E.I. BOARD MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 5th, 2005
Board Members present: Peter Rothschild, Peter Larsen, Jim McBride, Heidi Gloudemans, Leona, Jana Steffen, Polly Kranick, Wendy Meyers, Carolyn Bunch, Kellie Larsen, Debbie Nicely, Carolyn Cole, Shelly Navarre

Board Members absent: Heather Grassman

Combined Driving: Jim reported that a planning meeting for 2006 combined driving events would be conducted in January.

Membership: Polly reported the 2006 membership renewals having been coming in very well (218 so far).

Education: Wendy reported she has information for a special newsletter which will hopefully be ready for mailing/distribution before (or shortly thereafter) the annual meeting. Wendy also gave a brief review of the annual USDF meeting results. Several small changes were made to year end award qualifying scores and Horse of the Year award requirements. The changes shouldn’t adversely affect many EI members. A motion was made by Jana to have EI donate $500 to the USDF Building Fund. This was seconded by Wendy. Passed by an unanimous voice vote.

Auction: Carolyn reported that ‘tentatively’ the auction made of profit of approximately $4,000. Final numbers are being calculated currently.

Dressage: Carolyn Cole reported she met with Kathleen Doyle to discuss budgets for 2006 Freestyle clinics. Carolyn also reported she secured a business membership from LandRover of Bellevue. This dealership is also interested in doing some sponsorship during 2006. Caroline met with several persons who may be interested in organizing an USDF Instructor’s Certification Clinic.

Webmaster: Peter Larsen (to be nominated at annual meeting) solicited any additional ideas/thoughts regarding the ‘new’ E-Flash notifications which have started to go out to the EI general membership.

Washington State Horse Park: Debbie reported she talked with Gail White regarding the Horse Park’s annual meeting. The Horse Park website has been updated to allow online memberships and they have an individual membership goal of 2,000.

Volunteers: Heidi stated she would be working with the ‘Peters’ on a new volunteer database.

Treasurer: Laura reported she is looking for EI’s Secretary of State renewal form. She will contact the state for another form.

Annual Meeting planning: The annual meeting is scheduled for January 8th at the Sammamish Grange. We can enter the facility at 12:30 p.m. The meeting starts at 2:00 p.m.

Membership Survey Results: Jana gave an overview of the entire survey data and some details of how changes will be implemented. Action plans to be brought forward at the annual meeting will be the following:

Enhance advertisement of any member’s clinics (beyond those exclusively sponsored by EI).
Have EI join the Area 7 Eventing Association as an affiliate member. Provide creation of a new Eventing committee.
Scribing clinics will be organized in 2006.
By-laws update: A motion was made by Peter to ‘table’ a current discussion of proposed by-law changes. A new ‘by-law’ committee will be implemented. Members of the committee will be Peter Rothschild, Shelly Navarre, and Polly Kranick.

Prepared by Shelly Navarre, Secretary
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E.I. BOARD MEETING MINUTES APRIL 4, 2005
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Jana Steffen, Jenny Nell, Laura McGillicuddy, Carolyn Bunch, Mary Decher, Shelly Navarre, Polly Kranick, Wendy Meyers, Debbie Nicely, Carolyn Cole, Cathy Blodgett

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Peter Rothschild, Sarah Lorenz

Promotions: Jenny reported she has been working on a draft ‘business plan’ as a result of our planning session.

Treasurer: Laura reported she has had five returned checks for membership fees, merchandise, and auditor fees. Laura will be making a report of the bounced checks. Several meetings ago we had decided to add a number of new signatories to the various EI bank accounts as well as implementing a single signature limit of $5,000. After doing further research at the bank it was determined the bank would not guarantee they could actively check for the second signatures on the accounts, therefore it was concluded that the signatories will be only Lothar Pinkers, Jana Steffen, Kellie Larsen and Laura McGillicuddy. This action was approved by the Board by voice vote.

Dressage: Carolyn reported the schooling show had 64 rides (and much rain). A Bo Jenna clinic is being planned but the dates have not been confirmed. On Thursday (April 7th) there will be a scribing clinic for ‘scribers in training’ and there is also a Show Committee meeting at Lothar’s.

Membership: Polly reported she is starting to receive members address updates through the website. Yeah! And, thanks Heather!

Driving: There are a number of driving events scheduled for this summer. This information should be updated on the Website calendar soon.

Auction: No updates.

Horse Park: Debbie reported the last Horse Park was in March. A number of people have been appointed by the Governor to the WA Horse Park Authority Board to represent various equestrian groups.

Education: Wendy indicated she is continuing to gather information for a potential EI educational newsletter and/or a ‘Soundness’ seminar with local vets.

Member Survey: Jenny took input from various board members on potential survey of membership. It was decided that a raffle will be held for people who return completed surveys. Jenny will compile the survey questions before the next meeting.

Planning Session Update: Jana reviewed the summary of the information from the two planning sessions. The top items which came out of the sessions included considering a new Director position for Volunteers, and additional communication infrastructure (including possible online entry forms and more e-communication).

New Business: A motion was made by Jenny Nell that the EI Board position of Director of Pony Club by changed to Director of Volunteers. This motion was seconded by Carolyn Cole. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Minutes prepared by Shelly Navarre, Secretary. Next meeting scheduled for April 25th, 2005.
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E.I. BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2005
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Debby Nicely (non-voting), Polly Kranick, Carolyn Cole, Jana Steffen, Laura McGillicuddy, Wendy Meyers, Carolyn Bunch (non-voting), Shelly Navarre

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jenny Nell, Peter Rothschild, Sarah Lorenz (proxy had been given to Jana Steffen for each Board member absent.)

