Minutes of the Membership Meeting
of the
North American Wensleydale Sheep Association
June 24, 2004
held at
Black Sheep Gathering
Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene OR
Vice-President Barbara Burrows
called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm PST.
Present at the meeting: Martin
Dally, Joanie Livermore, Karen Tipple, Sandi Hanson, Sherry Carlson,
Andrea Szabo, Barbara Burrows, Myrtle Dow, Roy Dow, Rick Prestbye,
Sandy Prestbye, Larry Hanson.
Announcements
Sherry Carlson announced that she had just received a registration
application from Kay Kratz in Wisconsin for twin ewe lambs that
are 4 th generation Wensleydale, or 93% blood.
Approve
Minutes
A motion was made by Larry Hanson to approve the minutes of the
combined Membership/Board meeting held at Estes Park, June 14,
2003. Seconded by Myrtle Dow, the minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer’s
Report
Sandi Hanson presented a budget report for the 12 months ending
June 30, 2004 and also extended the proposed treasury until December
31. As we are changing fiscal years, this report is for the transition
and in the future, the report will be more streamlined. The current
bank balance is $1043.60. Sandi presented a proposed budget
for 2005 based on 20 members with 75 registration transactions.
The projected income for 2005 is $875 and proposed expenses are
$804.50 for a net income of $70.05. Larry Hanson made a motion
to accept the treasurer’s report and 2005 proposed budget.
Seconded by Andrea Szabo, the motion was passed.
Secretary’s
Report
Sherry Carlson explained that the new registrar, John Savage, is
very efficient and feedback from members is positive regarding
the service and the forms provided. An issue not previously addressed
is what a ‘rush’ transaction fee should be, and the
definition of a rush transaction. John’s procedure is to
process rush transactions immediately and send them out overnight
delivery, he charges a flat $25 for the fee and will bill the Association
accordingly. Sherry asked the members present for input on the
issue and all were in agreement that this fee was reasonable and
that it may act as a deterrent for delaying sending in your paperwork.
Sherry will post this fee on the website.
Sherry announced that the flock
book covering 2001 and 2002 activity is now available on the website.
It was determined that it was just not economically feasible to
continue to publish a hard copy for distribution to the membership.
New members will receive a hard copy of the first edition flock
book (2000) and anyone may purchase additional copies for $5.
Sherry reminded members that
the association continues to maintain a listing in Black Sheep
Newsletter, Sheep! Magazine, and The Shepherd Magazine.
Directors Elected for 2005-2006
Term
The secretary announced that no election for Director was necessary
since there were three nominations for three available positions.
After discussion about the change in our fiscal year and corresponding
terms of office, it was determined that the current board shall continue
to serve until the end of 2004. As of January 2005, outgoing directors
will be: Sherry Carlson, Martin Dally, Andrea Szabo. Incoming directors
will be: Sherry Carlson, Joanie Livermore, Karen Tipple.
By-Law Amendments
Sherry Carlson explained that on March 1, 2003 ballots were mailed
out to the membership to approve changing the bylaws. Specifically,
the fiscal year should be changed from April -March to January-December.
Also changed was the definition of an “Active” member
to one who owns, breeds and registers sheep at least once every
two years. This change was to assure that non-producers couldn’t
make the rules for those who are actually producing the animals.
At the time of this ballot,
there were 23 active members, 18 returned their ballots. Of these,
there were 16 affirmative and 2 negative ballots, for a 69.5% aye
vote. The bylaws require a 2/3 majority to change the bylaws, so
these changes have been approved and will take effect immediately.
The secretary said that the ballots are available for examination
by any interested member.
Unfinished Business
Martin Dally gave an update on semen import activities. He announced
that he has received the semen of two Wensleydale rams, a white
ram from Oak Hill and a silver ram named Silver Cloud. He explained
that there were two other rams collected in 2000 that are still
waiting to be imported. Joanie Livermore has been corresponding
with the UK regarding this import for two years and said that everything
has finally been done – the three ram owners (there are Shetland
and Teeswater rams included in this import) have signed the correct
forms and that the transaction should happen soon. Martin will
be going to England on July 18 th and said that he was not sure
if he would be looking for another ram to collect.
Joanie Livermore asked if there
were enough different Wensleydale rams to provide genetic diversity
and Martin responded that the foundation ewe base in America is
extremely diverse so there should be no problem for some time to
come.
New Business
Myrtle Dow reported that the World Congress on Colored Sheep will
be held in New Zealand this coming November. Members indicating
that they were planning to attend: Roy & Myrtle Dow, Andrea
Szabo, Barbara Burrows, and Sherry Carlson.
Next Meeting
Sherry Carlson said that we have tried to hold our annual meeting
in various locations throughout the country to make it easier for
members to attend. However, there has been little interest in the
eastern portion of the U.S. Our 2002 meeting was poorly attended
in New York, and we have only three members east of the Rocky Mountains.
The members discussed the possibility of exhibiting our animals
and holding the next meeting at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
in May 2005 to see if this would stimulate interest and membership
in the east. Several members indicated an interest in taking sheep
back for that festival and it was suggested that the secretary
contact the MSWF about advertising. Martin Dally suggested that
this should also be advertised in the Black Sheep Newsletter.
Meeting adjourned 6:30 pm
Minutes submitted by Sherry
Carlson
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