New Mexico Alpaca Breeders Meeting

October 20, 2007 Minutes

 

President Mickey Wright called the meeting to order at 12:15.

In attendance:

Mickey Wright������������ Evelyn Simon������������� Luca Tossani������������� Melinda Tossani

Dean Kahlich������������� Linda Kahlich������������� Guy Williamson���������� Marianne Williamson

Robert Louie�������������� Cheryl Louie��������������� Mary Black����������������� Marilyn Knudsen

Roberto Ibarra������������ Mary MacGyver���������� Kristi Larkin���������������� Tim Blackburn

Diane Blackburn�������� Cynthia Daly��������������� Bob Hazen����������������� Louise Hazen

Chuck Homer������������� Kathryn Ray��������������� Anne Stallcup������������� Leslie Stoddard

Lynne Fatkin��������������� Mark Hogan���� ����������� Deirdre Murphy

 

Thank you to Leslie Stoddard for hosting this meeting.

All the Board members introduced themselves.Welcome to Chuck Homer and Kathryn Ray who are new members.

Vice President Lynne Fatkin Report:

We are planning for the 2008 education seminars.A survey sheet for educational seminars was passed out to the members.

Secretary Deirdre Murphy presented minutes from the previous meeting and the minutes were accepted as presented.

Treasurer Mark Hogan reported:

The beginning balance of the checking account since the last report is from the bank statement of September 30, 2007 from the Community Bank of New Mexico is $16,270.03.

The ending balance of the bank statement of September 30, 2007 is $16,285.22.

Total Income from Sponsorship of the State Fair Show $3950.00

Total expenses from the State Fair Show $5931.82

With the current balance of 09/30/07 minus the outstanding checks and added income, the New Mexico Alpaca Breeders has a balance of $13,521.49 in the checking account.

The Treasurer�s report was accepted as presented.

Mark posed the question:How can we bring in more money?The vests were an expense for the State Fair Show.The vests can be purchased:$25 for one vest and $40 for 2 vests.We need 30 to 36 vests for the events.

Seminars:If we host a seminar, it will be $5000 to $6000 with the hotel and catering.Hotel expenses, budget wise, are $150 to $200 per person.

Meet and Greet at the State Fair: This year the financial expense for the Meet and Greet was $3500.We can only use the vendors that are provided.

ARF Ken Weisner Memorial Gift:Ken Weisner died suddenly in Chicago.NMAB will make a $100 contribution to ARF in memorial.

Business Cards:Mark is reviewing the pricing for business cards.The business cards could be used at various events and we would be able to affix our own information on the back of the card.

A question arose by Leslie Stoddard as to whether we should have more NMAB business cards vs. the NMAB brochure.This was put to a vote and the response was to have more brochures than business cards.

A question for Anne Stallcup is can we get a �downloadable brochure?�Anne was absent from the meeting at this point in time.

Membership and Website issues:

Chuck Homer and Dean Kahlich reported that the link to the herdsire is not working and we cannot access the minutes.All of this should be resolved with the new website design.

Old Business:

Roberto Ibarra, Assistant State Fair Superintendent, reported that we have had State Fair Team Meetings and if any of the members have concerns they should email Roberto.

The 2007 State Fair was a successful Show.We had 269 applications and 232 animals.

Income from the State Fair:We did not get the monies owed to use from both the 2006 and the 2007 State Fair Show.For the 2007 SF Show we made a little over $1100.

We are heading toward a Level 3 Show.Judge Sharon Loner said we have a very good show and that we are �real sleepers.�We had 58 classes and 9 Championships.Online entry is the only way to handle next year�s State Fair.AOBA requires new software for next year and the NMSF is not prepared for that change.

State Fair barn conditions:Roberto, Marilyn and Anne toured the barn 1 month prior to the show.The rains flooded many of the stalls and Anne had to rearrange the stall placements on the fly.Bob Wargowsky has reported that the barn leaking problems have been resolved.Anne Stallcup said that about 1/3 of the stalls cannot be moved.

