SUMMER MEETING 2005

JUNE 25, 2005

This summer meeting, held at the home of Claudia and Stan Ezernack, Keithville, TX, was called to order by President Stetts Stettler. The Ezernack's provided a wonderfully warm and welcoming venue for all the activities. I don't know how they do it—I guess when you're that good, you make it seem easy.   Stan, Claudia, Rachel and Mallory, thanks so much for opening your home and grounds and setting up all the tables and other preparations. It was just perfect. Oh, did I mention the meal? Delicious! Well worth the drive all by itself. Potluck dinners are still my favorite.

The Secretary's Report read by Joy Rogerson and the Treasurer's Report provided by Margaret Sterling were both approved by voice vote. The Kids at Heart club has approximately $7000 in the bank account. The account has been moved from Shreveport to a location nearer and more convenient to Margaret.

We welcome three new members to Kids at Heart. Scott and Janet Floyd, Beaumont, TX, recently discovered Pygmies and are very interested in showing. Scott has his eye on some great barn facilities in Beaumont and this may well result in another show possibility for KAH. Bradley Smith, Stetts' grandson, became a new member and volunteered to help update our website. Welcome!

Old Business:

The proposed Fall, 2005, show presented as a possibility earlier will not become a reality due mostly to non-availability of suitable facilities and staff to operate them.

The 2005 Down Home Holiday II show on Oct 22-23, co-chaired by Claudia Ezernack and Polly Mertens will go on and has added several features aimed at more 4-H and kid participation. The 4-Her's will have a separate event just for them. Claudia and Polly have moved the location to Minden, LA, just 30 miles east of Shreveport to get larger facilities and a great deal.

Wanda Hook and Sandy Naumann, co-chairs of the Southeast Texas Pygmy Parade VIII received approval for the 2006 show in Baytown, TX. It was a highly successful show this year and we're looking forward to another. Wanda and Sandy are excited because they've figured out how to make this a "Tripple" show! The first will be held Friday afternoon. Plan to arrive early.

Joy finished researching and the clubb voted on the open issue of animal health certifications required for our shows. After some discussion, it was determined we did not wish to act as enforcers of the state laws, but did want to ensure a healthy environment for all exhibitors   Therefore, our show chairs (or designated representative) will require a health certificate for all animals brought to the show barn for any purpose (show, sale, or other) and must check that all animals are listed on it. Our club will not require that chairs perform a hands-on inspection of the animals upon unloading.

New Business:

Linda Michalk gave a comprehensive Hiistorian's Report and brought us up to date on the scrapbooks and recent photos. Excellent job, Linda.

Janet Floyd has volunteered to becomme our club's Interim Newsletter Editor. What a great way to get acquainted with the club and we appreciate your expertise. You'll be getting a CD with all the old newsletters very soon.

The club agreed that prizes for rosette winners should be appropriate as determined by the show chair(s).

KaH has received requests to fund varrious projects over the past years   Some the membership approved, some not. To help us make sound choices, we've adopted Joy's draft funding application form and we re-emphasized it's the duty of the officers to review each request in light of the club's purpose as stated in our articles of incorporation and bylaws. We hope this simple addition will help us stay on our successful track, keeping with the original purpose of the club. We'll get a copy of the application form posted on the KaH website.

The next meeting will be the weekend following the NPGA winter meeting in Las Vegas. The NPGA meeting is 14-15 Jan 2006.

Our KaH winter meeting is tentatively set for Saturday, 21 Jan, 2006, Golden Corral, 4610 Garth Rd, Baytown, TX. This is easy to get to—it's about half a mile south of 1-10, on the left as you're going south. We will be holding elections for all six positions at this meeting. Please note that Stetts has chosen to step down as president.

The meeting was adjourned. Immediatelly following was a phenomenal fecal sample clinic put on by Joy Rogerson. Joy, anyone that can get an entire crowd of people excited about little squiggly things in goat poop is a real leader. You had 'em in the palm of your hand. What a valuable clinic, plethora of supplies and wealth of knowledge. Thank so much. It was particularly special since it drew many of our friends from other clubs in the area.

I never knew a Clorox jug could birth tiny goats, but thanks to Sandy's tutorials, now we all know. Her kidding demonstration was developed from years of experience and was very helpful for the group.

Respectfully submitted,

Stetts Stettler. Pres