Present:
Amanda Evans, President
Bob Wargowsky
Mickey Wright
Susan Sasser
Ric and Rosemary Metcalf
Jim Daly
Robert & Cheryl Louie
Leslie & William Stoddard
Alyson Gilman
Stephanie Fauber
Wayne Smith
Anne Stallcup
Rob Ibarra and Marilyn Knudsen
President Amanda
Evans called the meeting to order at
Board Reports:� Amanda� announced that there are now 32 members of NMAB and that 5 new people have signed up since February.
Election of New Secretary:� Ric Metcalf stated that Charlee Galbreath was the sole nominee for the office of Secretary and asked if there were any other nominations.� None received from the floor, Susan Sasser moved that the nominations be closed.� Ric asked for a second on the motion.� The motion was seconded and the nomination of Charlee as Secretary was accepted.
Website: �Registration for NMAB is now available online and we can post information on the site.� Bob Wargowsky stated that the State Fair entry form will soon be ready to be downloaded for you to fill out and send to them with your entry fee.
State Fair:� Bob Wargowsky
reported that improvements for a better fair have been approved.� Jane Tellier of
Friday night party:� It will be catered, with 2 free drink tickets per member.�
Marketing:� Alyson Gilman reported on marketing
efforts.� State Fair email communication
is now operational.� Alyson will send an
email to all breeders once registration forms are up.� A blast emailing will be done.� In August, NMAB will begin public promotion
via a flyer.� Alyson stated that we could
all participate in increasing our visibility with the public if we each would
print out 10 copies of the flyer and distribute it to friends, family,
co-workers, or post� it in high traffic
areas, like our favorite restaurants, grocery store, gym, hair stylist,
etc.� A press release will be issued and
printed in newspapers throughout the state.�
As local news shows start covering the state fair in September, we will
try to get alpacas on TV�we want people to see alpacas!� There will be an educational table at the
State Fair with photos, handouts, and a display of information.� The table will not be staffed however.� Alyson asked for a volunteer to coordinate
the table display.� Susan Sasser volunteered and Alyson said she would help with
graphics.� There will be a guestbook for
signing and maybe roving marketing surveys asking 5 or so questions about how
people found out about the alpaca event.�
Any news articles that we see in our local papers should be saved to be
entered in a scrapbook and to help us see where our marketing efforts were
successful.� Also, this year the
announcers will be scripted so that they will be informed when speaking about
alpacas and promote the sponsors.� Alyson
asked that members email her with any ideas.�
Some suggestions from the floor were the use of a TV and
Everyone enthusiastically extended their appreciation and thanks to both Alyson and Bob for all their hard work!!!
TXOLAN Grant:� Bob reported that we have received it and are spending it�..wisely.
Affiliation:� Amanda reported on the research and findings of Anne Stallcup and Kristi Larkin regarding the question of NMAB becoming an AOBA Affiliate at this time and what that process would all entail.� They prepared both a short summary and lengthy report of the process.� Amanda passed out the short version to members and the lengthy one to those who requested it.� Amanda stated that the conclusion was that the volume of paperwork to be filed monthly for the first two years was too burdensome and complicated for any of our members to undertake, and that we wait until such time as a CPA could be hired to handle it.� As a group, we should read the report and think about the pros and cons of seeking Affiliate status.� Right now we do not have the skill amongst us, beyond the good research done, to take this further.� Jay will read the report and it will be on the agenda for the next meeting.� Thank you Kristi and Anne!!!
Microchipping Alpacas:�
Amanda reminded members that as of
Livestock Liability:� Livestock Liability: Amanda reported that under NM Statutory Code, sec. 30-18-12, �Injury to Livestock� if any alpaca or llama were to be maliciously harmed, it could be a misdemeanor, even if repeated four times.� Only after the fourth time does it become a felony!� If cruelty to a livestock animal is committed, it is a felony the first time.� The list of livestock animals does not currently include camelids.� Amanda urged us to contact our legislative representative and ask that a bill be added to the agenda next session to the add camelids to the list of livestock.� Amanda has a list of legislative people if you need names and contact numbers.� Mickey Wright will write up a bill and send it to Amanda.� Ric Metcalf will follow up with Mickey to help get this done.� Again, we are all encouraged to write our representatives.� Our alpacas are covered by livestock laws except cruelty to them perpetrated by humans.
Fire Evacuation Plan:� Susan Sasser handed out a 2-page plan for evacuating your animals and how to be ready.� Those who have larger trailers can help those who don�t.� Bob, Jay, Ric and Rosemary all have large trailers.� The people on the list are ready to take animals.� If you want to be added to the list, let Susan know.� You can call Susan or Amanda if you need help co-ordinating and making calls for you in a crisis.
New Business:�
Bob W. asks that we think about the next fundraiser/event that we should do, like the Norm Evans clinic, Christmas party�something big again, but not in conflict with another breeder�s event.� If people have ideas, write/call Amanda.� Ric M. would like to see a tax accountant talk to us about tax benefits and planning for alpaca breeders.� Cheryl Louie stated that she knows of a lawyer who would speak for free regarding corporations and the differences between the types.� Alyson and Bob suggested we put together a list of topics and rate them by members to get an order of priority.
Amanda announced that Victory Ranch in Mora would like to offer NMAB members a free workshop at their ranch for learning spinning, weaving and alternative medicine. This is in the early planning stages but it sounds a wonderful offer for us. We could also ask them to speak about marketing strategies since theirs have been so successful.
Rosemary asks everyone to remember Marilyn Nishitani and the loss of her husband.� She would welcome our emails.
Next Meeting:� Next meeting will be:
�����������
����������� Jim and Cynthia Daly,
����������� Milagro
Moon Ranch
�����������
The meeting adjourned at