North Willamette Valley Chapter
10/27/05 Minutes


President Andrea Marek called the meeting to order approximately 7:05 PM at Kaye Phaneuf’s house.


Andrea reminded us that ODS wanted ads for the Omnibus (which were due by 11/1/05).

Siobhan reported that the NWV Chapter received the $100 award for having the most volunteers at the Championship Show!
Natalie has arranged for the Hania Price clinic for Saturday 11/5/05 at Kathy Darneille’s barn.  Hania is certified through 4th Level.  Cost will be $60 per ride, all of which is being donated by Hania to the USDF Capital Campaign.  It will be a 1 day clinic, 45 minute rides, with no cost to audit.  Donations will be welcome, as well, of course.  We are hoping to get 10 riders.

Our new member brunch which is usually held in November will be combined with this year’s Christmas Party.  That meeting is our next one and is scheduled at Sweetbrier Inn, Tualatin on 12/11/05, at 1:30 PM.


Election of Officers:
Nomination of officers for 2006 was discussed.  Since all current officers present agreed to continue in their positions,
it was moved and seconded that current officers be elected to those positions as follows:
President – Andrea Marek
Vice President & Activities – Natalie Williamson
Secretary – Donna Edwards
Treasurer – Helen Ferguson
Membership – Siobhan Barker
Newsletter – Siobhan Barker

This slate was voted and approved.  Also serving next year: 
Show Secretary – Siobhan Barker, Show Manager – Donna Edwards. 
Linda Bard is now maintaining our website for us
(see http://www.ods-nwvchapter.com)


Chapter Activities under Consideration for Next Year:

1)    Other clinic possibilities:  we had talked about having a clinic with a well-known instructor such as Debbie McDonald, Betsy Steiner, Jan Ebling, etc. but difficulties ranged from hard to contact, hard to fill the clinics and high cost (in terms of individual cost of participating as well as the Chapter’s cost of putting on the event).  We decided to investigate alternatives.

2)    A clinic with Eckart Meyners, the developer of the Balimo Chair, (lecture/demonstration/clinic) on the use of the chair and how it affects the seat.  Donna will continue to investigate cost and availability.

3)    Thomas and Shana Ritter clinic.  Possibly a two-part event with a lecture/potluck in the winter and a clinic in the spring.  Gayla Edwards explained a similar event she had been to where Thomas worked with the horses with some amazing results.  Membership was very interested in such an event and we asked Gayla to check into it further.  Thoughts were that the lecture could be a January event and possible a clinic in the spring, depending on the Ritters’ schedule, etc.

4)    Andrea will also contact Margaret Gill to see if she'd do another cavaletti lesson to which members could bring their own horses.

5)    Jeanne suggested one of our activities for the year should include a trail ride. She'll be willing to organize something in June or July.

6)    It was also suggested that we hold another conformation clinic with Barb Crabbe.

7)    Aimee Witherspoon, who does equine acupuncture and chiropractic, was mentioned as someone whom the members would like to have during one of the warmer months, if possible.

8)    We also suggested a “ride a test” with scribing clinic, possibly having a judge’s comments taped for scribing practice.

9)    Kaye mentioned that it would be fun to go to the Arab Sporthorse nationals in Nampa, Idaho next September to volunteer as a Chapter activity.

A Reminder from the Show Committee: 
 We still need to fill two positions for the 3/25 and 3/26, 2006 show: 
We need a Volunteer Coordinator and a Program Editor (someone who knows Desktop Publishing and can put together the Program).  Members are encouraged to step forward if they would be able to fill either position, or if they know of anyone with the necessary skills who might be willing to take on the jobs.


Report respectfully submitted by
Donna Edwards, Chapter secretary