Anne Stallcup reported that the State Fair Grounds cannot support a Level 3 Show.Mickey asked when we talk of a different venue are we speaking of another location.We need to know how many volunteers are willing to assist and how do we get people who are not necessarily involved with alpacas to assist?We need to establish an Alpaca Show Committee.

Our needs to meet the demands for an Alpaca Show Committee are a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Events Coordinator, Barn Manager, Assistant Barn Manager, and Marketing.If this committee is formed it would meet 3 to 4 times per year and would report to the Board of Directors.

Strategy Plan:What can we do to make this a place where we could move in the direction of marketing?A budget would be required.Roberto is requesting an Events Committee be formed.This may involve a bylaw change.We need to look at where we want to be in 1 to 2 years.

Other remarks and questions in regard to the State Fair and/or Alpaca Show Committee:Kristy Larkin asked if there should be a separate committee formed to look for a new show venue.Mary MacGyver said that we should not wait until our next event is so large.We need to establish a committee as soon as possible.

Security for animals, cars, etc.:This was a real problem at this year�s State Fair.On Sunday we had horses trotting up and down the end of the barn.Kristy said that the security people that the State Fair provides are not acceptable.

Roberto Ibarra asked what our position with the State Fair is.We need documentation of our concerns and we need to take that to the State Fair officials.

Robert Louie asked what the costs are if we were to move the venue.Mickey asked when we talk of a different venue are we speaking of another location.

Bob Hazen suggested that there be a defined period of time each day where the animals at the Show who are for sales be presented.

Youth Events:Anne Stallcup mentioned the importance of the Youth Events vs. the Halter Show and we should consider moving the Youth Events from the end of the show to the beginning for more attention.Cheryl Louie mentioned that we will need to begin at the County level if we are considering FFA or 4H for the youth.

Mickey requested that we review One Voice regarding show software.

ARI � All NMAB members should turn on the flag to publish their names in the ARI database.

Taos Wool Festival � Lynn Fatkin reported that this is the first year we, as NMAB, had a judge.The judges were Susan Sassar, Kristin Wargowski and Anne Stallcup.Anne reported that it took quite a long time to judge the fleeces and next year a time limit will need to be established per fleece.Mickey has requested that Anne, Susan and Kristin write up a summation of the TWF.

Los Golondrinas � We need signs indicating where we are located.We also need to find out if we can move to our previous location which is closer to the village.

Newsletter � Cynthia Daly reported that the deadline for the next news letter is Nov 1st.

Lynne Fatkin introduced Kathryn Ray as a new member.

New Business �

Helpful hints:Mary Black demonstrated using a butt rope to maneuver an alpaca.This technique is leading without pulling from the halter by gently pulling forward on the butt rope.Also if you halter the mom, the little one will follow.Bob Hazen added that they respond to lack of pressure.If you use the withers of the animal, behind the withers will move them forward and in front of the withers will move them back.

BVD update � Quarantine your animals after show and we all must be vigilant in testing.

Mickey handed out the Show Schedule.

Shearing � Carrie Hull has a respected shearer whom she would recommend.Should we, as individual ranches, decide that we would like to utilize this shearer, we will need to compile a list and a schedule.We are considering May 10th to the 31st as the time slot for shearing.Marilyn Knudsen will coordinate shearer information.  (Marilyn is not coordinating the shearing.  She is looking into shearers that Carrie Hull and Robyn Kuhl recommends. )

What are some profit making ideas?Bob Hazen suggested that we have a �pen sale� with a some percentage going toward NMAB.

Holiday party � Will be Dec 8th beginning 4 pm at Alpacaworks.

A big thank you to Anne Stallcup for organizing the Herdsire Showcase!!!!

Next meeting � Feb 23rd at Adobe Farms.

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm.