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ARBA BOARD MEETINGS

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

BRIEF MINUTES

 

Dear District 8 Members,

 

Minutes from the ARBA Board meetings in Indianapolis will be printed in an upcoming issue of DOMESTIC RABBITS. However, I did want to get some of the more relevant items for our D8 members out to you sooner. The following is not a complete list of the business transacted in Indy. Please refer to a future DR for “official” wording on some items. Over 20 hours were spent in meetings at the Convention.

 

Executive Director Eric Stewart reported that phase 1 of the website redevelopment is complete. Phase 2 is under development now and will include a new shopping cart and on-line registration acceptance. Membership as of June 30, 2011 is 21, 608. The ARBA office has 7 employees, 4 of which are full-time.

 

Treasurer David Freeman reported that the ARBA is staying in the black. The loan from the R&D account has been repaid with interest.

 

The Board voted to renew ED Eric Stewart’s contract for 3 years. He is to spend some additional time in the Bloomington office.

 

Regarding the late show report policy, somehow a different interpretation has recently been used. The Board agreed that the policy should be strictly enforced as written. For shows from January 1, 2012 and after, the late show report policy will be strictly enforced. For a complete listing of this policy, please contact the ARBA office or myself.

 

Effective February 1, 2012, legs will be granted for Best 4 Class, Best 6 Class, and Reserve In Show. In my opinion this is a nice compromise. For those shows that pick BIS and RIS, both of these wins are eligible for legs. And for those shows that pick Best 4/Best 6/BIS, those wins are also eligible for legs. The 5 animals by 3 exhibitor requirement is still in effect.  Thank you to those members who responded to my request for feedback on this issue prior to Convention.

 

I brought up the topic of the late renewal fee for judges and registrars. Currently, each license requires a $250 fee for late renewal. My understanding is that this fee was originally decided upon to reduce the amount of late renewals and has apparently been effective. However, I felt this was a bit much, especially for registrars. The Board agreed. The new late fee will be a graduated penalty. One month late will be $50, two months late will be $100, and 3 months late will be $150. The late fee will cap at a maximum of 3months. This fee is per license. For example, the maximum late fee a registrar will be charged is $150 as compared to currently a flat $250. The maximum a judge will now be charged is $300 instead of the current flat $500. This will be effective January 1, 2012.

 

Roger H gave a report on the Legislative Action Committee that he chairs. Some of the objectives of this committee will be to develop a set of minimum care standards; coordinating advice to those who want to effect legislative action in local communities; and to identify other animal groups to work with.

 

The Board discussed alternative storage locations and other methods to preserve our coops. In other words, we’re trying to find the best way to protect our sizable investment in cooping from rust, etc.  A committee has been appointed to look into these issues. The Board decided to not purchase additional cages at this time until the storage issue is resolved. Do we lease a warehouse, insulate the trailer roofs, or install vents in the trailers? These are issues that need resolved. We are also looking into the feasibility of a plastic type bottom to use with the coops.

 

The Harrisburg, PA group presented their bid for the 2013 ARBA Convention. The dates will be October 19-23, 2013. Very nice presentation. The Board voted to award the 2013 Convention to Harrisburg, PA.

 

The Wichita group reported on the upcoming 2012 ARBA Convention to be held in Wichita, KS on October 27-31, 2012. Everything sounds great!

 

Briony Barnes reported on the possible survey plans for 2012. She suggested a random survey of 1,000 members. The Board agreed to the survey. Cost of the survey will be approximately $1 per person. She explained that if a survey was done of all members (such as in DR), that those feeling most strongly would respond most and distort the results. Also, say for instance D8 makes up 20% of the ARBA membership, then D8 would receive 20% of the surveys. While I see her reasons, I still feel somewhat uneasy about not surveying the entire membership. However, I am very happy that the promised survey will apparently get done in 2012.

 

Various DR issues were discussed, including the upcoming shows section. The upcoming shows topic was tabled awaiting the survey results.

 

In our final Board meeting, Standards Committee Chair, Cheryl Eng-Link, gave an extensive report on the new breeds/varieties  presented at Convention. Following are the results of the Standards Committee evaluations:

 

