NARHAÔ
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc.
Appreciating the power of the horse to change lives Ô

Region 8 / LSTEN Caucus Minutes

2007 NARHA Annual Conference

Anaheim, CA

The meeting was opened with a welcome form the NARHA Region 8 Representative Debbie Studyvin and LSTEN President Jen Donahue.  Thirty-five Region 8 Members were in attendance.

• Introductions were made by all stating their name, hometown and center affiliation.  Door prizes were awarded for the newest NARHA member, the member holding the longest NARHA membership, and the newest NARHA Certified Instructor. 

 

• Debbie Studyvin commented that Region 8 is filled with members who serve on NARHA and EFMHA Committees.  These members were listed and if attending were encouraged to report on their Committee activities:

                      NARHA Board of Trustees

                      Cynthia Ruiz, Kay Green

Equestrian Committee

Gail Pace, Deb Lewin

Equine Advocacy Committee

Joy Alexander

Higher Education Committee

David Snyder, Heidi Brady, Pamela Dance, Lili Kellogg

Standards Committee

David Snyder

Certification Oversight Committee

Karen McPhail

Accreditation Committee

Mary Gwinner

Driving Certification Sub-Committee

Anita Sepko

Administrative Committee

Pat White

Riding Certification Sub-Committee

Joelle Devlin, Gail Pace

Vaulting Certification Sub-Committee

Boaz Or

                      EFMHA Board of Directors

                      Delana Lands

                      EFMHA Regional Liaison

                      Kathleen Harbaugh

• Jen Donahue presented a report on the upcoming 2008 Region 8/LSTEN Conference to be held August 1-3 at the Heart of Texas Therapeutic Riding Center in McGregor, TX.

 

• It was stated that brochures for the 2008 Louisiana State Meeting would be going out soon.  The Meeting is scheduled for January 26-27, 2008 at the LSU Veterinary School in Baton Rouge, LA.

 

• The 2009 NARHA Annual Conference is scheduled to be held in Region 8.  There was discussion about whether we should hold a Region 8/LSTEN Conference the same year or consider NARHA’s new policy of Hosting Regions being allowed to not hold a Region Conference the same year that they host the National Conference and receive monetary compensation from NARHA and other considerations for Region attendees.  The discussion was tabled until further notice.

 

• The Disaster Relief Fund was discussed and it was decided that Region 8/LSTEN would make a donation to the Fund.

 

• The Meeting was adjourned. 

Meeting Minutes – Region 8 / LSTEN Conference August 3-5, 2007 

The meeting began at 11:30 A.M. with Jen Donahue presiding.  Rebecca Mercer read the Treasurer’s Report.  She reported a balance of $12,107.26, which did not include the updated Rodeo tickets, which she estimated at $500.  There was a motion and second to accept the Treasurer’s Report.

 

Under new business, there was a nomination for a new Vice-President.  Joan was nominated.  There was a motion and second to elect Joan for Vice-President.  Shirley Wills resigned as Secretary and Emily Oliver was nominated for Secretary.  There was a motion and second to accept Emily’s nomination.  Two new members at large were nominated – Shirley Wills and Catherine Thratcher.  There was a motion and a second to accept these nominations.

 

The 2008 Region 8 / LSTEN Conference is scheduled to be hosted by the Heart of Texas Therapeutic Riding Center in McGregor, Texas on August 1-3, 2008.

 

The NARHA Region 8 Representative – Debbie Studyvin – discussed the Catastrophe Fund and State Chair orientation.  She also reported that a change had been made in the conditions for NARHA Year End Awards.  Now a nominee for the NARHA Volunteer of the Year or Rider of the Year no longer needs to be a NARHA member.  She read her proposed expense budget for 2007 – estimated to be $2,044.  There was a motion and a second to accept her budget.

 

There was discussion about the 2009 NARHA Annual Conference being held in Ft. Worth.  NARHA has given all Regions the choice of not holding a Region Conference the same year as they host a National Conference. The Region would be financially compensated for not holding a Regional Conference and a less expensive “day fee” would be available for folks who usually can afford a regional or state conference but can’t afford the fees to attend a National Conference.  The discussion was tabled until further information can be obtained from NARHA.

 

A suggestion came from SIRE to host the 2009 Region 8 / LSTEN Conference.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Shirley Wills