MEETING NOTES

03/01/2007
LEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MARCH 1, 2007 Draft Minutes LAMAR DIXON EXPO CENTER – GONZALES, LA

President Daniel Lyons called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Board members present for the meeting were: Daniel Lyons, Howard Cormier, Johnny Boudreaux, Ruby Halter, Dixie Bunton, Ruby Collins, Tom Foshee, Dianne Morrill, Ky Mortensen, Aleta Overby, Ginger Schouest, Daryl Schouest, and Grace Simcoe. Board members absent were: Julie Calzone, Melinda Kennedy, Dr. Hunter Lewis, Steve Meaux and David Yount. Advisors present were Dr. Clint Depew and Ron Harrell. Advisors absent were Dr. Dennis French.

Minutes were reviewed and minor corrections were noted. On a motion by Johnny Boudreaux, seconded by Dixie Bunton, the minutes were approved as corrected.

The January 18, 2007 Executive Committee minutes were reviewed. It was agreed that actions taken at this meeting were not policy, but suggestions to be brought to the board. The Executive Committee approved the minutes, after making corrections and additions. The major item was the adoption of six goals by the Louisiana Equine Council Board in 2007. They are:

1. Build districts through district educational clinics.
2. Increase LEC membership.
3. Support research and implementation of an insurance program for LEC members.
4. Promote the Expo.
5. Develop a horseman’s resource book.
6. Develop a youth equine ambassador program.

On a motion by Ruby Halter, seconded by Daryl Schouest, these goals were approved.

Grace Simcoe suggested naming of committee members and specifying goals for each committee by the April 1st meeting. This was moved by Ruby Halter, seconded by Darryl Schouest, and the motion passed. Howard will notify Committee Chairs of this plan.
Grace Simcoe gave the Membership report, stating that there was a total of 71 members. There were 14 new members since the last meeting. Simcoe asked for a list of members and addresses of other horse groups that board members work with. Sharing organizational lists normally must be approved by each group’s board of directors. Simcoe also stated that she had renewed the post office box and that it was paid up through February 8, 2007.

Darryl Schouest then gave the treasurer’s report, which was passed out to all board members. He stated that it is easy to provide financial information if anyone needs it. Records are kept on an accrual basis, meaning that not all checks have been received or bills paid yet, but commitments have been made to complete transactions. It was stated that Farm Bureau gave $4,000.00 to the Louisiana Equine Council and Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association gave $500.00 to the Expo for use in the Ranch Horse competition. Daryl Schouest moved to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Ginger Schouest, and it passed.

Howard Cormier suggested that we purchase a minute book, which would cost approximately $100.00. This book will give permanence and order to the keeping of the minutes. Dixie Bunton moved to buy this, seconded by Aleta Overby, and the motion passed.

Next was the discussion of membership cards. Howard Cormier felt that each member should have a membership card after paying their dues. He stated that the cost would be approximately $60.00 for 1,000 cards. There was discussion about the cost of postage to mail each card, but it was stated that the majority of the cards would be given out at the Expo. Ginger Schouest moved that we make membership cards, seconded by Dixie Bunton, and the motion passed. Daniel Lyons suggested adding the LEC goals (previously approved) on the back of the card. Cormier agreed to design the card and e-mail it to the Membership Chair, Grace Simcoe, and the board for their approval.

OLD BUSINESS:

Under old business, Grace Simcoe stated that the By-laws revisions were in progress. Dr. Clint Depew brought up the legislative agenda. The board will ask Chairman Jimmy Christmas to revamp the Legislative agenda and bring it to the April board meeting. The key effort will be to remove the tax on feed and get it dedicated for horses. Other livestock are exempt from this tax, but not horses. Ron Harrell suggested that the Executive Committee appear before the House and Senate Ag Committees with their requests. He stated that since this is a Fiscal Session the board needs to present their needs to the Legislators and request their support. Daniel Lyons agreed to talk to Jimmy Christmas about getting tax monies dedicated to LEC for their goals.

