Tuesday, March 12, 2002

Steve Guerriero, Club President, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.

MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY MEETING – Steve Guerriero

Steve asked if everyone had the opportunity to see the minutes from the February meeting that had been posted on the web site. A motion was made by Ann Curtis to accept the minutes as posted. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

New members and visitors were recognized and introduced themselves.

TREASURER’S REPORT -- Denise Escover
CCC Paint Accounts – Checking    $2,092.99 Savings    $20,156.91

There was some discussion about the bills and Linda Tacklind made a motion to pay the bills. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Open Program Accounts – Checking    $1,439.71 Savings      $3,008.86

YOUTH CLUB REPORT – Ashley Guerriero
Ashley went over the activities of the Youth Club. The bylaws have been reviewed and a few changes have been made. Quite a bit of discussion was held about the possibility of a raffle at the April show to raise money. The consensus revealed that we first need to know if a raffle is okay with CHAPHA due to a possible conflict.

Additional discussion about the warm up classes at the April show was held. The youth are in a good position to earn some money if things can be properly organized and there is enough help to run things. Dana Klamecki may a motion to donate 100% of the warm up monies to the youth team if the youth team parents show up to help. The motion was seconded, and passed unanimously.

Ashley brought up that a breeding stock colt has been offered as a donation. Debi Kent continued that Kasha Ford has graciously offered this very nice colt by Zippos Sent Me to the Open Program and that she in turn can take a tax write off. Some discussion about sharing this donation with the Youth Club and sharing responsibilities in a raffle for the colt: ticket sales, promotion, and other sales efforts. There was a suggestion to take a look at the Club’s liability and Debi agreed to find out more. The raffle could be an excellent fundraiser for the Youth Club as well as the Open Program and other clubs that have done similar raffles have risen up to $1,500.00. Debi seeing no opposition, agreed to go ahead with the idea and do a little more research.

Denise Escover encouraged all to come a little early to the regular meeting in order to participate in some of the planning for the Open Program. The Committee meets about 15 minutes before the regular meeting and there is always a need for volunteers on the Committee as well as help with the shows.

Steve asked new members and visitors if anyone needed clarification about the difference between the Paint Program and the Open Program. Everyone seemed fairly knowledgeable and felt comfortable.

Denise went over the Open Show dates: April 14, July 21, and September 8. She said that a few changes have been made in the shows and that they are trying cash awards down to 6^th place.

Mary Baughman pointed out that cash awards might have some repercussions. According to the USA Equestrian rules (renamed from the ASHA), horsemanship, showmanship, and equitation classes are based on the handler/rider. Cash awards in these classes can be interpreted as paying the handler/rider, which can impact youth and amateur status. After some discussion, it was the consensus that those that wish to protect their status can simply refuse cash awards.

OLD BUSINESS
Steve reminded everyone that Sponsorship forms and Letters of Intent are currently available and should be completed and submitted. Forms are available at the meetings and on the web site.

Lots of discussion about the upcoming Paint Show that 7CPHC is sponsoring at Rancho Murieta starting on April 3^rd. We’ve enjoyed a great partnership in putting on this joint show with the CPHA. Steve reported that there is a separate account with a current balance of $3,063.00 and that some costs have already been paid. Of course, there will be many more costs as well as incoming stall monies moving through the account.

Volunteers are needed to help stuff the cash awards into envelopes. Steve is having a work party at his house in Gilroy on Tuesday, March 26^th at 7:00 pm. Call Steve at (408) 842-0621 for more information and to volunteer! Just a note that there will be some very special volunteers in charge of these awards during the actual show. These class awards do add up and there have been some changes on how they will be paid our during the show.

There is a FREE BBQ for all show exhibitors on Friday at the show. Bruce from CPHA is heading this up and we are helping to co-sponsor the event. One of our members agreed to help sponsor the BBQ during the meeting and any other folks that would like to help sponsor the event can call Steve for additional information.

Steve talked more about the upcoming show (panels, cattle, etc.) and stressed that there is lots of opportunity to help all through the show especially for Trail and Jumping classes. Sign up sheets for the various classes were circulated around the room. Steve talked about the difficulties in all the work at the show and there if has come to the point to hire a lead worker and someone to be responsible for the cash awards (both positions to get $100 per day). Ring stewards will be paid $50 per day. And all paid workers will get some meals and possible help with hotel accommodations. Dana and Steve both stressed that the club is financially healthy and that last year’s coverage for help especially in the early morning hours, was very thin. Anyone that really has concerns about paying workers really has to bring issues forward now. These workers will help to professionalize the show and provide much needed relief to club volunteers. Although we have never paid for workers before, this show is going to be huge and it is important for us to take this show to a higher level. Don’t get anyone wrong, because we still have a BIG NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS!!!

MAY 5^TH SHOW
Because Ed Flores couldn’t be here tonight we really can’t talk about this show much, but much more will be covered on this at our next meeting.

Libby Flores is also putting together a Clinic and she is hoping that there will be enough participation to hold it at the Watsonville Fairgrounds. If there is only marginal response, it will be held in Gilroy. More on this at the next meeting.

Janet Radford has heard the Gilbertsons have recently experienced a family tragedy (the Gilbertsons do a lot of the show management and point keeping at shows throughout the State). Their 7-year-old grandson recently passed away from a brain tumor. Ann Curtis made a motion to donate $100 in the name of the Gilbertsons’ grandson to the “Make a Wish Foundation.” The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Danielle Escover to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Melissa Berschens missed the meeting and minute taking due to illness. In her absence, these minutes were taken by Kathleen Phillips. WHEW