Notes from the office.....
Hi everybody!! It is seriously time to get excited!! The rodeos are coming in fast and furious, as are the memberships. There are some really great rodeo schools to get tuned up at, and the horses are shedding at record pace. First off, thanks to our GOLD Sponsor Imco General Construction. Their beautiful daughter Hilary Jane barrel races with Pro-West and so they have decided to sponsor the 2010 Championship Barrel Saddle, Many thanks to Hilary and the whole Imco General Construction family!!! We want to say congratulations to Troy Clinton and his beautiful wife Veronica on their new baby boy. He is adorable, and destined to be a cowboy! Also well wishes to Dusty and Keeva Kimble who are expecting “Cowboy” number two. As a side note Keeva has decided to sell her breakaway horse Larry, so if anyone needs a breakaway horse for this season give her a call. The Firestones became parents of two beautiful baby boys, so congratulations to them as well as their extended rodeo families, we can’t wait to see those little ones cheering for their parents Dave and Cheyenne. Everyone remember the get together at Hamley’s benefiting Emmet Evans; it is going to be a great night as well as helping out a great cowboy happening on March 6th. Speaking of rodeos, a couple of things I wanted to remind you of before we get started. The committees really enjoy the “tough Enough to Wear Pink” activities and are happy to be able to offer gas cards and extra prizes, but here is the deal cowboys and cowgirls, it MUST be visible to the crowd, otherwise how exactly are you supporting breast cancer awareness? Head on down to the store and throw in a pink shirt, and keep it in your trailer. This way you won’t miss out on the prizes, and the committees will be doing their part to uphold the criteria set forth, and best of all, we are all showing our support for the many moms, sisters, aunts, and grandmas we have lost. If you don’t throw in a pink shirt, don’t try to collect the prize. Next, I have to say I was totally amazed that no one submitted a proposal for a change to the dress code rule since so many seem to have issues with it, but they didn’t, so actually I think we are proud to be cowboys and wear our shirts, hats, and full western wear. The rule is very clear, don’t just jump in and push, don’t just sit on the fence with your feet in the arena, and don’t pull a bull rope, unless you have your western attire on, from 1 hour prior to the show or slack!!! Any questions read the rule book or talk to the judge at the rodeo. The 2010 Central Washington State Fair theme is “Get Happy” and I think that should be the Pro-West motto for the 2010 season. We are growing, and we are all working hard to keep the rodeo lifestyle moving forward. It has been one year since I became your secretary and it is so amazing seeing the positive changes and developments of the rodeo industry. I have met some really neat people, many which have shown me that integrity is a personal choice, reality may be that not everyone chooses it, but no matter where we come from, rich, poor, city, country, we all have the ability and freedom to choose to live our lives in a positive way. As we begin this year, remember our volunteers, our families, and all the others we should be grateful to that we can participate in this sport we love!!
Until Next time, Julie
MINUTES FROM GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 11/7/09
The meeting was called to order at 1:10 p.m. by President Darrel Diebel.
President Diebel then gave a report on the state of the association and financial report. . He went over the high lights of the year, including starting a new record keeping and entry system. He thanked the board of directors for all of their cooperation and help in keeping the costs for the association down this year. None of the board members turned in any receipts for reimbursements and travel expenses. It truly was a team experience, with a lot of hard work and dedication from each board member. He also thanked Julie, the association secretary, and Lynn Cotter, Deb Achord, and Kelly Haptonstall for the great work they did as ground secretaries. He thanked Dean Seagle for his extra work traveling to different rodeos to help our struggling committees with their arena set ups and providing arena crews to many of them. He then asked the members and directors in attendance to look at the rule proposals and really look at what they are and what they will mean for in the future of the Pro-West. The excellent event meetings in the morning provided a great discussion time to establish things we would be able to eliminate during the general meeting, and that would be great for everyone.
