Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2011
Opening:
The second Vermont Horse Council meeting of 2011
was called to order at 1 PM on March 13, 2011 in UVM Extension Meeting
Room, Berlin, Vermont by Mike Benoit, President. 21 members were
present at the meeting
A. Approval of Agenda
The
agenda was reviewed.
- Introductions
- Secretary’s
Report
- Treasurer’s
Report
- Old Business &
Committee Reports
- New Business
(Election of Officers, Award of 2011 Horse Person of the Year and
Next Meeting Date)
B. Approval of Minutes
The minutes were accepted as listed on the Vermont
Horse Council Web Page. Note: during the meeting it was
revealed that there was an error in the minutes. Roger Morin did
work on the paddocks at Groton State Forest, but fencing was rearranged
by the park after the work had been completed.
Treasurer’s Report attached was unanimously
approved. Vermont Horse Council has paid memberships to the
following organizations: American Horse Council, New England Horse
and Trails, Farm Bureau, and Vermont Trails and Greenways. Terry
Rose is in contact with Vermont Trails and Greenways to remove Lynn’s
name from the web page as the VHC contact.
C.
Committee Reports and Agenda Items
Membership - There currently are 263
members. A discussion was held regarding paperless membership
packets. Members can request to go paperless, but membership cards
will still be mailed in hard copy. It is most convenient and
efficient for Terry to continue as current. If someone wants to
take over the membership committee and drive to 100% electronic the
committee chair will be passed over. No one volunteered to take
over the chair.
AHC – Ilene reported that she
will be visiting Washington DC in the next couple of weeks and will stop
by at the AHC offices. June is the month for the annual AHC
meeting. Once agenda is determined, Ilene will determine if worth
traveling and if so will contact directors to request funding to attend.
Highlights of committee report included:
- Any member is
encouraged to go on the AHC web site (www.horsecouncil.org)
to get latest information
- Attention is being
given to Forest Service planning rules currently
- Trails preservation
is major emphasis for the AHC nationwide – there is also a link on
the web page to National Trails Organizations
- Individual
membership gives discounts at Tractor Supply
- Have learned that
there is an informal gathering of New England and New York horse
council members. Might be a good idea to get looped into this
group.
NEKET – A workday on May 21 has been
scheduled. It will be a one day event to help mark the trails.
Look at the web page for updates. VHC member NEKET ride scheduled
for September 9-11, 2011.
Collaborative Trail Initiative – no report
Greenway’s Council – no report
Annual Ride – To be held in Tunbridge,
Vermont on September 23-25, 2011. Ride cost will remain the same.
Safety – Many copies of the posters are
still available. Contact Mike Benoit at
benoit.martha@yahoo.com. Several members took posters for
distribution at local garages, drivers ed offices, schools and police
stations. A discussion about youth group making a film of
driver/horse safety was held. Further information will be brought
forth at future meetings. Jeannette delivered “Share the Road”
pamphlet from the Connecticut Horse Council.
By-Laws – no recommendations for changes
were made.
Trail Maintenance – discussion about
coupling with ATV groups was held, but no resolution was made.
Discussion about Bissonette family in the Northeast Kingdom regarding
trail access, but no resolution was made. Morris reminded
membership that the VHC funds were for public land trail repair.
The funds are meant to be matching funds and that maximum
award is $350.00.
Scholarship Fund – No new applications.
Sue has updated the application form. ACTION ITEM – Sue will
forward electronic copy to Jeannette to post on the web page. Farm
Show generated $623 for the Cliff/Murray scholarship fund.
Farm Bureau – Bev gave an overview of
different types of memberships and what each membership benefits
entailed. One of the biggest benefits is a weekly electronic
update of legislative activities that affect the agricultural community.
Bev encouraged support of the Farm Bureau.
Groton State Forest – work crews will be
formed for Little River and for Groton once the snow goes away.
Watch web page for details.
Equine Emergency Funds - received $75.00
donation. Hay bank is being set up by Spring Hill Rescue. No
action taken in this regard. Cindy denied request for gelding of
stallion as she felt this funding was more appropriately used for
emergency feed and care of equines.
Vermont Humane Federation is paying for Cindy to
attend the large animal cruelty investigator training. Vermont Horse
Council pays dues to VHF and Cindy wanted to thank the VHC for their
help in the important work of helping horses in need.
LATR – hopes to set up two more teams in
the northern part of the state after the next training. If this happens
every county will have a designated equipped team.
The state vet is looking at setting up memorandums
of understandings with all of the LATR teams so they may be activated by
Vermont Emergency Management. The Agriculture portion of the State
Emergency plan is being rewritten and LATR will be included in some way.
Cindy will work with the teams to set up MOU's.
Lamoille Valley Rail to Trail- No report
Newsletter – No report
Parade Group - Discussion regarding
reinvigoration of this group. First parade will be Williamstown on
Memorial Day weekend. Jody is still willing to lead the committee.
Riding and Driving Program – Motion
made: to add single rider option to this program for a cost of
$20.00 for lifetime membership. Seconded and passed
unanimously. ACTION ITEM – Brenda is going to contact current
active members to see if it is okay to publish their accomplishments on
the web page.
Everything Equine- Jyl presented layout and
requested funds to upgrade the professional appearance of the booth.
It will debut at Everything Equine this year. Coverage for the
booth is complete. Motion made: grant $500 to purchase
materials to improve the professional appearance of the VHC booth with a
goal for it to be ready for April 30th Everything Equine
weekend. Seconded and approved unanimously.
D. New Business
Horse Person of the Year - Two people were
awarded the honor for 2011; Roger Morin and Patricia Brannon.
Nomination & Election of Officers – Slate
provided; Roger Morin (President), Patricia Brannon (Vice President),
Cindy Cross-Greenia (Secretary) and Terry Rose (Treasurer). There
were no nominations from the floor. Slate was voted by single vote
from acting secretary, Jeannette Cole.
Next Meeting – May 15 from 1-4 pm.
(ACTION ITEM) Cindy Cross-Greenia to request Berlin Extension
Office space for this meeting.
Adjournment:
Meeting was adjourned at 3:40 PM by Mike Benoit.
Minutes
submitted by:
Jeannette K C
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