OHIO HORSEMAN’S COUNCIL

STATE MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 4, 2007

President Rick Patterson called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. A roll call of the counties was taken.

Secretary’s report - Kris Green reported on the time frame to get information to her for inclusion in the packets. She also corrected the Agenda, Jackie Romaker is now a Director.

President’s report - President Rick Patterson recognized some new chairman positions: LindaWeese for Equine Affaire and Barb Gerard who is the new Membership Chairperson. He introduced Tom Green and Jackie Romaker as our new Directors. Rick stated that eight peoplevolunteered for the 2 vacant Director positions, after selecting Tom and Jackie, he asked theremaining six to serve on a Steering Committee. All six agreed. We now have in place the insurance from Equisure and 2 membership plans: a regular OHC membership with no insurance and OHC plus which includes the new insurance plan. We have a new location for our booth at the Equine Affaire and we still need the county books turned in. For the Equine Affaire and The All American Youth Show we will use our 3 means of publicity. Jackie Romaker is making a tri-fold information sheet to be sent to all the county president. Our website is for information only. OHC remains neutral on all equine issues for now. For OHC to become involved a look at our finances and opinions of our members would be needed. Rick stated that the basement of the FOE hall where we have our 2 state meetings each year is available and could be utilized for meetings for OHC’s youth. Our next state meeting will be at the FOE hall in Delaware on November 11, 2007 and will feature a buffet brunch from 10-11:30 a.m. for $9.50. The meeting will start at 12:00 noon.

Vice-President’s Report - Mike Gerard presented a framed picture to Larry Matthews illustrating Larry’s persuasive way of getting volunteers. Mike is visiting various county chapters and talking about OHC. Rick and/or Mike will try to visit many chapter meetings. Rick and Mike met with Sean Logan the new Director of Natural Resources in Ohio. They had over an hour meeting which generated great interest in trails and OHC’s contribution to the horse trails and parks of Ohio, the economic impact of horses in Ohio.

Treasurer’s Report - Anne Lindimore - no report but any questions, please contact her.

Committees:

All American Youth Show - Terry Crampton - The show will be 5/17-20 and a sign up sheet will be on the web page. Our participation helps kids in Ohio as OHC works the ring gates. This year volunteers will have megaphones and identifying vests.

Buckeye Trail - JoEllen Reikowski - on July 14,15 there will be a work party at Tapen Lake

By-Laws - Reuss Griffiths - looking at a change in the grievance process

Editor, Newsletter - the deadline for the next newsletter is May 1 - May 15 it will go to the printer. Send pictures, comments. Rick Patterson asked we respect the deadlines - they are important!

Equine Affaire - Linda Weese - March 11 is the Equine Affaire meeting. Information on the OHC booth update is in the packets. There are 22 committee members. Please stop by the booth at the new location in the Voinivich Center. There are three ways to volunteer, set up on Wednesday, be a booth greeter during the Affaire, and/or clean-up on Sunday. Linda’s goal is to have 100% participation by the counties in turning in their county chapter books. There will be free membership drawings every day. A discussion was held about purchasing a 12'-14' Haulmark cargo trailer to store all our display material. Terry Crampton suggested a committee be formed to investigate the cost, insurance, and expense of owning a trailer. Cindy Barnett made a motion to spend up to $5,000 on the purchase of this trailer. Seconded by Dee Crampton. A discussion followed about trying to get sponsorship or donations for this trailer. Cindy Barnett amended her motion to read “check into getting donations or spend up to $5,000.00 on trailer. It was seconded by Dee Crampton. A vote was taken to accept the amended motion and it passed A vote was taken on the amended motion and it passed. Questions were asked about liability insurance and licensing. A committee will be formed to investigate all issues. Mike Hathaway, Madison County has a 14' trailer available for OHC’s use on a short-term basis.

Finance - Joyce Wilson - She announced a new member on the finance committee is Sheila Craft, from Morrow County. This committee reviewed 2006 finances on January 28, 2007. They reviewed specific sections of the financial activities and reported OHC lost $840.00 in interest income.