He asked the cowboys to please cash all checks from the 2009 season so that the season can be audited by Lemaster and Daniels, and explained that all the financial records are in the process of being looked over at the time of the meeting. Things are being very well monitored and evaluated for the future.
Financial Report Approval The profit and loss was put up on the big screen for everyone to look at and comment on as the year progresses. He went over the profit and loss explaining what we spent and earned. Mark McMillan asked for hard copies of the financial statement to be included in packets. Darrel said we will include anything anyone would like to see in the future. Mark explained it would be hard to approve a financial statement when it is quickly glanced at upon a screen. Darrel explained that the financial statement does not have to be approved by the general membership, but is available at all times for anyone to ask questions about and get clarifications. Julie will look at all reports and see which would look at the exact numbers with more detail for the members for upcoming general meetings.
Darrel then asked if there was any old business. There was none.
NEW BUSINESS. In order to keep the meeting flowing, it was announced that we would alternate between elections of officers and rule proposals so that while ballots were being counted we continued with business.
1) Elections-Directors The first position was for President. It was moved and seconded to nominate Darrel Diebel. Motion carried. It was then moved to cast a unanimous ballot for Darrel Diebel. Motion Passed.
The second position was for Vice President. The nominees were Dean Seagle and Shawn Sullivan. After ballots were counted, Dean Seagle was the new Vice President.
A) Breakaway Roping-Jennifer Casey Motion was made to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. Motion passed. B) Tie Down Roping-A unanimous ballot was cast for Brett Hale. C) Bull Riding- No nominations at this time. D) Barrel Racing- A unanimous ballot was cast for Jackie Gudmundson. E) Fair Rodeo Committee-Nominees Nick Bates from Mt Vernon and Sara Green from Ritzville. Sara Green won the nomination. F) Special Contracts-A unanimous ballot was cast for Al Parsons. G) Central Entry-A unanimous ballot was cast for Janet O’Neil H) Rough Stock at Large-A unanimous ballot was cast for Randy Rauenzahn. I) Non-Fair Rodeo Director- A unanimous ballot was cast for Kristen Hinton.
2) Rule Proposals A) Submitted by the Pro-West Board Across the board increase of $25 on all memberships, if paid prior to January 1st , 2010 then $10.00 would be deducted in the 2010 membership year only. B2.2.5 Competing membership dues shall be $100 per year B2.2.6 Permit membership dues shall be $75 per year B2.2.7 Stock Contractors, Level I and Level II, membership dues will be $100.00 per year. Stock Lessors membership dues will be $75.00 per year.
Discussion was short because of the proposal being discussed in event meetings. The increase will provide much needed revenue. Call to Vote. A motion from the floor to accept proposal. Second. Proposal passed.
B) Submitted by the board of directors upon contestant recommendation. R1.17.2 Increase Judges pay to $175 from $150- Increase Timers pay to $125 from $100-Increase Ground Secretary pay to $200 from $175, per performance. Darrel asked for discussion on accepting the pay increase. It was moved and seconded to accept the rule proposal. Motion passed.
C) Submitted by the Pro-West Board R5.2.1 The Association shall take 5% from the total purse of each Association Rodeo to defray Association Expenses.
This item could easily be eliminated because it was one of the proposals to increase revenue, because the membership dues were increased, Darrel explained this to the membership and called to vote. Call to Vote - Item Rejected Rule will stay as below. R5.2.1 The Association shall take three (3) percent from the total purse of each Association approved rodeo to defray Association expenses.
D) Submitted by the Pro-West Board B2.2.2 The late fee for all memberships of prior year members post marked or processed after April 1st will be $25.00 with the exception of stock contractors.
Discussion: We brought in $2130.00 in late fees in 2009. This means of our previous year members 213 of them paid their membership late. This increase would generate another 3195.00 if we have the same late members next year. If we don’t have as many, that would be good too!! This is a simple area to generate some much needed extra income. As a side note we had 216 new members in 2009.
