MINUTES

Delaware Equine Council Meeting
Monday, August 16, 2010
Harrington Public Library


The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President Stan Vonasek. 

The minutes from the July meeting were available on the information table and the website.  Anyone desiring to make changes or corrections was instructed to email Secretary Mary Everhart. 

The president called for Treasurer Kim Schwartz's report.

The starting balance as of  8/16 is $38,189.77 Deposits            601.16
Expenses            ------
Ending balance as of 2/15/2010 $37.588.61*
(includes $15,000 in CDs)

A motion to accept the treasurer's report was made by Paula Barto, seconded by Kay Mildon and carried.  A motion to pay all bills was made by Peggy Koster and seconded by Kay Mildon and carried. 

Next meeting is September 20, 2010 at 7 p.m. at the Harrington Public Library.

October 18 meeting with speakers at AmericInn, 7 p.m. Route 13, Harrington.  Speakers:  JoAnn Kricker, Maryland Ranger at Fair Hill; Gail Ober, Sherry Densler and Kim Nennstiehl, VMPs at Fair Hill..

OLD BUSINESS

The newsletter deadline is September 10, 2010 and materials should be forwarded to Mary Everhart. 

Magazine Recycle Program:  We always need materials.  Collecting, blocking out name/address info and distributing horse magazines was explained for the benefit of newscomers.  Drop off places are listed in the newsletter and on the website.

Trails:  Peggy Koster reported that she has new "Scoop your Poop" signs that have been requested by Forestry and Fish and Wildlife.  She also shared that she had the Delaware Trail Survey information if anyone was interested in viewing it.  The rescheduled October 14, 2010 Trails Summit in Rehoboth was discussed.
  Stan reported that he'd been advised that the Ponders Tract was going to be open to equestrians.  He contacted the Nature Conservancy to confirm this information and was advised that horses WILL NOT be permitted on these trails.

It was announced that the 2011 Proposed Budget will be presented at the October meeting.

Changes to the scholarship were read for the edification of those present.  They will be printed in our new next Directory.  They are available now on our website. Mary Everhart contacted the Delaware State Compendium who  provides them  to high school guidance counselors.  Wayne Nebel will promote these changes in his capacity as Publicity Chair.

Pam Nebel reported that she has shirts, hats and sweatshirts for sale available in various sizes.

State Fair:  Thanks were extended to Peggy Koster, Paula Barto, Stan Vonasek, Connie Lundquist and Logan LeCates.

Thanks for 4H awards presentation were extended to Peggy Koster and Logan LeCates.

Delbert Mills has not been in touch regarding a proposed Kent County property for Delaware equestrians.

NEW BUSINESS

Legal Questions/Lawyer - no report at this time per Stan and Peggy.

AHC letters, brochures and information is available on the back table.

Singletree 40th Anniversary celebration set for October.  Peggy has requested a certificate from Mary Everhart to be framed and presented.

Booth setups:  Stan will do First State Shooters August 21; Paula, Peggy and Pam will do ESWHSA August 22; Paula and Peggy will do Apple Scrapple October 9.

Peggy reported Harvest Event August 21 - free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This is the 1st year.

UD has an equine pasture walk Tuesday, August 24.  Registration deadline is August 17.

It was reported that we received a thank you note for our booth setup at the May Delmarva Driving Club event.

Material from Back Country Horseman was shared on the back table.

Information was shared regarding a woman from Oklahoma who plans to trailer to Delaware and ride the Heritage Trail from the east to the west.  Paula and Peggy have contact information.  She will need assistance in local areas - lodging for her and her horse, help moving her trailer, etc.  If you can help, please contact Paula or Peggy.

Ken Hories reported that the Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program is planning a golf tournament benefit function.  They were very supportive of our Scholarship Fundraiser.  Pam Nebel volunteered to put together a basket from DEC to support this.

Kentucky Equine Research:  It was reported that this organization has contacted us to solicit support.  Since this group is in its infancy, we have decided to wait until a mission statement, direction, etc. is available for evaluation by the DEC officers and board members.

WEG:  Peggy Koster spoke briefly and indicated that a brochure was available on the back table.

Peggy Koster reported that 4300 attended the recent Delaware Coop Dinner.  This was a great venue for sharing and meeting new equestrians, .thank you,  Peggy, Paula, Wayne and Logan.

Wayne Nebel requested permission to explore setting up a Facebook page for the DEC.  Mary Everhart made a motion, seconded by Kay Mildon and carried that Wayne be permitted to move forward and set up a page.  It is a social networking site and offers easy opportunity to stay abreast of what a person (or organization) is doing.

Clinicians for 2011 Horse Expo: After much dicussion members present were asked to bring ideas and suggestions to the next meeting for one hour clinics.

A motion to adjourn was made at 7:55 p.m. and the meeting ended.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Everhart, Secretary