MEETING NOTES

08/27/2008
LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING AUGUST 27, 2008 – 1:00 P.M.

President Daniel Lyons called the conference call meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.

Board members present were: Daniel Lyons, Howard Cormier, Johnny Spears, Ruby Halter, Aleta Overby, Richard Hebert, Daryl Schouest, Ruby Collins, Johnny Boudreaux, Dianne Morrill, Ginger Schouest, Dixie Bunton, Jay Prather and Advisor Dr. Clint Depew.

Board members absent were: Melinda Schexnayder, Tom Foshee, John Henning, Judy Travelby.

Advisors absent were: Ron Harrell and Dr. Dennis French.

Hoofbeat editor Tracy Benoit was also present on the conference call.

The first item of business was the minutes of the last meeting. On a motion by Daryl Schouest, seconded by Johnny Boudreaux, the minutes were accepted as sent.

The membership report indicated that LEC had 319 total members, with 223 active and 96 inactive members. The highest membership came from District 5 with 79, followed by District 6 with 55, then District 7 with 28. On a motion by Ruby Collins, seconded by Howard Cormier, the membership report was accepted.

Daryl Schouest reported that LEC had $7,600.00 in the black for this year. This includes $15,923.00 in the general account, $5,500.00 in the Expo account and $7,200.00 in pledges. From the 2008 Expo, LEC still has monies receivable from Ranch Outlet, Courtesy Motors and Nutrena. From the 2007 Expo, LEC has monies receivable from Farm Bureau Insurance and the Cattlemen’s Association. Daryl Schouest moved to accept the treasurer’s report, seconded by Dianne Morrill, and the motion passed.

The next item of business was the membership reception bill. Richard Hebert moved and Johnny Boudreaux seconded the motion to approve and pay the $2007.54 above the board- authorized expenditure of $2500.00 for the Membership reception in Baton Rouge held May 21, 2008 at Live Oak Arabians. This motion passed via email vote by board members.
Daniel Lyons stated that it was higher than expected. That bill has now been paid.

The Hoofbeat News conference call was held with Mr. Bob Felknor, Executive Secretary of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association. He stated that it is costing the Cattlemen’s Association approximately $200.00 per page for the Hoofbeat News portion of the Cattleman’s Magazine. Traci Benoit is working to secure more ads, but until LEC can at least cover the cost of printing the Hoofbeat News, there is no money available for commissions. Ruby Halter moved for LEC to fund one ad per month for October and November to promote ad sales. December, January and February ads of ½ page will be used to promote the Expo and the Annual Meeting. Johnny Boudreaux seconded the motion. (The full page ad would cost $400.00, ½ page $240.00 and a small ad $26.00). The total expected cost of this motion would be $692.00. The motion passed.

Daniel Lyons then spoke about his meeting with Governor Jindal in Church Point, where he asked for support for LEC, especially for youth programs. LEC is still promoting the Economic Stimulus Package and Daniel urged members to be in touch with legislators. It was agreed that LEC would invite the Governor and his children to the 2009 Expo luncheon. Daniel is working closely with the Governor’s office on this.

The next item of business was the display decision. Ruby Halter stated that the display would cost $275.00 plus $65.00 for shipping, for a subtotal of $340.00, plus about $150.00 for lettering. This would be for a six foot tabletop display with velcro to attach pictures to the carpet. She stated that it could be seen at displaystar.com. Howard Cormier moved to authorize $500.00 to be spent for the display. Aleta Overby seconded it and the motion passed. Ruby will decide on what lettering is needed after the sign comes in.

Under any old business, Dr. Clint Depew stated that the Legislative Committee should meet and decide how to proceed for the next year. Daniel will try to call a meeting the week of September 1-6. LEC needs a package to show how the funds will be spent.

The 2009 Expo update was given by Ruby Collins and Aleta Overby. They went over plans that they had made so far about the Expo. Ruby Collins moved that we sign a contract with the Garden Center for the Banquet Hall, which is directly across the street from the Ike. There would be a charge of $500.00 to set up and clean, plus $14.95 per plate. A $500.00 deposit is required soon. The motion was seconded by Johnny Spears, and it passed. They expect 150 people to attend. Some will be guests and some will be paying attendants. Daryl requested a revenue stream for stalls and signage, and this was reviewed. Some of the guests to be included on the list were Representative Jim Fannin and Senator Mike Walsworth, along with others. It was felt that LEC should ask the Legislative Committee to invite the Governor to the luncheon. Johnny Boudreaux moved to approve and authorize expenditures, including insurance, in conjunction with the Expo as presented by co-chairmen, seconded by Daryl Schouest. Motion passed. Daryl agreed that he would help with finances but would not chair. Johnny Spears was asked to help with advertising sponsorship.