Other discussion included whether the members would not join because of the amount being so high. Bruce moved and Kristen seconded to approve as written. Vote was 31-18. Proposal accepted.
E) Submitted by the Pro-West Board The Association Secretary Pay will be $1050 per month plus one dollar per contestant at each Pro-West Prime Rodeo.
Moved and seconded to accept proposal. 28yes- 1 no. Proposal accepted.
F) Submitted by Johnny Sloan Contestants at Pro-West Rodeos have the option to financial out of one weekend per contest year. Example-if you use this option you still have to pay central entry and office fees, but no entry fees and fines, as with a medical. Johnny explained his position on his proposal. It would be that you must turn out of all rodeos in a weekend. Call in like they would for a medical. Discussion followed. Bruce explained that he felt that it would hurt entries, if people entered and then financial out. Question was called. Proposal was declined 28 no-18 yes
G) Submitted by Pro-West Board R1.15 No Stock will be run before the first section of the event in the performance, nor held beyond the end of that event or run on the cattle.
Darrel explained that at some rodeos this year at some rodeos it created problems with the flow of the rodeos. Bruce explained that the rule was not created for timed events and barrels when it was established. Kelly Bowcutt said he thought it was nice to let them roll if they need to for situations. Open discussion held more opinions both for and against.
Question was called and seconded. passed. Proposal was Rejected 21-27. Pro-West will continue to allow holding of stock.
H) All payoff proposals were looked at in event meetings. The timed event cowboys brought to the front an amended pay off proposal and explained the options and why they appreciated this pay off as amended.
Amended (4) 0-$1000 3 monies-50%, 30%, 20% $1001-$1500 4 monies-40%, 30%, 20%, 10% $1501-$2000 5 monies-30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% $2001-$3000 6 monies-29%, 24%, 19%, 14%, 9%, 5% $3001 and above- 8 monies-23%, 20%, 17%, 14%, 11%, 8%, 5%, 2% Little discussion followed the presentation of the amendment. Motion to accept payoff proposal as amended above passed with 2 no’s and the majority yes.
I) Submitted by Johnny Sloan All Pro-West Rodeos where Longhorn or Corrientes Calves are used, the score shall be set at a minimum of 3’ under length of box, no matter arena size. Bruce felt it kept it to the good of the event, to let the score not be set. Johnny felt to watch the roping be fast is what keeps the crowds interested. Much discussion followed. Motion declined 18-4.
A) Submitted by Johnny Sloan and Shawn Brown Any Card or permit holder 18 years of age and under, with the exception of breakaway roping which will be limited to girls under 18 only, would be eligible for a side pot. Contestants will pay regular fees and an optional $25.00 for a side pot. Payoff determined by the board of directors. The money won would not count towards year end. Cash would be put in an envelope for payoff. If no winner the money goes to association. Contestant must say when they enter if they would like to be in side pot. Johnny explained his position for submitting the rule. Mike Stevens amended the rule to say optional side pot. Motion passed. Question was called and seconded. Proposal passed with only 2 opposed.
B) Submitted by Brent Falon R6.3.8 Unusable/Unsatisfactory Cattle in the timed events may be removed from the draw by the event director or with three justified written complaints until proven again to be satisfactory to the involved event directors. Stock must be removed before the first draw of the event. minutes Call to Vote Extensive discussion followed, Call to vote passed. 27-5 passed. C) Submitted by the Board of Directors R2.2.3 $7.00 will be charged for central entry… Discussion followed, asking how central entry works.
Vote followed with counts 22-10 motion carried.
D) Janet O’Neil submitted CENTRAL ENTRY GUIDELINES and procedures.
Janet described what her idea was for the central entry preference order. Discussion followed. Many great ideas and places to go forward came from this proposal. It was agreed that the central entry system contractor should be here at the meeting next year. After discussion it was moved and seconded to table the central entry guidelines until a later date.
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted - Julie Streeter, Secretary
