General Membership Meeting

February 17, 2007

Unapproved

President Judy Jones called the meeting to order at 12:32 pm.  Wilburn William gave the invocation.   President Jones welcomed the members. 

MINUTES

General membership minutes from February 18, 2006 were presented to the membership.  Minutes from the April and September 2006 meetings were not included due to computer problems. Jerry Thacker made a motion to accept the minutes.  Adrian Rehkemper seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

TREASURER

A treasury report with detailed information was presented by Treasurer Darlene Harris.  She informed the members that all bills are current.  President Jones praised members for their hard work.  She thanked Barbara Johnston for coordinating the volunteers work efforts.  President Jones asked if there were any questions concerning the treasurer’s report.  Jamie Lawrence asked how we overpaid the workman’s comp insurance.  President Jones explained that the error was caught in 2005.  Darlene was persistent enough to have the employee’s classification corrected with the insurance company which resulted in an overpayment.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Robert Dabb’s made a motion to dispense presentation of remainder of committee reports.  Danny Odom seconded the motion.  No action on motion at this time because some committee chairs needed to report.

BREEDER’ COMMITTEE

Chairman Ronnie Hooker gave a presentation on blood typing versus DNA.  DNA appears to be less costly and generally better in the long run.  Walking horse industry will be using University of Kentucky.  They have already picked up their stored blood for the conversion process.  Once the conversion process is complete everything will be DNA database.  RHBAA has blood stored at Shelterwood Labs in Texas.  RHBAA board voted to change to DNA testing.  Once the details are worked out members will be mailed in the information.  He also stated that we will accept DNA from other certified labs with affidavit like we do now with blood typing.

PERSONNEL AND PROPERTY

Chairman Jim Morris told members that we had two new employees.  Shane Dumas has been hired part-time as arena/grounds coordinator.  Dumas and his wife Casey presented what they have been doing to promote RHBAA in Priceville/Decatur area.  Members were shown an example of photos to be placed in area businesses.  Cost $60 for 16 x 20 and $40 for 8 x 10 with plaque.  Members will be contacted to provide photos.  Casey will take care of framing.  Casey has also asked friends to put in booths at both spring and fall shows.  She asks members to support the booths.

Melissa Taylor has been hired part-time to restructure office.  She is coordinating staff to help catch up the backlog of paperwork.  We still could use volunteers.

HORSE SHOW COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS AND PROMOTIONS

Chairman Barbara Johnston presented two plans to boost memberships.  All new members in 2007 (not paid in 2006). On 4/15/2007 all names will go in hat for drawing on a free box seat for spring show and 7/15/2007 for drawing for free motel room for fall celebration. Members will also receive a $5 discount on entry fee if they can show membership card for rider and horse owner.

Entry office will open on Tuesday to get a head start on entries.  Debbie Morris will be in charge of office this year.  We still need volunteers.

President Jones asked if any other committee chairs need to make reports.  No one did.  Previous motion was voted on any motion carried.

MOTIONS

Motion # 6 by Janice B. Smith withdrawn in January.

Motion # 1- RHBAA Board moved in September 2006 to remove proxy vote.  It was to take care of only one issue, but not worded correctly.  Therefore, board moved to remove proxy vote completely.  Voting on this MOTION # 1 in the affirmative will remove proxy voting.  Voting in the negative will leave proxy voting.  Ed Heirs explained that if we do not take away proxy voting that none of the other motions before membership today can be voted on.  One proxy vote cost the association over $3000 dollars.  Members were asked to vote by ballot. Motion # 1 passed with 89 votes FOR and 5 AGAINST.

Motion # 2 withdrawn by Jim Court.

Motion # 3 No Second.  Motion died for lack of second.

Motion # 4 by Ed Heirs.  Seconded by Jim Court.  Heirs discussed and advised completely against selling registry.  No minimum price put in motion to give flexibility in negotiating the sale of property.   FOR will be voting to sell property only.  AGAINST will be voting to keep property and registry.

There was a show of hands and appears FOR carried.  Ballots were then distributed. Motion # 4 carried 86 FOR, 3 AGAINST.

Motion # 5 deferred to next general membership meeting.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

During ballot counting and collection several members presented some general facts and comments.  Barbara Johnston advised that Lonnie Mesick came to trainers meeting, told trainers that at this time there was not an operating plan in effect.  Explained there will be more government presence at shows in 2007. Several comments that we were in better financial shape now versus the same time last year.  Trainers Show will precede Shelbyville Classic. Membership total in 2006 was 1571, only 667 at this and that does not include lifetime.  Everyone was invited to the trainer’s banquet tonight.

Stacey George came to meeting representing Morgan Co. Commissioners.  He gave members a history of Product’s Mart.  George stated his position was the Co. Commissioners has no need to own horse registry.  President Jones told members that her only contact with George was 2 phone calls and a letter.  After much discussion on the issue of selling property and registry George stated that he thinks deal is still viable without registry.  He thought that the reason registry was included with offer was because Morgan Co. did not want to lose RHBAA from county. 

Membership voted to let George go back to commissioners and attorneys to make a formal presentation.  This should be available around the spring celebration.

8 Judges chosen by the general membership to be put in hat for drawing for Spring  Celebration:  Gerald Campbell, Kelly France, Billy Strickland, Tommy Thompson, Randy Moore, Jerry Goodman, Joel Nipper, and Ricky Shackleford.

LAWSUIT

President Jones addressed the status of the lawsuit with Porter.  She stated that the conference call in December 2006 was a fiasco.  She did not call for a vote.  Board agreed to sign release for all lawsuits and let Porter have the other acreage as well.  This was done without the membership approval.  She also told the members that the issue was still not resolved because the paperwork has not been signed.  Howard Bellamy advised the lawsuit needed to be settled even though it was probably not handled correctly.  Don Stitcher pointed out that Porter was the personal attorney for George and her being in the room was a conflict of interest.  She was asked to leave the room. 

After she left discussion returned selling the property.  John Hubbard mad a motion to allow President Jones to enter into negotiations regarding sale of property and report to Personnel and Property Committee.  Ricky Shackleford seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

Robert Dabbs made motion to adjourn.  Leslie Blalock seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Hooker

Secretary