BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

March 4, 2001 Reno, Nevada

 

The meeting was called to order by President B. Fleming at 7:45 a.m. Also present were R. Eiland, R. Rittenhouse, T. Woolley, J. Parke, M. Tomlinson, B. Hart, M. Stover, J. Baldwin, D. Frazier, V. Bowers, L. Beason, M. Price, E. Baxter, L. Kanavy, S. Kasemeyer, D. Barnett, G. Williams, D. Jackson, B. McCrary, M. Maul, S. Schomburg, J. Fruth, L. Riedel, V. Rutter, and executive director K. Henkel.

 

SECRETARY'S REPORT. L. Riedel reported on the action taken Thursday regarding the minutes of the midyear meeting. They were approved with corrections. M. Price moved to accept the secretary's report. Seconded. Motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN – remanded from Thursday. T. Woolley moved to rescind the following motion: that the National Championship Ride be a dual sanctioned AERC-FEI ride, and that ride management work with J. Baldwin to secure funding for the FEI portion f the ride. T. Woolley withdrew this motion and then moved that the 2001 National Championship Ride be an FEI ride and that the funds we use to underwrite the FEI division of the National Championship Ride (up to $3000) be obtained from Hickory Ridge Farm (J. and D. Fruth). R. Eiland seconded. R. Eiland moved to amend by stating that the donors be J. and D. Fruth and L. and Valerie Kanavy, and any other American AERC members. Motion to amend carried. The original motion as amended carried 14 to 4 with 7 abstentions.

            T. Woolley moved that The Board authorize $5,000 to be given to ride management of the National Championship Ride to help with the amenities of the ride. These funds will only be given if funds especially targeted for this purpose are raised through sponsorships yet to be obtained. It will not come out of general funds money—it will be from sponsors specifically donating money to increase the niceties of the ride. Motion carried 20 to 2 with one abstention.

            Discussion followed concerning the role of the National Horse Sports Foundation as a sponsor.

            T. Woolley moved to rescind the following motion that was passed Thursday: that the National Championship Ride be a dual sanctioned AERC-FEI ride, and that ride management work with J. Baldwin to secure funding for the FEI portion of the ride. S. Schomburg seconded. R. Eiland moved for a roll call vote. T. Woolley seconded. The roll call vote carried 22-2 as follows: AYE: R. Eiland, R. Rittenhouse, T. Woolley, J. Parke, M. Stover, J. Baldwin, D. Frazier, V. Bowers, L. Beason, M. Price, E. Baxter, L. Kanavy, S. Kasemeyer, D. Barnett, G. Williams, D. Jackson, B. McCrary, M. Maul, S. Schomburg, J. Fruth, L. Riedel, V. Rutter. NAY: M. Tomlinson, B. Hart.

 

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE – remanded from Thursday. Mike Foss reported on actions taken at a meeting of the International Committee.

            The committee approved M. Foss to work with J. Parke to present appropriate wording to the Board of Directors for AERC International procedures. They came up with the following changes.

            The present International Procedures state "The AERC International Committee will represent and act for the AERC in all matters pertaining to international equestrian endurance riding. The committee shall perform its duties in accordance with AERC by-laws, policies and directives." J. Parke moved to amend this statement to The AERC International Committee will represent the AERC under the direction of the AERC Board of Directors, and will advise the Board in all matters pertaining to international equestrian endurance riding. The committee shall perform its duties in accordance with the AERC by-laws, policies and directives. T. Woolley seconded. Motion carried with one abstention.

            J. Parke moved, M. Tomlinson seconded to insert the following in the phrase concerning committee duties "the committees shall advise and assist AERC as follows:" Motion carried. J. Parke moved, V. Rutter seconded to restore the special membership category and the $10 annual fee, to be deposited in restricted funds pursuant to Article 1 and 1.1 to 1.4 and current AERC financial practices. Motion carried with one abstention.

            In regard to zone funding, V. Rutter explained that funds raised by zones are deposited to the AERC account, but are to be used for International purposes, and allocated to the specific zone that raised them.

