Held January 17th, 2009, 6PM
at The Makris Lobster and Steak House
in Loudon, NH
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The 2008 Year-End Awards were Presented.
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The Annual Meeting, with Elections, was held.
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Meeting Report
President Laurel Bissonnette presented Sarah Theroux with the AHA "Volunteer of the Year" Award in recognition for her efforts on behalf of the club in multiple areas including year end awards, dressage at the annual show as well as her assistance at the fall trail ride. Laurel noted that Sarah’s nomination was unanimous by her fellow board members.
Show Committee member Christy Balch explained that there will be no A rated show this year; it is just too expensive. The show committee is organizing a NHHTA and NEHC affiliated open show. Jody LaSalle and Janet Briggs have been contacted about judging duties. The committee hopes to offer many open classes and many Arabian classes. The dressage will be considered a schooling show. A class list will be published and distributed to members.
Laura Susmann reviewed items from the minutes of the October 11 Board meeting that others had not touched upon including plans for the trail rides in 2009. Laurel will be taking over managing the annual beach ride as Cheryl Crawford has resigned that position. She hopes to hold this toward the end of April. Laura will assist Laurel with the paperwork. Laura has applied for a special use permit from the state for a ride at the Annett State Forest in Rindge but due to the ice storm in December the rangers will not issue the permit until they can inspect and/or clear the trails. Also, a fall ride is planned but the location has not been determined yet. Sue Levesque offered her farm as a location for clinics or other events if the club would like to organize something.
2009 is an election year and the proposed slate of officers and board members included:
- Lurline Combs, President
- Christy Balch, Vice President
- June Barber, Treasurer
- Laura Susmann, Secretary
- Sarah Theroux, Director
- Kathy Wilber, Director
There were no nominations from the floor so all candidates were elected unopposed to serve a two year term. Cheryl Crawford agreed to remain as an alternate and Lurline appointed Judy Poirier as the second alternate. Laurel Bissonnette will complete the remaining one year of Christy Balch’s directorship.
Laurel reviewed the membership report for Linda Fish, as Linda was greeting members at the door:
As of 1/17/09 the club has 136 total members, an increase of two members over 2008. This total includes 111 New Hampshire members, 7 Vermont members, 14 from Massachusetts and 4 from Maine.
June Barber, Lurline Combs and Christy Balch attended the AHA annual convention held in Denver, CO. The main area of concern was the continuing membership renewal date issue. The proposal to change the current method of renewal never made it out of committee for delegate discussion and vote. Also, the newly elected AHA President is Lance Walters of Auburn, NY and the Finger Lakes Arabian Horse Association, Past Director of Region 16.
Laurel introduced newly elected President Lurline Combs to the members; the business portion of the meeting was adjourned.
The Yankee Swap and dinner were enjoyed by all. Awards were presented to members by Sarah Theroux with assistance from Lora Collman.