NYSMHS BOD Meeting
Location: Zoom Meeting
Date: Thursday January 23. 2025
Officers and Directors in Attendance in person: Jenn Peek, Gina Handy, Annette Bakic, Nancy Herrick, Kate Kirsch, Anna Kufs, Donna Fox, Patty Waring, Pat Ross, Alexa Rohman, Danielle Rice, Lindsey Berry, Whitney Roberts
Officers and Directors not in Attendance: Beth Grella
Meeting called to order at 7:30 by Jenn Peek
Jenn appointed Annette Bakic to serve as Recording Secretary for 3-year term as Lisa Towne decided to step back as Recording Secretary at this time.
Secretary’s Report ~ Gina Handy moved to approve December 7, 2024, NYSMHS Year End Meeting minutes. Kate Kirsch 2nd, motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report ~ Jenn shared Beth’s report. Still working through financials, still same as December. Signed up with M&T Bank. Actively looking for accountant to prepare club taxes. Requested that club provides laptop for exclusive use by Treasurer to optimize software and security. Cost would be approximately 500.00. Kate Kirsch moved to fund laptop for exclusive use by Treasurer. Lindsey Berry 2nd. Motion approved.
Membership Report ~ Donna Fox No report.
Futurity ~ Mary Ellen Mulligan No report.
Trader ~ Danielle Rice Sent Trader edition to Tammi Johnson for publication on website.
By Laws ~ need new committee chair. Jenn to look for volunteer to tackle. Plan to review one or two bylaws during each BOD meeting.
Western NY Show ~ Kate Kirsch Plans coming along. May be down some horses this year. Hired new show photographer. Gave Danielle info for Trader.
NY Regional Update~ Jenn for Beth Grella Committee looking for USEF Steward and 3rd weanling judge. Contracts in the works for judges and personnel.
Winter Bootcamp Clinic Hosted by the Connecticut Morgan Horse Association, Lingering Hills, New York State Morgan Horse Society, UPHA Chapter 14, and Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association March 15-16. Currently 50+ on waiting list. Will find out if NYSMHS needs our own insurance policy. Will also need release forms.
Sporthorse Committee ~ Gina Handy 2025 Denny Emmerson webinar on March 1st. Bethany White Equestri-Sport Clinic planned for May 3, 2025, at Ballston Lake
Stallion Service Auction ~ Jennifer Peek January 25th at Del Lago site. Currently 60 stallions, 25 – 30 bidders. Tammy Lynch will assist Beth for accounting. Auction starts at 5:30.
High Point Awards ~ getting set up for 3:30 start. 39 horses in High Point program. 60 horses were in program prior to Covid. Numbers have not come back up as yet. In past have been as many as 130 horses.
Next meeting scheduled for February 20th at 7:30.
Kate Kirsch moved to adjourn meeting. Lindsey Berry 2nd. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Submitted by Annette Bakic
NYSMHS Recording Secretary
NYSMHS BOD Meeting
Location: Zoom Meeting
Date: Thursday February 20. 2025
Officers and Directors in Attendance in person: Jenn Peek, Gina Handy, Annette Bakic, Kate Kirsch, Beth Grella, Anna Kufs, Lindsey Berry, Donna Fox, Patty Waring, Alexa Rohman, Whitney Roberts
Officers and Directors not in Attendance: Nancy Herrick, Pat Ross, Danielle Rice
Meeting called to order at 7:30 by Jenn Peek
Secretary’s Report ~ Annette Bakic Patty Waring moved to approve the January 23, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting with spelling change “Stewart” to “Steward”. Donna Fox 2nd, motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report ~ Beth Grella Current Accounts: Futurity Checking 30,456.34, Club Checking 29,864.20, Stallion Service Checking 20,486.47, Stallion Service Savings 156,489.66, Regional Show Savings 131,123.38
Membership Report ~ Donna Fox Currently 131 members. Membership at end of 2024 was 237 members. All NYSMHS Board Members must be current members of NYSMHS. Question as to whether our insurance covers non-members riding in clinics and activities. Gina Handy noted that there are “Hold-Harmless” forms that must be signed by non-members participating in clinics and activities. Donna commented that those not members by October 15th would not be receiving 2025 election ballot. Also noted that points for High Point only count if current NYSMHS member. Youth memberships are available for those 21 and under, can vote if 18 and above. Check the membership form regarding age information. Need to know if 18 or over by January 1, 2025 for 2025 voting privileges. May need to be corrected on online form.
Futurity ~ Mary Ellen Mulligan No report.
Stallion Service Auction ~ no report
Trader ~ No Report. Question as to when March issue scheduled to go out. Discussion about printed Trader. Beth Grella will send initial printed Trader issue to new members. Beth will also forward printed copy to any member who requests. She will utilize the new club printer. Modify the online membership form to remove the 40.00 printed Trader cost. Send any news and information to Danielle for inclusion in Trader. Trader needs to be posted to our website.
Western NY Show ~ Kate Kirsch Plans coming along. May be down some horses this year.
NY Regional Update~ Beth Grella Scheduled for September 10 -13, 2025 Plans moving along, working with great show committee. Have all judges, Main ring judges are Tom Bombolis and Dustin Freiheit, Tim Roesink SSA judge. Ida Norris to judge the dressage division and Lizzie Allers will serve as the Dressage Coordinator. Asking for judges and personnel to share rental cars if possible, as rental vehicles are very costly. Hospitality is mostly the same, with spaghetti dinner for members on Thursday evening. Show to be advertised in NE Show program to generate interest in our show.
Sporthorse Committee ~ Gina Handy Need sign ups for the Denny Emerson Clinic/webinar to be held Saturday March 1st @ 7PM. Beth White Equestri-Sport clinic, May 3rd t Ballston Lake ~ Gina to provide details for publication. Next Sporthorse meeting Wednesday February 26th.
Bylaws Committee ~ Judy Manchester Vassie Discussion of how best to review bylaws for update/change. Each month, Board should review designated sections of bylaws ahead of time, forward recommendations to Judy. Judy will provide overview during the next BOD meeting.
Winter Bootcamp Clinic ~ Kate Kirsch Kate posted clinic information on club website and Regional page. Date March 15 – 16 at Lingering Hills, East Windsor Ct. Fully subscribed. Hosted by the Connecticut Morgan Horse Association, Lingering Hills, New York State Morgan Horse Society, UPHA Chapter 14, and Massachusetts Morgan Horse Association.
New Business
Gina Handy suggested that club grant 1-year NYSMHS complimentary Membership (non-voting) to Denny Emerson in appreciation for his donating his time and expertise for 2nd year as clinician for the Sporthorse webinar. Lindsey Berry made a motion to grant Denny Emerson a complimentary NYSMHS Membership for 1 year. Kate Kirsch 2nd. Motion passed.
Discussion of log in credentials for NYSMHS social pages. Currently cannot access several because we do not have passwords and logins from the original Administrators for full authorization and access. Essential that club information be handed off from current Admins to successors. Discussed need for Instagram page. To be set up.
Next BOD meeting scheduled for March 20 at 7:30 PM.
Beth Grella moved to adjourn meeting. Kate Kirsch 2nd. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM.
Submitted by Annette Bakic
NYSMHS Recording Secretary