EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

OHIO HORSEMAN’S COUNCIL

MARCH 5, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order by President Rick Patterson at l:00 p.m.

After the pledge of allegiance, Kris Green, the Recording Secretary called the roll.

 

OFFICER’S REPORTS

President - Rick Patterson introduced our elected regional representatives for Northeast, Northwest, Central, Southeast and Southwest.  He introduced the committee chairs, directors, and the regional mentors.

Vice-President - Thanked everyone for the support he has been given

Secretary - A motion was made by Ransae Hall and seconded by Mike Gerard to table the reading of minutes from the November meeting until after publication.  Vote passed.  The minutes will be published on the OHC website. 

Treasurer - Ransae Hall reported the 2005 OHC checkbook balance.  Jim Strayton, moved to accept this figure and Gussie Anderson seconded.  The motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Merit Awards - Anita Hoon and Gussie Anderson announced that the deadline for the Gibby Award nominations is June 30, 2006 and nominations for the lifetime membership award is also June 30, 2006.  They need 1 - 3 more people on their committee.  The ride will be the first weekend in August at Barkcamp State Park.

By-Laws - Reuss Griffiths - Two issues from the November meeting.  E. No member shall hold more than one (1) elected state OHC office concurrently.  (This would affect President, V-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Regional Reps - not to affect any county offices).

After discussion Bill Kraft motioned to vote on the change to the by-laws as written.  It was seconded.  The motion passed by 67% majority 63 yes to 31 no.  Linda Waites made a motion to call a recount with the delegates standing.  Seconded by Ransae Hall.  The motion was voted on and defeated.  F. and H.  Voted on as one.  F.  The officers shall be elected to serve for two (2) years or until their successors are appointed or elected.  H.  No member shall be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive, elected, two-year terms in the same office.  A motion was made by Reuss Griffiths to accept this change, seconded by Tom Heinz.   After a question on the word “state” being assumed or could it be added to this change, it was added.  There was also a question on what positions this would affect: President, V-President, Treasurer, Secretary and 5 Regional Representatives at the state level.  The changes to F. And H. were voted on and passed. 

Insurance - If you need insurance, send application and check to Jackie Romaker.  All questions will go to the insurance agency.  A question on who and what is covered.  An equine has to be involved, public announced events.  We have $1 million in liability coverage.

Equine Affaire - April 5-9, 2006.  April 5^th in the evening will be the set-up date and the 9^th will be take down.  Volunteers are needed for both.  There are 18 people on the committee.  We will have 113 feet of space with 5 sections.  The theme will be “Ohio’s Trails Experience”, and there will be a membership drive, OTP and Trail Maintenance display, information on Ohio Trail rides, show arena for youth, events, county banners, county booklets, membership applications and a display at the end of the space.  We will be in the Voinivich Building in the same area as before.

Youth Show - May 18, 19, 20, 2006 - watch the website for details.  They need 6 people to open and close the gates during the day.  The money we make doing this pays for our Equine Affaire booth.  A question was raised as to what we are getting paid. $1,700.00 for the 3 days.  Fairfield County will fix food for the volunteers.  Terry Crampton asked if someone could take over the Youth Show so he could become our Public Relations - Events committee chair. 

Finance - Joyce stated she only has interim people (regional reps) on her committee.  They reviewed the 2005 financials in January and it went well.  There are 2 concerns: A deficit of $6,000.00.  Membership revenues were down and insurance costs were up.  Insurance should be self funding - we spent $9,000 and took in $6,000.  May have to change the cost for event coverage.  The membership votes on event prices.  We need to cover our cost.  A new strategy was covered for investment of cash in our treasury.  We will open (3) 8 month CD’s for $l0,000 each.  Ransae Hall will check on what minimum balance must be kept in the OHC account to avoid paying monthly fees.  A question was raised about switching OHC checking into an interest bearing account.  Ransae will check with Advantage Bank about this.  A question was raised about the insurance rate: $75.00 for members and $120.00 for associates.  Our insurance person is checking into liability insurance for presidents and treasurers of every county. 

State Rides - We need flyers for state rides earlier in the year for newsletter.  Fliers can go on website. 

Website - Great Job!  Information can go to both Linda and Judy.  Thank you to Dave Johnson for trail maps. 

State Trail - Explanation was given of the Gibby Award.  OTP this year will be at Cuyahoga National Park - the contact list is in the Corral with the hotel list.  Reuss Griffiths is the contact person.  We will be repairing flood damage to closed trails, doing major reroutes.  CAMBA to cohost event with OHC.  Will be April 22 and 23 - bring any power moving equipment but no chain saws.  Let’s show the national parks the power of our volunteers.    National Trails Day - OHC will be greeting people and doing a membership drive.    State Trail Recognition: J. Romaker N.W. reported on trails at Oak Openings, Van Buren and Maumee.  Mike Gerard, N.E.  reported that the new trails at Mohican are almost done.  J.E. Reikowski reported on Jefferson State Park encouraging horses and camping.  In Stark County on the Ohio to Erie Canal they are fighting to keep horses on the trail, received a grant to get a bridge built over I-77 which will include horses and will get 2,000 acres and a camp.  Connie Matthews, S.E. introduced Donnie Wagner - opened up trails at Burr Oak, the closed trails at Wayne National Forest will be reopened this year.  At Hocking, they will be logging on 20 acres along the orange trail, thinning 60-70 acres.  Should not be cutting October into November but this could change.   In the Central region, Kiser Lake has a new shelter and some new trails.  Mt. Gilead has 7 miles of trails.  Bill Unger, S.W. reported on Montgomery County working and improving the trails at Sycamore State Park.  Harold McKeehan, Warren County President reported on the new reroute and new culvert on a section of Caesar’s Creek Trails.   Bill urged everyone to turn in their mileage - this helps with our relations with the park managers.  Our goal is to provide support to maintain, expand and improve trails.  Our mileage was up 20,000 miles this year.  January 31^st is the deadline for turning in mileage to Bill.  Washington County was the top county in miles ridden this year.  Madison had 100% of their members reporting their miles.

Old Business - there was no old business.