Blue Mini Satin   Failed

Lilac Polish   Failed

Chinchilla Dutch   Passed

Silver Marten Mini Rex  Passed

Californian Mini Satin  Failed

Otter Mini Satin   Passed

Black Lionhead   Failed

REW Lionhead   Failed

Black Tort Lionhead  Failed

Blue Rhinelander   Passed

Broken English Angora  Failed

Chocolate Mini Satin  Passed

BEW Britannia Petite  Passed

Broken Britannia Petite  Passed

Orange Jersey Wooly  Failed

Broken Satin Angora  Failed

Lilac Mini Satin   Failed

Tort Mini Satin   Passed

Smoke Pearl Mini Rex  Passed

Silver Marten Mini Satin  Failed

Blue Tort Neth. Dwarf  Passed

Black Mini Satin   Failed

Blue Point Holland Lop  Failed

Choc & Lilac Otter Jersey Wooly Failed

Blue Silver Fox   Passed

Chocolate Silver Fox  Passed

Blue Siamese Mini Satin  Passed

Smoke Pearl Mini Satin  Failed

Red Jersey Wooly  Failed

Otter Am. Fuzzy Lop  Failed

Silver Marten Holland Lop Failed

Marten American Cavy  Passed

Gold American Cavy  Passed

Tan Teddy Cavy   Passed

 

No Shows:

Smoke Pearl Point Jersey Wooly

Red Neth. Dwarf

Lilac Satin

Tan Silky Cavy

 

The Board voted to accept the new breeds/varieties. An ad hoc committee was formed to look into recommendations/mission statement for the Standards Committee.

 

Prior to Convention I had contacted multiple cavy officers in D8 asking for any cavy related issues that needed to be discussed. The one issue brought to my attention was the quantity and quality of cavy cooping. After set-up was completed, this person advised me that everything was ok and no discussion was necessary. However, I did forward the cage info provided to me so that it could be included in the Board members’ binders.

 

The above is a brief overview of business transacted in Indy. Please read the official minutes in an upcoming DR for a full report.

 

The weather was almost perfect for Convention. The Indy folks did a great job. Thanks to their group for a wonderful time!

 

Respectfully submitted,

Terry Fender

ARBA District 8 Director

 

Below are the youth contest results for District 8:

 

Management Contest:

 

Limited Management:

D8: Krista Thierry, OH

 

Average Management:

D8: Caleb Taulbee, OH

National Awards:

Winner:  Caleb Taulbee, OH

 

Unlimited Management:

D8:  Luke Kleilein, OH

National Winner:  Luke Kleilein, OH

 

Achievement Contest:

 

Junior Achievement:

D8: Hannah Henry, OH

National Awards:

Winner:  Hannah Henry, OH

2nd Runner-Up: Cami Lowery, OH

3rd Runner-Up:  HJ Olger, MI

 

Intermediate Achievement:

D8: Miranda Tolsma, MI

National Awards:

Winner:  Miranda Tolsma, MI

2nd Runner-Up: Caleb Taulbee, OH

 

Senior Achievement:

District 8:  Jessica Usakowski, MI

 

Breed Identification:

 

Junior Breed ID:

Winner: Cami Lowery, OH

1st Runner-Up:  Kaycee Baird, IN

3rd Runner-Up:  Christian Renner, OH

 

Intermediate Breed ID:

Winner: Sarah Jo Burk, IN

1st Runner-Up:  Miranda Tolsma, MI

3rd Runner-Up:  Kylee Hines, OH

 

Senior Breed ID:

4th Runner-Up:  Taylor Kruse, OH

 

Junior Showmanship:

1st Runner-Up:  Shelby Hoogenboom, IN

2nd Runner-Up:  Carl Elmore, IN

 

Intermediate Judging:

1st Runner-Up:  Megan Hisle, MI

2nd Runner-Up:  Daniel Wilson, IN

 

Senior Judging:

Winner:  Rachel Ehnis, MI

 

Photography National Winner:  Hanna Kadinger, IN

 

Team Quizbowl:

1st Place Team:  Ohio

 

Team Judging:

 

Intermediate Team:

2nd Place Team:  D8 Intermediate

3rd Place Team:  Michigan Intermediate

 

Senior Team:

2nd Place:  Michigan Senior

 

Team Breed Identification:

 

Junior Team:

1st Place Team:  Indiana Junior

2nd Place Team:  Ohio Junior

 

Intermediate Team:

1st Place Team:  Ohio Intermediate

3rd Place Team:  Michigan Intermediate A

 

Participant T-Shirt Design:

1st:  Crysta Spivey, MI

 

Royalty:

 

Lord: Cody Morris, IN

 

Lady: 2nd Runner-Up:  Evie Clare, MI

 

Prince: Christian Renner, OH

1st Runner-Up: Noah Boyce, IN

3rd Runner-Up:  Carson Artrip, OH

 

Princess: Kaycee Baird, IN

1st Runner-Up:  Cami Lowery, OH

3rd Runner-Up: Hannah Henry, OH

 

Duke:  Bryant Miller, OH

3rd Runner-Up:  Luke Kleilein, OH

4th Runner-Up:  Caleb Taulbee, OH

 

Duchess:  Miranda Tolsma, MI

3rd Runner-Up:  Taylor Usakowski, MI

 

Educational Contest

 

District 8 Grand Champion Wordworking /Metalworking: Nellie Brown