BOARD POSITIONS OPENINGS: We still have opening for the board position of Education Director. Wendy Meyers (past president) has volunteered to fill this position. Jana Steffen made a motion to accept Wendy Meyers as the Education Director for 2005. This was seconded by Carolyn Cole. Approved on a unanimous voice vote.

Dressage Report: Carolyn reported details of the recent Steffen Peters/Janet Brown symposium which was considered a great success. It appears the event will break even or show a slight profit. The Omnibus is getting close publication. We are still looking for additional advertising.

Membership: Polly reported our total membership for 2005 stands at about 375-400.

Washington State Horse Park: Debby reported the board members are now meeting monthly in North Bend. A new brochure describing the park and their fundraising goals is being published shortly.

Auction: Carolyn reported that November 5th 2005 is the tentative date for this year’s auction.

Treasurer: Laura gave details of spending from the EI accounts for January to the first week of February. Laura discussed who should be on the various checking accounts as signatories. A motion was made by Wendy Meyers, for the General Account (5868419) that Jana Steffen, Laura McGillicuddy and Shelly Navarre will be the three signatories on this account. A second motion was made by Wendy Meyers, for the Dressage Account (62151618) that Jana Steffen, Carolyn Cole, Laura McGillicuddy and Lothar Pinkers will be the four signatories. A third motion was made by Wendy Meyers that for the Eventing Account (62963103) the signatories shall currently be Laura McGillicuddy, Jana Steffen, and Sarah Lorenz. Jana Steffen seconded the three motions made by Wendy. Approved by voice vote of all board members. Jana Steffen made a motion to have second signatures on all checks for over $5,000. This was seconded by Carolyn Cole. Approved by voice vote.

Promotions: Jenny (as reported by Jana Steffen) would like to prepare a ‘calendar’ of EI events for 2005 to be able to produce some promotional material. Jenny is proposing a possible membership survey.

Planning Session: The session (with Pat Conover as a facilitator) is scheduled from Sunday, March 14th starting at 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. A motion was made by Wendy Meyers for approval to pay $400 to compensate Pat for her services. This was seconded by Carolyn Cole. Approved by a voice vote.

Eventing Report: A show organizer for the Horse Trials is needed. The date for the Horse Trials has been set for the first week of October.


Minutes Prepared by Shelly Navarre, Secretary

Next Board Meeting is on March 7th at Simpatico Stables in Redmond.
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E.I. ANNUAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 16, 2005
REPORTS:

PRESIDENTS: Wendy indicated her intention to stay active within the EI organization (after 3 years as President).

VICE-PRESIDENT: Jana Steffen introduced herself.

TREASURER: Laura McGillicuddy was introduced as the new proposed Treasurer. She gave an overview of the general expense account for the whole organization as well as the individual disciplines. An overview of the financial positions was provided.

DRESSAGE: Kellie provided details of the 2004 Dressage division activities which included two Musical Freestyle clinics, the Bo Jena clinic, the three recognized dressage shows (including the SportHorse show) awarding of the four Dressage Grants. Kellie reported the schooling school series was very successful. Also in 2004 Kellie created the Dressage Division Show Committee to divide up some of the duties involved in putting on the recognized and schooling events. Kellie also gave a detailed overview of the plans for 2005 in the Dressage Division.

EVENTING: Sarah reported that the Horse Trials event in August was the major show put on the Eventing division. In addition there were several schooling events at Donida Farm and as well as an eventing camp in which EI members were given a discount. For 2005 there are tentative plans to organize a Jumping Derby to benefit the 2005 Horse Trials as well as repeating the schooling events. Emily Wiggely will be the Horse Trial organizer in 2005.

COMBINED DRIVING: Lynn gave the report for the driving group (Ann Davis was unable to attend). She reported the first two clinics scheduled for 2004 had to be canceled due to injury of the organizer and lack of entries.

EDUCATION: Cathy reported details of her activities during 2004 which included the Spring Seminar clinic and her role as the Flying Changes liaison.

PROMOTIONS: Malinda was unable to attend so Wendy gave a brief overview of her activities.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Peter Rothschild proposed from the floor that EI make more and better use of e-mail communication with the membership. Peter also offered to allow an EI representative be present at his (and possibly others) clinics to distribute information about membership.

2. Paradise Horse Park (on Vashon Island) has received tentative approval to build a new indoor arena. This organization has asked for a financial donation of $500. Jana Steffen made a motion to approve this donation. Seconded by Debby Nicely. Approved by a voice vote of membership in attendance.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION:

NOMINEES:

PRESIDENT: JANA STEFFEN
VICE-PRESIDENT: PETER ROTHSCHILD
TREASURER: LAURA MCGILLICUTTY
DRESSAGE: CAROLINE COLE
EVENT: SARAH LORENZ
COMBINED DRIVING:
PROMOTIONS: JENNY NELL
EDUCATION/FLYING CHANGES LIASON: CATHY BLODGETT

A nomination was made for Peter Rothschild to be elected as Vice President, which he accepted. A voice vote approval of the candidates was unanimously elected.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm

Minutes prepared by Shelly Navarre, Secretary
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