Grievance - no report

Groom & Clean - no report

Insurance - Jackie Romaker - she is getting applications for the liability insurance daily. For event insurance, use the current application form on the CD she passed out to everyone. The prices have changed to $75.00 per day of event. $100.00 for parades, pony rides, and wagon trains. If an event will have non-OHC members there, event insurance is needed. Every regional representative will a copy of insurance policy. If a member purchases the insurance, they will get a certificate with a policy number and can then request a copy of the policy. Tom Green, Director, has read the policy and can answer question. Insurance pamphlets will be available at Equine Affaire.

Membership - Barb Gerard - She has given out a list of county members and each county should go over and make corrections and send these to Barb. She is working very hard on getting our database correct. Every OHC member should be on the newsletter and Corral list now. Please get in all renewals ASAP as the deadline this year is 3/31/07. Only primary membership is processed at the state level now. The state no longer handles secondary membership. All renewals with checks go to Anne Lindimore first. Next year forward dues must be paid by 12/31 to prevent a lapse in insurance

Merit Awards - Anita Hoon - June 30 is the deadline for the Gibby Award. The information is on the website. Members need to make reservations at BarkCamp by July 15 and they need to know the length of their rig. Riders can go in on Wednesday before the ride.

Nominating - Jim Corman - no report

Ohio-Erie - Carolyn Sullivan - absent - no report

Public Relations/ Merchandise - Gussie Anderson - no report

State Trail Rides - Gussie Anderson - All state ride flyers need to be to her by Jan, 2008. Flyers need to be at Equine Affaire also.

Trail - Larry Matthews - March 24-25 is the Hocking Hills OTP work weekend. The need for volunteers is huge. All meals will be provided from Friday evening - Sunday breakfast. Larry recognized many county chapters who are working around the state.

Trail Usage - Bill Unger - He appreciates counties using his form and cautions about the trail mileage program going backwards. 33% of OHC members report mileage. He hopes to hit ½ million miles in 2007. Trail riding in Ohio is a $12.9 million industry. We use this information to talk to ODNR. The top five parks in Ohio for trail riding are 1. Salt Fork 2. Hocking 3. Mohican 4. Oak Openings and 5. Hueston Woods. Bill recognized the top youth for 2006 as Ted Perry, Jr. who rode 2,400 miles. Washington County was the top county for 2006 with 56,000 miles. Five counties had 100% reporting and Madison won the award this year in a draw.

Web Masters - Linda Waites, Judy Preston - no report

Directors - Larry Matthews, Tom Green, and Jackie Romaker - will help distribute state information out to the county chapters

Regional Representatives - Central - Terry Crampton - reported work in the Metro Parks in Columbus area.

Old Business - Rick Patterson reminded us to remember Linda Husvar and her work for handicap accessibility in our horse parks in Ohio.

Penny Passalaqua - Horse Power Ohio - this bill is Senate Bill #79 and is in front of the Senate. There is a competing bill also. For more information go to www.horsepowerohio.org. Information will also be at our booth at Equine Affaire. A suggestion was made to have a general press release prepared to get out to all counties’ local press. This will not be a state run initiative and no tax dollars are involved. When passed, will fund horse trails, therapeutic riding programs and equine educational groups. It still needs to get through the Senate, then the House and be signed by the Governor.

New Business - OHC now has their own business cards. The committee that will investigate getting a new cargo trailer will consist of: Bill Craft, Terry Crampton, Jackie Romaker, and Bill Unger. 22 out of 57 counties have turned in their county books for the Equine Affaire booth. Rick Patterson reported that every membership in OHC costs $13.28 and that we have not had a dues increase since 1997. He also clarified that the Finance Committee did what was asked of them in reviewing the treasury.

A motion to adjourn was made by Dara Meier and seconded by Gussie Anderson at 4:45 p.m.

The motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristin A. Green

Recording Secretary