Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026

Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 (at Winter conference in Harrisburg)

Attendees: Liz, Carie, Herb, Nick, Tupper, Gene (Stacy absent)

Meeting started at 9:08 am.

The meeting opened with the presidents’ opening remarks.  Liz discussed the need to either scale back operations to match a volunteer structure or invest in professional support to expand services. She emphasized that growth requires investment and proposed increasing membership dues to around $110 to fund professional operations. The group discussed the possibility of hiring a virtual assistant to manage the website and social media, with estimated costs of $400 per month for 10 hours of work. A suggestion was made to focus on regional field days instead of fall conferences, while another proposed enhancing member value through animal availability programs and other initiatives beyond conferences.  The group discussed hiring a grant writer to pursue funding opportunities.  Discussion was held regarding the low conference attendance, participants attributed it to internal conflicts within the association over the past few years.  The board had explored bringing in professional speakers at costs ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 but decided to focus on industry professionals and executive directors instead.  Nick, the treasurer, presented the 2025 P&L statement, showing a net loss of $8112.92, with total reserves of $66,806.94. The conversation ended with preparations for elections, with instructions provided for online voting.

• Liz nominated Shauna Rankin for Region 3 Director (vacant seat).  Gene Maddox nominated Jamie Lewis, Jamie declined.  Shauna runs unopposed & becomes Region 3 director.

• Liz nominated Paige Curry for secretary position (newly created position separated from the old secretary/treasurer combined position).  Tupper nominated Debbie Tanner.  Paige declined position.  Debbie runs unopposed. Debbie Tanner becomes secretary.

• Liz nominated Susie Golembo ski for Region 1 Director.  Tupper nominated Reed Hirneisen.  Susie received 19 of 25 votes and will become Region 1 Director.

• Nick George is running for second term as Treasurer.  Tupper nominates Debbie Tanner.  Debbie declined nomination.  Nick runs unopposed.  No voting needed.  Nick George remains Treasurer.

• Liz running for second term as President.  Tupper nominated Gene Maddox.  Liz received 18 of 25 votes and will remain president.

• Region 2 Director (Gene Maddox) and Vice President (Herb Grove) are both mid term and remain in their positions.  No election/voting needed.

Jack Pleasant could not get his membership paid through website.  Debbie Tanner made motion to accept Jack as a paid member (Tupper seconded the motion and paid his $50 dues in cash on the spot).  Majority members in the room voted to accept Jack’s vote for the meeting.  Motion passed and Jack was sent a ballot to vote at this meeting.  Jack agreed to only vote if there was a tie.

There was discussion about moving the 2027 winter conference to a new location with most of the in-person attendees agreeing that a change was needed.  Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee were all brought up as possible new locations.  It was discussed that the board may be looking for volunteers to sit on committees such as a conference committee, and a committee to increase membership.

Meeting adjourned 10:52 am.