NCDCTA Board Meeting March 5, 2024 held remotely via Google Meet
Meeting called to order at 7:02 by President, Helen Ingersoll
Attending the meeting were Helen Ingersoll, Amy Brumbach, Heather Turner, Tonya Bruno, Charlotte Meli, Heather Boyer, Ellie Balakrishnan, Sarah Bookner, Mandi Martyn, Alex Martini, Melanie Harper and Ali LaTorre. Absent from the meeting was Ericka Pawlak.
We started the meeting with a presentation from Stacy Quaranta and Ginger Henderson regarding the “L” Program Judge’s training being sponsored by Averett University for either 2025 or 2026. The plan would be to use Averett University’s Facilities as well as their horses and riders. Stacy presented the sample Budget that people have used at other “L” Program. There are other East Coast GMO’s hosting in 2025 so we may wait until 2026.
Membership Secretary Report ~ Will Barrus- The Calendar is updated and included in the Newsletter. Will submitted an article about Horse of the Year and FAQ regarding Volunteer Cards. Will says HOY will be updated on Friday March 8.
Newsletter Report ~ Shannon Hoffman- The Newsletter is almost complete and will be sent out this week. The next Newsletter deadline is May 1. Shannon asked for additional Eventing and Western Dressage articles. Shannon is working with Sarah on the weekly Constant Contact mailer.
Presidents Report ~ Helen Ingersoll- Helen met with Jennifer Swanson on Monday about the Strategic Planning Program. The first part will likely be Virtual with an in person ½ day meeting.
Vice Presidents Report ~ Amy Brumbach
Current membership numbers for 3/4/2024
Adult Amateur: 236
Jr/YR: 62
Open: 78
Total Members: 376
Paid Horses: 187
Volunteer Card Horses: 60
Total Horses: 247
Other member information of interest
New Members: 68
Renewing Members: 259
Reactivated Members: 49
Dressage Only: 228
Western Dressage: 39
Dressage & Eventing: 109
Eventing Only: 27
Breeding: 16
Trainers: 48
Officials: 19
Other Horse Information of Interest
New Horses: 83
Renewing Horses: 143
Amy is working with Will on Competition recognition and is creating a Rulebook that will go out to people hosting recognized NCDCTA Competition. Amy will present it to the Board before it goes live with the goal of having it ready for 2025.
The Scholarship Committee has been formed.
Treasurer Report ~ Heather Turner - It was a quiet month of Accounting. The 1099’s went out on time.
Gala Report ~ Sarah Bookner/Ellie Balakrishnan- Sarah gave her report for the February Gala specific to cost analysis moving forward. Sarah passed along all the information to Ellie who is taking over as Gala Chair.
Competition Report ~ Erica Pawlak- Erica continues to finalize all the Show Management and has submitted insurance renewal to Blue Bridle. The Sponsorship Brochure has been submitted and there is a Spreadsheet to keep track of possible Sponsors. Erica shared Competition expenses including the purchase of three dressage arenas as well as options for renting..
Eventing Report ~ Alex Martini/Mel Harper- At the time of the call there weren’t any Spring Eventing Grant submissions. They asked if we could consider one Eventing Grant (rather than two) and do it later in the Year and increase the amount of the Grant. They are also working on a possible Eventing clinic.
Dressage Education ~ Ali Latorre- Lendon Gray clinic is scheduled with NCDCTA sponsoring a Pizza Party Saturday night with Amy Brumbach and Mandi Martin (and Ali) representing NCDCTA.. Ali has a website up for the Functional Anatomy workshop with Jillian Kreinbring and will be determining the costs for participants. Ali is asking for sponsorship opportunities as well.
Jr/Yr Report ~Mandi Martyn- Mandi is working on updating Website and promoting the Scholarships.
Communications Report ~ Sarah Bookner- Sarah is taking on the Social Media postings and asked for information from the fellow Board Members so she can do the posts. Sarah asked for suggestions and changes that people would like to have made. Sarah has been working with Alex and Melanie about a Survey for Eventers to learn how we can better serve that community.
Old Business:
Strategic Planning Process with Jennifer Swanson ~ Pick a date for initial and schedule the year
for our virtual meetings
Website Audit/Review- Helen asked for more website feedback from the Board Members.
Sponsorship/Media Kit
Terms/conditions/HOY rules button on membership
New Business:
Pony Championships sponsored by NCDCTA. Amy presented a proposal for an NCDCTA Pony and Small Horse series. She sent the Board the proposed levels and financial involvement. The classes will include Pony under saddle, small Horse under saddle and in hand.
The motion was made to sponsor a Pony and Small Horse Championships by Mandi Martyn and Sarah Bookner seconded it and the vote unanimously passed.
Heather Boyer made a motion to amend the HOY rules to remove the requirement to ride the two of the highest tests of that level in the Intro Western Dressage Awards as they are all of similar requirement (no canter required as is Intro C with straight dressage.) Sarah Bookner seconded it and it unanimously passed.
Heather Boyer also asked that in traditional dressage in the Intro classes Championship that the Intro C class must be ridden (even if it is a score that is thrown out.) It was determined that we needed more discussion on this before a Vote..
Our next meeting is on April 2 in person and will be at M&M Tack in Raleigh at 7:00 PM.
Helen adjourned the meeting at 9:28.
