MEETING NOTES

01/19/2010
Board members present were: Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Howard Cormier, Clint Depew, Aleta Overby, Dixie Bunton, Ruby Collins, John Henning and Heather Dionne. Board members absent were: Ruby Halter, Tom Foshee, Dianne Morrill, Judy Travelby, Ginger Schouest, Daryl Schouest, Cleve Weisgerber and Jay Prather. Advisors present were Dr. David Morrison. Advisors absent were Ron Harrell

MINUTES
LOUISIANA EQUINE COUNCIL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
CONFERENCE CALL
JANUARY 19, 2010


President Daniel Lyons called the meeting to order at 12 noon.

Board members present were: Daniel Lyons, Johnny Boudreaux, Howard Cormier, Clint Depew, Aleta Overby, Dixie Bunton, Ruby Collins, John Henning and Heather Dionne.

Board members absent were: Ruby Halter, Tom Foshee, Dianne Morrill, Judy Travelby, Ginger Schouest, Daryl Schouest, Cleve Weisgerber and Jay Prather.

Advisors present were Dr. David Morrison.

Advisors absent were Ron Harrell

Daniel began by thanking John Henning for providing the conference call so the board could meet without travel.

On a motion by Ruby Collins, seconded by Clint Depew, the minutes were approved tentatively pending the vote of board members needed for a quorum.

Howard Cormier gave the membership report stating that we had a total of 360 members on the books with approximately 65 renewals at this time. There were 157 members who had paid their dues for this past calendar year of 2009.

Daryl Schouest was absent, but had stated that the Treasurer’s Report was basically the same as what had been reported last month. Last month’s report showed that total revenue was $40,414.60. Total expenses for last year were $34,176.15 for a positive balance of $6,238.45. There is $24,975.75 in the general checking account and $6,244.48 in the Expo account. Schouest stated that he had written several small checks to pay for postage and had received several checks for memberships, but these figures were close to being to correct. There were no large expenditures.

Daniel Lyons welcomed Dr. David Morrison, new advisor to the board, and expressed his appreciation for replacing Dr. Clint Depew with the newly named Horse Specialist Dr. Neely Heidorn. Dr. Heidorn is from California, primarily the University of Georgia, and will begin her career as Horse Specialist with the LSU AgCenter June 1st. Daniel commented that LEC was also trying to help get an equine curriculum at LSU. Dr. Morrison stated that it will be challenging with current budget cuts, but he appreciated LEC’s help.

Next item was the 2010 Expo. Ruby Collins stated that she is working on many things. The schedule is presently being developed and finalized. She is hoping to get 20 booths at a price of $100 per booth. It is more important to have many booths to fill the place. Concerning the poster, Ruby stated that she had received pictures and will be sending Aleta a CD of good quality pictures taken last year. She is also working on people to check the gate and check in horses to their stalls. Heather Dionne suggested getting help from volunteer Sheriff Departments so that there would be fewer people trying to get around the gates and the fees. Ruby stated that she would do this. Ruby also stated that the advertising budget will be cut to $6,000.00 due to a reduction in the grant from $12,500.00 to $5,000.00. This reduction is due to the state budget shortfalls. She will advertise mostly on radio and TV.

Concerning publicity of the Colt Starting workshop, Clint stated that he will get pictures from the clinicians to be used in publicity. Heather suggested getting flyers for different events, since one picture may not get the attention of the entire audience. Ruby will work on getting this done. Concerning the Colt Starting, Clint stated that all is falling into place. The Ike will furnish help to set up the round pens. Ruby stated that she will perhaps hire someone to run the stalls as she and many board members will be busy actually running the Expo and cannot be tied up with the stalls the whole time. She is working to get the grant approved from the City of West Monroe. She will talk to Janet Rutledge, who is on the board of the Tourist Commission for the city. Clint Depew suggested that she also talk to Carol Osborne, Extension Agent in Madison, and enlist help from some of those Master Horsemen who have been through the program. Ann Keen and Loretta Seymour were also offered as possible volunteers who could help.

Ruby Collins then discussed hotel information listing rates for the Hilton, Holiday Inn, Shoney’s Inn and Wingate. The group agreed to go to the Holiday Inn as the host hotel. Johnny Boudreaux stated that he would like to have a meeting February 8th in Alexandria at Cajun Landing. This would give the Farm Bureau Equine Committee and the Louisiana Equine Council board members a chance to get to know each other and exchange information. Johnny asked Howard to e-mail the entire board to see which time on February 8th would be better, a noon meal and meeting or late afternoon meeting and meal. Howard agreed to do this.

The annual meeting is still set for January 31st at the Mojo Room at Evangeline Downs. In further discussion, Ruby Collins moved to pay the meals of members who were current with their dues. Dixie Bunton seconded the motion. It was unanimous by the eight people in attendance. Howard agreed to touch base with Pat Gros and the board agreed to cover her room and travel expenses.

It was suggested that Dr. Gary Hay be invited to talk to LEC at the Annual Meeting about establishing a horse curriculum at LSU.

The next item on the menu was a discussion of changing the dues to a lower level. The board members agreed that the current fees of $25.00 for individual membership, and $35.00 for family membership, represents a commitment from individuals who want to support the horse industry. With shrinking budgets it is felt the dues will continue to be important in meeting some of the needs of the organization.

Next was the discussion of new board appointments. Heather Dionne was present and Cleve Weisgerber was not present. They will fill at-large positions. The board members present also approved a motion by Clint Depew, seconded by Johnny Boudreaux, of the appointment of Shane Goff to fill Ginger Schouest’s position and Bill Bunton to replace Melinda Schexnaider, who has not been able to make meetings in the last two years due to responsibilities in caring for her parents. This action will require an e-mail vote by other board members.

Daniel then reported on the Ag Expo held at the Ike this past weekend, January 16th and 17th. There were many booths, an excellent beef cattle show and the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association voted to return to have their meeting in conjunction with the Ag Expo again next year.

In other business, the date of the trail ride was discussed. Howard reported there was a change from March 27th to April 10th; however, he had some conflicts with the Master Horseman program and will talk to Peggy to see what the final date is that she wants to set.

The Southwest Horseman’s Expo is set for March 20th and 21st and board members were invited by Heather Dionne to support that program in the Lake Charles area.

The date of the next meeting was set for Sunday, January 31st at the Annual Meeting, and the week after that on Monday, February 8th, at Cajun Landing Restaurant in Alexandria.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.

Addendum: by email vote after the meeting, Cleve Weisgerber, Maurice Tynes, Ruby Halter, Richard Hebert, Tom Foshee, and Jay Prather voted yea on the motions set forth in these minutes to approve the board appointments, pay member’s meals at the Annual Meeting, and to hold the board meeting Feb. 8.