            Mike Foss was confirmed as chairman of the International Committee retroactive to October 2000. The International Committee would like to recommend to the USET Endurance Committee the following for the World Championship, 2002:

1.      There should be named demonstration events. These should be FEI rides.

2.      Evaluation rides be only one-day 100 mile rides.

3.      The long list should be longer.

4.      The long list should include all nominees that meet nomination criteria.

5.      The minimum mileage requirement for riders be raised to 1000 miles, of that 5 would be one-day 100 mile rides; and the horse and rider combination be at least two one-day 100 mile rides.

6.      The National Selection Chair for the WBC 2002 is Linda Voight

7.      The National Chef d'Equipe for the WBC 2002 is Art Priesz.

M. Foss moved from committee that the International Committee report be accepted. Carried with one abstention.

The meeting recessed at 9:30 and reconvened at 10:00.

 

AERC BY-LAWS / STATE OF CALIFORNIA. L. Kanavy moved that the Board seek another legal opinion regarding AERC by-laws being in compliance with California corporate law. During this period of investigation, that AERC continue to conduct their business as done in the past (e.g., board voting and other matters). Upon conclusion of our investigation, the Board will take whatever steps are necessary to assure that AERC by-laws are in compliance with the corporate laws of whatever state AERC is incorporated in. Mike seconded. Motion carried 12-9 with 1 abstention.

The president appointed an ad hoc committee called the Corporate Site Search Committee, composed of L. Kanavy, chairman, M. Maul and J. Parke to research the alternatives of methods of communication in other states, followed by a conference call. This action was approved by the Board with a show of hands.

            Board members were requested to respond to all messages from the executive director.

 

SPECIAL SANCTIONING. S. Kasemeyer moved from committee that the Round the Mountain Ride be allowed to expand from three to five days. Motion carried.

 

CONVENTION COMMITTEE. S. Kasemeyer reported on the convention survey. She suggested ways to streamline the presentation of awards. M. Maul suggested putting the questionnaire on the Internet. S. Kasemeyer asked the Board for input on a site for 2003.

 

PROTEST AND GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. J. Parke suggested adding a veterinary liaison to the P & G procedure. He moved to approve Wayne Gastfield as first alternate and Roger Rittenhouse as second alternate members of the Protest and Grievance Committee in even of resignation of any current member or disqualification for conflict of interest. Motion carried.

            A discussion followed concerning the yearbook, especially concerning the lack of coverage of the 2000 National Championship Ride and lack of credit to the sponsor, National Sport Horse Foundation. B. Hart volunteered to help with producing the yearbook.

 

EDUCATION COMMITTEE. M. Price announced that the Rider's Handbook is ready to be printed.

            V. Rutter moved that "If a member does not pay the annual dues by the first day of the ride season, they automatically become an inactive member until their dues are paid for that ride season." She withdrew the motion since it involves a  by-law change as well as a rule change.

            A question was asked concerning riders whose weight changes during the course of the year. J. Parke moved to refer the issue of riders changing weight during the course of the year to the Rules Committee to determine if current office practices conform with the rule, and if they do not conform, to suggest a change either in our office practices or the rules. This reference includes reference to the National Office Committee for its input also. M. Tomlinson seconded. Motion carried.

 

JUNIOR COMMITTEE. The minimum age requirement for Juniors should remain unchanged. No action taken.

 

MEDIA COMMITTEE. Genie Stewart-Spears recommended using more educational material in EN. The possibilities of securing an editor for EN or sub-contracting the magazine out were mentioned.

 

VETERINARY COMMITTEE. D. Barnett announced the newly elected members of the Veterinary Committee. Four more members will be appointed. S. Kasemeyer will remain as lay person on the committee.

 

            M. Maul moved to put the new Riders' Handbook on the website. L. Beason seconded. Motion carried.

            B. Hart moved that a parliamentarian be engaged for our midyear board meeting at either no cost, or at a minimal amount, to be approved by the Executive Committee. M. Maul seconded. Motion carried.

            J. Baldwin moved to have the National Office establish and maintain a collection of photographs, videotapes or electrical images that have no copyright restrictions, except copyrights owned by AERC, that can be used by advertisers or authors in Endurance News. M. Stover seconded. Motion carried.

            L. Beason moved to adjourn, G. Williams seconded.

            Meeting adjourned at 12:50 a.m.

 

Louise Riedel, Secretary