the breed. Germantown Horse Show wants to exhibit speed horses. Barbara Johnston will be reaching out to the Walking/Racking people.

A member said that we should let people sit in the box seats that were not being used tonight.. Everyone agreed. A lady asked if the Versatility would have any money to work with available. Vice President Jacobs said there is a zero budget at this time. Ed Hiers thought that maybe the Amateur and Pleasure might try to help and address it in 2006. The Pleasure trophies were donated by Becky Siniard. Please check with Dorothy Jones on Versatility.

Crystal Taylor spoke about a new magazine she has started, The Show Horse Review. It is $25.00 per year for 10 issues. It is for all breeds. She has a website and a discussion page which she will monitor positively.

Adrian and Nicole Rehkemper have started a paper, The Racking Source for the racking industry. It was pointed out that free copies were in the arena..

Vice President Jacobs thanked everyone for being at the meeting and reminded them of the meeting tonight after the show for an update. Raymond Riles made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jim Court..