Another item under old business was the fact that Alabama had the same dollar value as Louisiana for the horses, which is $2.4 billion. It was suggested that the board let the Promotion Committee review this point. The American Horse Council put out these reports for each state at a total cost of about $1 million. Dr. Depew stated that some of these were not actual costs, but projections based on economic models.

Ruby Halter continued with old business items concerning the Expo, stating that wristbands are in. Vets will be on call. PA systems are available, and Peter Cannizzaro will announce most of the EXPO activities. Halter also stated that the Quick Quarter ad provided the biggest response from the Expo publicity. One item that needed board attention was whether to require health papers. It was agreed that since this was Louisiana law, health papers would be needed with Coggin’s tests for all horses staying overnight. All horses that will check into stalls will require health papers and Coggins tests. Horses without health certificates will be stalled separately in a different barn. The Louisiana Department of Ag & Forestry will check all Coggins tests at the gate. The board unanimously agreed to this policy.

Ron Harrell with Farm Bureau then gave an insurance report. He stated that Robert Riche from Farm Bureau will be at the Expo Saturday, March 10th at 1:00 p.m. to answer questions. This company is owned by Farm Bureau. The Hartford will underwrite equine insurance. The liability policies are more challenging to develop, but Harrell feels that the program is well written, since the Missouri program after which this is patterned has proven to be a good one. Mr. Riche will cover the content of the program, but will not address a time line for availability. Louisiana Insurance Companies, Inc. is a Farm Bureau company that will handle that. Harrell reported that completion of these policies is still 2-3 weeks away from now. This will have the Louisiana Farm Bureau name on it. Agents will be trained, then the policies available, in a couple of months. This is a horse policy for death, loss of use, theft, etc. The liability for human’s policy has not yet been addressed. Harrell encouraged all board members to attend Riche’s seminar at the Expo at 1:00 p.m. Saturday.

Cleve Weisgerber then introduced himself as County Agent of Vernon Parish with the LSU AgCenter. He was representing Kent LeDoux, President of the Louisiana Stock Horse Association (LaSH). There was discussion about the arrangements between the Louisiana Stock Horse and the Louisiana Equine Council concerning the Ranch Horse competition. Originally, it was felt that there would be enough corporate sponsors to cover the cost of the arena, the cost of cattle, and the judge. The cost of the cattle alone will be approximately $1,800.00. The arena fee is $900.00 and the judge will be approximately $3,000.00. Weisgerber asked if LaSH could get the $10 secretary fee per person, plus $5.00 per class entry, with the rest going to LEC to cover expenses. Weisgerber stated that he would serve as judge for the Trail and Pleasure classes. He asked that LEC cover part of his expenses for coming down to do that. After discussion, Daryl Schouest offered the following motion: LaSH will get the $10.00 secretary fee per person entering (regardless of no. of classes entered), plus $5.00 per entry in each class. LASH will have discretion in deciding the payouts of jackpotted monies to best provide incentives for participation. Further, LEC will give Weisgerber $150.00 for his expenses in serving as trail judge. This was seconded by Ginger Schouest and the motion passed.

The group then went outside to tour the grounds and review plans for the Expo. Items agreed upon were as follows:
The LEC booth will be set up so that all contestants and members would register at that place. Members get in free for all three days.
Wristbands will be provided to members and contestants.
Resource books and membership cards will be given to members.
There are approximately 30 vendors at this time. Halter stated that each booth needs its own insurance. Ky Mortensen will handle the placement of vendor booths.
Halter will update the agenda.
Daryl Schouest stated that the Horseman’s Resource Book ads must be received no later than Friday, March 2nd.
Halter asked everyone to arrive at Lamar-Dixon by 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2007.
Halter will assign stalls.
David Yount will serve as Operations Manager.
The Expo Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the LEC office both Saturday and Sunday.

The date of the next Expo meeting will be March 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at Ginger and Darryl Schouest’s Office in Breaux Bridge. The date of the next board meeting will be April 19th at 1:00 p.m. at LSU-A.
Johnny Boudreaux moved and Dixie Bunton seconded the motion to adjourn and the meeting concluded at 3:45 p.m.