There was a question of whether LASH, LEC members, or the Appaloosa Association members would get in free. LASH members were sponsored last year by the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association. Day passes will be provided to people to get in free if they are sponsored. Richard Hebert explained that any actions in this area must be communicated to him since he is Membership Chair and responsible for checking people in at the gate.
Howard Cormier agreed to help with the Education Exhibit Committee for the Expo, along with Dr. Clint Depew. Dixie Bunton will assist with Equine Assisted programs.

In a discussion of vendors’ spaces, it was stated that LEC has 10 x 12 foot spaces in the concrete area. More space is available in the main arena outside of the riding pen.

The LEC Expo will follow the Ag Expo, and LEC will need to budget booth space at the Ag Expo so members can learn as much as possible at that event. The Ag Expo will be the third week in January.

Evangeline Downs paid for the printing of the Resource Directory last year. Co-chairmen are looking for a sponsor, possibly the Graphics Department at Louisiana Tech, if they can get this through grant funds.

Aleta Overby and Ruby Collins agreed to send a schedule of events to Howard Cormier and he will forward the proposed scheduled events to the rest of the board.

Under other items, it was felt that LEC could have a Cow Dog Exhibition at the Expo. Howard agreed to talk to Mindy Hetzel about contacting Mr. William Hetzel to put this on. Other items suggested included live shooting demonstrations, mini horses and jousting.

The Expo committee needs a public relations person to publicize the Expo. The West Monroe convention planner will be able to handle this. TV promotion is needed statewide, but especially in the Monroe area.
Aleta Overby explained the One-Step-At-A-Time Therapeutic Riding Center that is mobile and operating in their area.

Under Standing Committee actions, Howard gave the committee reports that had been submitted to him. Basically, there were only three committee reports submitted: education, legislative and membership. There was nothing to report from other committees.

On the item of the renewal of insurance policy, $1,926.10 is the cost of the insurance for the Expo, two trail rides and three clinics. Daryl moved to pay the insurance policy, which includes only liability. Howard Cormier seconded it and the motion passed. (When asked if Farm Bureau had had an opportunity to bid, it was stated that Farm Bureau does not offer commercial liability.)

On the report of Hoofbeat News, Traci Benoit stated that she needs articles for the next issue. Howard agreed to send an e-mail to the board with Traci’s address.

The next item was discussion of fees for clerical help. Howard Cormier explained that his secretary in Vermilion Parish has agreed to continue to accept membership envelopes and send dues to Daryl Schouest and do the minutes, but since this is all extra work for her, it was felt that providing her compensation was necessary. On a motion by Johnny Boudreaux, seconded by Aleta Overby, it was agreed that she would be paid $15.00 per hour. Daryl amended this to an amount of $500.00 for the rest of the year for Mrs. Tammy Trahan and for any office supplies that she or Howard needed, and the motion passed.

The next item discussed was the Congressional Cavalry program, which is an idea from the American Horse Council. Basically, this effort asks for volunteers to assist with matters of policy or politics. It was agreed that this effort would need to come through a Political Action Committee led by someone such as Jimmy Christmas or Buddy Savage. Daryl Schouest moved that LEC form this group, seconded by Johnny Boudreaux, and the motion passed. Aleta suggested that we send this out to the membership with an explanation of how it would work.

Under any other business, it was mentioned that our Annual Meeting would be the second weekend in January at LSU in Baton Rouge.

The next item was the dissemination of hurricane preparation information. The group felt that the secretary needs to put this out to the LEC membership via email, and it could also be put on the LEC website, so members would know where they could evacuate to with their horses.

The date of the next meeting was set for September 24th at 1:00 p.m., a Wednesday, via phone conference. Howard thanked Mr. John Henning and Mrs. Joyce Simoneaux for making these arrangements for each meeting.

On a motion by Ruby Halter, seconded by Aleta Overby, the meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.