MEETING NOTES

12/15/2009
Board members present were: Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Howard Cormier, Aleta Overby, Daryl Schouest, Ruby Collins, Dianne Morrill, Dixie Bunton, Ruby Halter, John Henning, and Tom Foshee. Trails Chair Peggy Bianchi was also there

MINUTES
LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
CONFERENCE CALL
DECEMBER 15, 2009 – 12:00 P.M.


Daniel Lyons called the meeting to order at noon.

Board members present were: Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Howard Cormier, Aleta Overby, Daryl Schouest, Ruby Collins, Dianne Morrill, Dixie Bunton, Ruby Halter, John Henning, and Tom Foshee. Trails Chair Peggy Bianchi was also there.

Board members absent were: Johnny Spears, Maurice Tynes, Ginger Schouest, Melinda Schexnaider and Judy Travelby.

Advisors present included Dr. Clint Depew.

Advisor Ron Harrell was absent.

On a motion by Aleta Overby, seconded by Dianne Morrill, the minutes of the two previous meetings were accepted.

Howard Cormier gave the membership report, stating that we have dues and ballots for approximately 32 members at this time, with the ballot having gone out the first week of December. The ballots must be postmarked by December 30th. The nominating committee made up of Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Daryl Schouest and Howard Cormier, will meet January 4th at the Extension Office in Abbeville to count ballots. Howard will e-mail the rest of the board and anyone who wishes can attend.

Daryl Schouest gave the Treasurer’s report stating that total revenue for this year is $40,414.60. Total expenses were $34,176.15 for a positive balance of $6,238.45. There is $24,975.75 in the general checking account; $6,244.48 in the Expo account. Daryl moved to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Johnny Boudreaux, and it passed.

Ruby Collins began the discussion of the 2010 Expo. There will be no gaited horse show, but Ruby is trying to have a cutting horse competition. Mark Wilcher will present a reining demonstration and participate in the colt starting challenge. Ruby was uncertain about Paul Dailey with the Ministries program. There will be no Indian dancers, but the barrel race is still set to proceed. The LASH Awards presentation will be Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. The Colt Starting will be Saturday, March 13, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. On Sunday the first hour will be to finalize the training details and the final hour will be the actual contest. Tarter will supply round pens for the Colt Starting Challenge, sponsor a $500.00 pen, and will also have a free booth. A sign or banner will be requested of each sponsor to be hung on the pen during the competition. After much discussion, it was agreed that Nutrena, LASH and Tarter will be the pen sponsors, at $500.00 each. Farm Bureau will be the overall sponsor. Sweet Lake Land and Cattle Company of Lake Charles will provide horses. Other possible sponsors include Lone Star and Purina. These sponsors would be asked to provide either monogrammed saddle blankets, vests or jackets, or tack. The jackets will be titled Winner, Reserve Champion and Finalist. Johnny Boudreaux will discuss monogramming with LASH officials who gave similar jackets out recently. LEC will need biographical information for each candidate. Clint Depew secured phone numbers of the three candidates to be able to contact them. Dr. Clint Depew discussed sponsorship possibilities: $1000- $1,200 could be listed as a sponsor for the saddle; $500.00 could sponsor spurs, and $300.00 could go towards a buckle.

Daniel Lyons then spoke about the assistance of Mr. Bob Felknor, who has agreed to help Ruby Collins with the 2010 Expo. The group agreed that we needed to discuss a fee. Felknor stated that he wanted nothing in payment last year, but the board felt it would be appropriate to offer him something for his services.

The next agenda item was survey results of the unwanted horses. Howard Cormier agreed to send committee member Ruby Halter a packet of the 23 responses he has received via e-mail from members about the unwanted horse survey. Ruby will be asked to assemble the results into an understandable format to be able to share with the members.

Johnny Boudreaux moved and Aleta Overby seconded a motion to invite Pat Gros with HARP (Hooved Animal Rescue and Placement) to speak at the annual meeting January 9th, and the motion passed. Howard commented that this would be one way LEC could get involved in the unwanted horse issue with education and support of this rescue facility.

In other business, Daniel stated that he would investigate a $1,000.00 sponsorship for the Louisiana Farmer of the Year program because of the publicity LEC would get for the Expo. He will return later and report to the board.

In final business about the Expo, Howard stated that LEC should ask for volunteer help in setting up the pens for the Colt Starting Challenge. Many times members ask how they can help, and that is something that the members can do.

In other business about the annual meeting, Daniel reported that the program is lined up with Evangeline Downs and Dr. Kramer’s breeding and reproductive facility. There is a conflict with the use of the Ag Arena in Opelousas, so that will not be done. The schedule will begin at 10:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2010, with the general meeting at Evangeline Downs, followed by lunch at noon. Ms. Pat Gros will be asked to speak at 1:00 p.m., then the group will proceed to a tour of Dr. Kramer’s reproductive facility. The board meeting will be held at Dr. Kramer’s afterward.

Howard agreed to send a reminder to the committee chairs so they could give a report at this year’s meeting.

Howard and Johnny Boudreaux both commented that the horse specialist position interviews are in progress and there are good candidates to fill the position of Dr. Clint Depew, retired Horse Specialist.

On a motion by Johnny Boudreaux, seconded by Dixie Bunton, the board agreed to pay the American Council dues in the amount of $350.00 for the 2010 year.

The date of the next meeting will be January 9th at the annual meeting in Opelousas. Dixie Bunton moved to adjourn and Johnny seconded the motion, which passed, and the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.