The meeting was called to order by President, Sam Arnold, on April 26th
at 9 a.m.
in Auburn, Calif. Present were Sam Arnold, Pat Fitzgerald, Julie Suhr,
Phil Gardner, Kathy Perry, Todd Nelson, Roger Taylor and Shirley Wheeler.
The list of sanctioned rides was reviewed by regions. A total of 64
rides have returned their sanction applications and received confirmation of
sanctioning from the AERC. A new list of sanctioned rides only will be printed
and mailed out to all persons requesting ride information from the AERC. It was
also decided to make an effort to increase our membership.
Julie Suhr reported a balance of $824.00 in the AERC account in Scotts
Valley. It was decided to make a transfer of funds from the Auburn account to
Scotts Valley.
Pres. Arnold read a letter from Hall of Fame Chairman, Fred Hecker, who
proposed a panel of five members chosen for life. Roger Taylor made a motion
that members serve for five years only with a new member being selected each
year. The motion passed.
A general discussion followed on AERC prizes and Awards. Sam Arnold
reported that Midwest Regional Director Lindsay Taliaferro, Jr. had made a
suggestion that the first twenty-five numbers at each ride be reserved for the
top twenty-five national riders. Other suggestions were that the AERC post a
banner at each of its sanctioned rides and that members have a button which
they could wear on their hat or shirt indicating membership in the AERC.
Financial assistance for the regions was discussed. Phil Gardner moved
that we return $l per member back to the regions for their use. The motion
passed. The refund will be sent to the Regions when Saddle Action Magazine
completes the list of members by region. Sam said our eventual goal should have
the regions doing the sanctioning and collection for their areas. A possible reduction
in sanctioning fee is a probability if our membership can be increased.
The election of board members was discussed. A copy of the By-Laws is to
be sent to those present for further clarification.
Todd Nelson gave a report on veterinarian matters. He plans to make up a
list of qualified endurance veterinarians that we may send to people who
inquire.
The matter of location for the 1977 Awards Banquet and
Seminar was brought up. Everyone felt we should make an effort to hold it in a
new location in order to accommodate some of the out of state competitors who
would not have to travel so far. Mr. Arnold asked Roger Taylor and Shirley Wheeler
to come up with a location which would be agreeable to the largest number of
people. He also indicated a willingness on his part to attend some of the
Regional Award Banquets, in order to demonstrate AERC interest and support.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15.
Respectfully submitted.
Mrs. Robert Suhr. AERC Secretary