KIDS AT HEART PYGMY GOAT CLUB
WINTER MEETING 2006
JANUARY 21, 2006
The Winter 2006 meeting was held at the Ryan’s Restaurant in Baytown, Texas. There were 22 members in attendance.
Club president, Stetts Stettler, called the meeting to order at 12:10 pm.
Stetts handed out a secretary’s report of the Summer 2005 meeting held at the Ezernack’s home. It was accepted as written.
Club treasurer, Margaret Sterling, reported that there was a total of $5,057.11 in the account as of 01/21/06. Her report was accepted as read.
ELECTION:
The election of officers for 2006 was then held. Absentee ballots were opened and counted by Stetts, Margaret and Doug and Dana Dennings. Wanda Hook and Claudia Ezernack were the nominees on the ballot. There was a call for nominations from the floor, and after none were received, ballots were passed out to members for voting. After all votes were counted, Wanda Hook was declared the winner, and then Stetts turned the meeting over to her.
Red Mertens was the only candidate for vice-president. When no further nominations were received, a show of hands declared Red the vice president.
Sandy Naumann was the only candidate for secretary. When no further nominations were received, a show of hands declared Sandy the secretary.
Margaret Sterling was the only candidate on the ballot for treasurer. She stated that due to job obligations, she would prefer to step down as treasurer. Claudia Ezernack was nominated and accepted the nomination, at which time Margaret withdrew from the race. There were no further nominations, and after a show of hands, Claudia was declared treasurer.
Linda Michalak was the only candidate for historian. When no further nominations were received, a show of hands declared Linda the historian.
Janet Floyd was the candidate on the ballot for newsletter editor. She explained that due to computer problems and Hurricane Rita, she had been unable to publish a newsletter, and due to continued computer problems, she would withdraw her candidacy. Rachel Ezernack was nominated and accepted, and when no further nominations were received; a show of hands declared Rachel the newsletter editor.
Discussion followed about whether responsibility for the club website should be part of the newsletter editor. It was decided that a new appointed position would be created – webmaster. Chris Janice accepted that position. Discussion followed about continuing the free website provider or paying for an ad-free domain. The members voted for the webmaster to spend up to $200 a year for an ad-free domain.
OLD BUSINESS:
Wether Policy: Discussion about the policy last year of paying double wether premiums: Consensus was that it was no longer necessary to promote wethers separately, but to award the Wether champions the same prizes as Champion does and bucks.
Hurricane Relief: Stetts reported that he gave the final hurricane relief report by email. The club disbursed around $1600 to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
NEW BUSINESS:
Baytown Show: Wanda reported that the barn in Baytown was demolished by Hurricane Rita, but it is now in the process of being rebuilt and should be finished by the show. Margaret stated that our insurance is due, and she gave the details to the new treasurer, Claudia to take care of. Judges for the show will be Bill Granger and Tim Norman. A draft of the entry packet was passed around for comments and input.
Minden Fall Show: Claudia reported that the dates for the fall show in Minden will be October 28-29th. A $100 deposit is required. Judges have not yet been selected. She reminded everyone that RV’s are allowed at $12/night.
Claudia also announced that the Ezernacks and Mertens will sponsor an April 2006 show in Minden, and that we should make motel reservations early for that event because of several film crews in town.
Email Voting: Two items were discussed: 1) Absentee voting by email for the annual election and 2) Email voting on other issues.
Most members agreed that the absentee voting this year with numbered ballots that were not opened until the meeting worked well. Discussion followed about members who join during the calendar year – should everyone be required to pay in January again before they can vote? This issue was tabled until the Summer 2006 meeting.
As for email voting on other issues such as emergency needs due to natural disasters, etc., it was decided that such issues would be put to an email vote by the general membership, with officers deciding on appropriate response deadlines on an individual case basis.
Historian Report: Linda Michalak asked for input concerning format and content of the club’s albums. Members agreed that candid shots of all persons participating in club-sponsored shows should be included, not just club members. Champions’ pictures will also continue to be included.
Newsletter Editor’s Report: Janet Floyd reported earlier in the meeting during the election process.
KAH Show Membership Involvement: Claudia initiated a discussion about the need for all KAH members to offer their help during shows because of the immense amount of work involved for show chairmen. It was suggested that the show chairmen send out a list of job needs before the show so that people can decide how and when they might be able to assist.
Heifer Project: Margaret passed out information on the Heifer Project the club donated to last year and suggested that we sponsor a goat again this year for $125. While members agreed that it was a very worthwhile humanitarian project, there was disagreement about whether the club should do so. Our by-laws state that the Kids at Heart should “encourage communication, fellowship, and sharing of knowledge among our members and all pygmy owners” and “promote the Pygmy goat breed”. This topic was finally tabled until the summer meeting at which time the officers could make a recommendation. Stetts suggested that the secretary research the meeting minutes over the past years and chronicle the different interpretations that took place about this and other subjects.
New Members: Scott Floyd introduced two new members who attended the meeting, Doug and Dana Dennings. Wanda introduced another new member, Peggy Wilcox.
Summer 2006 Meeting: The Summer 2006 meeting was scheduled for June 24th at the library building near the Mertens in Shreveport. Directions will be sent later.
NPGA Directors’ Meeting: Stetts distributed a handout and shared highlights about the NPGA Directors’ meeting he attended last weekend. Topics included approval of the new Apprentice Program and tabling of the retiring of Platinum wethers issue until the next NPGA directors’ meeting.
Meeting was adjourned by Wanda Hook at 2:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Sandy Naumann, Secretary.